Catching Feelings

All those who Wander are not Lost - Part 9

Heels clicking in a steady beat against the dirty linoleum of the school floor Veronica rushes to the Blue and Gold office.

"Who knows about the plan?" she immediately asks when she sees that Jughead is already there waiting for her.

"What? No one." he looks confused at her statement but Veronica doesn't know if she should be relieved or angry.

"Then what is so important that I skip class and meet you here?" Her mind starts running through different situations but none seem plausible.

Before he opens his mouth her phone vibrates and she ignores it, but then it vibrates again and he gives her a look when she just puts it on silent.

"Should you take that?" He points to her phone, eyebrow arched.

"It's no one important, just Archie." He's leaning against the desk in the office, arms crossed and now a frown on his face.

"Why is Archie texting you?" The response is quick and Jughead's voice has taken a weird tone, but he's not looking at her, in fact, it seems as if he is trying to avoid looking at her. She refuses to let him believe that she's hitting on Archie or putting their plan in jeopardy.

"Betty gave you a talk," she pokes his arm and he looks at her "Now its Archie's turn to talk to me," he blinks as if he doesn't quite believe her so she adds "plus he's trying to to get dirt on Betty." this causes him to roll his eyes.

"You said you wanted me to tell you what's going on with Archie, why he can't be with Betty, you said you would help." he's speaking fast and so she pays attention.

"Alright." She takes a deep breath and leans against the desk in the office. Jughead comes and leans next to her and launches into a story about the fourth of July, Archie, and a road trip that never happened.

She holds in her scandalous gasp at his confession of Archie and Mrs. Grundy and grabs his arm when he tells Dilton's story because Betty's smart and it's only a matter of time before she finds out.

"Shit," she mumbles once he finishes. Her mind trying to race through what can be done, ways to stop Betty from finding out.

Suddenly it comes to her.

"Betty needs to find out." She states it so simply that Jughead stands straight and looks at her with such a look of disbelief.

"Excuse me?" He questions and she does not care for his tone. "I ask for your help and your bright idea is to just have her find out? That's great, just great" He turns away from her placing his hands on his hips and mumbles something she is pretty sure is unfavorable.

"It's the only plan that gives them a chance," she speaks through gritted teeth. "Think about it Jughead, you know Betty even more than I do. No matter what we do she's not going to stop unless she knows the truth. If she does find out it will have fewer repercussions than if everyone hides it from her." He turns around and his blinking at her the look of disbelief replaced by an assessing look. She feels the need to explain further.

"If she doesn't find out and they eventually get together you don't think he's going to tell her himself? You don't think she will freak out then? It would probably be worse and-" He cuts her off.

"Alright, jeez." He rolls his eyes but there's a very small tilt of his lips that is almost a smile. "and when she finds out and does freak out?" he goes back to leaning against the desk next to her. She feels a smile try to make its way across her face but she keeps it at bay.

"Then that's where we come in" she gestures between the two of them. They hear a sound in the hallway by the door and both look at each other panic across their faces.