A/N: Thanks again everyone for reviewing this story. It means a lot.

Again, I said slow burn and I meant it but I promise your torture as almost at an end. This chapter is mostly character development. I'm just trying to build a story that is about people and not just about sex. I'm sorry if that's not your jam.

Enjoy.

Betty sat in one of the florescent lit hallways of Juilliard trying to steady her breathing. She was nervous, more nervous than she could ever remember being. It was a 45 minute audition playing some of the most difficult musical compositions from memory.

She was spinning her phone around in her hand going over each song in her head. She was mouthing each note, visualizing her hands on the keys. "You can do this." She let out a long exhale.

Her phone buzzed.

"You're gonna fucking nail it! Don't worry and if you get nervous pretend you're in your room playing for me. - 03/03/17 - 10:04am

She smiled at Jughead's text.

And if you don't believe me here's a motivational penguin. - 03/03/17 - 10:04am

He attached a GIF of a small animated penguin who was flapping his fins with the words 'You Can Do It!' flashing above him.

Her smile grew and she texted him back.

Thanks Jug. I really needed that. - 03/03/17 - 10:05am

She tucked her phone away in her purse and sighed. Betty knew that she needed to break up with Archie. Any lingering doubt she may have had about staying with him was gone. She still cared about him because of the history they shared but it was no longer enough to keep them together. She also couldn't ignore her feelings for Jughead. After the hand holding and the kisses on the car she couldn't lie to herself any further. She liked him, a lot, and the friendship she had with him wasn't enough for her anymore. She just had to work up the courage to break up with Archie but she hated confrontation more than anything. She was also afraid that when she was in front of him trying to end it, he would talk her out of it.

"Fuck." She muttered to herself, leaning her head against the wall.

"Elizabeth Cooper?" A young dark haired girl shouted.

Betty stood quickly. "Yes, that's me." She walked towards the door that was being held open.

"It's your turn." She said with a friendly expression. "Good luck."

Betty gave her a small smile. "Thanks." She continued towards the stage where a piano sat.

She handed a form to the three people who were sitting at a table in front of the stage. "Elizabeth Cooper." She stated.

"Yes, please take the stairs over there and begin when you're ready." An old man with white hair and an unfashionable tweed suit informed her.

Betty nodded and ascended the stage. She placed her bag down and sat down on the bench. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath in and held it. The thought of the motivational penguin crossed her mind and she smiled. She thought of a pacing Jughead, biting his finger nails waiting for her to give him good news one way or another. She let out her breath and her fingers found their place on the keys. With one more deep breath, she began.

52 minutes later Betty had finished. "Thank you, Ms. Cooper. You'll hear from us either way." A middle aged woman with a smooth blonde bob informed.

Betty nodded and left the auditorium quickly. She walked through the halls barely breathing, tugging at the sleeves of her sweater. She got to her car and placed her hands on the steering wheel once inside.

Tears began running down her cheeks and she was gasping for air. She felt around for her phone in her purse, clicked on his name and brought the device to her ear.

"Bets?" His voice was neutral and level, prepared for anything she was going to tell him.

"J-Jug." She hiccoughed.

"Betty, what's the matter? What happened?" He asked. There was a long pause where nothing was said and Jughead listened to her cry. "Betty, did it not go well?" He asked in a whisper, afraid to hear the answer.

"N-No, it went so w-well." She started crying even harder.

He let out a laugh of relief. "Then why are you crying?"

"I-I don't know." She continued to cry. "I nailed every n-note, it was like I didn't e-even need t-to focus. I was perfect." She sniffed. "I think I'm j-just relieved. I feel like I've been under so much pressure and I hold myself to such a high standard and there's been so much going on in my personal life and I'm a human disaster and I don't know how to handle you and Archie, like what the fuck is wrong with me?" She had a bad case of word vomit as her thoughts and feelings came spilling out of her. "Sorry, I'm a mess and so indecisive and I've been holding onto the wrong things for a long time."

"You've been working so hard Bets. I know of some ways to help you relax. Do you promise me you'll relax for the next couple of weeks? Do you promise to let me help you relax?" He implored.

"I promise." She croaked.

