Betty's heart dropped as she saw the two people she once held dearest sitting in the booth before her eyes. The whole world seemed to stand still—she heard the noises of a busy diner around her, but in the small space between them, nothing moved. The three of them looked at one another in shock and silence for a few moments until Veronica rose to her feet. Betty braced for the cold impact of a shake dripping itself down her interior, a crisp slap across the face, or even the heart crushing screams of anger that might soon fill her ears. She would deserve all of those things after what she allowed her father to do to both Archie and Veronica and their families. It was one of the reasons she chose to avoid them since she and the whole town discovered the Black Hood's identity.

While she was lost in her detrimental thoughts, Veronica had carefully inched closer with her eyes veering deep into Betty's. Veronica reached out her arms and Betty braced for impact. Suddenly, her nose was filled with the scent of Veronica's signature perfume, her squinted eyes eased with the feeling of soft, black hair grazing against them, and the muscles of her body relaxed as she was enveloped in the safety of Veronica's embrace.

A...hug? That wasn't at all the reaction she had expected.

"I've missed you so much, B," she heard Veronica whisper into her ear, "Please tell me you're okay." The hug grew tighter as she felt another set of arms wrap around her body. She fought to hold back the tears that the smell of Archie's cologne brought but combined with the comfort she felt from Veronica's embrace, she wasn't strong enough. Wet droplets fell from her eyes as quickly as a spring rain, rinsing their way through Veronica's hair. The three of them stood that way for many moments, attempting in the only way they knew how to regain some of the time they had lost.

Finally, they slowly began to separate, but both Archie and Veronica kept an arm on Betty. For the first time in so long, Betty felt safe. However, as the memories of the recent months flooded her brain, she looked to the checkered floor. She felt a soft hand rub small circles onto her back. Knowing that the hand belonged to Jughead gave her great comfort. She slowly rose her eyes, looking at them through damp eyelashes.

"I'm so sorry," she began, as tears welled again in the bottom of her eyes. "I—I should have known; I should have stopped him. I—" She felt Archie's hand tighten on her arm while Veronica threw herself around her torso once again. Betty's body shook with the cries she had held inside for so much time.

"B, we've never once blamed you. Never. It was your sociopath of a father, Betty. He did this to the town, not you. He convinced himself that it should be his job to take care of sinners, not you. No one in their right mind here blamed you," Veronica said while hugging her tightly. Betty saw Archie nod and gently smile when she looked up at their faces. In that moment, for the first time in many months, Betty felt relief, happiness. She had closed off her best friends for so long. She avoided their texts and calls, left school, slid down her locked door while crying as they knocked repeatedly...She could see now why she was so wrong. She loved them and, it seemed, they still loved her.

"Come sit with us, Betty," Archie said with his all-American charm. Betty's heart soared, but not in the same way it did when they were just kids. After all, he was with Veronica now and she...well, she didn't want to speak too soon, but she felt a connection with the boy who stood behind her. Her Juggy. Upon thinking of him, she remembered, "Oh! V, Arch, this is Jughead," she said as she directed their attention to the beanied boy. "I found him yesterday when his bike broke down. He's staying with me until the part comes in for me to fix it. I've been showing him around today." She saw Archie and Veronica exchange an almost-unnoticeable glance before Archie stuck out his own hand for an introduction. "I'm Archie Andrews," he said, "it's nice to meet you, Jughead. This is—" "Veronica Lodge," she said as she presented a well-groomed hand toward Jughead. Betty saw Jughead smile at the two and her heart soared to new heights. Maybe this was finally it, the time for her life to return to normalcy, to happiness.

They talked that night over many milkshakes and, at least for Jughead, many hamburgers. Betty giggled each time she saw Jughead reach for another hamburger. He really wasn't kidding when he said he was always hungry, she thought to herself. Sitting in happiness, she remembered the things she used to dream of—continuing to earn straight-A's in all of her classes while also forming close relationships with her teachers, writing solo for the Blue and Gold and keeping up with her other extracurricular activities like the Vixens, perfecting her resumé so she could be accepted into one of the prestigious Ivy League schools she always wanted to attend, working toward her ultimate goal of being a journalist or author, and, above all, being best friends with Archie and Veronica for the rest of her life. She had let go of these dreams long ago, though.

