The Girl From the Store

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛

Jughead POV

I walked back to the store and it was incredibly busy. Toni was struggling to keep up so I opened up two self check out registers and my own. After about an hour, the lines began to die down so I closed self check out. Toni's shift ended in an hour and there was no one there, so we spent the time catching up.

"So, Jughead. What has been going on with your dad? I saw the beard was gone. Is he going through some type of mid-life crisis?!" She whisper yelled jokingly. I laughed, "Actually, the opposite." She looked at me with a face of confusion.

"He had me meet him and he wants to change. He's stopped drinking, he's turned his act around, and he's even tried to be more involved." I clarify while her face changed from confusion to surprise.

"I cut my hours back slightly and I eat lunch with him almost every day. I really, really want it to last this time." I continued and she rubbed my shoulder. "I can tell by the look on your face that you are happy about a lot more than your dad." She smirked, insinuating a girl.

"Why is everyone saying that? Do I wear my emotions that much?" I yelled in amusement. "Yes, you do. Now spill!" She said jumping up and down. "I hate you." I said as I started walking across the store. She quickly grabbed my arm and turned me around.

"No you don't, now tell me everything!" She shrieked loudly. "Okay, okay. Calm down. Her name is Betty." I said, giving up the fight. "Awww!" She cooed, "You like her!!" "No i don't." She gave me a look that said, 'don't lie to me.' "Okay, maybe." I sighed, not wanting to give any details. I began to walk off and restock shelves.

"Please tell me more!" She pleads, following me around like a puppy. "Fine. What do you want to know?" I said, annoyance in my tone. "I don't know, basic stuff. What does she look like? What's her personality? What are details about her?" "Well, she has blonde hair, green eyes, about 5'3, and I think she's my age. She's sweet, caring, and really pretty, but I don't know a lot about her." I said while trying to hide my smile. I didn't want to tell her about Harper because it isn't really my place to say anything.

"Oh my gosh! I never thought I'd see the day when Jughead Jones liked a girl. Not gonna lie, I thought you were gay." She says and my eyes widen. "Please, if I were gay, I would've given Kevin a shot a long time ago." I said as we both burst out in laughter.

"Good point. Anyway, my shift's almost over so I'm gonna clock out. See you tomorrow!" She screamed while walking away. "See you tomorrow!" I yelled back.

After I finished restocking, it was about 2:30pm so I went back to the register in the front and read a book. After an hour of reading, I received a text from Betty.

Betty
Hey! I'm sorry I didn't
text you sooner. I had to
put Harper down for a
nap. Anyway, thank you
so much for lunch. I had a
good time.

Jughead
It's okay. I had a good time
too. We should do it again
sometime.

Betty
Yeah, I would love that.

Jughead
Great. I'll stay in touch!

It's only 3:45pm so I still have a little over 4 hours. I sort through the money in the register to help the time go by quicker.

Betty POV

After I got home from lunch with Jug, I tried putting Harper down for a nap, but it took an hour because she's beginning to start teething. I grabbed the frozen mesh out of the freezer and let her have that while she laid in her crib. I went back in a half our later and she was asleep.

I decided to text Jug just to tell him I appreciated lunch. While we were talking, I went out to the kitchen and made a smoothie because it's one of the few foods I'm able to keep down. While I sat on the bar, working on homework, Veronica walked in the house.

"Hey V! Where have you been? Also, where are your parents?" I asked, looking around realizing I was alone. "Hey B! I was getting lunch and they are in an interview for their new jobs. I think we're going out to dinner tonight if you want to come with us." She said, putting her keys down on the table.

"I'll go if Harper's awake, if not I'll just stay here. What time are you leaving?" I questioned. "Probably 4:30." She said while putting leftovers in the fridge. "That's only 45 minutes, I probably won't go. She's finally getting some sleep. I'll find something here."

"How do I know you're actually going to eat?" V said, giving me a glare. "Pull something out on counter. I promise I will try it." I said while holding out my pinky. She grabbed my pinky, "Okay, my leftovers better have a dent when we get back." "Okay." I said as she backed away and grabbed her keys.

"I'm gonna leave early and job hunt. I'll see if I can find us anything." She said opening the door and turning around, waiting for a reply before she walks out. "Thank you, V! Keep me updated. Love you!" I replied. "Love you too." She yelled back through the door she closed moments before.

I heard Harper begin to cry moments later. I got up from the barstool to go check on her, but when I got up I heard my phone ding. Thinking it was Jughead or Veronica, I walked over to check it, but what I saw left me in utter shock.