We're with the Band Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  GROSSET & DUNLAP

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  The “ARCHIE” Property and associated character names and likenesses,

  TM and © are owned by Archie Comic Publications, Inc., 2011, and are used under license by Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  All rights reserved.

  The original ARCHIE characters were created by John Goldwater and drawn by Bob Montana for Archie Comics.

  Published by Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. GROSSET & DUNLAP is a trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. S.A.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-52866-2

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  Chapter 1

  “Sorry, girls,” the burly man said as he held up his hands, blocking their entrance. “You’ll have to go around front like everybody else.”

  Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge exchanged confused looks. Their band, The Archies, was supposed to start playing in twenty minutes. They’d just stepped out back so Betty could grab her tambourine and Veronica could change her shoes. Now there was a giant bouncer stopping them from getting backstage. He wanted them to walk around to the front entrance of Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe with the rest of the crowd.

  Veronica flicked her long, jet-black hair over one shoulder and flashed her most brilliant smile. Her dark brown eyes sparkled in the glow of the setting sun. “Oh, I guess you don’t understand,” she said. “We’re with the band.”

  The bouncer didn’t move an inch. “I don’t care who you’re dating, sweetheart,” he replied. “Pop Tate said all customers have to go through the front.”

  “But . . . ,” Betty started to protest. “We’re not customers. We really are with the band.” Her long, blond hair was pulled back in a high ponytail and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. Who was this guy? And how did he not know that Betty and Veronica were part of the band?

  Just then, Jughead Jones walked up carrying a bass drum. “Excuse me, ladies,” he said. The bouncer stepped aside for Jughead to pass.

  “Hey, wait a minute,” Veronica cried. “Why did you stop us, but just let him in?”

  The bouncer shrugged. “He’s with the band.”

  “So are we!” Veronica protested.

  The man gave her a condescending smirk. “Sure you are, sweetie.”

  Fortunately, the back door opened and Archie Andrews and Reggie Mantle came out to help Jughead unload the rest of his drum set.

  “Archie,” Betty called to him. “Would you please tell Mr. Musclehead here that we’re in the band? He won’t let us in.”

  “They’re in the band,” Archie told the bouncer. “And we’re going to start playing soon, so let them in.” Then he noticed the enormous bouncer towering over him and quickly added, “Please?”

  The bouncer folded his beefy arms across his chest, but he stepped to the side. Veronica stuck her nose in the air and strutted past him with Betty hurrying after her.

  “That guy was so rude,” Betty whispered once she was sure they were out of the man’s earshot. “Just because we’re females, he didn’t take us seriously. I mean, girls can be in a band, too.”

  “I know,” Veronica agreed. “I’m going to get his name and make sure Daddy never hires him for any security jobs or anything.”

  Betty nodded. She knew Veronica’s father was one of the most powerful men in Riverdale. That bouncer was toast.

  XOXO

  Betty was having a great time dancing across the makeshift stage, alternating hitting her tambourine with her hand and on her hip. She looked over at Archie playing guitar and singing, Reggie on bass, Jughead banging on the drums, and her best friend, Veronica, on the keyboard. The show was going great.

  Even a few parents had shown up, including Veronica’s father, Mr. Lodge. He didn’t approve of his teenage daughter spending too much time with Archie. Or, as Mr. Lodge referred to him, “that Andrews boy.” But he couldn’t resist the opportunity to see his little girl in the spotlight, looking so pretty while playing the keyboard.

  “That’s my Veronica,” he grinned, giving Pop Tate a nudge with his elbow. “Looks like all those private piano lessons really paid off.”

  Up onstage, Veronica wasn’t happy. She couldn’t help but envy the freedom that her friend had while performing. When Betty wasn’t singing, all she did was dance around the stage. Veronica, on the other hand, actually had to pay attention. It wasn’t so easy to play and sing at the same time, and Veronica wondered if maybe she could be a better singer if she didn’t have to worry about playing the right notes all the time.

  “Jingle Jangle” was the next song on the set list. It was Betty’s turn to sing lead. She bounced over to Archie’s microphone at the front of the stage. Usually when they sang this song, Archie would share a microphone with Reggie. But this time Archie just stood there. The band started playing the song, so Betty squeezed in next to Archie and began to sing:Being kind of pretty

  And down here in the city

  Find it isn’t easy to be smart

  Then, when everyone in The Archies joined in to sing the refrain of “La, da, da, la, da, da,” Archie leaned in close to the microphone with Betty, bringing their faces only inches apart.

