"There's been a swirl of rumours today about our daughter, Polly." Alice Cooper stood in front of the flashing cameras and horde of people, between her husband and her younger daughter.
Archie, Jughead and I stood together in the crowd, watching Alice as she spoke confidently. Behind her, Betty could barely look at anyone, fixing her gaze to the ground.
"And we're standing here to tell you that they're all false. Yes, Polly was seeking treatment in a private care facility, and she was under strict observation even at the time of Jason Blossom's death. When she found out about the murder, she was beside herself with grief."
I heard Cheryl scoff and leaned into Jughead, "I thought Polly didn't know about Jason's death until two days ago."
"She didn't." He whispered back.
"You see, my daughter, Polly, is pregnant with Jason Blossom's baby."
Everyone gasped and started whispering amongst each other. Mrs. Blossom clung to her husband's arm, asking if he knew anything about this. At a distance, I could see Cheryl walking away, wiping her eyes. Clifford Blossom left soon after.
"Polly wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone the father of her unborn child." Alice continued, "Polly, darling, if you're watching this," Her confident mask crumbled and tears streamed down her face. She was extremely distraught and these were no crocodile tears, "please come home."
The Cooper family answered a few more questions and midway, Betty excused herself. I followed her to the back of the church, telling the boys that I'll be back shortly. When I found her, her nose was red and she was weeping.
"You know," I said and she jolted, turning towards me, "Your face always turned red when you cried. Running nose and puffy eyes. Not cute at all."
She choked out a laugh, wiping away the last of her tears, "It's just-I don't know where she is, or what condition she's in. In her state, she-" Betty sniffed and I wrapped my arms around her.
"Umm…My friend, this guy I know…Christopher," I said, unsure, "He has this theory that Polly maybe somewhere nearby."
The blonde looked at me with puffy eyes, "What do you mean?"
"I mean to say…what he said was that…she can't leave town. She has no money and no way to contact anyone. A lot of people recognise her. Is there any place you'd know that she'd go to?"
"Max, if I had kno…wn…wait." She pressed her palms to her face and then joined them together under her chin, looking up at me with excitement, "Yes. Yes! I think I have an idea. Polly tried to run away back when we were kids. This just might- your friend, whoever he is, is really smart. I need to go. Thank you, Max." She embraced me tightly and in a flash, she was gone.
"O…kay? I won't tell him you said…" I stood there awkwardly for a while, "She's fast…Who runs like that? I hate running. Now I'm talking to myself. This is so weird. This is all Christopher's fault."
"Are you talking to yourself?"
"AAH!" The skies had grown darker and I got frightened, "Jesus!" I turned to look at Jughead who had an amused look on his face.
"Not Jesus." He walked towards me and ruffled my hair, "Come on, let's get you home."
We headed towards my house while making small talk. Literally small talk.
"Where's Archie?"
"He left."
"I can see that. Left where?"
"He…went home."
"He could've come with us."
"Ask him that the next time you see him."
"Are you still staying at school?"
"Yes."
"You can move in with me. My parents will be fine by it. You're practically family."
"Yeah, but-"
"Or live with Archie. Like I said before."
"I was planning on going back to dad's place."
"Oh."
"He said that he's going to talk to Archie's dad about the job."
"So he did change his mind after all! You got your miracle."
"…Yeah"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"So, about Christen…"
"Christopher."
"Yeah, him. Are you…?"
"…Where are you getting at?"
"You two seemed close."
"You and I are close. I'm different with him."
"Yes, but I've never seen him with you before."
"I think we're what you can call 'friendly-rivals'"
"…'Friendly-rivals'?"
"…Actually, I'm doubting the 'friendly' part."
"Oh."
"Acquaintance, definitely."
"…"
"…"
"..okay."
It was dark and drizzling by the time we had reached the front lawn of my home. I ran my fingers through my damp hair and realized that Jughead was right. My hair had, in fact, grown longer.
"Stay for dinner?" I asked him.
"Thanks but…" He hesitated a little, "I'm gonna check on my Pops."
"Oh. Okay then…"
I watched him turn and walk away, sneakers slapping away on the sidewalk, and then suddenly freeze. He turned and walked back towards me, held my cheek and pecked me on the corner of my mouth. Pulling back, he looked at me with an expression that I couldn't understand at that time.
That one moment, I don't know what happened, but I felt that I could do anything. An ache in my stomach was born and my ears felt really warm. I felt infinitely confident and a sudden surge of energy rushed through me. I grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and pulled him towards me so that our noses were close enough to touch.
"Oh no," I growled, "After all the trauma, all the crying you've put me through you don't get to leave after pulling a stunt like that. If you're going to do it, then you're going to right."
His eyes narrowed in confusion, "Wha-"
I cut him off by pressing my mouth to his and it was then that I understood that the stomach ache had in fact been my anxiety of messing up everything.