Can I see you at some point tonight?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. I know Cher and I will want to get out of this dinner as fast as possible so we may end up at V's." She wiped underneath her eyes. "But don't hold your breath, I have no idea what this night holds for me."

"Try please, I'll take you anyway I can have you." He said admitted, a desperation in his voice that she hated she had put there. "You still need to pick up your sister, right?" He asked changing the subject.

"Yeah." Betty breathed.

"Go do that and for the love of god, please do not drive like yourself." He was half serious, half kidding.

"I'll be careful." She whispered. "Thank you for listening to me."

"Anytime." She could tell by his tone that he was smiling. "I'll see you later, Juliet."

"Bye, Romeo." She hung up.

Her head fell back against the headrest and she took deep breathes until she felt normal again. She picked up her phone and scrolled to Archie's number with the intention to text him.

Hey Arch I was thinking that we should break up. We both know this isn't working and we should call it quits.

Her thumb hovered the send button but she couldn't do it. She couldn't break up with him by text. She was an adult and she would end her relationship in person. So she deleted it and wrote a new text.

Hey Arch are you available any nights next week to meet up and go to dinner. I would do this weekend but my sister is up. - 03/03/17 - 11:14am

She watched as the three bubbles appeared followed by his response.

I can do Tuesday night! Is Pop's okay? - 03/03/17 - 11:15am

Sounds great! - 03/03/17 - 11:15am

See you then gorgeous! I've been missing your face ;) - 03/03/17 - 11:15am

She sighed and gripped her phone. At the very least that was set up and she was going to do it the right way. Archie would be one less thing she needed to worry about.

She texted her sister asking her to be outside when she arrived at her Jason's Lower Manhattan apartment.

No problem! We'll for sure be outside. :) :) :) :) - 03/03/17 - 11:17am

When Betty arrived, they weren't out front. "Ugh!" She exclaimed and called her sister.

"Hey sis!" Polly beamed when she picked up.

"Pol, I can't stay parked down here. You need to leave now!" Betty said, a meter maid eyeing her car.

"We're coming, we're coming. Just idle, I'll be there in 5 minutes.

"Polly, get dressed!" Betty could hear Jason yell at Polly.

"I'm sorry, are you not even dressed yet?" Betty asked incredulously.

"It'll take me two-seconds!" She sang.

"If I get a ticket, you are paying it, Polly Cooper." Betty's mom mode was kicking in.

"I'll be down in five minutes." Polly hung up the phone and Betty saw the meter maid standing beside her car. She rolled down her window. "Hi." She said in the most pleasant voice.

"Mam, you can't park here." She was a tall, spindly woman in an unflattering blue uniform.

"I'm not parking, I'm idling. I'm waiting for people to come out of that building." She pointed at Polly's apartment. "And then I'm gone."

"If you aren't gone in five minutes then I'm giving you a ticket." She threatened and left for the car behind Betty's.

Two minutes she saw Polly and Jason walk out of their apartment and she sighed with relief. Polly was talking a mile a minute while Jason walked beside her carrying two duffle bags. Betty popped the trunk and got out.

Polly smiled and squealed. "Betty!" She exclaimed pulling her into a hug. She was wearing a burgundy crop top and a high waisted plaid skirt. A mustard yellow coat was draped over the ensemble. Her sheer black socks came up to her knees and the Doc Martens on her feet were scuffed up and had paint all over them. Her blonde hair was piled up in a bun on the top of her head. "How are you? You look amazing. How was your audition?"

"Let's get in the car and we will talk all about it." Betty smiled, so happy to see Polly again but also eyeing the meter maid. She looked over at the redheaded boy closing the trunk. He was wearing an expensive looking black peacoat and khaki pants. "Hey, Jay." She said with a wave as she walked around the car and got into the drivers seat.

Betty didn't have to worry about filling silence. Polly talked, non-stop, for the two and a half hours it took to them to get back to Riverdale. She told Betty everything about school, her and Jason's apartment and living in the city. She shot questions at Betty in a rapid fire way, only allowing for her to give one word answers back.

Once in Riverdale, they dropped Jason off and headed home. Neither of their parents were home.

"Well, that's nice of them. They haven't seen me in two months but whatever." Polly rolled her eyes, walking into the kitchen to grab a soda.

