heartbeats ; bughead

17

forsythe;

Ah, magic.

It comes in so many forms. Your everyday Disneyland magic, the magic of Christmas, and the magic of happiness. 

And I, Jughead Jones, the most empty, aloof, elusively watchful person you could possibly ever meet, felt a feeling that I've never gotten.

It was indescribable. I felt warm, full, even happy. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling that it has something to do with Betty Cooper. 

I'd never been tongue tied. But when I told Betty how I felt, my heart flew to my throat. 

Like this was The Notebook  where she would run into my arms and kiss me in the rain. 

It's all crap. Life's not like that. And I was an idiot for thinking it was. Telling my feelings to her, my ill-placed feelings, was the worst mistake I could possibly make.

Love's not my department! Murder, on the other hand--

"JUG? WHERE ARE YOU?" Ugh, Dad. Never home, never sober. 

"YEAH DAD, I'm HERE!" My Dad, F.P. Jones, leader of the Serpents, stumbled into the room. "Jughead, I have bigggg news. News, big news," He slurred. 

Poor guy. He's really been trying to sober up for his son. 

"I have news, Jug. I have big news. Big, big new--" He tripped over a clearly visible remote. "Eurghh. I got hurt." I shook my head in exasperation. "Oh, Dad." 

two hours later...

And finally, finally, Dad was sober enough to talk. 

"Jug, we're doing something big." "Yeah, what is it, Dad?"

"We're-we're moving to the Northside. Okay, before you unleash that satanic mouth of yours on me, let me explain. I really wanna start over. And yes, I have told the boys that we're moving. New school, new house, Jug. You'll be going to Riverdale High. With Archie.

"I really want to start somewhere else. There are way too many memories here of your mom, and Jellybean and-I-I just can't deal," He said with a deep sigh. 

I opened my mouth in protest, but he jammed a finger in my face. "Shut your damn mouth, boy. This is a good thing, not some curse. Treat it like what it is!" 

"Fine, Dad. Fine." 

"Oh, and also, I've applied for some tour guide around the school. He took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket. "Oh! Elizabeth Cooper! Her mom and I used to be...friends," He opened his mouth to add something, but quickly shut it. "Your school starts...tomorrow. Don't even open that mouth, Jug." 

I stalked off into my room. Betty! Oh my lord, not again. I didn't even know if I could face her this time. 

But it was late. I clambered onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Anticipating, but also dreading tomorrow. 

Screw me. And with that awesome thought, I drifted off into a restless sleep. 

the next morning, 7:23...

"JUGHEAD! GET YOUR BUTT OFF THE BED! NOW!" My eyes shot open. Dammit. I was hoping yesterday was all a dream. 

I put on my trademark hat and bolted out the door. 

"Bye, Dad!" 

A half an hour later, I got to Riverdale High. Much more well-kept than Southside High, that's for sure. Students were already pouring into the school, and I felt like a fish out of water.

I slowly walked into the school, thinking about what a big mistake this was, and suddenly I felt sharp tap on my shoulder.

"Sweetie, do you need to go potty, because the bathroom's that way!" Betty. Dear God. 

"Oh, nope, ha ha. So, you're my tour guide, right?" She smirked. 

"Yeah. I bet you were thinking, 'Ugh why her?'. Am I right, Forsythe?"

I laughed. "Don't call me that."

"Anywho, let me introduce you to my friends. I'm guessing you already know Archie?"

"Wait, how did you--"

"Word of advice, don't talk to Cheryl Blossom. And don't let her Cherry Chapstick smile fool you. She's a snake. A cruel snake at that."

"Hey, snakes aren't--"

"Okay, she's a banshee with red hair. Happy? Anyways, we should go to the principal's. He has your schedule and stuff." 

On the way to Principle Weather...some insect, I forgot, but on the way to his office, it wasn't even awkward at all. Betty and I had so much to talk about. It was so amazing to have someone like her, someone who understands me. 

Before I knew it, I was standing at the door of the most feared guy ever. 

"Hey, Principal. So you have my, uh, schedule, right? Yes? No? Awesome," He squinted at me, then beckoned me closer. 

"Mr. Jones, don't anger me. You are welcome here, but your welcome will expire if anything goes awry. Am I clear?" 

"But what did I even--"

"Mr. Jones!" He thrust a piece of paper out. "Now leave!"

Betty greeted me outside the office. "So? Let's look!" I handed her my schedule, and she gasped. 

"Jug, you have all your classes with me!" She smirked. 

I rolled my eyes. "Oh great. Principal Weatherbee's already giving me hell. Add Elizabeth into the mix," 

"Hey, this is a good thing! I can show you the ropes!" 

Both of us were avoiding talking about yesterday. How I told Betty about my feelings, and she was hesitant. How I so badly wanted her to feel the same way.

But before I could make the move to ask her, a red-haired girl sauntered towards us, smiling a catty, white-toothed, maniacal smile. Only one human being could possibly pull off that smile. 

Betty groaned. "Hey, Cheryl. This is Jug--"

"JUGFACE! So good to see you again! Welcome to Riverdale High! Now, welcomes aside, it's the perfect opportunity to reveal everything you know about the murder of Jason Blossom! And you must know a lot, right? Considering..."

hey guys, long time no see! big update: charlie's been an absolute cutie UWU ! that's him below! sorry for not writing in a whilesies, i've been quite preoccupied...with my pll episodes :( sowwy. anyways, here's another chapter and thanks for sUstAinIng this book, and as always, stay hydrated watters :) have a bomb af rest of summer break (cri it's almost over) <3

~mo  (down below's my pup)