"Oh my god, Jug, what happened to your eye?" Betty's fingertips fluttered over his skin, reaching out but never touching. "Jug," she said again sadly, her voice barely a whisper.
"It's nothing," Jughead promised as Betty dropped her hand. "You know in movies when you see idiots falling into door knobs?" He tried to keep his voice light. "You never see it happen in real life, but that was me yesterday." He stares into her eyes, silently daring her to challenge his story.
"Do you want some ice?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing. "It looks so painful."
"I'm okay, Bets, but thank you," the new nickname feeling easy and familiar on his tongue. He picked up his coffee and took a small sip. "I was thinking for your first Blue and Gold article you could write little blurb about yourself. You know, sort of introduce yourself as a writer."
"Sure," she smiled sadly. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, as if stopping herself from saying something. "I could do that. When do you need it by?"
Betty made her way over to the same cafeteria table she sat with Veronica at yesterday. The brunette was sitting with a plate of sushi in front of her, a paper cup of green tea cooling to the side. Betty looked down at her own tray of grey looking meatloaf and wished she had gone for another salad instead.
"Where did you find sushi?"
"We get it brought in from New York," Veronica smiled apologetically. "God, what kind of meat are they trying to pass that off as?" She sniffed as she looked at Betty's tray.
"I know, the meals are sadder here than my last school. Thankfully the fruit and vegetables look safe."
"If you want a piece of sushi, just let me know." Veronica smiled as she picked up a portion with her chopsticks. "I'm glad you're here, though. Cheryl Blossom is having a party tonight and you should totally come."
"A party?" Betty smirked as she speared a cooked baby carrot from her plate. "Who are you going with?"
"Archie, Josie - I'll introduce you two tonight, if you come, and I know you're not his biggest fan but… Reggie will be there, too. I know he rubs people the wrong way."
Betty wrinkled her nose, then laughed. "Yeah, he's a piece of work all right. 'You haven't had the pleasure of meeting me yet,'" She mocked, rolling her eyes. "A party does sound fun, though. You're sure Cheryl won't mind?"
"Not at all! Half the school will be there."
"Okay, perfect. Text me the address." Betty said, passing her phone over to Veronica.
Veronica tapped the phone quickly, entering her information. "I think we're getting ready at Archie's. Why don't you join us there?"
Betty nodded and tried a piece of her grey beef. "Are you and Archie dating?"
Veronica laughed. "Oh god no. That hunk is sweet and all but I'm into trying different flavors of boy right now and orange is just one of many."
"Well, you seem to have a boy buffet at your fingertips," Betty agreed. "Where does Archie live?"
"123 Turner Lane," Veronica said, grabbing her last piece of sushi.
"You're kidding." Betty smiled. "He's my neighbour."
"So you have no excuse if you're late." Veronica laughed.
"Jug!" Betty smiled. There were a few students already in class talking amongst themselves, Jughead nose deep in his textbook. She plopped down beside him, tossing her notebook gently onto the desk. "What are you doing tonight?"
Jughead stared at Betty's long legs as they tangled together against the stool underneath their desk. "Not too much. Why, do you want to research our project?"
"Mm, no." Betty admitted. "I want you to come to a party with me."
"Whose party?"
"I can't remember her name. Someone I met in A.P. English invited me, but I want you to come. Maybe we can try to dig around for some interesting topics for the newspaper." Betty said lightly. "What do you think?"
He chewed his lip, thinking it over. "I have to check with my Mom," he said quietly. "Can I text you and let you know?"
"Of course," Betty smiled. It quickly dropped off her face as Mr. Howitzer entered the classroom, his scowl seemingly more serious than the past few days. She sighed internally, bracing herself for the next hour of class.
Betty was in her room running a brush through her hair, trying to decide what to do with her blonde locks. There was a straightener warming on her desk and she had picked out several outfits for tonight. Her window was slightly ajar and she could faintly hear music coming from the house next door.
She made sure to close her blinds before changing into a pair of jeans and a black shirt, then she flicked off her straightener and made her way down the stairs. She took two of her mom's hard apple ciders from the fridge, scribbled her a quick note (i'll pay you back, i'll be safe, i won't be late - B) shoved her phone and forty dollars in her back pocket and was out the door.
