Jug watched her, amused "What's so funny ? Do I have a red nose and green eyes today ?" He screwed his face into a funny expression throwing Betty into fits. She took hold of his arm, leaning on it as they walked to school. "I noticed..." she began.
"Yes ?"
"I noticed that you are dressing up nowadays." she said.
"As in ?"
"Well, clean and pressed clothes everyday, no beanie, clean shoes, what's up Juggie ?" she said as if talking to a baby.
Jug blushed, seeing him hesitate made her smile. "Your mom tried so long to get rid of that beanie, what happened Forsythe dear ?" she mimicked his mom's voice.
"U...um well, you know, I thought probably a little change of scenery..." Jug wanted to tell the truth, that he was doing it all for her, trying to change, he may not have Arch or Reggie's flair but he wanted to make up for that to her.
"Oh ! and who are the intended tourists for your head and hair ?" giggled Betty, she nuzzled his arm, sending shivers down Jug's spine. "You love that beanie so much, it's part of you Juggie." she whispered softly. She played with his fingers "Are you doing all this for me ?" she asked.
He ran his other hand through his hair, rubbing his jaw while his other hand danced with Betty's fingers. "I...I..." he groped for the right words.
"I never asked you to change, Juggie." she said softly "You were and are special to me because you are different and I like that."
"I...I know Betts, but..." Jug struggled "I feel weird saying all this Betty but I... you know... I saw Arch and all the other boys go through so much to impress you girls. I ... I always thought that silly, I still do ! It's just that... It's just that I believe I owe you for your faith in me, it was ok before, I didn't care, but now I do Betty, now I do ! I can't expect you to care for me if I don't try to at least show you that I care for you !"
Betty stopped and with her Jug too, they looked at each other for some time, so many emotions flowing through their eyes. She hugged him, he put his arms around her tenderly, as if cradling her. "This is hard for you Juggie, I can't tell you how happy I feel, but I don't want you to kill yourself for me." she said softly. Jug played with her ponytail "As long as you are with me Betts, I live for you."
Love is strange, it can make a woman hater all sappy and fluffy. It can make the prettiest girl in town give up on all hot boys for someone labelled the town clown.
-
Archie avoided Jug at school, Jug tried time and again to talk to him, but Arch gave him the cold shoulder. Veronica noticed, for all her hate for Needlenose, she felt sad. They were best friends, he loved Betty and she couldn't bear to see her best friend's love being treated like that. A certain Mr. Mantle was however enjoying the show.
Jug and Betty sat down to lunch together, for the first time ever people saw Jug talking more than eating, his eyes rarely leaving the blonde beside him. It was also very rare to see the blonde so happy and not hunt for a certain redhead, which said redhead now was sullenly chewing his food staring at the happy couple. Veronica couldn't stand it and slapped his arm causing Archie to pratically jump out of his skin. "You stop that right now, Archie !" she growled. "Let them be !"
"What do you mean ?" Archie asked in surprise.
"You know very well what I mean ! Jug and Betty are happy with each other, you have got me, all's fine with the world !" and she plopped in a spoon of her gourmet meal in her dainty mouth. Archie frowned "And that's what I don't like !" he turned to Jug and Betty again "Best friend my foot ! I trusted him with so much and he stole Betty from under my nose !"
"Well ! Betty is still my best friend and I will tell you something Archie Andrews !" she said nodding her head "I don't care if you and Jug patch up or not but don't you go do anything which breaks Betty's heart. If you do, you will find yourself unwelcome at the Lodge Mansion !" she warned.
"You really think they will stick together ?" Reggie sauntered in flashing his smile at Veronica, turning to Archie "I told you ever since we met carrot-top, your beanie friend is too clever for you and was always eyeing the girls. Now..." he jerked his thumb backwards "...you have proof."
"Stay out of this Reggie, please !" this was Veronica, not Archie. Perhaps for the first time since they met, Archie agreed with Reggie.
"Friend, yeah right !" Archie grunted "He didn't even tell me anything, just goes lovey dovey with her ! And look at Betty, she would do anything for me and now she can't keep her hands off him !"
"Archie !" Veronica growled "I warned you, if you do anything stupid or mean..." she turned to Reggie "Reggie, please. Leave them alone, you don't have to do this."
They didn't talk about it for the rest of the meal, it was mostly Ron and Reg talking, Archie watching Betty and Jug whispering into each other's ears, Reg enjoying the look on Archie's face, in his eyes. After lunch was over, Archie had some spare time bfore the next class, Reggie motioned him over to his locker.
"Feeling jealous ?" Reggie grinned. Archie grimaced "If you can't help, Reg, don't bother ! I have enough issues already !"
"Cool down pal !" Reggie said "You really want Betty to forget him don't you ?"
"And how am I supposed to do that ?" Archie was interested.
"Simple dude ! Just show her the man you are ! All that fluffy, caring stuff is only bull ! What every girl wants is a man who can lord over her, put her in her place !"
Archie was taken aback, he had never been that way, never with Betty especially. How was he supposed to turn macho all of a sudden ?
Reggie guessed his thoughts, he gave a sly smile and said "Just call her up or talk to her for a date, get some movie tickets ! Tell you what ! To make sure she doesn't get any ideas, I will join in too. Ask her out, the movies and stuff. You know Jug has no experience in that department, she will forget him in no time."
Archie was struck by lightning, Of course ! He was an idiot not to have thought of that ! All he had to do was totally ignore Jughead and treat Betty like he always did, nothing could be simpler.
"Ok Reg, I never liked your ways but I must admit, this has to work !"
"And it will pal ! It definitely will !"
