Choices we make

Chapter 1

A thin line of orange fades out as dusk settles upon Riverdale on this cold, crisp fall evening.

Betty Cooper exhales rhythmically, a veil of mist trailing from her warm body as she pushes off from the pavement, her sneakers rustling a thin mattress of dead leaves, leaving colourful whirlwinds in her stead. Her blond locks bounce to the beat of her powerful strides, catching the glimmer of the streetlights as she propels herself onward.

She's in her zone, completely concentrated on her pace as she turns a corner, following her regular route through her neighborhood towards Pickens' Park, a large patch of green grass in the center of Riverdale.

She lets her thoughts wander.

In just two days, she would be crossing the threshold of Riverdale High for the first day of her senior year. Her last year as a high school student.

Seniors, already! She shakes her head, disbelievingly.

She thinks about the upcoming year with a mixture of excitement and melancholy. This will be our last year together as a gang.

She had shared her future aspirations with her close friends a few weeks ago, as the gang lay around Veronica's pool, soaking up the last summer rays and chatting about their future plans.

"I think I'll apply for a degree in journalism." She explained that she wanted to combine her passion for socio-environmental causes with her talents as a writer. She wistfully imagined herself as a correspondent for one of the large television networks, covering conflicts and raising awareness to the plight of the world's poorest communities.

The wealthy brunette had chaffed, of course. "Betty, you're such a goody-goody! Why on earth would you willingly go to places where there is no electricity or running water?!" She daintily wrinkled her nose.

"You'll just have to come visit me in Paris for a refreshing dose of shopping, bonne cuisine and civilization!" She smiled at Betty while beckoning at Smithers to fetch another round of Margaritas.

Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, had pulled strings and ensured his only daughter and heiress to the family fortune would receive a fitting education at la Sorbonne. Ronnie was thrilled as this would allow her to pursue a career in modeling and haute couture.

Betty wasn't concerned for her best friend. In addition to her strikingly good looks, she was a good student and a brilliant, confidant woman.

And an accomplished manipulator, Betty had grimaced as she watched Archie and Reggie fawning over Ronnie, fighting over who would have the pleasure of lathering up her perfectly toned body with suntan. The brunette bombshell would entice them on, winking at each, pulling them further into her game.

"What I don't understand," one Forsythe P. Jones had shot out, momentarily breaking the testosterone-a-ton, "is how you both could even fathom living so far away from Pop's burgers?!"

He had been drifting lazily around the pool on an inflatable bed, flipping chips in the air and catching most in his mouth, much to Smither's disgust as he had helplessly watched the greasy yellow flakes slowly dissolve and sink into the cool depths.

Betty smiles at the memory, continuing her mental list of friends and futures.

Reggie was applying for business administration, and she knew that this charmer would have no trouble getting ahead in life. He'll win a varsity scholarship, then likely take over his father's publishing company.

Yet, she can't help envisioning him the owner of a used car dealership, charming a young woman into buying a lemon, a seductive smile plastered on his chiseled face, winking suggestively at his "victim".

She chuckles to herself.

Moose and Midge would likely attend the same university, he on a football scholarship, she wanted a career in health services, unsure as of yet of her specialization.

Dilton Doily, well he would have no trouble getting into MIT or any Ivy League university of his choice, likely through early admissions, no less.

Beautiful Cheryl Blossom wanted to move to Hollywood to become a movie star, but she could just as well become a rising star in Silicon Valley. Little known by those outside her circle of close friends, the curvaceous red-head had a natural gift for software engineering.

And Jughead. Well that was a mystery to her.

She frowns, jumping over a puddle as she draws close to the park.

Her dear friend, her lovable lazy glutton. Juggie was actually an extremely talented student in spite of his laziness. To the exasperation of his teachers. She smiles. He certainly was a non-conformist, as witnessed by his blatant disregard for the latest fashion trends (god, that beanie he's worn since grade school!), his laid-back, sarcastic personality and general lack of interest towards members the other sex. Not to forget his musical aptitudes and propensity to doodle whenever he wasn't chowing down on something – make that anything – edible.

Creative writing, science perhaps… or art school?

Betty had asked him a few times over the summer. Every time, he had grinned mysteriously and changed the subject.

When she had insisted, an evening at Pop's, he had mock-dramatically declared to the gang that he would become a Michelin-rated cook, and offer his services to "the best damned joint in Riverdale – the Chock'lit Shoppe."

"Yeah, and eat me out of home and business!" Pop Tate had exclaimed above the laughs of the gang, affectionately winking at the lanky teen while serving him a half-dozen burgers piled onto a plate.

