Trigger warning: Self-harm
Jughead opened his locker while his thoughts were in a far off place, thinking about the upcoming article for the Blue and Gold, and definitely not thinking about a certain blonde. The faded blue door creaked open and he looked in with curiosity. There was his flannel, hung perfectly on a hook. There was no question as to who put it there, and no questions for the message that it sent. Jug sighed, mentally cursing himself. He had hurt Betty. No question there either. She would want nothing to do with him now. It's for the best. He told himself. We won't be able to hurt each other now. That didn't stop the crushing of guilt and pain as he finally realized what he had done.
He had kissed Betty. Led her on, then pushed her aside. What a way to make someone feel like a bag of shit. A loud bell echoed through the hall, signaling the start of his free period. Sighing, he trudged towards what could only turn out to be a trainwreck; the office that held the Blue and Gold.
Luckily, Jughead beat Betty to the small office and he set up in his normal spot. He tried not to think about her, angrily tapping the keys on his keyboard. He didn't hear the door, but suddenly her scent enveloped him. He made his back tense, while on the inside he melted. He cleared his throat. "Betty." Her clear voice was coated with something as she responded, "Jughead." He casually spun to face her, the rolly chair squeaking slightly. He looked into her eyes and fell. Heavy emotion filled those small pieces of sky. Hurt, anger, confusion, lust, all emotions aimed at him. He swallowed a lump in his throat and hung his head, passion clouding his judgment. "Care to explain?" She demanded, closing and locking the door by the sound of it. He knew it was not really a question. He knew he didn't have a choice in the matter.
Betty stalked toward him, pulling up a chair and sitting so that their knees were practically touching. She stared into his eyes, her gaze seeming to find his soul. His heart started pounding, loud enough to be heard by the entire school. He couldn't stop himself. He cupped her face and kissed her. It wasn't soft or gentle, but rough and filled with passion. He kissed her again and again, claiming her lips before his mind could catch up with his actions.
All at once, every muscle froze. He jumped out of the chair, sending it reeling back into the desk. He felt a muscle spaz in his arm, then his neck. With a cry of anger, he launched himself at the brick wall and pounded with his fist. A clear thought could not pass his mind. It felt like his brain had been thrust into a cat's cradle game. The obnoxious strings attacking each brain cell. He punched and attacked the stone with all his might. Pummeling it multiple times before he heard a crack. A large stab of pain raced up his arm, making him hiss in discomfort. Unable to help himself, he curled into a ball, hiding in the corner while cradling his damaged hand.
Betty stared at him in horror. She watched as the quiet boy from a broken family wreaked havoc on a brick wall. She didn't know what to do. Something inside her snapped and she leaped out of her chair, running for him just as a sickening crunch filled the air. Betty froze in fear. Nausea filled her stomach, realizing that it was one of his bones that got crushed. She watched, completely helpless as he sank back into a corner of the room, tears running down his face, his hand swelling. Then she swapped to care mode. Rushing to Jughead's side, she kneeled down and took his hand gently. She inspected the damage, putting the least amount of pressure possible on his injury. She cleared her throat nervously. "Jug, I'm not sure what the hell that was, but we need to get you to the nurse. Can you help me?" He looked up at her and she heard her own gasp from a lifetime away.
His eyes looked like those of a kicked puppy, pain leaking from each corner, and an aspect of being truly lost and left behind coating the dark color. She watched as a tear welled over and slid down his skin. She moved to wipe it with her thumb, but his head jerked back, clearly stating he did not want to be touched. She felt a sting and her own tear fell. "Jug," she whispered, "we need to get you to the nurse's office. Please let me help." Her voice broke, thick with an array of emotions. After a moment, he nodded meekly, and she gently gripped his arm, pulling them both to their feet.