Chapter Text
B & V's Apartment
Veronica
“V come on lets go” Betty yelled at me while she was sitting in our living room on her phone waiting for me to finally be ready.
“I’m coming, 2 minutes I swear.” I yelled while putting on my lipstick. Betty should know by now after almost four years of being my best friend and two years of living with me that I am never ready on time.
More like 5 minutes later I walked out of my bedroom picture perfect like always. “I’m ready what are you waiting for, lets go” I said nonchalantly while looking at my phone with a smirk on my face.
“I hate you.” Betty said, obviously joking.
“You love me and you know it, I’m calling an Uber so lets go wait downstairs.” I have a love hate relationship with cabs these days so I usually Uber. Also because it’s linked to Daddy’s card, so why the hell not. We went downstairs and waited for ‘Dave’ and his black Prius. One he arrived we got in, “For Veronica?” The driver nodded, “Yes. You going to Brass Monkey in Meatpacking?”
We both got in the back of the car and ‘Dave’ started driving. We were meeting Cheryl, Toni and maybe some other girls Cheryl invited. Cheryl demanded a girls night once a month, minimum. A little into our drive, I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone, checking Instagram, when suddenly something caught me completely off guard. I froze from the post that was still in the middle of my screen.
Betty noticed my blank expression and spoke up, “Hey V everything…”
“B don’t even say it, I’m fine.” I cut her off before she could say anymore, “Just in need of a night out. Things have been rough with the final quarter and my dad wanting me to take on more at the company.” I was fumbling over my own words.
Betty knew something was wrong with me, but didn’t want to pry more. At least not now. “Okay okay. Well we’re here” Betty said.
Inside the Bar
Betty
Once in the bar, Veronica went straight to order drinks and I went to the booth where everyone already was. I sat down next to Cheryl who was most likely on to her second drink and leaned over trying to be more discrete, “Heads up V seems a little off ever since she saw something on her phone earlier. So I’m thinking girls night later at our place?” I knew by the end of the night and after she had lots to drink she would open up.
“Of course. But honestly B when is it not girls night after we go out.” Cheryl said then took anther sip from her drink.
I was just about to respond when Veronica came strolling up with a guy behind her holding a tray of shots. “Hey guys miss me, I made a…friend at the bar who so graciously offered to help me with the drinks.” Veronica said look from the guy to her friends, all the while smiling.
“Well, well V. Who’s your cute new friend you got there?” Cheryl asked eying the guy up and down. She also scooted over so that Veronica and the random, objectively attractive guy could sit.
Veronica sat down and the guy placed the tray on the table then stood there not knowing what to do next. Veronica spoke up, “This is…” And then there was a few seconds she continued. “Wait I’m sorry I never got your name.”
“I’m Brian.” He said while taking the bold stance of taking a seat in the booth. Then he continued, “Yea I saw her struggling to grab the tray of shots and I’ve always wanted to be the price and help a damsel in distress when I see one.”
I knew I was giving him a somewhat obvious skeptical look, but I didn’t care. Veronica never flirts with random guys.
“Well I don’t know anyone has ever called Veronica Lodge a damsel in her life” Toni said. While nudging Betty and giving her a look of ‘Who the hell is this guy.’ When Jughead wasn’t around she was my stand in for him. We became good friends after we left Riverdale and the whole idea of ‘sides.’
Changing the subject so we would’t give him a hard time, Cheryl spoke up “Well Betty I know you, You’re not a shot girl. Come with me to the bar. Lets get some drinks.”
After drinking and talking for about an hour the we found out that Brian just graduated from Fordham and is working and living in the city at some big marketing and advertising company. After graduation a lot of his friends from college moved away from the city and he was suppose to meet a girl from Tinder here but she never showed up. Also Cheryl and Brian flirted the entire hour, which made Toni slightly upset.
“We’re going to the restroom, ladies.” Cheryl spoke up as Brian went to get more drinks. Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and Isabelle got up and walked to the restroom. The other girls knew this was cue to talk about their night and more specifically Brian.
Once in the restroom and fixing her trademark cherry red lipstick, Cheryl popped her lips then said, “So Brian’s hot.”
“Oh I wouldn’t know Cheryl by the way you were drooling over him the entire time” Toni said with the slight hint of jealously in her voice.
“I know, I think I should add ‘part time matchmaker’ to my resume. I did good with Cheryl and Brian right.” Veronica said fixing her raven hair.
“Hot guy walks up to you at a bar, bring him over to your single and flirty friend, they hit it off. Don’t think there was much matchmaking there.” I chimed in.
“Also, when have you ever used a resume, Ms. Heir to the Lodge Empire” Toni added with a half laugh.
“Ha Ha. Very funny girls. Lets hurry up. I’m feeling up for some dancing.” Veronica said trying to change the subject.
“You do know V that I thought he only came over to our booth for you.” Cheryl said putting her lipstick in her purse.
“Well obviously that’s because he hadn’t seen you yet. Also he’s not my type.” Veronica said walking toward the door.
“Not a red head with big brown eyes and the voice that will melt your heart” Toni said.
Recently Archie had been slipping less and less from Veronica’s vocabulary and life to be honest. They slid into this weird relationship. ‘Together’ but not really. They didn’t see each other as much as they used to. I mean a long distance relationship is hard but they were making it work freshman year but recently they haven’t been going to see each other or don’t really talk on the phone either. I always wanted to mention it but when I would change the subject.
And again mention of Archie, Veronica got that fake smile she had in the cab and then left. We all looked at each other then the other then followes Veronica back to their booth but she wasn’t there, she was already on the dance floor.
