FLAMES {Peter Parker X Betty Cooper}

ch8

PETER'S POV
flashback

I walk into spanish and take a seat, pulling my spanish books out. I hear the door open and i turn to my right, to see Archie walking into the room with Betty close behind him. They both walk into the row in front of me and take their seats.

I watch Betty as she sits, hoping she would turn around and give me a little bit of recognition at least. She doesn't seem to notice me as she pulls out her own books. She then puts her head back up and her eyes land on me. She gives me a small smile which i return nervously. She slides into her seat, turning her body to face Archie.

I watch the pair as they talk. I know Betty used to have a crush on Archie which is why i find him intimidating. He's the star footballer and she's the perfect cheerleader, they were practically made for each other.

That was until Jughead Jones entered the equation. Betty got with Jughead and Veronica got with Archie. Bughead became a big deal in the school which just made me feel worse. Kevin Keller, who is in a couple of my classes, talked about Bughead every chance he got.

And now they have broken up, and i can't help but wonder if Archie is the reason. I sigh, looking away from the pair.

***

Halfway through class, i see movement from the corner of my eye. I look up and see a shocked expression on Archies face and a confused one on Betty's. He's staring at his phone and she's watching him do so.

Suddenly he jumps out of his seat. I glance at Betty to see her staring up at him in confusion.
"Miss, Elizabeth and i have to be excused." he says urgently, turning to look at Betty.

He motions for her to follow him. She quickly gets out of her seat, grabbing her books. She follows him to the door which he holds open for her to go through.

I look back at the teacher, confused. She looks slightly irritated at Archie's sudden outburst but turns back to the board.

Suddenly, i feel the hairs on my arm stand on end. An uneasy feeling washes over me as i look down at my arm. I sense a danger that i have to fix.

I jump out of my seat the same way Archie did, but i'm a lot more socially awkward than him. "Um sorry miss, but i have to go too." i say quickly before shuffling towards the door.

As soon as it's open i notice Betty looking over at Archie's phone. She glances up at me but i can't let myself become distracted. I begin to sprint down the hall and towards the doors.

***

I swing as quickly as i can towards the River, the place i can sense the problem. It takes a lot longer than it normally would in New York. There, the buildings are high and easy to swing from. Here, there are no skyscrapers or apartment towers, just small houses.

As i near it, i hear the screams. I narrow my eyes, trying to focus in on the sound.
"Cheryl!"
"Cheryl!"

Cheryl? As in Cheryl Blossom? As in the red head vixen? Who is calling her name and why?I try again to focus.
"Just come to the shore and we'll figure this out together, ok?"
The voice sounds strangely familiar. Maybe i know it from school.

"No, Cheryl!" i hear someone shriek, a lot more intensely. But unlike the other voice, i recognize this one right away.
Elizabeth Cooper.

So this is why Archie and Betty ran out? To help Cheryl? What is Cheryl even doing?
The iced river finally comes into view and i spot four people running towards a big hole in the ice.

The four people are Betty, Veronica, Archie and Jughead. And inside the hole, i see a red headed figure get dragged away by the current. I drop myself down onto the ice, and start running towards the hole, Archie almost there.

He gets there first and drops to his knees. I skid to a stop, as Jughead, Betty and Veronica all close in.

"The current has her." Archie announces.
"Spread out." Jughead yells and all four of them begin kicking holes into the ice.

"She's here!" Archie yells. Everyone starts to run over to him. I glance at Betty who is shaking while watching Archie whack the ice. Blood starts to drop from his hands. I run over to him, grabbing his arms.

"Stop, stop!" i yell at him, pushing him back a little. I start to kick at the hole he started and eventually it gives way. I look down and see Cheryl. Grabbing her by the arms, i pull her out of the icy water.

I look over at the group of them. Veronica looks shaky, Jughead is pacing back and forth. Betty has tears streaming down her face, and Archie pulls her into a hug.

"She's not breathing." i announce, my voice turned slightly bitter at the sight of Archie and Betty. He lets go of her and rushes over to Cheryl, giving her cpr.

Eventually Cheryl begins to breath again, water flying out of her mouth as she coughs. I look at Betty who has a relieved expression, while dabbing at her wet face. I want nothing more than to give her a hug. She walks over to Veronica who is sitting on the ice and does just that.

I walk over to the pair of them after a couple of minutes, giving my hand to help them up. They both stand up, leaning on eachother for support. Probably the only chance i'll ever get to hold Betty's hand.

"You both ok?" i ask. "I guess so, yeah, just a little shaken." i nods at Betty's words.
"What are your names?" As if you don't know.
"I'm Betty and this is Veronica. Those two over they are Archie and Jughead."

"Alright, well i'm going to take your friend to a hospital. Cheryl's her name?" I ask to which Betty nods.

"Yeah, Cheryl Blossom." she tell me. They walk over to where Archie and Jughead are sitting with Cheryl.

"Here, give her my scarf."  she tell them, taking it off and looping it around her neck. I watch her as she does it and can't help but admire her.

I lift Cheryl off of the ice and turn to them. "You four saved your friend today."
They all stand out of breath, relieved that Cheryl is ok. "I'll take her to the hospital, and i'm sure you can all go visit her tomorrow."
"We will." Archie says.

I nod before throwing a web up into a tree and disappearing. I look at Betty as i fly up into the tree, her face a mix of confusion and admiration. I give out a quick chuckle before swinging my way back home.