Principal Weatherbee sat behind his heavy oak desk, looking over the two transfer files.
He was a tall, middle-aged man with a lean but fit build, his dark brown eyes projecting a strict, no-nonsense authority.
He had a cleanly shaved head, brown skin, and wore a sharp, dark-colored suit that perfectly matched his professional demeanor.
He closed the files and looked directly at Aleksander, his tone shifting from authoritative to deeply respectful.
“Mr.
Morozov, Mayor McCoy has already briefed me on your unique situation.
If you require anything at all, you have a direct line to my office.
Furthermore, considering your academic and professional history, our standard attendance policies are waived for you.
If you wish to skip classes or exams, you have full clearance to do so.
Just notify your teachers beforehand.”
Aleksander gave a polite, measured nod.
“Understood, Principal Weatherbee.
Thank you.”
“Excellent.
Give me just a moment to call your peer mentor in to collect you both,” Weatherbee said, standing up and stepping out into the adjoining reception area to make the call.
As soon as the glass door clicked shut, Veronica leaned back in her chair, letting out a heavy sigh.
She shot Aleksander a look laced with genuine, unmistakable envy.
“Complete freedom to skip any class and bypass every exam?” Veronica murmured, shaking her head.
“It must be absolutely exhausting being a global genius.
Meanwhile, the rest of us actually have to suffer through high school algebra.”
Aleksander turned his head, a faint, amused smile breaking his usually stoic expression.
“I manage.
But if you find yourself struggling with the curriculum, I could always help you with your studies.”
Veronica’s envy instantly melted into a sharp, playful smirk.
She shifted in her seat, leaning just a fraction closer to him, her dark eyes flashing with clear interest.
“Is that right?
The untouchable CEO of Apex Industries is offering me private tutoring?”
Aleksander held her gaze, his voice dropping to a smooth, effortless register, matching her energy perfectly.
“I have a very exclusive clientele, Veronica.
But for you, I suppose I could skip the waitlist.”
Principal Weatherbee returned a moment later, opening the door to reveal Betty Cooper waiting in the reception area.
She offered them a bright, welcoming smile, eager to start her duties as their peer mentor.
As the three of them stepped out into the crowded, locker-lined hallways, Betty immediately slipped into her practiced routine.
“So, I usually start off my tours with a little history and context.
Riverdale High first opened its doors in 1941, and—”
“—and hasn’t been redecorated since, apparently,” Veronica interrupted, looking around the drab, retro corridors unimpressed.
“Honestly, I feel like I’m wandering through the lost epilogue of Our Town.”
She shot an amused glance at Aleksander, who smirked slightly in agreement.
Betty, completely missing the literary reference, just offered a confused, polite chuckle.
“So, what’s the social scene like here?” Veronica asked, pivoting smoothly.
“Any nightclubs?”
“A strip club called the Hoe Zone and a tragic gay bar called Innuendo,” a new voice chimed in from behind them.
A boy suddenly stepped out of the crowd, spinning around to walk backward in front of them with an easy, theatrical confidence.
“Friday nights, it’s football games, then tailgate parties at the Mall-mart parking lot.
Saturday night is movie night, regardless of what’s playing at the Bijou—and you better get there early, because we don’t have reserved seating in Riverdale.”
He stopped, casually throwing an arm around Betty’s shoulders.
“And Sunday nights?
Thank God for HBO.”
As he spoke, his eyes landed directly on Aleksander.
He took in the dark, tailored blazer, the messy, effortless hair, and the intense, sharp features.
Kevin’s eyes went wide.
He leaned into Betty’s ear, whispering loudly enough for both Aleksander and Veronica to hear, “Oh my God, Betty.
Forget Archie.
Take a chance with him.”
Betty’s pale skin instantly flushed crimson.
She sharply elbowed him in the ribs, desperately trying to save face.
“Veronica Lodge, Aleksander Morozov, this is Kevin Keller.
Veronica and Aleksander are new here, Kevin is—”
“—gay, thank God,” Veronica seamlessly cut in, offering a dazzling smile.
“Let’s be best friends.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Kevin smiled back, but his small-town curiosity instantly got the better of him.
He looked at Veronica, his filter completely dropping.
“Is it true what they say about your dad?”
The playful energy in the hallway vanished.
Betty immediately shot Kevin a vicious glare.
Veronica’s posture stiffened, her protective armor snapping right back into place.
“That he’s the devil incarnate?
I stand by my father.” She looked between Kevin and Betty, her dark eyes narrowing.
“Does everyone here know?”
Both Betty and Kevin remained dead silent, the guilt written plainly on their faces.
“Wonderful,” Veronica scoffed, her voice dripping with defensive sarcasm.
“Ten minutes in, and I’m already the Blue Jasmine of Riverdale High.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked quickly down the hall, desperate to put distance between herself and the local gossip.
“What?” Kevin asked, looking at Betty in genuine confusion as she continued to glare at him.
Betty shook her head and immediately moved to follow Veronica, with Aleksander falling into step right beside her.
They caught up to Veronica near a bank of lockers.
She was staring straight ahead, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, clearly fighting to keep her composure in a school full of strangers who already judged her.
Aleksander stepped smoothly into her line of sight, casually blocking the staring eyes of the passing students.
His presence was immediately grounding, pulling her focus away from the anxiety.
“Small towns run on boredom and gossip, Veronica,” Aleksander said smoothly, his calm voice cutting through the chaotic noise of the hallway.
“They talk about your father because nothing interesting has happened to them in decades.
Don’t let their lack of imagination dictate your reality.”
Aleksander knew Jason Blossoms murder was one such thing.
Veronica let out a slightly shaky breath, uncrossing her arms as she looked up into his dark, focused eyes.
Aleksander offered a small, reassuring smile.
“You are not your father.
Just ignore them.
And if anyone gives you real trouble about it, let me know.”
The quiet, absolute certainty in his voice did more than just lighten her mood; it made her feel genuinely anchored.
Veronica offered a small, deeply appreciative nod, the sharp edge of her panic fading entirely as Betty hurried up beside them, launching into a frantic apology for Kevin’s lack of tact.