Betty cocked an eyebrow. "A soda? I thought you were on a no sugar, all vegan diet."

"Yeah, I gave that up. We're all gonna die anyway, right?." She shrugged and lifted herself onto the island. "So how's everything with Archie?"

Betty rubbed her face. "Not well, I'm going to break up with him on Tuesday."

Polly crossed her legs and raised her eyebrows. "Ooo, really? Do tell." She took a sip.

Betty shrugged. "We've grown apart and he's kind of a dick."

"Well, yeah. Everyone knows that."

"Also…" Betty trailed off, tugging at her shirt sleeve.

"There's an also?" Polly said with a grin.

"There's someone else and I like him so much." Betty smiled.

"Who is it? Do I know him?" She leaned forward loving the gossip.

"Jughead Jones?"

"The weird kid that's always wearing that hat?" She asked, a look of confusion on her face.

"That's him and he's not weird, he's shy." Betty defended him. "He works at the library and when I was completing my community service and I just kinda fell for him."

"Fell for him?" Polly repeated in shock. "Are you in love with him?" She asked.

"No, but I really want to be and I feel like I'm right on the verge. He's so…" She sighed dreamily. "Funny and smart and sensitive and he has the intense confidence and this weird code and he's a gentleman in a weird way. He makes me feel beautiful." She looked away from Polly. "He makes me feel like myself." She smiled so widely her cheeks were hurting.

"Bets, what are you doing? Look at your face! Go find that kid and put your mouth on his mouth!" Polly exclaimed.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Betty crossed her arms. "You know me Polly, I can't say no, I can't disappoint people. It's my biggest flaw. Breaking up with Archie would disappoint him."

"I don't think he would even notice." Polly retorted.

"Well, thanks." Betty rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I meant. You deserve to be happy so dump Archie, go to Juilliard and get up in Jughead's guts." She jumped off the counter and pulled her into a hug.

"That's disgusting." She spat with an appalled look on her face.

Polly couldn't help but laugh. "I'm gonna go take a nap." She kissed her sister on the cheek and disappeared upstairs to her old room which had gone untouched.

Betty worked on school work and when her parents came home, retreated upstairs to get ready. She put her hair up into a low chignon and decided on a sleeveless dress that was white with blue and pink flowers on the bottom. She put on little make-up, just enough to play up her features. "Fuck." She muttered not wanting to go.

She looked up when there was a knock on her door which Polly opened up a crack. "Hey, can I come in for a sec?" She asked and Betty nodded.

"What's up?" Betty asked looking her sister up and down. She was wearing a long sleeved, white maxi dress with flowers all over it. Her hair was crimped and she was wearing a gold leaf headband.

"How do you plan on getting through this night?" Polly asked.

"What do you mean?"

Polly huffed. "Do you wanna climb out onto the roof and smoke a joint with me?"

Betty grinned. "Yes, yes I do."

They placed a blanket down, climbed out and lit the joint. "How have mom and dad been?" Polly asked.

"They have been non-existent." Betty took a drag.

"I'm gonna yell at them. Just because you are almost eighteen doesn't mean that you should have to take care of yourself." Polly spat.

"I prefer it this way. At least this way mom isn't pointing out everything I'm doing wrong." She passed the joint to her sister.

Polly sighed. "I didn't do a very good job protecting you, did I? I don't think I realized how different we were until it was too late. I just assumed you could handle yourself like I could."

"You were trying to survive, that's all." Betty shrugged. They sat in silence for a moment, letting the drug take it's effects. "Mom's having an affair."

Polly started coughing. "What?!"

"I followed her to a motel one night and saw her with some guy?"

"Did you recognize him?" She inquired.

Betty shook her head. "It was really dark. I think he had brown hair and he was tallish. I think he was wearing a leather jacket, maybe." Betty took the joint from Polly. "I don't know if he's from here or from Hudson. That's where she was meeting him." Betty exhaled. "I don't know when mom is gonna leave dad but I hope it's soon."

Polly exhaled. "Fuck, I don't know if I can do two Christmases."

Betty laughed when they heard their mother call them. "Polly! Betty! Lets go we are going to be late!"

The girls scrambled to get inside and sprayed perfume on each other. They headed downstairs where their parents were waiting.

