Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

My girl, my girl, don't lie to me

Tell me where did you sleep last night

In the pines, in the pines

Where the sun don't ever shine

I would shiver the whole night through

Where Did You Sleep Last Night - Nirvana

September 2018 - The Missing Boyfriend

Friday Night

4:22 pm

Betty bounced happily into her apartment after her last class of the week, smiling as she carried the large box that was left on her doorstep while she was out. She was so excited that the gift she had purchased weeks ago had finally come, safely nestled inside the case she'd set on her dining room table after opening the box.

Betty and Archie's two-year anniversary was just a few weeks away and right after that was his birthday so she wanted to get him something extra special. It took her six months of working more double shifts at Pop's than she had ever done in her life, but she finally did it. And she just knew Archie would be over the moon when he saw the Sonic Blue Fender Jag-Stang that she'd gotten for him.

It was in perfect condition and had cost her an arm and a leg but she didn't care about all that, just as long as Archie was happy. She decided to hide the guitar in her closet to keep it a secret until she was ready to give it to him– not that Archie ever spent the night. She tucked it away in order to focus on getting ready for their date instead.

Since she'd been working so much lately and Archie (being a music major) was often on campus working on his pieces until late at night, so they hadn't been out on a date in weeks. Tonight was the first night that they both had free time to spend together and Betty wasn't about to waste it.

She showered quickly, shaving all the necessary places and washing her hair before stepping out and wrapping herself into a towel. She spent over twenty minutes trying to determine what to wear before finally settling on black denim skinny jeans, a grey oversized off the shoulder sweater, and black suede ballet flats. As she was laying her clothes out on her bed, she decided to shoot a quick text to Archie, just to let him know she was getting ready.

6:02pm

Betty: Hey babe 💋 Just got out the shower so I'll be ready when you get here. If I don't answer, just use your key. ILY ❤

Betty sat her phone back down on the charger and quickly got dressed, styling her hair in loose natural curls and keeping her makeup mostly light, with the exception of her bold cat eyes and strawberry lip gloss. She looked herself over in the mirror and grinned, pleased with how sexy she looked, even in a giant sweater. She picked up her phone and frowned when she noticed it was already passed the time that Archie said he would be picking her up.

Don't freak out, Archie's not even really late yet... Maybe you just got the time wrong... She thought, trying not to jump to conclusions again, sending him another message - just to make sure that he was still coming.

6:36 pm

Betty: We were on for 6:30, right? I figured you'd be here by now lol. Just text me and let me know when you get here and I'll run outside. No point in you coming all the way upstairs. xoxoxo

After another half hour passed, the worrying stopped and Betty began growing frustrated with her boyfriend. She could see that he was reading her messages but for some reason, he wasn't replying. Betty sighed, hoping this wouldn't be yet another time where Archie flaked on her or forgot about their date. She absolutely hated that, and sadly, it seemed to happen more often than it should lately.

She began to seethe, but then scolded herself for getting angry when she remembered that he promised to make things up to her tonight. Calm down, Betty. Archie swore the last time that he wouldn't do this again. He told you he had something special planned, maybe he's just working on your surprise and can't write you back now? Or worse, what if he was on his way and got into an accident?

Now she was really beginning to freak out and wanted to make sure he was alright.

7:09 pm

Betty: Arch? I'm starting to get really worried. Are you okay? Please message me back...

After sending off the latest message, she decided to do something she promised herself she'd never, EVER do if she could avoid it...

She willingly texted Jughead Jones for help.

7:31 pm

Jughead rested his arm over the busty blonde next to him, nursing his beer while watching his friends place bets on who would win the NNA fight that the bar was showing on pay-per-view tonight. Jughead knew that it would be good for business to broadcast the fight at the Whyte Wyrm; all the local rich college kids would flock in to watch two dudes beat the hell out of each other while spending their Daddy's money on beer and wings.

Fight night was never really his scene -too many people to deal with- but this one was too big to bail on. Don't be mistaken, it was great for the Serpents (and his wallet). However, if he were honest, he would much prefer to be at Pop's with a cup of coffee and his laptop. Maybe even in the company of a certain– Nope... Not going there tonight.

