Betty and Archie

New Years

Archie's POV

It's been a week since that awkward lunch at Pop's. I have seen Betty through her window every now and then but she has done what I asked. She is giving me space. We haven't talked since. I see Jug's motorcycle over there every once and awhile. I am sure they gave up hiding it from Alice at some point. You can't keep anything a secret in this town. Veronica has been great we have hung out a few times and, it weirdly isn't weird. We have fun, she has a lot going on with her family that she tends to vent to me about which is nice it keeps me distracted.

My mom is coming to town today, there is this big Pop's New Years Eve bash that Cheryl wants to hold, for whatever reason. So me my Mom and Dad are going to go tonight. My dad has been cleaning for what seems like days. He always does this before she comes to town. I never know why. She never comes looking for what he is doing wrong, my Mom is pretty laid back considering she is a lawyer.

"Dad I am going to go pick up mom!" I yell as I walk down the stairs.

"Okay take the truck, the keys are on the hook!" He yells back I grab the keys, and my jacket and the flowers I bought her and head out. I make my way to the truck when I see Jug leaving Betty's house he sees me and starts to walk over.

"Hey Arch how have you been? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." Jug say, which it's been a week since I have talked to him too. It's not like he is one to reach out, he has Betty back and I am sure they have been more than pre occupied. My stomach churns at the thought.

"Yeah man, just busy." I say.

"Who are the flowers for? New lady I presume..." He says with a smirk.

"Uh there for my Mom actually. I am going to pick her up." I say.

"Oh of course. Are you guys going to Pop's tonight for that New Years bash thing?" He asks.

"Yeah, my mom really wants to go. So she can see everyone." I say.

"Yeah for sure, well hey don't be a stranger dude I miss you." He says and that makes me soften up a bit, I miss him too. He is my best friend.

"Yeah man I miss you too, I will see you tonight at the bash and we can hang out." I say he nods and I get in the truck and he goes and hops on his motorcycle and we drive our separate ways.

"Dad were home!" I say holding my Mom's luggage and placing it in the foyer.

"Wow the house looks great boys." My mom says as my dad comes around the kitchen, in a nice button up and some nice pants. I roll my eyes. He goes to give my mom a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"How was the flight?" He asks.

"Oh it was good." She says. "Can I put these flowers in a vase?" She asks, my dad nods and takes the flowers and she follows him to the kitchen.

"I am going to go get ready!" I say and walk up to my room, Vegas is sprawled out on my bed. I look to my closet, it's formal attire according to Cheryl's flyer. I have a nice blue button up I can wear and a dark tie to go with, now pants. I think I have some dark jeans that could pass as nice somewhere. I dig through my drawers and this old Valentine falls out. I open it up.

'To My Favorite Valentine Love Betty'

I smile when I read it, she always wrote the same thing on every single one of my valentines. Every year. They stopped coming I think around freshman year. I always missed them. Knowing I had to see Betty tonight was going to be tough but we live right next door I can't avoid her forever, even though I would really like too. I go down stairs and my mom and dad are laughing and talking in the living room. As much as I would love them back together, they work so well as friends. It's nice that they can be so civil. Sometimes I feel like I have the only normal parents in this town.