ONION RINGS // barchie

First Encounter

| Archie's point of view |

School starts in less than a week. I'm still trying to figure out where summer went — working along side my dad made the days slip by like sand slipping through the gaps between my fingers. I worked my ass off to a point I developed muscles? I never noticed until I stepped out the shower and whipped the fogginess off the mirror. I caught a glimpse of — "are those abs?" I remember my voice cracking. I blinked several times thinking I was seeing things, but I wasn't. I'm so used to being recognized for being the skinniest kid in class. It feels odd to no longer label myself that.

"Earth calling Archie. Hello?" Veronica waves her hand in front of my face, finally bringing me back to reality.

"Absentminded much?" She mouthed out before taking a sip of her vanilla milkshake.

"I'm sorry, Ronnie. You were saying?" I try my best to remember our previous conversation, but my mind is blank. This morning, I remember her text inviting me to Pop's. I remember ordering our milkshakes and catching up while doing so. But as we sat down in our booth, I can't recall what happened next. And I don't want her to think she's boring me, Veronica is far from being boring — although a lot of our friends would disagree. Veronica is your sweet, straight 'A' girl-next-door. She's amazing and she also happens to be my best friend.

"You've doze off twice already," she takes yet another sip of her milkshake, but this time looking down and away from me. "Is everything okay?"

"I have? Sorry, I'm just thinking about school." I shake my head trying to shake my thoughts away too.

"What about school?" She asks and gathers the strength to look up at me again. She must be upset I'm not showing a lot of interest in our conversations. I'm really just upset myself I didn't get the chance to enjoy summer like everybody else.

"Well, I spent every day of our supposed vacation breaking my back carrying bricks and getting dirt in my eyes," — I think I almost went blind at one point. "You can't exactly expect me to feel excited about getting back into a classroom."

"Wasn't it your idea to work for your dad as a punishment for the bad grades?" She arches a brow, something she does every time she states the truth.

"Whatever," I sigh painfully taking in the blame. "What's done is done." Taking a sip of my own milkshake, I try to change the subject, push my self-centred thoughts aside and pay attention to her. "So, what was that you couldn't tell me over text?"

"Well, I've been thinking, a lot," she pauses and smiles at me. "About us, Archie. About our friendship. . ."

And there I was again, dozing off. This time, my eyes drifted from Veronica's innocent features to an unrecognizable figure walking into the diner. It wore a long black cape that ended before the ankles allowing the full display of black heels. She then tucks her hood back revealing a face; red lipstick, full black lashes and short blonde hair that cascaded a little past her shoulders. She's beautiful.

"I was thinking maybe it's time," — I can actually see Veronica frown from the corners of my eyes, but I don't dare divert my eyes away from the angel.

Veronica is quick to notice I'm not paying the slightest attention and follows my gaze, turning her head towards the entrance.

"Who is that?" She whispers as a major rom-com moment plays in my head — everything is suddenly in slow motion while she makes her way to our booth and there's a random song stuck in my head.

"Hi," not only was she sculpted by God himself, but her voice has also an angelic ring to it. "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"Actually," Veronica begins to say before I jump in and cut her off. "No! We, uh, we were just chatting."

"I see. Allow me to introduce myself," her mouth curves into a smile and an arm emerges from inside her cape. "My name is Elizabeth Cooper. I just moved here."

I look at her extended hand and I'm quick to give it a friendly shake, "I'm Archie Andrews and this is Veronica Lodge." Veronica greets her with the same manner.

"Nice to meet you both. One question," her eyes stare down at the menu and I wish she hadn't — because I got lost in the ocean blue of her eyes. "How are the onion rings from Pop's?"

"The best!" I reply almost instantly. When I look from one female to the other, I notice that one looks particularly shocked about my sudden burst of energy.

I'm confused myself — a minute ago, I was oblivious of everything, now I feel like I want time to stop so I can fully take in Elizabeth's angelic face.

"Cooper you say? I think you're the transfer student I'm supposed to take on a tour around Riverdale High." Veronica arches her brow again.

"Veronica Lodge, was it?" She says as maybe the name starts to make sense in her head. The raven-haired girl replies with a simple nod.

"Right. Well, to be continued." The blonde said lastly.

I watch her wave goodbye, pick up her order from the counter and leave. I catch my reflection on the glass window beside us and I notice I'm smiling like an idiot. Going back to school now doesn't feel like such a pain in the ass — as long as I get to see her again.