Just as his female companion leaned in to whisper in his ear, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He untangled himself from the girl he'd had a few casual hookups with over the last month and quickly walked away from their booth when he saw exactly who was texting him...

Betty: Hey Jug, sorry to bother you but have you heard from Archie tonight?

Betty Cooper is texting me? What the fuck? Jughead thought to himself nervously, his heart fluttering as he typed out a reply.

Be cool, Jug... Be cool...

Jughead: Nope. Haven't seen him since this afternoon.

Jughead: Is everything ok?

He watched in anticipation as the three dots flickered on the screen, somewhat anxious to be talking to Betty outside of Archie's supervision given his brother's strong feelings about things like that. And while he'd never acted on it, Jughead still harbored a pretty unhealthy crush on her that would've put Rick Springfield to shame. But no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to shake it.

She got under his skin, in both the best and the worst ways. They would debate and argue often, Jughead always playing Devil's Advocate to get in a few digs, riling her up and bringing out her fierce passion. It would make him burn with the need to feel her, but then she would leave with Archie, and Jughead would just be left sexually frustrated at the end of the night.

His eyes flickered back down to the screen in his hand when he felt it buzz again.

Betty: He was supposed to pick me up for our date over an hour ago and he hasn't shown up yet. Was just concerned. Thx tho.

Jughead groaned, not at all surprised by his brother's recurring absentmindedness. He'd noticed that Archie's old habits had been making a comeback lately and Jughead hated that it was someone like Betty who was forced to endure Archie's selfishness.

He was quickly typing a reply but rolled his eyes when he felt two petite arms wrapping themselves around his waist. While he'd had a pretty good time with her when they hooked up last, right now she was being a bit too clingy for someone he just saw as little more than a fuck buddy.

"Not the time, Candace. I'm in the middle of something," Jughead shrugged her off, giving her a stern look. The tiny blonde narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, stomping her foot like a petulant child.

"It's Candy, JJ! God, you damn well know I hate that name..."

"Candy, whatever."

"Baby, I thought you wanted to have a good time with me tonight?" Candy asked with a pout, running her palm up the front of his chest seductively. Jughead grabbed her wrist, forcing her hand back to her side as he spoke, "Mood's passed. Go find some other bed to warm, would ya?"

"Fine, but don't come crawling back to me next time you wanna get your dick wet, Jones. I'm done with your ass!" Candy spat, stomping away to find a new guy for the night. He knew she was bluffing, she always tried this but it never phased him. If he snapped his fingers right now, she'd come slithering back to do whatever he wanted. Unfortunately for her, she could never be who he wanted.

Jughead: Do you want me to call him for you?

Betty: No, it's okay. I might've just had the time wrong. Thx anyway.

Jughead sighed, slipping his phone back into his pocket and heading towards the bar to grab himself a soda. Although he didn't need to drive anywhere, one beer was plenty for one night. He strived to keep all his facilities in check, refusing to end up a sad and pathetic drunk like his father.

His eyes scanned the bar as he waited for his drink when he noticed the scene from across the room. He could see that Candy was already fully wrapped around some guy with a full commitment to the modern douche aesthetic, sending looks to Jughead in order to make him jealous. Jug held up his drink, shrugging to show her he didn't care before he headed towards the pool tables again where his friends were playing a few rounds while taking more bets.

"Hey, J. You want in on this?" Sweet Pea asked with a grin, pointing to the basket of cash being guarded by two large Serpents.

"Nah, I'll get my cut either way, but how about I kick your ass for a few rounds?" he asked smugly, pointing to the table in front of him.

"You're on, Boss."

Betty sat on her couch, legs crossed underneath her as she stared at her phone, willing a message to come through from Archie. He was now over two hours late for their date and she didn't know what to think. He had obviously seen the messages but never bothered to reply.

She didn't want to think the worst– that he was dead in a ditch somewhere (or worse still, that he was ghosting her on purpose) but she couldn't help it. This had happened one time too many for her to ignore any longer, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

After her terrible childhood, sustaining years of emotional abuse from her overbearing mother, Betty had very little self-esteem left. She could still hear her mother's voice in her head sometimes, scolding her every time she ate something with too many carbs or whenever she wore an outfit that wasn't an Alice Cooper approved style or color.

