Resilience | Sweet Pea.

28 - New Arrivals.

"Hey, Arch, Nova?" Fred asks, walking into Archie's room as he packs his things and I spin around on his desk chair childishly.

As the mystery of the black hood is packed away along with our Christmas decorations, life in Riverdale is slowly but surely becoming as 'normal' as they can be. And with school starting back up for the year there was the small hope that life would become somewhat mundane, for once in our lives.

"What's up Fred?" I ask, stopping myself from further spinning.

"Did either of you say anything to anybody about my medical bills? Because it's been paid, all $86,000 of it. Something called an angel donation." Fred informs us.

"Oh shit. Really? I didn't even tell Sweet pea. I told Fangs though." I say.

"No... Oh well, I mean, I told Veronica. But she wouldn't..." Archie trails off, the three of us looking at one and other, realising what's happened here. "I'll ask her."

"No. I'll get to the bottom of it, you just focus on school. You too, Nova." Fred says.

"Hey! I get good grades!" I complain.

"I know you do." Fred laughs, looking down as Archie picks up his guitar case. "Haven't seen that guitar for a while" He comments.

"Yeah, well... I've been busy. I spent break writing songs again." Archie says.

"Look out, Fred. Soon Riverdale's next Ed Sheeran will be starting a band like the Fred Heads." I laugh, referencing Fred's high school band. "Only if I get to be the manager, though."

Archie ushers me to get up as he begins to leave the room.

"Well if you do, do that in the garage. That's why I soundproofed it for you." Fred chuckles.

"Bye Fred! See you later!" I say as Archie and I rush down the stairs, he gives us a small smile and wave as we do.

"Ronnie." Archie calls to Veronica as the two of us catch up to her in the hall.

"Oh! Hey, why isn't it my favourite siblings." Veronica gleams.

"Did you tell anyone about Fred's hospital bill?" I ask her.

"Hmm... Did I?" She says "I may have mentioned it to my parents in passing."

"Ronnie..." Archie sighs, the 3 of us stopping.

"They wanted to help, and they have the means to help. What? Is your dad upset?" Veronica asks. I suppose she's not exactly wrong. Even $86,000 wouldn't make much of a dent in their bank account... "Are you? Either of you?"

Veronica reaches out, touching Archie's arm.

"Upset, Ronnie? Are you kidding?" I scoff.

"Nova's right, how could we be upset? I am crazy about you-"

"Absolutely not. I am leaving." I say, cringing at them almost kissing in front of me.

"Bye, Nova." Archie calls, I flip him off playfully.

I walk into the common room, flopping down in the chair next to Betty's, she looks up from her book.

"Hey, B." I say.

"Hey, Nova." She says, patting my arm.

Shortly after, Archie and Veronica slide into the room, tongues still down each other's throats as they do. I see Archie and Betty make almost uncomfortable eye contact before Betty looks back at her book. I shift in my seat, feeling somewhat anxious that Betty was unaware of my knowledge of their kiss.