Archie's POV
The whole gang is back together at the reunion. We're all sitting in the lounge of our old high school laughing just like old times. "I'm gonna get a refill. Anyone want one?" I ask standing "Cabernet, please" Ronnie says flashing me a smile. I nod and walk over to the drinks. I miss this, not getting her refills, but just being around her. I was an idiot for not leaving with her 5 years ago, it was and still is the biggest mistake of my life. I pour her glass of wine and refill my beer and walk back over to the couch. I sit back down next to her and hand her the glass and she gives me another smile, "thank you Archiekins" she says, bringing back the old nickname she made for me. I haven't heard that in so long. I laugh and take a sip of my beer.
Jughead and Betty decide to go back in the gym and dance, and Josie, Reggie, Cheryl and Kevin are all going to get food. That just leaves Ronnie and I on the couch in the lounge alone. 5 years ago we'd take this as a chance to make out, but today we're just trying to find things to talk about. "So how's life in New York" I ask, almost hoping she'll say it's terrible so she will stay with me. "It's great" she says smiling. "How's life here" she asks. "The usual. Almost boring" I joke. "Then why stay?" She asks bluntly. I look at her and then I look down, not knowing how to respond. "Do you mean now or 5 years ago" I ask still looking at my lap. "Either one" she says, about to sip her wine. "Ronnie I panicked. Things were going so fast, we went from being high school boyfriend and girlfriend to apartment hunting and splitting bill payments. I just wasn't ready, but you were. You are. I didn't want to hold you back" I say, finally getting that off of my chest. "You should've said that. I would've waited as long as you wanted me to" she says looking at me, despite me looking away. "I know I should've. But I didn't. And there is nothing I regret more" I say looking at her. She looks back at me and I notice the small ways she's changed in the past 5 years, her hair is a bit longer and she has a darker tan. I didn't even realize we were both leaning in until her lips are right in front of mine, and I can feel her breath on my lips. Her eyes are on mine and I move my hand to her cheek. "We shouldn't do this" she says closing her eyes for a second. "We definitely shouldn't do this" I say breathless. She finally closes the gap and I put both of my hands in her hair. Her hands pull on my jacket, making me move closer to her. Our kiss deepens and I feel alive again, I haven't had a kiss that actually meant something in so long. I'm still as in love with Veronica now as I was in high school. Maybe even more, if that's even possible. The door opens and we hear Josie gasp. "Oh uh sorry. We should've kno- knocked. Uh we'll just meet you guys in the gym" she says before pushing everyone out. Veronica turns and faces forward and leans her elbows on her knees. "You Okay?" I ask after a minute. "Am I okay? You tell me. After the person who you loved tells you they don't want to have the life you planned together then proceeds to tell you 5 whole years later that he regrets the decisions he made would you be 'okay'? Cause honestly I'm pissed" she says standing up. I stand up too, desperate for her to forgive me. " I know. And you have every right to be. But we can get back that time. And so much more-" I start but she cuts me off. "How do you know we can? You never asked if I'm dating anyone? What if I have a boyfriend?" She says. I fill with jealousy and panic "do- do you?" I ask, hoping the answer would be no. "No you idiot I don't have a boyfriend. But you can't just dump me 5 years ago because you were a little scared to pay your own bills but then expect to be able to have me when you think you're ready" she says angry, clearly having that prepared from her memory. "I don't expect to have you. I don't deserve you" I say gesturing towards her. "I mean have you seen yourself. You're beautiful. And you're a genius. And you're so funny and talented. And you're a 22 year old CEO, that doesn't happen unless you're an incredible person with business savvy and incredible ways at doing anything you ever set your mind to. I can't even make myself to be a fraction of the person that you are and I know you could do so much better than me, but I honestly don't want you to. So I'm asking you to please, please, slum it with me" I say, practically begging but not caring anymore. I need her. She stands there shocked at my outburst. "Veronica" I whisper, "please. Come back to me" I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Screw it" she murmurs and kisses me. I kiss her back right away and I wrap my arms around her waist, tightening my grip on her as if she'll disappear if I don't. She pushes me to the back of the room so if anyone comes in the door they won't see us. I lift her on the counter and kiss her neck roughly and she moans in my ear, a sound I've been dying to hear. It makes me weak at the knees but I just keep kissing her. I suck lightly and release the skin on her neck when she pulls my face back to hers and kisses me. This kiss is different than any other we've shared, it's hungrier. Like we're scratching the itch that's been aching for years, and we're only just getting started. "Pembrooke" She says breathlessly. "Let's go back to the Pembrooke"
We sneak out of the school so no one sees us and we both get in my truck. "What about your car" I ask. "I'll get it tomorrow" she says before she kisses me again. I smile into the kiss and she pulls away and smiles back. I turn on the ignition and take off out of the parking lot, maybe a bit over speed limit. As we drive back to her place Veronica moves to the middle of the seat and kisses my cheek and then trails down to my neck. "Ronnie" I say as calm as possible, but honestly I'm ready to pull over and have sex with her right here. "Yes?" She asks pretending she has no idea about the effect she has on me. "What are you doing" I mumble. "Just kissing you. Am I distracting your driving" she asks biting her lip and tilting her head a bit. "We could pull over" I suggest, hoping she'll say yes. "Nope. I'm gonna make you wait" she says, then proceeds to bite my ear lobe then moves back to the door. "Not fair" I say squeezing the wheel. She laughs and ignores my glances the rest of the drive there.
When we enter the parking lot I park quickly and then turn the car off. She looks at me and I look back at her. A smile grows on her face when she lifts a finger up and gestures for me to come closer. She puts her back against the door and her feet out in front of her. I grab her by the legs and pull her closer to me, she gasps and puts her arms around my neck. I shift so she's straddling my lap, something we've done countless of times. We're about to kiss again when I feel her hand cover my mouth, "inside" she whispers and climbs over me and starts walking inside. I jump out after her and begin to follow. I've been waiting for this day since I lost her the first time, and now that I have her again. I'm never letting go.
Here's part 2! I have so many ideas for this storyline I might make it a 4 parter, but for now the plan is 3. We'll see how it goes! Hope you like this :)