Hal was already drunk and doing his best to try and hide it. He was wearing a hideous brown suit because he knew it would piss off his wife. Alice, on the other hand, was dressed in a tight, purple dress with capped sleeves. She had nude pumps on her feet, her hair was flawlessly blowdried and her makeup was done with precision.

"Can you both hurry up? We don't have all day." Alice was tapping her foot as the girls headed to the front door. Alice grabbed Betty's wrist causing her to stop and look at her. "What's wrong with your face?" She asked her youngest daughter.

Betty shook her head. "I don't know, this is just my face."

Alice let go of her and scoffed. "It really pains me how little you try, Betty."

"You look nice mom." Polly said trying to take some of the attention away from her sister.

A pleased smile spread across her face. "Thank you, so do you. The whole outfit screams, I live in the city, can't you tell?"

Polly rolled her eyes and took Betty's hand dragging to the car before they could be belittled any further.

Everyone was silent on the way Blossoms house except for Alice who couldn't stop commenting on how weird it smelled in the car. It took everything in Polly and Betty not to giggle.

Alice parked in front of the Blossom's large home and booked it towards the front door while everyone trailed behind. Betty was finding it impossible to focus and realized getting high was a bad idea.

Cheryl's house was the first mansion built in Riverdale in 1857. It had gone through many updates over the decades but it had kept its American Gothic roots. It had always creeped Betty out and she hated going there. It had been in the Blossom family for nearly 100 years.

Penelope Blossom, Cheryl and Jason's mother, answered the door. "Alice!" She enthused with a large smile. Penelope was dressed in a red tweed suit jacket and skirt. Her hair was pulled back so tightly Betty was convinced it was what was keeping her skin so wrinkle free. She kissed everyone on the cheek while escorting them into the house.

Penelope's husband, Clifford Blossom, didn't bother with he pleasantries. He grabbed Hal by the arm pull him into the billiards room. Betty noticed how ill fitting his hair piece was and assumed he was as drunk as her father.

Cheryl breezed by, her red gown trailing behind her, and grabbed Betty's hand. "My brother has weed." She kept her voice low.

"So does my sister. I'm so high right now." Betty admitted for a giggle.

"Well, prepared to get a little higher." Cheryl said with a wink grabbing her coat. "Mom!" She yelled. "I'm gonna show Polly and Betty the landscaping in the backyard."

Penelope made a dismissive gesture as she showed Alice a new tapestry hanging in the foyer.

Cheryl pulled Betty out onto the patio and stepped into an alcove hidden by trees which was right beside the open and steaming pool. It was a power move, showing that the Blossoms were rich enough to heat their pool all year round.

Jason took out a joint from his jacket pocket "This is the only way I'm going to be able to stomach that maple ham we are having tonight." He said with a smirk.

The Blossoms were the biggest producers of artisanal organic maple syrup in America. It was the reason they were so rich but after eighteen years the siblings were sick of the sticky substance.

He lit it and passed it to Cheryl first. She inhaled deeply and exhaled in satisfaction. "So much better than vodka."

Betty giggled.

"You better be ready to share that with me." Veronica said wrapping her arms around Cheryl's waist.

"You came!" Cheryl beamed. "I'm not sure if the possibility of mine and Betty's parents discovering us was going to keep you away."

"Not on your life! Weed and the most beautiful girl in Riverdale is not an offer I can refuse." Veronica kissed her girlfriend deeply on the mouth before taking the joint from her.

Betty looked passed them to see Jughead walking towards her, pulling her into a hug so fierce that she was lifted off the ground. "I'm so proud of you." He whispered her ear.

Betty's fingers snaked through his hair, pulling him as close to her as she could. "I'm glad you're here." She admitted.

They broke away from each other but Jughead kept her close and linked his fingers with hers.

"Hey, I'm Polly, Betty's sister." She leaned forward and shook his free hand.

"Nice to meet you." Jughead said politely.

"How did the audition go, Bets?" Kevin asked blowing smoke rings passing the joint to Jughead

Betty was mildly startled, not realizing Kevin was there. Betty had been too distracted by the boy in the beanie to notice his entrance.

"It went really well." Betty blushed.

"Audition for what?" Cheryl questioned.

