xoxo, Betty and Veronica: In Each Other's Shoes

by Adrianne Ambrose

  Smiling, Betty agreed, “Sounds good to me.”

  “Great.” The two girls started walking toward the school’s parking lot. “First things first,” Veronica continued. “We should stop by my house for a change of wardrobe.”

  Betty looked down at her jean mini, scoop neck T-shirt, and mules. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Nothing,” Veronica assured her. “You look supercute. But not exactly couture.”

  “So?”

  “When you go to a high-end boutique, you dress like you have designer fashions coming out of your ears.”

  Betty looked down. “But I don’t have designer fashions coming out of my ears. ”

  “Don’t worry. I have enough designer labels for both of us.”

  Chapter 7

  Thirty minutes later, Betty was dolled up in an outfit that cost more than her entire wardrobe combined. She sat in the passenger seat of Veronica’s car and tried not to wrinkle it. “Do you want to stop at the Chocklit Shoppe first and get a soda?” Veronica asked.

  “No way,” Betty told her. “I’m worried I might stain something.”

  “Don’t worry.” Veronica laughed. “That’s why they invented dry cleaners.”

  It took only a few minutes for them to zip across town in Veronica’s red convertible. “Okay,” she said, wheeling her car into the parking lot of a fashionable boutique. “Mary Rose has some really cute stuff in her store, and she’s helped with the fashion show since we were freshmen.”

  Betty nodded. “Great.”

  A bell over the door tinkled as they entered the shop. An elegant-looking woman who smelled of lilacs greeted them. “Welcome to . . . Oh, hello, Veronica.”

  “Hi, Mary Rose.” Veronica gave her a big smile.

  “Just browsing today or are you looking for something special?”

  “Well, actually, Riverdale’s annual charity fashion show is coming up,” Veronica explained.

  “Oh, that’s right. The fashion show. Is it that time of year already?”

  Assuming the question was rhetorical, Veronica continued. “This is Betty Cooper. She’s the head of the show this year.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Betty.” Mary Rose extended a well-manicured hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” Betty replied. She was already grateful that Veronica had spiffed up her outfit. “I hope you’re interested in participating in the fashion show this year.”

  Mary Rose thought about it a moment and then smiled. “Yes, I think I am. We don’t usually get a lot of teenage clients from contributing to the fashion show, but mothers of the models sometimes swing by. I think it definitely helps my business.”

  “That’s great,” Veronica said. “We really appreciate it, Mary Rose.”

  “Well, I appreciate you as a customer,” the boutique owner told her.

  Betty got a business card and contact information, entering it all in a notebook she had labeled FASHION SHOW. After a few more minutes of small talk they were back in the car. “Well, that was easy,” Betty said while cinching her seat belt. “I’m glad we’ve got the clothing all set up. What’s next?”

  Veronica squinted over at her. “What do you mean by all set up? Mary Rose was just our first stop. We have to have at least five boutiques signed on to do the show before we’ll be in a good spot.”

  “You’re kidding?” Betty wasn’t sure why she was surprised, but she was. “You mean we’re not done?”

  “Nope.” Veronica pulled the car out of the lot. “Next we’re headed to Marlene’s in the mall.”

  “So.” Betty pulled her notebook out of her bag. She figured she might as well ask some questions while they were driving. “What else needs to get done for the fashion show?”

  “Well, let’s see.” Veronica gave it some thought. “After getting the vendors, you need to decide on a theme, so the boutique owners can put together some outfits. Then there’s ordering the invitations, choosing the models, fitting sessions with the models, renting a runway for the gym, lighting and a sound system, decorations, of course, some type of light refreshments.” Veronica scratched her chin while Betty hurriedly scribbled in her notebook. “Publicity is important. You also have to address the invitations and get them in the mail, hire someone for hair and makeup, and you definitely want to do at least one runthrough with all the models and the clothing before you have the show.”

