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After everyone got inside the auditorium, Mr. Waterbee started his brief speech, before handling the microphone to a red-headed girl, Cheryl Blossom

Cheryl: "Before my speech, I'd like to start with a moment of silence for my brother."

Everyone lowered the head respectfully for Cheryl's gone brother, Jason. During that silence Archie glanced at a lady in the distance, the music teacher, Ms. Grundy. Peter noticed it, and that made him confused...his spider-sense told him that there was more deep down, but he didn't know what...even Veronica, who was looking at Peter, followed his gaze, and had the exact feeling. After the moment of silence was over, Cheryl began speaking

Cheryl: "Thank you for that moment of silence. Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally, each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother: he was, and always will be, my soul mate. So I speak with the confidence only a twin could have: Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning, Jason would want us to move on with our lives, which is why I've asked the school board not to cancel the back-to-school semi-formal."

Everyone in the auditorium clapped hands in approval.

Cheryl: "But rather, to let us use it as a way to heal, collectively...and celebrate my brother's too, too short life on this mortal coil. Thank you, all."

Everybody was moved by Cheryl's words. At the end of the speech everyone was chatting with one another, and Peter noticed a familiar woman, his Aunt May, talking with Mr. Andrews

Fred: "May, it's so good to see you!"

May: "Hey, Fred!"

They hugged eachother for a moment, then broke the hug

Fred: "Hey, I heard of Ben, I'm very sorry."

May: "Thank you, Fred."

Fred: "How are you holding up?"

May: "It's hard, very hard but...I have to be strong for my nephew."

Fred: "That's admirable of you, May. And your nephew, Peter, he's really changed this Summer, isn't he?"

May: "Yeah, it was kinda bizarre: in a week he didn't need his glasses anymore, half a month after he got taller and more fit, now he's like a cinnamon roll for girls *laughs* "

Fred: *laughing* "Yeah, I can imagine."

May: "But your son too changed, Fred."

Fred: "Yeah: all Summer working with me had a huge impact on him, now he can't live without punching bag and gym. I'm happy about him: his football skills improved thanks to his training, I can see he'll have a bright future."

May: "I can see that too, he's a good boy, Fred."

Fred: "Oh, does Peter still build things?"

May: *laughing* "You have no idea! He practically built and installed a stereo implant in his room. He's constantly working on projects, some of which are even secret."

Fred: "He's truly amazing, May, I'm happy for you."

May: "Thank you, Fred. Hey I almost forgot, how's Mary doing?"

Fred: "She's in Chicago, we split up, but we're civil on it."

May: *puts a hand on his shoulder* "Oh, Fred, I'm so sorry."

Fred: "You see, it's not a problem for me anymore, but I'm afraid that it is for Archie..."

May: "Well, don't forget he's got good friends, including Peter. I'm hoping they start hanging out again..."

Fred: "Yeah, me too. Did Peter tell you the reason why they stopped?"

May: "No, did Archie tell you?"

Fred: *shakes head no, looks at Archie* "It must be a thing between them."

May: "I hope it's not too big of a thing."

Fred: "Yeah, me too. Anyway, it was really good to see you, May." *hugging her*

May: "For me too, Fred." *breaks hug after a bit*

Then Fred went another way to talk to Hermione Lodge, while Peter got near Aunt May

Peter: *crossing arms, with a smirk* "What did I miss?"

May: "Oh, nothing honey. How's the first day until now?"

Peter: *smiling* "Pretty good actually."

May: *smirking* "Uh-huh...who is she?"

Peter: *blushing* "W-What?"

May: *still smirking* "Your wide smile, it's obviously due to a girl, so who is she? Is she Gwen? Or maybe Betty?"

Peter: *scratching the back of his neck* "Actually none of those two: it's Veronica Lodge."

May: *gasps with a smile* "The daughter of Hermione Lodge, I've seen her, she's very pretty."

Peter: "Yeah, she is. I think that she likes me."

May: "I told you that this Summer you became a cinnamon roll for girls!"

Peter: *laughs* "Aunt May, you're exaggerating!"

May: *with a smirk* "So, tell me about Veronica."

Peter: "She's awesome...she's beautiful, and intelligent, and funny...she's almost too perfect to be true..."

???: "Oh, am I~?"

Peter knew whose voice it was...his eyes widened and he turned deep red, while eyeing May, who had a proud smirk on her face, as if she knew she was behind him listening. Peter mentally scolded his lazy spider-sense, then slowly turned around, facing a smirking Veronica

Veronica: "I must say, Peter, I'm quite flattered~"

Peter: "H-H-Hey, V-V-V-Veronica, wh-what a-are you- h-how much d-did you-"

Veronica: "I've heard enough, and I have to say that you aren't so bad either...Petey~" *winks at him and walks away*

Peter: *realizes what just happened, then turns around to May* "You knew she was there, didn't you?!"