Even after she'd left her mother behind in Midvale to move to Riverdale with her father her junior year, it took her years of therapy just to build her confidence up to where she was today. But, between the distance he was putting between them and tonight's disappearance, it seemed like her well-earned assuredness was all falling to pieces.

...You know if you'd stick to your diet, boys would find you more appealing...

...No one wants to date a crazy person, Elizabeth...

...If you'd take better care of your appearance you'd be prettier, dear... Pretty girls aren't abandoned...

Betty shook her head to dispel her mother's voice and typed out another message. She chewed her nails as her mind raced, willing him to reply.

8:42 pm

Betty: Okay Archie, I'm getting really concerned now. I don't know if something happened or what but you need to call me back! I'm worried about you, babe. I've already called you several times and I just need to hear your voice, okay?

He must have a good reason for not writing back. He might have fallen asleep...

Or maybe he got caught up working on his arrangement...

Maybe I had the night of our date wrong...

Archie wouldn't ghost me like this...

Not again... Right?

Betty's stomach growled loudly but she ignored it, instead deciding to make a pot of coffee to keep herself awake. She didn't think she could handle food with her stomach in knots the way it was but she needed something to keep her energy up.

As it dripped, she debated with herself before deciding to message Jughead again, just to see if he had heard anything from Archie yet. He'd been strangely nice about the situation earlier, so maybe he wouldn't be too annoyed if she texted him one more time?

8:59 pm

Betty: Any word from Archie?

Jughead: Nope, sorry...

Betty: Oh. Okay.

Betty sighed heavily, pouring cream and sugar into her coffee before taking the mug with her back to the couch. She had long since changed out of her tight jeans in favor of a comfy pair of black leggings, however, opted to keep the oversized sweater on. It was too cozy not to wear and frankly, she'd do anything to make herself feel at ease right now.

She hated the thoughts that kept running through her mind, all the negativity and anger she could feel coursing through her veins. It made her itch to lean back on old habits that she had long since broken thanks to therapy. She knew that she needed someone to talk to, but the only soul who was texting her back at the moment

was the one person who didn't seem to like her very much.

Betty: Hey, sorry if I'm bugging you with all this mess. I'm sure you probably have way better things to do than deal with me on a Friday night.

Jughead: Really it's fine, Coop. I'm not doing anything special atm anyway.

Jughead: Wanna talk about it?

Betty: Actually, I could use the outside opinion. I just can't figure out what's going on with him lately. He's never been distant like this before and I don't know what's wrong. I guess it's getting to me, you know?

Jughead: I'm sure it's nothing serious. You know how Archie is. That boy gets sidetracked and sometimes forget that other people exist. I'm sure everything is okay.

Betty: Yeah, you're right... I'm probably just overreacting. Lol.

After another twenty minutes of texting Jughead, Betty finished off her coffee, placing her mug beside the sink and realizing that she was now no longer worried. No, now she was just plain pissed off. She'd spent her first free night in weeks being ignored by her boyfriend again and she was determined to find out why.

Betty decided that she wasn't just going to sit around and wait to see if he showed up, she was going to track him down and demand some answers. She grabbed her phone, feeling the urge to send a quick text to Jughead to keep him updated– you know, just in case he heard from Archie (and definitely not because she was enjoying their conversation)...

9:35 pm

Betty: Hey, it's me again. I'm gonna go searching around town to see if I can find him. Archie still isn't answering my calls or texts and they've all been seen so I know they are going through. Idk what else to do other than try to find him myself. Let me know if you hear anything. K?

Before she could even put her phone away, it chimed with a new message. She looked down and rolled her eyes (while also secretly grinning) at Jughead's reply.

Jughead: Elizabeth Marie Cooper, you are NOT going out to look for your clueless boyfriend alone at this time on a Friday night! Idc if it's Riverdale or not, it isn't safe. Give me 10 and I'll be there to get you. No arguments! 😠

Betty replied with a quick 'okay' before throwing on her black knee-high boots. She went to the closet and grabbed her crossbody purse, putting in any essentials she may need for their search inside then waited for Jughead to arrive. She sent one last message to Archie, hoping that he would write back if he knew she was out looking for him.

