Christmas brought with it a thick layer of snow and Let It Snow playing in the diner constantly. It was a nice ambience in the beginning – especially since Pop, with Jughead's help, had turned the diner into a winter wonderland, with a large tree in one corner and fairy lights of red and green strung up everywhere. However, three weeks into December and people began coming to the diner only for the warmth, spending their time groaning about how Let It Snow was the worst Christmas song there was.
"You can't argue, Christmas really does bring people together," Betty said to Jughead, sitting at the counter in the diner. He chuckled in response, putting together a milkshake for whoever had ordered it.
"Yes, I suppose hating Let It Snow has become a community event in Riverdale," Jughead agreed, putting the milkshake on the counter and calling out for Dan to take it to table number three.
"So, what are your Christmas plans?" Betty asked, and although her tone was offhand, Jughead heard the undertones of an agenda. He looked at her for a moment, trying to read her eyes before shaking his head.
"Nothing, yet. I was going to spend it with Jellybean, but she's going on a single's cruise, so I guess that's out. I figured I'd just go out and get drunk at some bar."
"How very lone wolf of you," Betty said, chuckling at his response.
"Yes, well, I do have a reputation to maintain. What about you? What are your plans?"
"My parents are out of town, otherwise I would have gone to visit them," she said, shrugging and looking away. Jughead nodded, picking up a cloth and starting to wipe down the counter. "So…" Betty said and he smiled – here it comes. "I was wondering if maybe you'd want to come to my place for Christmas."
His hand nearly slipped off the counter.
"Your place?"
"Yeah," she said and then frowned at his response. "You okay with that?"
"What, like just the two of us?" He asked, keeping his tone carefully even. Betty guffawed at this and, for once, Jughead was glad that the diner was so vibrantly lit – the pink glow hid the redness of his face.
"No, obviously not. I'll call Veronica, Kevin, Reggie, and Cheryl. You know, whoever participated in Secret Santa. I thought we could do the gift exchange at my place. What do you think?" She asked, biting her lip, awaiting his response to this proposal. Jughead looked at her for a few seconds – while he would have loved going to Betty's for Christmas, he really didn't want to do Secret Santa with everyone else present. It was mainly because he had got Betty and he had gotten her something nice if she took it the right way. It was highly controversial, but once Jughead had decided on it, he knew it was the perfect present - once again, only if she took it the right way. But, seeing Betty biting her lip with nervousness (mostly because he had heard that they usually did the gift exchange at Veronica's), he couldn't help but smile and nod.
"I think that's great. Do you want moral support while telling Veronica?"
"Why, Mr. Jones, you read my mind," she said with a terrible British accent and he laughed. She stood up, putting some money on the counter for her coffee. "Anyway, I should go now – Reggie wants me to run some errands for him. I'll see you tonight to pitch the idea to Veronica?"
"Yeah, sure," he agreed, and she gave him another smile. The bell over the diner door tinkled as she walked out.
"I'm so glad she moved on from Archie. I think you're really good for her, Jughead," he heard Pop say behind him and Jughead whipped around, hoping the pinkness of the diner was continuing to hide his face.
"What?"
"Betty – I'm glad she found you instead of Archie. I love the boy, but god knows he could win an award for being as oblivious as he is," Pop said, giving Jughead a soft smile. Jughead knew that working here had brought him and Pop closer, but he hadn't realised they had gotten this close.
"Pop… there's nothing going on between me and Betty," Jughead said, slowly. Pop's smile turned into a frown.
"But why not?"
"I don't – this is not a professional conversation to be having," Jughead deflected, turning around and continuing to wipe the counter.
"Okay, Jughead, whatever you say," he heard Pop say behind him and Jughead fought to keep a neutral expression.
He had never seen Betty's face light up as much as it did when he walked into his flat. The other three were already there, and Jughead made a mental note to maybe get the lock changed at some point. This was especially since coffee had somehow already spilled on the breakfast bar, and he was only three minutes late to the meeting.
