The next logical place to go after her confrontation with Archie was to find Veronica.
She was at her locker, phone pressed to her ear, but when she caught sight of Betty, she told the person on the other end of the line that she would call them back.
"B..." She began.
"Why did you send Reggie and the guys after Jughead?"
Veronica seemed surprised by her outburst. "Because he accosted you."
"What?" Betty demanded.
"B, it's okay." She promised. "Reggie took care of everything! You don't have to be afraid of that... Of that Serpent anymore."
"Veronica." Betty pronounced carefully. "Why would you do that?"
"I was trying to protect you." Veronica replied cautiously. "We all were."
She shook her head, rage filling her all over again. "I don't need protection."
"Betty-"
"Jughead didn't hurt me." She hissed. "He was trying to help me."
Jughead had been trying to help her.
The guilt from the day before came rushing back, hitting her all at once. He had just been trying to help her, to save her from herself, and the thanks he had gotten was a piece of history rehashed when it should have been buried and forgiven long ago.
How could she possibly apologize to him for her words?
Veronica shot her a suspicious look. "With what, exactly, B?"
Betty didn't answer.
"B?"
"I have to go." She muttered, spinning on her heel.
Veronica caught hold of her hand. "Betty!"
"Let go of me, V." Betty pleaded.
"Betty-"
With surprising strength, she yanked her arm free, tightening her old on the worn book in her hand.
The Sun Also Rises. His favorite.
Without a second glance in her best friend's direction, Betty stormed off, for the first time in three years not confiding in the V to her B.