If that boy knows what's good for him, he'll write me back. Otherwise, he'll find out why they say 'hell hath no fury'... she thought with a huff.

9:44 pm

Betty: Idk what the hell is going on or why you won't write me back but I'm going out to look for you. Call me when you see this.

The roar of a motorcycle alerted Betty that Jughead had pulled up out front so she grabbed her keys and ran downstairs to meet him. She found herself pausing about halfway down, admiring the view for a moment before she stepped from the shadows.

The way Jughead looked straddling his bike, the way his gray henley clung to the lean muscles, how his worn leather jacket made her heart jump into her throat. She'd never admit this to anyone, but she had always been extremely attracted to Jughead.

Don't get her wrong, she loved Archie with all her heart, but a girl could look, right? Admire other attractive-looking men and women? Hell, Archie checked out other girls in front of her all the time and it didn't bother her because she knew he was coming home with her. So where was the harm in her looking if she found someone else attractive as well– even if that someone happened to be his brother?

"Are you gonna spend all night creeping in the shadows, Duchess, or will you be joining me on the quest to find your missing Red Paladin?" Jughead called out over the sound of the engine running, holding out a helmet for her.

Annnnd, this is why looks aren't the only thing that matters, Betty thought with a chuckle, blushing hard as she ran towards his bike.

"Don't look now, Hellcaster, but your inner G&G nerd is showing... Besides, you didn't have to come, I was fine to go alone," she pointed out, grabbing the offered helmet and slinging her leg over his bike. She snapped her helmet on, pressing herself against him before wrapping her arms around his waist loosely.

"The fact that you even know the lingo is telling, Duchess... Now, hold on tight," Jughead chuckled, grabbing her hands and securing them tighter. He took a brief second to enjoy the novel sensation before rolling out of the parking lot and heading towards the Andrews' house on Elm Street. Betty clung to Jughead, enjoying the ride a bit too much while still trying to keep herself focused on her task.

When they finally pulled into the driveway, Betty stared up at her father's empty house and shuddered. She couldn't help but remember the hell that she went through before she moved there: an abusive mother, a cultist sister, and a drug addict brother.

The toxic environment led her to seek out a relationship with her long-estranged father, if for no other reason than to escape her tormentor. Alice had nearly blown a gasket when she found out Betty was leaving her to live with her dad but she had to get away.

In retrospect, living with Hal was only moderately better than being with her mother. Her father -having not had to raise his kids since Betty was three- was never around. He was always working too many late nights and going on out of town business trips for days at a time, mostly leaving Betty to fend for herself. This behavior had only added to her ever-growing list of things to work out in therapy, but at least Hal footed the bill for it while she was still at home.

She was pretty well adjusted, all things considered, but frankly, with her upbringing, she felt lucky that she'd made it out with only PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

"You okay, Coop?" Jughead's smooth voice brought her back to herself and the reason she was here in the first place. She nodded quickly, sparing one last look up to her old window, and hopped off the bike. She noticed Jughead's glances from the empty house to her and back before he seemed to drop the subject, lighting a cigarette instead, and waiting for her to go up to the door. Betty ran up the stairs and knocked firmly, anxiousness taking hold in her chest.

Moments later, Mary Andrews answered the door, a confused look on her face when she saw Betty standing there. She looked past her and noticed her son sitting on his bike and gave him a small wave. "Oh, hello, Betty. Is everything alright?"

"Um, I think so, Jughead and I were just looking for Archie, is he home?"

"Oh, I'm sorry but Archie's not here right now. Would you guys like to come in? Jug, I made some of those cookies you like," Mary called out sweetly. Before Jughead could respond, Betty shook her head as he frowned and grumbled something about missing out on cookies.

"No, thank you, Mrs. Andrews. Do you know where he is? Jug and I have been trying to reach him but he isn't responding to our messages. He was supposed to pick me up for our date tonight and he never showed," Betty explained sheepishly.

