Rainy Days ▸ BUGHEAD

chapter six

That night was my "date" with the dreaded Ethel. I should have been thinking about this ahead of time, Ethel always has a catch.

Why didn't I just find another way to figure out what was wrong with Betty? Or why didn't I just do this solo?

But it was too late to cancel. Besides if I canceled, Ethel would probably kill me. And that's one sight these blue eyes can bear to see.

But the worse part of it all, Ethel wanted it to be perfect. Expecting flowers and some other girly things. And sadly Jughead Jones isn't a shocked up on miracles.

Money was tight, so flowers were kind of out of the question. So I decided the compromise would be to pick some dandelions out of her front yard. Not ideal, but if I showed up empty handed, Ethel would think I was trying to little.

And even though I wasn't trying, I thought I'd put just a sprinkle of effort.

Also saving money for the actual date was also important. Even though it would probably be a movie or some cheap place for dinner, I still needed that money. I can't just blow all my money on flowers and a dinner for a girl I hanging out with to get to another girl.

I thought about all of this while walking to Ethel's house. It wasn't long before her small house, at the edge of the street appeared into sight.

Here goes nothing.

I walk up the three stair steps to the front door, and ring the door bell. Almost straight after Ethel opens the door.

I'm not going to lie, Ethel put some work into her appearance. She had potential to be gorgeous. But I still didn't find her attractive, I just can't ever see Ethel in that way. And it's not just her looks, that goes far beyond the skin.

I handed Ethel her the dandelions. "Couldn't afford flowers, so this was the next best choice."

Ethel frowned at the dandelions in her hands. "Well this is a disappointment."

"Well sorry I can't blow all my cash on you," I say, as I begin to get angry. "I kinda need money for more important things."

Ethel put her finger over my mouth, resulting in me shutting up. "Babe, no complaining. This is for Betty." She gave me a little wink. I knew she was sweet talking me.

I pulled her finger down from my mouth. "Don't call me babe. And don't bring Betty into this, let's just get this night over with."

"Love the excitement." Ethel sarcastically teased at me.

Normally I wouldn't be so bitter about hanging out with Ethel. I mean she can be enjoyable sometimes. But today something was up with me. My gut was telling me I was witness something bad, something that would linger a bad taste in my mouth.

As we walked, Ethel broke the tension. "Pops sound good to you?"

"Whatever works."

That walk was extremely awkward. She kept trying to talk to me, but I wasn't buying it. For some odd reason I did not want to talk to her, even more than usual.

What had gotten into me?

After about 20 minutes we reached Pops diner. I grab us a booth. Ethel sat on one side and I sat on the other, so our faces could visibly see each other.

I realized the booth we were at was the same booth as me and Betty sat the night before. It brought back the memories of how horrible it went. I wish that night never happened. Then maybe this date I was on would be nonexistent too.

But I have to say, not all was bad. Me and Ethel kept a friendly conversation going. She wasn't Betty, but she was still okay. I mean it's nice when I can agree to be friendly with her.

All went well, until I was about halfway done with my milkshake. My eyes wondered as the front doors bell rang. As I looked my jaw dropped to the floor.

It's Betty Cooper.

I looked back at Ethel, trying to find the fact I saw Betty. But it wasn't long before she noticed the beautiful blonde too.

"Jughead," Ethel said. "What is the freak doing here?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Ethel's jaw suddenly dropped. "And why is she with that creepy guy?"

"Wait what?"

I turned around again, this time paying attention to the guy she was with. Her arm was linked in his.

How did I not see him the first time?

Jealously slapped me in the face, as I studied the man carefully. He was pretty much the exact opposite of me. He was taller, ripped, plus his ripped jeans just gave him that slight bit edginess to beat mine.

I couldn't believe Betty showed up with him. It's not like her to go out with guys like that. I mean she's used to chasing guys like Archie, why is her taste suddenly changing?

"I'll be right back." I said to Ethel as I stood up.

But Ethel's tug pulled me pull down to the seat. "Not on my watch. This is our date, and if I didn't make it clear enough, Betty is not invited."

"But she's in danger." I pled to Ethel. "Don't you care?"

"I'm not the one in love with her." she mumbles under her breath, just enough to were I can hear it.

"Look," I tell Ethel, making strong eye contact. "Betty's in danger, and I don't care because I'm not letting her hang out with that creep."

"Fine then." Ethel said, taking a large sip of her milkshake.

I got up from the table and walked over to Betty and the man. He was even scarier up close.

Betty was the first to notice me. "Juggie? What are you doing here?"

"Saving you," I said. I turned to the man. "Leave Betty alone."

The man came closer to me. So close his yellow teeth were very clear. I shallowed down my fear.

What the hell did I just do?

"What are you going to do tough guy?" the man taunted me. "Fight me?"

I gulped again, harder than the first time. "I guess I w-will."

The man suddenly lifted up the sleeve on his his leather jacket. It relieved a tattoo of a snake, a serpent to be exact.

"Does this scare you?" The man asked me.

The tattoo questioned my mind for a moment, as I looked at it's fine lines. What could possibly mean?

I was a plain idiot in that moment. It was like my mind was a writer with writers block. How I could have forgotten what it meant? How could I have been so stupid, so blind? But I wanted Betty safe, and that's all my mind was lingering about.

"Nothing scares me." I said back to man.

I had a made a terrible mistake that night, and I was gonna pay.