Ch 4) Jughead's Annoyance

Jughead's P.O.V.

If one were to say the atmosphere during breakfast was awkward, that would be an understatement. The tension in the air was tangible. For Jughead, it seemed if he were to punch the air for whatever reason, the boy would have broken his hand. Nobody at the table had any idea of what to say. The group waited in silence, perusing the menu until the waitress showed up to take their orders. After she left the silence continued, as they just sat there, occasionally taking sips of their drinks.

"Come on guys," Jughead spoke up, trying to ease the situation. They all turned to face the boy. " There is no reason for us to act like this." He gave them all one of his sincere smiles. "We're friends. That fact has not changed just cause Betty and I broke up."

Betty returned the smile. There was a twinge of sadness that Jughead noticed in her eyes. But that was to be expected. He was sad as well. Just because he knows he did the right thing, doesn't mean his feelings for Betty automatically go away. At best he is just ignoring them for the moment. "You're right, Juggie." Betty frowned as the nickname crossed her lips. The girl turned towards the red-head. "What's been going on with you Archie?"

The boy in question lifted his head, and a slight grimace crossed his features. But then it disappeared as fast as it came. He shrugged. "Nothing much. Just working alongside Veronica's Father. Hopefully gaining his respect, and approval." The red-head glanced at the Lodge girl, a hopeful smile on his face.

Veronica reached her hand across the table, and grasped Archie's. "You are Archiekins," she assured with a wide smile on her face. "Daddy speaks highly of you to my Mother." Jughead scoffs at this, causing the girl to turn and glare at him. "Do you have something you want to say Jones?"

The glare does not phase him. Veronica was not as intimidating as she thought she was. It absolutely boggled his mind how many people feared her. Her actions actually made him laugh. "I'm sorry," he replies, still laughing. "I just can't imagine daddy dearest ever approving of someone like Archie." Jughead shoots a glance at the red-head. "No offence Archie," he says trying to placate him. "You are a great guy. But you are impulsive, and reckless." He turns back to the ravenette. "From what I have seen of Hiram Lodge, he is at best cold, and calculating. You and him would not mesh well."

Veronica looked put off by the statement. "Are you accusing my Father of being a liar?"

Jughead stared at the girl like it was the dumbest question he had ever heard. " Your Father is a Liar, Veronica. You kind of have to be to be convicted of fraud and embezzlement." Veronica was silent after that. Jughead couldn't tell if it was because she knew he was right, or if she was just being stubborn. An alert sounded on the boy's phone, letting him know he had received a text. According to his dad, Hiram has chosen to let them keep the trailer park. He let his gaze leave the phone screen, and frown crossed his features.

They all noticed the expression, but Archie was the one to speak up. "What's wrong Jug?"

"That was my Dad," Jughead replied. "Apparently Hiram has decided to let us keep Sunny Side Trailer Park."

Veronica's face displayed shock. "I'm confused." Jughead turned to look at her. "You're not going to be homeless isn't that a good thing?"

"It would seem that way wouldn't it, princess." There was no humor in the boy's tone this time. The other three inhabitants at the table had matching looks of confusion. "It's obviously a smokescreen." With the anger rising in Jughead, he had to let it out somehow. His fist smashed into the table. The rest of the group jumped in their seats at the action. The Jones hopped over the booth, and began to leave the diner.

Betty pushed Archie out of their side of the booth, so she could go after the teen. She ran up and grabbed Jughead by the arm, making him face her. "Where are you going Jug?" She was worried, he could tell. But there wasn't time for him to deal with it right now. "I am going home." He looked over Betty's shoulder, and glared at the daughter of his enemy. "He's obviously trying to buy my silence, again!"

Veronica had since gotten up, following after the boy just like the blonde. She sighed in frustration. "Oh my gosh, Jughead! How much of a narcissist are you? I am sick and tired of your vendetta against my Father!"

Jughead's gaze on Veronica softened. He shouldn't be taking his anger out on her. "Look Veronica. I know he is your Dad and you want to trust in him. Hell, I am the one who told you that you should." His look hardened once more, but he looked away this time. He didn't want her thinking he was angry with her. "But your dad is trying to take over the southside," he reminded her. " And I am the only one standing in his way of doing that."

"Yeah, bu-," Jughead cut off Veronica's reply.

"Are you really going to stand there, and tell me that he would do this without an ulterior motive." The Jones gave them all one last look,before taking off, out the door.

Veronica's P.O.V.

All she could do was watch Jughead leave. She had to admit he was right. Her Father wouldn't just buckle under like that. And she knew he wasn't angry at her, but her dad. But whether it be stubbornness or anger at his claims, she didn't want to believe what he said. Her Father is not the greatest person, she could admit. But he is trying to become 'legitimate' as her mother would say. And Jughead constantly getting in his way, is making it harder for him. He should just be happy, that her daddy is letting him keep his home. The southside needs to be reinvented, so that it could be built up, and no longer wallow in darkness. As unlikely as it sounded, she believed that what her Father was doing was going to help people. She was proud to be a part of it. Sooner or later Jughead would have to accept this.

Archie reached out a hand and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "Are you okay, Ronnie?" She turned to the read-head, and gave him a small smile. "If it means anything, at least Jughead is not upset with you."

He would be though, Veronica realized. If Jughead knew she was working alongside her parents in their plans to change the southside, he would be just as, if not more furious with her. Would he still want to be her friend? Or would he feel betrayed? The thought made her uncomfortable for some reason. What would she do if his anger was suddenly redirected at her? She didn't want to find out. She hoped to God that he never would.

Their arguments had always been playful. Usually they were about what book was better? In Cold Blood? Or, Breakfast At Tiffany's? Or even what movies should be considered classics, and which should be thrown in the trash to be forgotten for all time. Veronica rested her hand on top of the red-head's. "It's fine, Archiekins. Jughead needs to get over it. He's lucky daddy is letting him keep his home." Veronica was growing tired of the silence,and she was starving. She shrugged off the boy's hand and walked back towards their booth. "Let's forget about it, and enjoy our food."

That's it for this chapter. Sorry it's short, but I wanted to kick off one of the main plot points for the story, and I felt that this was a good place to end it. As for the rest of this story, it will mostly be from Veronica's point of view. I noticed most people tend to write mainly in Jughead's. But I feel that only a few ever nail it. So I am going to try to avoid that in my story,and only write Jughead when knowledge of Jughead's thoughts are necessary.

Like I said, this is a slow-burn. So their romance won't start for a while, but it is already building with their minor interactions with each other. As always constructive criticism is much appreciated.

See you guys next time.