Chapter Text
Betty exhaled as she stepped outside for the first time that morning. The air was unusually warm for November but an icy chill still struck her as the wind swept through the nearby trees. She headed back inside to get her coat, finding her mother and father whispering animatedly by the staircase. They sprung apart as soon as they saw their daughter.
“Everything ok honey?” Alice asked. Betty gave her an icy stare as she tried to regain her composure, her mothers Stepford smile faltering slightly.
“Just came to get my coat.” She brushed off her mother’s attempts to help her and rushed out of the door and onto the familiar road to Riverdale High.
Everything had changed in the Cooper house when Betty’s sister Polly had gotten pregnant and fled the small town of Riverdale to raise her baby with her boyfriend Jason. Betty hadn’t been aware anything was wrong until she came home from vixen practise 6 months ago to find her mom and dad sat sombrely at the kitchen counter.
They'd explained Polly’s “less than ideal” situation. The shame of a baby born to unwed parents was too much for them. Betty had always suspected they would implode if their perfect image was tarnished and she wasn’t wrong.
They had given Polly ultimatum, either she gave the baby up for adoption, or leave town.
Betty had cried more than she thought she ever could that night, the tears just wouldn’t stop. She had always admired Jason and Polly’s relationship. Polly had had a crush on Jason for years, but she knew being with him could only be a pipe dream. But that all changed when Jason had asked her on a date to Pops a year ago, she was ecstatic.
Hal and Alice, although, did not approve. They forbade her to go anywhere near him or “that family”. But Polly didn’t care.
For Betty, that's what love meant.
They’d spent hours getting her ready as she was convinced this was the night she and Jason would confess their feelings. She had snuck out of her window and returned in the early hours of the morning. Betty would always remember the drowsy smile on her face as she snuck into Betty's room to tell her every detail of her perfect night. They had spent all that night chatting and planning for the future. A future neither realised would be coming true for Polly, sooner rather than later.
She hadn’t spoken to Polly in a while, their only means of communication were email drafts in a shared account Polly had set up so they could still talk, against their mothers misguided wishes. It was revealed a few months back that she was having twins. This and their impeding due date meant the young couple were rushed off her feet trying to get everything in order with the money Jason had saved before the Blossoms cut him off.
The last message she had received, Polly had invited her to come up to Ohio and stay with them. Away from “the evil clutches of Alice Cooper” was how she had phrased it. Home may be hell but there were other factors to consider. She was a senior with a 4.0 GPA to maintain, as well as her amazing friendships, old and some new. She couldn’t leave them all behind, so she had politely declined. It had ruffled Polly’s feathers a bit, something Betty chalked up to hormones, hence her lack of reply but Betty knew she’d get over it soon enough. She’d always had a tendency for dramatics.
Betty sighed as she got to the end of the street, hearing somebody shout her name. She turned around to see Archie Andrews waving at her from a few feet away. She smiled, only slightly forced, as he approached. Archie had been her next-door neighbour since before she could remember. They had grown up together with Kevin Keller, the sheriff’s son, and had been the closeted of friends.
They had been inseparable as kids, something Archie still hung on to, much to Betty and Kevin’s dismay. While they loved their friend, he could be a bit clingy and was yet to grow out of his childhood crush on Betty. Something he wasn’t the subtlest about. Betty always laughed off his advances, and when she did he would move onto the next girl falling over themselves at his muscles, but he could never seem to shake those feelings he’s held onto for so long. He was wonderful, but dangerously clumsy with girl’s hearts.
“What’s up Coop” He said, swinging his arm over Bettys shoulders “I didn’t see you this weekend”
She chuckled and carefully removed his arm “Hey Arch, sorry I was busy”
“You’re always busy nowadays. We hardly see you anymore”
“I’m meeting you guys at Pop’s tonight, you’re coming right” She asked as they walked through the gates
“Of course, it wouldn’t be right if I wasn’t there” Archie laughed as they walked through the lot. His eyes drifting to a group over by the motorcycle bay and a scowl formed on his face. “That Southsider’s looking at you again Betts”
Bettys eyes drifted to where Archie was staring down a dark-haired boy leaning against a rundown motorcycle. A cigarette was dangling from his lips as he retrieved a lighter from the leather jacket that hung across his shoulders, boasting the infamous South Side Serpents logo. She locked eyes with him and he smiled at her. She stifled a blush and looked back towards the doors. “Ignore him Arch. Come on I need to speak to Veronica about practice tonight.”
