BUGHEAD: Betty vs. Tony - A Riverdale Story

Three: Tony Gets Mean

Betty left school early that day. She avoided all serpents for the rest of the week successfully, unfortunately until Jughead found her in the hall Friday afternoon.

"I haven't seen you all week," Jughead said softly as he appeared at her locker. Betty ignored him, shutting her locker closed and walking away. Jughead grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly, digging her nails into her palms again so she wouldn't cry.

"I want to know why you're here," he said firmly. "First you get Archie to break up with me, then you show up here – and you saw...." He couldn't bring himself to say it.

"I saw you and Tony kissing," Betty blurted out. "No big deal," she shrugged. Inside her soul was shattering. "After I posted that article about my mother she switched schools to get even with me. Now that you know why I'm here you can run along with your snake gang."

"They're called the Serpents," he said. "This school isn't safe for you here, not when there is a battle between the north and south side."

Betty shrugged, playing it cool. "I'm not worried. Besides, shouldn't you be worrying about your new girlfriend – Tony?"

"What about me?" Tony's sharp voice rang from behind Betty as she walked up beside Jughead and wrapped her arm in his.

Betty forced her signature smile. "Nothing Tony. I was just telling Jug here how happy I am that you two are finally together. You must have been waiting for quite a while to get your hands on him."

"Betty, why are you acting like this? This isn't like you." Jughead looked sad. Did he still love her even though he was with Tony now?

"Why do you care?" Tony snapped. "She broke up with you. Let her worry about her own ass, she's not part of the Serpents."

"Trust me, I don't want to be." Betty grimaced.

The bell rang for the end of the day.

"We should get going, we have that party later," Tony nudged Jughead who stared at Betty with a lost look in his eye.

"Right," he said in a daze. "I'll see you there Tony." Jughead walked away leaving Betty and Tony staring each other down in silence.

Tony leaned in close to Betty, an evil look in her eye. "If you're here to win back Jughead, think again. I know you broke up with him because you knew him and I were closer than you two could ever be so you gave up when you had the chance."

Betty grinded her teeth. She wanted to smash her books over Tony's face. "Tony, you don't know anything about me or my relationship with Jughead. I suggest you back off before something bad happens." Her eyes narrowed.

Tony scoffed. "Me? Is that a threat? You're a the preppy loser with no friends and no boyfriend who wears pink to school. I think you should be the one watching out."

Betty smiled at Tony. "It's not a threat at all Tony. It's a promise."

Betty walked away while Tony stood by the lockers stunned. On her way out the door she stopped when a yellow flyer fell to her feet. She picked it up and read it over:

Southside Party

145 South Street

BYOB

Watch out for cops.

Betty gripped the flyer tightly in her hands. This must be the party that Jughead and Tony are going to. I can't believe Jughead is with that bitch. I can't believe how awful everything is turning out. I hate myself and everything I've become. I knew Tony liked Jughead, I should have seen it from the beginning. But I was being nice Betty. Good girlfriend Betty. Fuck that. Bad Betty is coming out and staying this time. Watch out Southside, Bad Betty is looking to fuck shit up.