Betty sat silently in the empty dance studio, she had arrived much earlier than she was expected to. She couldn't sleep the night before, the dance moves floating in her head and the thought of kissing Jughead pestering her.
Jughead marched in the room as if something was bothering him, the door slamming behind him. Betty jumped at the sound, looking up from her book.
"Baby! I didn't realize you were here." He said flustered, his face turning pink. "Um so I thought we'd work on our routine now since you know the steps." He said walking to the stereo, clearing his throat. "Uh yeah." Jughead kept his back turned to her. Acting like he was a proper dance instructor and not a boy who spent a sleepless night thinking of how her soft skin brushed against his as they danced. How her heated nervous breathes overwhelmed his senses.
Betty joined Jughead near the stereo and slipped on the heels Ronnie gave her for the performance. She had never worn anything like these, edgy and feminine, the heel much higher than Betty's mother would ever allow her to wear. Once strapped into the shoes, Betty stood and took Jughead's outstretched hand. The expression on his face was soft, the wrinkles of worry long gone. What happened? Betty couldn't put her finger on it, but he was different. Maybe it was just her imagination but Jughead seemed nicer recently, perhaps he didn't hate her anymore. Even the way he held her hand was different, softer. Yet he somehow managed to hold her up right in their position. She liked it. She liked this new Jughead.
Jughead pulled Betty close and turned her so her back faced him. "Follow me." He said simply taking her arm and stretching it around his neck. Betty bit her lip and watched his movements. His eyes trailing along her neck and up to her flush face. Jughead let go of Betty's hand and slowly trailed his hand down the inside of her arm. Betty squirmed from the laughter she felt and the sudden warmth settling in the pit of her stomach. Jughead sighed, "No. again." He grunted throwing her arm down to her side and picking it up again gently to repeat his actions. This time Betty stood still, letting the pressure in her stomach torment her.
Jughead took ahold of Betty's right hand as her arm fall softly beside her. He pushed her out gently so she twirled away from him and back again quickly. She was close to him again, this time facing him her breath hot on his neck. Betty let her eyes search his cluttered face, so many emotions laying there waiting to be found.
"Dip." Jughead instructed. Betty nodded slightly and arched her back slowly letting her head fall. She then raised her body to meet his eyes again. "Hips" Jughead spat quickly covering up his groan. Betty obeyed swinging her hips gently against his leg. Jughead let her head fall into the crook of his neck as she moved against him. "Fuck." He mumbled egging Betty on even more. She grinned and let her hand trail down his chest. Jughead grabbed her hand holding it in place on his chest. His eyes met hers as he began to salsa with her. Betty smiled slightly at him and followed his moves.
Jughead turned Betty once again so her back laid on his chest his hand sprawled on her stomach. Betty took a deep breath feeling his gaze content on her. She bent her knees allowing her to slide down the expanse of his body. Jughead's breath hitched as he watched her. Betty focused on the sound of his breathing her heart pumping along with it. She stood and turned to face him, her arms enveloping his neck. Jughead's jaw clenched, his firm hand pulling her against his taut chest. Betty mouth gaped open slightly, her hands traced around his stomach to his back. Betty stepped in between his legs, now each leg on either side of his right thigh, arms wrapped around his neck, as she began to rock with the music. His hands gripped her hips harder, guiding her to move with him. She couldn't help but start to breath heavily. She felt herself grind against his jean covered thigh. He let out a groan as he saw any walls she had up slip off of her face. She had her eyes closed, a small smile appearing on her slightly parted lips as she continued to dance with him. Pure bliss dancing on her face. It seemed like she wasn't thinking about anything at all, anything but the melody that her body made as it moved against his. The rhythm of his hands pressing and tapping on her hips. Without even realising it, he bet his knees a bit, his arms slipping down from her hips to her ass, pressing her closer to him. She took the hint and kept grinding against him, her face now leaning against his. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
The studio fell silent escaping Jughead's notice. Betty snaked her head into the crook of Jughead's neck. She sat her lips against his earlobe as she whispered to him. "The music stopped."
With the hint in Betty's words, Jughead lost the inch of control he had left in his body. A single beat of time escaped them before Jughead had Betty pinned up against the wall behind her. His mouth fervently finding hers. Betty gasped grabbing his hips for stability. Jughead wrapped his hands tightly on her neck, pushing his body against hers. His lips were slightly parted, both soft and rough on Betty's all at once. At first, she didn't kiss back, she stood there frozen. This was her first kiss, she didn't know the first thing to do. Her midnight fantasies were nothing compared to what Jughead was doing to her now. Jughead started to move his lips against hers, slowly but passionately as she slowly gained confidence and began to kiss him back. She felt like a little kid, feet stuck to the floor. Soon she caught his rhythm and mimicked his actions, sucking on his bottom lip making him groan out loud. His rough hands made their way into her hair as he tugged on it lightly, making her look up. He broke the kiss, letting her catch her breath as he started to kiss his way down her jawline, finding a spot on her neck, he started biting and sucking on it, making her close her eyes. ''Jughead.'' His name rolled off her lips as she grabbed on to his shirt, tugging at it, not knowing what to do with herself the overwhelming pleasure of finally feeling his lips on her skin driving her crazy.
