The Theory Of Chaotic Perfection |BUGHEAD|

Chapter XXIII - Two Lovers In Fair Riverdale

"I guess we are over"

Archibald Andrews was terrified of Alice Cooper as she gripped his wrist with her cold fingers. He had never before seen such horror and pain in her eyes. Knowing that Betty meant a lot to her, she was her only daughter after all, Archie wasn't surprised.

"Where are they?" She asked instantly, referring to the fact that she just found out her perfect daughter Betty had been dating none other than Jughead Jones. He was the town's worst criminal's son, and Alice was not the kind of mother to overlook that "tiny" detail.

"I don't know," Archie shrugged, he knew she wouldn't believe his answer. he had to do better, "believe me, Mrs. Cooper, if I did know where they are I'd march there myself and beat that Jughead Jones senseless."

This Alice Cooper could accept as an answer, she saw the hatred in Archie's eyes, even he himself didn't quite know how angry he was. Smiling, Alice Cooper already had a proposition she knew Archie could not say no to. "I propose we find them, you and me. You get your bride back, I get my daughter back. Everybody wins, well except for Jughead, but we can't let a criminal win, now can we?"

To say no would be like to disobey the self proclaimed queen of Riverdale. The sound of Betty being his bride did not appeal to Archie at all, but it was the two families longest tradition, and he was not about to break it. He shook the hand Alice stretched out for him, that way agreeing with her and making the deal.

Fred Andrews stood on the top step of his staircase, which led to the basement. He was about to walk into his kitchen when he noticed the confrontation of his son by Alice Cooper. Fred didn't think to intervene, their words made him curious. He sighed as he watched Alice walk out of his house. He liked the Coopers, but as of late, they've been acting peculiar. Fred knew Alice and Hal had something against FP Jones, but Fred himself didn't. The business of Riverdale royalties was not his.

Without saying a word, he waited for a couple of seconds and walked into his kitchen, he tried to not make any eye contact with his son. He didn't want anything to do with whatever Alice was plotting. Riverdale was run by criminals, that was for sure, but they were not the South Side Serpents like many thought.

The day was slowly turning into night, darkness sneaking up on the sun and dragging it down, until the sun fights for another day to come. With the night, the low life's of the earth came out of their hiding spots to plague the streets of Riverdale with their long fingers that could get anyone who dared step out of line. They dinned in fancy restaurants, wore expensive jewelry, and made speeches in the town hall.

"What if we ran away?" Jughead asked, looking at the setting sun next to Sweet Water river.

Betty laughed, "where would we even go!?"

"Literally anywhere," he moved his arm from underneath her head. They were both lying down on a blanket, enjoying the silence after a short picnic. Jughead sat up, and Betty plopped her elbows up, to see him better.

To her the idea sounded absurd, she had a perfect life here, why would she want to get rid of that, "Jughead, it's not as bad as you think, my parents will get used to you and-"

"Betty, are you even hearing yourself? Your parents will never get used to me. I know why you don't want to leave, I'm a replacement, something to keep you entertained when Archie is otherwise occupied." He spat out, throwing his leather Serpents jacket on.

Betty shrugged, "what are you talking about?"

"When Archie wants you, you'll go running to him, because Betty despite what you say, you know you'll always love him. I'm just a runt from the wrong side of the tracks, you're the perfect girl next door," his voice was getting louder until he cracked.