Episode 1x07: Betty and Jughead go to the school to retrieve Jughead's things.
Jughead had arrived at school at 7:15 for a Blue and Gold layout meeting. It felt almost strange to him, after days of sleeping at the school to walk into the building after sleeping somewhere else for the night.
He had stayed with his father, an action he later regretted. No matter how long you have been removed from a bad situation, the second you are back in it you go back to feeling that same kind of helplessness you always did. But he stayed anyway and managed to somehow to still get to school on time for his meeting.
He walked into the Blue and Gold office as usual, preparing to stand there as Betty gloated about beating him to school. But it wasn't Betty who was waiting for him in their offices.
Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee were sitting in the Blue and Gold office, staring at the murder board that he, Betty, and Kevin created. He didn't get much time to be confused. Once they saw him, Sheriff Keller immediately asked him to come down to the police station for questioning.
Jughead felt his stomach drop.
"Can I ask why I am being arrested?" Jughead asked, his voice shaking more than he thought it would.
"This isn't an arrest Jughead. There are just some things we need to know." Sheriff Keller explained.
That really doesn't make me feel better.
He didn't get a chance to ask any other questions; the two men approached him and it was clear that Jughead was supposed to follow them.
Walking through the halls of his high school, knowing that whatever was in store for him at the station wasn't good news, Jughead began to worry.
What could this be about? Why couldn't they talk to me here? Whatever they think I did, it can't be bad enough to warrant a trip to the Riverdale Police Station.
Several eyes looked away from their lockers and their morning routines to stare at him. As much as Jughead didn't like to admit, the stares of disgust and curiosity really bothered him.
Afraid and embarrassed. This is definitely not my morning. Jughead thought as he averted his eyes to the floor.
What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to get out of this?
As they walked through the halls, Jughead saw Archie and Betty standing by her locker talking.
Betty! Jughead exclaimed in his head. Please help me.
"Call my dad!" he shouted to the both of them.
I don't know what he can do, but I need him right now.
They both reassured him that they would as he walked out of the building with the Sheriff.
Sheriff Keller opened the backseat of the cruiser.
So much for this not being an arrest. Jughead thought, silently tilting his head and getting into the car.
The Sheriff slammed the door behind him, and got into the front of the cruiser without so much as a second glance to his backseat.
Jughead had never felt so alone. So powerless. Sitting in this cruiser, probably in the same place he father sat numerous times, answering for crimes he did not commit.
Upon arriving at the station, the Sheriff opened the door for him. He placed a hand on Jughead's shoulder. It was not a comforting gesture. The hand pressured him through the doors of the station and past the receptionist.
"Hey, Pam." the Sheriff shouted to the receptionist behind the window. "Call FP Jones. Tell him his son is at the station."
"Right away, Sheriff." the receptionist replied with a chipper manner.
She seems too happy to call a man about his son being arrested.
"This way, Jughead." Sheriff Keller told him, pointing to the door on their immediate left.
Jughead walked into the room. It felt so empty, so hollow. Jughead could practically hear the voices of past criminals begging to be heard. But Jughead knew that the Sheriff wouldn't listen to them, so why would he listen to Jughead?
Jughead took a seat, his spine shivered from the bone chilling cold of the room. Rather than taking the seat across from him, Sheriff Keller walked out of the room, locking the door behind him.
How did I get here? What does he think I did? This can't be about living at the school. I don't think they would need to bring to the police station for that. A simple 'get the fuck out, homeless kid' would be enough you would think. This couldn't be about the tagging of the Drive-In, could it? The building was being torn down, I didn't think it would matter to anyone what happened to it.
Jughead sat there for what felt like hours, pondering what he could have possibly done to end up here.
Maybe it isn't me. Jughead hoped. Maybe it is my dad.
But before Jughead could think too much more about that, the Sheriff returned carrying two files.
Sheriff Keller sat down across from him, no hint that there was any reservation on his part. He was just a guy doing his job; he didn't care about the kid sitting across from him.
The interrogation felt like it took hours. It hadn't been long since he's departure from the school, but Jughead felt older. He felt more cynical and lost than he had earlier that morning.
It's amazing what being accused of murder can do for your self esteem. Jughead considered.
