Chapter Text
“Jug, wake up. Jug.” Jughead’s eyes slightly opened revealing a brown-haired boy slouching over him. “Wake up man.” The slender boy took another poke at Jughead’s side, not noticing his eyelids were somewhat open now.
“What is it Kevin?” The boy slumped down on a beat up couch asked, still not fully opening his eyes.
“It’s Archie the Socs ruffed him up.” As soon as the words hit his ears Jughead sprang up from his position.
“What the hell man! That’s the third time this week.” Jughead stood, anger and frustration coursing through his body, his chest going up and down as he breathed heavily. “Where is he?” He asked Kevin, nostrils flaring.
“He’s at Joaquin’s. He’s taking care of him there.”
“Is he gonna be alright.”
“It’s bad, but he should pull through by tomorrow.” Kevin replied rubbing the back of his neck.
“Come on let’s go.” Jughead slid into his leather jacket before he and Kevin dashed out the house in pursuit of Archie.
When they arrived at Joaquin’s they quickly approached the door. Jughead knocked several times clearly impatient and worried for his friend. Joaquin answered the door.“What the hell man! Chill.” Jughead didn’t even reply before he rushed passed the fellow Greaser and into the living room. Laying on the couch, he found a beaten up redhead. There was blood splattered all over his white tee, a huge gash against his right eyebrow, there was a massive, deeply purple bruise just below his left eye, and his upper lip was torn from what Jughead could only assume was a right hook to to the face. Joaquin had tended to the worst of the injuries, bandages plastered on all over Archie’s cheeks and upper torso. Jughead rushed to his side, kneeling next to the couch.
“Archie…” is all he could muster up. This was his life long best friend laying before him in pain and there was nothing Jughead could do about it.
“Jug. I’m alright I’m gonna get through this.” Archie said looking up at the raven-hair boy.
“I know you are. Your a strong guy, Arch.” Jughead lightly rubbed Archie's shoulder, tears welling up in his eyes.“It’s just them damn Socs. Which one of them did this to you?”
“It was Chuck and a couple other guys. Not exactly sure who the other guys were, it was just out of the blue.” Archie winced finding it hard to speak. Jughead forcefully slammed his fist into the coffee table beside them, sending ash and old cigarette buds flying everywhere.
“I’ve had enough of them Socs. It’s time they pay.” Jughead stood up from where he was standing clearly gears turning in his mind as thought.
“Jug… don’t.” Archie struggled to speak as he attempted to get up to stop Jughead. He failed, falling back down to his original spot.
“I’m sorry Arch. I just got to.” With that Jughead rushed out of the house, once again running past Joaquin and Kevin who tried to protest.
“Jug, where are you going.” Joaquin shouted out towards the boy. He didn’t respond, he just kept running.
Jughead didn’t think of where he was heading it was as if his mind was subconsciously controlling his body. His legs moved fast as a cheetah’s until he arrived at Pop’s Diner, where the Socs regularly hung out. As soon as Jughead burst through the front door everyone in the diner turned to face him. Dead silence filled the entire room as Jughead surveyed the diner. He kept searching until locking his eyes on Chuck Clayton. He sat at the booth farthest to the right. Chuck was sitting with a girl he didn’t recognize. Jughead immediately approached the boy not paying attention to all the other Socs calling him names and demanding he leave. Chuck intimidatingly looked up at Jughead.
"What are you doing here Greaser, lost your comb?” Chuck joked coldly, many of the Socs chuckled at the question.
“No Chuck, I’m here because you and couple of your goons ruffed up my boy.” Jughead gestured to the Socs occupying the other booths.
"Yeah, so what?” Chuck spat out, now talking a standing position in front of Jughead. He towered over him, but Jughead wasn’t about to back down.
“So, I’m tired of you Socs messing with us.” Jughead aggressively shoved at Chuck, who tumbled back and nearly fell before a beefy-looking boy caught him. As soon as Jughead had laid hands on Chuck several Socs leapt forward from their seats and grabbed Jughead from the back, inhibiting him from making any movements. If Jughead didn’t regret not listening to Archie earlier he was definitely regretting it now. Chuck regained his balance and lurched forward with a punch to Jughead’s stomach. The sensation sent a immense pain through Jughead’s lower torso, he winced as it did.
