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One thing I've learned about time travel is that fixed points in time don't just happen when they happen. They happen always. Like how Percival's soul still belongs to the devil. And how Archie's dad is still dead...
This contradicts everything I've ever seen or read about quantum physics. It makes you really question the events in your personal life and if they really make sense, chronologically. However, I don't think there's a single thing in my life that makes sense. So that new information fits right in.
In case you missed it: a few months ago, 65 years in the future, there was a massive block of ice about to cataclysm my town in an extinction-level event. But with Cheryl using our combined superpowers (long story), we all got sent to 1955. Alive, but as teenagers. And I'm the only one who remembers our lives before then.
I know what you're thinking, "Jughead, how the hell are you going to fix this one?" but here's the thing: I don't think I will. I don't think I want to.
People are happy here. This is the healthiest I've seen Riverdale in ages. I know that if they knew the truth they'd all demand their lives back. But for now, ignorance is bliss. If having to relive my life in this teenage purgatory means that nobody I love will be obliterated by a comet, then I won't pull the lever.
I've decided my purpose in Riverdale is to suffer so that nobody else has to. That's how it was in Rivervale. Clearly that's how it is here too. Besides, there are worse fates. At least I have my hearing.
The past few months have been interesting. I'm 'dating' Betty. Although, 'dating' is a very different concept than I had gotten used to. We've gone on dates to Pop's a few times but we mostly just hold hands in school to show other people. To be honest, I haven't made the effort to be a good boyfriend, but why would I? I know some of you were excited that the time travel would reset the love square we have going on. Sorry to let you down. She's my teenage ex-girlfriend with memory loss, excuse me for being a little creeped out. Luckily, where we pick up: Surprise! She cheated on me with Archie!
"I'm sooo sorry, Jug. I don't know how it happened. We were just so in the moment and–"
"Ugh. I thought we were done with this high school bullshit three seasons ago."
Shit. I shouldn't have said that. I just couldn't help it. Do you know how hard it has been to relive everything that's happened to you without letting anybody know they've said or done this before?
"What?" She was staring at me, puzzled and a little angry.
"I'm so sorry Betty. I just have so much on my mind right now. I think I need some time alone. I have to leave but I forgive you. We can talk about this later." and I left. I walked with a pace I thought was just slow enough to not be dramatic, but I didn't look behind me.
I've tried talking to Tabitha. She's still a waitress at Pop's. I can't pursue her romantically, because, like Betty, she's not the same girl I fell in love with. She's too young. I still come around now and then to write. I'll admit, I just want to catch up with her. She's achieving so much here. She'll go down in the history of civil rights activists no doubt. I'm so proud of her. I miss her. I miss my version of her.
When I stormed off from Betty, I ended up in the library. I sat down at a table that I've claimed as my own these past few months. I've been writing there a little bit. Only with a notebook and pencil. I've used it as my escape from it all.
"Hey. Jughead, right? Is this seat taken?"
It was Ethel. I haven't seen her here yet. To be honest, I forgot she existed.
"No, go right ahead." I said. She sat down next to me.
"What's your name?" I asked to be nice, and to not let her know we've met before. She frowned a little.
"My name's Ethel. What are you working on?"
"Just homework." I said, technically true. Most of my writing now is for the school newspaper.
"Hey, sorry to eavesdrop. I heard you talking to Betty earlier?"
"Oh. Great." I sighed.
"I don't want to judge. I just want to ask if everything is okay?" Her wide smile returned.
"I'm fine." I lied. "It's just high school, ya know? I feel like..."
"Like you're a caricature of yourself?" She interrupted. Her eyes made contact with mine aggressively. It's like she was staring right into my soul.
"Like you were born in the wrong decade?" She continued. She had to know that I knew something. But, like I said, I didn't want to medel this time. Considering her past, I felt the instinct that I should leave.
"Or were you going to say... Like you have a severe case of deja vu?"
I got up from my seat and turned to run.
"Jughead!"
She grabbed my arm so I couldn't move. I turned around to look down at her again. She stared me dead in the eyes and said,
"I remember."