Betty clenched her fists nails digging into her soft palms. The sting of pain didn't even register when her nails broke the skin. This was the last straw. She has had it with the whole goddamn thing. Her teeth clenched along with her hands in order to prevent venomous words slipping past her pink perfection stained lips.
Her mother's mouth moved but it seemed as if no sound was coming out. She knew Alice had to be raging about something. Who was she kidding?! When was her mom not on a rampage. She watched as her movements became more violent with every scream. Her blonde hair shaking ridiculously along with her head. Her mother looked so small to her now. It was like watching a toddler throw a tantrum.
"Betty! Betty! Are you even listening to me?!" Alice Cooper's shrill voice snapped her back into reality. Alice stood with her arms crossed and her hip jutting out. Wisps of her perfectly blonde hair fell into her face giving her a "I just had a crazy screaming match of something stupid" look.
"Yeah Mom I'm listening" Betty replied her voice still a bit distant and dreamy sounding. Alice raised her brow in an accusing manner. "Well then young lady. What was I talking about?"
"Shit!" Betty thought "She caught me." Betty paused racking her brain for an excuse. "Ummmm….My...grades?" She said her voice sounding more uncertain than she intended. Alice opened her mouth. Betty winced as the shouting began again. "Grades? GRADES? YOU THINK I WAS UPSET ABOUT YOUR GRADES?!" Alice screamed her face becoming red again. "Unbelievable! UN! FUCKING! BELIEVABLE! I can't even lecture you without you screwing it up!" Betty had to hold back a scoff. She'd hardly call this a lecture. It was more like watching a military sergeant lose his shit.
"Well then Mother. Care to fill me in on what I've screwed up this time?" Betty said. She swears at that very moment she swears Alice turned purple. "First of all you're going to lose that sass young lady! And second the reason why you're in trouble is because I found this in your room!" Alice reached into her pocket a whipped out a familiar looking grey beanie.
"Fuck!" Betty thought her eyes widening. "You've been letting that Jones boy into your room again haven't you?!" Alice was practically shaking in anger at this point. "You know how we feel about you scurrying around with South Side scum, and a Jones no doubt!"
"Don't talk about him like that! Jughead isn't like that!" Betty protested while snatching her boyfriends most prized possession from her mother's claws. "Oh please Betty don't be so naive!" Alice sighed "All the Jones men are the same. I wouldn't be surprised if he already started laying around that filthy trailer drunk completely shit faced." Betty eyes narrowed her blood pounding in her ears. "You take that back." She said her voice reaching a dangerous sounding volume. "I most certainly won't!" Alice sniffed "I'm just speaking the truth! They're all filthy rats!"
Betty's nails were digging so hard into her skin by know she could feel her blood pooling under her nails. With a huff she turned on her heel and stomped up the stairs. "Elizabeth Cooper you get back here right now I'm not done with you!" Alice's words were met by the slam of Betty's bedroom door. In a likewise manner Alice stormed into the basement slamming the door behind her in relation.
Betty stormed about her room back and forth. This was it. She was truly done with this crazy family once and for all. She stuffed everything she could into her backpack until it looked like someone had stuffed a huge pink blob in it. Struggling with all her might she finally managed to get the thing to close. Though it looked like the thing was about to burst open she didn't care. Lastly she turned to her mirror and pulled out that obnoxiously tight pony tail. She sighed as relief fell over her scalp as she smoothed her fingers over her hair. It was honestly her favorite part of her day. She bit her lip and looked back at the over stuffed bag sitting on her bed. Did she really want to do this?
She looked down at the fresh wounds on her palms. The once yellowed scars looked bright red again. Anger began to flood back in. She had lost count over how many times she had done this to herself because of her mother. She needed to get out. She couldn't be here anymore, she was drowning. She couldn't take it. The constant pressure, her mother's harsh words, her father's absence. If she stayed any longer Betty was positive that she'd snap. She'd snap and take her whole family down with her. Slowly exhaling the breath she didn't know she was holding she slung the bag over her shoulder. She reached for her phone and saw she had two missed calls and eight texts from Jughead.
I just realized I left my hat at your place. It's sort of in view so you should probably hide it...
Betty?
Look I really need to know if you got this. If Mama Cooper finds that hat she's going to flip.
Go bananas
Seriously text me back so I know she didn't murder you in a fit of rage.
Betts please I'm starting to get worried.
Betty pick up your phone please
Betty please let me know if you're okay.
A small smile spread across Betty's face. Now while scaring her boyfriend wasn't really all that grand she found it cute how concerned he was. It made her feel like once in her life she had someplace she could be safe. Be free from everything. She quickly sent out a reply not wanting to cause him further panic. There the deed was done. Now she had to go quickly before she chickened out, Moving as quickly as she could she stuffed Jughead beanie on her head and quietly slipped out her window into the cold night.
