My brother's best friend

Christmas Eve

I put the presents by the tree and counted for each of the presents. 

Chic-19
Me-10
Polly-13

I heard the doorbell ring and I went to open it. Jughead came in holding two bags. I let him in and he placed them by the tree. 

"Your mom home?" 

"No. Her and Chic went to go pick up Polly from the airport." I smiled. He came close to me and I put my hands on his collar of the jacket. 

"So Jug...what did you get me?" I smiled. 

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out tomorrow." He giggled. I giggled too. I let go of him and went to the kitchen, he followed. He sat at the table and I sat next to him. 

"Our lives, are going to be forever affected by Riverdale's recent events, aren't they?" Jughead asked. I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. 

"Honestly Jug, sometimes I feel like you know Riverdale better than I do." 

"Riverdale is so complicated. But it's so...odd. Riverdale is so different than many other small towns." He said. He put his arm around me. 

"Also Betts, I got you something else too." 

"You already gave me this locket. Something in that small bag. And now you got me something else. You spoil me Forsythe Pendleton Jones the 3rd." I laughed. He laughed too. He went outside and came in with a giant box. He put it down by the tree. 

"Betts, do you think I could stay the night tonight if I asked Chic?" 

"Of course! Chic loves having you around. But Jug, why don't you want to go home?" 

"Truth is...things aren't good at home...especially right now. My dad just his job at Andrews Construction. He's been really drunk and I left at least 5 days ago. I've been sleeping at Pops. Pop Tate always give me free food because he knows my situation. He gives me a blanket and I sleep in the storage area." 

"Screw that, Jughead! Live with me! You should've told me a long time ago! We can still go to the police!" 

"No! I don't know where I would go! I'm not taking the chance of being parted from you!" 

"Then I'll talk to my mom! You're homeless! As your girlfriend, it's my job to make sure you're okay." 

He gave a weak smile and leaned in for a kiss. I put my hands on his shoulders and I leaned in too. But then the door flew open, and inside came my family. 

"Polly!" I exclaimed. Polly dropped her bags and she hugged me. We have a long hug until she walked up to Jughead. 

"You must be Betty's boyfriend." 

"Actually, that's Chic's best friend. I'm just a friend of his too." I nodded. She gave a sarcastic nod and took her bags upstairs. Chic put his arms around Jughead and I. 

"Buddy, sister we all need to watch a movie. A horror movie." 

"Chic, I'm actually not a fan of a lot of horror." I said quietly. 

"Come on, Betty! It'll be fun." Chic smiled. He gave me the puppy eyes and bugged me until I said yes. Mom would be working extra hours for work. Chic is trying to look for a job and Polly is sometimes taking student loans. My mom works about 10 hours a day and makes $15 an hour. She makes a decent amount of money. Chic put in the movie "Krampus" in dedication to Christmas. I sat next to Jughead and Polly. Polly and Chic always loved gore and stuff. I simply wasn't interested. There was a part in the movie that was terrifying, but just imagine your family getting taken away from you. I screamed at one part and buried my face into Jughead's shoulder. He put my legs over him and held me. Chic then got up and sat in between Jughead and I. He took me off of Jughead and had me be close to him. 

"Chic, I need to talk to you, When the movie is over." He turned off the movie and stood up. 

"What is it, Betty?" 

"Well...Jughead isn't in the best place at home...he needs a place to stay an-" 

"Betty, I'm sure mom wouldn't mind! He'd sleep on the couch or in my room though." Chic said with enthusiasm. Jughead and I exchanged looks and nodded. Later that night, I was laying in bed thinking of the next morning. Then Jughead came in. He shut the door and sat down on the bed. 

"I'm thankful, Betty." 

"Jug, I wish you would've told me your situation earlier." 

"I know! I should've and for that I'm sorry." 

He laid down next to me and kissed my forehead. He put his arm around me and I laid my head on his shoulder. My hand rested on his chest. 

"Jug, do you ever miss it?" 

"Miss what?" 

"You're home in Greendale." 

"Sometimes. But if I hadn't moved, then I wouldn't have found you." 

I smiled and fell asleep. He did too. The next morning would be a happy Christmas.