I don't own these characters, which I forget to say a lot these days. Enjoy!

Innocence

Third POV

Summary – Riverdale was an innocent town. Until Jason Blossom was

murdered, that is.

Jughead Jones typed furiously on his keyboard, words seamlessly spilling from his mind to his fingertips to the harsh white screen. That's how this whole town looks lately; harsh. There's darkness where there was light previously and fear in the souls of parents and children alike. What happened to the Blossom's family could happen to anyone. There is a murderer amongst Riverdale's peaceful citizens. No one feels safe and they won't until the killer is caught and behind bars. Jughead paused in his writing to take a drag from his vanilla milkshake when he saw a familiar blonde ponytail enter Pop's Chock-lit Shoppe. He felt his lip twitch into a small smile when she spots him in his regular booth and beams at him.

"Good evening, Betty," Pop Tate greeted her, happily. "The usual?"

"Yes, please. And an extra plate of fries," Betty Cooper answered before making her way to her boyfriend and plunking herself down. She placed a chaste kiss on Jughead's lips then stole a sip of his milkshake. He playfully swatted her hand away from the glass and pulled her to his side.

"Blue and Gold work, or your novel," she asked, curiously, taking a peak at his screen. He smiled wryly.

"A little of both," he told her, gazing into eyes that are his favorite shade of green. "I can't seem to focus." Betty's food was delivered just then and Jughead helped himself to the extra fries, knowing they were mostly for him.

"I probably shouldn't have come if you're already distracted." Regret flashed in Betty's eyes as she gazed back at her boyfriend.

"No, Betts," he insisted immediately. "I'm glad you're here. You help me focus."

"It's strange, isn't it?" she pondered out loud, her thoughts needing to take physical form. Jughead hmm'ed in response.

"Everything has changed so much in the past few months. Summer flew on by and stripped this town of innocence. Sometimes, it moves so fast, I don't have time to keep up with it. I feel like there's darkness looming around the edges of town and it's going to swallow us all whole." Jughead suddenly looked lost in thought. Betty tilted her head, watching him closely.

"Juggie?" she whispered.

"Will you co-write my novel with me?" he blurted out. Betty smiled softly, but light and happiness filled her eyes. She nodded, slowly and uncertainly but pushed herself further into Jughead's side.

Review please!