May: *laughs* "Maybe...you're welcome." *pats his shoulder and goes away*

Peter: (these girls will be my end if they ever unite to kill me...)

While Peter was having his awkwardly happy moment, Archie went to speak with Ms. Grundy

Archie: "Geraldine."

Ms. Grundy (A/N: I can't call her Geraldine. For the record I despise their relationship with all myself, but it's Riverdale, so...) : "What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?"

Archie: "Can we talk, Ms. Grundy? Please?"

Ms. Grundy: "That depends: about what?"

Archie: "Music. You're the music teacher, can we talk about music?"

Ms. Grundy: "Of course: make an appointment...during my office hours...my official office hours."

The truth was that the red-headed boy and the music teacher had an affair during Summer. She's one of the reasons why Archie was so different from before, and why, indirectly, he stopped hanging out with Peter and Jughead.

During all of this, Fred Andrews and Hermione Lodge were sharing a chat

Hermione: "You know, I think my daughter is going to school with your son. Isn't that funny? We'll have to tell them that we knew each other...that we even dated for a little while. Well, at least until I-"

Fred: "Chose the rich kid, and now reversal of fortune."

Hermione: "How's Mary doing?"

Fred: "You know, you're the second one that asks me that."

Hermione: "Who was the first one?"

Fred: "May Parker."

Hermione: *gasps with a smile* "May is here?"

Fred: "Oh yes, and her nephew too, Peter."

Hermione: "I still can't believe Ben is dead, he was a good and wise man. I'll have to catch up with her in the next days."

Fred: "Yeah...she's a strong woman, I'm not surprised Ben chose her."

Hermione: *laughing* "Well, Ben Parker had a wide choice of women: every single girl was all over him!"

Fred: *chuckling* "Yeah, and every boy hated him for that. I was actually jealous, but I could've never hate him...he helped me a lot back in our days..."

Hermione: "I wonder how Peter is holding up..."

Fred: "You should ask May next time you see her."

Hermione: "Yeah, you're right. Anyways, you never answered my question."

Fred: "Oh, yes: Mary. Well, she's in Chicago, we split up but we're civil. How about you? How are you holding up, really?"

Hermione: "I have a little money saved. I was praying that...someone in Riverdale...maybe an old friend, would be willing to give me the benefit of the doubt."

Fred: "If it were up to me-"

Hermione: "Isn't it up to you? It's your company."

Fred: "Well, I have clients. I can't very well have Hermione Lodge...the wife of Hiram Lodge, on trial for fraud and embezzlement...balancing my books, can I?"

Hermione: "No, I suppose you can't."

Later that day, in lunch break, every student was eating on the tables outside. It was a shiny, beautiful day and everyone was enjoying their meal with their friends. Archie, Betty and Kevin were sitting together, listening to Archie's songs, when suddently Veronica appeared

Veronica: "Can I join?"

Archie: "Yeah."

Veronica: "What are we doing?"

Kevin: "Listening to one of Archie's songs. I thought we're gonna have to pretend to like it, but it's actually really good."

Veronica: "Wait, that was you singing something you wrote?"

Archie: "It's rough."

Betty: "No, it's great!"

Veronica: "It's incredible, actually, the little snippet I heard. Is that your thing? Music? Are you doing something with that?"

Archie: "Yeah, that's the plan. So, how's your first day going? Good?"

Veronica: *thinks about Peter saying she's perfect, smiles and looks down* "Yeah...it's actually very good."

Kevin: "Ooohhh, it's a boy, isn't it? Is it Peter? Did he say something to you? Spill the tea!"

This caught both Betty's and Archie's attention, so they were both looking at a smiling Veronica

Veronica: "Well, yes, it was Peter."

Kevin: "I knew it! Spill, girl!"

Veronica: "So, it happened in the auditorium..."

Kevin: "A public place? Never thought he was so bold!"

Betty and Archie started imagining what could've happened, Betty was actually gonna leave in a matter of moments

Veronica: *chuckles* "It's not that."

This calmed both Betty and Archie

Veronica: "I was searching for him after the speech, and I saw him speaking with a woman, who I think it's his Aunt, since I heard him calling her his Aunt May. I heard him saying that she was exaggerating about something, when I got close she saw me, but she didn't tell him I was there, and then asked Peter to tell her about me and..."

Kevin: *anxious with a smile* "And?"

