"I can understand it," Betty says softly.
Jughead gulps down his giant bite of cheeseburger, chasing it with a deep swallow of his drink. "Understand what?" he asks, brows raised. "That these burgers are probably laced with crack because they're so addictive? I already looked into it, and nope."
Betty can't help but to laugh. Her mind has been so cluttered lately, but being with Jughead keeps her grounded. When he's around, she feels like maybe she won't shatter. "No," she says, reaching over and stealing one of his fries, smirking as he tries to protest. "I can understand why Polly would want to run away. Our parents, the Blossoms… They could never have been happy here."
Jughead nods, swirling a fry absently in ketchup. He nibbles it, pursing his lips in thought. "No offense, but I don't see how anyone could be happy around your parents. Not exactly Mr. and Mrs. Brady," he says, leaning in closer.
"None taken," she assures him. "But do you ever think about it? Just running away and never looking back?"
He's silent. For a moment, Betty worries that she's struck a nerve. But then Jughead shrugs, popping another fry into his mouth. "I mean, what kid doesn't at some point?" he asks.
"Not as a kid, Juggie," she says. "Now. Maybe we could do it. Pack our bags and just run away."
She waits for him to laugh, to tell her that she's being crazy again. After all, crazy runs in her blood. But if she's not mistaken, the twinkle in his eyes means that he's thinking about it.
Jughead reaches across the table, taking her hand. His thumb brushes gently across her knuckles. "One day," he says. "You and me, Betty Cooper, we're going leave Riverdale in the dust."
And maybe it isn't the answer that she was hoping for, but it's enough.