  “Wow,” Betty said. Her head was starting to spin. “I never realized how much work went into putting on a fashion show.”

  “Don’t think of it as work,” Veronica said, stopping at a red light. “It’s fashion. It’s supposed to be fun.”

  “Yeah, but”—Betty couldn’t help but sigh a little—“I just wish, you know, it meant something more than just beautiful clothes.”

  “It’s for charity. That’s something,” Veronica pointed out.

  “Yeah, and that’s great, but . . . I don’t know, just girls in pretty clothes. It doesn’t have a lot of substance. You know, like, what does it mean?”

  The light changed, and Veronica stepped on the gas. She couldn’t help but chuckle at her friend. Betty was always trying to make everything boring and meaningful instead of just having fun. But, realizing Betty really expected an answer, she said, “It means you have good taste.”

  The next afternoon the tables turned, and it was Betty’s time to show Veronica around the Riverdale High newspaper office. “So tomorrow, you’ll probably want to call a story meeting,” Betty suggested.

  “What’s that?” Veronica wanted to know as she thumbed through some back issues of The Blue and Gold, realizing she’d never actually looked closely at the school paper.

  “It’s where all the writers pitch their story ideas. Then you decide what stories work for the next issue. Larry okayed a lot of the stories before he left, so you’ll really just want to go over who is doing what and fill in any gaps.”

  Veronica raised her eyebrows. “Sounds easy. Larry’s already done half the work.”

  “Well, it’s not that easy because you have to decide what’s going to be the headline story and then what other stories will go on the front page. Then you have to fill the rest of the paper. You want to choose articles that are interesting, but you can’t forget to include school news, socials events, school announcements, and sports.”

  “Okay.” Veronica wondered if she should be writing things down.

  “Once you decide on a story, you have to assign a photographer to cover it. Some writers will take their own pictures, but most won’t,” Betty warned her.

  “Got it.”

  “You’ll want the writers to get their stories in early because you’ll need time to go over each one to check for spelling and formatting errors.”

  Veronica made a face. “Don’t the writers do that?”

  “They try,” Betty explained, “but they don’t always catch everything. That’s the editor’s job.”

  “Great,” Veronica muttered. Being an editor didn’t sound like much fun. Picking stories was kind of neat, but the rest of it just sounded like correcting papers.

  “Also,” Betty continued, ignoring her friend’s lack of enthusiasm, “you’ve got to remember ad sales. We need that money to keep the paper running.”

  “No problem,” Veronica told her. “I’ll just get my dad to take out a full-page ad.”

  Betty looked a little concerned about the idea. “What would he be advertising?”

  Veronica shrugged. “Who cares?”

  “Well, I care,” Betty told her. “The paper means a lot to me, and I think you should pursue legitimate advertisers rather than just getting money from your dad.”

  Rolling her eyes, Veronica agreed. “Okay, fine. I’ll get real advertisers. What else have I got to do?”

  Veronica had meant to be sarcastic, but Betty took her seriously. “Okay, good. I’m glad you asked. Once you have the articles, the photos, and the ads all ready to go, then you have to work on layout.”

  �
��That seems like an awful lot of work. Isn’t there a graphic designer or somebody that does all that?” Veronica yawned.

  “Nope, it’s all up to the editor. Kevin will probably help you. He’s good at design,” Betty replied. “After that, all that’s left to do is printing and distribution.”

  Veronica felt tired just from hearing about all the effort it took to put a newspaper together. She wished she’d taken notes because she couldn’t remember half of what Betty had told her. Finally, she said, “I don’t know, Betty. This whole paper thing kind of feels like one gigantic homework assignment.”

  Betty laughed. “It’s a lot of work, I’ll give you that. But there’s no feeling in the world more satisfying than when an issue of The Blue and Gold actually goes to press.”