  Veronica felt her jealousy-o-meter skyrocket. She knew for a fact that Archie liked her more than any other girl at Riverdale High, but they weren’t officially boyfriend and girlfriend. But still, she made a mental note to buy the band an extra microphone. Daddy had just given her a new credit card, and she couldn’t wait to break it in.

  Then The Archies started up their next tune, “Sugar, Sugar.” Veronica quickly forgot about her jealousy and started dancing behind her keyboard. It was everybody in the band’s favorite song. In fact, from the way the kids were dan
cing, it was probably everybody’s favorite song in all of Riverdale.

  Archie leaned close to his microphone, strummed his guitar, and sang:Sugar, awe, honey, honey

  You are my candy girl

  And you got me wanting you

  Betty danced over to Veronica. She was smiling at her so genuinely and having so much fun that Veronica immediately felt guilty for her flash of jealousy. Betty was her best friend, after all. And they were in The Archies to make music and have fun. Still, it would be nice to get a little more onstage attention. Veronica decided she was going to talk to Archie as soon as possible.

  XOXO

  After the show, Betty and Veronica grabbed two empty seats at the ice cream counter while they waited for Archie and Reggie to finish loading Jughead’s drum kit into his car. The drummer himself was already at the counter with a hamburger and chocolate shake.

  “Hey, Jughead,” Betty called over to him. “Shouldn’t you be helping the guys load the car? I mean, they are your drums.”

  “Nah,” Jughead said. He slathered his burger with ketchup, mustard, and pickles. “They can handle it.” He took a giant bite, then continued in a muffled voice, “Besides, I’m hungry.”

  Veronica laughed. “Tell me something: When aren’t you hungry?”

  “Never.” Jughead shrugged before taking another big bite.

  Their friend Kevin Keller approached the counter and pulled up a stool. “Nice show, girls. You sounded really good,” he said.

  “Thanks!” Betty and Veronica replied simultaneously.

  Veronica looked at Kevin, taking in his good looks and calm manner. Then she continued. “You know, Kevin, with your blue eyes and that wavy, blond hair, you really could date any girl you wanted. Are you sure you don’t want us to fix you up with someone? We know all the girls at Riverdale.”

  “Nope, still gay,” he told her. He smiled wide and added, “But thanks for asking.”

  Archie and Reggie finally walked in and pulled up their own stools. “Hey, Pop,” Archie called to the owner. “How about a couple of sodas for the band?”

  “You got it!” Mr. Tate answered from the other end of the counter.

  The crowd at Pop’s was starting to thin out. The band moved from the counter over to an empty table. Everyone but Jughead that is. He and Kevin had just ordered five plates of hot wings and were gearing up for another of their epic eating competitions.

  “Another great show,” Archie said, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands behind his head. “Yep, The Archies are sounding pretty good. In fact, I can’t think of anything that would make our band better.”

  Veronica quickly added, “Oh, I can.”

  Archie shot up in his seat. “Really?” he asked. “What could we possibly change?”

  Veronica tossed her raven-black hair over her shoulder. “Well, for one thing, no one can see me all the way at the back of the stage.”

  “So?” Reggie asked. He ran a hand over his head, keeping his dark hair slicked back off his face.

  “So,” Veronica shot back, “I have the most stage presence of anyone in the band. And the best clothes. That brings me to . . .”

  “Oh boy,” Archie mumbled. He could feel Veronica warming up her list of demands.

  Veronica cleared her throat and looked around the group. “We need to change the name of the band.”

  “What?!” Archie and Reggie both exclaimed. Jughead looked over from the counter. His lips were red and there were tears running down his cheeks. Kevin took the opportunity and jammed two wings into his mouth. Somehow he looked just as cool as ever—not a drop of hot sauce anywhere.

  Betty just looked at her, wondering what her friend was going to say.

  “Yep,” Veronica smiled. “I mean, what kind of name is The Archies? It’s like you think we’re all boys or something. If you haven’t noticed, Betty and I are girls. I mean, you wouldn’t call one of us Archie.”

  “She’s right, you know. We are females,” Betty added. She covered her mouth to hide a giggle. She agreed with her friend, but would never have had the courage to tell Archie to change the name of his band.

  Archie shook his head. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Okay, Ronnie,” he said, trying to restore the peace. “What do you think we should call the band?”

  Veronica thought for a moment. Then she said, “I think we should call it The Archies with Veronica.”

  “Excuse me?” Betty whipped her head around so fast that it caused her blond ponytail to wrap around her neck. “I sing more than you do, and I’ve co-written some of the songs with Archie. Sometimes I even play guitar. Why wouldn’t I be mentioned in the name?”

  “Okay fine,” Veronica relented. “We can be The Archies with Veronica and Betty.”

