Circumlocution ≫ Jarchie

[ Chapter Seven ]

Present

The silence is thick and unwanted, yet unavoidable as the duo continue driving off into the night to reach their destination where everything will come to an end.

Archie will go back to London, and he'll never see Jughead again.

Despite Jughead feeling as if seeing his ex ruined his entire night, Archie feels the exact opposite. He was honestly hoping to see Jughead. Even just a glimpse would've made his night. He even shamefully went out looking for him before he gave up, but he never expected the Jughead Jones to be at a bar.

He wasn't quite sure what he was expecting though. He wants closure. He wants to explain everything and he wants his forgiveness, but Jughead is so mad that he doesn't think he'll ever be able to get it by time he has to go back home to London.

"So we're going back to not talking?" Archie attempts to speak, his fingers drumming slightly on the steering wheel as he keeps his eyes on the road ahead of him.

"What gave that away? The crickets chirping in the back seat?" Jughead spits before crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't see why we can't just talk and be normal."

"Because if you haven't noticed? I don't like you."

"You used to. Like, a lot, actually."

"And you used to keep your promises, not cheat, and stay in the same fucking country, but I guess things change huh?"

"Okay, I get it." Archie sighs defeatedly before turning on the radio. Immediately, Jughead's eyes widen at the familiar beat as a smile spreads across Archie's face.

"No, Archie I swear this isn't the-" Jughead begins before reaching for the radio, only for Archie to intercept him and begin singing the lyrics to the song.

But it wasn't just any song, it was their song.

"All along it was a fever. A cold sweat hot-headed believer." Archie wails playfully, causing Jughead to try and hold in a laugh.

The thing about Archie, is that he has a beautiful voice. It's amazing, but he doesn't like to show off. With Jughead, he's always playfully wailing and being over dramatic and having fun. He personally hates when people who can actually sing ruin group sing alongs by belting notes and riffing all over the place. It kills a vibe.

"I don't know if you realize how ironic this song is now considering you didn't fucking stay." Jughead laughs, not being able to hold it in anymore.

"C'mon, sing it with me this is our song your verse is up next. Don't leave me hanging." Archie pouts.

"I'm not taking part in this."

"Fine." Archie frowns before turning the station.

About twenty minutes of driving passes when Archie interrupts the silence once again.

"I have to pee."

"We were literally at a store with a bathroom."

"Yeah but I didn't have to go before."

"You do this all the time." Jughead laughs, looking at Archie with a smile on his face before shaking his head. "I think there's a karaoke club on the next exit. You can go there."

"It's kind of weird that you know these places so well."

"I do a lot of driving and a lot of thinking."

Archie just leaves it at that before turning on his blinker and turning smoothly into the next exit, eyes scanning down the service road for the karaoke club Jughead suggested. A few minutes later, and the neon sign flashes in front of their faces, causing Archie to pull in and park. "You coming in?"