"Seriously?" He said, indicating the coffee, and Veronica's cheeks coloured slightly. She hastily cleared her throat and turned to Betty.
"So, Betty, why did you call this meeting?"
"I wanted to run something by you," Betty said, and Jughead could already hear the nervousness in her tone. Veronica nodded encouragingly, and taking a deep breath along with casting a glance in his direction, Betty continued, "What if, this year, we have Secret Santa at my place? I mean, the opening of the gifts."
There was a silence that followed this proposition, and Betty looked just about ready to take it back. Jughead grazed her arm with his fingers to remind her that she should hold her ground and she glanced at him again, this time with a small smile.
"Okay, fine," Veronica suddenly said, and Betty and Jughead looked up at her in surprise. "Well don't look too surprised," she continued, rolling her eyes.
"No, we're sorry, it's just – thank you, V," Betty said, grinning at Veronica. Veronica simply nodded as if saying that this was the least she could do. Which, Jughead suspected, was the case. But he didn't complain, especially since this was a rare moment of victory for Betty (after all, she rarely asked for anything), and so he went and got out a bottle of wine, getting everyone to ditch their coffee instantly.
As much as Betty was enjoying this little victory, it had been a little too easily achieved. She had expected at least some half-hearted argument on Veronica's part. Especially since her friend reveled in putting together little events, complete with olives and cheese, and a wine selection. So, after Kevin disappeared for his date with Seth, Betty decided to walk Veronica outside. She noticed the surprise in Jughead's eyes when he saw her using the front door instead of the fire escape and rolled her eyes in response.
"Bye, B," Veronica said, at the top of the staircase, ready to descend to her flat, consequently bringing Betty out of her thoughts.
"Wait, Veronica. Why did you agree to it?" Betty asked and Veronica cocked her head to one side, evidently confused.
"Agree to what?"
"To the opening of the presents being at my house?"
"Betty, I thought you wanted to host it."
"I did! It's just… it's not like you to give that up so easily," she admitted, and saw Veronica smile at this. Her raven hair swayed when she shook her head.
"Well, I just thought that if we left after having it at your place, then you and Jughead could get some time alone. I mean, I assumed that's why you wanted to have it at yours," she gave an answer Betty would have never been able to predict in a million years. In fact, Betty was sure that Veronica would bring up charity or something. She had never expected Jughead to be brought up. She chuckled nervously in response, hoping her best friend was joking and this was one of the many times Betty didn't get her jokes.
"Very funny, Veronica," Betty said and Veronica frowned.
"I wasn't joking, Betty. Wait, oh my god, you two aren't together!" She exclaimed it as a statement instead of a question. And yet, Betty found herself shaking her head with fervour, in agreement.
"No, no we're not," she said and Veronica nodded.
"Well, that's definitely my bad. Sorry, it's just… the way he… you know what, forget it. I'm sorry for assuming, Betty. I mean, I was offended that you didn't tell me, you know."
"There was nothing to tell," Betty replied with a shrug, and Veronica smiled, nodding.
"Of course there isn't."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. I'll see you for Secret Santa, then?" She asked and, without waiting for a reply, traipsed down the stairs, humming Let It Snow to herself. Betty watched her descend in silence, still a little shocked by the assumption.
It's as if people can't be friends anymore.
It was with this final thought that Betty dismissed what Veronica was saying and went to bed. And yet she found herself awake at three in the morning, the thought nagging at her mind.
The presents lay in the centre, in all their colourful glory as everyone participating sat around them. The gifts of varying sizes were opened one by one with Betty opening hers last - Veronica had told her that the host always opens their gifts last. She watched Veronica light up when she saw the necklace Betty had got for her and was even happier when Betty told her that she had the receipt so the gift could be returned. Betty wasn't sure how to feel about that. Jughead gave Reggie an awkward smile when he found a plain blue sweater inside the box.
