The cold that has descended on the city that night swirls the blonde's hair around and makes her whole body tremble. One might call it a bad idea to go outside with the light clothes she wears, but that doesn't interest her. In those seconds she can't think of anything but the dark-haired boy.

Her heart beats so hard against her chest that it almost hurts, but she keeps her eyes on the exit of the bar so as not to miss it. She holds her hands tightly interlocked and tries to escape the glances of the people passing her.

If only she could turn back time, prevent her from doing so and erase from her head the gaze of the boy who is still shuddering her now. But it is too late and she becomes more painfully aware of it every second.

A motor howls loudly next to her and her breath falters briefly as she finally discovers the person she is waiting for.

The black-haired man's gaze is cold, almost expressionless. "Hey", she greets him carefully, unsettled by his gaze. Shortly before her he stops, unusually still. "What's the matter?" she immediately notices that she was right with her suspicion. "Was it the dance?" With these words her heart makes a sentence. "Simply everything and yes. Why did you do that?", a breath of disappointment resonates in his voice.

"I wanted to be a part of all this," she tries to explain, hoping he would understand: "The Serpents, your world." "How then", he sounds dumbfounded, as if he could not believe that she wanted to belong to him: "Archie knows that he should stay away. I'm just dragging you down with me. I'm dragging my dad down with me."

"Jug, he'll find a way," she tries to encourage him: "And it'll be all right. Together we'll make it." She takes a small step towards him and puts her hands on his chest.

"No, no," he pushes her hands away, as if they were burning him and takes distance from her. He shakes his head resolutely: "Not together." She looks at him with fear of what he might say next.

"Betty, if you stay, I don't know if I can still protect you," he looks her in the eye: "You're going to get hurt and I can't let that happen." His tone is hard, but she can see how sadness spreads in his eyes.

"That is not your decision. Believe me', the girl begins to fight with tears, but her voice is clear. "Strictly speaking, yes, he takes another step away from her: "Yes, it is."

"How many more times, Jughead?" her question sounds like a reproach as she approaches him again: "How many more times will we push each other away." "As often as it takes", these words bring out the last bit of hope in her eyes: "This was my dad's only chance and I blew it. I don't want to ruin you, too."

"Tell me what happened, Jug," she sounds begging as the first tears form in her eyes. But he just turns around and makes an effort to leave.

In her despair she summons her last strength to grab him by the arm and turn around to herself. As if from a reflex, she gently places her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look at them.

But the only thing he can say is "Please, go home, Betty" before he frees himself from her grip and takes a quick step away.

This time she doesn't stop him, just stops powerless and allows the tears to roll quietly down her cheeks. She keeps her eyes on him. The boy who meant everything to her, the one who broke her heart into a thousand pieces that night.