The Serpent and the Nerd

Chapter 5

The day after their date at pops was a Saturday; it was also the anniversary of Polly's death but she was trying not think about it. Betty was sat on her bed doing some homework when her phone buzzed:

Jug: Hey Betts, how are you today? X

She smiled at the message, he was always so kind to her and it made her heart want to burst, smiling she picked up her phone and typed a reply:

Betty: I'm okay thank you! X
Jug: what are you doing? X
Betty: homework🙄x
Jug: unlucky! Do you want to go to pops later with the others?x

She didn't want to tell him that she didn't feel up to going because of the anniversary of her sisters death, she didn't want him to think she was being clingy or asking for sympathy. When she didn't respond he sent another text:

Jug: Betty? You still there? X
Betts: sorry, I'm still here. I can't tonight, sorry x
Jug: no problem x everything okay? X

His concern made her feel worse for not telling him the truth but she found it hard to open up to people. Instead she left her homework and went to run a bath, hoping it would take her mind of everything.

Meanwhile, Jug was sat in his trailer and when he never got a response of Betty he was worried. He text Toni, fangs and Sweetpea to tell them that he wouldn't be joining them at pops and instead decided to go and see Betty. When he arrived at her house he knocked on the door and after a while Betty answered. She was in sweats and her eyes were red and puffy as if she's been crying. "Betts, are you okay?" He said and the concern in his voice brought her to tears once again. He instantly pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back to try and comfort her. After a moment she pulled back and wiped her eyes and stepped aside so he could enter the house. "Sorry" she sniffed as she wiped her eyes again. "Don't apologise" he said as she lead her over to the couch. "What's wrong?" He asked and took her hands. "Today is... the anniversary of my sisters death" she choked out. "Oh betts... I'm so sorry" he said and put his arm around her to hug her again. "It's okay. I'm okay" she said and pulled back to look at him. "Anyway what are you doing here?" She asked. "You didn't respond which worried me so I thought I'd stop by and see if you were okay" he smiled. "Thank you juggie... no ones ever done that for me before" she said and he took her hand once again "Well you aren't by yourself anymore, you have me and Toni, fangs and Sweetpea" he said. "Oh my god!" She said suddenly "you said you were going to pops with them! Sorry for keeping you, you can go" she said. He laughed at her and she gave him a curious look. "Betts, I told them I'm not going, I'm staying here with you I don't want you to be alone when you're sad" he said and his words almost brought her to tears. "Thank you juggie" she smiled and he grinned back.

Hours later they were sat on Betty's bed with takeout pizza and watching films. "Hey jug?" She said breaking the comfortable silence. "Yeah betts?". "Thank you for today" she said as she lay next to him and cuddled into his side, his arms coming to wrap around her. "Anytime" he said and she tilted her head up to kiss his cheek before turning her attention back to the movie. Jug traced his cheek where she'd just kissed him and started grinning like an idiot.