This is a continuation of the Outliers storyline. Please go read that story first! Outliers is a series of interactions between Jughead and Cheryl that take place in between the time that we see these characters onscreen. Outliers takes place in early/mid-season 1, whereas Passing Ships follows almost immediately after the season 1 finale (the most recent episode to date).

No one in Riverdale is who they seem. The most normal of families harbor the darkest secrets. And the girl that seems like a storm of chaos isn't all that bad.

Jughead shut his laptop as he saw Cheryl Blossom leaving the school. He walked quickly towards her before she could drive away. She caught sight of him but pretended not to notice and climbed into the driver's seat of her convertible.

"What do you want, Serpent?"

Jughead got in the passenger seat and stayed silent.

"You know we can't be seen together."

"Things have changed."

"Yes, and now they're worse. Jughead… please."

"Drive."

She put the car in gear and made a noise of frustration. Neither spoke until Cheryl pulled up to Sweetwater River.

"Do you just enjoy irony?" Jughead said at last.

"What do you want?"

"I want to talk."

"There's nothing to say, is there?"

"I'm worried about you."

"Don't be." Cheryl crossed her arms and looked away. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes.

"I knew something was wrong that day… When you came out here…"

"How? You think you know me that well?"

"It was this," he answered and pulled Cheryl's spider brooch from his pocket. "You said if anything happened to you, you'd give it to me."

"That was a joke."

"Clearly not."

"Why do you care?" Her voice was louder now. She continued until she was almost yelling. "Are you going to tell me that I made a mistake? That you feel sorry for me? I've heard it from everyone, and I don't need you doing the same thing!"

Jughead looked at her sorrowfully. "I'm not just sad. I'm angry. I know you've got problems, Cheryl. God knows I do, too. But… I can't believe you would try to… to leave."

"What's there to stick around for?"

"Your mom. Your future niece or nephew… Me."

Cheryl shook her head. "You're with Betty, Jug. And you know we couldn't… we just can't."

"Doesn't mean I don't care."

Cheryl placed her hand over Jughead's and sighed. "So you're a Serpent now?"

"Yeah, one of the gang. No pun intended."

"I bet you look hot in that jacket," she teased with a weak smile.

"I'm Riverdale's new bad boy. Didn't you hear?"

That got a genuine laugh out of Cheryl. "I must have missed the memo. But don't talk to me about going dark until you burn down your fucking house." She pulled her hand away. "I'm losing it. I'm as crazy and messed up as everyone says."

"In case you haven't noticed, everyone is dealing with some dark shit in this town. You're not alone." He took her face in his hand and looked her in the eyes. "You're not alone, Cheryl."

She hugged him tightly. "Ugh, Betty is lucky. Sometimes I wish you weren't with her, even if I can't be with you."

"Well, be careful what you wish for."

Cheryl pulled away and frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Betty isn't too fond of me being a Serpent. She thinks I'm pulling away from her and that I'm going down a road that's too dangerous for us."

"Are you?"

Jughead shook his head. "I'll be fine. Schools and jackets don't mean anything. Archie's letterman jacket doesn't mean he's married to football, so why should a Serpent jacket mean I'm destined to be a local gangbanger?"

The question hung in the air for what felt like hours. It was a genuine question on Jughead's part. What did this make him? Was he defined by the family he was born into or the one he chose among friends?

Cheryl sighed. "Jughead... I'm sorry." The statement surprised him. What was she sorry for? "I'm sorry about what happened between us. Maybe things would be better if I had just said screw it and been with you... I'm sorry I tried to kill myself and got Archie hurt. I'm sorry my dad is dead, and maybe I could have protected Jason better. I-I..."

Jughead pulled her into his arms again, and they sat in silence like they had what felt like ages ago. Lonely together again.