THE CHIC REVELATION IS HERE Y'ALL

Betty woke up to sun shining strongly on her face. She rubbed her eyes and turned around to see Jughead sleeping calmly on his side. She smiled as she replayed events of the night before.

After everything that transpired, they ended up relaxing on the couch, watching movies and chatting. At last they were able to share some more down to earth things.

Betty felt that she knew Jughead before that, mostly due to strange circumstances of their relationship coming to be, but it was nice to get to know some of his interests and opinions. Sure, they were way more grimmer than hers and at times it also seemed that they were way more sophisticated.

He had extensive knowledge of things she never even considered before and as it turned out, he attended college after graduating. It was clear that he was smart, probably smarter than most people she knew, but Betty figured that no-one left Riverdale and if they did, they never came back.

Well, he studied not far from home, but it surprised her that he'd return to take over the Serpents. It seemed so strange to be as young as he was with his 23 birthday around the corner, yet to both educate oneself and to become a leader of the gang.

He looked so young and calm in his sleep, the reality of his day-to-day life was both baffling and fascinating to her.

She slowly stood up from the bed and could feel the pain spreading down her body. It was bearable the day before but then in the morning it came with the full force. Betty surely didn't regret their night together, but if she did, the pain would make it even worse.

As she stretched herself to ease the pain, Jughead turned in bed.

She put on clothes and a small smile crossed her face as she remembered what effect it had on basically everyone the day before.

She went to the bathroom and brushed through her hair with her fingers before brushing her teeth using her finger as well.

Betty came back to the bedroom and delicately started to wake up Jughead. She felt bad about it, but she wanted to ask him if he could drive her home. Considering what happened last time she walked those streets alone, it seemed like the smartest option and well... she didn't want to leave without saying goodbye.

He slowly opened his eyes and smiled blissfully when he saw her. She caressed his face and he planted a small kiss on her hand.

"Hello beautiful," he said and instantly snorted. Not because Betty wasn't beautiful but because it was such a cringey thing to say and he even didn't think when it left his mouth. She laughed too.

"Jug, I need to get home," she started.

He sat up and stretched his arms.

"Of course, you need to get back to your castle before the storm starts to rage."

Betty knew he was implying her mother and she nodded her head.

"Can you drive me?"

He smiled.

"I always knew you secretly loved my bike."

Betty laughed again. She actually didn't mind it anymore.

She made sure she had her bag with all its contents before leaving. Jughead was already outside, getting his motorcycle ready.

When she went out, the sun blinded her momentarily. She stepped down the steep stairs, trying to keep her balance in the heels that felt way out of place.

Betty noticed some Serpents outside their trailers, mostly going about their business, but some of them giving her looks. She put her head down and walked to Jughead.

Before she could open her mouth, he pulled her into a kiss. Betty could feel the warmth spreading throughout her body, but it was gone before she could fully succumb to it.

"I know I won't be able to do it later," he said simply and put the helmet on her head.

Betty wasn't afraid to face her mother. Not anymore. She felt happy, free, and finally true to herself. Nothing could hold her down.

She removed her heels and jacket and moved to the stairs. As she was approaching them, Alice came out of the room.

"Just in time for breakfast" her tone was pointed "change your clothes before you sit with us."

Her eyes travelled up and down Betty's body and she frowned before turning around and leaving. It was as if she was angry at her daughter for wearing something so revealing when it was her who pushed Betty to put it on in the first place.

She climbed upstairs to her room and changed quickly, going down with uneasiness setting in her stomach once again.

When she made it to the table, Chic was already seated, looking at her with his poker face. Nothing new. She rolled her eyes and sat down. It was silent till Alice made it into the room.

She sat down and patted Chic's hand with warm smile on her face before putting some pancakes on his plate. Then she poured him and herself some coffee.

"So," she said finally "did you have fun last night?"

She sounded nice, but Betty knew her mother was not happy.

"It was fine," she stated flatly and poured herself some juice.

"Oh I'm sure it was, Betty. It's always fun to just disappear on your mother and not say a word."

Alice took a sip out of her cup. Betty put a pancake on her plate. She tried to keep her hands occupied.

"I explained it to you last night," she said finally before lifting her head to meet her mother's eyes. "I'm not a child anymore mom."

Her tone was getting more firm. Alice seemed shocked. Chic was looking at Betty with aggressiveness in his eyes that she maybe saw there once or twice before.

"Excuse me? You're living under my roof; you don't think that constitutes some respect?"

"Maybe she's looking for another roof to live under," Chic said as he swirled his pancake around the plate.

Betty took in a deep breath. What was that?

Alice turned to him with her eyes opened wide.

"What do you mean?"

Chic's monotonous voice was turning into something meaner and meaner with every word he said next.

"I saw her kissing a guy last night," he looked at his mother's utterly shocked face "and I'm sure she left with him."

He took a bite out of his food.

All color drained from Betty's face. God, she knew it was crazy to make out there in the open. Why wasn't she more careful? She couldn't believe Chic just said that. How could he? Who did he think he was?

"Elizabeth?"

Her mother hands were shaky as she put them down on the table.

"What is your brother talking about?"

Betty was completely quiet, words stuck in her throat. How could she explain it?

"Yes Betty," Chic put emphasis on her name "What am I talking about?"

Smile was creeping across his face.

"I…" she looked down on the table "I'm seeing someone."

Alice took a deep, deep breath. Chic laughed quietly.