Oh no oh no oh no, what am I doing?
It wasn't until Jughead pressed himself closer to me, dragging his arms over mine until they rested cold against my neck that I calmed down. For a moment, it felt surreal. The fact that Jughead was kissing me back, softly, with my palms on either side of his face felt like a dream.
He pulled back, letting his forehead touch mine again. My hands dropped, now clutching his jacket. His breath ghosted over my face. "I thought you were going to hit me." He whispered.
I was too stunned to reply as I took a step back. I pressed my palm to his cheek again, my thumb wiping away a few droplets. In a daze, I gazed at him, noticing how his hair was plastered against his brow, how he had a faded scar right above his nose and how he had a mole on his cheek, his jaw and his chin, as if I was seeing him for the very first time.
"Lis?"
My eyes met his, "Can I kiss you again?"
The corner of his lips twitched upwards and he leaned forward.
The second time he kissed me, I realized that I would never get enough of him. Everything was quiet. I heard nothing but the blood rushing from my veins and the frantic beating of my heart. I pulled him closer and his arms circled me again. Once, twice, thrice, every time our lips met, there was this silence.
And for the first time in the past few weeks, I loved the quiet.
I fervently kissed back and he made a noise from the back of his throat. For some reason it drove me wild. I clung to him as he held me, as if he'd never hold me again. I was breathless but it didn't matter. All I wanted was to touch him.
He almost lifted me off of my feet when we broke apart, gasping for air. My arms were around his neck and Jughead nudged my nose with his.
"Can I be honest with you?"
The corner of his blue eyes crinkled at my question and he smiled, "If you were anything but honest, I'd know."
I clutched the fabric of his shirt, burying my face in the crook of his neck, "I really, really, really like you."
"That's good." He kissed my temple, "I really, really, really like you too."
We stayed for a while, wrapped up in each other's warmth until Jughead began to pull away, saying that he had to see his father.
"I don't want you to go."
He chuckled and I felt that my heart was going to explode.
"I will see you tomorrow, Max."
He bent a little to kiss me and I stood on my toes, pecking him on the lips quickly and pushed him, "Hurry, or else I won't let go of you." I giggled as he frowned playfully at me.
He wished me goodnight and I giddily stared at his retreating figure, unable to keep the smile off of my face. Once, I was sure that he had left, I squealed and ran up the stairs to my front porch. With my heart beating wildly against my ribcage, I opened the door and came face to face with a 'grinning from ear to ear' Edmund Pierce.
The smile from my face dropped, "…What's with that expression?"
"Nothing." If it were possible, his smile grew wider.
"…okay. Where's mom?"
"Retrieving her purse." He closed his eyes and walked into the living room, humming. I trailed after him.
Mom followed soon after, in a sulking manner and handed a wad of cash to dad. Seeing this exchange, I raised my brow at them.
"Your mother lost a bet." Dad said, happily, counting the notes.
"You…" I glanced between them as mom collapsed on the couch, "You two made a bet?"
"For two hundred bucks." Mom groaned, "You kids just couldn't keep your hormones in check, could you?"
I choked on my spit, "What?"
Dad, still humming happily, explained, "I bet against your mom that you and Jughead would get together before you turned sixteen. Your mom thought Senior Year. Ha! Who's the loser now, Vivien?"
"Can it. This is the first time in your life that you've won."
"You bet on us?" I exclaimed in disbelief.
"Well, of course." They replied in unison.
"I shipped you two ever since you pushed me into a mud puddle for not letting you play with him." Dad gushed. I think I saw stars in his eyes.
"I-but-that-" I sputtered, embarrassed, "How long ago was that?"
He looked up at the ceiling from the corner of his eyes, "Nine years, give or take?"
"Nine years?"
"Dinner's in five, if anyone's interested." Mom piped up, still upset over her loss.
"Quiet, loser. No one cares about dinner right now."
"Look me in the eye and repeat that sentence, Edmund."
"Dinner, yes! Chop, chop, Maxine dear. Let's not keep your mother waiting."
"Nine years?!"
Bet you didn't see that coming...However*hides behind mom* I'm sorry if this chapter didn't meet your expectations *sniffles* I'm awful at writing romance. Forgive meeee.
But in all honesty, this is how I envisioned them getting together. Because Max had enough of Jughead beating around the bush. It was so much fun watching (or better yet, reading) how you all gushed and predicted Max and Juggie's relationship. BUT IT FINALLY HAPPENED! YAYAYAYAY! I don't know what to do with my life now. Unrequited love and angst was kind of my fuel to write. It's my...thang. (That was so terrible that I'm gonna go spend some time under a rock)
Also, after writing this chapter, I kinda want Edmund as my dad.
You all are so wonderful with your wonderful comments, making me feel wonderful for existing. I feel so loved and wanted *cries tears of joy* Hugs and kisses to you all!
Thank you for reading!