Circumlocution ≫ Jarchie

[Chapter One]

Present

"Do you need a ride home?" The redhead asks tentatively, following the stumbling beauty in front of him.

"Not from the likes of you." The beauty slurrs, still trying to make his way over to his car.

"Jughead, you can't drive like this, what if you get hurt?"

"You weren't so concerned about me getting hurt when you hurt me yourself." He spits, attempting to walk away faster, only to fall on the ground in the parking lot of the bar they were both just in.

"Let me take you home." Archie pleads, kneeling next to the raven haired beauty.

"Home was you, but you left." Jughead whispers, finally gazing his blood shot eyes into Archie's sad ones.

"But I'm here again."

"You didn't plan on telling me you were. If I didn't see you here tonight, I was never going to see you at all." Jughead whimpers, the tears starting to consume his words. Archie remains silent, guilt filling his mind because what Jughead said was true. It was all true, and Archie regrets everything.

He regrets leaving, he regrets never saying goodbye, he regrets what he did, He regrets coming back to Riverdale tonight.

"Let me take you home Jughead."

At this point, all Jughead does is nod, knowing that if he opens his mouth, uncontrollable sobs will pour out. Archie helps him up and gently guides him towards his worn down jeep. He carefully opens the door and supports Jughead as he blindly climbs into the vehicle, sighing in relief once he's in safely. He soon straps himself into the driver's side and looks at Jughead expectantly.

"Where to?"

Jughead slowly pulls out his phone and pulls up his address, too overwhelmed with emotions and memories he's tried his hardest to forget, to answer. Archie widens his eyes at Jughead's address, surprised at how far away it is.

"So you moved away from Riverdale too?"

"The memories. The drama. The pain. It was too much." Jughead mumbles, sinking lower into his seat.

"Well, we have a three hour drive until we get to your place, why don't we catch up?" Archie exclaims hopefully, trying to make the most of how awkward this situation is. Jughead immediately shoots him a death glare, automatically shooting down that idea. "Oh c'mon, it can't be all bad, can it?"

"Yes it can, and you're stupid if you ever think I'll trust you or talk to you again." Jughead scoffs, his original sadness turning into pure anger. A silence fills the car after that statement, which is perfectly fine with Jughead. Seeing him hurts way too much, and Hearing his voice attacks him like knives.

"So when did you start drinking? I thought that after your dad you wouldn't do-"

"That was before I understood why he did it."

"How'd you end up understanding that?"

"I developed the need for it after you left." Jughead chokes out, fixing his gaze out the window again.

"Listen, it's been a year, can't you forgive me?"

"Never. Nothing will ever forgive what you did. No matter how hard you try, nothing will fix the damage." Jughead snaps before turning on the car radio and attempting to drown out Archie's nonsense.

It was going to be a long car ride.

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This story is going to hurt you guys. I hope You know what you're getting into.