In this chapter, we get Jughead's POV. There's a lot of things left unsaid between some people and maybe we have our first elimination...
Who's ready for the finale of Riverdale Season 6 in less than two weeks? It'll be weird to think about the fact that there's only one more season after this! I keep trying to predict the ending and endgames and what Season 7 will be about, but we all know that's basically impossible. At this point, I think the only way to make people happy about endgames would be to have like a 'choose your own adventure' type ending where you can pick your favourite ships and see where they end up. It would be cool to watch, but I seriously doubt it'll happen lol. Just something I was thinking of.
Anyway, as always, I hope you enjoy! Let me know your thoughts because I love talking with you about Riverdale theories, this fanfic theories, and more! 3
Chapter 10
Jughead
I tossed my few belongings into the messenger bag I'd brought them in. It was only jeans, an 'S' T-shirt, suspenders, an old flannel, a leather jacket and my crown beanie. My usual outfit back in Whyte Wyrm. You know, I should put it on. I'd never live it down if I came home wearing what I was wearing. I quickly changed, tossing my dress outfit into a hamper in the closet. Then, I put in my other belongings: a picture of ten-year-old me and my sister Jellybean, who was seven at the time and my old computer. I slung the bag onto my shoulder and took one last look around the room, then opened the door… and came face to face with Betty.
"Betty?"
"Jughead," She sighed. "I've just been… standing here, for the last five minutes. Trying to get up the courage to knock. Jug, I didn't even let you try to explain. And I'm so sorry. Veronica told me everything. I feel awful."
"Betty,"
"No, just let me finish. Please." I nodded. "I see where you were coming from. With the 'if I thought that's who you were' thing. And I apologize. I was too quick to judge. I'd blame my mother, but that'd just be an excuse. And I don't believe in excuses."
"Then it's a good thing I don't either." I sighed.
"So you'll stay?" She asked hopefully.
"Betty, I just don't think that's a good idea. I don't belong here. It's been evident since I got on the plane to come here in clothes that weren't mine to marry a girl I'd never met before. It's just not who I am."
"I like that you're different, Jug. Most of the guys I've had an actual conversation with so far try too hard. Our first conversation began with you wearing something I'm shocked even made it past the gates. Seriously, shocked. And still shocked that you are wearing it currently and it hasn't been taken yet." She looked me over with a small smile.
"Don't forget when I literally ran you over."
"Okay, it wasn't that bad." We both laughed. "But Toni did chew me out for getting the dress dirty."
I laughed again. "Oh, I don't doubt that."
"Okay. Well, I should get to bed. Big day tomorrow. Plus, I think Veronica and Cheryl had a plan for something I should do with all of you guys, and I'm probably going to need energy for that."
"Oh, just a conversation with those two requires energy."
"You're not wrong. Except about one thing."
"And what might that be?"
"That you don't belong here. I think you'll be just fine. You and Archie seem like you're getting close,"
"He's a decent guy."
"Plus, you have Toni, Fangs and Sweet Pea,"
"True."
"Veronica's pulling for you. She'll be your friend,"
"That ought to be interesting."
"And I want you here. I want to get to know you better."
"You already know more about me than most people."
"And, you can get to know me. Are you still working on your impression?"
"No, I think I've got a pretty good idea of who you are." I finally said.
"Well then, think again, Jughead Jones. Because I contain multitudes." Betty smiled at me.
"Don't we all?"
"Okay. So you'll stay?" She asked, hopefully looking up at me.
"Well," I sighed. "I might be able to work something out. But I'll have some explaining to do to certain people."
"Thank you!" She slid her arms around my neck and hugged me. After a moment's hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her waist. "And don't worry about explaining. Veronica will probably have told them all already." Betty pulled back to look at me.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"I don't know. Veronica would never, right?"
"Oh no. Definitely." We both laughed.
"Well, alright. I really should get going. Goodnight, Jughead."
"Goodnight Your Highness."
"Forsythe."
"Elizabeth." She stuck her tongue out at me, then smiled, turned, and started back down the hallway.
As I entered the dining hall the next morning, a whistle let out. "Jones!"
"What, Reggie?" I rolled my eyes as I turned to him. "I'm not a dog."
"Aren't you though?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" I sighed and turned to face Reggie.
"Jughead," Archie entered, and hurried over to us.
"Hold it Andrews. Apparently there's a line." Reggie looked back at me. Archie paused, thinking it through.
"I'll ask again, what the hell are you talking about?" I asked again, growing frustrated.
"This… is what I'm talking about, Jones." Reggie held up his phone and showed me the screen.
"Reggie!" Archie cried as I took the phone and stared incredulously at the trending post he had pulled up: Princess of Riverdale Makes Up Mind About The Selection? She chooses… Hobo? Underneath the caption, there was a photo of Betty and I hugging last night.
