Chapter Five

Betty

I wake up with the world's best idea. We should go to that swimming hole we used to when we were kids. I roll over onto Jughead's bare chest and stretch my arms out. I kiss his nose and then his cheeks then his lips and over to his neck. He wakes up slowly and then all at once, opening his eyes and looking confused.

"Betty?" he asks.

"I have an idea."

"I hope it involves riding me," he says with a smile.

I smile back and then grab his hand in mine, making him look at my face instead of other places of my body.

"The trial starts tomorrow. We have to be there. Veronica is with Archie all day. We don't have any Serpent duties today."

"Even more reasons for you to get on top of me," he says with a smile, leaning down and trying to kiss me. I kiss him back for a few seconds, letting him grab me around my back and squeeze my waist.

I pull away to make him focus.

"Remember that swimming hole we went to when we were kids?" I ask.

He nods.

"What about it?"

"We should go there. It's hot and sweaty and it would be nice to be under the water for a while. Maybe you could get that morning glory wish you've been trying for since you woke up," I tell him with a smile. Jug gets up as if this was the most important thing that I had said to him for days. He throws his clothes on swiftly. I try to do the same, not able to catch up with him. I slip my feet into my shoes and then attempt to brush my hair as he watches me. he stands with his hands on his hips and that perfect smile on his face. I know what he is trying to do. I smile back at him while I do this.

"What?" I finally ask.

"You were the one rushing me to go and now you're taking forever," he says. "Why are you even bothering doing your hair? We're going swimming. It's just going to get messed up when I'm making love to you in the water."

I have to laugh at that. I drop the brush and grab his hand, leaning on his body as I look up at his perfect face.

"Should we feel bad, Jug?" I ask.

"About being happy when Archie is basically in hell and Veronica is doing nothing but cry over him?" he asks.

I just nod.

"No. You've been helping them with the case every chance you can. But when it comes down to the end, either he is going away or he isn't. We are not going to jail. Our lives are going to continue on without him if he goes away." That hurts but I try to focus. I know that he doesn't want it to happen just as much as I do. I just wish that I could do more. Archie has been so scared lately. And there is nothing I can do about it. I have been trying to help but it might not matter.

"No, Bets," he says, taking my hands in his because he can tell that I am worried about all of it. "We should find some time to enjoy our lives. We have to. No matter what happens, we are going to school in a few months. We are going to lead the Serpents. We are probably going to have to avoid a gang war. We are going to graduate. We have to do this with or without Archie, Betty."

"That's terrible," I say, feeling bad about myself for even wanting a life without him. we have been nothing but each other's best friends for so long. Is it even okay to go on without him? Will the universe let me?

"It is. But it's the truth."

"I know you're right."

He grabs my hand and pulls me along, stopping at the front door to grab our helmets. He tosses mine over and I catch it, putting it on as we walk outside. I hop onto the back of his motorcycle and wrap my arms around him as he starts it.

"We'll be fine," he assures. "Let's attempt to be teenagers for the day."

I agree as we start riding.

The drive is beautiful but the best part is wrapping my arms around Juggie and feeling his muscles clench as he drives. I occasionally rest my head on him, watching the trees move past us. His body constantly aware that I am with him, holding onto him like my life line. As we ride I am thrust into thought that would otherwise leave me. So many people are affected by the justice system every day. So many people are lost to it. And yet here I am, riding a motorcycle with my boyfriend to our childhood swimming hole.

He was right. Life will go on for us no matter what happens to Archie. In a way, that sucks. I almost wish that I was more affected. Maybe then I would have a better idea of how the hell to help him. But I don't want to give up this freedom. I want to be right here with him. He promised me that we would focus on being together now. Maybe that should mean focusing on each other more than anything else.

I just wish I could get Archie's case out of my head.

When we finally arrive, he parks just above the swimming hole and holds my hand as he guides me to the bottom.

I watch Jug set his helmet down and take off his jacket and shoes. He is almost fully aware that I am staring by the time he takes his shirt and pants off.

"Am I swimming by myself?" he asks.

"No," I say with a smile.

I begin hurrying to take my clothes off, throwing them on the rocks and stumbling over myself. I can hear my heartbeat and feel the adrenaline as he steps out of his jeans. He jumps over his pants and then stops at the edge of the water. He looks back to me and I run past him, jumping into the water and letting myself be soaked with the cool water. I hear another splash after me. I turn around to find him swimming toward me, soaking wet and reaching his arms out to me. I swim into them, wrapping my legs around his body and kissing him on the lips in perfect bliss.

After a few minutes of long kissing, he looks into my eyes and smiles. But there is something serious behind that expression.

"What?" I ask.

"No matter what happens to anyone else this summer, hell, even the rest of the year, I want you to trust me," he says.

I nod.

"Don't keep anything from me. We're leaders now. That means we have to work together."

"You're right," I agree. "I promise, Jug."

He leans close to kiss me a few more times.

"Now love me, Jug," I ask.

"You don't have to tell me twice," he says with a smile as he pushes my underwear out of his way.