How to be the Perfect Outcast || Jughead Jones / Riverdale

5 || humiliation of a lifetime.

-eden's pov.-

It is now lunch time, the bell has just rung, and I texted Jughead and the girls to meet me at the cafeteria, telling them that I am going to find Archie in the music room, apologize, and bring him to the lunch room.

I walk down the halls, passing someone every now and then that stares and whispers, gossiping about me shamelessly. I ignore it. After scouring the entire first floor west wing, I finally find the music room.

I open the door to find Archie strumming an acoustic guitar. I curl my fist and lightly knock on the door, catching his attention. His eyes soften when they meet mine, regret buried deep within them.

"I'm sorry." We both blurt.

We laugh, and kind of look around awkwardly.

"Well let's not stand here, let's just skip all that sappy crap and go to the cafeteria." I say, breaking the silence. He nods and puts his guitar away before grabbing his bag and phone and jogging to catch up with me.

We start walking toward the cafeteria, small conversation between the two of us. We round the cafeteria and walk inside a few steps when the announcements suddenly turn on, the sound of Cheryl's voice coming on.

-jughead's pov.-

Cheryl's voice takes my attention away from Eden, the speaker's static humming quietly.

"I am Cheryl Blossom, honors student, captain of the cheerleading squad, the River Vixens, and the biggest success this town has seen with Blossom's Maple Syrup. You know me, but do you know Eden Summers?"

Her voice is replaced by a recording that I recognize immediately. Eden's shouts soon fill the cafeteria over the speaker, spewing her family's secret, her sobs being ignored by the entire student body.

People gasp, staring at Eden. I divert my attention to her, too, and start to stand up, grabbing my bag. Veronica and Betty look at me before starting to do the same, slowly. I keep my eyes on hers, watching as her eyes start to water.

Before the recording can even get halfway through, she darts out of the cafeteria. I sprint after her, forgetting my food. I push past Archie, who waits for Veronica and Betty before following us. I catch up with Eden before she has even made it halfway down the hall, catching her by the waist.

She sobs, her knees giving out. I fall with her to the ground, and hold her close to me, her body curling up on my lap. I feel my heart crack, feeling her pain even though it isn't the exact same situation, or even kind of the same situation.

Archie, Veronica, and Betty soon slide beside us, all rubbing Eden's back and comforting her. After Cheryl's message, the speakers come on again, announcing that Eden and Cheryl are reported to the office immediately.

"Come on." I whisper, helping Eden up, who has just now started to calm down.

"I don't trust Cheryl, I'm coming." Betty comments, standing up as well. Veronica nods in agreement, her eyebrows etched in worry.

"It's okay, I'm going with her, I will text you guys about it later."

They reluctantly nod.

"We'll see you guys at Pop's after school?" Archie asks, looking between me and Eden, who is hanging off my arm, her head bowed as far as it can be to the floor.