The Investigation - Jeronica

New girl

I heard of the mystery girl's first appearance in riverdale through Betty. She had been out at the famous Pops with Archie - probably about to confess her feelings to him or something - when she walked in. Betty had confessed to me over the phone that she saw something change in Archie's eyes as she walked in. Perhaps lust, perhaps love, perhaps nothing. I for sure wasn't to know but I comforted Betty either way. She's gorgeous and the perfect girl next door, who wouldn't be lucky to have her? I didn't think anything else of the new girl. I wasn't planning on meeting or getting to know her and not to be rude but I wasn't that interested in whether it would come between Betty and Archie.

Yet here I am now walking over to our usual table at lunch only to see the new girl sitting next to Betty and Archie. She's what I expected, wearing some rich purple dress, probably from Chanel, with an obnoxious set of pearls hanging around her neck. Let me guess, "daddy" got them for her. All those New York girls are the same.

As I sit down the new girl glances at me but that's all. She puts her attention back into Betty and begins to ignore my existence. I roll my eyes at her recognition or lack thereof. Of course I'm glad she doesn't want to talk to me. Unluckily, Betty does.

"Veronica this is Jughead, Jughead this is Veronica"
"Jughead?" Veronica says, giggling slightly at my name.
"That's just his nickname" Betty says, ignoring the faces I make at her to shut up. "His real name is Forsythe"
"Is that meant to be better" Veronica chuckles out playfully. Archies watching me anxiously, scared I'll lash out.
"Ever heard of manners?" I ask dryly. She chuckles under her breath. A sound so faint I hardly hear it over the cafeterias constant murmur. The table falls silent. A crease begins to form on my forehead as I watch her inquisitively, trying to see what she's thinking, what she's making fun of. Eventually Archie starts talking about his music, my que to plug in my headphones and shut the world out.

Time flies by and as I stand by my locker to grab my bag I notice a certain blonde stroll down the hallway.
"Hey Betty! I call her over.
"What is it juggie?"
"Wanna head to pops. Archie's got football training but he says he can come after it ends."
"Actually I've got cheerleading trials!" she exclaims and I can't help but give a disapproving look. The cheerleaders are all popular and plain out mean. Cheryl's never gonna let her in anyway, she hates Betty because she thinks her sister killed jason. They were a thing once, that feels like forever ago. I want to tell her all of this but I don't want to ruin her mood.
"Did Veronica put you up to this?"
"I would say encouraged" Betty cheers out before practically hopping down the halls towards the gym.

Veronica and Betty's trials went ok considering they both got in. Betty wouldn't tell me much but from what I gathered Cheryl had been rude and Veronica somehow used her status to get her in, most likely through some kind of threat. In my opinion Betty would have been better off just listening to Cheryl and giving up, but I usually don't get it my way. The most important news was the back to school dance. Betty had been trying to build up the courage to ask Archie. She sorta did but it ended up being a double date with Veronica. I don't know and I don't care. The dances are a waste of time, just a chance for the jocks and popular kids to show off their fancy clothes and hot dates. I won't be going.

I munch down on my fries and burger; Archie sitting opposite me and staring at me impatiently. He's nailed the rugged handsome look. Messy hair, a bright ginger beard shaven down to the stubble, and a big goofy grin. I hate it. "Do you think she'll come" he asks, "I mean you told Betty to bring her right." I sigh. The bell from pops rings out and two preppy girls in cheerleader uniform stroll in. "Luck you, she's here" I moan.
"I'm glad she came," Archie says, almost drooling at the sight of her. Get a room.

I desperately pray Betty will sit next to me, even going as far as to move over for her. But of course she's not gonna miss out on the opportunity to sit with golden boy Archie. As Veronica slides in next to me I give her a glance of acknowledgment (being as civil as I can be) and she does the same. I look over to Archie and Betty but much to my dismay they're already deep in conversation.

"I'm sorry about earlier" Veronica says confidently "I didn't mean to make fun of your name."
I'm caught a little bit off guard by her words. I know rich snobs. She's not the first one I've met, but apologies aren't usually something you expect from them. At least not to trailer park kids like myself. But suddenly it all makes sense.
"I'm trying to be a better person than old New York Veronica."
Well we'll see how long this lasts.