Jellybean Jones

Chapter 39: You Look Beautiful

Jughead POV
Dad had gotten home from work shortly before dinner. He had brought home takeout from Pop's. We all sat down at the table together and began eating. I glanced over at Jellybean and laughed. "What?" She asked, swallowing a bite if her burger. "You have ketchup all over your face." I said, pointing at her. She stuck her tongue out and wiped it off. She had always had a knack for getting food on herself.

We finished our dinner rather quickly. "So," Dad began, after we cleaned up the remnants of our meal. "are you guys going to go your Valentines dances?" He asked. Jellybean made a face. "I wouldn't if a had a choice. Rosie's practically forcing me too." She said, but there was something about the tone of her voice and the look on her face that made me wonder if she was really being forced. "Are you?" She asked me. I shrugged. "Probably. I don't know what the plan is yet."

The rest of the night seemed to go by faster than usual and before I knew it, Jellybean had already went to bed. "Does she seem to be acting weird to you just recently?" Dad asked me in a hushed voice after we heard the flick of light switch, indicating that it had been turned off. She hadn't been acting rude, necessarily, just a bit different. I shrugged. "I don't know, maybe it's just the whole thing with Se-" I cut myself off. I wasn't supposed to say anything about that to Dad. He looked at me quizzically, but knew not to asked anymore questions.

Jellybean POV
I awoke on Valentines Day morning feeling strange about the whole day. I decided to go to the dance, but what if Seth brings Paisley? Or what if Adelaide is in a relationship? Not that that was a concern-. I was going to go no matter what. I even had a dress. I had gotten it forever ago for a school concert. I had a few dresses, actually, but I never, ever wore them.

I got out of bed and got ready for school quickly as I had slept through my alarm. Jughead was waiting for me by the time I had come out if my room. I hurriedly grabbed breakfast and was out the door. "Do you need a ride tonight?" Jughead asked me, as we walked through the frigid air. "No, I'll walk, but don't you have to get to your dance?" I asked, a tad bit confused. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Ours got cancelled due to a riot or something. I wasn't there when it happened. I'll probably just go to Pop's with Betty after you leave or something." He explained. I couldn't help but wonder why there would be a riot.

We reached my school after several cold minutes and went our separate ways. Rosie greeted me as I entered the school. "You better be coming tonight." She said, before I even got to say hello. "I am, jeez man." I said. She squealed. "Yes! Trust me, it'll be worth it!" She added. I smiled at her enthusiasm and even though I was nervous for the dance, a part of me kept wondering if maybe, it would be great.

Jughead POV
Betty and I sat alone in the student lounge during lunch. "Do you want to meet me at Pop's later?" I asked her, hoping she would agree. She smiled and nodded. "That'd be wonderful, Jug." She told me. "How about at 6:45?" I questioned. "Sure." I took her hand in mind as stroked the back of her hand with my thumb. "Oh Juggy, I meant to ask you, is Jellybean going to the dance?" She asked, glancing up at me.

"Well, she said that Rosie is forcing her to, but it seemed like she wanted to go and didn't want us to know." I answered. Betty gave a short laugh. "What?" I asked curiously. "Classic move." She said, smiling fondly. "What?" I asked again. "Isn't it obvious? Or are boys just that oblivious?" She continued. "Tell me!" I requested. "She likes someone. It's simple, really. She just doesn't want you to know." She finally explained. I raised an eyebrow. "Girls are weird." I said, thinking about why someone would do that. "Boys are weird." She copied. We looked at each other. "Everyone's weird." We said together. I couldn't help but smile.

The remainder of the school day seemed to last longer than usual. When it was finally time for me to go get my little sister, I kissed Betty on the cheek and told her I'd see her later. Jellybean was waiting for me in her usual spot and came over as soon as she saw me. "Hi." She greeted cheerfully. "Hey Jelly." I replied. "What's got you so excited?" I questioned, a small smile spreading across my lips. She just shrugged and kept walking. I shook my head and thought about what Betty had told me, I refused to believe it.