Chapter Text
Betty holds the envelope, the one that'll decide her future, in her trembling hands. Her decision letter from NYU is finally here. She remains frozen at her mailbox. She knows should go inside and open her letter inside her house. Her mom's been pestering her about this moment for weeks now. Instead, she feels her feet unconsciously moving in a different direction: to the house next door.
Archie and her had both been dreaming of going to New York University since they were kids. The plan had been set in stone for years now: they'd both get into NYU and then embark on this new adventure together. Picnics in Washington Square, stargazing at High Line, and Dim Sum in Chinatown. It'd be perfect.
She takes a deep breath before raising a shaky hand to rap on the door. Before her hand makes contact, the door swings open revealing a disheveled Archie. "Betty! I was just about to head to your house." In his hand is a matching envelope.
She side-steps him, heading towards his kitchen. "Ready for this?" She asks.
He trails behind her. "Are you?" He raises an eyebrow, shooting a pointed glance at her shaking hands.
She takes another deep breath before attempting a smile. It feels more like a grimace though. "We've been waiting for this moment since we were twelve Archie. This has always been our dream." Her voice is wobbly, emotion clawing at her throat.
Archie grabs her hand and squeezes. "Things will work out. No matter what happens." He reassures.
She nods, willing herself to believe that. "Okay. I'm ready."
They both open their envelopes at the same time. The silence as they individually read their letters kills her.
'I am delighted to inform you have been accepted for admission...'
She doesn't even bother to read the rest. "I got in!" She squeals.
Archie beams at her and she throws herself into his arms. "I knew you would." He hugs her back tightly.
"What about you?" She pries herself out of his embrace, pulling back to look at his face.
'I..." He trails off and Betty's heart drops.
Her hands fall from his shoulders and she tries to hide the disappointment on her face. "That's okay! You applied to tons of other schools in New York. You'll get in those. I'm sure of it." She rationalizes. She turns away from him, trying to compose herself without him noticing.
"Betty..."
She takes a deep breath before facing him. When she does, she's shocked to see that he's smiling. "I got in." He tells her.
Betty's mouth drops open, happiness and anger rolling through her at once. She hits his arm, hard. "You jerk! You really scared me!"
"I couldn't help it. I'm sorry." He rubs the spot where she hit him, grinning.
She crosses her arms, frowning. "I hate you." She grumbles.
He throws an arm around her shoulder and pulls her close."No you don't."
She ducks her head down, hiding her smile. "No, I don't" She confirms.
She loves him.
_____
When Betty gets home from school, her mom and FP are on the phone with Jughead. He's still at boarding school and he's just announced that he's going to Yale.
Her mom hands the phone to her when she enters the living room. "Congratulations on Yale Jug." She says, smiling warmly.
"Thanks Betty. Congrats on NYU."
They'd broken up almost four months ago. With boarding school, the impending realization that they'd both be going to different colleges, and the fact that their parents were engaged (that was a big one and it still weirded her out), they'd decided it was best if they went back to being just friends.
She expected their break up to be harder but they both knew it was for the best. If she was being honest, they'd reached a stagnant in their relationship long before senior year. It felt like their relationship only worked when there was a mystery to solve. When they weren't chasing after leads and following clues, there was no spark, no excitement. This didn't mean she didn't love him but it made her realize she wanted more than that.
"How's Stonewall?" She asks.
His eyes light up. "Betty, you won't believe how strange things are over here..."
He dives into all the mysterious things happening at the school and for once, Betty doesn't find herself itching to play Nancy Drew. She figures it's a sign that she's moving on.
_____
Betty has been listening to her mom lecture her about safety for the past hour. Don't talk to strangers, don't buy hot dogs from random street vendors, avoid the "crazies" at Time Square. So, relived is an understatement when she hears a horn honk from outside: Archie.
Over spring break, they'd planned to drive to NYU and explore the campus together. She's been looking forward to it for months and not even her mother's nagging can ruin it for her.
You'd think she was going off to college right now with how long her mom hugs her. "Be safe Elizabeth. I want separate hotel rooms at all times between you and that Andrew's boy."
Betty feels her cheeks flush. "Mom!" She grabs her suitcase and heads outside before she can embarrass her any more.
Archie leans up against the car, grinning from ear to ear. "Ready for this?"
Betty grins back him. "Born ready." He grabs her suitcase from her, loading it in the back, while she hops in the passengers seat.
