Always the Mysterious Ones

Chapter 7

I waited outside Archie's house, waiting for it to be exactly eight 'o clock before I knocked on the door. As soon as my watch turned eight, I knocked. Mr. Andrews answered the door. "Hi Phoenix, come on in. Archie, Phoenix is here!" he called upstairs.

A few minutes later, Archie came down the stairs. He was wearing a tuxedo and Converse high tops. His hair was styled messily yet naturally. "Wow. Phoenix, you look amazing," he said on his way down the stairs.

I blushed. "Thanks," I said. "You don't look so bad yourself." I was wearing my mom's red dress with my sister's black pumps, my black tights, my black-and-red bow tie choker, my usual ring necklace from my mom, my Panic! at the Disco watch, and a black clutch purse. I had added a slight curl to my hair and gelled it. As far as makeup went, I was wearing red eyeshadow with black eyeliner, mascara, and Black Cherry lipstick. Nothing too outrageous. Just natural, as usual. (A/N Picture of her outfit above.)

Archie smiled. "M'lady," he said, holding his arm out.

I took it. "Wait, I want to take some pictures. Phoenix, do you want copies for your mom's photo album? She would love them," Mr. Andrews said before we walked out the door.

"Yes please," I said.

Archie and I posed for a few pictures, then we walked over to Betty's house. I knocked on the door, and Mr. Cooper opened. "Hi, I don't believe we've met. Hal Cooper," he said, holding his hand out.

I took it in a handshake. "Phoenix Brenton. We're here to pick up Betty for the dance," I said.

"Of course. Betty, your friends are here!!" he called.

Betty practically raced down the stairs. "Hey guys. Let's go. Veronica said she'll meet us there," she said excitedly.

Archie and I nodded and we all headed in the direction of Riverdale High School. When we got there, Veronica was already out front waiting for us. "Hey guys. You all look really good," she said, looking straight at Betty.

"Thanks, you too. You guys ready to go in?" I said.

Everyone nodded and we made our way into the crowded gym. When we got in there, there was a slow song on. "May I have this dance?" Archie asked semi-sarcastically.

I giggled. "Yes you may."

I put my arms around his neck, and he put his around my waist. "So, are you and Jug, like, a couple?" he asked.

"Not officially, but we both have feelings for each other. I'm trying to get up the courage to ask him out. If he doesn't beat me to it."

"That's good. I'm happy for you guys. I've know Jughead forever, and he's never really liked people in general. I'm glad he's finally made a connection with someone."

"Yeah. He's helping me a lot right now too. Through a lot of stuff. A lot of personal family stuff."

"That's good. I still can't believe I blew off our road trip for something as stupid and illegal as what I did."

"Well, everyone makes mistakes. Mainly because we focus on one person: ourselves. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. What you're doing isn't hurting anyone, but it's pushing people away. If you don't do or say something soon, it might push away some of the people you care about the most."

"You want me to tell Jug about Grundy."

"Sooner or later you're going to have to. I just say you should tell him sooner rather than him finding out later from some one who isn't you."

"How do I approach it? I can't just say it in the middle of a conversation. 'Yeah, I'm glad you and Phoenix are an item. Oh, and by the way, I blew you off over the summer for the music teacher I'm sleeping with.' It's not gonna go over with him too well."