Believer ➵ Bughead

Chapter 14

 (A/N: This is truly one of the most painful chapters to write, as it is one of the most emotional ones I've ever written so far. Triggers and lots of angst ahead.)

And suddenly, Archie was back to the same dilemma as the day before; He stood in front of Betty's locker, forcing himself to tell her the truth.

It wasn't like he planned on doing it so quickly. He would tell her, eventually.

But as Veronica explained to him yesterday, she wouldn't accept his apology until he confessed to Betty. And he really wanted Ronnie back.

So there he was, watching the clock in the halls as he laid slumped against the cold metal door.

It was currently lunchtime. He wondered what she would've been doing for so long, as she never visited her locker once.

He sighed, bringing his hands up to his face and ruffling his greasy ginger hair. Closing his eyes, he listened to his breathing, the slow pace it gave out. He was a mess, writing heartbreak melody after melody at night. He hoped that after all this, he could finally sleep peacefully.

Footsteps could be heard nearing him. He opened his eyes, noticing a familiar golden girl standing above him.

"What the hell are you doing here, Archie?" She asked crudely.

He stood up, meeting her height. 

"I didn't want to be here either, okay? Veronica's putting me up to this, and- god,- all I want to do is just get this over with." He explained quickly.

She laughed.

"Well, save yourself the trouble. Go talk to Reggie or something."

"Betty-"

"I used to like you. About a year ago. I told you that, remember? But you told me you could never feel what I felt towards you. You broke me once, Andrews. And then you think it's okay.." Her voice faltered.

"You thought it was okay, to break me again?"

"So you know?" He asked.

"Know what?!" She spat out.

"That I got you drunk so we could hook up?"

Betty's face got visibly shaken. Her mouth hanged open in horror, and she began to shake.

She fell to the floor, Archie grabbed her before she hit the hard linoleum. 

"DON'T-D-DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed, pushing his hands away.

Almost on cue, Veronica and Kevin came running to Betty's aid as they saw her state.

"Betty!" 

She ran up to them and held Veronica, still shaking.

Archie didn't understand why she reacted the way she did. He thought she knew already, so why the surprise?

"I just confessed, okay? Don't bullshit me with another rant." He scolded.

"I think you did more than confess." Kevin said.

Veronica didn't even mutter a word. She gave Arch a look of disgust, repulsion if you will. 

The trio walked away, holding Betty closely. He heard V sing to Betty in her deep, sweet voice.

He walked back to another locker and smashed his fist into it, annoyed.

All he did was what Veronica told him to do, and now he's even more of a bad guy?

He fell back down slowly to the floor, back against the locker.