Betty awoke to thoughts of the previous night, her eyes still closed taking in the scene stuck in her head. The warm lights, music pumping through her body, a blur of moving silhouettes, a boy and a girl arguing. She smiled at the night. Sure, she had been thrown out of the party but it had been unexpected and thrilling. was a word to describe Betty's life, but last night threw that word out the window.
Sunlight poured into Betty and Polly's room streaming onto Betty's face. She groaned throwing her hands onto her face trying to block the sun out.
"Rise and shine Baby!" Mrs. Cooper sung out. "You must tell me all about Kevin Keller!"
Betty sighed sitting up. She had been fortunate enough to get home last night when her parents were asleep, avoiding this conversation. Now she had to face it, coming up with white lies to make her mother happy. "Kevin is a very nice guy, he's swell." Betty said briefly. It was true, Kevin seemed like a great guy but Betty wasn't interested in a showmance to please her parents or really any guy her parents liked at all.
Before her mother could respond the doorbell rang. Mrs. Cooper gazed out the window and gasped. "Get dressed! Get dressed! It's Kevin!" She shouted running out the room.
Betty sighed wondering if Kevin was going to show up everyday. She quickly got dressed in what some may call a tennis outfit, a light green polo shirt and a white skirt. She slipped on her sneakers and walked slowly to the living room. Her ponytail was sitting tightly on her head.
"Hi Kevin," Betty softly smiled at the boy standing in front of her. Relief washed over Kevin and he walked towards Betty, he was suffering at the hands of for too long.
"You two have fun!" Mrs. Cooper rang out as they walked out the door. Betty shook her hand as she walked through the door Kevin was holding open for her.
"Sorry about my mother." Betty apologized once her mother was out of earshot. Kevin shrugged his shoulders, "I'm used to it, my dad uses me as bait for the families with young daughters. 'Come to Keller family resort where your daughters have a chance at marrying my son!'" Kevin did his best to imitate his father voice, but it came out as a jolly green giant accent. Betty laughed at his impersonation as they walked, she didn't know where she was going so she just followed Kevin.
"So 'parent-baiting' isn't your idea of a good time huh?"
Kevin chuckled, "Yeah, you could stay that."
Betty looked up from her feet, a stunning lake standing in front of her. "Wow I never knew this was here, it's beautiful." Kevin smiled sitting down a rock below him, Betty following his actions, sat on a lower rock next to him.
Betty directed her gaze to Kevin, "So when you're not here or at university, what do you do for fun?"
Kevin sighed not sure what to tell her, he didn't do much else but study. "I like to sing, I'm involved in an old fashioned quartet." Betty squealed, "With costumes and hats?"
Kevin laughed and nodded his head. "It's a little different than most quartets…"
"How so?" Betty pried.
Kevin took a deep breath staring at the lake not wanting to face her. "All the members are gay, as in they like men."
Betty was a bit taken back by the boy's comment. ''Oh, okay.'' In the time that they were in there was not many openly gay people and the fact that Kevin was open about it only made her like him more. He was different. He didn't fit in a box. Kinda like her. ''I can see why you don't like to spend summers here, not much possibilities to meet cute boys huh?''
That made him laugh. "Yeah I can watch but I can't touch."
"Does your dad know?" Betty asked tugging her knees into her chest. She couldn't imagine telling her parents something like that. She can barely tell them she doesn't want to marry a guy they pick. But if she was Kevin she would have to tell them that she didn't like guys at all. She couldn't fathom how that conversation would go.
Kevin scoffed. "No. He would fall over and die right there on the spot. I've tried to but choked at the last minute."
Betty nodded. "I hope one day you have the guts to tell him." Maybe one day she'd have the guts to tell her parents what she really thought. After a moment of silence she smiled at him. "Well I'm happy to have found a friend."
Kevin smiled. "Me too."
A moment of serenity fell of the two of them as they reflected on the relief that washed over them. Kevin finally telling someone in his resort world that he was gay, and Betty realizing she wouldn't have to break his heart, but help hold it together instead.
