Chapter 11 Home
Bonjour NanouBlue! Un gros merci pour tes commentaireset encouragements, ça m'a fait vraiment chaud au cœur te lire! Je suis québécoise, l'anglais est aussi ma seconde langue, alors super contente d'apprendre que d'autres francophones sont intéressés par ce que j'écris! Raine87 and other guests thanks for the reviews – you're a big motivation for me to keep updating this fic! : ) This chapter is a short little stand-alone, a pre-Archie confrontation bit. Next ones will be longer, I promise.
The world you see is on our side
Take a chance and take a ride with me
From sea to shining sea
Capital Cities, "Patience"
Betty sits down on the front porch of the Cooper house, watching Jughead switfly disappear into the dark.
Shee looks up at the starry night, drawing a long, calming breath.
The entire night felt so surreal, the limo ride, hanging out with Ronnie and Midge at the dance, finding Archie and Cheryl Blossom in various states of nakedness behind the school… her delicate features tense at the memory.
She has to be honest to herself, Betty had half-expected Archie would let her down somehow tonight, just not so … brazenly and disrespectful.
She closes her eyes, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.
A sudden, devastating wave of pain, anger and hurt leave her gasping for breath, feeling queasy.
She opens her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, looking out into the dark night, in the direction where a certain dark-haired friend had disappeared a few minutes earlier.
Jughead.
That had been the really strange part of her night. Juggie taking her to that sketchy yet wonderful underground jazz club, encouraging her to sing in front of the other patrons. Dancing with her, kissing – scratch that, full on, hot as hell make-out session – with her… his hands caressing her, exploring her body, his obvious lust pressing against her... Betty's heartbeat ramps up at the memory, a pang of desire coursing through her body.
That part of the night had been wholly unexpected.
That kiss had been... electrifying. Unlike anything she had felt before.
It had thrilled her to the core.
Betty jumps as the porch lights flick on.
"Betty, dear, you're safe! Thank god! Come in now, it's cold out." Alice Cooper stands behind the now open door, in a crumpled nightgown, beckoning her daughter in, a concerned look darkening her features.
"Oh, mom, it's so late, I'm so sorry, I lost track of time…"
"Betty, where the hell were you? Veronica and Archie both came over looking for you, they said you left the dance hoursago! They're still out looking for you – oh, dear, I have to call the Sheriff and let him know you're home safe."
"Mom, you called the Sheriff?!"
"Elizabeth Cooper! Your friends come here in a panic telling me you disappeared on them, you don't pick up your phone, and you're nearly two hours past your curfew! Of course I called the god darned Sheriff!" Alice almost screeches, agitated. "Where were you, young lady?"
My phone!
Quickly, Betty opens her red purse and takes out her cell. 37 missed calls! Twenty-some messages, a few from Midge and Ethel, about 12 from Ronnie, just as many from Archie. Angry, she deletes all of Archie's without so much as a glance. She can't deal with his sorry ass just yet. Betty quickly texts Ronnie and the other girls "I'm ok. Home now. sorry." Before looking up at her mom, guiltily.
"Mom, I'm sorry, the night didn't turn out how I'd hoped. Archie let me down, and Juggie, well, he accompanied me out for a walk around town. I was sad, i… we.. we just lost track of the time. I'm really sorry. It won't happen again."
Alice's scowl quickly turns into a sad smile, feeling deep empathy for her daughter.
"My sweet angel, I'm so sorry your night didn't turn out the way you wanted it to. You know I like Archie very much, but you deserve so much more, Elizabeth. He's a good friend to you, but he's never been really great at being more than that now has he? You're young, Betty, this may feel like the end of the world, but someday a real man will come along, one who gives as much as you do in terms of love and companionship. Take this advice from a happily-married woman who's had quite a few earth-shattering heartbreaks before meeting your father some 25 years ago."
Betty smiles softly at that. "I hope you're right, mom."
The two Cooper women hug. "you know I'm always right!" Alice teases. "Now off you go. A good night's sleep will do you good. Tomorrow's another day. And, with some time and perspective, things won't feel as dramatic as they do right now."
"I hope so, mom, I really do. Good night."
Betty takes off her clothes, puts on a baggy t-shirt and crawls into her bed, spent. As she reaches up to shuts the lights, she notices a bright light flicker on from Archie's room. She peeks out.
He's gazing into her room, trying to catch her attention. Betty, furious, gets up to shut her blinds with a hard snap.
She wants to throw every last piece of furniture she owns across the lawn and smashing into his stupid cheating freckle-face.
Urgh that sonofa…
Bzzzz bzzzz…
She looks down at her vibrating phone to see Archie's number flashing at her. She angrily hits "ignore" and flings her comforter over her head.
Bzzzz bzzz…
"You have got to be kidding me…" She starts angrily, about to throw the disturbing piece of technology across her room when she glances at the caller ID. A message from Jughead.
"Goodnight sunshine."
She smiles, a little surprised, Juggie never texts. She ponders a little, then texts back.
"Goodnight, my crowned saviour. Had a lovely time, all things considered."
Bzzzz.. bzzzz
"Glad to hear. If you're ever up for a repeat, you know where to find me."
Betty blushes at the implications. Repeat of what? Hanging out at the jazz club? The kissing?
She's leaning towards the latter.
She grins mischievously. "I just may… goodnight Juggie xox"
A few streets down, Jughead's breath catches at the possibilities arising from her response, his body alive with lust as he remembers her sweet vanilla scent, the feel of her naked skin as his hand trailed her lower back, the perfect fit of her body against his as they danced the night away.
The way she hungrily returned his every kiss and caress.
He wanted more.
He needed more.