Jughead distracted Betty again, taking her chin in one hand and angling her face up towards his. He shot gunned the toke he took into her mouth, their lips brushing against each other.

Jason, Polly, Kevin, Veronica and Cheryl all exchanged a look while Betty exhaled.

"I applied to Julliard." Betty explained after she remember her redheaded friend had asked her a question. "I want to play piano, I mean I already play but I want to play better."

"No fucking way!" Cheryl exclaimed pushing Betty's shoulders a little too hard. Betty fell back, tripping over a hose which had been left out. She fell into the pool, taking Jughead with her.

"Oh my god," Betty shrieked when she resurface. She had no idea how she was going to explain this to her mother.

Jughead was grinning as he watched her bob up and down in the water.

"Why are you smiling?" She said with an annoyed laugh. "My mom is going to kill me."

Jughead pulled her towards him and took advantage of the fact that her coast was open and she was wearing a dress. He let his fingers drift up the sides of her legs and thighs until he hit her panties. "Jug." Betty reprimanded quietly as she put her hand over his. "Not here."

"But there is going to be a time and place eventually, right?" She looked at her seriously. His beanie had fallen off and his wet hair was falling in his eyes. Betty couldn't help but think of the pool scene from Romeo + Juliet and how much Jughead looked like a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

"Hell, yeah." She answered and his grin grew.

"You gotta get out of the pool and disappear." Polly warned, pointing at Jughead.

"Why?" He questioned.

"Because if my mom sees you she's gonna freak."

"Why?" He asked again.

"Because you aren't Archie Andrews and I don't want Betty to have to deal with the verbal assault our mother will lay down on her if she sees you two together. This isn't the time or place." Polly said echoing Jughead and Betty's conversation seconds before.

"Or we can all get in the pool!" Cheryl shouted as she ran and cannonballed in. She resurfaced seconds later, screaming. "Why did I do that?" She screeched.

"Cause you are high as fuck." Jughead enlightened before he got out of the pool and ran towards Veronica and Kevin. "I have to get home or I'm gonna freeze to death." He turned to Betty. "Text me later."

Betty nodded and Jughead disappeared.

"I'm gonna go too." Veronica looked down at them. "I lied. I'm afraid of your parents?" She turned to leave. "Phone sex later?" She asked.

"For sure." Cheryl purred as she swam towards Betty and latched on to her.

Veronica took off with Kevin trailing behind her.

"Jason, can you please go get us towels?" Cheryl demanded and he took off.

Just as he entered the house Alice and Penelope ran out. "What happened here?" Alice questioned throwing her arms up in the air.

"I tripped on the hose over there and brought Cheryl with me." Betty lied with a giggle which made Polly and Cheryl giggle.

"Do you think this is funny?" The older woman asked.

"It's a little funny." Polly chimed in.

They all started laughing harder.

Alice huffed. "Get out of the pool and try to clean yourselves up." She shook her head and stomped back into the house, Penelope on her heels.

Cheryl looked between the blonde sisters. "Jesus, did your mom have a bowl of cunt for breakfast this morning. Bitch needs to lighten up."

Polly and Betty couldn't help but laugh as Cheryl's statement hit the nail on the head.

Once Jason brought them towels the girls went upstairs to Cheryl's room to dry off and change. They both opted for Juicy tracksuits and threw their hair into messy buns. Once all the makeup was washed off her face they went downstairs for dinner.

They ate in silence, none of the kids wanting to draw any more attention to themselves. Halfway through the meal, Alice slammed her cutlery down. "Are we not going to talk about the fact that are children are obviously high?" She asked.

Cheryl, Polly, Jason and Betty looked at each other which was a mistake. All Betty wanted to do was laugh. There was something incredibly satisfying about pissing off her mother. Cheryl started laughing first with Jason following and Polly joining in unison right after. They couldn't stop after that, dropping their knives and forks as they laughed from their bellies.

"Oh for god's sake." Penelope rolled her eyes and finished her drink motioning to their maid for another.

Betty could hear her mother apologizing for her daughters behaviour. The laughter eventually began to die down and they all went back to eating awkwardly.

There was no dessert.

The Coopers left right after dinner. Alice lectured Polly and Betty about the horrors of drug use the entire way home.

