Crossroads
Disclaimer - The following story is a work of fiction. Archie Comic characters were created by John L. Goldwater and are copyright © by Archie Comic Publications, Inc. The characters' names are the exclusive trademarks of Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
Summary - How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man? Jughead x Betty
Chapter Seven
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The inevitable happens on Saturday morning. Harry joins Betty at the coffee shop. It is his first free weekend in weeks. My heart plummets through the floor and keeps on going. I'm sure it's reached the centre of the earth by now.
"Hey, Forsythe! It's been a while!" grins Harry, pulling me into a one-armed hug.
I am afraid to touch him. My hands are Judas' hands, the hands of the betrayer. How could I even…
"Harry!" calls Anne, overjoyed.
"Morning!"
I feel like the outsider watching a long awaited family reunion. I feel…
I feel…
I don't know what I feel beyond the guilt.
"What'll you have, Harry? I know these two will have chai, as usual."
"As usual?" asks Harry, eyebrow raised.
I feel my eyebrows knit. She never told him that we meet? What does that mean? There is a millisecond of awkward silence before Betty comes to our rescue.
"Juggie and I meet here every morning when we come for coffee," she explains. "Or rather, chai."
"I see," says Harry, smiling. But I can sense that something in the air has changed. Is my guilt so potent that it cannot be hidden?
"What else am I to do with myself? You're gone so early anyway. Besides, he and Anne are great company."
"I'm glad you aren't alone," says Harry. He looks me right in the eye and I have to struggle to return his gaze, and to remain neutral. For once, I can't tell what he's thinking.
I am terrified.
I hurriedly drink my chai, exchange pleasantries, and leave.
In my heart, I know that I am a coward.