So, this is the first part of a series of "Bughead" drabbles that are not interconnected (some might be) that could span the entire length of Betty and Jughead's relationship.

Before I started watching Riverdale, I was skeptical of the show because I grew up reading the Archie comics, and I wasn't too sure how their characters would crossover to a live action TV show. To say I was shocked at the show's edgy (almost dystopian) and realistic portrayals, would be a huge understatement, but now I am so glad they went in that direction! The dramatic realism (I know I made an oxymoron but shhh) translated on screen so much better than I thought it would and the result was spectacular.

Now I am a fan of Jughead, the way I interpreted him in the comics, is asexual and/or aromantic in nature, which was used as a literary device to contrast with Archie sexual and/or romantic nature. However, this is different in the show, both Jughead and Archie are portrayed completely differently and that's perfectly fine to me, in fact I ship Betty and Jughead's relationship on screen since it flows so naturally.

Anyway…I disclaim…enjoy…

Drabble #1 To Be Continued…

The darkness of the Blossoms clung to this town like a parasite, infecting every household; the mystery of Jason's death is now ingrained in the collective consciousness of Riverdale. However, they were not the only family to keep secrets; the Lodges' greed rotted Mayor McCoy's office much like the wood paneling of the ticket booth at the Twilight drive-in, influencing Andrew's Construction to tear down a piece of cinematic history. As moral decay spread around Riverdale like wild fire, Alice Cooper exploited everything from the illustrious black and white pages of The Register. And here I am, Jughead Jones, whose family has more demons than a catholic penitentiary, sitting alone in a booth at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe waiting for the inevitable bomb to drop.

I type vigorously away at the keyboard of my laptop, which is slightly greasy from the burger I had been eating only moments before, I've been working on my "Riverdale Manifesto" for over three hours now, so the light of the afternoon has dissolved into a dismal gray as evening approached. Rain drizzled down from the foreboding sky, rain is not unusual for a mid-autumn's eve, but the chill in the air seemed to give off a more lonely and desolate feeling than necessary. Now usually I wouldn't be bother by a cold and miserable day, in fact one could say I thrived on it. But today was not a usual day. In fact, today was very atypical, because in all my infinite cosmic wisdom, I, Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, have screwed up so epically that future bards will recite odes of my folly. All because I kissed Betty Cooper, the golden girl of Riverdale High.

You see, Betty isn't just the golden girl of Riverdale, she's also one of my best friends. Do I regret it? Hell No. I have known her since I was four years old and have been in love with her since I was eleven, when she punched Reggie Mantle in his arrogant Neanderthal face for pushing me on the playground. So yeah, I love her and don't regret kissing her, then what's the problem? The ginger menace that is my ex-best friend (or reunited best friend, I haven't decided yet.), Archie Andrews; the ultimate boy-next-door, the Ken to Betty's Barbie, together they are the Riverdale's "power" couple (her words). Betty's only ever had eyes for him, there's no way I could never compete with that, so I took the coward's way out and kissed her when she was at her most vulnerable. It was probably the most selfish thing I have ever done. Now I'm paying for it by wallowing in self-pity.

As I flounder around in my lonely plastic booth, the bell above the door to Pop's chimed letting me know that my self-imposed exile is going to be interrupted. I look up from the faint glow of the laptop screen to gaze up in horror at the object of my affection, Elizabeth Cooper. To anyone looking on the outside she would be typical blonde haired, the ultimate girl-next-door type, with her blue eyes, sweet attitude and tight ponytail. But to me, she was much more. Betty Cooper is like the morning sunrise, keeping the darkness at bay. She cares so much, that she pushes down her own problems in order help others. It is that caring attitude, intelligence, intrepidness, and beauty that makes me love her more every day. And it kills me to know that I will never deserve her. She may be my Juliet, but I'm not her Romeo.

She spots me from across the restaurant, her perfect face held a determined expression as she sauntered towards my booth, dressed in a rain jacket and a pair of faded jeans. She is every bit a femme fatale character from a film noir movie, like Maltese Falcon or Double Indemnity, it's all I can do is stare at her. I could tell that the whole thing with Jason's car and her sister's Polly disappearance was getting to her, hence the bags under her eyes. I guess it was difficult explaining the situation to her psychotic parents.

As she reached the booth, she crossed her arms across her chest, "Hey, Juggie." She says, "Can I sit with you."

My dry wit kicks in and I wave my hand out towards the seat across from me, "Be my guest, the seat's always open for you, Betsy."

She nods and slides into the booth with ease. The awkwardness oozes between us and I crack like the weak man I am, "Look, Betty I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you in the middle of that stuff with your family; it was really messed up of me."

She frowns at me like she's confused, "Jughead, what are you talking about? You think I'm mad at you?"

"That would be the most reasonable interpretation, I think." I replied shrugging.

What she did next was the most unexpected and un-Betty like thing she could do, she cupped her mouth and started giggling. Her melodic laughter stunned me and I could only gawk at her as she tried to control herself.

"Oh Juggie…" She said shaking her head, ponytail bobbing from side to side. "How could someone so smart be so stupid at the same time"

"Wha…?"

Betty reached across the table to grab my hand in hers, "I'm not mad at you, doofus!"

Relief flooded through me like the breaking of a dam, flushing the tension out of me, and I grasped her hand back instinctually. It was still cold from being outside and I had a sudden urge to sooth her, the way she soothes me every day by just being in the same room as me.

"I'm sorry for all over the place lately. Everything with Polly, my parents and Jason has been so nuts, that it's got me acting crazy, I can barely focus on anything. And you've been so helpful, Jughead, that I can't even begin to express how grateful I am to you. Your kiss, it brought on a moment of clarity that I didn't think I could have…so thank you…"

"So, you did like the kiss?"

She smiled softly, "Yes."

"So, what now?"

Her turquoise eyes glittered mischievously as she brought my hand up to her lips and kissed my knuckles, "Like I said before…to be continued."

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