Believer ➵ Bughead

Chapter 20

It was the first time that Jughead had been back at Riverdale High ever since he left and murmurs and stares were already prominent the minute he burst into the door. He avoided all of them, and just let the loud music that blasted through his headphones distract him.

The last day of school had finally arrived. The last day of that terrible, heart-wrenching year.  He was thankful that the memories of what had happend in the last twelve months could be erased in his mind, and that he could start out fresh. 

Arriving at the outside area of the school, Jug sat down on the cold brick staircase and held onto the railing. Multiple people stopped and asked him why he was back, and he gave them all the same answer: "Just here to say my goodbyes." 

Veronica noticed him, and walked up to his side. Her black pumps echoed in the crisp silence as she sashayed through the grass and trees.

 She smiled. "Jughead, long time no see." 

He patted the step next to him, inviting her to sit down, which she did.

"Yeah, quite the wait." He snickered.

"Come back for your last hurrah?" 

"Yeah."

She laughed gently, bringing her head down.

"We missed you a lot, Jug." She mumbled..

He sighed. "I missed you guys too."

"Next time you leave, maybe you could at least send a postcard."

"But wasn't it more fun not knowing what I was up to?" He joked.

She scoffed, pushing him lightly.

"You Jones men have no empathy."

"Call us what you will, mi amor." 

She rolled her eyes and stood up . "You know a bit of Spanish, I'm impressed."

"You know, I've never found any good in goodbyes." She spilled, holding back the tears that were about to drop from her eyes.

He sat up. 

Holding out his hands, she jumped into his arms.

"Until next time, Jones." 

He chuckled.

"'Till next time, Lodge."

Veronica let go of his grasp and walked into the school, another member of the core four parting ways with the brooding boy.

Jughead was about to walk back into the school, until he saw that one, special blonde run up to him.

...

"B-Betty?" 

She shook her head in disbelief.

"You're here."

He chucked. "Yeah, I'm back."

She let her bag rest atop the railing of the staircase. 

"What brought you back?"

"Just here to say my goodbyes."

He cuddled up to the railing right beside her, inches away from touching.

"Jughead, I'm sorry."

He took out his last cigarette, and lit it up.

"I know."

Betty watched as he took in the toxic smoke like it was a normal thing for him to do. A habit.

And she watched him blow it out as well, guilt flooding her as she realized she may have been the reason for his sudden mood changes.