"What the hell…" I looked up at Reggie. "What is this?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's you cozying up to the princess before she's even talked to the rest of us. You know, I didn't peg you for the type, Jones. I thought you were just here for the food."
"Shut up Reggie." Archie said, stepping in between us.
"Jughead!" Cheryl and Veronica burst into the dining room. "Come with us." Veronica grabbed my arm and yanked me away from the others. As she dragged me out of the room, I could see all the others looking first at their phones, then at me, as if to confirm it. "The last time we could keep it under control because it was just rumours." Veronica hissed at me as we reached the door. "This time though…" She trailed off.
"Isn't it against the rules in some way?" Cheryl asked as we reached an empty hallway. "The queen will find out about it no doubt soon and then it's bye-bye hobo." She looked me in the eye. "Do you realize how damaging this could be to Betty?"
"Well, it's not like I worked to tell her about those rumours as hard as I did yesterday to protect myself." I shot back, matching her tone.
"You know, I rather like the term 'hobo'." She glared at me.
"Both of you, shut it!" Veronica hissed sharply. We were silent as a group of maids walked past us. By the looks they were giving me, they too had seen the post.
"What do I do now?" I asked after they were out of sight. "It's not like telling her about them is going to make her trust me. Heck, I don't know why she should even trust me."
"At this point, I don't even know what I'm fighting for anymore." Veronica sighed. "Look, I think you're great. And I've only known you for a couple of days. But Betty took that same chance on me and fought for me to stay when the queen wanted me gone."
"She did the same for me." Cheryl nodded. "Our families have a lot of not-so-great history. The fact that she decided to give me a chance means a lot to me. More than she probably knows. And I know Toni feels the same, with Betty taking the chance on the maid that was her age."
"Betty has one of the biggest hearts I know." Veronica continued. "But she's also got a lot on her plate. This is the last thing she needs."
"I should've just left last night. You're saying that I'm just added to her plate."
"Jughead, that's not-"
"Yes it is. And you're right. I did. I should just go."
"There's a reason she asked you to stay." Cheryl told me suddenly. "If she didn't think she'd be able to fall in love with you, she would've let you go. I mean, did you see Fester this morning?"
"To be fair, I wasn't really looking at who was there when Reggie ambushed me."
"Okay, but what Cheryl is saying is… that if Betty thought he was the One, she would've fought for him. You, she fought for."
"So you're saying that I'm in love with him?" A voice came from behind us and we all turned, hearts racing. It was Betty. She took a step forward. "Hmm? Is that what I'm hearing?"
"Um… not exactly." Veronica tried to defend herself. "More like… he has more of a chance?" It came out sounding like a question.
"And why?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure you heard that part."
"I did, yes."
"Sorry?" Veronica asked again.
"You're not, though. Be you, V. That's all I want." Betty said.
"Fine. I can do that." She nodded. "Yeah, you wouldn't have asked him to stay if there wasn't a chance you could fall in love with him right now."
"Right now?" Betty raised an eyebrow.
"What, no love at first sight?" Cheryl asked.
"Well, I haven't exactly had the greatest role models in the love department, so forgive me." Betty let out a hint of a smile.
"I think you could make cuts right now." Cheryl told her, confidently.
"Maybe I will." With that, Betty sauntered into the dining hall.
"Wait, she won't actually do it… will she?" Cheryl now sounded unsure.
"I didn't think she would but…"
"Excuse me, gentlemen! I would like to make an announcement!" We suddenly heard from the dining hall.
"Oh my god, she's actually doing it…" Veronica rushed into the hall, followed closely by Cheryl. After a moment, I headed after them too. I was about to be cut, I just knew it. When I entered the room, all eyes were on me… except for Betty's. I slid into a seat at the table next to Archie as quietly as possible.
"Dude, what's going on?" He whispered to me.
"I'll tell you before I leave."
"Wait, you're leaving?"
"Come on. Would she really keep me after all this media stuff?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Alright! I've gotten to know all of you off and on over the past five days. And I have to admit, some of you have made more of an impression than others. And, I'm sure you'll all notice that we are down to eleven of you." Some of the guys looked around, surprised. Apparently Fester hadn't made that much of an impression on anyone. "And as you all know, there are some rules to the Selection. Which means, I'll be forced to make some cuts. So, will Nick St. Clair, Harvey Kinkle and Daniel Dickinson please stay behind? The rest of you can head down to the theater room to enjoy a movie. Toni will show you the way." Betty gestured to Toni, who stepped forward and motioned for us to follow her. All of the guys, except for the ones called, stood, and started heading out of the room. I glanced around until I made eye contact with Veronica. Outside, she mouthed. I nodded, and joined the group of guys out of the room. Betty stopped me, as I was almost out.
"We need to talk later." She told me, talking in a low voice.