Both Betty and Archie subconciously got closer to Veronica, who turned and saw Peter, Harry and Gwen walking together. Peter and Veronica locked eyes, smiled and waved at eachother. Kevin, Betty and Archie saw this. Kevin was even more eager to know the answer, Archie got a little angry, while Betty actually feared the answer. Veronica, without moving her gaze from Peter, answered

Veronica: "He told that I'm awesome, beautiful, intelligent, funny... *blushing and smiling wider* he even said that I'm almost too perfect to be real..."

Kevin: *squeals* "I'm soooo much shipping you two! You must ask him to the dance, Veronica!"

Veronica: *turning, facing Kevin, Archie and Betty* "I'd like to tease him a little bit to see if he asks me."

Archie, that had finally the perfect excuse to leave, said

Archie: "I gotta go: meeting with Ms. Grundy, then football tryouts."

Veronica: "You play football too? What don't you do?"

When Archie got away, he glared briefly at Peter. He didn't know why he was so pissed: he had a relationship with Ms. Grundy...well, complicated, but still had it. Even so he couldn't but be angry at his old friend. Veronica was confused on why no one was obsessed with her due to her father's arrest, and Kevin explained that the spotlight was held by the 'red widow' Cheryl. Then Veronica was gonna ask if Betty had already invited Archie to the dance, and Kevin answered

Kevin: "Before you ask, Blue Jasmine,
no, she has not invited-"

But Betty, still pissed for the whole Peter situation and unwilling to hear talking about Archie too, cut Kevin short

Betty: "No, not yet. And don't talk about Archie."

Then the 'red widow' appeared behind them

Cheryl: "Veronica Lodge. I'd heard whisperings, I'm Cheryl Blossom. May I sit? Betty, would you mind?"

Betty, reluctantly, moved a bit to let Cheryl sit beside them

Cheryl: "So, what are you three hens
gossiping about? Archie's Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty? Or maybe *glancing at Peter* the incredible glow up of Peter 'hottie' Parker? Btw, a literal 'from zero to hero' thing."

Betty was visibly uncomfortable and even more pissed when it was Cheryl to talk about Peter or Archie...but more about Peter, so Veronica, noticing it, spoke up, changing the argument, even though chatting about Peter Parker was something she was more willing to do

Veronica: "Extracurriculars: Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few."

Cheryl, showing a confident and excited smile, answered

Cheryl: "Cheerleading, you must. I am senior captain of the River Vixens."

Kevin then, sarcastically, asked

Kevin: "Is cheerleading still a thing?"

But Cheryl took no shit from anyone

Cheryl: "Is being the gay best friend still a thing? Some people say it's retro, I say it's eternal and iconic."

Veronica, actually excited about the offer, said

Veronica: "At Spence, I sat at the top
of the elites' pyramid. I'm in. Betty, you're trying out too."

Cheryl: "Of course. Anyone's welcome to try out, but Betty's already got so much on her plate right now...and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing, but open to all."

Then she got up and started to leave, but stopped after a few feet, turned and said to them

Cheryl: "Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same. My handle's @CherylBombshell."

And just like she appeared, 'CherylBombshell' disappeared. Veronica, right after, turned to Betty and said

Veronica: "Okay, go ahead and hate on cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry-"

But Betty cut her short

Betty: "Oh, I'd love to be a cheerleader: it would look great on my college applications...but last year when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat. 'Too season five Betty Draper', it was a great line, but not at all true."

Veronica: "Well, you're a total smoke show now, I mean it. As hot and as smart as you are...you should be the Queen Bee of this drab hive. Look, if you wanna be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep: I have moves."

Betty started to be a little more happy, knowing that, despite she was pissed at Veronica for Peter, she was actually a nice person

Betty: "Okay, you know what? Show me your moves."

In the meantime, Peter and Harry were talking

Peter: "So she was basically pushing me to say all those things, while Veronica was right behind me!"

Harry: "Wow...how did Veronica take it?"

Peter: "Actually... *scratching the back of his neck* ...she said she was flattered, and said that I'm not too bad either, then she called me 'Petey'..."

In the meantime Gwen was trying not to look deeply hurt.

Harry: "Dude! She definetely likes you! I say you should invite her to the dance! She's right there, c'mon!"

Peter: "I don't know...maybe later, I'm not comfortable doing it with all these people staring..."

Harry: *sighs* "Argh, fine. But if you don't, I'll tell May."

Peter could handle thieves, assassins, even crazy bird-flying-guys, but he was absolutely petrified when he had to face her Aunt. She seemed so sweet, but when she was pissed...it was game over. Knowing this, Peter answered quickly

Peter: "Okay!"