"Fine."
***
“What you staring at Jones?” Sweet pea smirked, smacking his friend's shoulder.
Jughead whipped back around, fumbling to catch the unlit cigarette that fell from his lips. "What?"
"Woah, Jug. Chill" Sweet pea put his hands up laughing as Jughead put the lighter back in his jacket. "What's got you so distracted?"
"Yeah Juggie, what's going on in that head of yours?" Toni smirked, going to tap his head before Jughead swatted her off.
"Nothing... and don't call me that" Jughead mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets as he trudged towards the school doors. "I'll see you guys at the Wyrm tonight."
"Sure thing, boss!" Sweetpea saluted as Jughead outwardly cringed.
"Don't call me that either."
"What's up with him?" Toni scoffed once he was out of earshot. "He's been sulking since we transferred"
Sweet Pea shrugged, "Who knows what goes on in that guys head."
"I know but it's not like him to be this distant, I guess he's not the most social guy but... Sweet are you listening?"
"Hmmm what?"
Toni followed his gaze and rolled her eyes. "Will you stop eyeing up the Lodge girl. You know full well she's Northside."
"What! I'm just looking. Promise I won't touch." Sweet Pea sighed. "I actually like my job."
"Good because rules are rules, it's like FP says North-"
"I know, I know. Northsider's are nothing but trouble."
"That's my boy" Toni patted Sweet Pea's back as she chucked him his keys. "I'll see you in Bio"
***
“I’m sorry Kev, but no” Betty sighed as they walked out of English towards the cafeteria.
“Please, please, please Betts! It’s my fault we broke up this time so it’s my responsibility to fix it.”
Betty rolled her eyes. Kevin had just told her his frankly insane idea to get his on again off again boyfriend, Moose, back after their breakup this weekend and she was not getting involved.
“Has it occurred to you Kev that you and Moose may not be that healthy as a couple. I mean this is at least breakup number 4 and that’s only the ones I hear about. I don’t like you getting hurt again and again”
“I hear your concern and believe me I understand but it was all my fault this time!” He took a deep breath and looked at the floor “I kissed another guy... a Serpent guy."
"Oh... Kev-"
"In my defence, I didn't know he was damaged goods when it happened. He was just so charming and Moose was being a dick that night and uhhh" Kevin sighed as he collapsed into his usual lunch seat. "But he's pissed... like hulk level pissed. So I seriously need some counsel at least"
“Is he still trying to rope you into his stupid plan to get Moose back” Veronica asked as she sat gracefully next to Kevin. “Come on Hun, it’s time to move on and try someone new”
“Coming from Veronica Lodge who had been in love with a certain red head since she came here, I find that advice slightly hypocritical” Kevin taunted, sitting up to face the fuming raven head.
“You know full well why I can’t do that! If you were in love with someone like that you'd be scared too!” She whispered as she saw them approach the table. "Oh shit, fuck."
Their table of 3 turned around to see Cheryl Blossom strutting towards them. Her usual red lipstick was replaced by a dark plum as she seated herself opposite Veronica
“Afternoon, outcasts.” She sounded monotone as she leant forward and stole a grape from Veronicas plate “How are we all doing this fine winters day”
“I was fine Cherry, until Satan in Louboutin’s stole my food that is.” Veronica fired back, looking pleased with her confident tone when inside she was really quaking.
“Enough pleasantries, I like to limit my time at this table to 2 minutes, should it affect my reputation. So, I’ll get straight to the point. Vixens practice last period will run late today so better inform that criminal daddy of yours and tell him not to send the limo till 6” She stood up and smoothed her hair back over one shoulder. “That’s all”
“Always a pleasure, Cheryl” Kevin said as she walked away. “I swear that girl has an ego bigger than Reggie’s, I don’t know what you see in her V”
“Oh, bad girls are the best kind of girl, a lot more intriguing to unravel” Veronica winked at Kevin and the turned to Betty “Like no offence B, I’m sure some guys love a good girl too”
“How do you know I’m not a bad girl.” Betty whispered, having zoned out for the previous conversation.
Veronica and Kevin looked at each other then back to Betty as Archie sat down. “It will be a cold day in hell when you do something daring” He laughed, shoving a fry into his mouth. “No offence Betts but you’re pretty vanilla. It’s part of your endearment”
Betty frowned as she stood up and grabbed her bag “On that supportive note, I have an article to finish. I’ll see you all at Pop’s later”
Betty walked purposefully away as Archie watched, looking confused “Was it something I said?”
