Ch 3) Morning Of Revelations

Veronica's P.O.V.

When I woke up, I was both refreshed and anxious. Surprisingly, last night was one of the most blissful sleeps I've ever had. But thoughts of the previous day still plagued my mind. Are Jughead and I friends now? We certainly acted like it last night. Does my revelation about Archie mean we should break up? That was the question I was struggling with the most.

On the one hand, it hurt to know that he would have kept the kiss with Betty a secret from me. We were supposed to trust each other fully. It made me wonder what else he was hiding from me. Was what he told me about never having those kinds of feelings for Betty true? Or was he just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear?

I pushed all those thoughts to the back of my mind. I didn't have the time to deal with them at the moment. It was already 10 o'clock, and I was extremely hungry. We skipped lunch and Dinner yesterday, and my stomach was making it known how much it was displeased with that choice. A thought occurred to me. Jughead must be starving. I laughed at that revelation. Heaven knows that boy is always eating something. He would probably live at Pop's if he could. Thinking about Jughead made me smile for some reason. Maybe it was because our relationship was the only one out of the four of us that was not strained by the events of the last few weeks, as ironic as that was. Our families are literally at war right now.

If Jughead and I were lovers, we'd be just like Romeo and Juliet. I can hear it now. "Our story begins in fair Riverdale. A war raging between the Northside and the Southside. A.K.A. The Lodges and Jones's." The thought made me laugh. The parallels were definitely there. Forbidden love between two star crossed lovers. My Dad would freak out if jughead became my boyfriend. He'd probably say something along the lines of, "Mija, how could you bring that boy into this family." He would turn to give her a reprimanding glare, and remind me that Jughead is the one in the way of his plans to rebuild the Southside of Riverdale.

That'll never happen though. So nothing to worry about. I finally left the bed and headed out of the bedroom and to the kitchen to get something to eat. As I was leaving the room I ran into something sturdy. Once I was able to focus my gaze, I realized it was Jughead. I almost tripped and fell backwards, but he caught me by the arm to steady me.

His gaze met mine, and a small smile was displayed on his face. "You okay, Princess?" He laughed and headed down the stairs. I stood still to the spot for a second, before I pulled myself together. I started walking down the stairs and noticed Jughead. He was staring at me, like he was waiting for me to say something. "Yeah I'm fine. You just shocked me is all." I passed him on the steps. "Let's go get some food, Jones." I could hear him laughing behind me. It was kind of weird. We had this sudden easy going camaraderie to our relationship now.

We turned into the kitchen and started looking through the cupboards for anything to make. Pancake batter, bacon, eggs, anything really. But I had forgotten that we have not been here for a year. We'd be lucky to even find anything non-perishable. Jughead let out a groan. "There's nothing here Veronica." I turned around and saw a small pout on his face. "I am running on fumes here, princess." He smiled. " I need food. Or are you planning on starving us here." Jughead started walking towards me. "You, veronica are truly wicked. You know food is my one true love." He couldn't keep the straight face, and began laughing uncontrollably.

"Believe me, Jones." I smirked at him. "I wouldn't dream of keeping your soulmate away from you." Our laughter must have made a lot of noise, because we both stopped when we heard Betty and Archie's doors open. After a moment, they were both in the kitchen, looking at us like we were crazy. Jughead got a hold of himself before I could. "Why are you guys looking at us like that?" I stopped to hear their answer.

It was Betty who answered for the two of them. "I think we are just surprised to see you guys enjoying each-other's company." She kept looking back and forth between jughead and I, as if she expected one to deny it. Honestly, I was expecting the same thing from Jughead at any moment. Funny enough he just shook his head. "Veronica and I are friends." He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Why wouldn't we enjoy each-other's company?"

I turned from Jughead to the other two. I was curious about what their answer might be. It was Archie who spoke this time. "It's just, we thought you guys hated each other." Betty finished for him. "Or at the very least disliked each-other."

I shook my head no, and Jughead reminded them that it was their parents who didn't like each-other, not them. I had to say I agreed. "But since when are you guys friends?" Betty didn't seem to want to let this go for some reason. I decided I should ask her about it later.

"Look Betty, Veronica and I might not be close as you and her or Archie and I." He waved his arm in Archies general direction. "But we're still friends." Jughead kept staring at Betty like he was trying to figure out what she was thinking. I figured I better change the subject, before people start saying things they don't mean.

"If you must know, we were talking about how there is no food in this cabin." I smiled at the trio. So I say we all take a trip into town and get some breakfast at the local diner." I walked up to the room I was going to share with Archie so I could get changed. Turning my head over my shoulder, I assured them that "they needn't worry. It is 100% Veronica Lodge approved." I then disappeared into the bedroom looking for an outfit to put on.

