Underneath ¤ Jughead Jones [2]

four

CHAPTER FOUR, WELCOME TO THE SOUTHSIDE SERPENTS

When Lauren Davis opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a blinding brightness coming through her eyelids. She was too tired to move or to look around the room that was filled up with hushed whispers, coming from a female and male. Her eyes felt like they were attached to weighs that were holding them down, and it took all the power in her to open them. Her throat was dry, as if she hadn't had water in months, making her unable to speak, despite the fact that a mask was placed on her mouth and nose.

Finally managing to look up, her eyes wander around the hospital room, the beeping of the heart monitor indicated that she was breathing normally.

Her eyes first landed on Jughead, who she knew would wait for her and with him sat Betty, exhausted and drained of energy, her hair was left on her head, flat and she wore her jacket but wearing sweatpants to be comfortable and for a moment she didn't notice how worried Betty and Jughead looked as they spoke quietly.

Jughead was speaking fast and quietly, his clothes were changed too and his hands were constantly running through his curls, trying to get rid of the panic he was feeling still.

It was morning now, meaning they had rested before returning to the girl. Lauren blinked quickly, looking the other side, sensing another presence, shocking her once she saw the sleeping figure of Maya, with her hair spread across her face, Lauren felt so much better awake.

Still not having enough energy to speak up or move to show them she was awake, Lauren brushed her fingers against the hand of Jughead who stopped talking to turn around and check on her. He wasn't wearing his beanie and his eyes widened, standing up quickly with the biggest grin on his face as he and Betty excitedly looked at Lauren, tears in the latter's eyes.

"I'm so happy you're awake." Jughead mumbled, his fingers smoothing out her hair, he motioned for Betty to call the doctor and spoke Maya's name.

The older Davis sibling, snapped her eyes open quickly, her expression worried before she stood up and raced over to the opposite side of Jughead. Her eyes watered before let out a small laugh, breathy and short as she sent a smile Lauren's way.

Lauren managed to crack a smile, lazily moving her hand to go on top of Maya's but realizing her arm was in a sling due to the bullet hitting her, to assure her she was okay, Lauren gave a small nod. Jughead pressed a kiss on Lauren's forehead, sighing as he held her other hand in his own, gripping it.

Betty walked in with the doctor following close by, her smile was wider than she had seen in a while and walked over to the side Jughead was on. "Archie's coming and Veronica is on her way, Laur."

The Doctor smiled at Lauren, telling her what happened and the air grew tense, with the three quiet at the memory of what happened. Once they let her take off her mask and breathing tube, Lauren was given water and by the time she was done, Archie walked in, followed shortly by Veronica.