"Gee, Reggie, how did you know?" He asked sarcastically, and Reggie grinned, reminding Jughead that he had spilled mustard on his previous blue sweater and that's why he had got this one. Betty was pretty sure Jughead tuned out after the first word.
"Beautiful story, babe. Betty, it's your turn," Veronica said, grinning, and Betty looked down at her gift and then looked up and smiled at Jughead. The second she had laid eyes on the wrapping paper, she had known it was Jughead's. Especially since Pop had the same wrapping paper cut into snowflakes and put on the wall. He returned her smile and she could tell it was laced with nerves.
"Thanks for the gift, Jughead," she said and everyone else laughed. Jughead, however, still looked nervous as hell, and Betty frowned, now excited about opening the gift. She opened it slowly, careful not to tear the paper. Her breath caught when she saw the gift: a first edition copy of Beloved by Toni Morrison. She had only seen this in second hand bookstores and online. And even then, it had been much too expensive to buy.
Well, he is a bestselling author – for all you know, he has Toni Morrison on speed dial.
She glanced up once in disbelief before she gingerly took out the book – it was in excellent shape. She opened it and out of it fell a polaroid. It was a picture of them standing on the fire escape, smiling and drinking coffee. At the bottom, written in the neat handwriting she remembered:
To Betty Cooper,
Thank you for introducing me to your favourite author – SS (aka JJ).
Betty suddenly realised that the picture of them on the fire escape was when she had told Jughead about how much she admired Toni Morrison.
Betty stood on the fire escape, sipping coffee and staring out at the snow gently falling. She loved winter in Riverdale – it was always calm, and yet, with everyone coming back for vacation, simultaneously bustling with activity. But it was a blur of familiar faces making the town truly feel like home during the holiday season. Not to mention, the ice skating was always a blast. She heard Jughead's window creak open downstairs and glanced down, watching him climb out onto the balcony with his own cup of coffee.
"Hey," she smiled, and he looked up, momentary surprise melting into a grin as he greeted her in response.
"Hey yourself," he replied, and she realised he was holding his Kindle.
"Reading something?"
"This is the third time I'm trying to get through Beloved," he replied.
Betty had never gone down stairs faster. Jughead watched her bound down in amusement and stepped back as she halted centimetres away from him.
"You okay, Betts?" He asked as she took a shaky step back. "Do you need to sit down?"
"No, I'm fine," she said, shooting him a glare.
"It's just – I think that's the most amount of the exercise I've ever seen you do," he commented, mock appreciation colouring his tone. She rolled her eyes at him.
"You were saying something about Beloved."
"I take it you're a fan?"
"I mean if you thought I was a fan of your writing you have no idea how I am when it comes to my lord and saviour."
"Blasphemous. And right around Christmas too," Jughead placed a hand on his chest dramatically. Betty shook her head.
"Why can't you get through Beloved?"
"It's really depressing," he said, after a pause and Betty nodded – it was true, her writing wasn't for everyone.
"But it's also so beautiful," she commented and Jughead raised an eyebrow at her.
"I suppose it is."
"I mean, just the way she writes, it's incredible," she continued and saw Jughead crack a smile at her endless appreciation of her idol. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling. It's just, I've tried in vain to get the other three to pick up any of her books and give them a read but, like I said, it was in vain. I mean you're already doing better by getting the book yourself," she said, with a laugh and he chuckled too.
"You know what? I'll put in real effort this time," he promised, smiling. Betty smiled too, hearing the sincerity in his tone.
She supposed that was when Veronica had taken the picture.
"Do you like it?" Jughead asked, breaking the silence that had followed her opening of the present.
"Like it? Juggie, I love it," the world started moving again as she walked over to him and hugged him. "Thank you so much," she whispered, and giving him a small kiss on the cheek, ran to put the book in her shelf.
In spite of the cold, Jughead felt like warmth had encircled him in the form of Betty Cooper. Her joy at his gift had made him happier than he had been in a while. In fact, a lot of things about Betty Cooper had made him happier than he had been in a while. He was slowly realising that coming to Riverdale was one of the best decisions he had ever made.