Betty texted Veronica, who met her at the Andrews' front door a moment later. Betty could hear the music coming from upstairs, but it wasn't the bass-thumping house music that she assumed would be at the party later; it was R&B from the 90's and she wondered who picked it.
"Those are delicious," Veronica smiled, pointing at the cider in Betty's hand. "Perfect for when we're on Daddy's boat in the middle of Lake Placid."
"Oh, does your family like it there?" Betty questioned. "I've never been."
"Well, it's not as nice as the Italian Riviera, but it's nice for New York," she said matter-of-factly.
Betty laughed. "Are you drinking?" She questioned as they mounted the stairs.
"I've got a bottle of wine and some peach schnapps in Archie's room - he's sticking to beer. I think Reggie has a bottle of rum and Josie doesn't drink. Have you met Cheryl yet?"
"No, I don't think so."
"She's kind of intense, but she throws parties all the time. Her parents are never home and her brother's in University, so they don't seem to care what she does."
"Where does she live?"
"Thorn Hill. It's that giant creepy looking place on the edge of town. It doesn't take too long to get there, though," Veronica said as they turned into Archie's bedroom. He had a guitar on his lap but wasn't plucking the cords.
Josie smiled at Betty as they walked into the room. "I don't think we've met yet. I'm Josie."
"Nice to meet you," Betty smiled as she popped the top on her can of cider.
"Reggie's in the bathroom. He's had a couple shots so he's a little -"
"Betty," a voice called from the doorway. Reggie's lips were turned upward and his cheeks were pink. "Nobody told me you'd be here."
"Veronica invited me," Betty explained, sitting on a pillow on the floor next to Josie. "I live next door." She kept her tone light, trying to be friendly.
"Andrews!" Reggie exclaimed, tossing himself down on the bed. "Best view in town?"
"God, Reggie, don't be such a pig." Veronica clicked her tongue and perched on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs.
"You want a shot, Betty?" Reggie asked, picking up his bottle of rum from the carpet.
"I'm okay, thanks," she replied, taking a sip of her cider.
"Josie?" He held the bottle out.
"You know I don't drink, Reg." She answered, changing the song from her phone. Reggie offered it to Veronica, who took a swig from the bottle, then Archie, who did the same.
Reggie stood and walked over to the mirror, looking himself up and down. "Damn, I look good tonight."
Archie shook his head, laughing, and Veronica looked at him exasperatedly. "God you are so cocky."
Reggie turned to face her and pursed his lips. "It's not cockiness, it's confidence, baby."
Betty shook her head and ignored them, picked up her cellphone and shot Jughead a quick text.
They busied themselves for the next hour, listening to music, and drinking. Reggie kept the majority of his comments to himself and Betty felt herself warming up to the group.
They crowded themselves into Josie's small VW beetle and she turned on the radio. Betty was in the passenger seat, Veronica, Archie and Reggie taking up the back. As the song changed, Reggie started singing along, Archie jumping in next, then Josie. Betty couldn't help herself and joined as well, then Veronica. They were belting out the song at the top of their lungs and Betty hadn't remembered feeling this relaxed in a long time.
As they piled out of Josie's car, Betty looked up at the large gothic home. "This place is creepy," she muttered under her breath.
"If you think it's creepy now, don't go in the basement," Josie joked.
"It's not that bad," Veronica assured, linking her arm through Betty's. They ascended the steps, students pushing past them, a keg between their shoulders. "Barbarians," she muttered.
The door opened before they had a chance to knock. "Greetings," a girl their age stepped out. She had long red hair and was wearing a short black cocktail dress. "Welcome to my humble abode."
She stepped out of the way so they could enter, the party already in full swing behind her. "Please help yourself to the wet bar, and there are snacks throughout the kitchen."
Archie and Reggie made their way to the bar, Reggie's half-empty bottle of rum tucked under his arm. Cheryl stepped in front of Betty. "I'm Cheryl Blossom, of the Riverdale Blossoms. Et tu?"
"I'm Betty Cooper. Thanks for letting come to the party."
