I really suck at updating sooo here's a long one. Enjoy!
Drive
Summary – Jughead wants to get out of Riverdale. Can a certain blonde change his mind?
JPOV
My bag is packed. Dad gave me the car. He gave it to me. He told me to do what I have to do. He's actually supporting my decision to leave. He put gas in the tank. I can go, any minute now. But first, I have a couple of good-byes to make. Dad was easy. He wants better for me than what he can give. He wants me to lead a life that I'm proud of; like he wishes he had done. Archie will be a little tougher, but we'll get through it. He'll try to get me to stay with him for a while again and I'll almost cave. But I won't give in. Not this time. Riverdale isn't for me anymore. I need to get away from this town and the darkness in it that's threating to swallow me whole.
The real problem is going to be breaking up with Betty and telling her I'm skipping town in the same conversation. Yes, that's the real problem. Just thinking about it sends a jolt of pain through my chest and I consider just getting in the car and driving away. But I can't do that. There's no way I would ever be able to live with myself if I left her like that. She deserves a clean break; not some asshole guy skipping town in the middle of the night without a word. I take a deep breath. I'll get through the hard part first, then I'll talk to Archie. I toss my bag in the backseat and decide to take advantage of this clear night and walk to Betty's house. I take out the ladder from my hiding place at Archie's and brace myself for what's to come. She lets me in her window with a brilliant smile on my face and I feel as though I was stabbed through the heart.
"Juggie!" she pulls me into an excited hug. "I didn't know you were coming tonight!" I squeeze her tightly and kiss her bare shoulder. She's wearing shorts and a tank top. She's ready for bed. My heart clenches in my chest at the thought of breaking her heart before bed. I inhale her scent deeply, trying to commit her to memory. How she feels, how she smells, her incredible beauty, and most importantly, her loving soul.
"Yeah. I had to talk to you about something," my voice comes out but it sounds far away. Betty tilts her blonde little head in confusion. Her hair is down and I can't help but run my hand through it.
"Is something wrong?" Her eyes are full of love and concern.
"Not exactly," I manage to choke out. She waits for me to finish. I steal myself and blurt out, "I'm leaving town, Betts. Which means, I can't be with you anymore. I couldn't leave without telling you. It wouldn't be fair." The smile falls from her face immediately. She stares into my eyes, searching for some hint that I'm lying. I hope she doesn't find anything, because I have to leave. I just have to.
"No," she says simply. Now I'm the one that's confused.
"Betty. I'm serious. I told my dad this morning. He gave me the car. He told me to do whatever I have to. I'm packed," I explain, slowly and gently. She smiles sadly.
"No, no. I know you're serious about leaving. But we're not breaking up," she elaborates. I blink slowly, incredibly confused as she starts pulling clothes out of her closet.
"Betty, what are you doing?" I ask, completely caught off guard.
"Listen, Jughead. I know there's a lot going on in the stupid town and it's all really hard to swallow. I understand feeling like you need to get out. But here's the thing, Jughead Jones; when we started dating, you signed up for a whole lot more than just some high school fling. I'm in love with you. Nothing you can do or say will change my mind. So, if you go, I go." By this point, she's pulled a duffle bag out from under her bed and is stuffing her clothes inside.
"I love you too, Betts," I whisper. "I won't let you throw your life away like this. You need to stay and finish high school and go off to college and meet some amazing guy that'll give you everything you deserve. I'm no good for you. I'm going alone." Betty lets out a huff of annoyance, then grabs my shoulders and kisses me.
"You. Are. Perfect," she insists, staring into my soul. "You shouldn't throw away your future either but I'm with you either way. Maybe a compromise will suffice?" She plops onto her bed, next to her packed bag and pull me down too.
"We can leave tonight, no questions asked and run far away together and get jobs and start some kind of life," she begins. "Or, we can both stay and finish high school and as soon as we graduate, we leave town and run as far away as possible and start our life together with at least a diploma. Those are your options, Jug. I'm perfectly happy with either." I stare at her sitting on her overly pink bed, in her overly pink room and realize something. I belong in Riverdale after all. Because I belong where Betty is and she's right. We can leave together after we graduate. I push her onto the bed and kiss her deeply.
"Sounds like we're leaving right after graduation, Betts," I whisper against her lips. She pulls me close and we spend the wrapped in each other's arms, planning a brilliant future.
Reviews are nice :)
