“Four against three is not cool with me,” Nancy said, holding the ball against her hip.
“Hold on a minute.” Betty walked across the court over to Veronica. “Come on, Ronnie. It’s not going to kill you to put your phone down for a minute and play with us. Besides,” she added, tilting her head toward the boys, “I know you don’t want to give them something to gloat about for the rest of the summer. And with four against three now? There’s definitely going to be some gloating.”
Veronica hesitated, then grinned. “Okay, bestie. But just for one set.” She put her phone on her towel and hopped to her feet. “I mean, what are the chances they’re going to call me the second I stop waiting for them to, right?” she asked as they walked toward the sand court.
They were halfway there when suddenly a blast of music came from behind them. “She’s a best dressed girlllll, she’s got it in the bag.”
“Ahhh!” Veronica shrieked. She turned and raced back to her beach towel, kicking up clouds of sand.
“Unbelievable,” Betty muttered, shaking her head. She recognized the lyrics to “Best Dressed Girl,” Belle Pink’s signature song. Veronica had made it her ringtone yesterday when they’d arrived home after the mall.
Midge and Nancy ran over to join Veronica. They hovered anxiously as Veronica held the phone to her ear.
“Yes. Yes. Uh-huh. No. Yes. Really? Okay. Yes. Mm-hmm. Yes. Thank you!”
If the look on Veronica’s face wasn’t enough of an explanation, her instant jumping up and down said it all.
“Woo-hoo! Today, Belle Pink . . . tomorrow, fashion designer to the stars!” Veronica said, her cheeks flushed pink with happiness.
Betty wanted to be happy for her friend. She really did. But it didn’t seem fair that she had been trying to get a job for weeks, yet Veronica applied for one on a whim and actually got it. No one ever said life was fair, Betty thought, watching as Veronica hugged Midge and Nancy.
Betty thought back to her horoscope for the day. She was really into astrology—and at times like these, it sometimes helped her make sense of things. “There’s nothing that you can’t handle, Cancer,” her daily horoscope had read. “So don’t let the bumps in the road get you down. Steer around them and keep your head held high. Even the best of relationships can hit rocky patches.”
I guess this is just a bump in the road, she decided. Time to be a true best friend and suck it up. She knew what she had to do. Slowly, she plodded through the hot sand toward Veronica.
“Congratulations. I’m really happy you got the job,” Betty said, hugging her friend. “I know you’re going to be an awesome salesperson.”
“I’ll totally give you my employee discount,” Veronica promised, giving Betty a huge smile. Then a flicker of concern came over her face. “Oh, Betty. Don’t worry. I know you’re going to get a job this summer, too. It’s all going to work out.”
“Yeah, I just have to stay positive,” Betty said, sounding more confident than she really felt inside. Her mom always said that if you act the way you want to feel, soon you’ll start feeling the way you’re acting.
“Yo, this is great and all, but we’re kind of in the middle of a game,” Reggie called impatiently. “Who’s still in?”
“Just chill for a minute, Reggie. Jeez. Can’t you see we’re busy over here?” Nancy shouted back to him.
“Veronica’s showing us this cute fashion app on her phone,” Midge added as if that should have been obvious.
“Don’t worry, Betty,” Jughead said, coming over and slinging his arm around her slumped shoulders. “If nobody wants to hire you, you can hang out with us every day.” He socked her in the arm. “That would be awesome!”
“Yeah. Awesome,” Betty repeated, the words feeling thick in her throat. She rubbed her sore arm, looking from Jughead to Reggie to Archie to Kevin. Fist bumps. Shooting hoops. Playing video games in Reggie’s basement. Working out. Endless jam sessions with The Archies in Archie’s garage. Jokes about bodily functions. Was that really what this summer was going to be about?
I have got to find a summer job, Betty thought, more determined than ever. Because her horoscope was wrong. Hanging out with the guys all summer was definitely something she couldn’t handle.
