FLAMES {Peter Parker X Betty Cooper}

ch19

The drive to the Pembrooke is a silent one. I sit between Veronica and Jughead with my head down, avoiding everyone's gaze.

I could have prevented it. I could have saved stopped the attack on Nana Rose's life before it even happened, if only i'd been paying more attention. Instead, I got caught up in a basic compliment from...Peter.

I prevent the urge to look over at him, instead shaking the thought out of my head. The situation wasn't my fault, but I could have done something sooner.

But I failed.

I lift my head for a brief moment, turning my head right to look at Jughead. He meets my gaze and we share a small smile between us. Not a particularly happy smile, but a smile nonetheless.

He reaches for my hand, just as Peter did an hour earlier. I can tell just based off his expression that he knows what i'm thinking right now. That i'm blaming myself for something that wasn't my fault. I suppose he just knows me too well.

I bite my lip as I return his gaze for a few moments, then quickly look away when I realise what i'm doing. If Veronica had seen that moment shared between us, she would be suspicious. I avoid his gaze from that point on, but make no attempt to remove his hand from my own.

Eventually, the car begins to slow down until it stops and the door is opened for us. Veronica thanks the driver as we all begin to evacuate the car. I release my hand from Jughead's, following Veronica out of the car and towards the building.

***

PETER POV

It should've worked! Why didn't it work? I can't believe it didn't work!

I sit in silence in Veronica Lodge's car, rubbing my forearm in confusion. Surely, my senses should have kicked in before the 'accident' could occur. Or maybe they did, and I was just too distracted to notice...

I glance up at Betty who, to my surprise, is holding hands with Jughead, both of them looking into each others eyes. After a few moments, she drops her gaze from his, but their hands remain firmly together on her lap.

I watch the pair in disbelief. Tonight, I had finally worked up the bravery to make a move on Betty, which got cut short due to the incident. And now, here she is, seemingly rekindling things with a past love. How am I supposed to compete with that?

I look over at Veronica, urging her to notice what's happening right in front of her eyes, and maybe talk some sense into Betty about not going back to an ex. But she isn't looking that way, and something tells me that she wouldn't be opposed to the pair dating again.

BETTY POV

"My parents are out of town today, so we have a little extra space. Betty and I can share my bedroom, Archie and Jughead can have my parents room and Peter gets the spare bedroom all to himself". Veronica assigns, pointing in the direction of each room, before turning to Archie and Jughead, "If you idiots break anything in my parents room, they will be less than pleased". She says accusingly.

They promise they won't break anything and everyone retreats to their bedrooms. I purposefully avoid eye contact with both Jughead and Peter, not wanting to think about my experiences tonight with each of them. That can wait till morning.

I follow Veronica into her bedroom, exhaustion taking over me. Once inside, she immediately turns to me with narrow eyes.

"What?" I ask, unsure of why she's looking at me like that.

"I know you were already awake before the incident. And with Peter, no less". She states and I just stare at her, unsure of where this is going.

"I was". I respond crossing my arms as I look back at her.

"And I also know what happened with Jughead in the car". She adds and I mentally face palm. I knew I should have moved my hand away, but the truth is I didn't want to.

"It didn't mean anything, V. I was sad and he comforted me". I tell her, trying to make it sound as though it was nothing. However, she knows me too well.

"Betty, I can tell the difference between friendship and something more. And now you have two boys after you! How exciting". She exclaims, a smile taking over her face. Well, atleast this situation lifted her spirits.

"They aren't after me, Veronica. Besides, I don't want to date anyone right now". I say with a shrug and she smirks at me.

"Whatever you say, B". She finishes sweetly, and I glare back at her. We don't speak about it anymore, though I can tell this is going to be on her mind for a while.

What a treat.

sorry i've been gone so long guys! enjoy!