"So, who was he?" Jughead asked, casually, as we sat on the front porch of my home.

I rubbed my hands together, trying to warm up them up, "Who, Christopher? I told you, he's this guy I met way back in this competition. Never really spoke much to him. In fact, today was the first time I actually sat down in front of him and talked. Usually, he murders me in his mind multiple times for winning the contests. Or so I inferred from the conversation we had."

"Right…so that's it?" He asked, looking at me.

"That's it." I shrugged and tried to shift closer to him inconspicuously. Either he completely ignored the fact that our shoulders were now touching or he didn't notice my movement at all, "Jug, listen. I-" I breathed loudly, "I'm really, really sorry. About what I said. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. It was technically my faul-"

"Max," Jughead interrupted me, grabbing my hand with his cold ones, "It's fine. I don't know what or how you're feeling presently, but I'm here for you. One stupid fight between us isn't gonna make me leave you."

I just prayed to God that it was dark enough for him to not see my blushing face as he let go of my hand. So I hid my face in my palms.

"I'm always snapping at you and saying rude things." My voice came out all muffled.

"You don't mean most of the things you say when you're upset or angry."

"You don't kno-"

"I always know."

That pretty much sent my heart spiralling down.

Oh my God, I think I'm going to die today. R.I.P. Phyllis Pierce, who died sitting next to the boy she loved. Cause of death: Overthinking about the things said by the boy she loves who also happens to be her best friend. Goodybye, you sadistic world.

I lifted my face to look at him to find his blue eyes already on me, making my chest ache in a painful manner that I would gladly go through again and again.

"So-o, what… have you been up to?"

He inhaled deeply and joined his hands, pressing them against his lips before speaking, "We…Betty and I…we went to see Polly."

Aaaand the feeling is gone. Wait. Did he just say-

I sat up straight, "You went to- when? Where? How is Polly?"

"She's in this-this place. It's like a rehab run by nuns. Betty went in to talk with Polly and, well, we were leaving when Alice Cooper barged in. She dragged us away and Polly, she saw us. Lis, she's pregnant. It is true that she and Jason were engaged. They were going to run away together. Polly Cooper is pregnant with Jason Blossom's child."

My eyes widened drastically, "What the fuck? This practically changes everything! The Coopers and the Blossoms, they've never gotten along. They have some shitty history." I ran my fingers through my hair, "Oh my god, Polly could be in danger, Jughead. Cliff Blossom is a despicable bastard and Hal Cooper is no less."

"How-how do you know about the problems between them?" Jughead asked, glancing at the Cooper's residence on the opposite side of the road.

"My dad and Mr. Cooper used to bond over their mutual hatred for Mr. Blossom. Though dad soon grew out of it."

The conversation soon dissolved into a comfortable silence until Jughead stood up.

"Well, I gotta get back. This past week has left me drained. I'm gonna sleepwalk all the way back." He pulled at his beanie.

I lifted my hand, asking him to pull me up and he obliged. For a few moments, we didn't let go of each other.

Jughead opened his mouth to say something but decided against it.

"What is it?" I asked, gently narrowing my eyes.

He shrugged, "Nothing, really. So, Variety show tomorrow. All set?"

"Nah, not really. Sam decided to change the song today so we need to practise before the show starts tomorrow. But, I guess we'll be fine."

Jughead nodded and stood there awkwardly.

"Come to the show?" I asked, hopefully.

"I wouldn't miss it." He smiled and my heart skipped a beat.

The way the blood rushed into my head, the way my ears burned and the way my fingers tingled, made me want to run away in fear. Instead, I threw my arms around my best friend, taking him by surprise.

"Max?" He voiced his concern, wrapping his arms around me.

"Promise me you'll be safe. Investigating Jason's death, messing with Cliff Blossom- it's all very dangerous. Jug, you need to promise me that you'll be safe." I buried my face in the crook of his neck, my voice muffled.

I heard him inhale sharply and felt his grip tighten, "I'll try to."

As I dropped my hands, he held onto me, pulling me closer for a second. He then let go and looked me straight in the eye. Suddenly, he placed his hand on my cheek and I could've sworn he had heard the way my heart beat wildly.

Deciding to take the risk, I placed my hand over his, "Jughead?"

"Max…I-well-" He stammered which was really unusual for him, "About that guy…Christopher…"

"I told you, he's just my friend."

"I…right…the thing is I…"

I raised my eyebrows waiting for his response, "You….?"

"Actually, I…you see-I..you...-"

My expectations rose alarmingly. And they would've even if you were in my place.

Is he actually-

He quickly dropped his hand, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Fan-fucking-tastic, Forsythe Jones. I almost died. Again.

Trying not to show the dejection, I smiled as widely as I could, "Yeah, goodnight."

He jerked his palm upwards as if telling me to wait, "Did-did you think I'd say something else?" He asked, genuinely curious.

I was taken aback at this, "Uh, no. Pfft. Not really. I mean, how could I have known what you were going to say? Really, now. You should go sleep. It's late… and… all." I scratched my nose.

Jughead suddenly smiled so widely as if he had found the answers to all his questions, "Sure."

"Why-why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, stepping back a little.

He chuckled, "Nothing. Goodnight, Lis." He kissed me on the cheek, turned and walked down the front lawn.

I slapped my palm on the place where his cold lips had been and was pretty sure that my face resembled a tomato.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I called after Jughead.

"Nothing means nothing!" He answered loudly, "Goodnight, Max." and with those final words, he disappeared into the night.

I climbed the stairs of my porch and opened the door quietly, rubbing my cheek, "What is that supposed to mean? You expect me to have a good night after you pull a stunt like that?"

As I entered the living room, I saw Dad kneeling on the couch with his ear pressed against the window shade, and Mom chiding him.

"Viv, shush. I can't liste-"

"-Good grief, Ed. Grow up, pl-"

"-she could be declaring her undying love for Jughead and-"

"-Edmund!"

"My dream will finally come true, Viv! You don't understa-"

I cleared my throat as loudly as I could and slammed the door behind me shut. My parents jumped off the couch and turned to me, both with a guilty look on the face. They had returned from the dinner early, I presumed, seeing as they were still dressed.

"H-honey, you're late!" Dad tried to cover up his act, crossing his arms. Mom rolled her eyes at him.

I nodded, "Uh huh. I'm going to bed. You should too, instead of eavesdropping, dad."

"I wasn't-"

"Goodnight, parents."


Honestly, I edited this chapter 12 times and was still not happy with it. *whines* This is such a bad chapter and I was so excited for it *cries*. And I couldn't wait to post it sooner.

I really wish I had parents like Edmund and Vivian, though. They're like my OTP.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. Let me know what you think.