One Month

Chapter One: 1 month

"I'm sorry Betty," he whispered "I'll take you out next time, promise." Click.

I couldn't put my cellphone down, I continued listening to the dead air at the other end of the line. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I was all dressed up wearing a brown button up corduroy skirt paired with a slightly oversized black turtle neck and black thigh high socks, I even managed to put on my makeup perfectly. But of course, once again, I've been stood up...typical. He's been standing me up ever since the third grade, how much longer am I going to keep believing in his promises?

Tossing my cellphone onto my bed, I crawled outside my window and onto the roof to gaze at the stars. After a while I began to hug my knees and look down onto the street, this has become a habit of mine every time Archie has stood me up, made me pay for our dates, and every time he didn't acknowledge or appreciate me. Soon enough my cheeks were wet with tears, why couldn't he like me as much as he liked her? Why is it always her? I began to hiccup and soon enough my emotions are out of my control as I start to sob into my knees.

"Betts?" I snap my head up and stared at my driveway. Wearing his signature grey crown, the sweater with the token "S" on it with black jeans and chucks, standing by my dad's car was the only boy I could ever rely on. "Archie?" He asked.

"Juggie, who else do you think it could be?" I scoffed.

"Coming right up." He replied as he began climbing up the drain pipe, soon enough he was by my side with his legs outstretched, his back on the roof, and his arms supporting his head as he positioned himself to face me into a comfortable position.

"Veronica again too?" He asked simply. 

"Yeah..." I pause, turning my head to face him, "am I crazy? Why do I continue to put up with all of this...love triangle stuff? Ronnie has been my best friend since she first moved here. We both love Archie the same. I loved him longer. So why, tell me WHY Archie always chooses her over me?" I cry out

"Simple. She's the devil incarnate." He said a matter-of-factly.

I stifle a laugh and lean back onto my roof as well, "she is still my best friend, Juggie."

"Then why is she out with the guy you love and you're stuck with your neighbour, girl hater extraordinaire?" I can feel him intently staring at me, awaiting an answer I couldn't give so instead I look up at the sky once more. 

After a moments silence, I decided to speak. "Juggie look up there. Do you remember the astronomy classes we took in elementary school?"

"Yeah why?" He sighed. 

"Do you see Ursa Major? Below is the constellation Leo and to the bottom left of that is Virgo." I pointed, ignoring another question.

"Yeah, yeah I see it." He replied in a bored tone.

"Under Virgo is Corvus, the four bright stars that make an awkward kinda looking square."

"And why are we looking at that?" Finally getting annoyed.

"Well, that constellation is the crow. It used to be a white crow until Apollo became angry and in a fit of rage, he turned the crow black." I began, "I feel like that crow in a way...I would always be so happy with Archie, and on some days it would go on for a while until he chases after Veronica again and I feel so helplessly heartbroken, I feel my heart turn black because of how angry and upset I am."

"Betts. We're starting our junior year at Riverdale high in a month, you cannot be comparing yourself to a crow." Ignoring my laugh, he continued. "You need to get over Archie before school starts. See other people, keep yourself busy and do not hang out with Archie, at all."

"But Jugg-" 

"Elizabeth Cooper," Jughead interrupted "I hate to see you like this; tearing yourself down because you constantly give everything to everyone leaving nothing for yourself. There's a lot of guys who are more suitable to be with you. Veronica's friendship means so much to you, is it really worth breaking that for some guy who doesn't even realize what he's missing out on?"

That last sentence stung but I nodded, "Alright Forsythe," he groans. "Help me get over Archie in one months time and I'll whip up anything you want for dinner afterwards, deal?"

"Deal" Jughead smirked. 

We stayed on my roof for another hour or so until we heard Archie's car pull up the driveway next door, our heads both whipped to the sound of his car door slam shut. 

As I was about to call out for him, Jughead covered my mouth with his hand, held my by my waist with his other, pulling my body close to his and pushing us closer to the roof of my house in an attempt to stay hidden while our eyes followed Archie's movements. 

"What a great night!" Archie practically screamed, normally this would've stabbed me but it felt more like a sting. Especially because I'm currently distracted from how Jughead was holding me. My stomach felt heavy, and I couldn't believe Jughead was holding me.

Archie continued to hum up until his front door before he paused and turned to look at my house. He turned and began to walk towards the sidewalk but he paused, shook his head and quietly headed back to his front door and let himself in. 

"Betty are you breathing?" Jughead's words tickled my ear.

I gasped for air, "Y-yeah" I replied as nonchalantly as I possibly could, pulling away I sat up and turned to face him. "We should go to bed Juggie..."

"Are you inviting me to your bedroom?" He smirked

"Oh my goodness no! Don't speak like that, you're acting like Reggie," I laughed. "Thanks for keeping me company." 

"You're the girl I don't hate." At his reply my face felt warm, "See you later Betty." 

He began to climb down the way he came and I crawled back into my room. As his body came into view on our side walk, he waved one last good bye and began his trek back to his house. 

Leaving the memories of tonight and the burning sensation of his hand my waist. Strange.