We had great rest of the night, Cheryl and Veronica enjoyed dancing more than me but we also just talked and drank way too many drinks. Toward the end of the night I sent Jughead a quick text, ‘Won’t make it over tonight…girls night and all.’
Immediatley the typing bubble popped up, followed by his response, ‘I knew you wouldn’t…have fun. Love you.’
Outside of the bar, we were saying goodbyes to each other and waiting for Ubers. Toni and Cheryl were going back to Cheryl’s apartment, Brian lost interest about half way through the night. I think once he got the idea he was not going to come home with Cheryl or Veronica.
“B, you can go with Jughead I’m fine.” Veronica said trying her best to be convincing.
“No I need a girls night with my best friend. Also I need your advice on some stuff” I said. Which was true, I did have some Jughead related stuff I wanted to talk about. But I really wanted to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with Veronica.
“Okay fine. Well our Uber is a minute away. And I can’t wait to get home and change into sweats.” Veronica said while looking for their car.
“Me too and some ice cream for sure” I replied.
B & V's Apartment
Veronica
Back at the apartment we both changed into sweats and baggy tees and took off out make up. Betty yelled from the kitchen, “Hey want to share a gallon of ice cream and watch Friends?”
“Do you even have to ask” I said walking out of my room. I headed straight to the couch and turned on the TV, which was already on Netflix.
Betty walked over with a gallon of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream and two spoons. Betty sat down next to me as I was scrolling through Netflix.
“Are you ready? I’m about to start the show,” I asked. Betty and I were re-watching Friends on nights like these, when it was just the two of us and no distractions or boys.
Betty grabbed the blanket that was lying behind us on the couch. “Yea all set,” she said taking a bite of ice cream then handing it to me. We watched two episodes while finishing off the gallon of the ice cream.
“So V, it’s just me what’s up? And don’t think about saying ‘Nothing.’” Betty asked very seriously. This was it, Betty finally got the courage to ask me what I know she’s been dying to for weeks.
“I knew you weren’t gonna give it up. It was in the cab right, that’s what that gave it away?” I asked as she was digging into the last bit of the ice cream. I knew this moment was coming and to be honest I’ve been dying to talk to her about it.
“Of course. You know me. I always need to get to the bottom of a mystery.” Betty said giving me a hug.
I sighed then continued, “Well in the cab I saw Insta post from Archie at a gig, which by the way I didn’t even know about, and that’s where the black hole started. I went to his profile then clicked on his tagged photos and its all these beautiful and skinny girls posting pictures with him from different gigs and other things. They’re throwing themselves at him. Hanging off him and one was even giving him a kiss on the cheek.” I kept looking down trying not to make eye contact with Betty.
Betty
“Ohh V. I mean…” I said, I didn’t know what to say to comfort my best friend. I didn’t know what to make of Archie and Veronica these days. Of course I wanted my two best friends to be this perfect happy couple. But now, they text throughout the day, or at least most days. And I don’t know the last time I saw Veronica on the phone with him. But when they are together, which hasn’t happened in over a month they are back to how they used to be. In all honestly they are like friends with benefits.
“See even you don’t know what to say. I mean he’s Archie…In high school I would of said he was my soul mate. But honestly I think its time I let him and the idea of us go.” Veronica said with tears in her eyes.
I grabbed my best friend and gave her a hug and just held on for a moment. Then said, “I mean you guys will figure things out. Maybe after graduation maybe…”
“Maybe what? He’ll move to New York? No, he wouldn’t and I wouldn’t ask him to. He’s really talking off in LA and that’s where the music scene really is. And I need to stay here and start working in the Lodge New York office.” Veronica paused then continued, “Our lives have just taken different paths. I always thought that our paths would be in sync or realign again after college.”
Still holding her hands for support I said, “Maybe you’re right.” I didn’t want to admit it but maybe this was best for her best friend. She was still acting like she and Archie were a couple but they really weren’t if you really looked at them. They weren’t a couple any more. But none of them wanted to admit it.
“I mean the other day I was at the coffee shop down the street and started talking to the girl in line, she just moved her so we sat down and talked some more. We talked about places to eat, shop, go out, and more. The she asked me about the guy scene. And I paused when I was about to say ‘I’m seeing someone.’ Cause really I don’t know if I’m single or taken.” Veronica said.
“Do you want to break up with Archie?” I asked, thinking I already knew her response.
“Break up? Again are we really even together?” Veronica said and that’s when the tears started.
“Have you talked to him about any of this?” This I really didn’t know the answer to.
“No are you kidding. I don’t have the heart to. Every time we really talk its…perfect. I never want to ruin it. But we haven’t been talking much anymore anyways. We’ve been drifting for way to long.” Veronica said as her voice cracked and more tears started to fall.
“Maybe talk to him tomorrow and see how he feels. Maybe you both need a break to see what its really like without each other as…whatever you guys are.” I said giving my broken friend another hug.
“Yea, maybe.” Veronica paused. “Ugh I’m sorry. We had such a good night then I just let all this out about a guy who’s been like a brother to you. I’ve had a lot to drink then all this sugar. I don’t have a clear head and shouldn’t be talking about all of this. Let’s just go to bed B.” She said as she got up and went to the kitchen to throw away the empty ice cream carton and put the spoons in the sink.
I stared at her friend who I know has a broken heart but was still putting on a brave face. “Okay, but V…” I said as Veronica was walking to her room. “I love you.”
Veronica turned to look at me, sniffed back her tears and said, “Love you too, always.”