Jughead x Reader

Why Is He Back?

I look around the old thrift store, what did Jug want for his birthday? I knew he hated his birthday but I wanted to be descrete. He never was a party person. I always made a tradititon to get him something. Finnaly I see it! He was a big movie person. On the top shelf for a suprisingly cheap price, a retro movie projector just like the one from the drive in. I'm sure I can probobly find a few movies to go with it.
I bought Jug's gift, dropped it off at home and went to school.

Betty made sure all of us (Veronica, Archie, Kevin, her and I) were sitting at the same table in the cafateria at lunch.
Veronica was going on about some "at home"drama, I stopped paying attention and stabbed at my salad with my fork.

"Anyway, enough about my drama. Betty, you were saying something about Jughead's birthday?" Veronica said. We all turned our attention to Betty.

"Yeah, just that Mr.Jones told me Jughead's never had a birthday party. Let's have one for him. Like a low-key party."Betty said. I nearly spit out my juice laughing.

"No." Archie said.

"I agree with Arch. Jughead hates his birthday. Why celebrate something he can't stand?" I asked.

"Everybody says that, nobody means it."Kevin asked. Archie shook his head.

"Not Jug. He's a lone wolf." Archie replied.

"Okay, ignoring the negativity. Betty you know me. Any excuse to wear a cute party dress. Okay, so I'm thinking quaint gathering. Inner circle only." Veronica says.

"Oh my god. Don't turn around." Kevin said. We all do anyway and what we see just crushed our day. It was non other than Chuck. Betty, Veronica and I all look at eachother in horror.

"Holy Chuck. I think his lats got bigger. Not that I care. He's evil incarnate." Kevin says.

"What's Chuck doing back?" Archie asked.

"He got suspended, not expelled unfourtunitly."I said.

"Even thoug he should have been drawn and quartered."Veronica added. Betty got up and started walking.

"Oh my god." Veronica said. He had sat down with Ethel.

"Get away from her Chuck." We could hear Betty.

"Easy. Look, I only came over here to apologize. You don't have to go Dark Betty on me-"

"I'm not going-"She had an outburst and hit the table. She inhaled and looked at Ethel.

"Ethel is Chuck bothering you?" She asked.

"You can relax, Betty. It's fine." Ethel said quietly.

"Yeah, Betty. We're fine. Now the real question is, are you?"He asked. I could see they way her fists were her nails were digging into her hands. I frowned at her gesture. As soon as he said that the breathed and walked back to us.

"What was he doing?Acosting her?" Veronica asked.

"No, he was apologising." She said, as if it disturbed her.

"Oh, I'm sure. Chuck Clayton doesn't have a contrite bone is his muscle-bound body."Veronica said with venom.

"Can we talk about something else? Like Jugheads surprise party." She smiled and looked down, I could see what the others couldn't, the light coat of blood where her nails dug into her hands. I secretly grabbed her hands and held them. I looked at her with reasurances. She nodded at me.

"Betty?" Veronica said.

"Look, there's a lot I can't do, a lot I can't control. But I can make sure my bestfriend has the best birthday of his life." She said with hope and confidents.

"Screw it. I'm with Betty. My dad's away. We can do it at my house." Archie said. I looked at him. He looks at me.

"We could all use a good time." Archie says. I sigh.

"If he asks, this is on you guys. But, if it is gonna be fun... Then I'm in."I say.

"See Y/N, we'll enjoy it!" Veronica said.

Betty told me that after school she was gonna go to the construction site and talk to Mr.Jones.
After school I went home, put the projector and movies in a box. I wraped it with some random wrapping paper I had laying around.
My mom knocked on the door.

"Are you going to Archies?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'm going for Jughead birthday." I smiled.

"How's your father holding up?" She asked.

"He's good. I'm glad you still care." I smiled.

"Take care of him alright?" She said walking out.

"Always." I said. I grabbed the heavy box and went to Archies. I knock lightly on the door. He opens it and invites me in.

"Hey, so I won't be around for your birthday. So, I got you this." I hoisted the big box on the table. Jughead looked at me.

"You didn't have to get me anything." Jughead smiled. I shurgged.

"Open it!" I said.

"Why is it so big?" He asked. (That's what she said)

"Just open it!" I laughed. He tore away the rapping paper and opened the box. His smile grew.

"Where did you get this?"He asked before hugging me. Ijust smiled. I looked at the time.

"We have a movie to get to." I smiled.

"Let me put this upstairs first." Jughead kissed my head then brought the box to his/Archies room. I stole a piece of pizza and started eating. Archie smiled at me.

I walk back to the door and wait for him then we leave.

In the thetre Jug and I talked about how Chuck was back and Betty's outburst. It pained me that she was somewhat self harming herself. It hurts to know she's not okey. Sadley I can't tell Jughead anything about it.

"I know you hate your birthday, but are you having fun?" I asked.

"Y/N, this is the greatest birthday, I have ever had." He smiled. We started to lean in as the lights dimmed.
We smiled before our lips met. It was warm and the sparks and buterflies really came out. It felt like I was flying over the moon. When we pulled away the smileing never stopped.
"Happy Birthday Jughead Jones." I smiled.