Archie slides into the driver seat, casting a glance at her house. “Then let's get going before your mom changes her mind and drags you back inside." He pulls out of her drive way and Betty groans in embarrassment.
"So, what's on the itinerary?" He asks.
Betty plays dumb. "What makes you think I made one?" She definitely did.
He rolls his eyes. "Come on Betty. I know you have every single second of the day planned. I bet it's color-coded and everything."
She crosses her arms defiantly, heat spreading across her cheeks. "So, I like to plan. There's nothing wrong with that." She grumbles.
Archie glances at her and smiles. "I'm just teasing." He playfully tugs her ponytail when he sees that she's still frowning. "I love your itineraries" He says honestly.
Her frown eases up a little. "You better. If it was up to you we'd wander the streets until we got lost."
"Which is why we're best friends. You plan and I go with the flow. We fit each other." This gets her to smile. "So tell me! I wanna hear what you've got planned."
She excitedly launches into everything she's got planned: a scheduled tour of the campus, a trip to Coney Island, biking across Brooklyn Bridge. They spend the hour drive talking about everything they're looking forward to doing, singing along to the radio, and sharing gas station snacks.
Betty was talking about their trip to Central Park when they finally arrived at their hotel. Archie pulls up to the front. "Do you want to check us in while I park?" He asks and she nods.
When Archie finally comes inside, Betty's already got the keycard to their room. Yes, room, as in singular and shared. "I thought you said your mom booked us two hotel rooms?" She says.
Archie frowns. "There must've been a misunderstanding." He shrugs. "It's no big deal though. We've shared beds thousands of times at sleepovers."
Betty blushes. "Yeah, when we were kids Arch." She stresses.
Archie ignores this, heading towards the elevator, and Betty trails behind him in shock. Is she making this a bigger deal than it is? They're just friends right? Sharing a hotel room shouldn't be an issue except she's not oblivious to the resurfacing attraction she feels towards him. Its become especially apparent now that she's single.
She steps into the elevator with him, the doors almost shutting on her. "What about Veronica? Would she be okay with that?" She questions.
He's silent for a moment. "Yeah. She's totally cool with it."
She doesn't entirely believe him but before she can press, the elevator dings. Archie steps out onto their floor. "Are you coming?" He turns his head to glance at her. There's an unspoken question in his eyes: are we sharing a room tonight or are you going to go downstairs and complain?
All she can do is nod, stepping out of the elevator to follow him.
_____
As it turns out, there are two beds in their room. Betty feels both relief and disappointment. "So, what time is our tour?" He asks, flopping onto his back on the bed.
Betty sits next to him. "It's in three hours. So, I was thinking we could unpack and-"
"Not so fast Cooper." He interrupts. "You're not the only one with plans."
Oh boy. "What did you have in mind?" She asks reluctantly.
He flashes her a crooked smile. "We're gonna have to go off the itinerary for a bit."
She pinches his arm and he yelps. "Fine. As long as we make it back on time for the tour."
Archie ends up taking her to see a short film at the IFC center. He makes Betty sneak twizzlers and M&Ms in her purse. It's way better than her plan to unpack and watch tv (she'd never admit that out loud though).
On their way back to campus, they grab two slices of pizza. "This might be the best pizza I've ever had." She say with her mouth full.
Archie lightly bumps his hip against her. "You're just saying that cause all you had for breakfast was a slim jim and some chips." He tells her.
She scoffs, pretending to be offended. "Are you doubting my ability to judge pizza?"
Archie shrugs. "Maybe your pizza is better than mine. Let me try." Betty lifts the pizza to his mouth and he takes a big bite.
He chews slowly, his face thoughtful. "Nope. Still not the best." He says decidedly and Betty rolls her eyes.
"Look there's Washington Square." Betty glances at her watch: 3:20. "We're just on time for the tour." She tells him, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.
They meet up with a student ambassador, their tour guide, whose surrounded by other high school students and their parents. She introduces herself as Cassie, a junior at NYU.
Cassie takes them to Bobst library (which Betty is particularly excited about), a dining hall called Palladium, and a dorm room in Founder's hall. By the end of the tour, Betty's even more excited for her first semester here.
"Wasn't that so amazing?" Betty gushes as the tour ends and Archie laughs.
Archie nods in agreement. "I can already picture us here. You studying at Bobst until midnight and me having to drag you out." He teases.