"Well, he messaged Fred about fifteen minutes ago and said he was tied up with his project and not to expect him home tonight. I think he's still at the school working on his piece for Mr. Bailey. Have you checked there?" Mary paused when she saw the dejected look in Betty's eyes, "Oh, honey. He probably just lost track of time. You know how Archie is when he's writing music. He gets in his head and everything around him just fades into the background. I'm sure if you go up there, you'll find him in the music room."

"Thanks, Mary. Sorry to bother you so late. You have a good night," Betty said politely, trying to hide the hurt in her voice. Betty hated that everyone knew that her boyfriend often "forgot" to pick her up for dates or would get so wrapped up in doing his own thing that he would forget to even message her back. It was embarrassing but Betty put up with it because she loved Archie. He was her best friend and she wanted to make their relationship work.

"It's no problem, sweetheart. Jug, don't forget, dinner is at six on Sunday," she reminded him.

"I won't forget, Mom. Love you," he replied before turning to Betty. "So, no luck, huh?" Jughead asked, snubbing out his cigarette and grabbing his helmet.

"Nope. Mary said he's probably at the school working on his new piece for class but it's almost ten o'clock. Surely he wouldn't be there this late, would he?"

"We can drive by if–," Jughead paused when he heard Betty's stomach growl angrily, "Betty, when was the last time you ate?"

"Um... Around elevenish, I think?" Betty replied timidly.

"And you passed up Mary Andrews' triple chocolate chunk cookies?! Are you mad, woman? Get on the bike, we're going to Pop's," Betty started to protest but was stopped by Jughead's fixed glare, "Not taking no for an answer, you can't run around town on an empty stomach. Now, get on the bike, Elizabeth."

Betty trembled slightly at his authoritative tone, feeling a pleasing chill run down her spine and into her belly. She didn't even know that she could feel something like that (and if she felt a slick wetness gathering at the center of her thighs, well, she just kept that to herself).

Instead, she did as he commanded, climbing back onto the bike and molding her body to his as they rode towards Pop's Diner.

Jughead pulled into the parking lot and smiled, the luminescent glow from the windows giving off a calming aura. Pop's Diner always had a way of making him feel safe, like all his problems melted at the door and he could just relax and have a good time without judgment or worry.

He turned to help her off his bike and stared in awe as Betty pulled off her helmet, shaking her golden locks out before fluffing them up. He had truly never seen anyone more beautiful than her, he didn't think he ever would.

Betty was the ethereal goddess who had plagued his thoughts and dreams for the last two years.

The forbidden fruit that was so tempting that Satan himself must have personally delivered her into his life just to tempt him.

He wanted nothing more than to take her back to his apartment at the Wyrm and finally make her his -in every sense of the word- but then he would feel like the world's biggest asshole.

Even if this brother never really appreciated what was right in front of him. Even if Archie constantly checked out other girls - regardless of whether Betty was present or not (or when he made lewd sexual comments where she couldn't hear).

It honestly made Jughead angry that Archie never treated her the way she deserved, never treated her the way he would , but it didn't matter. It would never be something that could happen, not after everything that the Andrews' had done for him. And according to Archie, Betty was off-limits to him, even if they weren't dating. The best he could do was drop his facade and maybe try to be friends with her instead.

Friends would be better than enemies, he mused.

"Jug? You good?" Betty asked, tilting her head to look into Jughead's eyes.

"Oh, sorry. I just spaced for a sec. Just dreaming about a double-decker burger and some chili cheese fries. Guess I'm a bit hungry, too. Come on, let's get some food before we both keel over," he replied quickly, ducking his head in the hopes that she would miss his burning cheeks as he swung off the bike.

"Okayyy..." Betty said slowly, turning to walk into Pop's. Jughead couldn't stop his eyes from drifting along the curves of her hips hidden just under her sweater, enjoying the way her leggings hugged her ass and made her legs look even more tempting. His eyes snapped forward when he heard the signature chime of the door, reminding himself that ogling his brother's girlfriend in a busy place like Pop's was (perchance) not the brightest of ideas.

Once they settled in a booth, the waitress took their orders and rushed off to the kitchen to have their food prepared. Jughead looked around, trying his best to seem nonchalant, even though he was practically shaking with nerves.