Across the lake a figure appeared gazing out over the water, tall, dark and brooding. Betty knew exactly who it was despite being some 100 feet away. Jughead. "What do you know about Jughead?"
Kevin caught the sight she was captured by as he answered her question. "He's handsome, obviously, mysterious for sure, that leather jacket he wears is never off of him except when he's teaching a class. I'm not sure what the meaning of it is or the emblem on the back but I can imagine it's got some kind of emotional significance." He paused, "Wait are you interested in him?" Kevin asked his mouth ajar and his eyes popping out of his head.
Betty giggled at the sight of Kevin, "Well I mean who wouldn't be? He's the most attractive guy here and there's just something about him. He's rude and coarse but something tells me inside there's so much more to him." Kevin grinned at her knowing this was going to be the best summer he ever had in this hellhole.
Jughead was completely ignorant to the pair sitting on the other side of the lake. His mind had run away to all the troubles he was currently overwhelmed with, he was alone and struggling. A boss that hated him, a family who was god knows where, and now there was a intriguing girl causing havoc on his life here and he knew she wasn't going to stop. He saw the determined gleam in her eyes. He ran his hand through his beanieless hair, something he hadn't worn in years.
A tap on his shoulders interrupted his thoughts, "Penny for your thoughts?" Jughead turned around to face Ronnie. "Hey."
"Sorry to interrupt but we gotta get to our class." Ronnie said draping her arm over his shoulders and leaning into him.
Jughead sighed, "Yeah let's go." Ronnie's arms dropped from his stature and followed him through the woods back to the main trail.
Betty watched the interaction between Jughead and Ronnie. With the way Ronnie hung on him and seemed to always protect him and tell him what he needed to do, Betty wondered if they were together. She shook away the feeling as they walked farther away from the lake. Betty cocked her head as she caught sight of a doubleheaded green snake on Jughead's back. Southside Serpents was written around the snake. Maybe she was right, maybe he had layers, and maybe she had to peel them back to see what was underneath.
Jughead threw his heavy leather jacket on a nearby chair inside the small dance studio which sat caddy cornered to the mail hall. He ran his fingers through his rough brunette hair, a steady trickle of older people coming through the screen door. Ronnie was cheery self as she welcomed the class for the day. "Hey Arnold, looking good today handsome." "Charles, I like those pants. Are they new?" It was pretty easy for Ronnie to use her charm on the class considering there were only a few men involved. Most of the class were women from the ages of 40-75. While the resort didn't host many young adults, the ones that did find themselves there were locked away by their parents.
"Hi there Jughead. Are you ready to show me some new moves today?" Mrs. Tyler flirtatiously asked as she snaked around Jughead's frame, her hand caressing his rear end. Jughead jumped at her sneaky move, as the noise of the opening of the screen door caught his attention. He went to respond but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the figure entering the studio. Standing awkwardly in the entrance, the girl shuffled her feet. Jughead took his time examining her under the revealing light of day. She was enchanting, the way her blue eyes sparkled under her overwhelming emotions. Her body petite but shapely, her polo shirt tugging tightly against her chest.
"Betty!" Ronnie screamed and ran to the girl hugging her. "So you've come to check us out under Jughead approved circumstances?" Ronnie laughed her arm slung around Betty's shoulders. Betty's giggle sounded throughout the room making Jughead's stomach drop with intrigue. Her ponytail swung with her light steps towards the front of the room. Jughead let his stare linger on Betty a little longer than he intended.
One of the older women cleared her throat getting Jughead's attention. She motioned towards Betty as if telling him to make a move. Jughead knit his eyebrows together and shook his head at her.
"Alright let's get started with salsa today. Ronnie, music please" Jughead commanded back in his usual Jughead attitude. Ronnie threw him a glare as she pressed play on the retro boombox.
