I'll Keep You Safe | Bughead

14.)

TW: mention of blood

As I approached the diner, I was faced with my beanie-clad boyfriend with whom I entered the Chock'lit Shoppe with. Straight from our arrival, we saw a blood puddle right by the door, which Jughead carefully led me around.

"Pop," Jughead greeted, seeing the distressed man. "Jughead, Betty. Welcome in!" He said in a cheery voice, probably as an attempt to somehow lighten the mood. 

"We heard about what happened. I know it's a lot to take in, but...would you be okay with answering a few questions?" I asked, pulling out a small notepad. "Of course," he replied as Jughead and I walked over to the bar stools and took a seat.

Jughead asked the questions as I wrote them, along with the answers. One question, in particular, stood out to me. "What do you think the motive was?" "Well, whoever it was demanded money. For some reason, though, it just didn't seem like a robbery."

I wrote that down on a separate sheet, underlining the word "motive." "Was it quick? How many minutes do you think it lasted?" I spoke up after pre-writing it on another sheet. "I looked at the time when he walked in and again when he walked out. The whole thing took 3 minutes," Pop replied. 

I nodded slowly in comprehension and Jughead and I decided to wrap up the questioning as well as offering assistance. After walking out of Pop's, Jughead agreed to walk me home.

---

After we got to my door, I unlocked it and Jughead and I stepped in, immediately hearing rustling upstairs. "Mom?" I called out. No response. I pulled my little can of pepper spray and Jughead put his hand on my shoulder, whispering, "Is that really necessary?"

I looked at him with a raised brow before turning back and slowly making my way up the stairs, the noise getting louder each step I took. The sound was clearly coming from Polly's old bedroom, so I turned in, hearing the words, "Don't shoot!" in a familiar voice. 

"Polly!" I exclaimed, embracing my sister in a hug. "What are you doing home?" I asked when we disbanded as Jughead approached the doorway. "I just came to get some more of my things," she said, smiling.

"Anyway, I have to head back to the farm," Polly said, lifting her box. "Wait, you're not staying for dinner, at least? Mom's coming home tonight," I responded, disappointed that my sister was leaving already...again. "No, I'm really sorry, Betty," Polly replied, sighing.

"Well, maybe...try to come around again soon? Mom would love to see you again, I know I sure would," I said and Polly nodded. "It was really great to see you again, Betty. And you too, Jughead," Polly said, pulling me into a hug before grabbing her box and walking out, but stopping at the doorway.

"Oh, this is yours," she said, taking my angel nightlight from the top of the box. "You can keep it," I said, smiling, which led her to do the same. She walked out and I heard footsteps down the hall and stairs, followed by the front door opening and closing.

"I miss her already," I sighed as Jughead came over and put his hand on my shoulder. "I know. I know, Betty," Jughead responded, probably referring to the sister he's separated from, Jellybean.

---

A while later, around 5-ish, my mom came home and started making dinner, which Jughead was invited to. I decided not to tell her about Polly, just because I didn't know what to say or how she'd react.

About halfway through dinner, I spoke up and asked something I'm sure my mother would never consent to. "Hey, Mom, can Jughead spend the night?" "Um, in separate bedrooms, yes, I guess," she stuttered. I looked over at Jughead and smiled.

---

After dinner, Jughead and I went upstairs to get ready for bed, although we wouldn't be sleeping together; not on Alice Cooper's watch. "Am I supposed to sneak into your room in the middle of the night or something?" Jughead chuckled before I kissed him.

"If you want, but the truth is, I only really care if you're here. I mean, it would be nice to be able to sleep in the same room, but..." "I thought your mom put you on birth control?" Jughead mentioned.

"Well, yeah, but she still doesn't want to hear  it," I chuckled to which he smirked, "I can be quiet," before bringing his lips to mine, initiating a brief makeout session.

I heard my mom come up the stairs and pulled away. "I gotta go to my room," I whispered. "I'll see you later," I added, walking out of Polly's room, where Jughead was staying tonight. "Yes, you will," he smirked, making me bite my lip and almost run into the doorway.

I walked into my room and purposely left the door unlocked. After I turned off the last light left in the whole house, I got settled into bed.

---

A few minuted later, I heard the door opening. Me thinking, it was Jughead, turned to see him, but it wasn't Jughead I saw.