"So... I hope I didn't ruin your night, dragging you out on a manhunt with me," Betty said quietly, folding her fidgety hands on the table. "I just didn't know what else to do."

"It's fine, honestly. Didn't have any big plans. Just Fight Night at the Wyrm, nothing really special. Trust me, if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't be," he assured her softly, catching Betty off guard.

Who are you and what have you done with Jughead Jones? she wondered.

"I guess I'm just shocked that you would want to be here, is all. You don't even– I mean, I kind of feel like you've hated me for years. So it stands to reason that you wouldn't care enough to come with me, let alone care if I pass out from not eating... So, why do you?" Betty asked curiously, genuinely surprised with his lack of venomous banter towards her tonight.

"Christ Coop, I don't hate you. We just..." he trailed off, "I mean, we just got off on the wrong foot, that's all. Besides, you realize that half the shit I say is just to get a reaction from you, right?"

"Why though?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Jughead teased with a smirk, making Betty's face flush with a feeling more akin to lust than in anger.

Get it together girl! Just because it's been a while since you've gotten any doesn't mean you can think this, she scolded herself, scoffing as she tried to cover her embarrassment with frustration.

"Well, that's just rude, Jughead Jones! You need to–" Betty started to speak but her breath caught in her throat as Jughead placed his hand over her mouth, stopping her rant before it began.

"This right here," he said softly, pointing at her flushed complexion, "This is why I do it. You know, you're pretty hot when you're angry, grrr..." he joked.

"Whatever, Jones. You realize that even though you felt the need to steal most of his aesthetic, you are -in fact- not Bender and we are not The Breakfast Club, right?" Betty slapped his hand away, cutting her eyes at him while trying to hide a bashful smile.

"Yes, but the fact that you made that reference means you and I can be great friends, Betts," Jughead grinned, his pants tightening at the way she bit her lip while trying to hide the smile that threatened to breakthrough.

Soon, their food arrived and they fell into an easy conversation, talking about pop culture references that evolved into their favorite books and films. They argued the merits of tropes used in cinema and why movies ranging from mainstream horror to romantic comedies all seemed to follow a basic script.

"I'm just saying, Betts. Even you can admit they are all the same!" Jughead exclaimed, waving his hands for emphasis.

"How dare you compare anything in the horror genre to romantic comedies!" Betty replied, holding her hand to her chest in faux offense. She gave him a stern glare and crossed her arms, "That's just wrong, Jughead."

"You are definitely an enigma, Betty Cooper. I mean, who would have guessed that the Duchess of Pastelville loved horror movies?"

"Yeah, well, who knew that the big, bad Serpent King cried during The Notebook?" Betty teased, a giggle escaping her as he threw a fry at her head.

"They died , Elizabeth. Together. How could you not cry? Don't you have a soul?!"

"Well, what do ya know, the tin man has a heart after all..." Betty laughed, her face softening, "You know, I like this side of you, Jug. It's too bad you had to be an ass the last two years, who knows how close we'd be by now? I mean, no offense to Arch, but I've been starved for witty movie insights. I love him, but Action is the only genre that boy cares about," Betty laughed, finishing up her fries slowly.

Before Jughead could reply, he remembered the other part of the question she asked when they arrived at the diner. All pretense of joking aside, he decided to be honest with her about it. "Hey, Betty?"

She lifted her head, her brow furrowing slightly when she saw the pained expression in his eyes. "Yeah, Jug? You okay?"

"You know how you asked me why I cared if you eat or not?" Betty nodded, placing her hands in her lap and listening to him intently.

"Well, um... it's because when I was growing up, we didn't always have food around. My parents, they– well, they weren't always the most stable and we had more than our fair share of days where we couldn't eat because there was just no money," Jughead's voice wavered, the memories of passing out in the 8th grade from lack of food still fresh in his mind.

"Juggie..." Betty gasped quietly, her hand instantly covering his on the table, "I had no idea..."

"It's okay now, Betts. I survived and I always made sure my little sister Jellybean had food. Well, before Mom took her to live with Grams anyway, so it was fine," Jughead tried to brush it off, the feeling of her hand burning his skin and causing it to tingle.

