Catching Feelings

A Goal without a plan...

The plan has been set in motion, Betty and Kevin are already curious. She knows they are going to start watching her interaction with boys more closely, and that is exactly what she wants

Spotting the grey crown beanie bouncing in the hallways she knows she has to start taking action if she wants her plan to succeed. Quickly grabbing his sleeve she pulls him into the nearest empty classroom and shuts the door.

"What the hell lodge!?"

Last name, great. She holds in a sigh and tries not to feel put off by this but she knows any other guy would be salivating at a chance to be in this classroom with her.

She wonders for the first time (but knows it won't be the last) if she made a mistake.

Apparently, she doesn't explain fast enough because he huffs and heads towards the door.

Grabbing his hand again she pauses his escape and this time she can't hold back her frown at how fast he pulls away from her grip.

"I need a favor." she gets out when she sees Jughead eyeing the door.

His gaze stops looking around the room, obviously looking for an escape, and focuses on her.

She doesn't know how she feels about having his complete attention, those piercing green eyes seem to see right through her and the image she so desperately trying to maintain.

Of course, when he opens his mouth next it's very easy to identify the emotion that courses through her.

"Sorry I'm not in the business of doing anyone else's English homework right now." He grits out.

"Listen Ponyboy, I can assure you I don't need any help with my academics." He rolls his eyes at the nickname but doesn't take any more steps towards the doors and she counts it as a small victory.

"Well I think you must have grabbed the wrong boy cherry," he drawls and once again she is confused at how she is supposed to feel at the role he casts her. "In case you haven't noticed I have black hair not red."

"I don't need Archie, I need you." She feels a small victory at his shallow swallow. "Your the only one who can help." She sees that she has attention now, and she extremely grateful that he has a writer's curiosity.

"Fine, I'll humor you, princess. What can I do that the girl who has everything can't?" He leans against a desk and crosses his arms and Veronica is suddenly struck with the realization that Jughead is actually very attractive.

Standing next to Archie she can see why he would be overlooked. The jock is popular, outgoing, and friendly. The good guy aura that surrounds him only emphasizes his natural good looks. It makes a girl feel like she could trust him with everything.

With Jughead it so much more subtle. His need to stay out of the mainstream keeps him hidden and to himself but here one on one he can't hide from her.

Green eyes stand out in a smooth unblemished face, his full lips are tilted up slightly in a small smirk. Following the slope of his slim neck his stretched out collar gives her a peek of a hairless defined chest. Surprisingly strong arms cross his body if the way his sweater pulls is any indication. His aura is giving mysterious with a hint of danger.

He has a darkness like her.

She is so taken by surprise at this thought that she just blurts it out.

"I need you to be my boyfriend." He blinks, uncrosses his arms, and stands up straight.

"I'm sorry I think I may be hard of hearing, but I think you just said you wanted me to be your boyfriend." She nods at him already tired of this conversation, well actually she is more tired of the fact that she has yet to gain full control of it.

"Why me, why don't you ask any of the boys currently roaming the halls of this school? I'm pretty sure can you have every boy here eating out of the palm of your hand" He once again crosses his arms over his chest, a move that Veronica identifies as defensive.

Not every boy she thinks, he continues.

"Just ask Archie." he shrugs as if it was obvious.

"He's the exact reason why it has to be you."

"That absolutely makes no sense, didn't you just kiss him at Cheryl's party." Jughead's confusion helped Veronica gain that bit of control she needed to continue.

"Yeah, and in the process completely reverted back to old my Regina George ways, hurt Betty, and almost ruined her lifelong friendship with Archie." Veronica took a breath to calm herself.

"Still don't understand why you need my help in this idiotic plan you seem to have concocted"

"Bro code" she simply stated.

"Bro code," Jughead repeats, monotone.

"Yes, it's that unspoken rule that you can't date your best friend's ex. Therefore in order to put a stop to Archie and his affections you and I must date." It's so simple yet so perfect.

"What do I get out of it?" The dark haired girl smiled, this was the one question she had been expecting.

"Besides the pleasure of my company?" She smiles but he just shakes his head. "Well, any date activities will be paid for by me. That includes food." Her smile grows when she sees his reaction to her mentioning food.

"How much food are we talking about here?" His voice takes on a hint of interest something she knows he probably wished he hid.

"All. The. Food. No limit." He is contemplating the offer now and she knows she has him.

"Before I accept I just have to know one thing." Veronica withholds her yell of frustration and the urge to snap at him and takes a deep breath instead.

"Do ask this oh so important question." She injects a teasing lift into her voice. She knows that if he accepts they are going to have to start getting along she may as well start acting nice now.

Before she asks the bell rings and suddenly he is walking to the door.

"Saved by the bell." he murmurs and slips out.

She lets him go and sighs she knows she will get another chance to talk and he will ask his stupid question. For now, she needs to get to Chemistry she cannot afford another tardy.