She elbows him. "You'll be too busy trying to find the best pizza in New York."
"Too busy for Betty Cooper? Never!" He jokes.
_____
"Please! It'll be fun!" Archie pleads.
Archie has been trying to convince Betty to go to this party with him for twenty minutes now. He was invited by Joshua, an old friend of his. From what Betty recalls, he was on the wrestling team with Archie and was a grade above them.
“Arch, my social quota has been met for the day. Plus, I'm already in my pajamas." She argues.
"If you come with me, we'll do whatever you want tomorrow and I won't complain."
Betty perks up, intrigued. "You'll come with me to the Met tomorrow? No complaints?"
Archie visibly cringes before letting out a dramatic sigh. "Yes Betty. I will go stare at art with you."
She's already hopping off the bed and heading towards the bathroom. "I'll come. Let me get ready."
Betty struggles to pick an outfit. She's been to a few high school parties but this is different. It's a college party. She doesn't want to look like a silly teenager. She ends up settling for a short sleeve cropped cardigan and a pair of jeans.
She exits the bathroom to put on her sneakers. "Okay, I'm ready."
He gives her a once over and she tries not to blush. "You look pretty."
She rolls her eyes, trying to appear nonchalant. "Thanks." She mumbles.
He claps, breaking the sudden awkward tension between them. "Okay then! Let's hit it."
They decide to walk there because Josh's house is only ten minutes from where they’re staying. Betty hears the party before she sees it. They’re a block away when she begins to hear the music blasting through the streets.
Josh is waiting for them by the front door when they get there. “Archie! Betty!” He hugs both of them.
”Josh! Good to see you man.” Archie slaps his shoulder in the way that boys do when greeting someone.
“Thanks for inviting us.” Betty says and Josh smiles at her.
“You’re just as sweet and polite as I remember.” He says.
Betty decides to take this as a compliment. “Thanks.”
“Anyways come in!” He leads them inside the house and the hallway is packed. Archie has to grab Betty’s hand so he doesn’t lose her in the crowd. “Can I get you a drink?” Josh asks.
He leads them to the kitchen and Betty surveys her options. She’s had alcohol before but only beers, white claws, and margaritas.
Josh give them a mischievous look. “Wanna do shots?”
Betty nods at the same time that Archie shakes his head. When she gives him a confused look he simply says: “One of us has got to stay sober enough to get us home.”
Betty raises a challenging eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m a lightweight?”
Archie laughs which only eggs Betty on more. “Betty, I know for a fact you can’t handle your liquor. You hardly drink.”
“Oh really?” She accepts the shot glass that Josh has just poured and downs it.
It burns going down her throat and Betty has to fight making a face. Clearly she hasn’t fooled Archie though cause he fights back a smile.
“I stand corrected.” Archie teases.
Josh hands Archie a beer and Betty another shot which she only drinks to spite Archie.
“So, how’ve you been man? How are you liking New York?” Josh asks.
While Archie and him catch up, Betty goes to fix herself another drink. She ends up drinking a vodka cranberry because it’s the only thing she knows how to make.
She props herself onto the kitchen counter and sips her drink, listening to Archie and Josh talk about wrestling.
She wonders if this will be Archie’s scene in college. Parties at midnight, drinking beers and laughing with friends
She’s already done with her drink by the time Josh excuses himself to play hostess. “You two enjoy yourselves.” He winks.
Archie walks over to her and smiles when he sees her swinging her legs from the counter. “Are you okay?”
She nods. She’s feeling a light buzz at this point. “Come on! Let’s dance Arch.”
She hops off the counter and grabs his hand, pulling him to the living room where people are dancing.
She moves her body to the rhythm, though being tipsy has made her a little uncoordinated. Archie watches her with an amused look on his face.
”Dance with me!” She pretends to lasso him in.
Archie takes a long swig of his beer, liquid courage Betty supposes, before joining her.
“You asked for it.” He warns before grabbing her hand and twirling her.
She giggles and Archie grins back at her. “I like drunk Betty.” He shouts over the music.
She grabs both his hands and begins jumping up and down to the beat and he mimics her movements.
By the time they leave the dance floor they’re both out of breath. “That was so much fun!” Betty yells and Archie laughs.
Archie leads them to the kitchen to grab another beer and he downs half of it in seconds.
“What did all that dancing tire you out, old man?” Betty teases.