After the Sheriff had left him alone, Jughead was consumed with his every bad thought.
This is my place. I didn't kill Jason, but it doesn't matter. This is my punishment for being different. For even considering being anything other than the cookie cutter perfection that is Riverdale. When there's a problem, blame it on the kid with the stupid hat and the trailer park address.
These thoughts spun around in his head over and over again. Jughead could barely remember what anything else sounded like besides his own voice and the words of the Sheriff.
He heard the door to the interrogation room open.
Time for round 2. Jughead thought.
Rather than let the Sheriff see him at his weakest, Jughead made sure to wipe his face of emotions. He didn't want to give the Sheriff any more reason to hate him.
"I said, I'm not talking to you until I have a lawyer." Jughead shouted at the door. He didn't look up. Just in case his face didn't quite hide how he was felling.
"Jug." a sweet voice that did not belong to Sheriff Keller responded.
Jughead looked over at her.
Betty? Jughead thought. How is she here? Why is she here? Is she here with my dad?
Shetook the seat across from him.
Well she is staying so she probably isn't bringing good news. Jughead felt his stomach drop once again.
He wasn't sure what to say in this moment or what to do. He didn't think he was coming out of this, but he couldn't let Betty think he killed Jason. After all the time they spent searching for his killer, Betty had to know that Jughead didn't make her search in vain. If nothing else good came out of today, Betty shouldn't have to think she had been holding hands with a murderer.
"I didn't do it, Betty." Jughead said, his voice sounding weaker than he thought it was.
"Of course." Betty responded immediately. "I was with you and I know who you are."
Jughead could hardly believe how much her words affected him. Just knowing that she could believe him right now, it might make it easier to accept defeat.
Minutes later, Sheriff Keller released him. Fred Andrews gave him an alibi that would hold up better than the true story. Jughead would have been relieved if he didn't feel so broken inside.
Where the hell is my dad? Jughead thought. How could he not be here right now?
Betty hadn't let go of him since entering the interrogation room. In some way, shape, or form, Betty found a way to hold him.
He didn't want to need her. She didn't deserve this.
Jughead wanted to let her go, but he couldn't. She needed to hold on to him as much as he needed to be held.
They walked side by side out of the police station, Betty glancing over at him every few moments.
Jughead could practically hear the thoughts screaming in her head.
Juggie, are you alright? Jughead thought she would say. He wasn't and he wasn't ready to deal with it just yet.
"Jughead!" a voice screamed from in front of them
FP Jones was stumbling towards them.
Of course now he shows up. Jughead thought maliciously.
Betty had squeezed his arm tighter upon his father's arrival. She wanted to stand there, to be with him. Jughead could tell just by the look in her eyes.
Jughead couldn't let her do that. He needed to face his father by himself.
He looked over at Betty, and shook his head. He took her hand and removed it from his own.
Betty nodded as she stepped away from him, creating the distance that wouldn't cause any questions.
"Sorry. I, uh, came as soon as I got your messages." FP explained, the jocularity of his tone implying he had already had a few to drink this morning.
"My phone. My freaking battery, I forgot to plug it in last night."
You didn't forget. You weren't capable. I've been living in film sheds and closets for months and not a day has gone by that I didn't have my phone.
Jughead sighed with annoyance. How dare his dad try to make any of this sound like a happy accident?
"What the hell happened?" FP asked, his tone still not matching the severity of the situation.
"Nothing." Jughead replied, cutting off anyone that might try to inform him. "It's fine now. Mr. Andrews took care of it."
That's all he needs to know. That is all he deserves to know.
Jughead saw his father's face drop.
Good. Jughead thought. Maybe now he can understand what the hell is going on.
"What jacked up crap did they accuse you of in there, huh?" FP asked, sounding angrier than he had so far.
Great, now he has turned into the irrationally angry drunk. The cycle is completing. I really can't handle this right now.
Jughead bit his lip, trying to hold back all of the anger and misery he was feeling right now.
"Those bastards trying to throw you in jail like they did your old man, well screw that! I will rip Keller a new one."
Of course this is his idea of what to do. He wants to go in there, make a huge scene. Embarrass us further. Do nothing but confirm to people that we are the trash that people think we are.
FP started charging towards the station doors. Jughead stood there, preparing to do what he always did, stop his dad from doing something he would later regret.