Betty grabbed the sharp line of Jughead's jaw and moved his head back to her lips. She kissed him gently, trying her new skill set. Betty pulled away, "I like you Jughead." She didn't know what came over her but the sudden wave of confidence coming over her told her this was the right thing to do. The words cascading from her mouth.
''I..'' Jughead couldn't help but be surprised by her statement. Yes, he felt attraction to her and wanted to be around her constantly. He had felt that way almost since the first time he saw her, but people like them didn't belong together. They were nothing alike. She was an uptown rich girl and he was the son of a south side serpent. There is no future he could imagine where they would actually work out. ''Baby,..'' It took all of his will power for him to step away from her. ''I'm not good, Betty.'' He sighed. ''I'm no good for you.''
''That's not true!'' She stepped forward, adrenaline rushing in her veins. ''It is!'' He quickly took another step back. Betty countered with another step forward, "We have electricity that pumps through us every time we dance and gravity that pulls us closer to each other when we're in the same room." She paused taking a deep breath. "You can't tell me that's no good."
Jughead sighed looking down at his feet then glancing back up at her. "I'll ruin your life. You won't get a happy ending with me. Your parents won't approve, our house won't be encased with a white fence, and kids? Guess what, they will grow up to be just like me." Jughead said his eyes searing into her own.
Betty shook her head at his words, willing herself to be tough and keep her tears inside. "Don't you get it Jughead? I don't want the life my parents have. I want a life of my own not a cookie cutter version of my family. I want you, goddamn it I've wanted you since I first saw you dancing with Ronnie."
Jughead nostrils flared with the thought of his willpower disappearing from him. He shook his head and closed the gap between him. "You're gonna regret this." He whispered as he cupped her face in his hands. Betty smiled at her and bit her lip, "Best regret i'll ever have", she murmured onto his lips as she kissed him.
That night at dinner was especially Betty's favorite. It didn't take long after Betty arrived for Jughead to show up, Ronnie on his arm. Betty mood instantly lifted as he saw her and sent a wink her way. Betty giggled knowing the secret they kept, their makeout session in the studio leading to a confession. Her mother would kill her and that somehow made it better. Thankfully at this moment her mother was distracted by Polly and Jason, the waiter, the boy Polly claimed to love.
Betty's attention switched to Ronnie who looked pale and tired. Who knew losing a baby caused so much pain. Jughead had taken Ronnie to the doctor yesterday, to "take care of it". It was a cheap doctor, only $100 to perform the surgery. Betty was unsure if they could trust the doctor, but then again Betty was unsure of the abortion itself.
Kevin waved his arms from across the room trying to catch Betty's gaze. Betty looked at him with a smile and cocked her eyebrows. "What?" She mouthed.
Kevin motioned to his face and pointed at her. She knew exactly what he meant, she was happy, glowing even. She glanced at Jughead who had his eyes fixed on her, a grin glued to his face. Betty blushed and looked back to Kevin, whose mouth was open looking between Betty and Jughead. Betty covered her face trying to hide her giggle. Kevin pointed to Jughead, "him?", he mouthed. Betty dropped her hands and nodded, sucking her lip into her mouth with a blush. Kevin practically bounced in his seat.
The music danced through the dining hall loudly trying to drown out the meaningless chatter. Betty tapped her feet to the beat making Jughead want to dance with her again. He knew they couldn't, he sighed as his colleagues danced. He wasn't dancing much since Ronnie wasn't feeling herself. He eventually caught Betty's eye, she smiled and waved quickly in his direction. Jughead chuckled at her and motioned towards the door with his head. Betty nodded and got up from her seat. "I'm gonna use the powder room." Betty quickly explained before she slipped out the back door.
Betty took one step out the door into the cold when Jughead captured her by the waist. She screamed knowing no one would hear her over the loud music. Jughead chuckled as he brought her close, "shh". He captured her smile with his lips. She giggled wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Let's go for a walk." Jughead suggested as he pulled her body close. Betty bit her lip, "Trying to get me alone Juggie?" She teased wiggling her eyebrows. He laughed and shook his head. "Save that for later. Come on." He said releasing her from his hold and taking her hand pulling her along behind him. Betty giggled, why does everything he does make her giggle?
They found themselves walking in silence along the dull street lights, silence crowded out their thoughts. It was comfortable, like they had been doing it for years. Jughead quickly found a tree to sit, they didn't need to hide because everyone was inside enjoying their dinner. They could be at peace no worrying if her parents would see or if another person would see and tell.
Jughead sat with his back against the tree pulling Betty down to sit in between his legs. His arms quickly wrapped around her waist and kiss was placed on her cheek.