"Someone…"

Both of them turned their heads to him. Betty found it hard to breath. Chic looked at his mother.

"He's a Serpent. Jughead Jones."

When the name left his mouth, she felt sickness going up her throat. Alice was not moving, her mouth open. Chic caressed her hand delicately.

"I'm sorry mom," he said in a caring tone. "I just can't stand when she lies to you."

Betty was getting extremely angry. If she had it in herself, she would spike his hand with a fork.

"I'm disrespecting someone Chic?"

He lifted his head surprised.

"I'm lying?" Her voice was getting louder and louder. "I'm not the one lying by omitting to mention that I'm taking drugs and that I'm not paying for them so the dealer comes into our house," they were both staring at her now "and I'm not disrespecting mom by making her clean after you murdered him."

She spitted last words with disgust.

"Betty!"

Alice was shaking.

Betty didn't even feel guilty about saying those things. That was the biggest family secret that Coopers had, well, that the three of them had and she knew that it instilled fear in both of them to speak about it. It instilled fear in Betty as well, but she couldn't contain herself any longer.

She couldn't believe that she and Alice allowed for it to happen by letting Chic stay here. And she couldn't fathom how she could protect him after all of that.

Well, she knew why. He made her involved so she couldn't say a word and, what made Betty feel even more sick, Alice wouldn't say anything anyway. It was the last straw that pushed Betty to seek Serpents help and she wished she had told that to Jughead earlier, so she wouldn't have to explain this mess to him now that his mother and Chic learned about him.

She stood up from the table.

"As for Jughead, mom," she said "he's the only person who I can trust and like it or not... he's actually more respectful than Chic."

Betty ran upstairs and she could hear her brother following her.

"Leave me alone," she shouted before closing her doors, but he was faster.

He made his way into the room and Betty gasped. She had enough of this crazy family situation.

"You can trust him?" She saw Chic so mad for the first time in her life. "I thought you were more like me Betty, but it seems that you are like your father... Oblivious."

She was taken aback, slowly moving to the wall as he started approaching her.

"What are you talking about?" Her voice was trembling.

Chic shook his head and smiled.

"You don't think I know you ran to him a few weeks back?"

She opened her eyes wide. How could he possibly know that? She was pushing the idea of how he came to know this information into the darkest corner of herself.

"I pushed you there Betty because he wanted me to push you."

Air left her lungs and she felt her mind detaching from her body. No. This wasn't possible.

"Stop messing with me," she let out "This is another one of your stupid mind games."

Chic laughed.

"Oh sister," he caressed her face and she trembled "my little silly sister."

Betty was refusing to believe any of this. She refused to listen, but he was so close she couldn't possibly tune him out.

"Where did you find me Betty, remember? That awful motel, do you remember where it was?"

She didn't want to acknowledge that but Southside popper into her mind. She closed her eyes.

"Where do you think I've been all my life? Do you think I conveniently came back to Riverdale for you and mom to find me?"

His voice got more serious.

"I never left."

He moved away from her and she forced herself to open her eyes. He turned around and Betty's eyes followed him in trance.

Chic slowly lifted his T-shirt over his head. Her head was spinning. Snake tattoo was curling around his blade.

She couldn't move a limb.

Chic pulled the T-shirt down and turned around to face her.

"I owed him one."

She tried to piece the puzzles together but couldn't. It was too absurd to believe.

He was calmed down as he sat on the bed.

"Do you think I like scaring you? He asked me to do that. He wanted you to come to him and it worked."

Betty was trying to calm her breathing. Her world was literally crumbling around her, but she really didn't want to show that weakness in front of her brother. Not then, not ever.

She lifted her head.

"Why? Why would he do that?"

Chic was looking outside the window. His tone was as monotonous as always.

"Jughead figured your connection to the Lodges... When he found out that I reconnected with my family, he asked me to push you so you visit him." He laughed to himself. "That guy has brains. He knew he couldn't approach you out of nowhere, but if you asked him for help…" Chic shook his head. "Serpents don't care for anyone but their own. And they definitely don't care for some Northside's girl. He's using you."

"You're one of them."

"It was only for my benefit at the time. Me and mom left Southside behind us. You should too."

She was observing his face, not being able to comprehend all the things that she just heard.

"Just look at us," he gave her first sincere smile "we are together. You, me, mom. We are family."

Betty swallowed loudly.

"If he used me, you used me as much. We might be related but you are more his family than mine."

Anger flickered in his eyes again.

"No Betty. I had a debt to pay. I thought that he'd only use the information you have and leave you alone. But when I realized that he was getting too close to you, I spoke up."

He was looking at his hands.

No matter how incredibly hurt she felt in that moment, she just couldn't believe Chic's twisted thinking. She felt absolutely disgusted. Even if Chic was telling the truth, he still was crazy. There was no way around it. He didn't think like a normal person. Who would ever do that to someone?

He patted her arm as he stood up to leave. Betty closed the door tightly behind him and lied flat on her bed. She was staring at the ceiling, not being able to form a coherent thought.

Across town, Jughead was thinking of last night. He couldn't believe his own luck. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. She wanted to be with him. She even obeyed her mother to stay and while he understood it would bring her some troubles, he was proud of Betty for standing up for herself.

It truly was a weird world they lived in. Jughead never expected that. They were only supposed to help each other. Well, she helped him more than he'd help her, but it didn't really matter anymore. They were together and he needed her more than he has ever needed her help.