"Any friend of Veronica Lodge is a friend of mine." She gave Betty a tight smile and excused herself, retreating into the crowd of people.
"She's intense, huh?" Veronica said as Josie joined them. "She's really not as bad as some people -"
"Oh, that girl's got a stick up her ass, always has." Josie interjected. "Throws one hell of a party, though. Come on," she laughed, grabbing Veronica and Betty's hands and backed up into the living room, swaying to the beat of the music. Archie and Reggie were on the couch, drinking from red cups and talking amongst themselves.
A few songs later, Betty noticed Cheryl standing near the door with her arms crossed, Reggie and another boy she didn't know flanking her sides.
"Who invited that neanderthal?" Cheryl said quietly, casting her eyes downward in disdain at the figure in the doorway.
"I did," Betty said in Cheryl's ear, too quiet for anyone else to hear. She strode over and grabbed Jughead's arm lightly, pulling him into the chaos. "I'm so glad you could make it," she smiled. "Do you want a drink?"
"Uh, sure," Jughead nodded. "A beer would be good." He followed Betty to the wet bar where three buckets filled with ice and cans of beer were laid out.
Betty pulled out two cans, tossed one to Jughead and popped the tab.
"So, you're friends with Cheryl Blossom?" He smirked and opened his beer.
"Not exactly," Betty smiled. "Veronica invited me and I didn't know who Cheryl was when I got the invite. I didn't know it was going to be this… big."
"Veronica Lodge, huh?"
"Yeah. She's been really nice to me." She let the words hang in the air; he could make of them what he wanted to.
Jughead nodded. "I'm glad."
"How's your eye?"
"Tender," Jughead shrugged. "I'm okay, though." He said quickly.
Betty grabbed another can of beer from the tub of ice. She smoothed a lock of hair away from Jughead's face, tucking it underneath the edge of his hat, and gently pressed the can against his cheekbone. "How's that?"
He swallowed. "Better."
"Sorry to interrupt," a voice came from behind Betty. "I just wanted to officially introduce myself." Veronica stuck her hand out in front of Jughead. "I'm Veronica Lodge."
Betty put the unopened can of beer back in the bucket.
"I know," Jughead gave a soft smile. "Jughead Jones," he shook her hand. "...the third," He added.
"The third?" The girls said in unison, Betty's eyebrows raising.
"Yep. Terrible name passed down for generations," he said, taking a swig of his beer.
"Attention!" Cheryl called from the living room. She stood on a wooden table, her hands clasped around her mouth.
Veronica rolled her eyes towards Betty and Jughead and the three of them started toward the room.
"I thought a few of us would play a fun little game," Cheryl smiled wickedly once a handful of her classmates were gathered around her. "Maybe seven minutes in heaven?"
A few people that Betty didn't know walked away to join others in the kitchen. Archie was the first one to claim that he was willing to play, followed by Josie and Veronica.
"I'll go first," Reggie exclaimed, clutching a red plastic cup. "But only if Betty comes with me." He marched over and put his arm around her shoulders.
"I don't want to play," Betty said softly, trying to untangle herself from Reggie's grip. "Please get off me."
"Come on, it'll be fun!" Reggie's heavy arm pressed harder, pulling her into him.
"Reggie, let go," she huffed. Reggie's other arm wrapped around her middle. "Last chance." she said louder.
"I'll give you a little taste," he slurred. "So you know that you'll like it." His turned inward to face Betty, his body bending to meet hers.
Jughead stepped forward just as Betty brought her arm backward, her hand closing into a fist as she put her weight into it, connecting with Reggie's jaw.
"Oh my god," Veronica murmured at the same time that Reggie landed on his back on the floor.
Reggie stared at her dubiously from the ground.
Betty turned to face Jughead. "Do you want to get out of here?"
He nodded, the entire group in the living room staring at Betty in awe.
"Wait, I'm coming with," Veronica said, grabbing Betty's elbow to keep up with her strides.
"Where are we going?" Veronica questioned, wrapping her arms around herself to stay warm.
"We're getting sustenance," Betty reminded her. "Punching takes a lot out of you," she joked.
