Timing is Everything

(Chapter 9)

*Your POV as Jellybean*

The two of you start walking back home to the trailer. Maybe by this point mom and dad will be ready to finally sit and talk as a family.

"Hold up Jughead, I have to tie my shoe" you say to Jughead while walking over to a nearby bench along the homes.

Jughead sits down next to you on the bench and takes a deep breath.

You look up at him, "What is it?"

"I don't know. It's just a lot of things. I can try to act like i'm the stoic older brother and I've got everything together but truthfully, this is just a lot to react to Jellybean" he says looking down at you.

"You don't have to act like you've got everything under control. We're the Jones. While we always manage to fight through things, nothing is ever under control" you smile.

"You're so right" he smiles patting your back.

"Thanks" you smile and then add, "I usually am" and laugh before finishing the sentence.

Jughead just smiles at you and then is distracted by something ahead.

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*Your POV as Jughead*

No, no,no! Of all places for them to be, why would they be here?

"We gotta go Jellybean, come on!" you abruptly get up.

"Ok, why the hurry?" she asks trying to keep up at your pace while you turn down a different block.

"I just can't face Archie and Veronica right now... not like this." you explain while maintaining a brisk walk but pause when you realize Jellybean has stopped walking.

"Like what? Why can't you see them now? You told me before you are still friends with Archie"she asks getting flush in the face.

"Jellybean, we can talk about this while we walk, come on!" you half yell.

"You don't want them to see me, right?" she asks folding her arms.

"Please Jellybean, you know that's not true.... Like I told you earlier I just need time to process everything and I don't feel like explaining things to them right now" you continue to plead your case.

"Fine Jughead" Jellybean stomps her way over to you, but at this point it's too little too late.

"Jughead!" Archie calls out walking over to you and Jellybean with Veronica.

"Hey Archie.... Hey Veronica." you respond trying to act as calm as possible.

"We were just going to Pop's for..." Archie freezes in place when his eyes glance at Jellybean.

"Hi Archie" Jellybean sweetly says.

"Archie, you know this small child?" Veronica looks over at Archie confused.

"Of course I do! Get over here Jellybean!" Archie runs over to Jellybean and picks her up into a hug.

"Veronica, this is my little sister Jellybean" you speak up to Veronica.

"Nice to meet you" Jellybean extends her hand to Veronica's after Archie sets your sister back down on the ground.

"The pleasure is all mine. I can see your parents didn't leave you out of the loop when picking creative names." she smiles sarcastically.

You manage to force a smile at Veronica and then look up at Archie, "Well, we should get going."

"Maybe another time we can all get together? Like old times!" Archie smiles at you in a weird way.

"Mhmm, that would be nice" you quickly say trying to leave.

"Bye Archie! Bye Veronica!" Jellybean calls out while you pull her along back to the trailer.

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*Your POV as Jellybean*

"What was that all about?" you ask as you close the door to the trailer behind you.

"It was nothing" Jughead retorts while storming off into his room.

You've only been here for two days and not only are your feeling more comfortable being back with your family, but the whole sibling tension that you and Jughead naturally had from time to time is starting to build.

You follow your brother into his room, "Jug, if you didn't want to talk with Archie and Veronica about me and mom coming back that's fine... I just felt like you were trying to hide me from them."

Jughead takes a deep breath and finally turns to look at you, "I would never hide your existence from people, I just needed to and honestly still need to, process these changes on my own before letting other people in on what's going on in my life right now".

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*Your POV as Jughead*

Jellybean lies down on your bed and folds her arms in front of her chest.

You look over at her, "Jellybean don't be mad at me."

She turns away from you when you move closer to her.

"Jellybean?" you whisper into her ear. No Answer. "Come on Jelly" you laugh now feeling bad about yourself from earlier and shake her to get her to respond.

"Not going to work Jug" she responds still hurt.

"Oh yeah? Maybe this will work" you secretively say and push her off the bed.

After rolling off the bed, Jellybean looks up at you, first stunned, but her lips slowly close into a smile.

You smirk at her and push her back onto the floor when she manages to get up, "Mhmm? What are you going to do about it?" you playfully ask her.

"I'm going to do this!" Jellybean yells and pushes you back. You're strong enough to stagger back and catch yourself from falling back. Noticing this, Jellybean literally jumps on to your shoulders forcing you to fall dawn with her coming down with you.

Seeing that you are now on the ground too, she laughs and tries to run out of your room.

"Are you serious? Now you want to leave?" you laugh and then run after her throughout the trailer.

The two of you are laughing so hard and just fall onto the couch.

Still laughing on the couch, you look over at Jellybean and she pokes your side. Noticing that you involuntarily flinch away and laugh like a little kid, she begins to laugh even harder and sees that justice has been made.

The two of you being to laugh all over again and just pass out watching tv with each other on the couch. This was probably the best thing the two of you could have used all day.