He was a an outstanding food critic, and a gourmet cook, Betty had had the pleasure to witness first hand thanks to their frequent cooking "dates" over the summer, mostly on nights when his best friend was either unavailable, or had let her down to hang out with her best friend…

Her smile vanishes at the thought of a certain red-head boy.

She picks up her pace, feeling slightly breathless.

She had taken up jogging after the end of the previous school year, as a way to keep in shape outside track season.

It had also turned out to be a great way to vent her frustration over a certain love interest, on evenings where he had let her down – generally as a result of her best friend Ron's womanly charms, but at times under the throes of any one of a slew of beautiful women vying for his attention: Ginger, Valerie and uber-sexual Cheryl Blossom only to name a few.

She suppresses a shiver as the cool evening breeze picks up, the tapping of her running shoes suddenly muted by the park's soft, wet grass.

She wipes a lone tear, thinking back to the event that had triggered her sudden need for a run.

Archie had cancelled yet another date. He had called an hour before he was due to show up at her house for an evening at home (her parents had graciously agreed to dine out to give them some alone time). He was all apologies, of course, explaining that Veronica had tickets to the latest play, a back to school gift from her dad. He couldn't let her attend alone. "Surely, Betty, you understand? Plus, it's not like we had planned anything special for tonight…."

Oh, but he did promise to make it up to her. He'd invite her out on a nice date later in the week.

She was furious.

But she hated herself even more for her response: "Oh… ok, Arch, I understand."

Why, oh why did she repeatedly let that boy trample all over her heart?

She imagines his perfect freckled face, his sensual lips, his deep brown eyes. So expressive – so adoring when they were alone together. Oh, how she would get lost in those admiring irises, when he would kiss her slowly, deliberately caressing her body, his talented hands sending shivers down her spine…

In those moments, she felt whole, warm, loved.

But then she would catch him shooting that same adoring look to Veronica, and the warmth she felt was quickly supplanted by a cold empty feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She had spent the better part of that afternoon toiling on a perfect dinner: fresh dates stuffed with cream cheese and pecans as an appetiser, a fragrant roast with a side of sweet-potato mash and grilled veggies for the main course, and her famous apple pie for desert. She had bought a vintage Bordeaux for the occasion.

When Archie had called her to cancel, she hadn't even bothered to go into the efforts she had taken to offer him a perfect meal. Ronnie had snapped her perfectly manicured fingers, and he had run to her in a heartbeat. So predictable.

She sighs.

She had slammed the receiver down, turned off the oven and promptly changed into her running gear, having completely lost her appetite.

Deep in thoughts, she doesn't notice she is fast approaching a young couple making out in the shadows on the park's trail. She glances at them and snaps out of her reverie.

A red-headed young man, passionately kissing a stylishly-dressed brunette.

Groping would be a better description, she thinks wryly as she watches the love of her life caress her best friend, his hands gliding across her back, tracing the lightly tanned skin made accessible by the dipping open back of her sparkly black dress.

She makes to turn and escape the couple, unseen, but Ronnie hears her.

"Betty! Fancy seeing you tonight!" The brunette smiles coquettishly, draping her arm around her date's waist. Ronnie knows her friend is likely heartbroken, and feels somewhat cruel, but the competitor in her simply can't help it. Plus, this is how it had always been between the two women. She knows in her heart that Betty would forgive her come Monday. And if not, well she'd ask Archie to take the blond out on a nice date. She'd even pick up the tab.

Archie, on the other hand has the decency to look embarrassed. Blushing, he makes to take a step in her direction, but thinks better of it. Instead, he chuckles nervously, scratching his neck for lack of better things to do with his shaking hands.

"Betty! Hh.. how are you? Glad to see you had a back-up plan for tonight. You know I'm sorry I cancelled…" He starts, apologetically.

Betty stares at him. That cold feeling in her stomach had never been so intense.

She is suddenly aware of her disheveled appearance – she had thrown on an oversized t-shirt and not bothered to tie up her hair. She is a mess compared to the perfectly attired Veronica. She frowns.

"Yeah, I want to be in top shape for track on Tuesday. You know, the first practice back from a break is always the hardest. I… I thought you were headed to the theatre…" She breaks off, self-consciously running a hand through her long blond locks.

Archie's eyes follow the blond's slender fingers, he gulps (wow, she looks like a lioness tonight).

"Oh, we are! We just felt like taking a small detour through the park. It's such a clear night, the stars are bright… So romantic, don't you agree?" Ronnie winks at Betty. "Well, as great as it was bumping into you, we have to get going, or we'll miss curtain call – and that simply won't do. This play has won acclaims from the greatest critiques. Every important person in Riverdale will be in attendance, we certainly can't be seen arriving late. Ta, Betty."

With that, the brunette haughtily spins around, dragging an apologetic Archie Andrews, her heels clicking away in the silent night.

To be continued.