They were sent to their rooms, which meant Betty's room, and they got into bed. Polly borrowed some of her sisters flannel pyjamas.

"The night could have gone worse." Polly said, always looking on the bright side.

Betty laughed tugging at the hem of her oversized My Chemical Romance t-shirt. "I suppose you're right." Betty rubbed her face.

"That kid is in love with you." Polly said looking over at her sister.

"What?"

"Jughead." Polly eyes didn't have the easy going look they always had. She was serious. "I've seen that look on very few peoples faces, Jason's and John Krasinski's when he looks at Emily Blunt."

Betty laughed.

"And I saw it on his face tonight when he looked at you. Date this boy, Betty." Polly implored.

"I'm gonna, I just have one last thing to take care of." Betty yawned as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep thinking off how she was going to end it with Archie.

On Monday at lunch, Betty and Cheryl sat at the end of their table in the cafeteria. They watched in disgust as Archie and Reggie ate spoonfuls of cold gravy out of a barrel they had stolen from the kitchen. The rest of the River Vixens and the football team had gathered around them and were cheering them on.

"Your boyfriend is a neanderthal." Cheryl said shaking her head.

"I don't think he's going to be my boyfriend for long." Betty admitted. "I'm gonna break up with him tomorrow."

"Why don't you do it right now?" Cheryl challenged. "Why don't you leave this table and go sit beside Jughead? I know that's where you want to be."

Betty looked over at the table where her secret friends were sitting. They had all turned to watch the spectacle Archie was making. Jughead looked at her and rolled his eyes. Betty shrugged and gave him a half smile.

"Why don't you go over there and sit beside Veronica?" Betty leaned across the table. "I used to think that you liked sitting here, that you wanted to be a part of this group just as much as all those idiots but you don't. You sit here for the same reason I do. You're scared of being on the outside looking in. You know that being on the giving end of a punch is better than being on the receiving end of one and you are just trying to make it out of this hellhole alive."

Cheryl glared at Betty as a smile slowly spread across her face. "When did you become such a bitch? I love it." She took out her red lipstick and a compact re-applying the colour to her full, plump lips. "Come here." She motioned to Betty to come closer. Cheryl held her face still as she put the bright red on the blondes lips. "Don't listen to that asshole," she motioned in Archie's direction. "Red looks good on everyone, even good girls." She put her lipstick in her bag. "Let's go."

She stood and headed over to Jughead's table. Betty collected her things and followed quickly. "Do you mind if we sit with you?" Cheryl said pleasantly with a big smile on her face.

Veronica pulled out the seat beside her and the redhead took a seat. Jughead put his bag on the floor and Betty sat down beside him. "What do we owe the pleasure?" Jughead asked with smile. Betty had never seen him smile at school before.

"Archie and Reggie are annoying as fuck." Cheryl informed showing something to Veronica on her phone.

"If you and Cheryl are sitting her, does that make this the cool table?" Kevin was giddy. "I've always wanted to sit at the cool table."

"I think me sitting here evens out the coolness." Jughead quipped.

"Agreed." Cheryl joked and Jughead gave her the finger but couldn't hide the small smile on his face.

Betty noticed that a lot of people in the cafeteria were looking at them and whispering. She looked back in Archie's direction who still hadn't noticed they were gone.

"That lipstick looks nice on you." Jughead complimented Betty. "It makes you look very old Hollywood."

She blushed and smiled. "Thanks, Cheryl thought I needed a little extra punch today."

"You finally had a good idea, Red." Jughead teased.

"Do not call me Red." Cheryl threatened.

"She really hates it." Betty whispered inching her chair over slightly.

The back of her hand brush against Jughead and she began linking her fingers with his.

She was startled and pulled her hand away when her name was said. "B?" Archie was standing in front of the table and everyone shifted uncomfortably.

"Hey Arch." Betty said as if it was perfectly normal for her to be sitting were she was.

"What are you doing?" His focus shifted from her to Jughead and he clenched his fists.

"I'm having lunch with my friends. Remember we talked about this?" Betty was trying to keep her voice as diplomatic as possible. "And you were busy with gravy and Reggie, I didn't think you would mind."

"Well, I mind." His jaw clamped and his eyes darkened.

