jealous - a jeronica fanfic

Chapter Twenty-One

After convincing my parents, my plan was finally going to be set into motion. I invited Betty over, after already bringing Jughead and Archie to my house.

They were both tense with nervousness, Archie because he wanted Betty to be happy not angry about this surprise, and Jughead because he hadn't seen Betty since he ran away with me at prom.

When Betty finally arrived we were all out our wits end, and I was extremely relieved to see that the woman of the hour was here.

"Hey Betts!" I say, the perkiness in my voice reminding me of her usual tone.

"Hey, V!" she replied, in the same tone as me. I internally smiled- she was never going to lose that voice or attitude.

"What's up?" she asks, walking in and seeing Jughead and Archie, who smile nervously at her.

"Well, I wanted to have everyone here while we sent you on your next adventure, to help you get better, B," I say, and she raises her eyebrow, confused.

I clasp my hands together, and tilt my head, feeling somewhat like a child. I don't really care, I'm too excited to contain myself.

"You told me that you have IED, and that you want to go to rehab but it costs too much. Correct?" I ask, and Betty nods.

"Correct."

"So, with a little help from my lovely parents, we've come up with enough money to send you to rehab," I announce, and Betty's lips pull into a wide grin.

"Really?" she whispers, clearly overjoyed at her chance to be able to control her body and mind again.

"Yup!" I exclaim, and she pulls me into a tight hug.

"You are an absolute angel, Veronica Lodge," she whispers into my ear, resting her chin on my shoulder and squeezing me tight against her body.

I smile as I pull out of the hug, and Betty's grin hasn't disappeared yet, and it doesn't look like it's going to disappear anytime soon.

"And that's not all!" I add, and Betty's mouth drops open.

"Veronica, you've already done so much more than enough. Please don't waste any more money on me!" she says insistently, and I giggle a little.

"You're being ridiculous, Betty. Our friendship is priceless to me, and besides, this gift doesn't cost any money. Or involve me, really," I say, and Betty tilts her head, confused.

Archie steps forward, "I've decided to go back to rehab, with you, Betts. I know how much it sucked being in that place alone, and I don't want you to have to go through that. I can still improve myself, and help you get through the first couple weeks."

Betty smiles wide, running into his arms and pulling him into a tight hug.

"You're the best, Arch," she tells him, and I smile and look at Jughead, who just winks at me knowingly.

They pull away and smile at each other for a few seconds, and I have to stifle a laugh. They're so clearly head over heels for each other, but won't admit it, not even fully to themselves.

"Alright you two, break it up. We don't have all day," I say, and Betty raises her eyebrow again.

"What do you mean? Oh god, please don't tell me there's more."

"Not really, but there is a booth at Pop's with our names on it!" I exclaim, and all three of them cheer.

"Yes! Food! Finally!" Jughead yells, and I put my hand on his shoulder and a finger on my lips.

"Shut up, Jughead! My parents are in the other room!" I say, and he laughs quietly.

"Sorry!" he whispers at me, and I can't help but laugh too.

"Alright you guys, let's get a move on!" I say, and the three of them quickly put their shoes back on, and we walk out of the door. We decide to walk to Pop's, just like old times.

We walk together, with my hand in Jughead's and Betty's hand eventually finds it way into Archie's. I grin at Jughead and gesture to them, and he smiles at them too.

"They're so timid," I say, smiling at them.

"You know who they remind me of, a little?" he asks, and I shake my head.

"No. Who?"

"Us."

I smile and lean my head against his chest, closing my eyes and sighing. I finally feel like a void has been filled, that everything is going right. That nothing can stand in my way any more- from Jughead, from getting over my fears, from getting my best friend back.

We sit in Pop's for what feels like minutes, but what must have been hours. We laugh and talk over milkshake after milkshake, ignoring the sunset next to us.

Betty and Archie start at opposite sides of their side of the booth and slowly edge closer to one another, and by the end she's leaning on his shoulder. Seeing them so happy, and being so happy, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I smile at Jughead, giving him a kiss, that he eases into.

"What was that for?" he asks, and I giggle.

"Nothing. I love you, Jug," I say, and he grins at me, kissing my forehead.

"I love you to, Veronica," he replies, and this time it's my turn to smile.

This moment right here, in Jughead's arms, with Betty and Archie across from me and a chocolate milkshake in front of me, on the table.

I feel perfectly at peace, with myself and my relationships. I never thought I'd get here, to a point where I feel like I'm on top of the world, but here we are.

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One more chapter after this, guys! Next chapter is a 7 year flash forward, to show where everyone is and all that :) Lots of cute jeronica