Chapter Six :
Day One

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

     Being back in Riverdale already gave Winnie a bittersweet feeling but for some reason, starting school with almost all of her friends made it more real. The only problem was that Archie wouldn't be able to go to school with them and there were people she never met before and some of the people she left behind weren't the same anymore. Riverdale didn't feel the same anymore and not just because she missed a lot of things that went on with her friends while she was gone but because it truly felt like so much had happened and that it changed the town.

     Winnie grabbed her bag and made sure she had everything she needed for her first day of the school year before heading to the kitchen for breakfast. Tasha and Jacob were already at the table while Luna was standing over the counter when she noticed Winnie there.

     "Morning, sweetheart. Have some breakfast before we go," she said as she put a plate down with waffles and Winnie smiled as she picked up her fork.

     "You do realize this is the first time you'll be going to school with your friends in years, right?" Tasha asked after swallowing a mouthful of waffles.

     "Yes, Tas, I am very hyperaware of that. I don't really know how to feel about it either," Winnie sighed as her shoulder slumped.

     "Betty will be there. You two were besties when you were little and it doesn't seem like any of that changed. Plus, you got to meet some new people. Also, what about that guy who saved you from looking like a rat that got caught in the rain?" Tasha asked quietly with a hint of a smile as she leaned closer to Winnie and she rolled her eyes as she shoved her away.

     "I didn't even say two words to him so relax," she replied before taking a big bite of her breakfast.

     "Winnie met a guy?" Jacob asked and Winnie looked at him.

     "Eat your waffles, Jake," she said and Jacob laughed as he kept eating.

     "Well, at least Betty and Kevin will be there so you don't have too much to worry about," Tasha said and Winnie shrugged her shoulders as she scarfed down the rest of her waffles.

     "Alright, kids, we gotta go in five minutes so I can get you all to school on time so throw your dishes in the sink, grab your stuff and get in the car," Luna said as she put the dishtowel down and went to put her shoes on.

     The three of them put their plates and forks in the sink and made sure they had everything they needed before they all headed out to the car. Tasha helped put Winnie's chair in the back as Winnie sat in the backseat and put her seatbelt on with her bag in her lap. By the time they were ready to go, Luna turned the engine on and started driving to the elementary school since it was closer to their house.

     "You have your lunch, right?" she asked and Jacob nodded as he took his seatbelt off and grabbed his bag. "Okay, have a good day."

     "By, Mama!" Jacob said as he closed the door and ran to join the other kids.

     "Stay alive!" Tasha yelled and Winnie laughed as she playfully smacked her arm with the back of her hand.

     "You two are next and then I gotta get to work," Luna said as she left the area for the student drop-off and drove to the high school where Winnie and Tasha would be going as the closer they got there, the more real it became for Winnie.

     Even though she had been back in town for days, for some reason going back to school there made it all too real because it just meant that they wouldn't be leaving again any time soon. As of this moment, they had no reason and every reason to stay. Winnie looked through the text messages that were exchanged between herself, Betty and Kevin and smiled at the conversations they had late at night when they were supposed to be sleeping. She texted that she was excited to see them and smiled even wider when they returned the same sentiment and shared that they were just as excited to see her.

     When Luna pulled up in front of the school, Winnie sighed as she looked out the window and saw many students just sitting outside waiting until it was time to get to class. Luna got Winnie's wheelchair out of the car and Winnie sat down while Tasha closed the door.

     "You girls have everything?" Luna asked.

     "Yes, Ma. You even asked us during the ride here," Tasha laughed and Luna shrugged her shoulders as she smiled at them.

     "I just wanna be sure. You two look out for each other and if there is any trouble at all, call me," she said.

     "Got it, Ma," Winnie replied.

     "Have a good day!"

     "Later, Ma!"

     The girls replied as they went inside the school and headed to the main office to get their timetables and locker assignments. When they got there, Betty and Kevin were there and smiled when they saw Winnie heading in their direction.

    "Oh, God, I am so glad you're really here with us," Kevin said as he got up and hugged Winnie tightly.

     "Jesus, Kevin, you saw me like two days ago," she replied as Kevin pulled away and shrugged his shoulders.

     "That is too long. How did we even go nine years without you?" he questioned and Winnie laughed.

     "Me and Tas gotta get our stuff. Hopefully we got some classes together," she said.

     "We can show you around before class starts. By the time you get your timetables and locker assignments, there will be enough time to show you where everything is and get to your first class on time," Betty said as she clasped her hands together and Winnie nodded.

     "Thanks. Just wait here and we'll be in and out in a minute," she said as Tasha opened the door and they went inside to get their stuff.

     The receptionist went over everything with them and they just nodded along as they took their stuff and left the office and Betty and Kevin were still waiting outside. Since Winnie and Tasha had never actually been to Riverdale High, Betty and Kevin definitely agreed that they needed to use that extra time to show them around so they had any idea of where to go for their classes. As they were passing the student lounge, Winnie looked inside and saw Sweet Pea sitting with his friends who she also saw at the party. Just as Winnie looked away and followed Betty and Kevin, Sweet Pea noticed her in the hallway but she was gone as quickly as she appeared.

     "There's five minutes until class starts but we'll see you guys soon," Betty said and Winnie nodded as she smiled and Betty smiled back at her. "I know I have said this before but I'm so happy to have you back."

     "Same," Winnie replied as Betty started heading to class and Winnie started making her way to the first class on her timetable not knowing what to expect for her first day at Riverdale High.