"Careful Jughead, with that kind of glow, people may think you're pregnant," Veronica murmured as she walked past him to leave her glass on the breakfast bar.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, even though he could feel the blush warming his cheeks.
"If it's any consolation, I think it's mutual," she continued, with a smirk and a small shrug. Before he could respond to this, Betty returned.
"So, do you guys want some dinner?" Betty asked, and everyone looked away awkwardly. Jughead could tell that they all had plans.
"Actually, we should go. Reggie and I have some dinner plans," Veronica replied and Betty nodded in response. One by one they all excused themselves and while Betty showed them to the door, Jughead slipped into the kitchen to do the dishes. He had chosen to hang back to give her her gift but nerves meant that he needed to keep busy. As a result, he washed and wiped the plates as slowly as possible. While he wiped down the third plate, he heard the soft clicking of her boots on the floor and knew she was watching him.
"You know," Jughead broke the silence without turning around, "it's kinda creepy to be watched while doing the dishes."
"You didn't have to do this, you know," Betty said, joining him by the sink and wiping down the glasses before putting them away.
"I know I didn't have to but I wanted to," he replied, giving her a smile. She returned the smile and they finished doing the dishes in silence. Returning to the living room, Jughead could feel himself chickening out from giving her the real present. More than once he glanced at the door, wondering if he should just leave and sensed that she could tell he was hesitating about something.
"I know I already said it, but thanks for the book, Jughead. It's one of the best things I've ever received," she complimented with complete honesty, and once again, he felt warmth spread through him.
"You're very welcome," he said with a grin, which she returned. Then he saw her eyes suddenly light up with realisation, and her hands come up with excitement.
"Oh my god, I just remembered! Okay, since you're planning to spend Christmas bar-hopping, I figured I could just give you your real present now and then spend Christmas with my grandparents or something," she said and he laughed with amusement at her excitement.
"You know I was kidding about the bar-hopping thing, right?" He inquired and saw confusion flit across her face for a moment – did she truly believe that he was planning to bar hop on Christmas?
"Yeah, of course," she answered with a forced laugh. "Anyway, since I now have plans for Christmas, I can just give you your gift now."
"Absolutely," he said and she disappeared into her room. He took the opportunity to sit down and contemplate returning the favour with his gift. He didn't come to conclusion, however, since she returned as quickly as she disappeared, holding a perfectly wrapped present. She handed it to him and sat down, waiting expectantly. Unwrapping it, he found himself holding the newest edition of Beloved.
Laughter bubbled to the surface as the irony of the gift hit him. She grinned, clearly happy about this coincidence.
"Do you like it?" She asked, using the same tone he had.
"Like it? Betts, I love it," he replied, using her tone in response. "But I also feel like you're making a statement."
"Maybe," she shrugged and he laughed again. This weirdly ironic gift gave him the courage he needed to give her her gift.
"You know, I actually have a gift for you too," he got out quickly, before he lost his nerve. Her eyebrows rose and her lips curved into a smile as she waited for her gift expectantly.
Jughead's heart was beating harder than a drum at a metal concert.
He pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. She frowned – she had probably expected something more elaborate – and took it from him, an amused smile gracing her lips when she noticed the red and green bow he had drawn on the cover to make it more festive. However, the smile dissipated the second she opened the card. He saw her read the contents multiple times as the paper began trembling in her hands.
"What is this?" She asked softly, her voice shaking slightly. But he knew she already knew what it was, so he chose to remain silent. "Jughead Jones, what the fuck is this?" She asked again, her voice much more steady and gaining volume.
"It's exactly what you think it is," he replied this time and waited for her to comment on this. He could see the bewildered disbelief in her eyes as she opened and shut her mouth numerous times. "Betty, if I've overstepped or something, feel free to throw it away. Just tear it up and throw it away. Or, better yet, set it on fire and watch the flame slowly and methodically consume the paper until nothing but ash is left behind and that can be thrown into the Atlantic Ocean where-" he was interrupted by Betty throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug. Slightly in shock, he hesitated before putting his arms around her too.