"No, Jughead. It wasn't fine... but thank you for sharing something so personal with me," Betty replied gently, keeping her hand on his. Jughead could almost see the gears turning in her head as if she struggled to decide if she wanted to say something else or not.

He watched captivated as Betty took a deep breath and continued, tears filling her eyes, "My Mom psychologically abused and starved me for nearly my entire childhood until I moved here to live with my Dad."

The words floated in the air as the color drained from Jughead's face, a disgusted rage starting to bubble underneath the surface. He stood up swiftly, a hard expression on his face as he stepped around the table to slip into the booth beside her. He felt her stiffen briefly but he tentatively wrapped his arms around her anyway, hugging her to his side. After a few heartbeats, he felt her relax as she wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed.

When Jughead finally spoke, his voice was low and gravelly, "My Mom was a drug addict and my Dad was a mean drunk who used to beat the shit out of me when I was a kid. It didn't stop until I got big enough to fight back and actually win. That's the reason why I took over the Serpents."

They didn't move or say anything, just sat there clinging to each other in the nearly empty diner. Just two broken souls holding on to someone who understood the pain they'd endured in their short lives and could keep them grounded. Jughead couldn't tell how long they sat there like that but when he felt Betty yawning, he knew it was time to go.

"Come on, Betts. Let's get you home."

Betty held on to Jughead and watched the darkness pass her by, thinking over everything he had told her. She never had a clue, Archie had never said a word about how Jughead had come to live with his family and she was too polite to bring it up.

Even more shocking to her though, she couldn't stop thinking about everything that she had admitted to him tonight. She had never told anyone except her therapist about what her mother did to her. Archie only knew that her parents were divorced and that her Mom had been strict but she never felt like she could share with him exactly what was done to her growing up.

But somehow with Jughead, it had just come so naturally to her, like her soul could tell he was a kindred spirit and it allowed her to open up to him. And if nothing else came of tonight, at least she felt like she'd finally gained his respect and friendship.

"Shit, we completely forgot about Archie," she blurted out as they stopped in front of her building. She didn't even think about it until they were pulling in but laughed to herself that she had actually forgotten that they were meant to be searching for Archie.

"It's okay, Betts. I'll check a few more places before I head back to the Wyrm. You need to get some rest, you look exhausted. He's around here somewhere, I'll find him and kick his ass for bailing on you tonight."

"I appreciate it, Jones. Um– thank you for coming to get me and for hanging out... I really needed a friend tonight. So, uh, thanks for being my Hellcaster in shining leather," Betty teased with a smile. Jughead winked at her in response as he kickstarted his bike.

"Shh, don't tell anyone, Duchess. I have my aloof asshole image to protect," Jughead yelled over the engine, nodding his head once more before pulling away.

She went inside to shower, getting ready for bed while thinking back on all of the things that happened over the course of the night. Once she was dressed and under her covers, she scrolled through her messages with Archie, getting angry with him all over again.

11:53 pm

Betty: Archie, I just spent the last two hours looking for you and you still have yet to respond to any of my calls or texts. Your Mom didn't even know where you were! I don't know where you are or why you stood me up again tonight but you better have a damn good reason!

Betty pressed send on one last frustrated message to Archie before curling up and dreaming of jet black hair and blue-green eyes...

Saturday Morning:

9:53 am

Betty woke the next morning with a smile, memories of the night before coming back to her. She never thought she'd see the day that Jughead Jones would willingly be nice to her. They'd never gotten along very well in the past and it had always bothered her that she couldn't break down his tough exterior, no matter how hard she tried.

However, last night, she'd somehow manage to do just that. She was able to have a conversation with him that wasn't just sarcasm and spite. She was actually given a chance to see the real Jughead and what she saw took her breath away.

He was beautiful and kind, a lot more sensitive than she ever would have guessed. He was definitely someone she could see being a great friend to her. She hoped that now that they were able to spend some one on one time together, there could be a full-blown cease-fire so they could get to know each other better– if for nothing else but Archie's sake.

Betty rolled over to unplug her cell when she noticed a text from her missing beau stamped at 8:52 am. She instantly shot up after reading the very first line, her trembling hand covering her gaping mouth.