Now that I was in the room and had some more time to myself, something flashed through my mind. Was that jealousy I saw in Betty when Jughead said that him and I were friends? What was up with that? Did she think I was trying to steal him or something? The idea made me angry. She'd be one to talk. I am not the one who kissed her boyfriend. Granted they were not together at the time. But Betty was supposed to be my best friend. Lately we've acted more like friends for the sake of convenience. Her and I both have been too busy to spend time together, and maybe Betty was beginning to resent me for it. After I had chosen my outfit, I headed into the shower.

Jughead's P.O.V.

Betty was acting even more strange today then usual. I wanted to get to the bottom of why, so I brought her back to the room so we could talk. I sat her down on the bead, and kneeled in front of her, so I could look at her face to face. "Are you okay Betty?" I put my hands on her thighs and started rubbing small circles with my fingers. I hoped she would see that I was trying to comfort her and that she could open up to me.

She gave me a sad smile, and I could see that tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. "I feel like I am losing you, Juggie." The look on her face was heartbreaking to see. It was like she was losing all hope. "You could never lose me, Betty." I brought my left hand to her face to wipe away the tears. "I love you."

The emotion on her face changed to one of hope. "So you're not going to break up with me?"

I turned my head down, unable to look her in the eyes. A sigh of frustration escaped my lips. "I think it's for the best that we are not together." I was finally able to look at her again, and I wish I hadn't. The hopeful look on her face was gone. And all I could see was anger, and confusion.

Betty stood up from the bed abruptly, and started to pace the room. She turned back to face me after a few minutes. And I could see that she was pissed off with me. "How can you Say that, Jughead!? My voice suddenly escaped me,and I was not able to respond. "How can you say that You love me, and then tell me that we shouldn't be together!? She started shaking so I did the only thing I could think of at that moment. I walked forward and put my arms around her. "I do love you Betty. I always will." I kept whispering to her softly, until she calmed down. I pulled away,soI could look at her once more. "You will always be one of my best friends, and my first love." Another sigh escaped my lips. "But we're not good for each-other. You need someone who can extinguish the darkness in you. Not someone who will only expand on that darkness."

The tears continued to fall down her face. "What are you talking about, Juggie? She shook her head, as if her body was rejecting my reasoning. "You're one of the only good things in my life. You're the one who always comforts me and makes me feel safe."

"And I can still do that as your friend. Just like before we got together. But a romantic relationship between us was a mistake." She looked like she was about to retort, so I put up my hand to show her I was not done. "Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that we had each-other to lean on when we needed it. But it shouldn't have gone past that." After I was done, I grabbed some clothes and headed to the door. She grabbed my shoulder, and turned me to face her. I could tell she was desperate. "Please, Juggie. Tell me what I can do to change your mind."

"I am sorry Betty. But I have made up my mind." I left the room and headed back to the room I slept in last night. I needed to get washed up before we went out to eat.

Time Skip (Veronica's P.O.V.)

All four of us had showered and gotten dressed in fresh clothes. The town was only a mile away so we decided to walk. I paired up with Betty, While Archie was paired with Jughead. We were a far enough distance away for Jughead and Archie not to be able to hear us. I couldn't get over how Betty was acting lately. After she had finished getting ready, and she came down the stairs, I could tell that she had been crying. Her eyes were still slightly puffy and she kept siffling. It was subtle, but I could see it. "What's wrong, B?"

She turned my way, and there were tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. She let out a pitiful laugh, and I could tell that she was in a lot of pain. "Jughead broke up with me." Her statement gave me pause. Jughead broke up with her?

"Did he say why?" I started rubbing her shoulders, in a way that I hoped was comforting.

"Yeah, he did." I looked at Betty, waiting for her to continue. "He said I needed someone who would help me fight my darkness, rather than someone who would strengthen it." I nodded at the revelation. It made sense to me at least. Jughead was not a bad person by any means. But there was a dark atmosphere to his life. And I agreed. Betty should not be a part of that kind of lifestyle. That was the original reason he broke up with her the first time, wasn't it? "Yeah, whatever that means,"she continued. A look of fake joy passed over her face. "Oh, but don't worry Betty. Even though we never should have gotten together, we will always be friends, and I'll always be there for you." She continued to reenact the conversation she had with the boy. Her impersonation left much to be desired. Her voice wasn't deep enough, I noticed. Woah, when did I start paying attention to things like the pitch of Jughead's voice.

"If it makes any difference. Jugheads one true love will always be food, anyway." I laughed at my own joke, but it didn't affect Betty the same way. She glared at me. "Sorry." I reached for my pearls. It was my normal nervous habit. I looked up at her apologetically. "Too soon?" She laughed again. "Yeah, a little bit."

The silence between us after that was both comfortable and uncomfortable. Betty clearly didn't want to talk about it anymore. Even if she did, I wouldn't have a clue what to say to make her feel better. "So are you going to break up with Archie?" The question froze me to the spot.

"What do you mean?"

Betty's face turned down. She mumbled something inaudible under her breath. "I am sorry. I didn't hear that."