"I can't believe you found her," she whispered, and he finally relaxed: she liked the gift. When she pulled away, her eyes were glazed with tears. She blinked them away furiously, but a stray tear found its way down her cheek regardless. Without thinking, Jughead reached up and brushed it away with his thumb, his hand cupping her face in the process. Realising what he had done, he began pulling his hand away, only to be stopped by hers. He tried reading her face to see what was happening – if she was thinking what he was thinking.
And then she was leaning in.
His eyes closed instinctively, and he leaned in too.
He could feel her breath on his lips when there was a loud knocking - almost banging on the door, and his eyes flew open, cool air replacing the warmth that Betty had radiated as she jumped back. They stared at each other for a moment, and then the knocking came again. Rubbing her nose once, Betty stood up.
"I should get that," she stated and Jughead nodded, watching her go to the door. The second she opened the door, in came Veronica, evidently in a frenzy about something.
"Betty, oh thank god you're home! I was so – what's Jughead doing here?"
"Oh I was-"
"He was just leaving," Betty interjected and Jughead frowned at her. She pleaded with her eyes and, as he knew he would, he gave in and nodded.
"- leaving, apparently," he finished, and made his way to the door. Betty held it open for him, and at the door, mouthed a thank you to him. He gave her a half-hearted smile and nodded, saying bye to Veronica over her shoulder and going downstairs.
He entered his flat and, for the first time since Archie had left, he wished Archie had been there. Or someone, anyone, to talk to about this situation. As if on cue the phone rang and Jughead jumped, staring at it for a few moments before picking up.
"Hello?"
"Big brother!" Jellybean exclaimed on the other end, and Jughead almost laughed with relief. If it had been Archie calling, he might have freaked out enough to hang up.
"So, I was thinking – I haven't seen you in a few months, and my goddamn cruise got cancelled. Therefore, with all these facts in mind, I'm thinking Christmas party at the Greendale flat?" She inquired, and Jughead was glad for the distraction.
"That's great, JB. And sure, we can do Christmas there," he agreed, and spent the next hour planning a party with his sister.
"V, do you want some water?" Betty asked, once she shut the door behind Jughead.
"Oh no, we are way past water. Something starting with a 'v' instead of a 'w' would be preferable," she replied, and Betty nodded, glad that Veronica hadn't noticed how awkward she was feeling. She poured Veronica a drink and returned, handing it to her and leading her to the couch. Veronica sat down, and all Betty could think about was how Jughead had been sitting there first. She waited for Veronica to take a few sips before she made her enquiry.
"What's wrong, Veronica?"
"It's Reggie."
"What about him?"
"Well, we were at dinner. And it was this extra fancy restaurant, so I naturally began wondering if I had forgotten our anniversary or something like that and then, right before dessert, guess what he told me?"
"That he needs to get you new tablecloths?" She asked, trying to lighten the mood, although she already knew the answer to the question.
"I fucking wish. No, he told me he loved me. He literally sat me down and said the words "I love you, Veronica Lodge" to me. And what's worse? He ruined dessert for me!"
"Oh god. What did you say?"
"Well I started laughing because I thought he was doing that thing we do where we imitate couples who are legit and not just flings. But he didn't start laughing and I realised he was serious so I freaked out and ran away. I ran ten blocks in heels to get back here. It's a miracle I didn't break them."
"Wait, you left him there? In the restaurant? After he told you he was in love with you?"
"I know, I feel awful! I started feeling terrible somewhere around the eighth block, but I was already eighty percent home at that point so I decided to come here."
"Jesus Christ. Well, are you sure?" Betty asked and Veronica frowned.
"Sure about what?"