Betty looked over at Jughead who was wearing the exact same expression. Their jaws were clenched in the same way, their eyes clouded with anger in the same way, their fists balled at their sides. They looked so similar in that moment that Betty wondered if she had a type.

"I'm sorry Archie but right now I'm having lunch with Kev, Ron, Cheryl and Jug. I would appreciate it if you could respect that."

"I don't give a shit who you want to have lunch with, you're my girlfriend and I want you at my table." He put his fists on the table.

Jughead put his hand on Betty's knee and looked at her with worry in his eyes. Betty gazed at Archie and realized she couldn't wait till tomorrow. This needed to be taken care of right now. "It doesn't matter what you want Archie because I'm not your girlfriend anymore." She stood.

Jughead's eyes darted towards Cheryl who was smirking. She made a small pushing motion.

"What?" Archie looked shocked and he stood up straight.

"We're over. You clearly don't care about me and I don't think you ever did."

"Is this because of these losers?" He asked pointing to the table. "It better not be because of this asshole." He knocked Jughead's hat off his head.

Cheryl sat perfectly still while Kevin and Veronica stiffened and poised themselves to be ready to move at any moment. Jughead placed his hands flat on the table and his breathing became shallow. Betty touched his shoulder causing him to look at her. She shook her head and stood, dipping down to pick up Jughead's hat, handing it back to him.

"Archie, I'm breaking up with you for me and not because of anyone else. You were a lousy boyfriend and I deserve better." Betty looked around and realized everyone was watching them.

"What are you talking about? I'm a great boyfriend." He challenged.

"Do I play an instrument?" She asked.

Archie's mouth opened but no answer came out.

"Piano." Jughead murmured.

"What's our anniversary?" She raised an eyebrow.

"October 5th?" He guessed.

"September 21st." Jughead whispered.

"September 21st." Betty told him. "When is my birthday?" She put her hands on her hips.

"October 5th?" Archie fathomed.

"May 7th." Jughead muttered.

"It's May 7th, Archie. You know nothing about me. The reasons we started dating back in the 9th grade don't hold up anymore and I'm sorry it's taken me this long to realize it. We've embarrassed ourselves enough so I suggest you go drown your sorrows in one of the Vixens. I know for a fact that they would be happy to help." Betty turned to go sit back down when Archie grabbed her wrist.

"You're making a mistake, Bets." Archie threatened.

"No, I don't think so." She yanked her arm away and went to sit back down.

"Cheryl?" Archie said looking at the fellow redhead.

"I'm fine right where I am." Cheryl smirked.

Archie shook his head and growled in frustration. He stalked back to his table, knocking a tray out a freshman's hands sending food everywhere.

Betty sat back down and stared at the table, not sure what to say or do.

"That escalated quickly." Veronica said.

"I'm sorry if it made any of you uncomfortable."

"It was kind of badass. I don't know a lot about Archie but I know that no one speaks to him the way you just did." Kevin said with raised eyebrows.

Betty sighed. "It was something I should have done a long time ago. I think I was just scared."

"Of what?" Jughead asked.

"Being alone." Betty admitted.

"Well, you aren't alone." Veronica said with a bright smile. "You have us, B." She reached across the table and grabbed her hand. Betty realized that this was the first time she had real friends. People who actually cared about her for her and not what she could do for them.

The bell rang and Jughead walked Betty to her locker. He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the lockers beside hers. "I know you just broke up with Archie like four-seconds ago but can I take you out on Friday night? There is something I want to show you."

"Are you asking me out?" She asked, a large smile spreading across her face.

He grinned back and laughed. "Yeah Cooper, that's literally what I just did."

A blush crept into her cheeks. "Yeah, I'll go out with you."

His smile widened. "It's a date. An actual date. A real one." It was as if he was convincing himself.

Betty laughed. "Yes, it's a real date but right now, I need to go to class."

"Later days, Juliet." Jughead leaned in and kissed her cheek. He took off towards his locker.

Betty bit her lip and continued to grin knowing she was finally going on a date with Jughead Jones.

Nothing had ever felt more right in her whole life.

The next two chapters are the ones I've been looking forward to for a long time. Again, sorry if you thought things should have happened sooner but I wanted things to happen a very specific way and I also wanted to flush them out as characters first.

Reviews are appreciated.