Beth stumbled off the couch when her alarm went off, barely coherent enough to shut it off. She shuffled to the coffee maker to attempt to make herself a cup of coffee on the over-expensive machine Jellybean and Belle insisted they needed, all because it could make lattes. It was delicious coffee, but it was mornings like this one that she wished for a normal pot that could make 12 cups, while she took a shower.

When she finally had a cup of coffee in her system, she began breakfast. Eggs, Bacon, and Sausage with enough left for Belle and Jellybean to reheat when they finally crawled out of bed, because Jellybean burned water and Belle never cooked hungover. And even some extra for Jughead.


Just as she was finishing up cooking, she heard Jughead's door open and shuffling feet coming down the hall. He turned the corner to the kitchen and gaped at her.

"Want some coffee? Or Breakfast?" She asked after an uncomfortable few minutes of silence. Jughead blinked at her a few times, before finally nodding and slipping into the stool at the island across from her.

She slid a plate in front of him and set about making him a cup of coffee.

"Was I being too loud?"

He just looked at her confused and shoved a loud of bacon in his mouth.

"Did I wake you up by being too loud?" She clarified, setting his cup in front of him and leaning against the counter cradling hers.

"No, but why are you here?" He eyed her intensely causing her to turn away pinching the bridge of your nose.

"In the kitchen? I'm making breakfast." She could hear the impatient breath he released at her answer, which made her cringe slightly.

"In the apartment? Well, I live here. And of course, JB wouldn't tell you that important bit before you all got drunk."

"You live in my apartment." His tone was even, but Beth could tell he wasn't happy. So, she just nodded and pointed to the other side of the penthouse, toward where her and JB's rooms were.

It was with spectacular timing that a ball of black fur curled around her legs moments later. Meowing insistently at her and without thinking she scooped the bundle up into her arms, cradling it close.

"And we have a cat. That's great, just great." His tone was rising and she hated it. She wished more than anything that Jellybean had handled this.

"His name is Noodle. JB and I found him last year in the alley. In the rain. If you don't like him, take it up with your sister." Beth didn't wait for him to respond she just set the cat down and filled his bowl with food.

When she finally looked back up at him, he didn't seem sure whether he wanted to laugh, yell, or cry. So, she spoke first. "I have a meeting with Murphy this afternoon to discuss the businesses and profits. I'll ask him about renting one of the renovated apartments on the fourth floor. I don't want to be in the way."

She fled the room to get dressed before he could say anything else. As she tugged on faded blue jeans, converse, and a cropped baby blue top, she mumbled under her breath about best friend duties and wishing she had pushed JB to tell him while he was still in prison.


When she finally left her room, Jughead was leaning against the island waiting for her. She sighed before setting her tote bag and leather jacket down on the kitchen table and making her way back into the kitchen to wash the dishes. When she was deep in thought scrubbing the pans she used, Jughead finally spoke again.

"How long have you been living here?"

"Since December, but I've spent weekends here whenever I could for years." She mumbled out her answer, but he seemed to hear her just fine. She finished the dishes quickly and went to step around him, but he gripped her bicep hard shoving her back against the wall.

"What do you want from us? From JB? My money? I know that girl can spend a pretty penny of her allowance and that bag you got over there looks expensive. More expensive than a bartender could afford. Are you stealing from her? "

Beth practically growled at him, but made no move to get him to release her. " Now you listen here, Your Majesty." She spit the nickname out like a curse, unlike the time last night when it was sweet and playful. "I don't want your fucking money and I dont need it. I work at all of your fucking business, pick up shifts for Pops when he needs a hand, and go to school. That bag was a Christmas present. A Christmas present that I tried to get her to return, but she is so damn stubborn. She never listens to a damn word I say. I couldn't care less about your insane amounts of money."

She was so angry tears welled up in her eyes as she continued on her rant.

"I have known JB since I was fifteen fucking years old, when I started tutoring her in math and her and Belle in Science. She was fourteen. So yeah, asshole. I'm older than her and sometimes it seems like a lot more than a year and a half, but she is my best friend. Family to me. Her and Belle."

"She was tutored by some girl with brown hair and glasses. Wore a lot of pink. I remember her." He stated matter of factly, as though that won the argument right there.

Beth just shook her head and snorted. "Yea. That was me." Her words effectively shutting him up.

"Now let me go. I think you've bruised me enough." His grip startled loose and she shoved him the rest of the way away from her, grabbed her leather jacket from the table and tugged it on angrily. Then, went back to the kitchen to scrawl a note to JB on the pad on the fridge.

JellyBuns and BelleBaby,
Breakfast! Don't puke on the sofa. Again. And Don't burn down the kitchen. I'm taking the Mercedes since you are passed out and can't drive me and Eric drove you all home last night, so I refuse to wake him. I work till 6 at the shop after my meeting with Murphy. I have to actually go to campus today, but starting next week it's all online, Promise. Text me what you want to do for dinner. Thanks for not telling JJ about me JB, I loved that convo. Love you 3 B

She took a few breaths before turning back to him. He just stared a hole through her. As though she would just disappear if he watched hard enough.

"My number's on the emergency contact list on the fridge. You know, if JB sets a fire in the kitchen. Again. Or if one of your businesses, that I run by the way, Needs me. Or just call John and tell him to just fire the gold-digging best friend. I'm sure he would love that one. Enjoy your hangover. Asshole."

With that, she slammed the door, and stalked down the stairs, even though they lived on the tenth floor and there was a perfectly good elevator. Damn that man made her blood boil.


By the time she was in the car, she was breathing heavy and needed to rest her head on the steering wheel to calm down. When her breathing finally settled, she slipped her earpiece in her ear to call Murphy.

As the phone rang, she fiddled with her necklace to pull the rings off of the chain to slip them onto her finger.

"This is Murphy."

"John, this isn't going to work." She stated harshly as she pulled out of the garage and headed to Glenndale to get to Dale University. Her words earning a sigh from the lawyer.

"Bethany, don't be so quick to give up. What happened?"

"I need you to see if I can move into one of the new renovated apartments on the fourth floor. You and JB didn't tell him I lived there and he was such an asshole. Treating me like I'm some gold digger for being friends with Jellybean. I will not be treated like that John."

"Why don't you take a breath, Beth? He's been away a long time, it was probably a shock. I'll give him a call. We will figure this all out, okay? Then we can talk about it when you come in."

Beth sighed massaging her temples at a red light. "Yeah, he's in shock, but I am the one bruised."

"He hurt you?" John's voice was a snarl in her ear. "I'm calling him right now. Come here right after you finish at the school. Do you need a driver sent? I can send Terrance. Should you be driving?"

"Relax John. I'm fine. They are bruises, i wasn't shot. I can drive."

"Good." The call ended before she could say another word.

"Goodbye Bethany… Goodbye to you too John." Beth said sarcastically, before tossing her headset into her bag and continuing to her meetings at the school.


Notes:

Sooo. Fighting. I know, but he doesn't even know her. yet.

The tote she is carrying her laptop and school books in, in case you are wondering: Versace Barocco Print Sash Tote Bag. Almost $1600.

More to come.

What do you think? Comments help my weak law school soul!