Jughead looked over at Betty. She looked so concerned. She looked as though she wanted to jump in front of Jughead and take his father on with him.
He shook his head. Betty shouldn't have to get hurt because of who his father is. She didn't move, much to Jughead's surprise.
Jughead stood there, preparing to do whatever it took to cause his dad from causing a scene.
Before his father could reach the door, Fred Andrews stepped in front of Jughead to try to stop FP from going into the police station.
Fred tried feebly to talk to FP, but he was beyond reason at this point.
"He's my son, Fred. You'd do the same for your boy."
No he wouldn't. Jughead thought. Archie would never be here in the first place. And if somehow he were, Fred would have answered the phone call and picked up son. He would have been there for Archie, the way a father should be. He would listen when his son dismissed the idea of retaliation.
He can't go in there. He can't make Keller regret letting me go any more than he already does.
FP plowed past Fred and Archie, Archie having moved to stand by his father as he faced down FP.
"Dad?" Jughead said, grabbing onto his father's collar. "Don't make things worse."
Jughead had meant to sound strong, to sound commanding, to get his father's attention. He hadn't meant to sound like he was pleading. But it did. He was begging his father not to ruin everything more than it had already been ruined.
"Please." Jughead managed to finish in barely a whisper. He was trying so hard not to cry out of frustration.
FP looked as though he realized something.
Maybe he is actually listening. Maybe he can change if I just give him a chance.
"Yeah, yeah alright then." FP said. Jughead let go of his father's jacket. He didn't need to be restrained now.
"You, uh, you coming home with me?" FP asked, stumbling away as though that last surge of energy was the last that he had.
No! Jughead practically screamed in his head. I just saved myself from further embarrassment and incarceration by stopping you. Why would I want to go home with a drunk I can't depend on?
He stayed turned around, staring at the police station doors. Maybe a cell wouldn't be so bad. At least I wouldn't have to pretend to be happy there.
"He, he can stay with us Mr. Jones." Archie chimed in. "We already offered."
Jughead wanted to feel relieved by Archie's offer, but instead it filled him with more grief.
I can let Archie take care of me. I can't let his dad take care of me. I can't let Betty take care of me. They don't deserve this.
Jughead turned around to look at Betty as this realization dawned on him. Her eyes were filled with concern.
Classic Betty. Always worried. Always looking after the wrong people. I can't let her do it this time.
"Is that what you want?" FP asked him.
Has it ever really mattered what I wanted? No, of course not. All that matters is what's right. And surrendering to my fate is what is right.
FP looked as though he were accepting something.
"Maybe that's for the best." FP agreed "If you don't mind, Fred."
"Whatever you want, FP. It's between the two of you." Fred aiming his words at FP, but he seemed to speak them to Jughead.
I hope you know how grateful I am. To all of you. But I can't accept this. This is too much.
Jughead wiped at his nose, trying to summon up the strength to do what he must.
"I'll, I'll go with you dad." Jughead gave in, giving one last look to Betty as he walked away.
She doesn't belong in this life. But I do. I have to give her up.
"Son, listen to me. I'm gonna do what you want."
I doubt that.
"Get my act together. Bring your mom and Jellybean home so we are all under the same roof."
Why should I believe you? What about me being arrested changes everything that is wrong in our lives?
"I promise, but I just need a little time." FP explained.
Of course. Time. I haven't heard this one before. Jughead thought sarcastically as the last shred of sympathy for his father wavered. Give me a few days, give me a few weeks. I'll stop drinking. I'll stop spending all night out at the bar. I'll stop waking up in dumpsters and alleyways.
"Not a lot. A month, two at the most."
Jughead looked away. He couldn't stand the lies, the hopes his father was trying to instill in him. Nothing will ever come of this.
"Hey?" FP continued, clasping his son's face. "Then we'll be back on track. You, uh, you believe that, don't ya?"
No. I don't. No matter how much I want to, I don't.
"Yeah." Jughead lied. "I believe you, Dad."
Jughead hugged his father, hoping that this would make his father think they were on the same side. It felt hollow. Wrong. Where having Betty hold him felt like a beacon of hope, his father's hug just reinforced everything that was wrong in their lives. Jughead pretending everything was alright while he father continued to fall apart.
