It's Always Being You

30- Forgiveness

Archies POV

The entire weekend had past and Betty and I hadn't said a word to each other since Friday night. We'd occasionally and very briefly caught each others eye through our windows but what would usually be a relay of messages, funny faces or stupid phone calls was now just a blank stare. We'd gone longer with out talking in our time but we'd never had an argument to that extent. It was almost abnormal for the two of us. I could hear the light sound of the shower down the hall from dads ensuite, indicating that he was up which meant that it was time for school but going to school was the last thing I wanted to do right now. While I wanted to resolve things with Betty, I knew it wouldn't happen easily and it wouldn't be fixed the minute we saw each other in the halls. And having the friendship group we do, there was no way we where going to keep this to our selves. Begrudgingly I slowly raised myself out of bed ruffling my hands through my hair in the process before exiting my room and making my way down the hall to the bathroom. After turning the shower on, I pulled back and began removing my clothes from my body catching a glimpse of my face in the mirror. The bags under my eyes supported the fact that I hadn't got any sleep all weekend. The water slowly trickled down my body as a thick layer of steam ascended up into the air around me, I could feel my body slowly waking up as each droplet hit my skin yet my energy levels just seemed to be at the same level they where when I woke up. After exiting the shower and going into my room chucking any clean clothes on that I could find, I quickly made my way downstairs before heading into the kitchen. My dad sat at the island sipping his usual morning coffee while reading the daily paper with a spread of bacon and eggs layed out on the island and as per usual there was a plate already waiting for me. "Morning Kiddo. Made you the usual." He said softly as he shot his head up from the paper after hearing my footsteps. "Thanks dad." I responded with a wide smile as I sat myself down on the stool before quickly digging into the meal, scoffing it down as quick as possible. "Woah, Woah. Slow down there bud. It's not a race." My dad said causing me too look up from the plate to meet his gaze revealing a very concerned and humored expression. "Sorry dad, I've just got some work to do before school and have to get in early." I replied as I chugged down the remaining orange juice that sat in my cup before wiping my hands on my black jeans as I stood from the stool. It wasn't necessarily true about having to get in early for work, while yes there probably was work that I had to do that I should've got done over the weekend but the real reason is that at this point I wanted to avoid running into Betty outside. "So no Betty. You guys are inseparable when it comes to walking to school together." My dad explained as he watched me move around the room, collecting various snacks for the day. I could feel my jaw clenching as the thought of Betty ran in my mind, dad didn't need to know our issues at this point. Even though he was great with advice this was one thing I wanted to fix on my own. "I think we'll survive one day dad. Anyway, I'll meet you at Pops tonight for dinner." I responded with a small smile as I chucked everything in my backpack before slinging it over my shoulder receiving a small nod from my dad in return. After grabbing my lettermen jacket from the coat hanger, I quietly slipped out the front door making my way down towards the sidewalk before turning in the direction of school. I wanted to get past Bettys as quickly as possible but I found my feet coming to a slow pace as I walked in front of the house. My gaze quickly shifted up to her bedroom window revealing the curtains still drawn, though due to the light on in her room you could make out certain objects. Suddenly a shadow appeared behind the window causing me to speed up and run ahead till I reached a few houses further up, I didn't know if it was Betty but I wasn't going to take any chances.

By the time I got to school, it had reached the time as to when I would usually leave for school. It was strange, I was only at the school when it was this empty when I had morning practice or if I stayed back after school. The halls almost seemed like a ghost town, A place that would usually be crawling with students was bare, besides myself obviously and the occasional teacher walking towards there offices. Deciding not to head to my locker, I made a quick turn into the student lounge only to see Jughead spread on the couch stuffing his face with a burger. "Bit early for a burger isn't it Jug?" I questioned as I walked around the couch before plonking my self down on the arm chair that sat to the left of the couch. He looked at me with a disgusted look as he chowed down his current bite that filled his whole mouth. "Hey, It's never too early for a burger. Plus I had to come in early and print an article and you know me, I'm always hungry and I'll eat a burger at any time, anywhere." He said with a smirk before divulging into his burger once again causing a small laugh to escape my lips. "Speaking of early, what are you doing here so early and without Betty as well." Jughead questioned as he kept a firm gaze on me while his mouth continued to consume whatever contents of the burger where left in his mouth. "I had to come in early and study for sociology and as for Betty, I just didn't ask her." I explained as I reached into my bag pulling out my sociology text book and a pencil before plunking them on my lap as I rested my feet on the coffee table. "Well that's out of the ordinary. You guys walk together everyday." Jug responded as he began pressing the situation causing me to become slightly more irritated. "Yeah I know, I guess I was sidetracked today and forgot to ask. Listen can we just drop this." I retorted as I lifted my head from my book to meet Jugs gaze who just showed utter confusion. "I'm just saying, it's not like you guys to miss out on walking to school toge—." "Jug shut up. Just shut up and eat your food alright. Just drop it." I interrupted with an agitated tone as I slammed my hand on the book while gesturing my hand towards him catching him off guard causing a confused yet amused look to spread across his face. "Alright, alright. I understand but whatever's going on between you two, fix it." Jug explained with a clasped burger in his hand as he leaned back on the couch, causing me to shoot him a small glare. "Thats all I'm saying. I promise I'm done." He said in surrender as he held his hands up by his head before a small smile plastered on his lips. After squeezing my eyes shut, giving them a small rub while gently shaking my head, I dived my attention back into my studying, hoping to get the thought of what today was going to be like out of my head. If Jug was like that just to me, I couldn't imagine what everyone else was going to be like and not just to me but to Betty too.