Jughead waltzed into class with a frozen coke in his hands, overly aware of the fact that the bell rang over fifteen minutes ago.

"Mr. Jones, it's about time you've graced us with your presence." Ms. Grundy eyed the soda in his hand disapprovingly. "You know that outside drinks are not allowed in class. Please dispose of it. Now."

He stood up and walked over to the garbage can. Once there, he slurped and slurped until he could no more. "Ahhh. Brain freeze." The class laughed, finding humor in his discomfort. He chuckled along with them.

"Jughead Jones, I said now and you firmly disobeyed me." He took another large and loud sip, air getting stuck in the straw. "That's it. Stay after class today and we'll discuss your punishment."

The class "ooohed," and Jughead tossed the now empty cup in the trash. Grundy didn't scare him. What was she going to do, make him write lines for an hour on the chalk board, or maybe even clap erasers outside in the parking lot? Whatever it was, he'd manage. It wasn't the first time, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

Ms. Grundy continued class as if he'd never interrupted, and Jughead sat there as if he'd never shown up in the first place. His pen spent more time caught between his teeth than actually against the yellowing paper of the notebook he'd been using. And when it was, he wasn't taking notes, but writing short stories and doodling comics. Every 5 minutes or so he'd find himself glancing up at the clock urging the minute hand to somehow gain momentum and move faster. Despite the strength of his hopes, the clock did not oblige.

As soon as the clock struck one, Jughead hopped out of his seat so fast he knocked Betty Cooper's books straight out of her hands. "Could you just watch where you're going?" If looks could kill, Jughead would be nothing but dust. "Well, are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to pick those up?" Betty looked from Jughead to the books and back to him again.

Jughead smirked and kicked her notebook across the room. "I think you can handle it." And he walked away.

Just before reaching the door Ms. Grundy called out to him. "Mr. Jones, a word?" Jughead leaned his forehead against the doorframe and turned around and turned on his heel. Ms. Grundy was pointing at the chair across from her desk. "Please, take a seat."

Jughead grabbed the back of the plastic chair flipped it around, straddling the back of it with his hands resting over the edge. "Alright, but make this quick, I've got study hour."

Grundy raised an eyebrow and warned him about his tone. "You've been late every day for the past two weeks. Your lunch period ends at 11:55. My class starts 12:00. You show up anywhere between 12:15 and 12:20. May I ask what grabs your attention during those 15 to 20 minutes that you're not here?"

He shrugged. "Stuff."

"Stuff?" Ms. Grundy repeated the word. "Is that all I'm going to get out of you?" Jughead offered her a smug smile and a stiff nod. "OK. I think that settles it. Mr. Jones did you know you are failing my class?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Well, you are. If you keep this up I'll have to hold you back, and we'll get to enjoy this special time together for another whole year. Is that what you want?"

No response.

"This is your last chance Jughead. I've got two options for you: number one come with two weeks suspension and Saturday detentions now through the end of the year-"

"What? That's ridiculous. It's only October. That's like…23 Saturdays."

Grundy smiled; proud she was capable to get a rise out of the young delinquent. "At least you pay attention in your math class. Anyways. Option number two, you get to help out Tuesday and Thursday after school with Riverdale's Blue and Gold Gazette. I know you're a good writer Jughead, and you have so much potential that you seem completely unaware of. Why waste a talent like that?"

Jughead ignored her comment. "How long would I have to work on the paper?"

Grundy glanced at her desk calendar and took a deep breath. "Christmas break. But I will extend it if you keep acting out of place. No more interrupting class, no more outside drinks. This is my classroom, and I would appreciate it if you respected the time I get with you students every day. It'd make my job a hell of a lot simpler."

"Touché. I accept." He ran a hand through his hair and held it out for a shake, to which Grundy took delicately.

"Ergh." She looked at her hand, now covered in grease.

"Later Grundy."

Jughead knew how to both make an entrance and when to take an exit.

"Hey Jug!" Archie Andrews was waiting for him just outside the classroom. "What did she get you for this time? Detention all week?"

"Worse. She gave me an ultimatum. I took the lesser of two evils of course. Now I just have to deal Betty Cooper for an extra hour a day twice a week. You're looking at the new writer for the Blue and Gold Gazette."

"Damn she got you good this time. Screw her."

"Yeah sure Archie, only in your wildest dreams." The boys laughed, shoving each other down the hall towards the library. Another hour of study time lay wasted ahead.

During study hour Jughead kept to himself. He sat in the back corner of the library near the windows with the same brown leathered journal in his hands. Today was different from most though. For the first time in his life he was at a loss for words.

He couldn't get the thought of his new punishment out of his mind. On the one hand, he hated the fact that he had to spend more time than necessary at this shit hole of a school. But on the other, he was happy for the distraction. His punishment meant that the next 12 weeks he'd get spend time with Betty Cooper, Riverdale's pristine goodie two shoes. One word came to mind when Jughead thought of Betty: uptight.

Every day she came to school wearing the same five poodle skirts with matching blouses. The girl definitely had a thing for pastels. Her hair would be tied back with the same golden ribbon, her scalp practically screaming. He never understood how girls enjoyed ponytails, he imagined getting a headache just thinking about them. Anyway, Betty Cooper was flawless, or at least that seemed to be the image she upheld. She was never late for anything, mastered every class she took and participated in about a dozen after school activities. She was nice and she was patient, with a smile that could cure cancer and eyes as wide as the ocean. She got along with everyone, except of course, with him.

"Fuck this is going to suck," He whispered under his breath. Being a part of the after school special The Betty Cooper Show was not going to be easy. But it sure as hell beat spending the next 23 Saturdays with Ms. Grundy. "I need a smoke." Jughead caught Archie's attention from across the room and motioned to the back door, leading to the football field. One nod from his ginger hair friend and Jughead led the way outside.