He heard his father laugh behind him.
I am not so sure what you are finding amusing about this, Dad.
FP pushed his son away playfully as he walked away.
Couldn't let things get too real for you there. You might have to actually deal with some consequences for your actions.
What now? Jughead thought. I guess I have to take the Andrews up on their offer. Archie will never let up about me staying there now. Now that he know my dad is such a mess.
He turned around to face them, knowing that he must eventually.
There they all stood. Fred Andrews, the ever reliable parental figure who was offering Jughead a home. Archie, his best friend, I guess there is no denying it now. Archie, who would do anything to protect him.
And Betty. She was somehow still here. She stood there listening to everything wrong with Jughead's life. It was all out in the open now. He couldn't pretend to be anything better now. He was just the kid raised on the wrong side of tracks by a deadbeat dad.
Jughead looked at her, and once again he felt like he could hear her talking back to him.
Juggie, please. Please let me be here for you.
Jughead nodded to her, hoping she realized he wanted her by his side. He knew she deserved so much better than him, but right now he needed her.
Betty, please know that I need you without me having to say it. Jughead thought as she walked towards him. I am not ready to say it aloud yet.
Betty reached him and immediately placed a hand on his face.
Jughead closed his eyes. He allowed himself to feel relief in her touch. It was the first positive emotion he had felt since his father's arrival.
Juggie, is there anything I can do? Jughead could hear her asking in her head.
He shook his head briefly, turning away from the station and starting to walk away.
The interrogation was worse than Jughead had imagined it would be as he was driven to the station. Not only did the Sheriff interrogate him for crimes he didn't commit, after somehow he had been freed from the Sheriff's questioning, his dad showed up and added his trademark brand of misery to the mix.
Jughead was trying not to think too much about it. All the stuff at the police station and with his dad was just too much to handle. Definitely too much to think about for a Wednesday afternoon.
They stood outside the station, a cold chill in the air. Jughead was determined to put some distance between himself and this police station of emotional turmoil. He would have run away, but he didn't want Betty to leave his side either.
Betty.
He wasn't quite sure what happened, but the way she came in there to defend him, to support him; Jughead wasn't used to that kind of devotion from anyone. Betty had really been there for him in ways that he had never considered possible. Not that he had ever imagined being interrogated for murder, but on his darkest days, he never thought that anyone would truly be able to be there for him. Somehow she was. She knew just what to say, she didn't give up when everything looked hopeless. After everything that happened, Betty had stayed to him. He didn't feel like he was capable of letting her hand go. And he didn't want to.
She seemed just as determined to get away from the station as he was. She took long strides and they were half way down the street before either of them considered looking back.
"Hey Jug." Jughead heard shouting behind them.
Jughead turned around to see Fred and Archie jogging to catch up.
"So I have to get back to the site, but I am giving Archie my truck keys." Fred informed him, showing Jughead his keys. "Gather your things and Archie will take you guys back to the house to get settled in."
Jughead swallowed hard. He knew he couldn't hide from his situation anymore, but that didn't make the matter any easier to admit. He was homeless and moving in with his best friend. It seemed as though the world was continuing to purposefully make him feel bad about himself.
"Thank you Mr. Andrews." Jughead said, his voice sounded congested with unspilt tears.
Fred nodded, looking at Jughead sympathetically. He was incredibly grateful that Archie's dad was there for him today, as much as he wished he didn't have to be. Jughead would still be in that interrogation room if it weren't for him. Or worse, sharing a cell with his father who lost his temper at the wrong moment.
"Guys, just get back to school. I will see you later." Fred said, patting Jughead on the shoulder before turning to walk away.
Archie hesitated, looking at Betty and Jughead for a minute too long before turning around to join his dad.
Jughead wasn't quite sure what he thought of that, but really wasn't in the mood to psychoanalyze things. He and Betty continued to walk to the school in silence. He wasn't quite ready to talk either and Betty seemed to know that. She didn't try to break the silence; she instead clung to him tighter. Jughead could feel her anxiety, today had taken a toll on her as well.
Betty and Jughead arrived at the school around noon. It was lunch time, so no one was lurking in the hallways.
That's good. Perhaps I can get through this with a minimum amount of gawking.
