Chapter 26

Jughead was stressed out. He should have felt relief now that Betty's initiation was over but his nerves were still strained. It was so hard to have her around him. Watching her having fun with the other younger Serpents struck him with a wave of jealousy. Even in the one place he should feel like he fit in, he didn't. She was just so likeable, she was charming everyone with her winning personality but what else would be have expected? Plus he had enough going on with school and taking over the Serpents he didn't have time to keep thinking about her all of the time. He never should have hugged her because now he kept thinking about how she felt touching his body. He had wanted to kiss her so badly and it took everything in him to have restraint. He knew that he didn't need to go there again and relive the heart ache. And then on top of it all, he still was reeling knowing about her sleeping with Sweet Pea. The whole situation was confusing; they were dating for like a week then they were broken up. Now they were just hooking up? That just didn't seem like his Betty, but she wasn't his anymore. Toni looked at him sympathetically as she cleaned out a glass with a towel.

"Why so down?" she asked him. "This was your big night! FP blessed you to do something on your own. Maybe he thinks you are ready to take over?"

"I don't know about that. There is some stuff that I got my dad into and I think he's still pissed at me."

"What is it?"

"You know that favor that Archie and I did that helped my dad get out of jail?"

"Yeah."

"Let's just call this back payment. And it's not the kind of work that I want the Serpents to have to keep doing. I just have to figure out how to get us out of it."

"Your dad blames you?"

"Yeah. He told me not to get involved. And I did. I suck at making the right decision. The Serpents. Betty."

"What do you mean, exactly?"

Jughead took a deep breath, he was ready to deliver his soliloquy. "Here it is: I know I have always been kind of out there; a lone wolf. But why did I have to push Betty away? Now that the whole thing is over and she is in the Serpents anyway, I feel like it all was waste. If I'd have just had the courage to take care of her, we could still be together."

"I don't know, Jughead. It's what you thought was right at the time."

"I'm a fool, I think. On all accounts. I just feel like I keep making all of these bad decisions that affect other people."

"So what are you going to do?"

"No idea. Do you think it's worth talking to Betty? Do you think she would take me back?"

"I thought we were talking about the Serpents now... but I guess we can talk about your girl problems."

Jughead took off the hat he was wearing, smoothed down his hair and put it back on. "I know I shouldn't be focused on her when I have all this other stuff going on but I still can't get her off of my mind."

"Can I give you advice?"

"Please."

"Don't try to stop thinking about her. She's not going anywhere, you just have to figure out how to live with her."

"It's fucking killing me."

"Maybe," she suggested, "you should try to hook up with someone."

Jughead gave her an incredulous look. "Me?"

"I mean, why not? Now that Sweet Pea is off the market there are lots of bored girls around who would love to hook up with the next Serpent king."

"Back up a second." That did not at all sound like the Sweet Pea he knew. "Off the market?"

Toni blushed and realized she had said something that she shouldn't. Apparently Betty hadn't shared the full scope of what was going on between her and Sweet Pea. She didn't blame her friend; Jughead was in this super fragile state and it seemed like anything concerning her made him get out of sorts.

"Yeah, well. The truth? Betty and Sweet Pea are you know, casual... And it just happened, I swear.'

Jughead closed his eyes to process this new information. For some reason it felt different to him to know that they were not just having sex but actually romantically involved. He was trying to take even breaths so that he could stay calm. Even though the thought made his stomach turn, he had to get over it; he had to man up. He was silly to think that she would just sit around and wait for him. He had a decision to make, this was probably his last chance if he wanted to change this situation with Betty. The problem was should he follow his dad's advice and leave her alone or go to her with his hurting heart?

"Got it," he finally said. "I'll talk you later OK? I just realized there is something I have to do."

"Are you going to be all right?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

Toni opened a beer and put it front of him. "Please take this. It's on me." Jughead grabbed the bottle and got up from the bar. He took a drink and walked over to the table where the other young Serpents were sitting and the table got quiet.

"You don't have to be stop on my account," he said taking another sip.

The conversation started to pick up again and Sweet Pea took his phone out of his pocket. He typed a quick message and put it away. A few moments later Betty felt her phone vibrate in her coat pocket. Betty took hers out and read the message to her self. 'Want to celebrate just the two of us?' She responded affirmatively. Sweet Pea winked at her and then put his drink down, asking if people wanted to play cards. When most agreed he said he would go grab some and be back.

After a few minutes Betty excused herself to go to the restroom. As she got up, Jughead caught her by the elbow and asked her to talk. Betty was torn because she knew Sweet Pea would be waiting but she didn't want to blow their cover either.

"OK but make it quick? I really have to pee," she said.

"It won't take long. I'll walk with you." He waited until they were out of earshot of the others before he started. "Look, I just wanted to say that I am happy that you joined the Serpents. I really am."

"Really?"

"Yes. And I just want to let you know that I know your secret... Toni may have accidentally spilled the beans on you and Sweet Pea."

It was Betty's turn to blush in front of him. "I can explain things, Jug. I didn't plan on this happening. We just got close... to be honest he was trying to help us get back together."

"Why would he do that? I swear he hates me."

"He doesn't hate you. He's just worried. The Serpents are all he has and things have been pretty good under FP."

"I'm trying my best. It's just always hard to know what the best decision is."

Betty was silent while the wheels in her head turned. Was there a way that she could smooth things over between them?

"Maybe you can like, ask him for help? The other kids really seem to respect him; and some of the old guys too. It might be a good way to extend the olive branch? If it's for the good of the club, there is no way he'd turn you down."

"I'll think on that," he said as the two of them made it to the bathroom in the back of the bar. Betty pointed to the door and Jughead let her go inside. As he walked away he thought about his decision more. If he really wanted to get back together, he was going to have to convince her to break it off with Sweet Pea. It sounded like she had been open to getting back with him, at least at one time she was; he was going to have to appeal to that side of her. He was also going to have to act fast too, in case things got serious. Maybe even tomorrow at school.