Half

Chapter 24:

Once we got home to the trailer, everyone exited the truck and went inside. Where Jughead was sat at the dining table, typing furiously on his laptop.

I walked straight to mine and Pea's room, without saying a word to anyone. My last words were to Penny Peabody. I practically ripped off my clothes and put on one of Pea's baggy shirts, looking out the window to see the rain pouring down. I pulled my deck chair over to the window and stared at the rain.

The pattern the rain drops formed on the window, the soft patter noises of the water hitting the glass. I closed my eyes, letting the rain soothe me, making me feel calmer by the minute. Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.

The bedroom door creaked open, I expected Sweet Pea to walk in but was shocked to see Jughead Jones standing there, instead. I turned around fully in the chair, to meet his hurt gaze.

"Did you kill Penny to protect me?" His voice cracking while he spoke. I sighed.

"No, to protect all of us." I stood up, rage pumping through me.

"But you killed her specifically-"

"To protect us, Jughead. To keep our homes, to keep the Quarry. The Ghoulies and Penny wanted to take over the whole Southside. I know they're still capable of doing so. Now they have one less person on their side." Tears forming in my eyes. 

Jughead was more vain than I'd ever seen him. He was different, and I don't know why. I want to know what changed in him and why he's so different now. Maybe his crown fell too far up his ass.

"Stop thinking this is all about you, Jug. It's not. I know you're the Serpent King and your life revolves around the Serpents, but you have to take a step back sometimes. What happened to the Jug that I love?" Tears running down my cheeks as I sat back down in the chair.

Jughead stood there, stunned. I got up and crawled under the bed comforter and brought the blanket up to my chin, letting the tears stream freely down my face, and soaking the blanket beneath me.

----

The next morning, I woke up wrapped in Jughead's arms. I tried to flee from them but he held me tighter. His arms were strong around me and his eyes were red and puffy, meaning he had been crying. I somewhat felt bad for him because I lashed out, but at the same time, I needed to stand my ground and stand up for myself.

I tried going back to sleep, but I felt like I couldn't anymore. It was 5 in the morning and the sun was starting to rise and I couldn't bring myself to sleep. I turned my body so I laid on my back as I stared at the ceiling. Thinking.

The nightmare I had was seeming more real every hour. Pea was still alive, and not turning to dust, but I am a monster. I am a murderer. I killed Penny Peabody, and as much as I hate to admit it, it feels pretty damn good.

It feels good to know that I cleaned the Earth of a sick person. However, it doesn't feel good knowing I am the one who did it. My brain couldn't decide what side to be on, so right now, I was torn. 

Thinking more, I realize that I still have Hiram Lodge and the rest of the Ghoulies to fight off, but at the same time, it feels far too soon to worry about them, as they won't do hardly anything after the death of Penny.

The grip on my waist loosened and ruffling from Jughead's side of the bed filled my ears, tearing me away from my thoughts. 

"Pea?" Jug whispered. 

I tore my gaze from the ceiling to look him in the eye.

"I'm a monster, Jughead."  He propped himself on his elbow and rubbed my arm soothingly, the way he used to.

"Where's this coming from?" It's like he forgot.

"I killed Penny Peabody. I killed her, with my own hands, with a piece of glass that I threw at her. I stabbed her, Jughead. I am a murderer and a monster, and I can't live with the guilt."

"Peanut, you are not a monster. You killed her, yes, but to protect yourself and the Serpents, your family."

"What if I get taken away? What if the Sisters take me away because I'm a troubled teen? I can't be away from Toni and Pea, and you." My voice coming out broken, with tears in my eyes.

"They aren't going to take you anywhere. Peanut, just relax, things will be okay." He pulled me into his chest, my cheek resting against his bare chest.

His smell, his warmth, his heartbeat, everything calming me down, and making me remember all the times we've had together. He brought his hand up to stroke my hair, holding me tighter with his other hand. By the time I got the tears to stop flowing, I started to feel more tired, but the thoughts in my head continued to pound my head to keep me awake. 

I knew what I was, I had to come to terms with it. There was nothing I could do, and I know if I didn't kill her, she would continue to come back. Maybe I did do it for a valid reason, maybe everything will be okay, after all.

I pulled away from Jughead's chest, to see him looking down at me, he took his thumb and brushed the tears away from under my eyes. I would've tried to move away from him, to get away from his touch, but part of me wanted to stay next to him, to be in his comfort, and for him to tell me that everything will be okay.

"Look, I didn't forget about last night, what you said to me." Here it goes.

"I just want you to know that everything is stressful. Being the king is tough, and all this drama with Betty is tiring, Being under pressure is tough, and with you lashing out made everything tougher." 

"I know I didn't mean what I said, but I feel like a monster, a murderer, and I am one. I just hadn't come to terms with it, and you asking me if it was because of you just ticked me off. It was protection for all of us, but it was mostly for you, Jug. I'm not over you, and I don't think I ever will be." 

I just spilled everything to Jughead, the one I'm supposed to be getting over, but instead falling harder for. I know he kissed Betty, and was soon to having sex with her, but I need him. Nobody makes me as happy as Jug.

"Juggie."

"Yes?" 

"What are we?"

"Hm, well, you just said you're not over me, and I'm not over you either, do you want to give this- us- a second try?" He asked as he folded our fingers together.

"Of course Jug, just no kissing your psycho ex-girlfriend."

"Of course." He smiled as he leant down to kiss my lips.

His kiss was loving, warm, passionate, and the voices and thinking in my head had gone away, vanished. In that moment I knew, I was helplessly in love with Jughead Jones.

A/N: This chapter is somewhat a filler, but it needed a cute ending! Thank you so much for reading and be sure to vote if you like it!