They stood in front of the Blue and Gold office. Someone had clearly come by and shut the office doors that he had left opened. Jughead felt immediate dread. He didn't think he was capable of more dread. He felt like he was returning to the scene of the crime. The place where everything he knew had completely changed. Jughead almost didn't want to open the door.
"Hey, Jug." Betty started "I am gonna go grab my books and see if I can get my assignments from Veronica."
Betty told him this, but she didn't seem quite sure of her actions. Despite saying she was about to leave, she hadn't loosened her grip on his arm or his hand.
"Ok." Jughead said, deciding it was ridiculous to ask her to stay with him. "I'll be here."
Betty nodded, looking at him mournfully, giving him one last squeeze then letting him go.
As Betty walked away, Jughead couldn't stop noticing how empty his arm felt without her wrapped beneath it. How cold he felt without her fingers gripping his side. It was almost as if her touch was holding him together.
Jughead walked into the office, closing the door behind him. The layout meeting had clearly happened without them. Desks were pushed into a circle in the middle of the room and the office blinds shut. The room was completely dark despite it only being mid afternoon. He didn't bother to turn on the light.
He went over to grab his bag when it suddenly occurred to him, this was the first time he had been alone since his interrogation.
His interrogation. Jughead's brain still couldn't wrap itself around the idea of it. Sheriff Keller honestly thought he was capable of destroying evidence and lying about his involvement in Jason's case.
Capable of murder.
Jughead sat down next to his bag on the edge of the desk, suddenly exhausted from the weight of the day. His entire life seemed to change in a matter of hours. Everything that he thought he knew was thrown into question. His self worth was demolished. His heart ached from all the pain he felt.
He couldn't keep it in anymore. He had held it together for so long. He just needed this moment to give in to all the pain and shame he was feeling.
Tears started to run down his cheeks. Jughead couldn't remember the last time he cried. Even when his mother and sister left, he had managed to hold it together. He knew crying wouldn't bring them back. Crying now wouldn't change things either, but he just couldn't stop it this time. Too much had gone wrong today for him to hold back. At least when they left, he had hope they would return. As for now...
Jughead sobbed, his throat closing as he did. Every time he tried to move on, tried to think about something else, another horrible thought would enter his head and he would just break down again.
The office doors opened, causing Jughead to jump up and furiously wipe the tears away.
Betty stood in the doorway, looking at him with heartbreak in her eyes.
Jughead cleared his throat and wiped at his nose.
"That was quick." Jughead said, trying to make his voice sound as normal as possible. He crossed his arms in front of himself.
Betty walked in, closing the door, not turning on the lights.
"Yeah. I decided to just talk to Veronica about it later." she told him quietly.
Jughead nodded, not sure how he should feel about that.
Betty sighed as she walked over to him. Her eyes filled with concern as she placed a hand across his folded arms.
Jughead felt the chill that filled his body subside momentarily.
It's like Betty has a super power. She can radiate warmth into my life when the world is cold.
Jughead wanted more. He wanted to hold Betty. He wanted to feel something other than cold. But as he stood there looking at Betty, he couldn't stop the thought that she didn't deserve this. Her life hadn't been shaken to its core. She should go, spend the rest of the day with Kevin and Veronica. Think about normal things normal people their age thought of like how boring teachers were or how terrible cheerleading practice was going to be that day.
Betty shouldn't have to stand here and watch me wallow in self pity.
"Ummm." Jughead started, his voice sounding muddled. "You should probably get to class. You wouldn't want to miss anything else."
Betty looked at him questioningly.
"What about you?" she asked, her other hand reaching up to touch his shoulder.
Jughead sighed at her touch. She wasn't going to make sending her away easy.
"I don't think I am going to class today." Jughead told her "I'm not sure I can face it."
"Ok." Betty replied, understanding but not taking her eyes off of him.
Betty firmly planted her feet in front of him. She wasn't planning on going anywhere.
"You don't have to stay." he told her, looking away.
Betty nodded. "I know."
But Betty didn't move. She didn't even look like she was considering leaving. Her hand had drifted from his shoulder and she began to rub his arm.
Jughead took a deep breath. He was immensely comforted by her touch, as much as he wishes he could deny it right now. But Jughead wasn't ready to be comforted. He wasn't ready to admit to himself that he needed her there.