  “How about The Archies with Betty and Veronica?” Betty countered. “I think that has a better ring to it.”

  Veronica gave a little pout. “That’s fine by me as long as I get moved up front. I’m sick of being stuck in the back behind my keyboard.”

  “What do you think, Archie?” Betty blinked her big, blue eyes at him.

  “Yes, Archiekins,” Veronica added. “What do you want to call the band?”

  Kevin leaned over from his stool at the counter and said, “Hey, I have an idea, why don’t you call the band Love Triangle?” but everyone just ignored him.

  “Archie?” Veronica raised her eyebrows and pierced him with a look.

  “Well . . . um . . . ,” Archie mumbled.

  “Ladies, ladies,” Reggie interrupted. “I think you’re forgetting a very important thing.”

  “What?” both girls asked in unison.

  Reggie folded his hands and said in a very matter-of-fact tone, “You’re not really part of the band.”

  “What?!” Betty and Veronica repeated, but at a much higher volume and intensity.

  “Don’t get your ponytails in a twist,” Reggie said, raising both his hands in defense. “Hear me out.” Betty and Veronica both glared at him, but remained silent. “Our little carrottopped friend, Archie, here put the band together. He’s the lead singer, he writes most of the songs, and he plays guitar, so Archie gets to call the band whatever he wants.”

  Archie smiled at his friend. “Thanks, buddy.”

  “Wait, I’m not finished,” Reggie continued. “I play bass, which everyone knows is the second most important instrument in any rock band. And then there’s Jughead over there.” Reggie gestured with his thumb toward the counter. Jughead’s head hung low and his face was covered in hot sauce. Kevin downed the last wing and raised his arms victoriously. “He’s the drummer and everyone knows you’ve got to have a drummer.”

  Veronica was losing patience. “What’s your point, Reggie?”

  “I already said it if you bothered to listen. You’re not in the band. Not really.”

  “Reggie.” Betty gave him a concerned look. “Are you running a fever? You’re not making sense. How can we not be in the band?”

  “Okay, blondie, let me see if I can explain it in a way you can understand,” Reggie said. “A band is like a cake. And pretty girls who dance around shaking a tambourine or plunking out a few notes on a piano are the frosting, not the cake. Archie, Jughead, and I are the cake.” He shrugged. “You guys are just the frosting.”

  “Archiekins!” Veronica barked. “Is this true? Do you really think Betty and I aren’t important? Do you really think we’re just frosting?”

  “Well . . .” Archie blushed so red that his freckles were no longer visible.

  Veronica stood up so quickly that her chair tipped over. “Wrong answer!” she shouted.

  Archie jumped to his feet. “Veronica, wait!”

  But it was too late. “No, I won’t wait!” Veronica said, her eyes flashing with anger. “I can’t believe you only think of us as frosting!”

  “I never said that!” Archie insisted.

  “Yeah, but you didn’t tell Reggie he was wrong, did you?” Veronica was furious.

&
nbsp; “No,” Archie confessed. “I’m . . . sorry?”

  Betty picked up her purse and got to her feet. “Archie, how could you? After all those times I helped you write songs and work on lyrics and . . . well, just everything. And you call us frosting!”

  “I didn’t call you frosting!” Archie persisted. “Reggie did!”

  “Come on, Betty,” Veronica said. “I thought The Archies was about being in a band with friends and having fun.”

  “It is!” Archie insisted. His flush of embarrassment had drained away and now he looked downright pale. “You’re taking off? What are you girls going to do?”

  Veronica grabbed Betty’s hand. “The ‘frosting’ is leaving. We’re going to form our own band. An all-girl band. And it’s going to be about fun and friendship and not about being big, fat, jerk-faces!”

  “That’s right!” Betty agreed.

  The girls swept out of Pop Tate’s in a huff, slamming the back door behind them. The sound brought Jughead out of his hot wing coma. He looked around and then staggered over to the table where Archie and Reggie sat, stunned. “Hey, guys, what’s going on?” he asked. “Where’d the girls go? Veronica said something about a late night barbecue at her place.” He patted his still flat stomach. “I don’t want to miss out on the food.”

  XOXO

  Veronica stormed through the parking lot, dragging Betty behind her. “Can you believe those guys?” she raged. “Calling us frosting? It’s just so demeaning! After all we do for the band.”

  “Did you really mean it?” Betty asked. “I mean, are we actually quitting The Archies and forming our own band?”

  “Yes, I meant it!” Veronica said with thunderous conviction. She wasn’t about to be minimized by anyone—even if it was by the boy she liked best in all of Riverdale.

  “Oh.” Betty looked a little deflated. “But I like being in The Archies. It’s fun.”