Something Not Quite Right- But Not Quite Wrong

T/W: Deadnaming, Panic Attack, there's also some weird implied homophobia? 

Word Count: 1,981

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Betty, admittedly, had spent more time thinking about Archie Andrews that summer than any times previous. It was something to do with finishing her first year of highschool, mixed in with her summer internship- she was feeling, almost, grown up. Able to take on any world challenge that she happens upon- including her big crush on Archie. Kevin even spent the evening of the Pop's meet up hyping her up about it in her bedroom.

Kevin was always good for that. He liked chatting about cute boys, and drama and the everydays of high school life...and what they'd do if they weren't in Riverdale, and bound by parental expectation (the last part holding mainly true for Betty). It's all stuff she couldn't talk with Archie about (for obvious reasons), or Jones- who had always preferred artful movies and scary stories over anything Betty and Kevin enjoyed. Jones would always input his own playful quip to conversations- which she liked. She liked that he tried to connect in his own way, and sometimes what he said made her laugh- but it wasn't the same with Kevin.

And as bad as it was for her to say- Kevin was always more of the girl friend, than Jones ever was.

But it was that night, with Kevin helping her get ready- that she told Archie. Told him she liked him. She was bound with so many nerves she could hardly notice how off-put he seemed. Not by her, in particular- but in a general sense. Caught in a haze. It didn't really dawn on her till after they had left Pop's, and she was laying in bed, grinning at the thought of how he likes her. And it hits her so suddenly, Betty almost feels sick.

She doesn't mention any of this to Kevin. Who she'd previously tell everything to. And she certainly doesn't tell her mom, who's still so worked up over Polly running away with her red-headed boyfriend- that she thinks her mom might have a heart attack if she found out her and Archie were anything more than friends.

And she doesn't talk to Archie about it at first- and then, before it gets too much, she confronts him. Though, less confront (Betty was still working on that strong, confident attitude that other girls seemed to have), and more so confirmed what they're feelings meant. With all the bubbly feelings that surged through her that night, she didn't think that far past telling him. It was all confusing and odd and a new terrain past that. She supposes as Archie's first...whatever they are...that they'd both be going into the unknown together. Which was still scary, but comforting to know.

She lets him know over text. It's well read, with no spelling (or grammar) errors. She asks him if this means she's his girlfriend. And Archie replies with an odd "of course!" followed by a smiley. Betty gets that over bubbly feeling again, and tries not to think about the smiley face too much. She tells him she wants to keep it on the down low- and Archie says he's okay with that.

And while Betty, who said she wanted it on the DL, and knew it was safer this way- still felt strange when Archie said okay .

When they meet up the first day of school- Betty's nervous. It's the same nervousness that she had at Pop's. But the way Archie smiled at her, and held her hand all the way to the school doors- it made her heart swell with joy. And maybe, the smiley face text isn't something to fret over- it's just the beginning of this after all. And she feels safe, and okay, and almost confident when she walks into class that day.

//

Betty meets Veronica that morning, having volunteered to show her around for a while before school starts. Except, when she meets Veronica- it's not who she expects. The school counselor would give Betty a sheet with the kid's name and classes- so she could be prepared for their arrival.