"That you don't – you know – feel the same way? I mean, you guys have been together for six months and most people consider that a relationship, not a fling."
"Well Reggie and I aren't most people. And, in any case, we broke up so many times. I mean, it's weird that you'd even think it was anything more than a fling. It's crazy that he'd think that! He's part of the fling!"
"I'm just saying, Ronnie. Sometimes things happen without people meaning for them to happen. Reggie falling in love with you is just one of those things. And obviously it's okay that you don't feel the same way, but maybe you will with time? I mean, these things do take time anyway, and-"
"I slept with Archie!" Veronica exclaimed, and Betty stopped speaking, shell-shocked at this information. She stared at Veronica in astonishment. "Say something, B," her best friend prodded, and Betty blinked a couple of times before responding.
"Um, when?"
"The day before he left."
That explained why she was suddenly so okay with him leaving. It also explained why she had insisted on taking his bags down to the cab.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Betty asked, after another long pause. Veronica shrugged in response.
"I didn't know how. I mean, I especially didn't know how to tell you. After everything you've been through with him, I felt terrible that it happened. But it did, and I-"
"So, what? Are you guys together now?" She interrupted, not caring for Veronica's rambles.
"I don't know."
"Well, do you want to date Archie?"
"I don't know."
"Do you love him?"
"I wonder if you can guess what my answer will be," Veronica said and Betty shook her head. She felt strangely okay with the whole situation. What irked her was the lying. She had spoken to Archie extensively before he had left and had definitely spoken to Veronica almost every day since. And yet both of them had decided to lie to her. She knew for a fact that if she had done something similar, she would have received the silent treatment for at least a week. "Are you okay?"
"I need to leave," Betty said, glancing at the card on the coffee table.
"What? Betty, I'm sorry for hiding this from you but you don't need to move away because of it. I swear it won't be weird, okay?"
"This isn't about you, V. I just – I need to leave, okay? And to leave I need to pack, so I need you to leave so that I can pack," she said, going into her room and getting a duffel bag out.
"But, wait. What should I do about Reggie?" She heard Veronica ask from the doorway, her voice filled with hurt and confusion. Betty melted a little at the tone and gave her a small smile.
"What you should have done ages ago: you need to break up with him," she advised. After all, it was evident that Veronica liked Archie with much more depth than she had ever liked Reggie. Veronica nodded, turning around before facing Betty again.
"By the way, Betty, I believe congratulations are in order."
"For what?"
"A certain Mr. Jones," she replied with a slight smile. Betty felt her stomach do a somersault at "Mr. Jones" but managed a smile in return. She waited until she heard the lock on her front door click into place. Once she heard that, she stopped packing, leaning against the wall, trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened in one night.
How and when she made the decision to go to Jughead's flat, Betty would never be able to tell. All she knew was she was standing outside his window on the fire escape, rapping on the glass until he came out of his room. He frowned when he saw her and pushed open the window.
"Hey," he said and she gave him an apologetic smile, crouching down so he didn't need to crane his neck to look at her.
"Hi."
"What's up?"
"Can I ask you for a huge favour? You can say no."
"Shoot."
"Will you come to Boston with me?" She asked and saw his frown disappear into a furrowed brow of confusion at this proposition.
"What? When?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
"I know it's incredibly short notice-"
"I'll say!"
"-but I just… I need to get out of this town for a while. It's too small and I need to see her. The holiday season is a time to be with family and Polly is my family. You helped me find her so it's only fitting that you should come with. Of course, if you have better, more appealing plans, you don't have to and I will definitely respect your decision. But I just – I need some of that moral support right about now," she rambled softly. He stared at her for a moment before sighing, his shoulders sagging – she had won.
"Yes, yes of course I'll be there. I just have to make a call," he said, and Betty grinned.
"Thank you so much, Jug! I'll see you in the morning around nine, then?"
"Nine it is," he agreed, and she nodded, wishing him goodnight and going back upstairs to finish packing.
Boston; Polly, here I come.
