We're with the Band

by Adrianne Ambrose

  “Oh,” Betty said, her face flushing crimson. “Why do they want to buy us drinks?”

  The waitress shrugged. “Well, you’re in The Candy Hearts, aren’t you? I guess they’re fans of your music.”

  “Sweet!” Tina said. “I’d love an Italian soda. Cherry, please.”

  By the time The Candy Hearts started to play, the café was crammed full of enthusiastic teenagers. “BFF” had quickly become their breakout hit. Everyone danced when they played that song, including half the café staff.

  Their first show at the beach started a tradition. Betty always ran over to share a microphone with Veronica during “BFF.” They were best friends after all, and Betty had written the song about their friendship. Being onstage with a bunch of girls and playing music for an appreciative crowd just felt so good. Betty couldn’t get over how much fun she was having.

  After The Candy Hearts finished their set (all of eight tunes even with doubling up on the choruses), the crowd started chanting, “BFF! BFF!” so they decided to play that song again.

  “Our first encore!” Tina shouted as the crowd whooped enthusiastically to the opening notes.

  By the time the evening was over and they had divided the tips evenly between band members, each girl was walking home with fifty-two dollars and forty-eight cents. “This pays better than babysitting!” Nancy exclaimed, pocketing her cut.

  “Well good, because the owner just said we could come back on Wednesday,” Tina told them. “And did I tell you guys that I booked us for the Midvale Street Festival next Saturday?”

  “Uh, no, you didn’t,” Veronica told her in a slightly irritated tone. “And we can’t go. Betty and I already have plans to go out with Archie and Reggie.”

  “We’re going to the beach,” Betty explained. “Archie’s teaching us how to surf.”

  “Sorry, you guys, but you’re going to have to cancel. I mean, we agreed that you would tell me if you were busy, right? And I already booked the show,” Tina insisted. “I mean, you can see those guys anytime, right? They could even come to the festival and watch us play if they want to see you.”

  “But I hate canceling on people,” Betty said in a quiet voice. And, if she was completely honest, she kind of missed hanging out with the boys. Now that they were in separate bands, she and Veronica barely saw Archie and Reggie and Jughead.

  “Sure, so do I,” Tina agreed. “That’s why we really can’t cancel on the Midvale Street Festival, right? I mean, it would look bad and, you know, kind of tarnish the band’s reputation.”

  Veronica rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine, we’ll cancel our dates. But take it easy with booking so many gigs. Okay, Tina? I mean, we’re in this band for fun. And it is superfun. But I don’t want to eat, drink, and breathe the band. Got it?”

  “Sure,” Tina said reassuringly. “I understand. I mean, I want to have a life outside the band, too, you know.”

  “Well, I’m sure it’s hard being new in town,” Betty said, giving her shoulder a squeeze, “But don’t worry, Riverdale is full of nice people.”

  “You know,” Veronica added, “I was going to invite Betty to go shopping tomorrow morning before practice. Why don’t you join us?”

  “Oh,” Betty said, looking a little embarrassed. “Sorry, Ronnie. Tina and I had already planned to work on some new songs.”

  This piece of information stung Veronica a little and she wasn’t sure why. Betty was obviously allowed to do what she wanted, but Veronica felt that it was a little strange that she’d made plans with Tina and didn’t tell her. “Well . . . no problem,” Veronica mumbled. “We can go shopping some other time.”

  Betty could immediately tell that Veronica was feeling a little left out. “I know! Why don’t we all go shopping? You know, as a break from the band? What do you think, Tina?”

  “Sure! Sounds fabulous.”

  “How about you, Nancy?” Betty asked.

  “Sorry,” she shook her head, causing her tightly coiled black curls to bounce. “Chuck finally finished his oil painting, and I want to spend some time with him before he launches himself at some giant mural or something.”

  XOXO

  The mall was unusually crowded with teenagers for early on a Saturday morning, and everyone seemed to recognize the band. The girls had trouble moving through the crowds. Everyone wanted to stop and talk to them.

  “Doesn’t anyone sleep in anymore?” Betty asked.

  “Hey, Candy Hearts!” a group of guys called to them before scurrying into the sporting goods store.

