If ever such a warm place like Pop's could be so uninviting, this was the time.

Ben stepped into the diner with sweaty palms and an uncontrollable shake in his movements. Never had he tried to sabotage anything, or try to flirt with a girl. Andy had much better charisma then he did, mostly because Andy was the sophomore who was supposed to be a junior. He was the older guy, the more experienced guy, Ben was the one who had to convince a girl he wasn't thirteen years old.

"Hey, Pop." he said, slightly breathless. "One Oreo milkshake, to go please."

"Coming up." Pop said with a smile. Before he got to work, he pointed. "You're friends are over there, by the way."

He cleared his throat, nodding as if he hadn't been staring at them for the past two minutes. Veronica was with them, using her effortless elegance to successfully make Archie drool for her. Betty sat there, uncomfortable but still trying to be nice. He took his time, using his phone as a distraction to bring himself closer to the booth. "I'm Breakfast at Tiffany's, but this place is strictly In Cold Blood."

At this point, Pop called out for his milkshake and he picked it up, thanking the older man. Veronica glanced over, a playful spark coming to her eyes. If Ben wasn't going to make a move, she would for him.

"Hey, stranger." She called over to him, making his head whip up cluelessly. She strutted over to him, looping her arms around his like she did previously. Lowly, she spoke in his ear. "Go with it." All Ben could do was sip his milkshake and play along.

"I'm Veronica Lodge." She said to the two at the booth who were gaping up at Ben.

"Archie Andrews." Archie said, not taking his eyes off the boy. "Uh, this is Betty Cooper."

Betty was silent, too busy being unable to comprehend what was in front of her.

Veronica blinked at the name. "Wait, are you...?"

"Supposed to be giving you your tour tomorrow?" Betty snapped out of it. "Yes. I'm your peer mentor."

The ebony haired girl on his arm pouted. "Aw, I was kind of hoping Ben could show me around. I'm guessing you guys...?" She pointed between them, feigning a dumb look.

Betty was the first to interject. "We know each other."

Ben nodded. "We're friends."

"Best friends." Archie added.

Come on, man, he thought.

"Oh, well this just gets better and better." Veronica pulled him in closer, causing him to look at her. He didn't notice Betty flinch at the action. "Maybe you could both help me tour the school. It'll be like the Lizzie McGuire gang all over again."

"Dibs on Miranda." Ben said, causing her to giggle. Betty didn't react.

"Hell no, you're Gordo a hundred per cent." this time, Betty began to chew on her nail.

Archie, who wasn't liking their interactions at all(which made Ben want to punch him. Haha, guess who's getting the attention now you chiselled boy band member.), cleared his throat to change the subject. "Do you want to join us?" It was directed mainly at Veronica, making Ben squeeze her closer to her. "Hey, maybe we could un-fill you with dread."

Ben raised an eyebrow in agreement, but she shook her head, stating, "My mom's waiting for me. But, to be continued."

"Yeah." He said.

Veronica's name sang throughout the diner, letting her detach from Ben. "See you in school, Ben." She winked at him, and he couldn't help but smile, chuckling softly. This girl was a force to be reckoned with.

After the bell signalled her departure, it was just the three of them left in uncomfortable silence. "So," Ben began, "were we interrupting something?"

Betty, who had been staring off into space for a few moments, shook her head. "No, not really."

Archie frowned. "Weren't you saying something?"

"It doesn't matter."

She let the air settle for a moment before her smile came back. "So, Ben, care to join us?"

His eyes widened a little bit, but he nodded nonetheless. "Sure, I mean, if you guys don't mind."

"Archie was cool with Veronica staying, he should be okay with you staying, right?"

Archie nodded. "Yeah, take a seat man. We haven't seen each other in forever."

"I know, where'd you go?" Ben asked, taking another sip of his milkshake.

"Working construction at my dad's work."

"Oh yeah, Andrew interned there for a couple of weeks, right?"

Archie smiled. "Yeah, he did, actually."

Betty didn't let this conversation go any further, for she blurted out. "So, how close are you and Veronica?" Both boys turned to her, frowns on their faces. Although Ben's heart rate picked up at the jealousy in her tone.

"Oh, like ten minutes. She asked me where Pop's was."

"Really?" now Archie was curious, leaning in a little. "What's she like?"