Jughead reached for Ronnie, pulling her towards him. Ronnie sighed taking her stance with him. "Don't show off Jug, she won't like it." Ronnie mentioned as she spun out from him, winking at Arnold who stood near her holding onto his wife Tammy. Jughead's mouth sat gaped at Ronnie, he wasn't showing off, he wasn't affected by Betty "Baby" at all.
Betty was invited onto the dance floor by one of the few older men. She copied Ronnie's position on the older man keeping a further distance from him than Ronnie did from Jughead. The older man led her in the steps as he watched Jughead's moments.
"Ouch!" Betty exclaimed stepping back from her partner, her foot throbbing. Ronnie frowned at the situation. "Don honey, would you like to dance with me? I could use a stronger partner." Ronnie offered to Betty's partner. He quickly dropped Betty's hands and stepped towards Ronnie. "Dance with her Jug." Ronnie threw over her shoulder low enough for only Jughead to hear. Jughead sighed and nodded at her requested. "Baby is it?" He echoed to Betty, his posture uninviting.
Betty tentatively walked to him. "Yes that's me."
''Looks like you're my partner today." He muttered taking her hand and pulling her close to him, his right arm securing her in place. "Better keep up." He added with a smirk. Betty knees nearly buckled beneath her, her hand grabbing Jughead's shoulder for stability, and with that Jughead began to move.
Jughead held her closer than Don, Betty's previous partner, had. His moments were swift and tidy forcing Betty to swing along with him. She was not a dancer by nature and her 'white-girl' dancing was far worse than most. Yet somehow she managed to keep up with Jughead and the music that seemed to coarse their his body and into hers.
Betty glanced over to Veronica as she lead Don around the room, six inches sitting between them. Perhaps Jughead preferred to dance close to his partner or maybe Ronnie wasn't taking a chance on the old man. Betty had seen the men around here get handsy with the staff and Ronnie didn't seem to be one to put up with that behavior.
Without Betty's full attention on Jughead, she found herself catching her balance trying not to fall to the tile floor. He had let go of her as the music stopped. "Great job guys. See you tomorrow." Jughead spat abruptly turning off the stereo.
Ronnie flirted shamelessly with older men as they left and closed the door behind them. She stomped towards Jughead, "What the hell is wrong with you today?" Jughead shook his head at Ronnie, "I'm not in the mood, Ronniekins." He mimicked her famous nickname for Archie, the waiter.
As the argument started to raise in volume, Betty rushed to grab the door handle. "Betty. Stay." Ronnie instructed without turning her face to Betty. Betty stood frozen facing them at the door. She cleared her throat as they stared at each other. Ronnie huffed as she walked over to Betty, who was still unsure what unspoken argument they had just had. "Come, tonight to the dancers only room."
Jughead opened up his mouth to speak. Ronnie held her hand up in his direction. "Do not say a word, Jughead." She paused lowering her hand and taking a deep breath. "We will see you at eight."
Betty nodded, gulping slightly as she glancing at the ajar door. Ronnie cracked a smile, "Yes, you may leave Betty." Without a second thought Betty walked quickly out the door both excited and scared for the night ahead of her.
Ronnie turned on her heels to face Jughead. "Alright burger loving bonehead. Your attitude is at a nine today. I have a good feeling you blew it with Betty but I won you a second chance. Don't blow it Forsythe." She threatened as she picked up her bags and strutted out the door.
As soon as Ronnie walked out the door she stood face to face with one of the thin and tall waiters who clung to the corners watching her and Jughead dance. They clouded in the corner like a swarm of flies at a picnic. Ronnie would admit that most of them were handsome, this waiter especially with his long red locks.
"Hey there, Jason. Did you find the girl you're going to woo this summer?" Ronnie asked throwing a youthful grin at him to which he flashed a smile that was worth melting over.
"I did. Her name is Polly, she's quite the looker. Nice curves, long blonde hair..." he drifted off licking his lips. Ronnie cut him off raising her hand, "too much information jayjay."