Archie: Betts, I'm so sorry I didn't write you back last night. Honestly, I didn't know what to do or say because I knew this wasn't going to be easy... We've been through a lot the last 2 years, and I'm sorry, but this isn't working for me anymore...

Betty's heart cracked in half, tears slowly running down her cheeks as she shakily sent him a reply.

Betty: Wait? What do you mean? Are you serious right now?

How can he do this to me? She thought as she followed the dancing bubbles, his reply mocking her and her slowly breaking heart as he typed.

Archie: I've been struggling to find a way to tell you that I wanted to break up but I wasn't sure how. Honestly, I decided that maybe doing it this way was for the best.

Archie: I knew if I saw you, I would lose my nerve and it's unfair to both of us to keep this relationship going when I can't give you what you deserve.

Betty couldn't believe what she was reading. He was actually breaking up with her... through a text message.

A. FUCKING. TEXT. MESSAGE!

Two years of her godforsaken life, shattered into millions of tiny fragments, all from a simple text message! What kind of selfish coward breaks up with his girlfriend of two years through a damn text message!?

Betty's eyes were blurry from the tears she'd begun to shed, her emotions cycling between rage and sadness, her mind racing as fast as her bleeding heart was. She could feel the panic attack tickling at the edges of her psyche and she tried desperately to breathe through it, struggling not to let it take over her mind. She wouldn't let it take her this time, she was stronger than she was before.

Archie: I'm really sorry, Betty. This isn't how I wanted things to go, I just can't do it anymore. I'm sorry. I don't want to string you along and keep you thinking that there is a future for us when I don't see one.

Archie: I just hope that we can still be friends, but I wouldn't blame you if you hated me.

Friends... He wants to still be friends ? Is he delusional? Betty thought in disbelief.

After everything she'd sacrificed, all that she'd given up for him and the future she thought they'd have together. Now he just drops her like a bad habit, right at the start of their freshman year of college...

A college that Betty never even wanted to attend...

A college she chose to go to because Archie wanted to go to school with her but his grades weren't up to par...

And now he had the nerve to dump her, OVER TEXT, within the first three weeks of classes?

Oh, Fuck No!

Betty: Are you fucking kidding me, Archie!? ARCHIE, I GAVE UP YALE FOR YOU! 😤😡 After everything, this is how you end things? A motherfucking text?!

Betty: How the hell can you do this to me now?

Archie: I'm sorry, Betty. I promise, that this is all on me. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just think maybe I need to be single for a little while to figure out what I want in life. I hope you understand.

Betty tossed her phone across the room at his half-assed 'it's not you, it's me' line, collapsing onto her mattress and sobbing. Her heart was broken and all she could feel was the darkness winning out, no matter how hard she tried to fight it.

Archie had successfully destroyed her, taken her heart, and stomped on it before throwing it back at her feet, bruised, bloody, and barely beating. Just as the sobs wracked her body, she felt the familiar pinch in her palms and what had once eased her pain now only made her cry harder at her failed sobriety.

And the saddest part in all of this was, now she truly had no one left. The only friends she had in Riverdale were all Archie's friends first, her family was a clusterfuck of instability and mental illness, and her best friend had just obliterated her heart.

And now that she and Archie were no longer together, she knew that whatever friendship that might have blossomed from the connection she felt with Jughead would surely die out the moment he found out that he wouldn't have to deal with her anymore.

Unless he already knew and he was playing some sick joke last night?

...You know Elizabeth, Archie probably told him weeks ago and he was just covering for him last night, just to throw you off until Archie grew some balls and dumped you...

Not that he even did that, the fucking chicken-shit , she grumbled, hearing her mother's voice again, placing thoughts in her head.

... Of course, Jughead never wanted to be your friend, Elizabeth. It was all just a game...

A stupid, sick fucking game...

Betty could hear her mother's voice screaming in her ears, telling her that she was shit, that she'd never amount to anything now. That she threw her life away for a boy who told her sweet little lies and once he was done with her, he threw her away like last week's garbage.

Her hands tightened as she screwed her eyes shut, not caring anymore about the blood that was smearing her sheets.