Chapter 3
“Bye! Have a good time!” Veronica called, waving to her parents as they walked hand in hand down their mansion’s long stone sidewalk. The Lodges were on their way to a charity golf match at the Riverdale Country Club. She watched as their sleek black sedan pulled out onto the street, then she closed the heavy front door. Normally when her parents went out she did something fun, like have her friends over for a pool party or watch sappy romance movies with Betty. But not today. She was starting her first shift at Belle Pink in an hour.
Veronica jogged up the winding marble staircase and down the hallway to her room. Clicking on some Lady Gaga, she went into her gigantic walk-in closet and began going through her clothes. The closet was larger than some of her friends’ bedrooms. She had racks and drawers for clothes, shelves for her shoe collection, a full-length mirror—even a pink velvet couch and crystal chandelier.
A few minutes later she stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection. “Hmm. I’m not sure about this,” she said to herself, turning from side to side. She was wearing a pair of black jeggings, a bright pink tank top, and gigantic silver hoop earrings. “I think maybe it’s too casual.”
She went over to a drawer, pulled out a gray vest, and slipped it on. Racks of jewelry sat on top of the dresser. “Maybe the silver one and purple one?” she said, slipping two necklaces over her head. Even though Veronica had already scored the job, it was vital that she made a good first impression.
She gave herself a critical once-over. “Argh. Now it looks like I’m trying too hard.” She took off the necklaces and put on a newsboy cap she’d ordered online. Cute, but something still wasn’t right. She started going through her closet again. “Maybe I should just pick something else out instead,” she muttered.
Veronica was on her fourth outfit—a pair of adorable black denim jeans and a silky, sleeveless yellow top that looked great with her dark hair—when the intercom buzzer in her room went off. “Miss Veronica? Miss Betty is here to see you,” said Melanie, one of the Lodges’ maids.
“Thanks, Melanie,” Veronica said. Maybe Betty could help her pick out something nice to wear.
“Hey,” Betty said, walking into the closet. “Cool shirt.” She sat down on Veronica’s couch and leaned back on her hands.
“Hi, Betty. What’s up? I could totally use your help right now . . . but you look a little depressed,” Veronica said, peering at her friend. “Is everything okay?”
Betty blew out her breath. “I guess. I’m dropping off job applications at the pool, a garden supply store, and a vet’s office. At this point I don’t much care who hires me—I just want a job!” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I think I’ve applied at every single store in town.”
Veronica felt a tiny bit guilty. Poor Betty had been applying for jobs with no luck. And I got the first and only job I applied for, Veronica thought. That definitely had to be upsetting to Betty. Then Veronica got a terrific idea. “You know, Betty, my dad has some serious connections in this town,” she told her friend.
Betty opened her eyes, looking confused. “Uh-huh,” she said, not sure where the conversation was going.
“Well . . . all he would have to do is make a few phone calls and bingo!” Veronica snapped her fingers in Betty’s face. “You could get a job just like that.” Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner? Betty needed a job, and Mr. Lodge could get her one. Easy-peasy.
But Betty didn’t seem to see things in quite the same way.
“Thanks a lot, Veronica, but I think I can get a job on my own,” Betty said, looking at her in disbelief. “I don’t need your dad to step in and get me one.”
“Um, no offense, but I think you kind of do,” Veronica said. “Not to be mean or anything,
but you haven’t exactly had a lot of offers, Betty. You’ve said so yourself.”
A flash of anger lit up Betty’s face. “I can’t believe you would say that to me. I am a really hard worker. And with my grades, I should be more than able to get a job on my own,” she said, her voice rising. “A real job—one where I have to use my brain. Not some—some fluffy fashion job.”
Fluffy fashion job? That sounded suspiciously like an insult to Veronica. “Well,” she said haughtily, “my job at Belle Pink might seem small—but small steps are what take you to big places. Everyone has to start somewhere.”
Holding her head high, she walked past Betty to the mirror. Quickly she pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and snapped on an elastic. Then she walked over to her shoe shelves and grabbed a pair of uncomfortable yet supertrendy metallic sandals.