  “Ah, our public has found us,” Veronica said, preening. Then she broke down into giggles.

  Betty squinted after the boys. “I don’t think those guys even go to Riverdale,” she said. “I wonder how they know about The Candy Hearts.”

  The three of them headed over to Kim’s Boutique to browse for accessories. “Hello, young ladies,” the well-groomed woman behind the counter said as they entered the shop. “Are you looking for anything special? Oh wait. I recognize you. Didn’t you girls play at the Fourth of July picnic?”

  “Yep, that was us,” Tina told her, a proud smile on her face.

  “You girls were just charming,” the woman said. “Listen, I just got these scarves in.” She pointed toward a basket piled high with scarves in vivid jewel tones. “Why don’t you girls each take one? If people see you wearing them around the mall, it’ll help promote my shop.”

  “That’s awfully nice of you,” Betty told her, “but I really don’t think we could take them without paying.”

  “Of course we could,” Tina interrupted her. She plucked an emerald green scarf out of the basket and wrapped it around her neck. “These are lovely. We’ll definitely wear them around the mall to help promote your shop.”

  “Ronnie?” Betty turned to confer with her best friend.

  “Well,” Veronica said. She ran her fingers over the fabric of a deep-violet scarf. “These are really pretty.”

  Ten minutes later, The Candy Hearts left the boutique each wearing a new scarf. “I can’t believe she even gave us one for Nancy,” Betty said, admiring the bright blue scarf the woman had insisted she tuck in her purse for their bass player. “That was really nice of her.”

  Tina danced about with excitement. “Isn’t shopping as a celebrity fun? I feel like we’re totally famous already.”

  “Well I wouldn’t go quite that far,” Veronica told her. “But I guess The Candy Hearts are building up some local recognition.”

  “Anyway, come on, you guys,” Tina said. “There are some outfits I want to show you that I think would be perfect for the Midvale Street Festival.”

  Chapter 6

  “BFF! BFF!” the crowd chanted. The Candy Hearts had just finished their set at the Midvale Street Festival, but the crowd didn’t want them to stop playing.

  From where they stood offstage, Betty peeked out at the audience. “That sure is a lot of people. Did any of you think that many people lived in Midvale? I thought it was about the same size as Riverdale.”

  The crowd kept carrying on. “BFF! BFF!”

  “I don’t think they’re going to stop,” Nancy said. She straightened her skirt. Veronica’s dad had been nice enough to buy them all coordinated luau outfits in beautiful tropical patterns. “What do you think we should do?”

  Tina stared out at the crowd. “I think we’d better get back out there. I mean, we wouldn’t want to disappoint our fans or anything, right?”

  “Maybe we’d better check with the event coordinator first,” Betty cautioned. “I mean, we don’t want to delay the other acts.”

  Just as the words left her mouth, a haggardlooking man in a wrinkled suit rushed up to them. “Candy Hearts!” he barked.

  “Yes?” The girls collectively turned to look at him.

  “Would you girls get back out there and play this ‘BFF’ whatever-it-is already so the rest of the show can move forward?” he barked.

  “You want us to do an encore?” Tina was
delighted.

  “Yes! An encore. Whatever. Just get back out there!” the man said, ushering them back onstage.

  “Come on, girls!” Tina cried as she led them back to their spots.

  Betty jogged over to share a microphone with Veronica as they launched into the opening chords of “BFF.” The crowd went wild, cheering and clapping. It was exhilarating. The girls smiled at one another, sharing a look of sheer enjoyment as they both leaned into the microphone and sang:’Cause you’re my best frie . . . hend!

  You’re my best frie . . . hend!

  You’re my best friend!

  Being in a band had turned out to be a lot more work than Betty and Veronica had anticipated. Or, at least, being in a band with Tina had turned out to be a lot more work than they’d anticipated because she kept booking them gigs every other second. And she would have booked even more if the other members of The Candy Hearts hadn’t protested.

  Still, they were developing quite the fan following, and not just kids from Riverdale. Plus they were earning good money, they were given free muffins and sandwiches and trinkets all over town, and, Betty had to admit, it was fun being recognized as part of the group. Even if it did make her feel really embarrassed every time someone asked, “Hey, are you in The Candy Hearts?”