"So does getting punched," Jughead murmured.
The girls peered at him curiously.
"What? Everyone's been punched."
"I've never been punched." Veronica stated.
"Me neither," Betty claimed. She shivered as the wind blew.
"It's not fun," Jughead claimed, pulling his hoodie off. He was wearing a henley underneath, the long sleeves clenched under his thumbs. "Reggie deserved it, though," he continued. He gathered his sweater and gave it to Betty.
She smiled at him and pulled the sweater over her head. It smelled like orange and cardamom, smoke and sugar. The three of them turned onto a new street and mounted the sidewalk, reaching their destination. The brightly lit sign shone down as they opened the heavy door.
"Hey, Pop," Jughead greeted the man behind the counter. He shot him a bright smile as he wiped down the counter.
"Jug!" The voice came from the end of the diner. Two dark haired boys in leather jackets were sitting in a booth, one of their arms were raised.
Jughead nodded his head, then made his way toward them, Betty and Veronica in tow.
"Hey, man. What did you get up to tonight?" One of them asked, smirking.
"House party on the north side," Jughead explained. "Didn't last too long." Jughead shoved his hands in his pants pockets. "Betty, this is Fangs," he said, introducing her to the smirker. "This is Sweet Pea," He gestured to the boy sitting on the other side of the booth. "And this is-"
"Veronica Lodge," Veronica interjected, thrusting her hand forward. "Pleasure."
Sweet Pea shook her hand. "Nice to meet you both," he said, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "You want to join us?"
"We'd love to," Veronica smiled and slid into the booth before Jughead or Betty could say differently.
"Man, what happened to your eye?" Fangs asked as Jughead slid into the booth beside him, Betty following suit.
"Ran into a doorknob," Jughead said quietly, his eyes cast down.
"Yeah, right," Fangs laughed. "Who punched you?"
Jughead swallowed and pursed his lips. "It was a doorknob."
Pop walked over to their booth, a notepad in hand. "What can I get you?" He smiled.
They ordered a few baskets of french fries and onion rings between them. Veronica ordered a Diet Coke, Betty a water, and Jughead his usual, coffee. Sweet Pea and Fangs took refills on their coffee, too.
They sat there eating and talking, surprised at how much the five of them had in common. Betty talked about her old school and living up state, and Fangs told them about how different Southside High seemed to be than RDHS.
They were the only ones left in the diner and Pop had finished mopping twenty minutes ago. Veronica left cash on the table, paying for everyone, and they excused themselves politely.
Fangs and Sweet Pea went one direction while Veronica, Betty and Jughead went the other. After they had crossed the street, Veronica turned to Jughead. "Is your friend Sweet Pea single?"
Jughead groaned, but there was a smile in his eyes. "Yeah, he's single."
"Good. 'Cause I'm going to climb him like a tree."
The echo of Betty's laugh rang out through the streets.
They walked Veronica home first, even though she assured them both that she'd be fine by herself.
"Thank you for coming tonight," Betty murmured as the two of them turned onto Betty's street. "I bet it wasn't really your scene. And we didn't get to talk about the paper…"
"That's okay," Jughead smiled. "Seeing Reggie Mantle get punched in the face was amazing. Totally worth it."
"I'm glad," Betty smiled, nudging her shoulder into his.
"Joking aside, though, you're okay? He was pretty handsy."
Betty nodded. "I'm okay. Thank you."
They passed Archie's house and Betty noticed all the lights were still off. "Oh! I forgot to tell you - I have a camera we could use for the paper, if you're interested. My dad gave it to me before we left."
"That would be amazing," Jughead's face lit up. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Betty shrugged. They stopped in front of her house. The street was quiet, the whole town seemingly asleep. "I won't use it for anything else." She paused and looked at her house. There was a light on in the bathroom upstairs. "Well, thanks for walking me home."
"Thanks for inviting me."
"Text me tomorrow if you want to work on the project… or anything."
"Sure," Jughead replied, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Betty lingered a beat longer, waiting. "Goodnight," She said finally, trudging up her walkway.
It was only after she was inside did she realize she was still wearing his hoodie. She went to bed that night smelling of him.
