"What, it's not like I'm asking her to marry me or anything," Jughead says defensively.
"Hey it's your prerogative but in my 'professional' opinion, I think platinum blondes are more fun," Reggie replies, his hands up in surrender.
"What do you think, Y/N?" Jughead asks. My heart slightly aches as I answer him.
"If you like this girl that much, then I don't see what's stopping you".
Jughead looks slightly disappointed as he whispers just loud enough for me to hear, "more like who's stopping me".
---Lunch---
I watch him walk over to Carrie and sit with his body facing mine. They exchange words and soon enough they're laughing together.
"I gotta go," I mumble and feel Veronica grab my hand.
"Hey, we haven't talked about our assessment week schedule. I want to go in the same days as you so that we can hang out after," she explains.
"I really can't, Veronica". Amidst the struggle I see Jughead stop talking, his gaze glued to my every movement. "I don't feel well".
As I leave the cafeteria, I let out a sob and can't help but wish I was anywhere but here. His lips and eyes and hair and words were enchanting. I couldn't get him out of my head.
---The Next Day---
The cool air of the morning hits my face and I pull my shirt in at my sides.
"You cold?" a voice says behind me. I feel heavy leather hit my shoulders and I turn to see Jughead smirking.
"Thanks, Jug".
"Why'd you storm out yesterday?"
"I didn't 'storm' out, that's a rather large dramatization," I respond, trying to keep my bitterness hidden.
"Right, and Zora Neale Hurston's, Their Eyes Were Watching God wasn't about racism and its severity after the abolition of slavery," he answers with an eye roll.
"Take your jacket," I shake it off my shoulders and throw it into his arms.
"Hey, I didn't mean to upset you," he says, grabbing my arm.
"Well you did-"
"What did I say to make you this angry Y/N? I'm so sorry-"
"I love you!" I blurt out and he drops his hand from my arm.
"Y-Y/N, you don't mean that".
"I knew you wouldn't understand. Look, we don't need to pretend I haven't made this awkward. See you around," I turn and begin to walk away again.
"Y/N! I just can't tell you I love you," he says from behind me.
The rest of the day is a bore and when I finally reach the steps into my home I feel the ruin I had caused wash over me. Before I can enter I notice something sticking out from under the door. It was a letter.
If I loved you I would ruin your life. All hopes of a future would be ruined for you. I love you too much to do that to you. I love you but I will never be able to tell you that I love you. Sorry if this is redundant or contradictory.
- Jughead
---
The rest of the week was an endless attempt to avoid Jughead and the gang at all costs.
It's hard to pretend to love someone when you don't but it's even harder to pretend you don't love someone that you do.
"Y/N?" I knew that voice anywhere. As my feet move, a pair behind me approaches, "stop running away from me!"
I turn towards him and sigh. "Did you get my letter?"
"Yes..."
"Then why didn't you reach out to me. I was just flustered before, but what I wrote in that letter was true. I can't have you without knowing that it would hurt you".
"Jug, you don't have to do this-"
"I love you. I don't know how this is helping my point at all, but I love you. You know where to find me if you still feel the same".
---
Jughead's words bounced around in my mind all day. I didn't care if he hurt me, as long as I had him by my side, all the world's hurt meant nothing.
Jughead's POV
Archie rambled on about his affair with Veronica while I stared down at my hands. I'd driven her away and I'd never be able to get her back now.
"Jughead..?" Reggie asks.
"What"
"Y/N is here to see you," he says with a smirk.
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A/N: FINALS can heck off! This gif is me having a mental breakdown ⬇️
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