Archie snorts. “Hey, not everyone can keep up with a party animal like you.”
Betty laughs. She feels exhilarated and a little dizzy. She sways on her feet and Archie wraps his hand around her arm to steady her.
He glances towards the back door. “Let’s go outside and get some fresh air.”
She nods and lets him lead her outside. There’s a pool in the backyard and Betty immediately kicks her shoes off and sits down to dip her feet in.
Archie rolls up his pants before dipping his feet in too. “Are you feeling okay? He asks.
She nods. She’s drunk enough to have a lot of false confidence and a hangover but not enough to black out or throw up. It’s the sweet spot.
“Thanks for taking me here Arch. You were right this is fun.”
He playfully nudges her. “See, what’d I tell you?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t get cocky. You still have to admire statues and paintings with me tomorrow.”
He groans. “Don’t remind me.”
Betty watches silently as Archie nurses his third beer. Inside Josh announces that they’re playing beer pong downstairs.
”Do you think you’ll move in with Josh?” She asks, thinking out loud.
He shakes his head. “I think I’m gonna get my own apartment.”
Betty nods. “I can see that and I’ll come over like all the time. I’ll practically live there.” Betty tells him.
Archie takes another sip of his beer, feeling a bit tipsy. “Well, why don’t you?”
She raises an eyebrow. “Why don’t I what?” She repeats, confused.
“Live there.” He answers. “With me.”
Betty’s eyes widen. “Is this a serious offer?”
”Yeah. I know you think that living on campus is more practical for freshman and you want to get the dorm experience but-“
“Yes.” She interrupts him.
Archie frowns. “Yes?” He repeats.
”Yes, let’s do it. I want to be roommates.” She clarifies.
She realizes that she’s being very impulsive. It’s unlike her to agree to something like this without giving it extensive thought. And maybe it’s the alcohol but she knows what she wants.
“For real?” He asks, his eyes wide with shock.
”I mean, as long as Veronica’s cool with it…” She says.
Archie says nothing. Silence again. “Is everything okay Arch?”
”Veronica and I broke up two days ago.” He says casually, as if he’s speaking about the weather.
Betty’s mouth drops open. “What!? Why didn’t either of you tell me!”
Archie shrugs. “I didn’t want to ruin this trip for us.”
Her curiosity gets the best of her. “What happened?” She asks.
“I think her being accepted into Barnard made us realize that we were on two different paths.” He explains and Betty nods in understanding.
“Well, I’m sorry.” She tells him quietly.
He swings his legs underwater and Betty does the same. “It’s fine. We both knew it was coming.”
More silence but this time it’s a comfortable one. “You ready to go?” He asks when he catches her yawning.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
_____
After getting ready for bed, they both curl up in Archie’s bed to watch a movie. They end up watching ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ because it was shot in New York and also because Betty loves Andrew Garfield.
They’re half-way into the movie when Archie suddenly speaks. “What made you agree to move in with me so fast?”
Betty frowns, confused by his question. “We’re best friends. It makes sense for us to be roommates right? I mean, I know all your bad habits, what annoys you, and vice versa.”
“It’s just unlike you to stray from your plans. You planned to live on campus till your junior year.” He tells her.
Betty blames the next thing she says on her still being tipsy. “Why wouldn’t I want to live with you? You make me happy and I have more fun with you than anybody in this entire world.”
His eyebrows furrow and Betty’s cheeks warm. “Was that a totally stupid thing to say? I’m sorry, I must still be-“
Betty doesn’t get to finish that sentence cause the next thing she knows Archie’s lips are on hers.
Her eyes widen cause he’s kissing her. Archie Andrews is kissing her, Betty Cooper. Once the initial shock wears off, Betty lets her eyes flutter shut and kisses him back.
His lips, once tentative and gentle, become hungry and feverish. He deepens the kiss and she moans. He tastes malty, like the caramel pecan pie she eats at Thanksgiving, and Betty can’t get enough of it. She wants more, needs more.
When he pulls away they’re both breathing heavy and it slowly dawns on both of them what they’ve just done.
Archie’s eyes are glossed over and Betty can’t tell whether it’s from alcohol or lust. “Archie.” She whispers.
His eyes snap to hers and it’s like he’s broken out of a trance. “Shit.” He abruptly stands up and darts to the bathroom.
Not the exact reaction you want after kissing someone.