Here When It Counts

Chapter 5

She hears voices whispering.

She hadn't know just how exhausted she was until she was back in his arms. She's been working non-stop on the missing girls case since Jughead had been found. Before that, she had let finding Jughead consume all her time. She knew why she's been burying herself in cases. She had been feeling something she hasn't felt in years. It terrified her. And every second she spends with him, the feeling only strengths.

She keeps her eyes closed, not ready to wake up yet. She's only slept a few hours in the past few days, most of which were spent on a chair in Jughead's hospital room. He was helping her with the case, so she spent most of her time with him. She felt a little guilty about it, even though she had no reason to. Her mind would constantly go to the red headed man she was avoiding.

She didn't want to cut him out, but she knew she couldn't let him in anymore. It's too dark for anyone to handle, let alone the person who's trying to single handling save the town. He had enough going on, she didn't want to waste any more of his time. It hurt, so much. Not being able to see him. Constantly having people tell her that he asked about her again. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also didn't want to risk getting hurt again.

"I can't believe you!"

The voices get a little louder this time, almost like a whisper of a yell. She stays still, not opening her eyes just yet. She's not entirely sure who he's talking to, but she thinks it's a private conversation that she definitely shouldn't be listening to. He starts to play with her hair while continuing to talk, probably as an attempt to keep her asleep. She pretends like she still is to avoid any awkwardness. She focuses on listening in to his conversation.

"Can you please keep your voice down a little?" Archie whispers, continuing to trace patterns into her hair.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just a little surprising to me, especially since you told me that you didn't have time for a relationship. And now, your suddenly back in bed with the girl you said was nothing more than a hookup!"

She knows that voice better than anyone. It's Veronica. She must've got up early this morning to check on him and instead found the two of them cuddling on a hospital bed. He never told her the reason that him and Veronica broke up, but she highly doubts it was because of time. She also never knew that he had told Veronica about their "arrangement," but it hurts her heart knowing that he refereed to her as just a hookup. She always felt like it was more than that.

"I never said that," he starts, sounding somewhat pissed, "I told you that we had a casual thing going on, but I didn't once tell you what it meant."

"Yes, you did!"

Veronica practically screams it. She thinks it's loud enough to wake anyone up, so she decides to move a little, snuggling closer to him. He waits an minute, stroking her back gently. She thinks she's convinced him that she's still asleep when he begins talking again.

"I didn't," he whispers seriously, "you assumed that we were some lost souls or something looking for a connection. You always assume how I'm feeling without actually asking me. That's why we don't work anymore. It has nothing to do with Betty."

Veronica scoffs at him. She can't see her face, but she knows that it's probably glaring at him. She doesn't think he's wrong. In fact, she has witnessed Veronica's ability to assume that she knows everyone's situation. Although, she doubts that's the only reason he's not with Veronica. She knows that the last part isn't the truth. Apparently, Veronica thinks the same thing.

"You keep telling yourself that. You're not convincing anyone of it, especially not when she's passed out on top of you. God, I can't believe I wasted so much time on you!"