  Veronica didn’t say anything out loud, but she could think of about two zillion things she believed would be more satisfying. For example, finding the perfect pair of black pumps. But Betty thought the world of the paper, so she figured there had to be something to it, and she’d just learn what that was while being editor in chief. After all, being an editor was really just telling people what to do, and Veronica liked doing that. So maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Chapter 8

  “Hey, Kevin,” Betty called as she trotted up the steps to school the next morning.

  “Good morning, Ms. Fashionista,” he replied.

  Giving him half a smirk, she said, “That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  “What?” Kevin yanked open the door, and they both walked inside.

  “Well, you know how I ended up the head of the charity fashion show?” Kevin nodded, so Betty continued. “I was kind of wondering if you wanted to help me out. I mean, Veronica’s going to be my fashion spirit guide and everything, but there’s a ton to do, and I want to at least try to have some fun while doing it. So . . . I was wondering if you wanted to be on the fashion show committee?” She gave him a hopeful glance.

  “Betty.” Kevin looked at her and smiled. “Just because I’m gay, it doesn’t mean I’m into fashion shows.”

  Betty’s face turned bright red. “But you are one of the best dressed guys in the school. And there are only girls on the committee right now, and half of them are superangry because I’m in charge and I didn’t technically even run for the position. And I was thinking that it might be nice to have a friend there, who’s also a guy, who’s also fashionable.”

  They both turned and started heading toward their lockers. Kevin laughed. “Thanks a lot for complimenting my style, Betty. It’s nice to be appreciated.”

  In the student parking lot, Veronica and Archie were having their own conversation. “So between the articles and the layouts and getting ads and distribution, I’m going to need a lot of help.”

  “Oh,” Archie said, noncommittally looking out the car window.

  “I mean, I obviously can’t do it all by myself,” Veronica hinted.

  “Uh-huh.” Archie gave a bob of his head in agreement but still wouldn’t meet her eyes.

  “And, of course, whoever sells the most ads gets a free ride on the space shuttle,” she said casually.

  “That sounds really interesting,” Archie replied, eyeing the front of the school.

  “Archie!”

  “What?”

  “You’re not even listening to me!” Veronica fumed.

  “Sure I am,” he assured her. “Mostly. I mean, you’re going to be the editor of the paper, and it’s going to be a lot of work. That’s the gist of it, right?”

  “The gist of it is, I’m going to need a lot of help,” she said, giving him a significant look.

  “I bet,” Archie replied, doing his best not to take the hint. “It’s a good thing you’ve got Betty.” Then, reluctantly recognizing Veronica was expecting more from him, he hastily added, “And I hear there are a lot of great kids on the paper. I mean, you know, hard workers and everything.”

  Veronica folded her arms. “Archie, do you want to help me with the paper or not?”

  Blushing, Archie confessed, “I’m going to have to go with not.”

  This made Veronica’s eyes pop. She wasn’t used to her almost boyfriend being so unsupportive. “Why not?”

  “Well . . .” It was time to fess up. Archie couldn’t avoid it any longer. “Reggie said he was going to be one of the male models for the fashion show, and I always kind of thought that maybe I could be a male model. And the fashion show is the perfect opportunity for me to start strutting my stuff.”

  Veronica tried hard not to burst out laughing. She bit her lips to keep the giggles in. It really wasn’t her intent to hurt Archie’s feelings. After all, she found him attractive. But he wasn’t exactly classically good-looking or anything. He was more of the cute, slightly geeky type with a good personality. Which was totally attractive as far as she was concerned, but his look didn’t exactly scream, “Look out, New York City, here comes the next superhunk!” So she knew she had to be politic in her response. “Um . . . ,” she started. “Have you talked to Betty about this? I mean, she’s the one that will be signing up the models.”

  “Not yet, but come on.” Archie did a classic muscle flex. “I’ve been working out.”

  Veronica really wanted his help with the paper, but he was acting so hopeful and cute about modeling, it just made her heart melt. She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Oh, Archiekins, I think you’d make a wonderful model.”