Jason smirked, "Is the infamous Ronnie jealous?" He asked stepping close to her.
She batted her eyelashes with a sweet smile. "You wish!" She shouted as she pushed him away playfully before running away blowing him a kiss. Jason chuckled as he caught the kiss and put it in his pocket.
Before Betty walked to the cabin she stopped at the main hall. "Mr. Keller!" She called out upon seeing him, "Have you seen Kevin?"
"Right here Betty, is everything okay?" Kevin asked approaching her from a hidden hallway with a concerned look on his face. Betty smiled at him and took a hold of his hands, playing it up for Mr. Keller "I wanted to know if you wanted to go for a swim tonight after dinner?"
Mr. Keller snickered at the sight knowing he had the Coopers in his hands. He sent a wave to his son with a wink and walked into the kitchen.
"Okay so are we seriously swimming or?" Kevin asked not sure what parts of the act were true. Betty dropped his hands as the people around them disappeared. "I got invited to a hang out with Ronnie." Kevin's eyes widened as he bounced on his feet happily. "So Jughead's gonna be there right?" He asked pure excitement in his voice. Betty bit her lip with a nod as she joined in his jumping.
A man walked through the kitchen door which swung on its hinges behind him. Kevin and Betty seized movement, Kevin's throat clearing. "So I'll meet you at the lake later." He clarified with a thumbs up letting her know he would cover for her. "Yes! Yes, thank you." Betty almost whispered as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Later that night, Betty stood in front of the barn doors which held Jughead and their dancing gang. Betty tried to make her feet move but every time she stayed in place. Betty sighed, digging her nails into her skin.
"You going in?" A voice beside her asked.
She jumped as her head whipped to the right side, her hand clutching her chest. "Archie! You scared me!"
Archie smiled at her heightened reaction. "Sorry Betty. You going in or not?" Betty sighed nodding her head, "I'm going in." She marched to the door and made her way inside not remembering to hold the door for Archie.
"Betty!" Ronnie exclaimed mirroring earlier events. "We're so happy you came!"
Betty arched an eyebrow suspiciously. "We?" Ronnie nodded pointing a finger to Jughead who was watching them sipping on a warm beer. "Well I'm gonna grab a drink."
Betty stepped in the direction of the table when Archie arrived in front of her with two drinks. "For my ladies." He offered with a smile, handing them the drinks in his hand. Betty murmured a thank you while taking the drink from him. Ronnie beamed at him, "Thank you Archiekins."
Betty took her drink in slowly, her surroundings becoming a bit blurry. She wasn't a drinker in fact this may be the first drink she ever had, she couldn't remember. Perhaps a small glass of champagne at a wedding, but nothing strong had ever touched her stomach.
Jughead walked to Betty with a purpose, taking her hand, he didn't say a word. He pulled her lazily to the dance floor. Betty giggled, whether it was prompted by the alcohol or by his actions was unsure. Surrounded by sweaty bodies in the middle of pulsing music, Jughead pulled her into his body like Betty watched him do to Veronica many times. She found herself automatically wrapping her arms on his neck when his hands snaked around her waist. He pulled her hips tight against his groin. Betty gasped at the prodding member on her thigh. Jughead smirked as he began to move their hips together. Betty held tighter onto his neck trying to steady herself from his movements against her. He held her waist against his chest and continued to grind against her. She moaned letting her head fall into his neck. The sound that escaped her mouth seems to motivate Jughead further, his groin rubbing frantically against her. Betty arched her back to slide down him slightly, her head hanging behind her. Jughead grinned at her and pulled her back up to meet his gaze. Betty bit her lip dying to close the gap between them. Jughead recognized the gaze in her eyes and pulled away from her, his arm dropping from her waist. If he stayed any longer he would lose his control and give in to the desire in Betty's eyes.
"That, baby, is how we dance around here." Jughead said abruptly walking towards the door. On his way out, he grabbed a cup of beer pouring it down his now dry throat. The cup fell to the ground as he walked out the door.