I'm BACK! jk, I wasn't even gone a week. But I love writing so much, and I'm on hiatus from working, so this heals me. Anyway, enjoy. My girl Angel came up with the title, and is my unofficial beta!

I don't own anything.

"No."

Jughead shook his head, cigarette teetering between his lips. He was seated beside Archie, resident boy-next-door turned Serpent. They both stared blankly at the freshman standing before them, still reeling from the bizarre question.

"Why not?" The boy pleads, big brown puppy eyes.

Jughead grunts, leaning back against the bars of the railing. Lighting his cigarette, he takes a long drag before blowing the smoke out in the boys face. "Why should I?"

"I'll pay you money! Please!" The boy was on his knees now. Archie raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jughead.

"Why would I get involved in dumb jock business because you asked me to?" Jughead leaned forward, hands on his knees. He quirked an eyebrow, waiting.

"Because you're Serpents! Even the jocks don't mess with you guys," The boy cried out, hands coming around Jughead's ankle. "I just need you to talk to me in the halls. Just to prove I know you guys. So they think twice about messing with me. Please?" He placed a chaste kiss on Jughead's combat boot, then one on Archie's sneaker.

Archie smirked, watching. "How much?"

"Huh?"

"How much money you gonna pay us?"

"$100!" He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the bills.

Archie glanced at Jughead, before nodding slightly. "Deal. But it's only for a second. Don't talk to us afterward, got it?" Archie grabbed the money, then the collar of the boys shirt, pulling his face close. "Got it?" The boy nodded furiously, eyes frantic. Archie lets go of his collar, taking a step back. After the boy scrambles away, tail between his legs, Jughead lets out a low chuckle.

"Easiest $100 of my life."

"Sup guys." Joaquin appeared before them. "What was with the nerd running off?" He jutted his thumb over his shoulder.

Jughead just shrugged, inhaling the last puff of his cigarette and throwing it on the ground. "He wanted to buy our time." Archie laughed, jumping to sit on top of the railing. Joaquin just smirked, coming to sit on the railing beside Archie. "Hey, so are you gonna ask Kevin to the prom?" Archie nudged his elbow into Joaquin's side, wiggling his eyebrows.

Joaquin flushes, looking away with a small smile. "I haven't thought about it. What about you?" He jutted his chin to Archie.

Archie just shrugged, "I don't know man. Prom's always so boring. No alcohol." He pulled out a cigarette, lighting it quickly before sighing.

"I bet.. you'll ask out Veronica Lodge within the week." Jughead said, laughing. Archie chuckled, tossing the cigarette butt on the ground. "Less than a week actually!"

"Is there funding for this bet? Cause if so, I'll fucking do it." Archie stated, puffing out his chest with a grin. Jughead just laughed.

"$50 says you won't do it!" Joaquin piped up, raising his hands in the air.

"$75 says he does within 4 days." Jughead retorted, throwing his hand in the air.

Archie hollered, laughing. "Fucking deal! But on one condition. The bet goes 3 ways."

Jughead arched a brow, "Explain."

"I ask Veronica Lodge." Archie jabbed a finger into his chest. "Joaquin asks Kevin." He jabs his thumb to Joaquin's chest, Joaquin flushing but nodded. "And you have to ask someone." He points at Jughead last.

Jughead nods, "Alright, but who?"

Archie and Joaquin spare a glance, huge grins plastered on their faces.

"Who?" Jughead asks again, exasperated.

"Betty Cooper!" The two boys shout in unison.

Jughead blanks. "Who?" Archie just laughs.

"You know, preppy Betty Cooper. Teachers pet, 4.0gpa. Blonde?" Joaquin intrigues. Jughead just shakes his head, still oblivious.

"The chick you knew when we were kids dude." Archie finally says.

Recognition sparks in Jugheads face. "No." Joaquin frowns, glancing at Archie with a raised brow. "There isn't a humane person on this planet who would ask Betty freaking Cooper to prom." Jughead states coolly, lighting another cigarette.

Joaquin opens his mouth, but Archie cuts him off. "Sure there is man." Jughead quirks an eyebrow, waiting. "You." He claps Jughead on the shoulder.

Jughead shakes his head again. "No. I'm not going to do it." He heads in a random direction, away from his friends.

Archie jogs to catch up. "$100 says you will do it."

Jughead stops. Without turning around, he yells back. "$100 even if she says no?"

Archie shakes his head. "$100 and a new guitar if she says yes. But only if!"

Jughead turns around, arms crossed. "I get the guitar whether she says yes or no." Joaquin chuckles, watching. Archie just sighs.

"Fine, but you have to ask her before I ask Veronica, or the bets off and you get nothing." Archie stuck his hand out, waiting. Jughead pondered, tapping his foot, before a smile crossed his face.

