Jellybean Jones

Chapter 32: Disney and Disagreements

Jughead POV
We were all in the student lounge at Lunch. It was about the time that our school, more specifically Kevin, would put on a play, but given what happened to Midge last time, the school board hadn't approved it yet. "What do you think Jug?" Archie asked me. We, we being the core four, had been discussing the play situation and I may have zoned out.

"Well, I think they should just do it. Last year was last year and no mysteries, for a lack of a better term, or murders, I guess, have really happened. It's been a normal-ish year for the high school, so why not?" I said, it was the first thing that had come to mind, I hadn't really thought about it. "What do you mean 'for the high school'" Archie asked quizzically. I shook my head, that wasn't smooth on my part. The middle school had just about had a murder and I wasn't about to elaborate on that.

"Oh, you know." I said quietly. He went to ask me again, but I shot him a look. Later on during Lunch, Archie and I were walking down the hallway together. "Will you tell me now?" He asked. "Archie, I can't. It's not my story to tell and besides, what does it matter?" I said, the one time he had to notice a small detail of a conversation had to be now.

"Not your story to tell? Jughead, did something happen to Jellybean? Is she alright?" He responded worriedly. I think this is the one time he's actually made a correct theory. Sorry, that's a bit harsh, but it's the truth. "She's fine. It happened before the break and we're not supposed to talk about it." I tried to be cool about it, but it wasn't going well. Archie finally gave up. "Whatever man. I have to go." He said a little bit resentfully and headed away from me. Why couldn't he just understand?

Jellybean POV
"Peter Pan." Mr. Cassidy finally said. "Riverdale Middle School will be putting on a production of the classic Peter Pan on May 5." I have a thing for Peter Pan. I have just always loved it. If I had been excited before, I was completely ecstatic now. Everyone started talking. It was minutes later that Mr. Cassidy finally got the attention back on him. "Students! Lunch is almost over, but if you would like a shot at auditioning, or being part of stage crew, be back here tomorrow. Same time, same place. Thank you that is all." He dismissed us.

"This is going to be great!" I said excitedly as the three of us filed out of the room. "You're going for Peter though, right?" Rosie asked Seth. He hesitated. "Well, it's just," He began. Rosie shot me a glance. "You totally should Seth!" I encouraged. He blushed. "Only if you go for Wendy." He bargained. "Well maybe I will." I agreed.

We could barely focus for the rest of the day. We were all so excited. Turns out I wasn't the only who who liked Peter Pan. The end of the day came much sooner than expected. I met up with Jughead. "Hi." I said happily. "Good day?" He asked. I nodded. "Yeah, we're doing Peter Pan for our play." I told him. "You have a thing for Peter Pan, don't you?" He asked, smirking at my enthusiasm. "Yep." I said, popping the p. "I do."

We walked through the front door. "Listen," Jughead began. I looked up at him. "Dad's working late and I was wondering if you'd be fine to be home alone." He suggested. I really don't think I am, I have my reasons. "Yeah, that's fine. Going somewhere?" I asked, trying not to sound to worried. He looked at me curiously. "Yeah, I'm going to meet up with Betty to work on the paper. As long as your okay with that."

He paused, waiting for a reaction. I just continued to look at him. "I'll be fine." I assured him. He left shortly after that after making sure I'd be alright. I really didn't like being home alone. I was always unreasonably worried that something probably impossible would happen. I took a shaky breathe after he closed the door. I jumped when the phone suddenly started to ring.

Jughead POV
I wasn't too sure if I had made the right decision or not. Jellybean was thirteen years old, I knew she could handle herself just fine, but part of me thought the opposite. Betty had asked if I would come over later that afternoon. I couldn't say no, I just couldn't. She was really frustrated with the lack of stories for the paper. I had known Dad wouldn't be home and that really made me wonder if I should say yes.

I was distracted from all of this as soon as Betty opened the door. We went up to her room. I absentmindedly sat down on her bed. "I don't know what to do, Jug. Nothing is happening. I know that's a good thing, it's just, this has never happened before." She said as she sat down next to me. We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, then it hit me.

"We could do a story about the play. If it's going to happen or not and if it is, we're starting a little bit late." I suggested. I knew it wasn't great, but we needed a story now. Betty threw her arms around me. "That's perfect! You're a life saver Jug!" She exclaimed happily. I smiled at her, I was happy that I had come up with an idea. "Let's get to work." She announced.

Jellybean POV
I picked up the phone hesitantly. I didn't recognize the number. "Hello?" I asked timidly. "Hey Jellybean. It's Archie." Archie said. "Is Jughead around? He wasn't picking up his cell and I need to apologize to him." Apologize? For what? "No, sorry. He left for Betty's a little while ago." I explained. "Okay thanks." He said disappointedly. "Bye." I said. "Bye."

I wondered if Jughead and Archie had gotten into a fight. I quickly texted Jug. Just wanted to let you know that Archie's trying to get a hold of you. He says he needs to apologize. Explain? I typed and hit send. I had a weird feeling about this. I shrugged it off and went to my room. My phone didn't buzz for three hours. Hey Jelly. I'll phone him when I get home. I'm just leaving now. It doesn't matter, nothing really happened. It was a text from Jughead.

It only made me more suspicious. I was startled by the sound of the door opening. I stalked out into the leaving room. "Hey." Jug said, shutting it behind him. "Hi." I said. "Did you guys get into a fight?" I asked bluntly. He looked taken aback. "I just have a weird feeling about this, that's all." I explained quickly. "No Jellybean, we didn't. He just wouldn't shut up about-" He cut himself off.

"About what?" I asked firmly. "Something." Jughead finished. I looked at him. Then I realized. "Did you tell him?!" I demanded. "I didn't. I just slipped up a little and for the first time in his life, he noticed a small detail of a much larger conversation." He said, trying to brush it off. "So, what you're saying is, you almost told him?" I asked disappointedly. "No. I didn't. Look, I need to phone him, alright?" He said annoyedly. I went to my room, closing the door behind me.

I may have overreacted, yes, but I had constantly told Jughead not to even give the slightest hint that something had happened to me. I sat down and sighed. I had been so excited about the play until, well, Jughead said he was going to Betty's, I guess. And I know I was being childish and I know that Jughead needs to spend time with his friends, but he knew I wasn't the best at being home alone. I couldn't help but resent that and I really don't like myself for it.