❝I don't know what you went through, and I know we aren't going to go back to where we were for a long time, maybe even ever. But if I knew that you were about to go through the worst time of your life, I wouldn't have left. I swear.❞
Catherine Bell...
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↳ Saturday
Dec. 17th↲
I know that I intended to break up with Jughead, or at least separate temporarily, but the signs of a crumbling relationship were emerging.
We fought about the dumbest things, and both of us—being stubborn—wouldn't talk to each other for a day or even up to a week. Not only would it take a toll on us, but also our friend group.
We'd bicker over something so insignificant at Pop's and the table would fall silent, even if our bickering came to an abrupt stop from us realizing that we weren't alone.
Speaking of Pop's, all of us were at a booth slurping milkshakes and smoothies. Jughead was the only one eating a fat juicy burger.
I crossed my arms, turned away from the conversation a little to observe the diner. My eyes followed the wavy neon lights lining the walls. I examined Pop frying up some of his world famous onion rings, humming some jazz tune a little too loudly.
Finally, my eyes wandered to a booth across the way, where another pair of eyes met mine.
My stomach dropped when I saw Derek.
Everyone had forgotten about him by now since he'd been laying low for a solid month and a half. He held his finger up as I jolted, about to instinctively grab Jughead.
My heart throbbed and my stomach churned as he held up one finger, him mouthing to me: "One more day." He then gave me a sinister smile before slapping his money on the table and exiting the diner.
Eyes wide like a deer in headlights, I slowly tuned back into the conversation Betty was having about their plans for winter break, which had started today. It was a three-week break since so much snow blocked the roads each winter.
I couldn't stay here any longer knowing that someone was going to get hurt. My nerves grew to their peak, my vision shaking, and my entire body quaking.
"I-I'm sorry," I shook my head quickly as I shifted out of the booth seat. "I can't take this anymore."
I quickly jogged out of Pop's, hearing Jughead hurriedly explaining to everyone what happened between Jughead and I earlier. It was a small argument, but he believed it was why I was upset, which it wasn't. As I made it to the middle of the parking lot, I heard Jughead holler "Catherine!"
I kept walking, hoping I would get away in time.
"STOP!"
I halted, startled by Jughead yelling at me, which was something I've never seen him do.
I turned around, tears falling down my face. He walked towards me and touched my shoulder, to which I swiftly batted his hand away.
"What is your problem?!" He complained. "I've done my waiting, Jingles. I've waited and waited for you to let me help you and I've heard nothing! Just, please. Please. Let me help." He clasped his hands together, practically begging me.
