The Boy Next Door

Chapter One: Hot Mess

It was the day before the start of term and Betty Cooper had arranged to meet her best friend and next door neighbour Archie Andrews for dinner, and Kevin Keller; Riverdale's resident gay, had spent the afternoon at hers.
"So are you excited? You've had a crush on him since like, second grade!" he exclaimed, watching her reactions.
"I mean, obviously. I'm also nervous." she replied, gesturing out the window.
Kevin glanced out the window and back at her.
"Game-changer! Archie got hot!! He's got abs!! What has he been doing all summer? Working for his dad?"
She nodded, blushing.
"Yeah, anyways, stop delaying me, Mr.Gossip. I'm late enough as it is."
She took her handbag and a pink lipstick, and ran out the door. "I'll be back before midnight!!"

Betty arrived at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, seeing Archie already waiting in a booth.
"Sorry I'm late," she gasped, slightly out of breath. "Kevin wouldn't let me leave without giving me a lecture."
Pop Tate came over with their usual milkshake orders of 1 Classic Vanilla and 1 Strawberry, and set them down on the table.
"It's fine, Betty," Archie replied, "I took the opportunity to let my father know I'm doing both football and music this year. He's not too happy about it."
"Understandable," Betty laughed, "How was your summer?"
"Could have been better, I was working for my dad. What about you? I heard your mother's been giving you a hard time again."
"Yeah, my summer was alright. My seizures have come back, so I have to take my medication again, but I forgot to get a refill, so she went and did it for me. I love her and all, but she's a bit too controlling of my life."

The conversation continued, well into the night, until Veronica arrived, just short of 11:00 pm, interrupting Betty, who was ready to talk about her feelings for Archie.
"I called in an order for Lodge?" She asked Pop Tate, who told her the order was almost ready but she had to wait.
She paused at the pair's table, intrigued by Archie.
"How are the onion rings here?" Veronica asked, smiling. "I'm Veronica. My mother and I just moved here."
"Archie. Andrews. The rings are so good, by the way."
"Could we get some onion rings too, please?" she called out.
"Where did you move from?" Archie asked, curious. No one ever moved from a big city to Riverdale. It was unheard of. You had to be running from something to end up there.
"New York. Do you guys go to Riverdale? I'm starting there this week, I'm filled with dread."
"Oh wow... Oh!" Archie paused. "I haven't introduced you. This is Betty Cooper."
"Wait...are you supposed to give me my tour tomorrow?"
"Yes," Betty smiled, nodding.
Veronica's order was finally ready, leaving to collect it, she turned back to the pair,
"I'll see you two on Monday."

Little did Betty know, Veronica was going to be the start of one long complicated friendship with some of the most unlikely people in the town to be considered friends.