“Oh Archiekins, how anyone finds you charming is beyond me” Veronica said packing up her lunch and beginning to follow far behind betty “I wish your next hook up good luck!”
Archie looked towards Kevin, disgruntled. “Just the lads today then Kev”
“Just the way I like it”
***
Jughead walked through the unfamiliar halls of Riverdale High. It had been just over two weeks since Southside High had been closed because of “toxic fumes in the basement”. They had been moved to Riverdale high affective immediately and after a few first week jitters - basically non stop fights between jocks and serpents - they were all settled in. Jughead was only certain of the location of one room, the ‘Blue and Gold’. He had been taken on as a writer as soon as his English teacher realised his talent that had gone unrecognised at Southside high.
He found the door unlocked and sat in his usual corner, laptop open as he tried to finish an article on how the Southsider’s had been settling in in this unfamiliar environment when the door opened.
***
Betty stood in the doorway of the Blue and Gold office to find the only other member huddled in the corner. She nodded at Jughead before closing the door, sitting at her desk and taking out her laptop to finish some work on her latest article.
Betty manged to type about 5 lines before Jughead piped up from behind his laptop “Look this is ridiculous. It’s been a while, I’m pretty sure none of you friends are about to walk in."
Sighing, Betty stood up, straightening her skirt as she did so. “Better safe than sorry," she smiled, moving to stand behind him.
“Please Bets, they’re clearly not coming. Also I don't think this articles going anywhere, it's hard to write about this without sounding like a-
Before he could finish, he was cut off by Bettys lips on his in a passionate kiss. He stands up to meet her, pressing his body against her and he can instantly feel all the tension in their bodies melt away. His hand slides under her pastel sweater, hand wrapping around her back as he brought her into a close embrace, breathing her in.
One year ago, if somebody told Jughead the love of his life was “a northside princess”, he would have thought you were insane. But here he was, the happiest he'd ever been with a blonde tucked under his chin.
They had met 11 months ago when Jellybean’s teacher had said she was falling behind on her English Lit and if the 14-year-old didn’t pick up her grades her GPA would begin to fall. When he’d enlisted the help of a tutor from the northside he didn’t expect somebody as seemingly perfect as Betty Cooper to turn up on his doorstep, and, truth be told, he despised her at first. She was too perfect, too pure, too everything he wasn’t, and it pissed him off. He told her as much for at her first month, them both falling into a mutual hatred.
That was until the day she turned up at the trailer late. Her eyes had been blotchy from crying and her hand dripped with blood. He'd sent Jelly off to give Hot Dog a walk while he comforted her. She told him about her overbearing, abusive mother, her weak father who never stood up for her and her party girl sister who was never there to defend her. At that time, she had just been shouted out of the house by Alice Cooper for refusing to take her unnecessary ADHD medication and had completely obliterated her palm from pressing her nails into them.
For the first time, he had looked at her. Really looked at her, and suddenly he realised. She wasn’t the perfect Northside princess he thought she was. She was a brave fighter, battling daily in her own home. Trying not to drown under expectation but that very moment she had finally broken. He then realised, they were the same.
He'd been hesitant at first, but has eventually told her of his past. How his mother left him when he was 7 and Jelly was 4. How their father turned to gangs and alcohol to drown out the pain. How he was living in the flat above the Wyte Wyrm till he was sober enough to take care of his two kids who now lived alone at the old trailer, practically orphans. She clutched his hands when he had finished telling her. There were tears in her eyes as told him it would all work out in the end. That was when he broke down in her arms as she whispered sweet nothings in his ear until he was fit enough to tend to her injuries.
She apologised repeatedly for going to him and not her friends as he cleaned her palms and bandaged them up in the old bathroom in his trailer. But he was glad she did and told her so. He had invited her to stay there for the night on the couch, an offer she agreed to almost immediately, making him chuckle. All these memories were rather hazy, but it’s what happened that night, after Jellybean had gone to bed, that he would never forget.
They both sat on the old beaten up couch. It had been a fun night after Jellybean had come home from the walk. They had raided the cupboards and found assorted snacks to tide them over while Jughead ordered a pizza. The girls talked all things engine (most of the jargon going right over Jugheads head) and they had played poker with assorted chocolates, which jellybean worryingly won. It was now around 10pm and Jughead and Betty were currently setting up a movie on his laptop.
“Ok, we’ve got Rear view window or Rebel without a cause. Take your pick and be warned I will judge you very harshly.”