She turned back up to look me in the eye. "Archie told me about your guy's conversation after you and Jughead left last night. He's convinced you are going to break up with him."

I had to think about that for a second. Did I want to break up with Archie? He made me happy, but I was unsure if what he said about kissing Betty not meaning anything was true. I knew I loved him, and I believed he loved me. "No, I am not going to break up with Archie." I let a small smile show on my face. "I believe we can work out our issues."

Betty smiled at me. 'That's good. No need for both of our relationships to implode." My smile turned into a frown. "Your relationship with Jughead didn't implode," I reminded the blonde. "It merely transformed back into a friendship."

Betty seemed to disagree. "Like that's any better." A look of mirth crossed her countenance. "I still love him. I still want to be with him. I don't think our relationship was a mistake like he does." The tears returned to her eyes. "How am I supposed to go back to being just friends, when all I want is to be with him."

I wasn't sure how to answer the question, so I figured I would ask one of my own. "If you still want to be with him, why did you tell him that you were unsatisfied with your guy's relationship."

Betty shook her head once more. "That was just a moment of hesitation. How was I supposed to answer that question, when he asked it?"

I couldn't believe she just asked that question. My voice was full of sarcasm as I answered her. "I don't know, maybe assure him that you are satisfied, instead of hesitating when he asks."

Betty leveled me with a glare "I thought you were on my side, V?"

A noise of irritation left my throat. "I am not on anyone's side, B." I shook off the irritation. "The real problem is what is going on with you lately, Betty? What's with all the theatrics?" I could see that Betty was confused, so I elaborated. "Dressing up like mistress Hyde again." I began counting off on my fingers. "The way you went off on me a while back, your attitude towards yours and Jugheads relationship, and kissing Archie." I put my hand down and looked the blonde square in the face. "Why have you been acting like this?"

"I don't know. I've just been under a lot of pressure lightly, and it has been affecting my relationships."

"Well you need to figure out what it is that is causing you so much stress. Because whatever it is, it's making it very hard to want to be around you." I gave her what I hoped was a comforting smile. I wanted her to know I was not trying to attack her in any way. I prayed she wouldn't take offence to what I was about to say next. "Jughead's right though. You guys should not be together." She was about to lash out,I could tell. So I silenced her, by putting my hand up. "You both have some major issues you have to work on, before you open yourself up to other people in that way. It can be damaging if you are not ready." I grabbed the girl into a hug. "Trust me, I know."

Betty pulled away after a few moments. She was still crying,but I think what I said was starting to move gears in her head. "Being involved with Jughead in that way. And being a part of that life is just going to destroy you in the end, B?" I looked into her eyes, wanting her to take what I said to heart. "I only say this, because I care about you. And I want you to be happy. I just don't think it is supposed to be with Jughead." She nodded her head, but the tears continued to fall. I could tell it was going to take a long time for her to move on from him. I nudged her shoulder, with a small smile on my face. "Remember, no matter what. Jughead cares about you, and will always be there for you." Her lips turned up a little at that, but it was a far cry from a smile.

Jughead's P.O.V.

Archie and I were walking a few feet from the girls, and I could tell their conversation was a serious one. I could only imagine what they could possibly be discussing. Was it about Betty and I's breakup? Or was it something else entirely? I turned to my other best friend. "I just wanted to let you know that Betty and I broke up. And before you ask, no it wasn't because of you." It wasn't entirely a lie, I suppose. Part of me did think they had feelings for eachother,and that Archie was a better match for Betty, than I was. But he already had Veronica.

Archie glanced at me, a pitiful look on his face. "I am sorry about that, Jug." He rubbed my shoulder, trying to comfort me. It was weird, so I shrugged his hand off, and stepped away from him a little.

"It's fine. The main reason was I don't think we're good for each other. My life as it is now, is only going to hurt her," I reasoned.

There was a brief moment of silence. "Isn't that why you guys broke up the first time?"

"Yeah. and it should have stayed that way. Getting back together was a mistake."

"Come on Jug, don't say that. You guys'll work it out." He was trying to be reassuring, and I was grateful for that. But he really did not seem to understand.

"No, you don't get it Archie. What I mean is her and I being together at all was a mistake. It's caused a lot more harm than good. Better to end it now, than before someone ends up hurt worse."

Archie looked like he didn't believe me. "And you're sure you're okay with that? This is really what you want?"

I nodded confirming my previous statement. "Yes. It's for the best." I gave the red head a pat on the back, and with a smile, I told him, "Don't worry. It'll work itself out in the end, and you'll see it was the right thing to do." My own confidence was a bit of a shock to me. I still loved Betty. A part of me always will. But I am right. Us being together was not good for anyone. Especially the two of us. Betty will see that, or she won't. But I know one thing. I am not going to change my mind.

Alright that is it for this chapter. As you can see, I am doing a little experimenting with writing in first person. Let me know how it turned out, and whether you enjoyed it or not. As always, constructive criticism is much appreciated. Have a great day,and I will see you next time.