"Question 14?" Betty asked sneakily.

"Y'know, its not learning if I just give you all the answers," Jughead smirked turning his head towards his work.

"Technically that's true… but who actually needs trig in their life?" She asked. Although no sound escaped his lips, Betty could feel his chest moving up and down in a soft chuckle as her arm grazed his side. He slipped his worksheet towards her as she hurriedly transcribed his scruffy handwriting into her elegant script. He leaned back against his chair, already finished with his work and waited for her to finish copying his scribbles.

Once she had rested her jet black fountain pen against her sheet, she joined him in the leisurely position and both turned simultaneously to face the other.

"How was Archie today?" He asked, genuinely concerned about his friend.

"Actually he's been… a gentleman. I'm not sure what he wants right now but I definitely want to see where the new Archie is taking things," she admitted freely.

Jughead shrugged. "Sounds good- just be careful sunshine,"

"Trust me, I'm not putting up with any of the bullshit that I put up with last year."

"There's my fiery blonde,"

Betty smiled at him with a toothy grin that could brighten anybody's day and just as he moved to return one, the bell rang signalling the end of the school day.

"You ready to get some food?" Jughead asked offering his hand for Betty to take.

"Juggie, you ate two hours ago!" She giggled.

"My point exactly," Jughead nodded as if it were obvious. She scoffed, taking his hand as they strolled down the narrow hallways. She was surprised to feel the warm enclosure of his hand against hers throughout the whole journey to meet the others as the chaos of the storming students jostled the two about as if they were in a tsunami. But still, he kept a firm grip as his fingers entwined with hers. Betty's delicate hands sent pulses through his arm, and he stood dazed when they bumped into Archie and Veronica. He swiftly recovered though, when he noticed that she had either not felt the tingles or regarded them as a friendly feeling.

"You guys ready?" Archie asked.

"Sure," Betty replied, still not dropping Jughead's hand. This did not go unnoticed by Archie who stood, suspiciously. He knew better, however, and joined Veronica in slightly flirty small talk. He couldn't help noticing Betty's close proxemics to Jughead or the playful bumps that they often shared and frequently turned around to check up on them.

When they arrived Veronica placed her order first, asking for a chocolate milkshake and portion of onion rings. She then swiftly strutted off to take the window seat of their favourite booth.

"You go Jughead," Archie said, lightly pushing his friend forward. Jughead eyed Archie warily but would not deny the offer of food- especially from Pop's.

"You wanna split some cheese fries Betty?"

"Sure," she replied, reaching for her purse. He practically knocked the wallet from her hands in an attempt to be a gentleman. "Thanks Arch," she said, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek and leaving to go and join the others.

Once the orders had arrived, the four fell easily into friendly conversation, catching up on all the things they had missed over the summer. Betty had taken the window seat of the other side of the booth- opposite Veronica and next to Archie.

"So… Archiekins. How's the songwriting going?" Veronica asked reaching over to talk to him.

"Really well actually," he replied, "I've made loads of new ones over the summer and I'm thinking of taking them to Miss Grundy."

"I'd love to hear them sometime," Betty said.

"Sure, I could play them for you anytime," he said, shifting closer to her. "And you Ronnie, you should hear them too,"

"Totally!" She said sipping the last of her milkshake.

Jughead sat, completely oblivious to the conversation in front of him and decided to devote himself to his half eaten cheeseburger.

Once the last of the food was eaten, the four decided to call it a night and since Archie lived right next door to Betty he thought it only sensible to walk her home. They walked off together and waited for Veronica's car to arrive-of course she had offered the rest of them a ride home but they had swiftly declined, all with similar intentions. They watched as the jet black Jaguar smoothly drove away from the neon lights. The sun had just set so the bright beams were the only things illuminating the night sky.

"And then there were three," Betty said awkwardly, bouncing on alternative feet and looking up to the stars. Archie moved to open his mouth but Jughead got there first.

"Can I walk you home Betty?" He asked tentatively. She smiled and tilted her head towards him.

"Nah, I got it Juggie. You live on the other side of town, get home, get some rest. I'll handle it." Archie answered for her, and clapped him on the shoulder dismissively. Betty opened her mouth and stuttered- she didn't know what to say.

"Oh, okay… I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye Bets." He waved and turned around, making no move to leave just yet. An internal war had broken out in his head- does he hug her or leave? And then just as his practical side surrendered and he spun back, facing the beaming full moon, she was leaving with his best friend. Shoulders bumping, causing her sunshine blonde curls to hide the moon's blinding glare and force him into a dark, journey home.

The silence between Archie and Betty was peaceful and the two barely noticed it as their fingers interlocked with each other. They walked in unison back along the windy paths towards their homes and moved swiftly through the alleys- being sure to avoid the shady looking characters.

"So Betty, when am I gonna get to play you my songs?" He asked.

"You really want to?"

"Of course- who else would they be for?" Both of them knew the answer to that question and though no name was mentioned, the image of a sassy Latina could not escape Betty's head.

"Well how about tomorrow night?" She offered.

"Sure." He smiled, walking her up the steps towards the platinum white door that now gave the colour of a rain cloud as the moon's shadows cast a dark glow.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" She said, spinning around.

"Sweet dreams," Archie whispered and leant in towards her. She suddenly realised what he was doing and began to blush- thankfully he was closing his eyes and wouldn't notice her flustered countenance. She leant in too, closing her eyes, and met his lips in a sweet, lingering kiss that lasted only seconds but stayed on her lips for the rest of the night.

Word Count: 1153

Hey guys! Sorry for the late update but i hope you enjoy the next chapter. I understand that it is very Archie-Betty at the minute but i want the Jughead-Betty relationship to be slow and natural

Thanks!