"I'm not sure you should stay." Jughead said, using his hand to stop hers from comforting him.
He was surprised to see a hurt look in her eyes. Betty looked as though he had offended her.
"Why not?" she asked, looking confused and pulling her hands away.
Jughead took the opportunity to put some physical distance between them. He turned away from her and sighed.
Why can't she just go so I can fall apart? She shouldn't have to see me like this.
"Jughead...please talk to me." Betty pleaded.
Suddenly, Jughead felt powerless to her request. To his own despair. As much as he felt she didn't deserve to be forced to deal with his life, he couldn't keep hiding from her.
"A kid like me. Raised on the wrong side of the tracks by a deadbeat dad." Jughead repeated the Sheriff's words verbatim. He had been playing them over and over again in his head for the past couple hours. "That's what people think of me, Betty."
Jughead could practically hear Betty shaking her head from behind him.
"Sheriff Keller doesn't know what he is talking about, Jug." Betty said, her voice sounding constricted.
"It doesn't matter if he does or doesn't" Jughead said, tears falling from his eyes. "It is all he sees when he looks at me."
Jughead leaned forward to grasp the chair in front of him with both hands.
"It is all anyone can see."
Jughead couldn't contain his thoughts anymore. They were practically screaming in his head.
"I tried so hard not to be that guy. The troublemaker kid from the Southside who was destined to end up in jail before my 21st birthday. I wanted to be more than what was expected of me. I tried…" Jughead had to stop to gasp. "I tried so hard, Betty and I failed."
Betty moved towards Jughead, placing her hand back on his shoulder but not trying to get him to look at her.
"He thinks I killed Jason." Jughead said, voice unable to hide the shame of it "because he was tool who stole my books and hid my clothes during gym. Sheriff Keller thinks I am capable of murder because I was brought home to a trailer park instead of a nice house on a tree named street."
Jughead was falling further into despair, becoming more and more aware by the second of what people thought of him.
"He thinks I killed Jason because my father's a drunk who couldn't keep his family together."
That last part hit Jughead the hardest. He breathed heavily, but continued.
"My dad couldn't even answer a phone call to get me out of an interrogation." Jughead said, tears coming full force, his voice heavy now with grief. "My best friend's dad has to be there for me because my own father can't. He never could."
Jughead felt Betty's hands on top of his. She was working to loosen them from the chair in front of him. Jughead hadn't realized it, but his hands now ached from the way he had been gripping the chair. She covered both of his hands in her own.
"My dad wants me to believe he is going to get things together." Jughead said, clearing his throat. "that he is going to stop drinking and get our family back together."
Jughead shook his head.
"The worst part is I want to." Jughead said, almost humorlessly laughing. "I want to believe him, Betty. I want my family back. I want to have a home again."
Jughead could see Betty nodding from the corner of his eye.
He had never said any of this to anyone before. Jughead had spent his entire life downplaying just how damaging everything was to his. No matter how horrible things got, Jughead always made it seem as though it didn't bother him. He allowed all the grief and pain to build a stoic shell around him.
It's not who I am. Jughead would tell himself. I am not where I come from. If I just try to be different, people will see it. If I downplay my circumstances, no one will think any differently of me.
But they clearly did. The Sheriff's accusation proved to Jughead that he would be nothing more to anyone than the worst version of himself. And how do you live with that?
How do you live with not being able to overcome your past? How do you deal with having a father who can't even be counted on to be there in your darkest? How are you supposed to believe that anything can change when the entire world seems dead set against proving you wrong?
"Maybe this is what he needs." Betty said, interrupting Jughead's woeful thoughts "Your dad needs you to believe in him."
Jughead turned himself toward her, not quite ready to see her yet.
Betty took the opportunity to reach out and touch his face. Jughead wiped the tears from under his eyes, gazing at the ground.
"With your support, maybe he can get it right this time and you could go home." Betty suggested, seeming to be going for optimism but unable to hide her sadness.
Betty didn't understand. Jughead didn't expect her to; he could barely understand the chaos that is his upbringing.
But she wanted to. No one had ever wanted to understand his life before. It didn't matter to him that she didn't understand the full weight of his life. She was still here, even knowing as much as she did.
