Alphabet ≫ Jarchie

B is for Balatron

Balatron— A buffoon; one who speaks a lot of nonsense.

☀︎☁︎☀︎

Archie hated Jughead Jones with a passion. Jughead was a pathetic attention whore, with the biggest mouth on the planet, whose prime agenda seemed to be pissing the redhead off.

The two have had classes together for years. Archie was a straight-A goody-two shoes and Jughead was the lonely class clown. Jughead's unfunny jokes always bothered Archie, but he didn't start hating the boy until he was sat next to him in biology.

Today, Archie was not in the mood.

"Yup, seems like a lot of earth-shaking orgasms—oops I meant organisms!" the raven haired nuisance called from the seat next to Archie. The class laughed and the teacher resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"As always, your contribution to this class has been riveting," the teacher said sarcastically, her voice dripping with disdain.

Jughead sneaked a peak at the boy beside him, looking for a reaction. As usual, Archie rolled his eyes and looked anywhere else. Jughead just wanted to make him smile.

"It's a pleasure," Jughead grinned, earning more snickers from the rest of the class.

"Yeah... I'd like to get back to the lesson if that's alright with you," Archie snapped harshly, shooting Jughead a look for the first time. The action made the black haired boy gasp. He'd never had those beautiful, big brown eyes gaze into his boring green ones. Sure, the gaze was full of hate and disgust, but it was better than nothing.

All Jughead could do was nod quickly, not able to form any words. Archie smirked, lifted his head up in victory, and went back to ignoring the taller boy's existence.

The lesson went on as continued and it was only twenty minutes in when the raven haired boy realized he was supposed to be taking notes. He always had an attention problem. He thought it was best to make jokes to get everyone laughing with him instead of laughing at him because the teacher called him out, or he did something stupid. Truthfully, the only reason why he was so unfocused today was because he was thinking about Archie so much. Then again, that wasn't unusual either.

After rummaging through his bag for a pencil, Jughead mentally cursed himself out for not having one. He took a chance, tapped the redhead lightly, and asked "can I borrow a pencil?"

Archie turned to face the boy with a blank expression. "Why do you need a pencil?"

Jughead looked at him unsurely. Was that a trick question? "To um... take notes..."

"Oh really? I thought you just came to class to prevent everyone else from taking them, you know, because of all the constant interruptions you make," he replied casually.

Ouch.

"Okay never mind I'll just ask someone else," Jughead said quietly. It was obvious that Archie hated him. That was why Jughead hated that he liked him so much.

Archie didn't feel any guilt as he watched Jughead turn around to bother someone else about his dilemma. If anything, he felt proud. He usual never said anything about the boy's annoying antics. It felt really good to shut him down.

Jughead sulked for the rest of the class. He thought about how he'd never see the redhead's smile, though he assumed it would be gorgeous, and how Archie's eyes would never look into his lovingly. He thought about how lowly Archie thought of him, how stupid and childish he acted. He knew that a world where Archie liked him was nonexistent, but it didn't stop him from hoping like the idiot he was.

"...does anyone know how many?" Their teacher asked, glancing up at the clock. The bell was about to ring and she was finishing up the lesson that Jughead hadn't been paying attention too.

"Sixty-nine!" Jughead called out, earning more laughter and snickers from the class.

"Can you shut up?" Archie groaned. Everyone in the class fell silent, surprised that Archie was even talking. The only time he liked to talk in class was when he was answering questions. "You're not even funny! You're the dumbest, most annoying person I've ever met in my entire life! I can't stand you! Can you even spell sixty-nine?"

Jughead blushed. His cheeks were on fire and he knew he must've looked as red as Archie's hair. If it were anyone else, he would've been able to say something. He would've said that sixty-nine spelled out is you and me, or that he didn't care what he thought , but that would've been a lie. Thankfully, the bell saved him. He adverted his gaze away from Archie's judgmental eyes and got up as quickly as possible. He wasn't sure why the boy was being so rude, but he figured that he must've deserved it if he pushed him over the edge like that.

"I'm sorry for bothering you. I won't do it again," Jughead mumbled before grabbing his things and walking out of the classroom.

***

The rest of the week was eerily silent. Jughead didn't crack one joke or make one remark. He kept his promise to Archie and Archie felt guilty.

The first couple of days were fun. It was nice to walk into class and go a whole lesson without a stupid sexual joke or innuendo. In a sadistic way, Archie even thought it was fun to see the boy so dark and quiet.

By Friday though, he'd had enough.

Jughead walked into class, late as usual, and tried to avoid Archie's gaze as he sat down. He rummaged into his bag, pulled out a notebook, but forgot a pencil. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. He really was stupid.

"You need a pencil?" the redhead asked softly. Jughead turned towards him shyly and gasped. Those beautiful, big brown eyes were on him again, but this time they showed no disdain or disgust.

"Yeah," Jughead practically whispered. He wasn't sure if this was another trick. He was bracing himself for another one of Archie's insults.

"Here," the boy offered, handing him the pencil in his hand.

Jughead took it hesitantly and smiled once the exchange finished. It was probably the nicest encounter the two have ever had.

"So what's up with you?" Archie asked, turning his attention away from the boy and going back to his notes.

"W-what?" he asked in shock. First a pencil, now a conversation?

"You haven't been yourself ever since I went off on you on Monday," the redhead deadpanned.

"I told you I wouldn't bother you anymore," Jughead explained, shrugging.

"Why do you care if you bother me? You usually don't. I'm not the first person to tell you to shut up and I definitely won't be the last." With that question, he turned around to properly face the boy. He was genuinely curious, Jughead could see it in his eyes.

He decided to be honest. "Oh it's because I um... like you a lot. I just think that you're... really cute and smart and stuff," he admitted, blushing wildly. He figured he didn't have much else to lose.

Archie stared at him before breaking out into uncontrollable laughter. His shrieks and giggles were enough to turn everyone's attention onto him, and it wasn't long before tears began to stroll down his face.

Although Jughead was beyond humiliated, he couldn't help but grin.

Archie's smile was more beautiful than he imagined.

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I decided to post twice a week because dragging on this project for a half a year seemed crazy. Also, I hope this doesn't go without saying but please don't use these one shots to start your own fanfics. Thank you!