Consequences

Chapter 32

"Um...just so you know, don't expect much. I don't normally do dates," Jughead scratched the back of his neck nervously. He shouldn't be nervous, should he? Then why was his heart racing a million miles per hour, worrying whether Veronica would like the date he had spent the whole night planning?

Veronica smiled reassuringly at the nervous boy. She liked seeing this side of Jughead. He was not his usual sarcastic and opinionated self, instead, he revealed his shy and unsure side, and to Veronica, that was attractive, because guys did not have to portray themselves as confident and strong all the time.

"Relax Jug," she reached up to flick his stray hair out of his eye. "It's just me."

"Just you? Just Veronica-Skyhigh-Standards-Lodge," Jughead quirked. 'It's because of "just you" that made me all the more nervous,' he thought.

"Just get on," he sighed, crossing his fingers that Veronica would like what he had prepared.
He easily lifted the tiny Veronica and placed her on his motorcycle before getting on.

"And they say chivalry is dead," Veronica leaned on his back, arms around his waist. "You're earning brownie points, Jughead!"

Jughead revved the engine and they took off to their destination. Veronica relaxed as she lay on his back, enjoying the adrenaline and the strong wind blowing through her hair. The motorcycle ride relaxed Jughead as well, calming his racing heart and helping him focus on the road in front of him instead of the girl behind him.

Once they reached the place, Jughead got off and helped Veronica down.

"Alright, I admit I thought you were going to embarrass me by telling me the wrong dress code, but I do have appropriate clothing on," Veronica gazed at her surroundings. All around her was trees and greenery.

"Have a little faith in me," Jughead replied dryly.

Veronica had indeed dressed appropriately for nature. Her hair was up in a bun, she had no makeup on, and she was wearing a crop top with leggings and sneakers. It was very unlike her usual style, but Jughead thought she looked amazing.

"We're going hiking," Jughead announced. They had eaten lunch before their arrival, so it was not necessary for Jughead to bring a lot of things on the hike.

"Nature therapy," Veronica cheered and twirled in a circle before taking Jughead's hand to embark on the trail.

"Is holding hands necessary?" Jughead grumbled as he was dragged along by the eager Veronica.

"Nope, it's just so you won't get lost," she replied cheerily.

"Why would I get lost? I planned this!" Jughead pointed out, but despite his protests, he held tight to Veronica's hand.

"The leaves are so pretty," she admired the fallen leaves. They were so diverse in color and shape. "Hey, let's see who can pick the best leaf."

"Aw, come on, do we have to?" Jughead moaned unenthusiastically.

"Yes! Don't be such a party pooper," Veronica convinced him to join her little game by throwing some leaves at him.

"Oh, now you're on," Competitive Jughead emerged as he threw some leaves back at Veronica.

"This was not what I meant!" Veronica squealed as a shower of leaves rained down on her.

Veronica used one hand to shield her face and the other to attack him with leaves, but Jughead had the advantage of being taller and ambushing her with leaves from above.

Laughing, Veronica ran and hid behind a tree.
"You have leaves in your hair, Leafhead!"

"So do you!"Jughead relentlessly chased her around the tree.

"Okay, okay, I surrender!" Veronica squeaked as Jughead grabbed her from behind and threw her into a leaf pile.

Jughead shook his head, smiling, as he pulled Veronica back on her feet. She made him feel like a carefree kid again. She stumbled as she got up but was steadied by Jughead's strong arms. It was as if it were slow motion as Jughead looked down at her. She was grinning without a care in the world and Jughead thought she was really captivating.

"Leafhead, you still have some leaves in your hair," Veronica reached up on her tippytoes to pull the leaf out of his silky soft hair. "There, all done. You can be Jughead again!"

Jughead grinned and rolled his eyes. This girl was crazy, but he liked it. "You know I can't stand you, don't you?"

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The sky was beginning to darken. The stars were slowly flashing their way onto their respective places in the sky.

"Close your eyes," Jughead whispered to Veronica as he lead her up a hill.

She clasped his hand firmly, relying on him to lead her safely to their destination.

"Open," he said gently when they came to a stop.

Veronica Lodge was speechless. They were in a clearing, where the moon shined directly above them and thick trees surrounded them. In the middle of the clearing, was a translucent tent decorated with fairy lights. In front of the tent, was a small movie screen that would soon have a movie projected on it.

"Wow...Jughead," she turned to him, awestruck. "You did all this?"

Jughead flashed her a modest smile. "Come on, we have a movie to watch."

He guided Veronica into the tent, where he had prepared sandwiches, brownies and popcorn for them to snack on while enjoying the movie.

Once they were settled, Jughead pressed a button and Breakfast at Tiffany's started playing. Jughead usually did not watch these movies, but the look on Veronica's face was totally worth it.

Throughout the movie, Veronica was engrossed, but Jughead stole some glances at her. She had let down her hair and it cascaded down her back beautifully. For the briefest moment, Jughead wondered how Archie Andrews could have given up a girl like Veronica Lodge.

Once the movie ended, Veronica smiled happily at Jughead to thank him, but it turned out that the date was not over yet.

"Now we stargaze," Jughead took the multiple blankets from inside the tent and spread it outside on the floor.

Lying down, Veronica turned her head sideways at Jughead. "Wow Jug..."

He turned to look at Veronica as well. "How'd I do on the date?"

Veronica pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm, I might need a second date to help me decide."

Jughead rolled his eyes and smiled at the girl beside him. There was no place they'd rather be than beside each other under the stars.