Jellybean Jones

Chapter 72: Cheap Beer

Third Person POV
The last few days of May went by without notice. Jellybean was pleased with the way her girlfriend meeting her small family had went. It was much better than she had anticipated, despite the awkwardness. She was so thrilled by this that both her weekend and Monday back at school were equally as pleasant as the time spent at Pop's. But today was a new day, today was Tuesday and she knew that today could be different.

Jellybean POV
"It's practically torture making us do math first thing in the morning." I complained to Rosie as we took our seats near the back of the classroom. "Yeah, I'm half awake." She agreed. "At least Seth isn't here." I said before I could stop myself. She snorted. I nearly groaned as I saw a substitute teacher come into the room. The limited number of subs in Riverdale was pathetic, they all completely sucked. Rosie and I shared a look of annoyance.

"Settle down!" He yelled. He was young and I already knew he would be annoying. "My name is Mr. Duke and I expect you to treat me with the same amount of respect you would treat your normal teacher." He said firmly. "Ugh, he's one of those subs." Rosie whined in my ear. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.

We were about a third of the way through the dull class when the door swung open without warning. All eyes were instantly on the new comer. It was Seth, his backpack in one hand and his hood over his head. "Sorry m'late." He muttered, closing the door behind him. The far off look in his eyes and the way he trudged instead of walked was both different than usual and concerning. That's when I realized, he was most definitely, most certainly hungover.

The only empty seat was directly in front of me, he collapsed into it after casting a glare in my general direction. I inhaled deeply and was instantly overcome by a scent that I had practically grown up with. Cheap beer. Memories of my early childhood flooded my mind faster than I thought possible. I heard the sound of a bottle smashing and I heard my drunken Dad shriek unintelligible things at my Mum. I saw a pile of empty beer cans laying next to a six pack that was sure to be downed within the hour.

Just like that, I was back in the trailer, hiding from the loud noise and alcohol in my closet. My breathing was beginning to speed up, my head on my desk. "Jellybean, Jellybean." I felt someone's touch on my back. It was Rosie. Before I knew it, she had pulled me to my feet and we were out of the classroom. I could still smell it, still hear it, still see it. My Dad in his Serpents jacket, an open can of beer in his hand. He had been so terrible, so terrible. Why had I forgiven him so easily?

"Jellybean, you alright?" I was pulled back into reality by Rosie's gentle voice. We were in the bathroom now, and to my relief, it was completely deserted. I opened my mouth to answer, but started to cry instead. She pulled me into her arms and I buried my face in her shoulder. "What happened, Beans?" She asked softly. "Th-the beer smell, Rose. It reminded me of-of..." I trailed off, she understood.

She let me go. "R-Rose, I forgave my Dad so easily. I l-literally welcomed him back into my life with open arms. Wh-why did I do that? He was s-so bad?" I spluttered. A look of genuine concern flashed over her face. "That doesn't matter. You're okay now." She reassured. Without even realizing I had done it in the first place, I unclenched my hands, and admired the crescent-shaped marks where my nails had so recently dug in.

Jughead POV
Jellybean was standing in front of the school talking to Rosie after school. It confused me, Rosie was always gone before I got there. My sister spotted me and hurried over, with a distant look in her eyes. "Bean, what's the matter?" I asked instantly. She hesitated. "Did I forgive Dad too easily?" She asked, rushing her words out of her mouth. "Jellybean," I began slowly.

"Jellybean, you resented Dad much less than I did." I continued. She looked at me, confused. "I mean, I moved out for a time, I was so mad." I added quietly. "Juggy, what? Wh-where did you stay?" She asked, her voice shocked. "At the Twilight, at Archie's. After he got arrested, I phoned Mum, but she wouldn't let me come." I explained, trying to be gentle. "Jug, I-I had no idea. I-I'm sorry." Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke, she looked completely solemn.