The Choice

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

"What does that even mean?" Betty asked, staring at the old woman from her position behind Jughead.

"Mother, they're about to start serving-" Penelope stopped when she saw Betty and Jughead. Her eyes pinned Betty with a glare that was like steel and sent a shudder down her spine. "What are you doing in my son's room?"

"They were helping me," the old woman lied and Betty looked down at her, trying to hide her surprise and gratitude. "I lost my senses a bit in the hall and got turned around going down the wrong corridor. I turned into Jason's room by mistake and needed help getting back out."

Betty carefully kicked the shoebox back under the bed.

"What are you two even doing up here? The dining room is downstairs," Penelope pressed.

"Oh Penelope, dear, I know it's been a while but you should be able to figure out what a young couple like them was up to trying to get away from prying eyes."

Betty's face went hot and she heard Jughead's little gasp and felt even more embarrassed, knowing that was definitely the last thing on his mind when it came to her. On another note, Betty was quite impressed with the old woman's quick wit, considering how confused she seemed a moment ago.

Oh he's hurt you already, hasn't he? How did she know? Could she tell? Betty felt the bile rile in her throat. Oh God, could other people tell? Could they see the filth inside of her like an extra layer of skin? Betty felt the ground shift beneath her and the room spun. She held on more tightly to Jughead now to keep from passing out...or throwing up...she wasn't sure which would happen first but she had to get out of here right now.

"Get out of this room right now," Penelope snapped and Betty was only too glad to oblige, following Jughead out quickly.

She stopped at the top of the stairs as Penelope guided her mother out the other way where the lift they'd installed for her was located.

"Hey, you okay? You've gone white as a sheet," Jughead said, cupping Betty's face.

She heard his voice and could make out the basic shape of his head but his face and the rest of the area blurred.

"Betty!" Jughead shook her a little.

Her vision cleared. "I need to get out of here...now..." Her breath was coming too short, sticking in her throat so it was actually hurting to breathe.

"Okay, okay, come on. We'll go outside and get some air." He held her close and Betty leaned into him letting his warmth cocoon her. For the first time since the rape, she didn't want to scream and pull away when someone touched her. She didn't miss the significance that it was only with Jughead. Betty wanted to cry because she knew now with heartbreaking certainty that she loved him.

They managed to sneak out of the house and he set her down on the front steps. "I'm going to go find Veronica. Think you'll be okay here for a sec alone?"

Betty nodded and rested her head on her knees, struggling to take in gulpfuls of air. God, what was happening to her? Any second now she was just ready to go off and completely lose her mind.

"Hey, hey, what's going on, hmm?" Veronica was next to her in seconds. "Can I hug you? Is that okay?"

When would it ever be okay for them not to have to ask, Betty wondered distantly as she nodded quickly, leaning against her friend's shoulder. "I need to go home. I can't be here anymore...I...I can't breathe..."