This Spells Trouble - A Riverdale Fanfiction

When a Star Dies

Jughead furrowed his brow, eyes flickering around as his mouth moved in silent words. Betty waited patiently, albeit with concern, as she watched him try to remember a memory to tell. When he began, he spoke uncertainly and quietly.

"I remember....we were at Pop's....and it was a party. For Jellybean. It was her first birthday. And Archie and you were there. It was....a costume party. We went as the trio from Hogwarts. I don't think I need to tell you who was who. "He chuckled softly, before continuing. "And I remember I put the glasses I'd got for my costume down for only a minute or so, and I came back to Jellybean slobbering all other it. She would eat anything she could. Must've got that from me. And I couldn't get the glasses back, because she kept wailing when I tried taking them. All I got was slobber in the end. I had to wear sunglasses because they were the only glasses I could find, and then everyone thought I was Neo for some reason. I guess it was the dark robe and the sunglasses together. Then Jellybean made it worst by vomiting on my robe, so I had to get rid of that. By the end of the day, I just told everyone I was Angus Young in his schoolboy outfit. I had to play air guitar to make them believe me....but it was a fun day."

Betty laughed.
"Yeah, I remember that. Archie and I were Harry Potter-less. We were about 7, weren't we?"

Jughead nodded slowly, before his hand flew to his head, and he groaned in pain, face tightening. He let out a stifled scream, followed by a harsh intake of breath. Betty gasped, unsure what she could do. She ended up rubbing circles into his shoulders. He whimpered softly, hissing in pain every so often. Betty hugged him close, knowing she could do nothing to stop the destruction happening in his brain. Despite the pain he was going through, he leaned into her touch.

Many minutes passed before some clarity returned to his eyes, but he seemed focused more on his breath than on her. Betty put a hand on his cheek, stroking it gently as she murmured assurances. His eyes flickered to her, and she took that as a sign that the episode of pain had passed.
"Hey, hey, Juggie. You're okay. Can you keep telling me stories? You won't have to do it for much longer I swear. Sabrina will be here soon."

Jughead looked around with narrowed eyes.
"Why're we at Sweetwater?"

Oh. Betty felt her chest tighten. He'd forgotten what was happening to him. He'd lost more of himself. Not too long til it was all gone. Betty shook off the terrible thought, presenting him with a smile, however strained it was.
"You wanted to tell me stories at the riverside. Said it was a great setting, and the 'setting is half the experience', as you always say."

"That...does sound like something I'd say..."

"Yeah, it does," she said wistfully. Jughead watched her, assessing her with those observant eyes.

"You seem sad. Did Archie say something mean again?"

"No, no, he didn't," she assured, "nothing like that. It's just you were telling me about Jellybean and it made me sad to think about how long ago that way now."

Jughead looked at her, a flicker of youthful confusion crossing his face.
"Who's Jellybean?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sabrina ran like she was a witch in the Salem Witch Trials. Which was pretty fast (she'd heard some great stories from her relatives about those days, though none ever called them 'good' or 'old'). The cat Salem was not having any fun as he was jostled around in Sabrina's bag, making many angry groans as she sped down the shoreline. He, however, made no verbal arguments. He knew they were rushed for time.

The pebbles under her feet clicked against each other as she dug her feet into the ground, using the uneven surface to sprint as fast as she possibly could. This river was so long. Too much shore to scour. But she had no plans of stopping until she found Betty and Jughead.