"Deal!" He shook Archie's outstretched hand. The bell rang, signaling the start of the school day. Reluctantly, Jughead, Archie and Joaquin strode off, not too quick though, can't be a prude and show up on time.

The morning went by quickly, Jughead only half paying attention to his teachers talking. School work was overrated, and the teachers learned quick not to bother him about doing any of it. It was a wonder he even showed up most days.

The bell for lunch rang as Jughead stood, heading for the door. Passing by the teachers desk, he overheard the end of a conversation.

"-but sir, please. I need an A to keep my 4.0!" A head of blonde hair, pulled neatly into a very tight ponytail high on her head was turned away from him. The teacher was looking up at the girl, some weird emotion in his eyes.

"Ms. Cooper," Jughead spared a quick glance over his shoulder before abandoning the room altogether. Halting in his tracks, he leans against the wall, attempting to look nonchalant. A few moments pass before the bouncy ponytail appears from the room. She has her back to him as she heads down the hall, shoulders slumped slightly. He pushes off the wall, casually walking up beside her. She glances sideways, a polite smile on her lips, but recognition sparks in her eyes, and she shies away instantly.

"Uh, hi?" Betty Cooper says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear timidly.

Jughead smirked, "Hey beauty." Winking, he moves a little closer, throwing his arm over her shoulder. She quickly retreats from his grasp, putting a healthy distance away.

"Betty." She says firmly, keeping her eyes forward.

Frowning for a second, Jughead smirks again. "Ok, Betty. I have a question for you." He reached for her arm, turning her to face him and stopping their walk. She just stares. He clears his throat. "You." He points to her. "Me." He juts his thumb at his chest. "Prom?" A smug smirk plays on his lips.

Betty just stares. Then shakes her head. A group is forming around them now, no doubt curious who Jughead is harassing now. "No." Was all she said, before turning on her heel and retreating down the hall, past onlookers and whisperers.

Jughead smiles sheepishly, shrugging it off and heading in the other direction. Striding down the hall, Archie and Joaquin falling in step behind him, Jughead made his way to the cafeteria.

"Hey Archie! Jughead!" A small voice called from beside them as they walked. Jughead stopped in his tracks, Archie bumping into his shoulder abruptly.

"What the hell man." Archie spat out, shoving Jughead. Jughead just grunted, looking sideways at the voice.

The young boy from that morning stood a few feet away. He was standing in front of a group of guys, one had his hand bunched on the boys collar, pulling him forward. The hand belonged to Chuck Clayton, quarterback for their shitty football team and resident rapist (or so most of the female student body claims). Jughead turns, eyeing the males in front of him.

"Problem?" Jughead quirked a brow, crossing his arms.

Chuck turned to him – releasing the boys shirt -, Reggie Mantle and Jason Blossom not far behind. They all sneered, puffing out their chests. Jughead chuckled.

"Did I call for the leather losers?" Chuck says, shooting a glance over his shoulder for a reaction from his friends. When they laugh, he turns back to Jughead, Archie and Joaquin, smirking.

Archie takes a step forward, grunting. "Watch it knuckle head, or you'll be getting a face full of my knuckles."

Jughead places a hand on Archie's shoulder, pulling him back. "I didn't think you were into guys now Chuck." Reggie takes a step forward, but Chuck pulls his hand up, halting him. "Is it because the entire population of girls in Riverdale would rather fuck a chainsaw over you?"

Chuck growled, eyes dangerously dark. "Watch it Serpent." He spit out, crossing his arms.

"I'm shaking. Really." Jughead stated blandly, sighing with boredom. His eyes scanned the crowd once again forming around him. The publicity was toxic, he needed out.

Then his eyes caught ones watching him.

Blue on green.

Betty was standing close to the back of the crowd, hardly visible over the heads of people Jughead didn't care to learn the names of. A lump formed in his throat.

Why are you getting worked up? She's just some stupid girl.

Groaning, Jughead steps forward, grasping Chuck's shirt at the collar. "Listen, pal. This here boy-" he points to the young boy, still reeling from the abuse, who is standing behind Joaquin now. "-he's a Serpent now. So you touch him, and you deal with us all." Jughead's eyes burn wild, tightening his grip on Chucks shirt. Chuck inhales deeply, swallowing hard.

"Lets go guys." Chuck states, pulling free of Jugheads grasp as he growls once more before trotting down the hall, Reggie and Jason in tow.

Jughead sighs, turning back to Archie and Joaquin. Eyeing the crowd, Jughead just shouts "LEAVE!" as the crowd disperses quickly. He catches the telltale ponytail of Betty, bouncing away with the crowd. He idly thought if she saw that whole ordeal.

Why do you CARE? He chalks it up as the want for a new guitar, and some cash from winning the bet.

"Dude," Archie's voice pulls Jughead back to reality. "What the fuck?"

Jughead just shrugs, heading back in the direction of the cafeteria.