Caught In The Storm

Chapter 7

Betty's POV
I look at Veronica and say three words.
"The black van"
All color drains out of her face. She swallows and clears her throat.
"What about it?" she asks.
"What do you mean 'what about it'? V, there's a dangerous man here in Riverdale and he's coming for you. You know that. You can't ignore it" I respond.
"Hold up! What the hell is going on?" Cheryl asks.
I raise an eyebrow at Veronica.
"A few days ago, I saw a black van at the end of my street. I didn't think much of it, until yesterday. Betty came to my house looking for me, and the van was in my driveway. The man came after her, asking about me" Veronica says.
Cheryl's jaw drops.
"That's why neither of you came alone! So why am I here?" she responds.
Veronica and I look at each other.
"If the man came after me looking for Veronica, who knows who he'll come after. You're associated with her, it makes you a target. I asked you here to warn you. And to make a plan" I explain.
"We have to tell someone" Veronica says.
"Who are we going to tell?" Cheryl asks. "You saw how long it took Keller and McCoy to solve Jason's case. And in the end, it was you guys!"
She's right.
"Okay, but it's at least worth a shot! It's better than doing nothing!" I say. "Let's go to Keller tomorrow and tell him about the situation"
Everyone agrees. We set a time and place.
Veronica and Cheryl look at each other.
"So, um, Betty..." Veronica starts.
"...what's going on with you and Jughead?!" Cheryl finishes.
I feel myself blush.
"Nothing! Just old reconnected friends. I'm getting married!" I defensively respond. "Even if I weren't, we had reconcilable differences, it wouldn't have worked out"
"Alright B, whatever you say" Veronica responds.
"It's getting late, I'm going to head home now" Cheryl says.
"Alone?" Veronica and I ask in unison.
"Who's going to pick me up?" She responds.
"I'll call Arch. He can pick all of us and drop you and Betty off" Veronica offers.
"If you insist" Cheryl responds, and slides back into the seat.

Jughead's POV
Wanna meet later?
My finger lingers over the send button.
Nope. I can't do it. If Betty wants to hang out with me, she'll text me. Plus, it's seven in the morning. She probably stayed late at Pop's with the girls and she's probably exhausted from the day she had yesterday.
I know she's getting married, but somewhere inside me there's still a little bit of hope that maybe something will happen. Because that's what happens when you love someone. No matter the circumstances, you'll never be able to completely move on.
I set my phone down and walk into the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair. Hotdog comes up to me holding his leash in his mouth, indicating that he wants to go on a walk. I just laugh and put on my tennis shoes.
"Come on boy, let's go for a walk" I say, clipping on his leash.
I open the door to see a car pulling into my driveway. I can't make out who it is until he steps outside.
"Archie?"
"Hey man, we have to talk" he says.
He walks into my house and starts pacing.
"Is something wrong?" I ask.
"No. Well kind of. Veronica told me that you dropped Betty off at Pop's yesterday" he starts.
"Yeah I did. She asked me to because of the whole black van issue" I explain.
"Dude, she's getting married. You know the mess you're getting yourself into. You're going to catch feelings again. You know it and I know it!" he says.
"I was doing a favor for an old friend. That's all, Archie" I respond.
"That's all you see her as? An old friend?" he asks.
I can't bring myself to answer.
"Thought so." he says. "Do yourself a favor, and stay away from her. You're going to get hurt" he says, walking to the door.
"Wait, Archie" I start.
He walks back towards the couch and we sit down.
"Archie, I think I still love her" I admit.
"I can't control that and neither can you, but it's been seven years, Jug. She's moved on. You have to too. Nothing's ever going to happen between you too. I hate to be mean, but it's true. If you love her, truly do love Betty Cooper, you have to let her go. I have to get home. Please think about what I said" he finishes.
He lets himself out and I sit down on the couch, letting his words sink into my brain. He's right. I can't do this.

Cheryl's POV
I dial Betty's number and call her. The phone rings twice before she answers.
"Hey Cheryl!" she says.
"Hey Betty, we have to talk..." I start. "about Jughead"
Silence comes from the other end.
After a few awkward moments I hear Betty clear her throat.
"What about him?" she asks, playing dumb.
"We both know, Betty. It's not healthy for you two to get close again. You're getting married. If you even catch the slightest feelings for him, you're going to not only hurt him, but yourself too. You have to trust me here" I say.
"I love him!" she blurts out.
Silence. On both ends.

AN // Lots of Cheryl in this chapter!When I first drafted this, one of the sections was from Jack's POV but I just really disliked writing about him so maybe in the future we'll have some more of his POV but I'm not sure. Anyway, first Jarchie scene yay! Let me know your thoughts and vote if you love Jarchie's friendship!