"From what I gathered she's pretty awesome. Super smart, and really funny."

"Gorgeous, too, huh?" Betty said in a mocking tone.

Ben's answer died on his tongue as he noticed the fire behind her eyes. Ben stuffed a few fries in his mouth, pointing to them and claiming his mouth was full. Archie chuckled. When he swallowed, he did try to answer. "I suppose. I'd say she's more...enigmatic really."

"English tutor is paying off." Archie muttered, earning him a fry to the forehead.

When Ben locked eyes with Betty once again, his features softened. "Why are you asking? I barely know her."

There was a flash of something behind her eyes, something Ben couldn't catch before her normal smile returned. "Just wondering. Now, where are those burgers, I'm starving."

Ben frowned, going back to his milkshake once again. He felt more nervous right now then when he did entering Pop's.

-

"Benjamin Johnson, get that pretty little ass over here!"

Ah, the shrill, loving voice of Cheryl Blossom.

Ben had expected to enter the school on his first day of sophomore year like any other student. He would blend into the walls, finding his friends and allowing the day to pass with not so much as a blink of an eye from the popular folks. Cheryl would be busy getting ready for the assembly she would be speaking at, and Andy was busy being her emotional rock. The one who stood by her despite being separated for nearly six months. That relationship worked about as well as you'd think it would considering their personalities.

However, it seemed Cheryl had some business with him, and decided to let half the hallway know as well. Ben froze for a second, closed his eyes and took a breath, summoning whatever strength he could to handle the entity that was Cheryl Blossom.

"What?" he snapped lightly once he came to her side.

"I'm here to inform you that your brother and I have talked. About us."

If Ben rolled his eyes any further, they fall back into his skull. "So what, you're getting back together or something?"

Cheryl chuckled, laying a perfectly red manicured hand on his shoulder. "No, silly, about us and you. Your role in the group."

"The group? You mean you, Ginger, Tia, Andy and Chuck, that group?" Cheryl nodded. "You're serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Last year, you didn't know my name."

"But now I do, listen, since my brother's death you're mother and brother have been nothing but nice to my family. What kind of person would I be if I didn't extend my thank you."

"Well, for starters-"

"Are you gonna take my offer or not?" Cheryl snapped suddenly, making him jump.

Ben thought about it for a moment. In freshmen year, he was in that group. Together, with Jason Blossom and Polly Cooper, they ruled the school. Well, those six ruled the school, Ben and Polly just kind of tagged along for the ride. It was fun, until it wasn't and Ben's pretty sure it won't ever be fun again. Terrorising people for how they looked, or carried themselves was not how he wanted to spend his lunch times. He'd rather spend it with actual people.

"You know what, I'm good."

Cheryl scoffed. "Seriously, you'd give up being popular to be with the scooby-doo gang?"

Like a voice from the heavens, Kevin shouted from across the hall. "Ben!"

"I think that's a yes?" Ben smirked, spinning around on his heels before leaving to join his actual friends.

Kevin raised his head to look at Cheryl who was turning redder than her hair, her hands clenching into fists. "What was going on there?"

"It doesn't matter, what matters is that we survive school assembly." Ben said with a smile, walking in front of him.

"So, Betty in love with you yet?"

He laughed. "No, but now I have her attention."

Kevin grinned at his friend as he strut down the hall towards their homeroom. "Someone's in a good mood." Ben nodded, doing a small little dance to emphasis it.

The bell rang, signalling the halls that it was time for school to start. On his way to homeroom, he passed the reception area, catching Veronica waiting near Weatherbee's office. She noticed him, giving him a wink that he playfully glared at. Their silent conversation was interrupted by the door of the principals office opening, Weatherbee and Betty stepping out of it. Veronica stood up as soon as that happened, Ben's smile dropping. It was weird, how much Betty affected his emotions. He sighed, hearing the second bell. Great, he was late. His good mood was short lived

And as the week would progress, it would only get worse.

-

not edited

A/N: I'm getting so excited for this story, mainly because the brotp between Veronica/Ben/Kevin is something I'm looking forward to. It's just so pure and gold and nothing bad will happen to them ;) ;) ;).

Dedicated to @justsav because she is the father of Llamas. Yes, that's the reason.

Comment, vote, follow & stay awesome Gotham! - Emma