Jellybean Jones

Chapter 7: Reality Check

Jellybean POV
By twelve o'clock, I was starting to like school. Rosie had, just like me, not made any friends after I left. We were perfect for each other though, the best of friends. It was our lunch period now, Rosie and I sat at a table in a far corner. "So, is this better than Toledo?" She asked me. "Oh yeah!" I replied. "Most definitely!"

All of a sudden, Rosie pointed across the cafeteria. "Look who's coming over." She said, in a teasing voice. Seth was heading towards our table. "Is this seat taken?" He asked as he approached us. "No!" I said quickly and awkwardly. Rosie kicked me under the table, as Seth sat done. Talk normally! She mouthed at me. "Thanks a lot about earlier, Seth." I said in the most normal voice I could manage.

"It's really no problem Jellybean, he's always been so mean to you." I smiled and looked at my lap. Rosie looked at me quizzically. I'll tell you later. I mouthed to Rosie. I tried to be subtle, but that failed. Seth noticed. He laughed and looked at Rosie. "Jackson was being rude to Jellybean and I didn't like it." She nodded causally.

"So Jellybean?" Seth began. I looked at him. "You glad you're back?" I nodded. "Yeah definitely," I tried to say with the perfect amount of enthusiasm. "I missed this place." He nodded. The rest of lunch went on like that. Rosie, Seth and I making casual small talk. I really enjoyed it, even if school had its bad parts, if I had Rosie and Seth, maybe I could make it out alive.

Jughead POV
I had been tense all day. Archie kept telling me she'd be fine. Betty said not to worry about it. But they didn't know my sister like I did. I then had a hopeful thought. Rosie Hale. She had been Jellybean's best friend and maybe they would reconnect. It was a long shot, but it would be really great.

The day seemed to drag on. I couldn't wait to see my sister. My school day ended after hers, so she would wait around for me. The end bell couldn't have come sooner. I was out the door as fast as possible and was nearly running to the middle school. "Hey, Jughead!" I heard a voice I recognized. "Rosie!" I exclaimed. I saw the small girl and pulled her into an embrace. I had known her very well.

"How have you been." I asked. "Good, good. But even better now that Jellybean's back!" Oh. Thank. Goodness. "So, she hung out with you?" I questioned quickly. "Well of course!" I checked my watch. "I gotta go pick her up, but I'll see you soon Rosie." She nodded. "Bye!" She replied. I was relieved to hear that Jellybean had a friend and I now walked slower, knowing she was alright.

Jellybean POV
I sat down on a bench in front of the school to wait for Jughead. I had been sitting alone for a while because Rosie had to get home, but all of a sudden, Seth sat down next to me. "Hey!" He said. "Hi Seth!" He looked down, then looked straight into my eyes, he didn't seem as confident as usual. He ran his hand through his chestnut brown hair.

"I was just- uh, wondering, if- um, maybe, like if you wanted to, I could have your number?" Seth asked nervously. My face lit up. I had gotten Rosie's earlier. "Of course! I was hoping I would get yours!" Not gonna lie, I hadn't thought about that until now, but I sure would love his number.

I typed it into his phone. "That went better than I thought." He said, jokingly. His confidence had retuned. "So," I said. "Are you still into Track and Field?" He used to be the fastest kid in the class. "Yeah! I'm on the team! I can't believe you remembered!" Seth said, a little shocked. "How could I forget?" My gosh I sound like a stalker.

Seth opened his mouth to say something, but then I saw Jughead. "Hey I'm really sorry to cut this short, but I can see my brother waiting for me." I told him apologetically. "No problem, I'll text you later!" He said as I got up. "Bye!" I said. He waved as I walked away. He looked extremely relieved when he saw me. He pulled me into a tight hug as we started to walk away.

"So," Jughead said. "How was it?" I smiled. "It was good, great actually!" He sighed with relief. "I saw Rosie while I was walking here. Are you two still close?" I smiled even wider. "It's just like I never left! She saw me shortly after you left." He smiled back at me. "Who were you sitting with?" Jug asked. I went pink.

"My friend Seth, I used to know him." I replied quickly. "Is he your boyfriend?" Jughead teased. I rolled my eyes and went red. "Friend boy, Jughead, friend boy." He side hugged me. "I'm just teasing." I grinned. "I know." I always liked when my brother teased me, I'm not to sure why. "I'm really, really glad today went good for you." Jug said, bending down and looking me in the eyes. "I'm also very proud of you. I know how hard that must've been for you and you totally got over your anxiety."

I hugged Jughead and nodded. We were almost home. "What do you want to do later?" He asked. "Not sure, I have a bit of homework, but it won't take too long." I answered. In a few moments, we arrived at the front door. Jughead opened it. I walked inside, but was instantly shocked at who I saw on the couch. Sitting across from my Dad was the one person I never wanted to see again, my Mother.

Jughead POV
I hadn't seen my Mother in five years. She hadn't changed much. But I certainly did not want to see her on my couch. Jellybean shook her head. "Oh hell no." She muttered and started walking towards her room. "Not so fast." Dad told her in a deadpan voice. "You two, sit down." Jellybean and I sat down beside each other. I wrapped my arm around her, as she looked incredibly nervous.

"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. "I thought you wanted nothing to do with us." I added. "I don't." She snapped. "But somebody here doesn't know something." My eyes went wide. Jellybean looked near tears. "Should you tell her or should I?" She looked at Dad as she spoke. "I'll tell her. I think she'd like to be told by someone who won't snap at her." He said bitterly. Jellybean looked at me. "Juggy?" She asked. And all of a sudden, her great day at school had clearly just been ruined.