Jughead was afraid to look at her. Afraid to see what he was sure would be pity in her eyes.
But I need to though. I need to see something good the world and what is better than Betty Cooper?
He couldn't stop himself, she had stood there waiting for him for so long and now he had to see her face. He looked into her eyes, expecting the worst. But there wasn't pity in them; it was purely affection.
Jughead was already overwhelmed with grief, but now he felt himself overwhelmed by Betty's sincerity and caring.
He reached out to gently caress her face. Her eyes closed as his fingers touched her cheek.
Betty Cooper has to be the most incredible person on earth. Jughead determined. And she's here with me.
So many emotions started bubbling to the surface, Jughead wasn't quite sure what he was feeling in the moment. Betty seemed to be feeling some of the same things as him as she leaned forward. Jughead leaned forward too and they were locked in a kiss.
They had kissed a couple times before and Jughead was still not quite used to how euphoric it made him feel. After the day he has had, he could use the euphoria.
The hand that was just caressing her face now held it tightly, desperate not to lose it. Not to lose the feeling. Betty slid her hand from his face to the back of his neck, deepening the kiss. Betty's other arm wrapped around him.
Jughead clung to her. He had never felt so desperate before to be close to someone. But he was desperate now; desperate to never let her go if he could avoid it.
He still couldn't stop himself from thinking this is wrong. Betty didn't deserve to be dragged into this life by him. But when she was here with him and was holding him close, he had a hard time caring about what people deserved.
He could still feel the pain of the day. Kissing Betty didn't chase all the troubles of the world away, but it definitely made fighting the day feel worth it.
Jughead wasn't sure how much time had passed, a couple minutes perhaps before the door to the office creaked open.
Betty and Jughead immediately jumped back from each other.
"Shouldn't you kids be in class?" the man in the doorway asked. He seemed to be there to clean the room.
"We were just leaving." Betty smoothly recovered, grabbing her purse and Jughead's hand.
Jughead grabbed his bag and the two of the them left the office.
They had made it halfway down the hall, looking at each other and silently agreeing to leave the school together.
"Hold on," Jughead told her, turning her down a different hallway. "I need to grab a couple more things before we go."
Betty nodded, following him.
Jughead had spent so long hiding part of himself that he now didn't feel the need to hide.
He and Betty walked down the hallway, towards the closet that he had been sleeping in for the better part of two weeks. He opened the door and started grabbing his possessions.
Jughead noticed Betty glancing around his makeshift room, her eyes filled with worry.
"Why didn't you say anything, Jug?" Betty asked, her voice sounding muddled.
Jughead didn't respond immediately. He stood to his full height and looked at her.
"Betty…" Jughead started, feeling ashamed by how hurt she seemed.
"I would've done something." Betty interrupted, the panic apparent in her voice "I would have tried to help you somehow. I would've…"
"Hey." Jughead said, closing the door and placing his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't want you to do something."
Her facial expression changed from panic to anger in a flash. He had a hard time not recoiling from the look.
"Why not, Jug? Did you think I would judge you or not care?" the worry apparent in her voice.
Betty not caring was highly unlikely even before their new relationship.
Jughead sighed, deciding to be honest with her about why he was hiding.
"I just wanted you to look at me as someone you could depend on."
Betty sighed back, placing her hand on his face again.
"I do." Betty told him. "This doesn't and wouldn't have changed that."
Jughead half smiled. He wanted to believe her, but he never really gave her a chance to prove herself. Jughead was never very good at giving anyone a chance.
"Ok, next time I am living in a closet, I promise you will be the first to know." he told her, trying to sound like himself.
Betty didn't take seem to appreciate his joke.
"What? Too soon for homeless jokes?" Jughead asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Juggie" Betty sighed, but smiled in spite of herself. "Since when has timing affected your ability to make a joke?"
Since I started caring how my jokes affect you. Jughead thought, but decided not to vocalize.
"Come on. There's a milkshake at Pop's calling our names." Betty told him, pulling him away from the closet.
Jughead nodded and was glad for the opportunity to leave. He wasn't ready to deal with the rest of the world right now. But he was glad if he had to face it, he wasn't alone. Jughead knew that Betty was here, whether she needed to be or not.