One More Time

Chapter 2

Veronica's POV (2 years later)
"Is he, Archie, still waiting for you" my friend Aspen asks me, lying down on my bed. I apply my mascara in quick motions and then turn to face her. "Yes. And I just got accepted into my dream school all the way in California, the other side of the country" I say, the plan was to finish school here and Archie would come to New York for college and then we'd live happily ever after. I didn't think for a moment I'd get accepted into Stanford University. I cannot pass this up, but I also cannot ask Archie to move to California. "I have to call him" I say standing up to get my phone, "graduation is tomorrow, there's still time to stop him from chasing after me. He deserves more" I say while dialing Archie and walking onto my balcony. He picks up the phone on the second ring and it makes me smile, but also brings tears to my eyes:

A: Hey Ronnie
V: Hey Arch, we need to talk
A: Okay what's up

I hold back my tears so he won't hear my crying, I can let it out when we're done.

V: I'm so sorry, but I met someone. And we're both going to Stanford in the fall
A:.... your dream school
V: I'm so sorry Archie
A: You can't help who you fall for

I hold even more tears back before I respond.

V: Goodbye Archie
A: Goodbye Veronica

I hang up the phone and I fall to the ground, letting out quiet sobs so Aspen won't hear. I cry into my sleeve for a little while until I wipe my face and walk into my room, pretending everything is okay.

Archie's POV
Goodbye Archie. I repeat that in my head over and over again. That quickly I went from having everything I could ever want, to having nothing at all. Actually I have something, I have a football scholarship in New York but I have no one in New York. "Is that Veronica? Is she already pulling out all of the stops before you get there" my dad says leaning in my door way as I sit down on my bed. "Uh no. She's just uh, she just broke up with me dad" I say holding back tears. "What?" He asks, just as confused as I am. I nod my head and put my face in my hands. I feel him sit down next to me and pull my head into his chest and I let go and start to cry. He rubs my back, trying to comfort me but it's not working. The only thing that will make me feel better now is Veronica.

10 years later (everyone is 28)
"I'm proud of you son" my dad says after pulling off the headphones. "So it's good" I ask referring to my first EP. "Yes son. It's great" he says standing to hug me. "It's not long till I hear my boy on the radio" he says smiling. I hug him back and laugh "Well I wouldn't go that far, but hopefully". A lot of the songs on my EP are love songs, surprisingly it took 10 years. Probably because the only girl I've ever loved isn't with me, but there's no way in a second chance. I shake the thought from my mind and focus on the task at hand, "anyway, did you see the news this morning?" My dad asks me awkwardly. I nod my head, "Yeah. I feel terrible for her" I say sitting down, referring to the news story about Veronica. Apparently her boyfriend was arrested for a DUI and now it's reflecting badly on Lodge Industries, saying that she can't be CEO of a company when she can't even have a 'healthy relationship'. It infuriated me, despite the fact that we haven't spoken in 10 years. "I have to get back to work son. Good job on the EP" he says hugging me. I hug him back, "Thanks dad" I say. He walks out of my music room in my apartment and I hear the front door close behind him. I sigh and lay back in my chair, trying not to think of what Veronica is doing right now.

Veronica's POV
"MOMMY" my 2 year old daughter Natalie screams from the living room. "Coming baby" I yell back, trying to make dinner, work, and take care of a toddler. I run into the living room and she's holding up a broken toy, "It bwoke" She says pouting. "Oh honey I'm sorry" I say kneeling down next to her. "FIX IT" She yells. "Honey remember we need to keep our voices down. I'm sorry but I can't fix your toy" I say. She frowns again "BUT DADDY WOULD FIX IT" She yells. "Well he's not here now is he?" I ask. She pouts and runs off "oh honey I'm sorry" I call after her but she's already in her room. I sit further down on the ground and lean against my couch, I put my head in my hands and I groan. I sniffle and let out some quiet tears so Natalie won't hear me, in the other room I hear my phone ringing. I stand up and wipe my face and walk into the kitchen. I pick up my phone and press answer:

"Hello, an inmate from Los Angeles, California state prison is trying to reach you. Press 1 to transfer the call"

I groan and press 1, waiting for the call to transfer

Matt: Hey baby
V: Hi
M: So as soon as you pay my bail they can let me go.
V: find someone else to pay your bail
M: what?
V: I'm done Matt, I don't love you. We're done

I hang up the phone and slam it on the counter. My phone starts ringing again and I don't bother looking at the caller ID and I press answer.

V: what do you want
H: hi honey... it's Mom
V: oh hi, I thought you were Matt
H: That's what I'm calling you to talk about, we think you should come home.
V: To Riverdale?!
H: yes. We can make sure you're okay if you're here, we can help you with Natalie, and we have great lawyers here so you can get full custody
V: I will think about it Mom
H: Please do

I hang up the phone and think about Riverdale. I was happy there, I had Archie, I had my friends, I had everything I wanted. And then I left and went back to New York and then moved even further away to California. Should I go home?

This is probably terrible, I'm so tired 😂