"Please come back to Riverdale High with us, B," Veronica said, shaking her from her own thoughts. Betty wanted this more than almost anything, but it was simply impossible. As she shook her head and lowered her eyes she responded, "I'd love to, V, but I can't." She continued as she saw their confused faces, "No one wants me there, guys. I'm the daughter of the Black Hood. I'm the last person that deserves to walk the halls with people who lost their friends, their families, their classmates..." she trailed off, not needing to be any more detailed.

"B," Veronica grabbed her hand, "I'm begging you, please consider it. We need you there. People want you there. Please just think about it. I don't want to finish out the remainder of our high school lives without you." Betty could see the tears welling in Veronica's eyes. Everyone thinks she's just a rich snob who has no feelings, Betty thought, but she's actually one of the most caring people I've ever had the honor of knowing. "I'll think about it," she said, though she knew her answer, deep down.

Soon after, they agreed to separate until later that evening when Veronica begged both Betty and Jughead to join them again at Pop's for dinner. Betty was silent during the ride home, her thoughts filled with newfound possibilities, including returning to school with her friends and classmates. Each time the though surfaced in her brain, though, she buried it deeper. She knew that reality was gone from her reach. She wasn't wanted, even if Archie and Veronica claimed she was. Besides, she had lost a few months of involvement due to her continuing her education at home. When she took over the automobile-repair shop, she let her grades slip below the all-A's she had always took pride in. It disappointed her greatly, but it was what she was forced to do given the sudden grim financial circumstances her family found themselves in.

In what seemed like less time than usual, they arrived at the Cooper house. Surprisingly, no new signs adorned their ground or driveway. She turned to look at Jughead for the first time since leaving Pop's. The setting-sun gleamed slightly into the window of her truck, cascading over his face. He was so effortlessly handsome. She turned and opened her door, signaling for them both to enter the house. When inside, they both sat at a comfortable closeness on the living room couch, inviting new conversation.

"So," Jughead started, "Archie and Veronica were really cool and friendly." Betty smiled. "They really are. They always have been." She looked to see Jughead's curious face encouraging her to elaborate. "I've known them both for quite some time. Veronica for less. She moved here a couple of years ago from New York. A lot of people in Riverdale don't get the chance to know her before they judge. Her family has so much money, but she is so generous. Archie, on the other hand, I've known him my entire life. Literally. He actually lives right next door," she smiled. Laughing, she remembered a story of their childhood. "One time when we were very young, I helped him pass a class so he could stay with our grade. He bought one of those gaudy plastic rings with a big blue 'stone' and proposed to me when he found out he passed. I told him to wait until we were eighteen. I though that was what made you an adult then." Jughead laughed and smiled kindly at her story, but she thought she may have seen a glimmer of sadness or jealousy run across his face. "When Veronica arrived in Riverdale, things changed. For the better, though," she smiled encouragingly at him, "I love them together. Definitely ship it." Jughead laughed at this, clearing the air.

"You know," he said, "you really should consider going back to school." Betty sighed. "I want to, Jug, I really do. It's just not a good idea. The last time I was there…it was bad. People wrote things on my locker in pig blood. I could hear them whispering about me. I want to go back but I can't."

Jughead took her hand softly. "That wasn't what I saw today, Betty. It looked like you had two people ready to go to the end of the earth to have you back. I imagine there are more, too." There faces were closer now and both grew suddenly silent. Betty looked into his eyes, seeing sincerity and kindness. Slowly, she looked down toward his lips. They were slightly chapped, she could see where he may have a habit of chewing on them. She reached her finger up to touch them, sliding her thumb across each crack. They were, surprisingly, smoother than they looked to the eye. She moved her hand around to the back of his head and gently pushed his face closer to hers. With eyes closed, they both moved into another passionate kiss, the world stopping around them.

Standing in the parking lot a short amount of time later, Betty smoothed out the ruffles of her baby pink dress. Veronica had texted her prior to their meeting time, informing her that she had better pull out some of the cute dresses she had gifted to her many months ago. This was one of her favorite casual dresses that Veronica had given—it was her signature color, pink, with subtle glitter sparkling throughout. It was topped with a collar of white glitter and adorned with a matching belt. Veronica had even bought her shimmering white flats to match. She ran her hand along the top of her ponytail, making sure that it was flattened.