  “Hey, Betty Crocker.” Veronica walked over to chat while they were packing up their gear after their encore. “Do you want to do something tomorrow? Just hang out or whatever? I feel like we haven’t really had any best friend time ever since we started The Candy Hearts.”

  “Oh, I know,” Betty agreed. She really was starting to miss having the free time just to lounge by the pool with Veronica and look at magazines or whatever.

  “So that’s a yes?” Veronica looked pleased.

  “Uh, no. I’m sorry, Ronnie. I told Tina we’d work on some new songs.”

  Veronica frowned, knitting her dark eyebrows together. “How many new songs do we need?”

  “I know,” Betty said. She knew her friend was upset, but she hated to back out on plans. She just wanted to ease the situation for the moment. “But Tina says she has this really great idea for a song and she wants my opinion on it.”

  “You know, Betty, I feel like every time I ask you to do something lately you’ve already got plans with Tina.” Veronica crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’m sorry, Ronnie,” Betty said with a sigh. “Tell you what. I’ll come over after I finish up with Tina and we’ll hang out.”

  “Okay,” Veronica relented. “Sorry if I’m being a bit of a crab. I think I’m just tired from playing so many shows.”

  “I know,” Betty had to agree. “How do famous musicians do it? I mean, two gigs a week and I’m pooped. Three gigs and I’m exhausted!”

  XOXO

  It was a perfect July day. Betty hummed the new song she’d worked out with Tina as she pedaled her bike toward Veronica’s house. It had been difficult not to invite Tina to join them, but now Betty was glad that she didn’t.

  With Tina, every conversation was always about the band. Gigs, practice, outfits, publicity—all day, all the time. But now Betty just wanted to relax, work on her suntan, chat with Veronica, and not think about The Candy Hearts for a few hours.

  “Hey, Ronnie!” she called from the driveway as she cruised to a stop.

  Veronica waved to her from where she was lounging poolside. “How’s the new song? Any good?”

  “Not bad,” Betty had to admit. Tina had talent.

  “Did you bring your suit?” Veronica asked as she got up to greet her friend. “I was thinking we could just relax and soak up some sun.”

  “Sounds perfect!” Betty pulled her bag out of the bike’s basket. “I come bikini-ready.”

  “Great! Get changed and I’ll ring for some ice tea and maybe a few sandwiches,” Veronica said.

  Even though they’d been best friends since they were four, Betty never quite got used to the fact that Mr. Lodge kept a butler that would bring Veronica whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. At the Cooper household, if Betty wanted a sandwich, she had to make it herself.

  A few minutes later they were happily sitting poolside with a stack of magazines, plenty of sunblock, and refreshments on the way. “Ah, this is the life,” Veronica sighed, slouching under a large hat and oversized sunglasses.

  “It’s good to take a break,” Betty agreed as she sat on the pool’s edge, dangling her feet in the water. Dark sunglasses were perched on her nose, and her long, blond hair was tucked up under a straw hat. “It’s just nice to take an afternoon and not worry about the band.”

  “BFF!” someone shouted.

  Veronica sat up and looked around. “Did you hear that?”

  Some bushes rustled and suddenly a young guy appeared holding a camera. “Hey, Candy Hearts, why don’t you take off those hats and sunglasses so I can get a photo,” he said, raising the camera to his face.

  Startled, Veronica hopped to her feet. “What are you doing here? Get out of my yard! You’re trespassing!”

  “Oh, come on,” the boy pleaded. “One photo!”

  “No!” Betty shouted. “Get out of here right now!” She splashed some water at him.

  “Is there a problem, miss?” the butler said as he hurried out of the house carrying a broom. He must have heard the shouting.

  “Yes, there’s a problem!” Veronica informed him. “This creep snuck into the yard and is trying to take our photo.”

  “Sir!” the butler called out. “I’m afraid I must ask you to leave.”

  “Hey, come on! I’m a fan!” the boy insisted, even though he did start backing toward the hedge.

