Sickness And In Love

Breathing

BETTY POV

That night, I picked up my bag and was getting ready to leave and go back to the hospital. Jughead was probably off doing something stupid because I wasn't there to monitor him. I hugged my family goodbye and then waited until it was just Polly and I.

"Polls, I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"What's it like to kiss somebody?" I asked. Polly seemed shocked by my question and then smirked.

"And who would this question be regarding?"

"Just, a guy."

"Alright...the feeling of it is different from any other thing you'd ever feel. Especially when it's with someone you love. It's probably one of the best feelings in the world."

"Thanks Polls, I'll see you in a couple weeks." I said. I got in my car and drove to the hospital. I planned to go to my room and then go straight to Jughead's room.

I checked in at the front desk and made my way to my room. Cheryl wasn't there so I'm guessing she went out. I set down my back and then took the elevator to the 8th floor. I walked to Jughead's room and I knocked.

"Hey Jughead! It's Betty!" I shouted. There was no answer. I then opened the door and saw Jughead laying on his bed without his oxygen tube on. He laid there, his eyes were open and he wasn't breathing. I was sure he was dead.

"Jughead! Juggie, oh my gosh! Breathe!" I yelled. I started to do CPR and then put the heavy oxygen mask on. He started blinking and he was gasping for air inside the mask. I was by his side for a couple minutes and then he took it off and put his oxygen tube back on.

"What were you thinking? Were you seriously trying to kill yourself?!"

"No! I-I was trying to breathe. I guess I didn't stop though and eventually...I was there somewhat lifeless. I hate this! I want to be able to play sports! I wanna hang out with my friends and go to a real school! I wanna be able to kiss you, and not worry about choking on my  own breath!"

"Are your disadvantages what's bothering you? Jughead, it's ok to feel angry. But why on Earth would you try to breathe without your tube?! You're gonna need it stay alive! You have Asthma along with Emphysema so, yeah! It probably does suck! But until we find you new lung-"

"Would you stop saying that?!" Jughead screamed. He stood and threw his stuff off of his desk. I started to cry.

"Screw you, Jughead! I'm just trying to keep you alive!" I screamed. Then it was a lot of screaming and fighting.

"I'm not getting new lungs! I'm gonna die...and I know that! In 3-years, I'm gonna be in a casket!"

"You idiot! You pessimist! Don't you want new lungs?! Don't you wanna live?!"

"Of course, I do! Betty, 21-years isn't long enough. If I got a lung transplant, my life expectancy would go up a lot! But according to the mathematics behind my new life expectancy age, it's 52-years old! Why are you wasting your time with me?! Go to some kid that's sick and really needs you!"

"I can't handle this." I scoffed. I walked out of the room and started to walk to the elevator. I then heard him call my name.

"Betty! Don't leave this freaking floor! If you leave...my life really is over." He said. I sighed and felt my heart sink. I turned around and he looked straight at me.

"As a child, I never put much thought into being in a relationship. It never mattered to me because any day...I could end up in the Emergency room. I never wanted to put so much faith in a person...but I did with you. Betty, you're a dork. You're my own personal hemorrhoid, a nerd, a little bit of a goofball, and absolutely stubborn. But you're kind, funny, and an optimist. Not to mention a little sarcastic. If I end up in the Emergency room tomorrow and something really bad happens to me, at least I can say I did this." Jughead said. He walked over to me, grabbed my face, and then kissed me. It was long and it seemed like nothing else in the world mattered. When we were done, we both just looked at each other and smiled. He walked back to his room and I walked to mine. I shut my door to my room and Cheryl was back. I squealed and jumped up and down. I twirled around the room and I was beyond happy.