Aberration ≫ Jarchie

T W E N T Y - F I V E

Twelve Years Old ❣︎ July

"How'd I end up buying you a milkshake?"

"Because you can't resist me."

"Cocky much?"

"On a good day."

Archie rolls his eyes as Jughead dips his french fries into his strawberry milkshake, practically rolling his eyes towards the back of his head in pleasure.

"You take your food way too seriously."

"Excuse you, you can't take something you love too seriously, therefore your statement is irrelevant."

"Have you always been this sassy? If so, I don't know how I've been able to deal with it for so long."

"Either way you're stuck with me, redhead."

Archie laughs before reaching over to take one of Jughead's fries, which He allows him to do reluctantly. If it was anyone else he would've fought them though.

"Weren't you supposed to be home an hour ago?"

The two are currently sitting at Pop's after going to the grocery store because Jughead's mom asked him to go pick up milk. It was a simple task really, but he didn't want to be alone so he asked Archie to come. Somehow they ended up here, and Jughead put on his best puppy dog eyes to get Archie to buy him food.

"True." Jughead sighs before quickly slurping down his smoothie and shoving the french fries into his mouth, making Archie wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"You're like a vacuum." Archie marvels before leaving the money on the table and following Jughead out of the booth and out of the neon diner.

"Aww, just best friend things: giving compliments."

Archie rolls his eyes again at Jughead's unceasing sarcasm, although he can't help but to laugh either way.

The humid, scorching, weather sends trickles of sweat to drop down the duo's bodies as they continue to fill the night air with pointless conversation and immature laughter. Everything finally feels right. No more Reggie for Jughead, although Reggie and Archie still keep in touch because apparently sticking up for Jughead earned him a new respect, and no more draining school work or fighting for the both of them.

However, something always has to go wrong, because the person who writes this fanfic just loves to torture everyone.

The duo parts ways, Jughead keeping a steady stride until he reaches the small trailer park he's learned to call home.

One all black converse steps on one of the squeaky stairs before a loud smash is heard, followed by muffled screams. Jughead jumps, eyes widening with fear before deciding to open the door anyway.

It's one of those moments he'll never forget.

Empty beer bottles line the small dining table, and one lies scattered into tiny pieces across the floor, placed a few feet away from his sister who is crying uncontrollably. His dad stands by the table, eyes cadmium with intoxication and anger, with another bottle held in his hand, this time aimed at his mother who stands in the opposite corner with shock written across her face.