“I don’t know if you want to stay here and hang out by yourself, but I’ve got to go,” she said, feeling annoyed, angry, and kind of badly for her friend all at the same time. She threw her phone, hairbrush, gum, and wallet into a large gray leather satchel and slung it over her shoulder. “Because unlike you, I’ve got to get to work.”
After Veronica left, Betty sat there stewing in her best friend’s big closet, wondering what had just happened. How did a simple visit to Veronica’s house turn into a fight? Betty knew deep down that Veronica was just trying to help her. She knew she wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings—but still, it was kind of insulting. Did she really think Betty couldn’t get a job on her own?
Maybe she couldn’t. Maybe she would spend all summer filling out job applications, going from store to store, and listening to Veronica map out her career as a fashion designer.
“Miss Betty?” Melanie knocked lightly on the closet door. “Are you all right? Would you like a glass of lemonade?”
“Oh! No. Thanks. I was just, um, leaving.” Betty managed to give Melanie a smile before walking out of Veronica’s room. Just then her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a text from Archie.
Hey . . . want to meet me at Pop’s? I’m starving.
Betty smiled. Maybe lunch with Archie Andrews was just what she needed.
Sounds great. See you there. 20 minutes?
Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe was one of the most popular hangouts in Riverdale. Everyone went there. And today it looked like literally everyone in town was there. When Betty walked inside the restaurant, she couldn’t believe how crowded it was. The soda fountain counter stools were all taken, every booth was filled, and there were at least twenty people waiting for a table.
“Yo, Betty! Over here!” Archie waved from a spot near the wall. She waved and made her way through the crowd.
“Hi, Archie,” she said, lighting up when she saw him. He had on a pair of long black basketball shorts and a sleeveless red shirt that said PLAY HARD OR GO HOME. “So what’s going on? Since when is Pop’s this crowded on a Thursday afternoon?”
Archie shrugged. “Dunno. It’s been like this ever since I walked in. Hey, Pop!” he called as the owner of the restaurant walked past. “This is crazy, huh?”
Pop Tate looked completely frazzled. His apron was covered in chocolate, and his forehead was glistening with sweat. “The air conditioner over at Sam’s Subs stopped working—and they won’t get it up and running for weeks. The part they need to fix it is on back order.” Pop ran his hand nervously through his hair. “So not only do I have all my regular customers like you, I’ve got Sam’s customers as well.”
“That’s good for business, then,” Betty said. She knew Sam’s was a big rival of Pop’s.
But Pop didn’t hear her. He had already hurried off to the kitchen.
“So how’s the job hunt going?” Archie asked.
Betty grimaced. “Don’t ask.”
Archie laughed and squeezed Betty’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Coop. It’s going to work out. Veronica found a job, and—”
“Please don’t remind me. And can we not talk about her? We’re kind of in a fight at the moment.”
Archie shook his head. “Girl drama. Some things never change.”
Betty rolled her eyes. Archie had had to suffer through a lot of Betty’s ups and downs with Veronica over the years. She knew that eventually they would make up. But for now she was annoyed with her . . . and was going to stay that way for the whole day. Maybe even the rest of the week.
Finally they got a booth and Betty flipped open a menu. Even though she had been there a million times, she still liked to look at the menu.
“What are you in the mood for?” Archie asked.
Betty shrugged, resting her elbows on the Formica tabletop. “I’m thinking a turkey burger and onion rings with a chocolate milkshake. With extra whipped cream.”
“Excellent choice,” Archie said with a nod.
Georgette, Betty’s favorite waitress, came over to take their order. “Sorry to keep you waiting, guys,” she apologized. Her blond bun was coming undone. Wayward tendrils framed her face. “I’m just getting slammed today. Way too many tables to handle!”
“Yeah, it’s wild in here. Why doesn’t Pop hire more waitresses?” Archie asked after ordering a cheeseburger and fries.
Georgette sighed. “I ask myself that every day. But then I know the answer. This place is Pop’s baby, kids. Pop is really picky about who works at the Chocklit Shoppe. He only employs people he’s known a long time. People he can trust like family.”