"Agreed."
"I'll come find you when I'm done?"
"Deal." Then she turned to face the three remaining guys and I left the room.
"Oh my god." Veronica said when she caught sight of me. "How you're still here blows my mind. And the fact that she actually listened to me. Little Veronica is dying right now."
"Did Little Veronica ever dream of corrupting the princess of Riverdale's Selection?" A voice asked, joining us.
"Toni! Aren't you supposed to be with the guys?" Cheryl asked, looking over at her.
She shrugged. "I pointed them in the general direction. If anyone chooses to mess with the directions, well, it makes Betty's life easier. Unlike you!" She turned and punched me in the arm.
"Ow?!"
"Sorry. I wasn't aiming for that to be that hard."
"Sure."
"Whatever. You deserve it!" Veronica cried. "Seriously, at this point, I would've sent you home."
"Why do you think she chose the ones she did?" Cheryl mused. "No spark?"
"I don't know about the other two, but I advised the Nick St. Clair movement." Veronica admitted.
"What? Why?" Toni asked.
"Bad vibe?" Cheryl added.
"You could say that. His father is friends with my father. They've worked together for years, what with my mother being the past mayor and his parents being the current mayors. I see more of him than I would like."
"So why get him kicked out?" Cheryl pressed.
"I'll tell you later, nosy." Veronica gave her a Look, and Cheryl stopped prying. "Anyway, the point is, Jughead, that you…are very lucky. And you better stop screwing up because I don't think we can cover for you much more.
"What do you mean 'cover for me'?" I asked.
"Come on, Jones. I've heard the story and the only reason Betty decided to hear you out was because Veronica and Cheryl vouched for you." Toni said. "They're the reason you're still in this."
"You just contradicted everything you just said three minutes ago. About her liking me and that's why I'm still in this?"
"Well, you gave her a reason to kick you out yesterday. That was easier than Betty deciding to deal with her feelings for you. They opened the door that she was trying to shut on you." Toni said.
"You seem to know a lot about Betty."
"We've been friends for years. I've been her closest companion. I know everything. And I also coincidentally know almost everything about you too."
"Toni, are you Team Bughead?" Veronica teased.
"Team what?" I cried.
"Bughead? Betty, Jug-" Veronica started to explain.
"I got what it means. I meant why?"
"We've already told you Jughead. We don't want our girl to get hurt. You seem genuine and I don't think you'd hurt her. Of course, there are other guys we are scoping out. We're looking after all of you, to keep an inside eye on them."
"I understand, but…why me?"
"You are so clueless. Aren't you?" Cheryl sighed, shaking her head. I opened my mouth to say something else, but then we were interrupted by the doors to the dining hall opening and the guys asked to stay behind came out.
"Thanks a lot, Ronnie." A tall guy with dark, curly hair came towards us, scowling at Veronica. "I've been kicked out and I have an inkling that it's all your fault. Am I right?"
"Pleasure as always, Nicky. I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about." Veronica rolled her eyes and offered him a fake smile.
"Listen up," He stepped closer to her, forcing her to back up against a wall. "You're playing a very dangerous game here-"
"Hey, back off her, man." I told him. He shoved me back. Harvey and Daniel came forward to grab him, but he yanked free of them, too, and glared back at Veronica. Suddenly, a slapping sound echoed throughout the hallway. We all watched in surprise as Cheryl poised her hand next to his face, ready to strike again.
"You even think about her one more time, I will slap you straight into the execution room and chop your head off myself." She threatened in a low voice.
"Oh! I'm so scared!" Nick mocked.
"I would be." Veronica laughed. "She will."
"What do you think you're doing?" A man in a uniform came up to us.
"General Keller!" Betty came over, looking concernedly over at Veronica. "Would you please escort Sir St. Clair out at once?" She said, "The other two are apparently capable of just leaving quietly. Thank you, gentlemen." She turned to Harvey and Daniel with a small smile. They nodded, bowed, and headed off up to their rooms. "As for you, if you don't leave without a fuss, I'll take Cheryl up on her threat." Nick rolled his eyes. "You may go." The guards grabbed Nick roughly and dragged him away, with him yelling the entire way out.
"Thanks B." Veronica took a deep breath once Nick was out of earshot and came off the wall with a sigh.
Betty threw her arms around her. "I'm so sorry, V. I never should've let him go anywhere near you after what you told me."
"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's just Nick."
"Wait, what's going on?" We all turned as Archie came over. "Veronica, what is Betty talking about? What did Nick do?"
"It's just something from my past that I'm not proud of, Archiekins. It's not a big deal. I'm fine."
"Ronnie," Archie stepped forward.
"I said I'm fine Archie!" She cried out. Archie stepped back with a surprised look on his face. If her outburst proved anything, it was that she was most definitely not fine.