Nervous butterflies soared throughout her stomach. Just as she began considering a plan of crawling back into her truck and leaving, she felt Jughead's hand surround hers. She looked up to see his encouraging smile and she suddenly felt empowered. They began that seemed like a long trek into Pop's, each step feeling as though Betty's dainty shoes were made of concrete.

Seconds later, Veronica's figure appeared in the doorway. As soon as they entered, Betty was again wrapped inside her friend's embrace. "Welcome, B! And…J?" she said, testing the nickname.

"Hi, V," Betty responded. Looking around confused she said, "Wow, V, Pop's is kinda quiet today. These booths are usually full at this time. Is business doing okay?" She hoped her friend's attempt at creating a name for herself was a continuing success. Veronica smiled. "Slow night," she responded. "Now, come. I want to show Jughead my sweet La Bonne Nuit!" With that, she pulled Betty toward the entrance of her not-so-secret speakeasy."

"Slow down, V!" Betty squeaked, laughing at her friend's enthusiasm. As they walked down the stairs, she turned to look at Jughead. His smile was radiating. She turned back around to pitch blackness. Suddenly…

"SURPRISE!" The word erupted as Veronica switched on the lights. In front of her, Betty saw so many people who she once held so close—Kevin Keller, one of her best friends, stood next to his on-again off-again fling Fangs Fogarty, Reggie Mantle stood slumped against the bar, Cheryl and Toni stood with their arms wrapped around each other's waists, Archie stood now next to Veronica with a huge grin. So many students from Riverdale High filled the room and, consequently, Betty's heart. She scanned the signs that she now realized her peers were holding, reading words like "Come home, Betty," "Riverdale's Favorite Blonde," and "You Belong, Betty Cooper." Happy tears filled her eyes, threatening to fall in front of a large percentage of the local student body.

"See?" She suddenly heard Veronica speaking. "We want you here, Betty. It's time to come back." The crowd cheered. Betty smiled. "Okay," she said while running into a giant group hug.

After many exhausting conversations, Betty and Jughead said their farewells to the group. Betty held Veronica even longer than usual, incredibly grateful that she had been blessed with such an amazing friend. They arrived at the Cooper house for the second time of their long day, both ready to rest and relax in each other's company.

"I'm really glad you decided to go back, Betty. It's the right choice. You deserve it," Jughead said while caressing her hand. "Me too, Jug," she responded.

Suddenly, the room grew quiet again with their passion radiating through their pores. Betty looked at her hand that Jughead softly caressed. Goosebumps began to appear on her arms. She reached her free hand to rub against Jughead's calf, gently up and down. She looked to find that Jughead had received the notion well. He moved his hand, also, to her leg, lightly dragging his fingers across her smooth skin. Betty felt the anticipation of the coming moments deep inside herself, in an area she was not familiar with feeling this sensation in. She slowly moved her hand higher, now up to his thigh, watching Jughead's reaction to judge whether or not her actions were okay. Since it was, she rose, beginning the climb closer to where Jughead sat. He leaned his body back onto the pillows that sat behind him as Betty gently placed her body over his. With their hands trailing each other's outlines, both felt the tingling sensations that could only be felt by two young people in love. Betty tenderly felt a hard object form beneath her frame, but she ignored it for the time being. Instead, she used one of her hands to remove Jughead's beanie and stroke her hands throughout his hair and the other to caress his smooth face as she kissed him. Their kisses became quicker, more intense as Jughead moved his hand toward…

The sound of the front door opening caused both parties to quickly jerk themselves from their respective positions. Betty glanced up in both shock and fear, but her face morphed to one of confusion. "Mom? What are you doing here?" she asked. Just as her mother began to open her mouth, a figure behind her came into the light. It was a rather tall man, adorned in jeans, a plaid shirt, and a leather jacket. His face was scruffy, but kind, his hair dark. Another conquest to hide the pain, Betty thought to herself. Just as she was about to make a comment, she heard Jughead speak next to her. "Dad?" he said.

Dad?! They both looked at each other in shock while their parents mirrored the reaction.