Then she hurried off to place their order.
“It’s totally obvious, Betty. Why don’t you apply for a job here?”
Betty blinked at him. “Doing what?”
Archie snorted. “Betty. Take a look around the place. What do you think? A waitress job!”
“But I have never been a waitress before,” Betty blurted out. She’d never even considered waitressing as an option.
“You heard what Georgette said,” Archie went on, growing more and more animated. “Pop knows you, and you need a job.”
Betty thought for a moment. “I don’t know, Archie,” she said slowly. “I’m not really sure I could be a waitress.”
“Sure you could, hon,” came a voice from behind them. It was Georgette. She slid a plate of delicious-smelling food in front of each of them. “Let me talk to Pop.”
“Um, okay,” Betty said, sliding the wrapper off her straw. Suddenly her stomach was filled with butterflies. She’d wanted a summer job . . . but could she handle being a waitress?
“It’s in the bag, Coop,” Archie said, picking up his burger. “It’s gonna be a sweet gig. Me and Jughead will be your best customers.”
And by the time she and Archie were finishing their lunches, it was all set.
Pop had hired Betty on the spot. She was going to be a waitress at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe.
And she was going to start tomorrow.
Chapter 4
Veronica pulled her phone out of her purse and checked the time. Ten forty-five. Perfect. Better to be fifteen minutes early than one minute late, she thought, her pulse quickening as she approached the pink-awninged storefront of Belle Pink.
“If there’s a better way to spend my summer vacation, I don’t know what it is,” Veronica said to herself as she took one metallic-sandal step into the store. She thought back to her conversation with Betty. All she had been trying to do was help her best friend, and instead they ended up in a fight.
She shook off the memory. Betty would come around, right? She’d deal with that later. For now, she had her job to think about.
Loud, cool French rock music was blasting from the cute little Eiffel Tower–shaped speakers. Veronica closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet, intoxicating smell of Belle Pink’s signature scent, Femme Fatale. Then she opened her eyes and walked through the aisles. She laid her hand on a faux fur vest, then reached out to touch a leopard jersey tank top. Veronica gazed around the trendy boutique in wonder. “This is going to be the best summer of my life!” she squealed, not caring if anyone heard her.
Veronica walked to the back cash registers. She recognized the woman standing there—thin, with short dark hair, black-framed glasses, and bright red lipstick. She was Jane, the store’s manager.
“Bonjour, Veronica,” Jane said, giving Veronica a big smile. “We’re so glad to have you on board. Come with me into the back.”
Veronica’s heart raced a little faster. She’d been in the store only five minutes and already she was being taken to the inner sanctum! But when they walked into the backroom, it wasn’t as glamorous as Veronica thought it was going to be. There was a chart on the wall with what Veronica guessed were employee names and what hours they were working that week. An old, rickety-looking wooden table was littered with magazines, crumpled newspapers, and some leftover Chinese food containers. There was a mini-refrigerator covered with poetry magnets. Some dirty coffee cups. A coat rack with sweaters and jackets. And lots and lots of boxes.
Jane showed Veronica where she would need to sign in for her shift and where her hours would be posted. “The restroom is over there,” Jane said, pointing to a dingy-looking door that said SALLE DE BAIN. “It’s for employees only.” She went through a bunch of rules and things to remember. Then she handed Veronica a cute metallic, pink name tag.
“I love it,” Veronica said, clipping it to her yellow top. “Oops, I mean, j’adore.”
Veronica followed Jane back out onto the “selling floor” as Jane called it. The doors had just opened. Veronica’s heart raced a little faster. That meant customers would soon be pouring in. And it would be up to Veronica to help them find the perfect little black dress . . . the right pair of skinny pants . . . the trendiest sweater . . . Riverdale’s female population would be counting on her.
Veronica sighed with happiness.
“Veronica, I’d like you to meet Lola,” Jane said. “Lola has worked at Belle Pink for six months. She’s going to show you the ropes.”
Living the Dream Page 2