“They are both cinematic masterpieces, but I have to say I’m a sucker for James dean.” Betty smiled cheekily as Jughead nodded in agreement.
“Rebel without a cause it is then”
As the title screen began to play, Betty shuffled from her position at the end of the couch, closer to the screen on Jugheads lap.
“You can come closer Bets. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t bite” Jughead smirked as Betty rolled her eyes and pressed her body up against his side, his arm moving around her shoulders. He gulped at her proximity, he could feel her breathing under him and it gave him a weird feeling in his stomach, “Better?” He asked
She nodded, looking up at him, their faces inches apart. “Thank you Jughead, nobody’s ever done so much for me without an ulterior motive before, it’s a welcome change”
He was upset she’d been treated so badly, she was so kind and gentle “You deserve the world Betty, even if other don’t see it, I do now. I’m sorry I was a douchebag before, can you find it in that full heart of yours to forgive me?” he pleaded
She looked at his eyes then her gaze flicked down to his lips, he felt this otherworldly force pulling them together as she moved in and kissed him. Lips on lips. It was slow and steady and unsure but also magical. He felt fireworks and when she pulled away, he leaned in for more and she accepted it gratefully. Jughead abandoned the laptop, still playing, on the coffee table as Betty pushed him down on the sofa and kissed him, both wanting more, feelings of want they had disguised as hate over the past month all came to a head as she went to pull her shirt over her head.
He stopped her, placing his hands over hers “I don’t think I’m ready for that tonight. But I’m sure there will be plenty of time for it another time, that’s if you’ll have me?”
She giggles and nods as they both just stare into each other’s eyes, seeing the other so clearly for the first time.
They continued their make out session for a while, neither wanting to stop. “We forgot about the film” She whispered against his lips a few minutes later.
“You know what? Fuck the film” Jughead said, sitting up and closing the lid to the laptop. Betty was still straddling is lap, so he picked her up and began walking with her in the direction of his room as she squealed.
Jughead remembered thinking that night that he was going to fall hard for that girl. He knew he hadn't been wrong when Betty pulled back from their hug and looked up into his deep blue eyes.
“I missed you Juggie” She whispered, hands playing with his hair.
“We spent the whole weekend together Bets, don’t you remember. I’d be happy to remind you if you don’t…” He ran his hand back down from its place on her upper back and moved it to pinch her waist. She giggled at the action but pushed him away.
“There’s nothing I’d like more Juggie" Betty smiled as she clutched the lapels of his jacket.
"But?"
"But you have P.E and I have Vixen practice" She sighed as he frowned. "Don't look at me like that Jug, you. If I don't go Ronnie will come storming in here in 20 minutes and blowing the cover we’ve done so well to maintain"
Jughead smirked, "Ok I guess"
"Then I suggest we leave it there Romeo” She blew him a kiss as she packed up her bag and walked up to the door before smiling at him softly. “I love you Jug”
“I love you too Bets, so fucking much” He walked up to her and kissed her cheek as her smile grew wider. “Have a good practice. I’ll see you tonight”
With that he winked, and she left, trying to keep a straight face in case anybody took notice of her unusually good mood. No one had so far.
They had been dating for 10 months and nobody had suspected a thing. Covert make out sessions under the bleachers and in the Blue and Gold were daily. They also spent at least 3 nights together every week. Either he snuck through her window or, when her parents were out visiting Polly (a weekly occurrence), she would sleep at the trailer. As great as it all was, mornings at the trailer were the best. J.B was the only person who knew about their relationship, so they were able to lay on the PDA, much to her teenage disgust. They’d lay around reading, watching movies and eating whatever could be thrown in the microwave.
It was so normal... and Betty loved it. She still had the stuff at home and the mounting pressure at school wasn’t helping, but when she felt her lowest, he would always pick her back up.
But she was tired. Not just tired, she was exhausted with keeping it all a secret. Betty needed to let the world know she was in love. But now, they weren’t allowed to be together.
It was Jughead’s ‘Dad’, in the loosest form of the word, who enforced the rule as leader. That, no serpent was to get involved with a Northsider when the schools merged. It was a smart move by him. Northsider's were bigoted and limiting their interactions with the 'enemy' was genius.
But in their case it was too late. She and Jughead had already been involved, months and months of being emotionally and intimately involved. They were in love, and she was sick of hiding it like a dirty little secret when it was the furthest it could be from that in her mind at least. It was time to tell someone.