harlequin. || bughead oneshots (BOOK 1)✓

|"not the same anymore"|

You won't get it if you haven't read
"you can call me jelly"

"not the same anymore"
A "you can call me jelly"
prequel and sequel

| PREQUEL |

Betty Cooper wasn't the same anymore.
She didn't know what was wrong with her,
she was losing a lot of weight very fast and was getting chronic nosebleeds. Her friends were worried for her, but she assured them she was just fine.

After finally cleaning up her most recent nosebleed in the schools public restroom, Betty was about to turn to leave when Cheryl Blossom abruptly opened the door, hitting Betty's freshly sore nose.

"Sorry!"
Cheryl panicked, steadying Betty with her hands before helping her get more tissues.

"I was looking for you.." Cheryl started while she helped clean Betty's blood.

"Why?"
Betty interrupted, it wasn't like Cheryl to actually want any conversation with her.

"Because I'm worried about you."
Cheryl stated, rubbing her arm.

"B, you don't look to well and I looked up your symptoms and I think you might have.."
Cheryl let off when Betty nodded,
tears brimming both their eyes.

"I- don't know for sure. But, I'm pretty sure."
Betty explained, looking down.

"I haven't told anyone my worries because I don't want to be a burden."
Betty continued, Cheryl nodding in understanding.

"Tell Jughead, Betty. You have to, it's killing him." Cheryl advised, looking fondly at her for the first time in forever since, never mind.

"I might just do that"
Betty scoffed when a smile before biting her lip self consciously.
She was most worried about Jughead's reaction then anyone else's.

Cheryl hugging her quickly before turning and heading out the door, her head in her hands. Crying, Betty figures.

Betty took a deep breath before walking out of her sanctuary of a restroom.
This would be the hardest thing she'd ever do.

Lunchtime

The cafeteria buzzed with sounds of laughing and gossip, making Riverdale seem like a place where nothing really bad happened.
Another facade Betty was apart of,
keeping Riverdale innocent.

Jughead was sat next to her, Betty cringed as she felt him trace her ribcage through her shirt.
"Betty.." He murmured concerned, kissing her head and wrapping her tight.

They hadn't gotten physical in the past few days, Betty was too embarrassed and too sick nowadays and she felt guilty. Who was she to deprive Jughead of a normal, healthy girlfriend?

Jughead seemed to notice her face as he gave her a chaste kiss that Betty couldn't help but smile into.

Veronica, Archie, and Kevin had stopped talking to her yesterday as they felt she was downing the mood. They thought she was depressed, which she guesses cancer is kinda like. For her, at least.