"Alright mystery man, think you can let some of your mysterious aura go for me?" Betty grinned up at him through her light brown eyelashes. Jughead nearly melted at the sight of her, it was almost like the first time he saw her. The drop of his stomach and the feeling of never wanting to let her go was a common occurrence, something he encountered every time he looked in her eyes. "Only for you Baby." He smirked at her causing Betty to shake her head. "Alright cheeseball. Do you have any siblings?"
"One sister, Jellybean." Jughead said as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Older or Younger?" Betty pried while thinking what a strange pick of names his family had.
"Younger, she's 11. She collects song selection menus from jukeboxes. She wants to be called JB, she thinks she's real cool."
Betty laughed knowing it was every kids' dream to be "cool". "So... she's you?" She asked, Jughead staring at her face in slight shock. "Are you saying I'm not cool. I just think I am?" His mouth sat open. Betty giggled and cleared her throat, putting on her best Jughead voice. "Hi, I'm Jughead and I wear a badass leather jacket and I don't smile unless forced. I'm cool and all the ladies dig me." Betty teased dancing in her seat as if she was walking like him.
"Oh really? Is that so?" Jughead asked his hands sliding back on her waist to tickle her. Betty screamed and laughed flailing in his lap. "No juggie stop. Some gonna hear m-" laughter escaped her lips again when his hands suddenly stopped moving. Her breath was unsteady, her hands held Jughead's not trusting him to start again. Betty noticed his lack of movement and grinned moving up to reach his lips. "Don't worry, Jug. I like the jacket." She mumbled kissing his lips. "Good cause it's not going anywhere." Jughead grinned against her lips pulling her so she sat straddling his lap.
Footsteps raced towards them followed by an anxious voice. "Jug! Betty!" Jughead groaned as Betty popped up from her spot not recognizing the voice calling them. They looked towards the voice to find a sweaty Archie, breathing as if he just ran a marathon. "It's Ronnie." Was all he managed to choke out.
Polly and Jason were taking a stroll along the lake. Jason held Polly under the crook of his arm. Her smile stayed plastered on her face, happy she found someone to love this summer. He was so handsome and he liked her. Maybe Betty was wrong maybe it is okay to fall in love and get married. Maybe their mother was right. Maybe that was the life the Cooper women were cut out for. And maybe Polly found the man who was going to be her husband.
"Would you like to sit for awhile?" Jason suggested motioning to a nearby log sitting near the lake. Polly smiled and took a seat, Jason following soon after.
"What's your family like Jason?" Polly asked while resting her head on Jason's shoulder. Jason snaked an arm around Polly's shoulder.
"Actually similar to your family, now that I think about it. I have a younger sister, my family's uptight and my sister's the rebel." Jason drifted off looking at the lake.
Polly moved away from his embrace. "Uptight? Rebel? My family is not like that. My mother has her preferences but my family is not uptight. And Betty's not a rebel! What makes you think that?" Polly countered defending her family.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. Forget I said it, huh?" He asked softly leaning towards her. Polly sighed not ready to let go so quickly but her argument was quickly interrupted as her focus switched to Jason's pale pink lips. Jason closed the gap quickly, his lips moving against her. Polly gasped at his quick change of pace but kissed back. It wasn't their first kiss but the prior kisses were chaste and sweet. This was different, hurried and eager.
Jason took her actions as a sign to move forward. He continued to kiss her, his right arm holding her around her waist and his left hand glided slowly up her leg. An alarm went off in Polly's head, her hand quickly grabbing Jason's as he past her knee. "What are you doing?" She mumbled against his lips.
"Kissing you. Having some fun." He shrugged as if there was nothing to explain. He ignored the grip on his hand and moved it further under her skirt. His hand guided Polly to lay down against the log.
"Jason, no!" Polly warned pushing him away from her. Jason chuckled at her. "Relax baby, it will be fine, we're just fooling around." He hushed letting out a quiet, "shh."
Polly shook her head and push against him with all the strength she had left. "No Jason!" She exclaimed standing up and back away from him. "What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Jason scoffed. "I thought you were a girl that like to have fun? Get loose? Escape your parents?" He retorted standing up to face her.
"I'm not the kind of girl who sleeps with a guy she's known for two weeks by a lake!" Polly huffed, "and obviously it's you I have to escape from not my parents!" She countered turning on her heels to walk away.
"Wanna know why I called your sister a rebel?" Jason questioned causing her to turn back to face him. He smirked as she faced him, he was mad and he wanted her to be mad too. "Because she's sleeping with Jughead Jones, the dance instructor."
Polly head scrunched back in shock. "You're lying. You have no proof." Jason laughed, "Sure I do I saw them getting hot and heavy today in the studio."
Polly shook her head, "You're a jerk and an idiot! And to think I thought about marrying you." Polly scoffed shaking her head and walking away.
"Like I'd even marry a stuck up princess like you!" Jason called after her, getting the last word.
Polly tried her best to ignore the words he said as she walked back to cabin. The things he said were hurtful but more importantly made up. Her parents, although particular, were not as bad as he claimed. And Betty wasn't at all who he said she was. She was not a rebel and she was most certainly not sneaking around with Jughead Jones