Gwen was truly upset, almost angry at Peter: this girl just arrived and managed to do in a few moments what she tried to do for years before giving up and trying with Harry.

Gwen: *looking at Peter* "Isn't it a bit early? You've only just met her, you know nothing about her."

Gwen didn't know why she said it, or what reaction she would get, but she hoped to discourage him on asking Veronica out...but unfortunately

Peter: "So, you're saying I should hang with her more to get to know her...you're right! You're amazing, Gwen!"

Gwen was completely mad at this point, she couldn't stand it anymore

Gwen: "I gotta go."

She got up

Peter: "Where?"

Gwen: "Not your business."

Then she got away, leaving behind a confused Peter, and a really worried Harry

Peter: "Why did she do it?"

Harry: "I don't know..." (I hope it's not what I think)

Harry knew Gwen had a huge crush on Peter, but he hoped that when they started dating she would actually forget about it and move on, but Harry wasn't stupid: he knew at this point that Gwen was not at all over it, still he hoped it was only a temporary thing.

Without Peter or Harry noticing, Veronica and Betty approached the two boys

Veronica: "What happened to her? She seemed upset about something."

Peter: "I don't know..."

Veronica: "Well, in any case, Betty and I here wanted to invite you two to assist the Riven Vixen's tryouts that'll happen in a few minutes."

Harry: "Really? I didn't think Betty was into cheerleading."

Betty: "Yeah it's...it's something I wanted to do for long, but I wasn't lucky last year."

Peter: "Well, I'm sure you'll do great Betty, you too Veronica!"

Betty appreciated very much Peter's compliment, and she didn't know why, but she started smiling and looking down, not being able, for an unknown reason, to look at him in the eyes, then she answered shily

Betty: "Th-Thank you, Pete."

Veronica, tho, noticed Betty's attitude, and she didn't like it, so she decided to do her move

Veronica: "Petey, why don't we hang out after the tryouts?"

Peter: "R-Really? I mean yes, yes of course..."

Harry, then, lightly elbowed him to encourage him

Peter: "A-Actually! I kinda have something to ask you so..."

Veronica had a clue on what he wanted to ask, and she couldn't be happier. Betty also had a clue and wasn't so happy.

Veronica: *smiles* "Perfect! See you then, Petey!"

Peter: "See you...Ronnie."

Veronica: "Ronnie?"

Peter: "Yeah, I thought since you call me Petey, I could call you Ronnie. D-Don't you like it?"

Veronica was enthusiastic that Peter actually thought about a nickname for her

Veronica: "I love it! Well, see you, Petey!" *winks* "Bye, Harry!"

Betty, a bit upset but not showing it, waved at the two boys

Betty: "Bye, guys."

Peter/Harry: "Bye!"

Harry: "Nice move, man!"

Peter: "What?"

Harry: "The nickname, truly a mastermove!"

Peter: "You think?"

Harry: "Of course: you made her happy! Now let's go."

Peter: "Oh, actually I remembered something I have to take from my locker, see you there?"

Harry: "Sure, but don't be late or you'll disappoint her!"

Peter: "I won't!"

Peter remembered a thing he had 'under' his locker: spider-trackers. He would've taken and implemented them inside his web-shooters, that way he would've been able to track the wing-guy the next time they met. Peter crossed the corridors and, since no one was there, he lifted the lockers, revealing a few secret compartments, in one of which he kept his old suit. He took the trackers and put down the lockers. He, then, headed towards the gym, where there were the tryouts, but passing the music class he heard Archie and Ms. Grundy talking

Ms. Grundy: "Well, I don't think that's a good idea: I don't think we should be alone together. If this is you trying to restart something that never should have started in the first place-"

Peter: (what? 'Restart something that never should have started'...? Oh, don't tell me...)

Archie: "No, it's not, It is about the music. But it's also...come on, I need to be able to talk about what happened with someone. We heard what we heard, and afterwards, we didn't do anything, and we didn't say anything. We heard fireworks, who's lighting fireworks at 6 in the morning?"

Ms. Grundy: "How would we explain
why we were together at Sweetwater River at 6 a.m. on the Fourth of July? And you're right: we didn't say anything. We're both gonna have to live with that choice. Do you understand?"

Peter: (the hell are you doing, Archie...?)

Peter was shocked after hearing that Archie and Ms. Grundy had an affair, plus they were at Sweetwater River that day and they heard fireworks...and they didn't say a thing on that! Peter would've had to dig in this too, but for now he had to go to the gym to assist to the girls' performance.

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