Author's note: Back at it with the third chapter for this one. Introducing Sweet Pea in this chapter. Thoughts lovely per usual! Xxx

Betty sighed softly as she trailed her fingers along the rail against the wall in the dance studio, eyes studying her movements as she did her normal ballet barre routine. It was late – going on midnight – and she hadn't told Jughead she'd be at the dance studio that night, despite his wishes otherwise. She knew, deep down, his heart was in the right place in regard to her safety, but she was too stubborn to see past their history to let him in again. To let herself become vulnerable once more around him.

It wasn't that she blamed him for the destruction inflicted upon her in Riverdale – she didn't. What she did blame him for, however, was the fact that he wasn't man enough to answer his fucking phone and talk her through her loneliest nights. Nights Archie didn't know how to help her because she was craving more than a warm friend; she was craving Jughead – the only guy she had ever loved. The only guy she would ever love. What a bunch of shit.

Wiping her fingers underneath her eyes angrily, Betty scoffed at the traitorous tears that had made their way to her eyes and slipped out without her permission. She hadn't cried over Jughead fucking Jones since she graduated high school. She wasn't about to be reduced to the same, pathetic girl she was then just because he was suddenly in the same city as her once more. Over her dead body did he get that type of control over her.

Sighing, Betty shook her head forcefully to rid her mind of it's present thoughts. She did not need Jughead Jones in her life to play the hero he seemed to want to be playing desperately. She could have used a fucking hero when her dad turned out to be the Black Hood – the man behind the terrifying murders in their small town and the man who shot Fred Andrews – she did not need Jughead to come galivanting into her life on his time and play the hero when he deemed it necessary. Day late, dollar short.

Eventually, her phone chimed, alerting her to the fact that it was now midnight, and she really did need to get back to her apartment and spend at least an hour studying before bed. She slipped her grey knit sweater on over her leotard and tutu, buttoning the buttons to help protect her from the crisp fall night. New York City got cold in the fall, much like Riverdale. She slung her duffle bag across her good shoulder before letting it rest comfortably against her chest as she made her way out of the dance studio and out into the night air.

As her feet carried her across the courtyard pavement, Betty had one headphone in as she walked. A feeling of peace and tranquility blanketed her as she listened to the soft melodies of Claire De Lune.

Then, the feeling shattered around her as a palm covered her mouth and a voice whispered lowly in her ear.

"Do not say anything and do not draw attention to us, whatever you do," someone said, and she whimpered as she shifted against their hold. From the feeling of their chest pressed against her back, she could tell it was a guy. He continued speaking. "I'm going to remove my hand and all I need you to do is follow me. I swear I'll explain, and I swear, I'm not trying to kidnap you or hurt you. I'm trying to keep you safe." Betty swallowed nervously as she tried to figure out what this stranger meant. "Understand?" The question was whispered lowly into her ear, and she nodded her head as he gently removed his hand. She whimpered nervously once more.

"Who are you?" Betty whispered, too afraid to turn around.

"The name is Sweet Pea, doll," he replied softly. "I'm going to start walking us away from here. Do not look around and do not make any frightened movements, alright?"

His voice was gentle and soothing enough to put some of Betty's uneasiness to rest. She nodded slowly and Sweet Pea (fuck kind of name was that), gently placed his hand underneath her elbow, cupping it as he guided her forward. Betty had so many questions, most importantly: why the fuck was the stranger taking her from campus, and he seemed to sense them because he was speaking in hushed tones a few beats later after they crossed over to the sidewalk away from the school. "I'm a friend of Jughead's."

"Jones?" Betty asked incredulously and Sweet Pea cocked an eyebrow at her.

"You know a lot of Jugheads?" Sweet Pea challenged with a smirk, and she rolled her eyes before pressing forward with the issue.

"Does he know you're at our campus at midnight, seemingly waiting for me?" Betty snapped, tone laced with irritation as she stared the giant down, neck craned to be able to do so. Then, watching as he stared back at her knowingly, the truth settled into place, and she scoffed. "Tell me why he had you waiting for me."

Sweet Pea sighed as he cast another look over his shoulder before nodding a little. "He said there might be some type of hold up for when you tried to leave the studio tonight. He knew you were dancing late, and he also knew you didn't ask him to come wait with you, so he didn't want to encroach on your territory. Not when things were so off balanced with you two. However, he seemed to think someone should have been there so sent me. And, for good reason. Did you even see the guy waiting underneath the two trees at the far left of the courtyard? The one wearing the hoodie with the hood pulled over his head to hide his face?"

Betty felt a shiver run down her spine as she tried to turn and look over her shoulder like Sweet Pea had done himself moments before. It was his hand on her back that stopped her and she nodded, understanding that he was not wanting them to have more attention drawn to them than necessary. She exhaled a shaky sigh as she whispered lowly. "I didn't see him. I didn't think to look that far around my surroundings." Betty was kicking herself for her idiocy, but Sweet Pea cut through her self-blaming gently.

"Don't blame yourself, Betty. How long has he been stalking you?' Sweet Pea asked, hand still on her back as he led her forward to what she made out to be an old truck.

"I don't know," she whispered. "A few weeks now, at the least. That's when the gifts started."

She had no idea why it was easy for her to open up to this complete stranger but if he knew Jughead, he wasn't all that bad. He couldn't be, despite her best wishes at attempting to believe otherwise. Sweet Pea hissed under his breath but nodded, nonetheless.

"Okay, Betty," he said softly, opening the door for her. "Jughead is in the back. We'll take you back to either our apartment or yours', but if we take you to yours', we'll be staying."

Betty narrowed her eyes as irritation flashed through her. "The hell you will!"

It was that moment that Jughead chose to speak up. "Get the fuck in the car Betty. This shit isn't a game. You have someone stalking you. Someone willing to wait on campus, late at night like some fucking creep, just to get a chance to corner you on your own. So, forgive me, but yeah, If you want to go to your apartment, we'll have to be there with you til this guy is caught."

Betty sighed, biting back her retort. She knew he did care, and she was suddenly too exhausted to argue the point. Nodding, she slid into the truck, letting Sweet Pea close the door after her and hurry to the other side. She had no idea what was in store for her.

Author's note: Bughead angst next chapter and Sweet Pea being the best friend anyone could have! Xx