Falice 2

Return

Four long, committed years serving in the army and it was coming back to his hometown that made him feel anxious. He spent all of those years trying to keep his mind from thinking back on his past.

The town was just like how he left it, which he highly expected, split between two sides. The northside for the preppy elite and the southside for the scorned unfortunate. It would take a miracle to end the feud.

Pretending to be one of them was where he peaked in high school. He had hopes for that kind of life but that was in his past now.

The heart of Riverdale, regardless was a spot that could always be a pleasure to be at. He made the walk from Sunnyside to the diner.

He sat in a booth savoring his favorite Pop's meal. It has been far too long since he had the fried chicken with a side of onion rings, not forgetting an orange freeze for a drink. Pop Tate was delighted to see the old familiar face. FP looked older, more mature. Four years in the army could really change a man.

He had managed to grow a decent beard. The curls in his hair were shorter, but darker in color. He still looked like that young teenage boy from before he left, yet he also didn't. He had grown up. Twenty two years old and counting.

The bell above the door jingled. He didn't think much of it since many customers were entering and exiting, but when he looked up he saw her. She was yet to see him.

He could see how little she has changed as she walked up to the counter. That being because the change occurred when they were still in high school. She wore pastel colors instead of dark colors. Her hair was short and straight instead of long and curly like it used to be. She looked prestigious rather than her old rebellious self.

He watched her smile as she spoke to Pop and her nose still scrunched up like a bunny when she giggled. She was beautiful. That would never be able to change for him. She would always be beautiful in her own special way.

She glanced to her side as she was laughing and saw FP. She took another look to see if he truly was there. She hasn't seen him in years so it felt strange. Her blue eyes were locked with his brown eyes.

She excused herself from Pop and walked over to him. "Hey," She had a small smile on her face. "Wasn't expecting to run into you today."

"Yeah, what are the odds after just getting back?" He felt so infatuated with her. She still did that to him. She made him feel a certain way. "It's nice to see you, Alice."

"This seat taken?" Alice pointed, asking if she could sit.

"By all means," FP gestured for her to sit. Alice took a seat. "So what have you been up to?"

"I graduated from college not so long ago actually. We left the big city with journalism degrees and recently came back here to start our careers."

"We?"

"Yes, Hal and I..."

"Oh," FP said quietly. His eyes shifted to her hands as she fiddled with her thumbs. There was a ring. He didn't see it at first glance. Seeing it hurt. "You two, uh, still together?"

Alice could see where his eyes were. She moved her hands away. "Yes, he proposed before we moved back." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear then rested her hands on her lap. "We're buying the Riverdale Register. We will be writing the town's news."