  “Hey, Betty,” Ginger called. Betty had decided to take her study hall in the library, and Ginger was there, sitting alone at one of the tables. “Want to join me?”

  “Um, okay.” Betty tentatively put her books down. “Are you sure? I mean, you seemed pretty upset that I’m in charge of the fashion show.”

  “Oh, that.” Ginger waved off the memory. “Sorry about that. I was just disappointed I lost. I didn’t mean to freak out or anything.”

  “Okay . . .” Betty was still hesitant.

  “Relax, Betty. I’m totally over it,” Ginger insisted. “In fact, I still really want to help put the show together. Seriously, I got being angry out of my system, and I’m all about helping now.”

  Betty smiled and slid into the chair. “That would be great! I can use all the help I can get. Especially from someone like you, who has so much experience in fashion.”

  Looking down in an attempt to appear humble, Ginger said, “Well, I don’t have that much experience.”

  “Are you kidding? You write for Sparkle Magazine! I’m not really even into fashion, and I know that’s a huge deal. What’s it like, getting to go to New York all the time and meeting all those fashionable people?”

  Ginger had to smile. “Well, to be honest, it is pretty awesome. And I do get a lot of inside information. You know, about what’s going to be hot. It’s a great way to find out what’s going to be sizzling on the runways next season.”

  “Really?” Betty leaned forward and said in a half whisper, “So what is going to be sizzling? I mean, I have to pick a theme for the fashion show, and I really have no idea. I don’t want you to reveal any trade secrets or anything, but if you could just give me a hint in the right direction.”

  “Okay.” Ginger leaned in, conspiratorially. “I have a total scoop on what’s going to be huge with a ton of designers next season. It’s practically going to be the theme for every major show.”

  “Really?” Betty leaned closer. “What?”

  Ginger scanned the room to make sure no one else was listening. “The environment.”

  “Huh? Are you kidding?”

  “No, seriously. A lot of top designers are trying to get away from the superficiality of fashion. Do you know what I mean? Like, so you’ve made a taffeta dress that costs like a gazillion dollars. Big deal.”

  “But don’t fashion designers want to sell expensive clothing? Isn’t that pretty much how they make their living?”

  “Well, sure,” Ginger admitted. “But, I mean, fashion doesn’
t just have to be shallow, you know? It can have meaning.”

  Betty was surprised. “It can?”

  “Sure.” Ginger shrugged. “I mean, just because you design couture clothes, it doesn’t mean you can’t be green about it. In fact, a lot of the big designers are totally concerned about the environment.”

  “They are?”

  “Don’t act so stunned.”

  “Yeah, but you know... fashion designers just seem so . . .” Betty floundered.

  “Superficial?”

  Betty turned a little pink. She didn’t ever like to insult people. Even people she didn’t know. “Well, kind of. And they also seem so . . .”

  “Greedy?”

  “No.” Betty shook her head. “Not exactly. I was going to say . . .”

  “Ruthless?” Ginger tried. “Soulless? Completely lacking integrity?”

  “No!” Betty said adamantly. “I would never say any of those things. I’m just surprised to hear that the newest trend in fashion is going to be about the environment.”

  Ginger started gathering her books. “Well, you can trust me, it’s absolutely true. Only”—she paused for a moment, looking thoughtful—“maybe you shouldn’t tell anyone I said anything. I mean, I’m happy to give you the inside info, but I’d hate to get in trouble at Sparkle or anything.”

  “Oh, I totally understand,” Betty assured her. “I mean, I really appreciate your advice. And I love the idea of doing a fashion show that’s about the environment.”

  “Yeah.” Ginger smiled. “Maybe you could make that the show’s theme.”

  Betty all but glowed. She was wondering how to make the fashion show into something she could stand behind, and this was the perfect solution. “That’s a great idea!” she enthused.

  “Well, don’t tell anyone I said anything,” Ginger whispered. “Feel free to take all the credit.” With that, she grabbed her books and hurried out of the library.