  “That doesn’t give you the right to trespass on private property,” the butler informed him. He gestured toward the driveway with the broom. “If you want to see The Candy Hearts, then I suggest you attend a show.”

  “You’re totally not being cool!” the kid informed them before sprinting off across the neighbor’s backyard.

  “Shall I call the police, miss?” the butler asked, lowering the broom.

  “No,” Veronica answered quickly. “I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you for saving us.”

  “My pleasure,” he replied. Then he turned and headed stiffly back into the house.

  “That was so weird,” Betty said, toweling off her legs. “I mean, what gives him the right to spy on us just because he likes our music? What a jerk!”

  “How did he even figure out where I live?” Veronica fumed. Then, after looking around the yard for a moment, she added, “I’m feeling kind of weird about this whole thing. Like somebody’s spying on us right now. Let’s go inside and just watch a movie or something.”

  “Good idea,” Betty said, grabbing her stuff. “I can’t even imagine what it must be like to be really famous. People hassling you all the time. I don’t think I’d like that at all.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Veronica said. “I mean, it would be supercool to have your photo in a bunch of magazines.”

  Betty laughed. She thought that would be pretty cool, but she also didn’t mind being able to plop on the couch for an afternoon of movies with her best friend. She didn’t think celebrities had a lot of time to do that.

  They’d only been watching movies for about twenty minutes when Tina called. “Hey, what are you up to?” she chirped over the receiver.

  Veronica wasted no time before telling her about the boy in the bushes.

  “That’s so neat!” Tina crowed when the story was finished.

  “Neat?” Veronica asked, confused. “You think that was neat?”

  “Sure! Maybe he was a reporter.”

  “Why would he be a reporter?” Veronica wondered. “I think he was just a stalker.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad.” Tina sounded mildly deflated. “Well, anyway, I was wondering what you and Betty are doing for dinner. Want to grab a burger or something?”

  “Sorry, Teeny, we’re going out with Archie and Reggie.”
<
br />   “And Jughead,” Betty reminded her.

  “And Jughead,” Veronica said into the phone. “Hey, if you want to join us, you can be Jughead’s date.”

  “Jughead?” Tina repeated somewhat skeptically.

  “Sure,” Veronica laughed. “Just keep your hands and feet away from his mouth while he’s eating and everything should be fine.”

  “Why would I put my hands near his mouth?” Tina wanted to know.

  “You wouldn’t on purpose,” Veronica told her, “but just trust me.”

  “Okay,” Tina finally agreed. “Hey, why don’t we see if Nancy and Chuck want to join us?”

  Veronica told Betty about Tina’s suggestion. The girls looked at each other, then cried, “Band date!” before dissolving into giggles.

  XOXO

  Milano’s Italian Restaurant was packed by the time The Candy Hearts and The Archies plus Chuck arrived. “You come on zee busy night,” the maître d’ told them as he showed them to their table. “I hear zhere is, how you say, zee famous music group is coming to eat.”

  “Really? Someone famous?” Betty’s eyes grew round. “I wonder who it is.” They all took a seat and their waiter handed around the menus.

  Plink! The sharp noise made Betty jerk away from the plate that was sitting in front of her. “What was that?” she said, looking around her table setting for whatever had caused the noise. Plink! It happened again.

  “What the . . .” Betty’s eyes fell on a small, pastel object. She picked it up. It was a conversation heart with the words “luv you” written on it. “Somebody just threw this at me,” she said, holding up the candy and scanning the dining room.

  “What is it?” Veronica squinted across the table, sensing that Betty was upset. “Is that candy?”

  “Yeah,” Reggie replied. “Someone just threw this at her.” He glared around the room. “And this is supposed to be a nice restaurant.”

  “Ouch.” Betty put her hand to the side of her head and found another heart tangled in her hair.

  “Whoever’s doing that better cut it out!” Reggie growled at the other diners. Jughead leaned across the table. “Don’t worry, Betty, I’ll get rid of that for you.” He plucked the heart from her hands and popped it in his mouth. “There you go. No more problems. Although,” he added, crunching the heart between his teeth, “I wish your fans would throw something a little more substantial. Like hamburgers.”