No one ever told me that love would hurt so much

Chapter 24

♾ Jughead ♾

I woke up in a hospital bed. Betty was sitting next to me, holding my hand and squeezing it softly. It was still night then, the sky dark.

"Jug? Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked, bending over. I groaned, trying to sit up.

"I'm.. fine. What happened?"

"You passed out, twice. When you didn't reply, I just called the ambulance. I talked to the doctors, they're not going to let you out like this"

"I know, that's why I didn't want to go to the damn hospital, Betty. Can't we just go home now?"

"No, we can't. You won't listen to me. You won't listen to Archie. Even our parents said something and you didn't listen. I know that you're trying but you can't do it alone anymore. I don't want you to die, Jughead, don't you see it? I mean, what do you expect will happen to the twins, huh? Have you ever thought abut that? Or about me?"

"Well, why do you think am I even still here, Betty?" I snapped, though then froze.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Don't... forget it, Betty. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep" I said, rolling on my side. Betty sighed, reaching for me but then pulled her hand back again, sighing softly.

"Okay... goodnight then, Juggy"

I woke up during lunchtime. I couldn't bring myself to do eat. In the end, it caused us both to cry. Eventually I fell back asleep. When I woke up again, Betty was gone. Dad was here therefore. I furrowed my brows, sitting up.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Jug, you're awake again" He said instead, standing up from the chair and walking over to me. He reached for my hand, though I drew it back. Even though he and I met up once or twice, where he was always sober, I just couldn't trust him. I don't think that I ever could again.

"You gave Betty quite a big scare there, you know?"

"Why are you here?"

"Betty called to say that you were in the hospital, so I came to see how you are"

"You are sober?" I asked instead and he sighed but nodded.

"Yes, I'm sober. We can gladly do another test, if you want"

"No, I'm too tired for that right now"

"I'm sober, Jug. I have been since November, okay? I don't even have urges at the moment"

"Well, congratulations. I still don't want you here. Just leave, that's what you're good at"

"Oh- I... I got you this chocolate" He said, reaching in his pocket. He got out a chocolate bar before giving it to me. I just huffed, staring at him.

"I don't like this one"

I did.

But I couldn't eat it.

"You loved that one as a child..."

"Well, I'm not a child anymore, okay? So, please- just- just take it with you and leave"

"Do you know when you're getting released? I would like to see Myles and Emilia again and I know how you stand on the topic of me seeing them without you..."