Archie and Jughead

Worries

Archie arrived at Pop's. He had been running and was breathing heavily by now. He was so excited about meeting Jughead by now, he hadn't been able to walk slowly. He paused a few seconds to calm down and then entered the café. He looked around for Jughead, but he could only see Kevin and an old man he didn't know, both of them sitting alone. 

When he had checked all the other booths for a sign of Jughead he sat down next to Kevin and pulled out his cellphone. No messages. If Jughead hadn't been able to make it, why wouldn't he text him? He should have been here about half an hour ago. Did he see Kevin and left again, afraid they might not be able to talk privatly with him around? No, he would have texted. "What's wrong?" Kevin asked, looking concerned. "Nothing", Archie lied. 

But then he thought about it. If anything had happened to Jughead, Archie would have to tell someone anyways. He had intended to tell Kevin after his talk with Jughead too, and Kevin was the only one who would understand him right now. 

"It's Jughead", Archie started again, "he was supposed to meet me here. He should have been here for half an hour by now, and he didn't text me that he couldn't make it or anything. Why would he not be here by now? We wanted to talk..." Kevin looked surprised. "What did you guys want to talk about, all by yourselfs?" he grinned at Archie knowingly. "Well... you know we kissed, right?" Kevin nodded, listening carefully. "We went to Jug's after we left that morning.." Archie hesitated. How much did Kevin have to know? 

"We like each other, I guess" He finished. Kevin started to laugh. Now Archie felt stupid. Was he wrong? Maybe Kevin didn't understand it at all... His face must have shown his disappointment, and Kevin stopped at once and apologized: "Sorry, I just never expected you too would.. I mean, that's crazy and unexpected! But I'm so happy for you!" Now Archie smiled again. "Yeah, I guess it is pretty crazy. I am happy too! If only Jughead would finally show up.. Where the heck could he be? Initially, I wanted to talk to him before telling you about this.. But now that he didn't come.. I'm worried."

"Maybe he's just late?" Kevin suggested. "I told you! He wanted to go here directly after school, he should have been here more than half an hour ago. What if anyone happened to him on the way here?" Archie got much more worried than he had been before saying that out loud.