XX

BANG.

The loud sound of a door slamming awoke me with a jolt. Startled, I rolled over slightly and squinted across the room, only just noticing the bright rays of sunshine streaming through the windows into the trailer.

"Good morning!" the cheery voice of my little sister, Jelly, sang out as she poked her head around the open kitchen cupboard.

"G-Good morning," I mumbled groggily in response, blinking my eyes a couple of times as I tried to get used to the brightness filling the room.

"I'm sorry about the noise," Jelly apologised as she shut the cupboard door and cast a sympathetic look in my direction. "I told Jug to be quiet on his way out, but he wasn't ... I knew you were beat and wanted you to sleep in as much as possible."

I shook my head and frowned. "No, no, it's - it's alright.  I just need some coffee. Wait..."

My nose twitched as the smell of fried bacon and sausages filled my nostrils. My stomach grumbled.

"Are you cooking breakfast?" I queried incredulously as I slipped out from beneath the warm covers of my bed and into the fresh morning air.

Jelly shrugged and nodded. "Yeah. I don't usually, but I wanted to do something special as it's your first proper day here in Riverdale."

I smiled, a real, genuine smile. "Thanks, Jelly. It's good to know that at least someone is happy that I'm back."

Jelly paused as she glanced over at me. "Don't think like that. Dad's glad your back. Geez, he even asked you to come! Just give Jughead a few days. He'll warm up to you."

"But that's the thing, Jel," I let out a sad sigh as I seated myself at the kitchen table. "He shouldn't have to, you know, warm up to me."

Jelly pursed her lips in thought as she scraped a few strips of freshly fried bacon onto some plates already layered with eggs and sausages. She dumped the cooking pan into the sink and grabbed some utensils before picking up the full plates and bringing them over to the table. As she set one of the dishes down in front of me, she stated, "Hey, I have an idea."

"Mmm?" I raised my eyebrows.

"I know what might cheer you up," she giggled as she scooted onto the chair opposite me. "Seeing as you're some big city gal not used to the hard rigours of country living ..."

"Aw shut up," I groaned, rolling my eyes and sending her a mock glare. "I might live in the city but that doesn't mean anything. Gosh, all I wear is oversized shirts and jeggings anyway. I don't have that much of a fashion taste."

"I can see that," Jelly smirked as her eyes trailed over my wrinkled pair of pyjamas.

"Hey, no fair!" I yelped, waving a hand in front of her face. "These are pyjamas! Not actual going-out clothes."

"I know," Jelly shrugged as she picked up her fork and began digging into her food. "Anyways ... as I was saying, I think we should go into Riverdale and do some shopping and see the sights and stuff. Have a day of it. We could have lunch at Pops or somewhere else if you prefer. What do you think?"

For a moment, I pretended to give deep thought to her suggestion. I tapped one finger on my chin and gazed up towards the roof. "Nah, I'm just kidding," I teased as I sent her a wide smile. "I'd love to come. That sounds amazing. Thanks so much Jel."

"Jelly," she corrected me gently. "And, no problem, I know how much bad days suck and I really don't want you to leave Riverdale thinking that this whole place is a joke."

"I'd never think that," I raised my arms in defence. "I used to live here myself, you know. Hey, where's Dad?"

Jelly shrugged. "Probably having a drink at the bar or hanging out with Tall Boy. I don't know."

I groaned. "Tall Boy? Seriously? That guy looks like he owns half the world's problems ... probably more."

Jelly nearly choked on a mouthful of eggs.

"Oh, geez, sorry, please don't die," I cried out, trying to silence the bubble of laughter that threatened to erupt from my throat. "Dad would kill me."

Jelly shook her head and stared at me as she said, "You know what? I don't think I realised how much I've been missing out on with you gone."

A smile adorned my features and my heart grew warm as I heard these words. "Well, I'm here now and that's all that matters. C'mon, chop chop. We have a shopping spree to go out on."

As soon as breakfast was over, Jelly hurried to do the dishes while I threw on a pair of light sweatpants and a singlet. Even though it was still morning, I could already feel the sticky humidity of the air suffocating me.

I phoned Dad to ask if I could take Jelly out in his old piece of crap car. He sounded relieved to know that I was actually having a good time so, of course, he gave his consent.

With Jelly being my guide, I drove the two of us up into Riverdale's Northside where rows of neat, white-washed houses were clustered right above the swirling current of the so-called, Sweet Water River. From what I heard from Jelly, however, it was far from sweet. In the last decade, it had claimed the lives of three Riverdale citizens and two tourists when a huge, once-in-a-lifetime flood crashed over the river's banks and swept fiercely across the countryside.

