I had to tell Jughead. I know the consequences are hard ones, but it was mainly my fault and Betty doesn't deserve to go through all of this drama and the heavy burden of a secret. Especially a backstabbing one. I'll explain everything and leave every detail of Betty out so that it'll seem like she's the victim, and make it seem like I forcefully kissed her in order to figure out some sort of puzzle relating to high school.

I'll lie. Say I still like her or that I've always loved her, which I don't know if it's true, but that's my excuse. Even if I still secretly liked Betty from way back in the past, I would still feel guilty. If they break up, I would feel happy because than I could have her. I would console her during the few weeks where everything just dies inside her. I'll help her through all the hard times and troubles she has. But is it really worth it if I mess up a great couple and two friendships?

My mind is scattered everywhere. Half of it says to help and half says to let it play out. I don't want to seem like the villain but how could I hide my feelings? Do I even know what feelings are? Me, Archie Andrews, the same guy who's been out with multiple girls, thinking to myself that it was love and I should always feel that way. My heart pounded, my cheeks flushed red, and every being of my body tells me that this is love.

But it's never done that around Betty. Around her I'm myself, I don't have to convince myself to impress her or have certain feelings for her because it comes natural. First it was just dumb kid things. Our first kiss came way to early but I wouldn't regret a thing. Sure I did dumb kid things, putting brunette hair dye in her shampoo and telling her that those were his favorites, but really he was running away, like most boys do when they have to confront themselves.

It wasn't love. Maybe it was.. so much love that my senses couldn't comprehend the amount it was feeling. Real, true love is something you never see coming. When it comes, you know it's real, whether you blush or not. One hundred percent you can tell that the girl next door with long flowing golden hair and beautiful baby blue eyes is your soulmate.

Soulmate. Soulmate.

I'm in love with Betty Cooper. And for once, I hate that. I hate having to confront it.

Because it means I feel something for the girlfriend of my best friend.

I caught Betty off guard the next day as I yanked her out of the Blue and Gold while she was concentrating on a layout for the next article. She glared at me but softened her gaze once she realized I was serious. She didn't look at me straight in the eyes. "Betty I'm telling Jughead today. About the whole situation."

Her eyes widened in fear. "No! No Archie y-you can't! You don't know what'll happen!" She yelled, almost breaking my eardrums. "You can't keep him in the dark Betty. You need to tell him, or I'm telling him!"

Betty clenched her hands. "Look Archie, I'll do anything to protect him. I love him so much. Please, please don't tell him! I'll tell him eventually just...don't. I just, love him so so much." She whispered it and released her grip. My heart stung with the words love as she said them. That's right, what am I thinking? They love each other. So much. H-How could I ruin that?

I took her hand. "Look, we've been in a very hard situation this week, and I need you to listen to me. You and Jughead are the best couple I've ever seen. You honestly deserve each other and he's a good man. He'll love you forever and never do anything wrong.."

My hand slipped from hers and I slumped down, putting my hands on her shoulders. Surprisingly, she put her hand on top of mine and squeezed it. My heart started pounding. "Archie, are you okay? I bet you didn't just pull me away from the Blue and Gold just to tell me how great Jughead is. Trust me I know, and I promise I'll take great care of h-"

"I love you."

She stopped, slipping her hands down by her side and standing there frozen. I leaned forward and set my head on her shoulder. She flinched for a second but let me stay. "I've known you for so much longer. We've done the impossible and saved each other multiple times. I'm late in telling you, but tell me: you still don't have feelings for me? Just a little, maybe just a little bit from our childhood, from our first kiss?"

She took my head and cupped her hands around my face. She smiled genuinely and said, "Of course I love you Archie. I've always loved you, and I always will". She then brought me in an embrace and whispered ever so slightly, "But I love Jughead more. My love for you will never change, just like I can never change our first kiss, but I'd never change it for the world. I do love you." She squeezed me lovingly and I held her back knowing it didn't mean what I thought it meant.

I was rejected. By my long lost love but it's okay. I know eventually I'll get over it and hopefully mend the bond with Betty. Friends forever.

Something was wrong though. I felt the staring of another person in the hallway, boring through my back like a knife. I didn't dare look at who it was, because I could already tell by the yells of Betty as she realizes who it is.

It was Jughead. Apparently he was running a little late.

Betty let go of my shirt and looked towards Jughead, who had a pained expression on his face. His face was contorted to look tough, but really he was internally sobbing, waiting for the perfect time to escape.

Betty covered her mouth as Jughead ran towards the exit, back first from Betty and me. She screamed his name and followed immediately after he left. I wanted to race after him too, but I figured it would only make things worse than it already was.

I silently cheered on Betty to bring Jughead back.