Calm Waters [Jughead x Archie]

₀₈.

Avoiding Archie was harder than I thought. It didn't matter where I was, he always seemed to be there. Or the thought of him sometimes crossed my mind, making my thinking process hazey and making me feel like crying at the same time. What did I do wrong?

Why was it so hard to not think about him? Why was I thinking about stuff like kissing him after a big game or walking to school holding hands crossing my mind now? Why, when I know I have to stay away from him. I had to do it for the both of us, it wasn't like staying away was an option; I had to do it.

School was particularly harder after I destroyed two relationships with one stone. And also because it was now Friday the day the video is supposably going to be shown to every one. I didn't understand why Archie was so upset with me. I didn't do anything that would hurt him. And Betty's case was an eye opener, she was right I was blind to many things.
Love is what's making you blind, I thought to myself.

It was now lunch time and I decided to retreat to the library. I returned to my old habits and put my head down while I was walking through the hallway so I wouldn't catch a glimpse of Archie. But with my luck I happened to bump into Reggie instead.

Reggie was a dick and all but I immediately became desperate for answers.
"Reggie," I say, catching his attention from his other friends since apparently bumping into him wasn't enough.

I knew he recognized my voice because I could see him smirking already before he spun around slowly to face me.
"If it isn't the freak himself." Reggie answered while his friends from behind him laughed.

"I need to talk to you, and not in front of your friends." I rolled my eyes at the boys who stared at me from behind Reggie.

"He wants to talk." Reggie called to his friends who snickered at that.
"If you want to talk to me freak you can talk to me here." He laughed.

God, Reggie really knows how to irrate me. I was too annoyed to listen to his bullshit. I grabbed his wrist hard and yanked him with me, dragging him to the library.

I drug him all the way to my corner of the library and flung him into the bookshelf. He immediately began to rub his reddened skin around his wrist.

"What the hell Juggie." He growled, while still rubbing his wrist.

"I have something serious to talk to you about." I answer quickly before he could insult me again.

"Okay what." He answered calmly. I don't know what drove Reggie to not scream at me, maybe it was because he could hear the sadness in the tone of my voice, and maybe he was just too tired to try.

"So," I began trying to figure out where I should begin.
"Today has Archie been acting different?" I looked at him, waiting for an answer.

"Sort of why?" He finally answered.

"Like how?" I searched his face as he stared back at me.

"Distant I guess, he hasn't been that involved today, why?" Reggie shrugged.

"Has he mentioned why he's upset." I dodged his question again.

"No he never talks about his feelings." Reggie shook his head.

"Reggie, I'm going to walk home but will you tell me what happens in the sports assembly?" I ask while staring down at my hands.

Reggie placed his hand on my shoulder and stared at me, giving me a sympathetic smile.
"Sure Jug. Are you going to be alright?" Reggie added as he stared down at me. His hand began to rub back and forth on my shoulder, probably to sooth me.

"I'll be fine," I shake his hand off. He doesn't give me a snark comment either as he watched me some more.
-

That afternoon I didn't stick around to see what was going to happen during the assembly. I snuck out and decided walking home was the best option, I didn't feel like getting humiliated today. Not when I have enough on my mind.

Even though Archie was mad at me, I hope he was out of that assembly too; heading to his house in the opposite direction from mine.
I made it home, of course my dad wasn't there to question me which was alright with me.

I decided to take a shower so I could try and think of something else other than the assembly. No matter how much I tried my anxiety level was skyrocketing and all I could think about was all of their reactions.

A few hours after dinner I decided to call Reggie since he didn't call me when I told him to. He picked up about the third ring, typical.

"So, reactions, thoughts?" I mustured to say. Reggie coughed on the other end probably trying to cover up his hesitant state.

"Well, we only got to see half before it was taken down." He said trying to reassure me, like that was going to help. I sighed heavily at his reponse, everyone knew.

"Why aren't you laughing at me?" I blurt out.

"There's nothing funny about having your privacy vandalised and shown to the whole school. I mean at least you got a bi- I mean at least you- I," He paused, "Archie wasn't there." He quickly changed the subject.

Like I said before even though Archie is being a dick right now doesn't mean I still don't care for him. It doesn't matter if Archie hates me for the rest of my life, i'll always love him.

Reggie broke me out of my thoughts, "Look if you want on Monday maybe we can meet up before school and I can walk you in." He offered.

Reggie's kindness nauseated me. It was overwhelming and stressful at the same time. Why was he being so nice; probably because he felt sorry for me for the first time. I didn't know but I didn't want to ask and ruined the only standing relationship I had which is hanging on in by a thin thread since me and Reggie haven't been on good terms since earlier today.

I closed my eyes and considered his offer some more. It would be beneficial, maybe they'd not bring it up if I was hanging out with Reggie since Reggie was practically the most popular jock, who could be a douche, in the school. Everyone adored him at whatever he did.

"Sure, but don't let me ruin your reputation." I answered.

"Come on Jug, I'm Reggie Mantle." He said, laughing a little on the other end.
"Just so you know Jug, we didn't see that much of the video," Reggie tried to reassure me but I was too busy drifting asleep while listening to his voice.
"We only got to-" I could hear Reggie say before I nodded off and regained consciousness.
"But on a good note-" he started again but this time I feel asleep for good.

-
Imao yes I had to make Reggie gain a soft spot for Jug (aka big part of the plot that's why it happened lol)