Jellybean Jones

Chapter 80: Salty

Jellybean POV
It was first block and all of the grade eights were in the gym preparing for the ceremony. We were going to be seated alphabetically on chairs on the same stage that had been used for the play. For a while there, I thought I would be seated next to Rosie, because her last name is Hale and my last name is Jones and there are no 'i' last names...but then I realized there was another 'h' after her. Hill. Seth Hill, to be exact. We'd both be sitting next to that jackass. "Rosie, Rosie." I mumbled, tugging at her sleeve as the principal started calling our names to get us in our order.

"What?" She whispered. "We'll be beside Seth." I groaned, hoping to god he wasn't within earshot. She let out a string of profanities. Rosie was wearing an off the shoulder, dark blue dress that went well with her light complexion. I had been searching tirelessly for Adelaide, Rosie had noticed this by now and assisted me in looking. "There." She finally mumbled as the name 'Grey' was called out. I looked in the direction she was pointing and saw her. "Holy shit." I exclaimed under my breath, staring at the beyond gorgeous girl.

I was so focused on my girlfriend I didn't even here the other 'g' names. Her dress was peach, with these three quarter length sleeves and this matching peach belt that was embroidered with exquisite flowers. Her short brown hair was all cute and wavy. She spotted us and waved, she was already in her spot in line and would definitely get screamed at if she stepped out. "Hale!" Rosie walked to the end of the line, dreading the next name that we knew was coming.

"Hill! Jones!" I sighed exasperatedly and marched over to stand beside Seth. "Jellybean." He muttered. "Seth." I pretty much growled. "Salty." He said, just loud enough for me to hear. "Asshole." I said right back. Principal Freeman shot daggers at us, spotting our bickering. I blinked to hide my eye roll. Eventually, we were all sorted out and moved to our spots on stage. We kept practicing coming on and off over and over, we were only free to go to our homerooms at the sound of the bell. Great, no Rosie. Today was off to a rough start.

Jughead POV
Things were still off between me and Dad. We spent the day apart. I pulled out my laptop, deciding to work on Jellybean's letter. I had a small paragraph so far, I kept rewriting every line until I was semi satisfied with it. It had to be perfect. I tried adding a couple of lines, but I wasn't in the headspace. I didn't plan to give it to her until I left for university, so it's not like I was in a rush to finish. I sighed and shut the laptop, frustrated by the fresh bout of writers block. I pulled out my phone instead, checking for any missed notifications.

Missed call from Archie Andrews was printed in bold letters across the screen. I had only missed it by five minutes. I pressed the call back button and waited. It only rang twice. "Thank god, I thought you were never going to phone back." My best friend's annoyed voice said. "Woah there, I missed you be a few minutes, Arch. What's so urgent?" I asked, keeping my voice less serious than his had been. "I'm officially changing my status to 'taken'...er, at least, seeing someone tonight." He told me excitedly. "Wow, Andrews, I think you're a bigger player than my Dad was in high school." I teased, keeping my voice quiet out of worry that Dad would hear.

Archie merely snorted. "I'm taking that as a compliment, Jug." He retorted. "So...who's the lucky specimen?" I asked, curious about who on earth Archibald Andrews could be getting it on with this time. "Well..." He started hesitantly. "it's this guy on the football team, you wouldn't know him, but I think it might work." He explained hopefully. "What's his name?" I questioned. "Levi." He replied, I could tell he was excited to say it. "Larchie?" I teased. He chuckled. "Hey, uh, Arch, I don't mean to offend you, but are you out to your Dad?" I asked cautiously.

There was a moment of silence. "No...no I'm not. I was thinking you could help me with that...only if you're down, of course." He said embarrassedly. "I'd love to Arch, I really, really would. Now go give this Levi kid a fun for his money, I'm sure he'd be lucky to have you." I encouraged. "Thanks, Jug." I could hear a smile in his voice.