No one had seen anything like it before or since. 

Our first stop was a tiny department store situated on the corner of the first street.

As Jelly and I stepped out of Dad's banged up car, I noticed that we were given a few odd glances by occasional passer-byers. They probably didn't recognise me or the car; maybe they were just a little surprised to see SouthSiders on Northside territory. Either way, I was glad to escape the puzzled and curious looks by opening up the little, glass-panelled door leading into the store and hastily disappearing inside.

I glanced around and smiled at the cute quaintness of the place. Obviously, that was Riverdale's thing: old but good. Racks of short summer dresses and ripped denim shorts lined the wall to my right. An elderly lady stood, prim and proud, behind a small counter sporting a display of old-fashioned hats. Soft voices echoed from the other side of the room as a few shoppers exchanged opinions in the dressing rooms.

"Jelly, sweetie, how are you?" the lady croaked out as a large smile cracked her wrinkled face.

"Miss Mae," Jelly smiled warmly at the cashier. "How nice to see you again! It's been a while!"

Miss Mae nodded eagerly as she extended her arms out for a hug. "It has. Ohh, I've missed you."

Jelly chuckled. "Well, I haven't had anyone to drive me out here, until today. Miss Mae, meet my older sister, Mackenzie. She's here in Riverdale for the summer."

"Oh, how lovely," Miss Mae's grey-blue eyes flittered over my face. "I've heard all about you. You're the talk of the town and let me just say this, now I know why. You're the prettiest thing I've laid eyes on all year."

I let out a small chuckle, trying to ignore the red flush of embarrassment that was creeping up my neck. "So, I'm the talk of the town, huh?"

"Yes, you are, and may I just say ... I am thrilled to finally meet you in person," an enthusiastic, cheery voice sounded from right behind me.

Surprised, I whirled around, coming face-to-face with a girl. Waves of jet-black hair framed her plump cheeks and the pink, checked dress that she was wearing hugged her body perfectly.

"Hi, I'm Veronica Lodge," the girl smiled as she stuck out her hand. "And this here is my bestie, Betty Cooper."

"Oh, uh, hi, I - I'm Mackenzie," I slowly reached out and shook Veronica's small, dainty hand. I turned my attention towards the blonde-haired girl beside her, who sent me a smile and an awkward wave.

"Yes, of that, I am well aware," Veronica told me pointedly as she glanced over towards Jelly. "Oh, hello sweetie, I haven't seen you in, what's it's been? Forever!"

Jelly just smirked and rolled her eyes as she stepped forward to give Veronica a hug. "I've missed you."

"Y-you know these girls?" I queried, hesitant and confused.

"Yes, actually, we - we go to the same school as your brother, Jughead," Betty explained as she pulled at the bottom of her loose, patterned shirt.

I nodded. "O-oh."

"So, what are we doing on this warm, sunny Saturday, hmm?" Veronica questioned, glancing from Jelly to me.

"Ah, nothing much," I shrugged as I stuffed my hands in my pants pockets. "You know, the usual: shopping and lunch out and - er - stuff like that."

"Perfect!" Veronica chortled. "Cannot wait! Um, so, where are we going for lunch? Pops? If so, may I recommend the strawberry milkshake with a side of fries and gravy ..."

"Wait," I held out my hand. "Uhh ... you know, it was just kinda supposed to be me and Jelly ..."

"I see you brought us a lift?" Veronica cut me off as she glanced through the shops' front windows towards the sidewalk outside. "Brilliant. I like your thinking."

As she continued to ramble on and on about the best discount stores in Riverdale and about a queer smell in one of the change rooms out the back, I exchanged a look with Jelly. She smirked as she leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "It's best not to object when Veronica has her mind set on something."

I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. "Wow."

Jelly let out a half-hiccup, half-giggle, "Welcome to Riverdale."

Gif: Mackenzie as she tries to counter Veronica.

* PLEASE REMEMBER to give this chapter a vote if you enjoyed and I'd love to hear any feedback from my readers; so pepper me with questions. If you're confused, I'll try and clarify it for you. If you want more information on a certain point, I'll do my best not to give you spoilers. If you just wanna chat 'bout random stuff, then I'm in *

I hope ya's all enjoyed my Betty and Veronica introduction! What do you think of them?

Q: Are you more like a cheery, outgoing Veronica Lodge or a quieter, simpler Betty Cooper?