"You like that, huh?” Chuck said before he went for another punch. Once again, a pain much worse from the last surged through Jughead’s abdomen.“Had enough, Greaser?” Chuck slyly asked a smile clearly evident on his face. Jughead looked up at Chuck and spat in his face. Chuck quickly rubbed away the saliva and went for another punch this time aiming for Jughead’s face. Jughead shut his eyes, prepared for the searing pain, but it never came. As Jughead slowly crept his eyes open he found a small petite hand had stopped Chuck’s fist from making contact with him. The hand belonged no other than the blonde that had been sitting with Chuck.
“What the hell, Betty?” The Soc spit out. “What are you doing?”
“I’m tired of this Chuck. I’m tired of you beating on these poor boys.”
“Bett-” Chuck started, but was cut off by Betty slapping him and pushing away the hands that were entangled around Jughead. The Greaser watched as she did so, staring in awe. He had never known anyone that associated with the Socs to even care for a Greaser in the slightest. The blonde grabbed his hand and rushed him out of the diner.
Once they were far enough away from the diner she let go of Jughead’s hand.
"I’m sorry about Chuck.” She apologized, rubbing the side of her arm. Jughead didn’t respond as he suddenly noticed how beautiful the girl was. Her blonde curls rest on her shoulders complementing her emerald green eyes. Her lips looked soft and plump, covered by her rosy pink lipstick. Jughead continued to stare until she interrupted,“Uhh… earth to Greaser.” Finally, Jughead whipped out of his trance and spoke.
“Oh… uhh sorry. Yeah, umm it’s fine, I’m used to it by now.” Betty nodded her head before looking up into Jughead’s eyes, staring intently. She lingered for too long and quickly looked away, blushing as he did so. A smile appeared onto Jughead’s face as he began to speak,“Why’d you help me? Usually people from the north side of town ignore us like we’re leftovers or something?” Betty lightly chuckled at the analogy before responding.
“Like I said back there, I’m tired of seeing Chuck and the other Socs beating up on you Greasers.” Betty once again looked up at Jughead, this time in question. “Is it okay if I call you that?” Jughead nodded in response. “Cool. Anyway, it’s just not right even if one of you did murder Jason.” Jughead frowned as he recalled the incident. Normally, the Greasers didn’t roll like that, Johnny was just trying to protect Ponyboy. Of course no one listened to them, because they resided on the bad side of Riverdale and they were good-for-nothing teenagers. “Hey… uhh you mind if you walk me home?” Betty asked wanting to change the subject. “I don’t want to walk home alone at night.” Jughead looked up realizing how dark the sky was. He’d been so entrained on getting revenge he’d completely ignored the time.
“Yeah, sure.” He replied taking a spot next to Betty’s side as they made their way to her house. They talked and joked while walking, taking their time as they both enjoyed the conversation.
Finally, after they reached the Cooper residence Betty turned to face Jughead.
“Thanks for taking me home, uhh…” realizing she didn’t know the raven-haired boy’s name.
"The name’s Jughead.” He said noticing her confusion. She smiled at the name clearly finding it somewhat humorous. “What? That’s my name.” The boy defended.
“It’s cute.“ she said, her grin growing wider as she did. Jughead raised in eyebrow at the comment.
“I’m an Greaser, we’re not meant to be cute.” The boy slyly added. Betty hesitated before speaking.
“Yeah, well you are.” The pair stared at each other flirtatiously until Betty broke the silence. “Well thanks again for the walking me, see you around.” Betty laid a quick kiss on the Greasers cheek before entering her house. Jughead stared at Betty as she did, locked in by a spell that the blonde had just cast on him. He slowly stepped back, a smirk clearly evident on his face.
Only two things were on Jughead’s mind as he made his way to Joaquin's that night, Betty Cooper and pack of cigarettes.