SURPRISE

…~*~...

"Hey! Wait up!" Heavy footfalls sounded behind Betty. Turning quickly to meet a toothy grin from Kevin, she smiled back.

"Hey Kev! Why are you sprinting?" Confused, Betty waited for the winded boy to catch his breath.

"You left so quickly after class, I knew you hadn't heard the announcement." Releasing one last ragged breath, he tugged the girl along the sidewalk by her arm. He was almost bouncing as he walked, his jittery energy seeped into Betty.

"What announcement? What's going on Kevin?" Picking up her pace to keep up with Kevin, Betty very nearly started jogging.

"You're going to love this, no more sneaking around after school, no more running through the halls to meet him in the parking lot before Jughead can see." Kevin stopped at the top of the several steps that led to the parking lot. There he was, sat astride his 1976 Kz900 Amen Savior, smoke rising up from his parted lips. Looking dangerous and delicious all at the same time. How could he be out in the open like this? Her heart hammered in her chest for just a moment. Then it stopped.

He wasn't alone, he was flanked by his crew and their skull tags were blindingly obvious. With swift and gracious movements he rose from the bike seat, swinging a long muscled leg over it, coming to stand in front of the bike with arms raised at his sides. Taking a long inhale from the cigarette still between his full lips as the school doors flung open, releasing the students of Riverdale High to the warm afternoon air. The students had begun to walk nearer to them, eyes growing wide at the sight of motorcycles, despite having heard the announcement of their presence just minutes before.

A wide grin spread over the leader's face, long fingers taking hold of the filtered end of the cigarette, he took a bow. There were audible gasps and murmuring behind Betty and Kevin. Kevin took this moment to whisper into Betty's ear. She smiled at her friend, then began to descend the steps.

Having stood back up, the mysterious man tossed the butt to the asphalt and ground it out with the toe of his boot. Dark eyes raked over the swell of Betty's hips, she'd worn her favorite pair of jeans this particular day, and her favorite form fitting shirt to match. When his tongue ran agonizingly slowly over his top lip, Betty stopped in her tracks. The wicked smile that tugged at the corners of his lips sent a shiver up her spine. Then he held a hand out to her, his eyes daring her to accept. Turning to look over her shoulder, Betty caught sight of Veronica, Archie and Jughead. Her Serpent ex's eyes were narrowed into slits, vehement hatred evident in his snear. Biting her lip, she turned back to the tall dark and handsome man and took his hand without a second thought.

"Betty?!" It was a collective shout that sounded behind her, all of her friends save for Kevin, shocked by her actions.

"Mmm, Betty?" His deep voice was playful as he tugged her into his warm strong embrace. "What will your friends think?"

Looking up at him now, Betty smiled back. "I don't care what they think Malachai."