heartbeats ; bughead

36

Betty

It was February 13th. A Friday. Supposed to be one of the unluckiest days of the year, but something in my gut told me today would be an action-filled day. 

Because I would be seeing Jughead for the first time in weeks. Ever since the moment he asked me out, I'd had nothing but fun being with him. Learning aboout everything I didn't know before, and of course, kissing him from time to time. I was, for once in my life, happy.

Jughead was just that person. He may look like your stereotypical edgy teenager, but he's so much more than that. His eyes, flecked with amber, hold a truth, a subtlety I could never find in Archie. 

Anyways, I threw on a pair of baggy jeans and a white t-shirt, lacing my white converse and running out the door. It seemed like I was never home anymore, so getting a guilt trip, I decided to go back inside and spend some time with Polly. 

"Hey, Polly!" Polly peeked her head out from the sofa. There were tears on her face, and I could feel my smile darkening. I immediately rushed to sit next to her, and wrapped an arm around her.

"What happened? Did anyone hurt you? Because I'll--" She shook her head.

"No. It's just...today would be our one year anniversary." I cocked my head.

"Who?"

"Jason and I." I looked down, not knowing what to say. She pulled out a photo of her and Jason, and I gently took it from her. 

He was smiling brightly, eyes sparkling, hand resting on her waist. She was wearing a bright white dress, accentuating her blue eyes, and with a smile on her face. All with a sunset in the background.

It was too perfect. "Polly, where was this taken?" She smiled, clearly lost in the memory. "Sweetwater River. Fourth of July." I gasped. That was when Jason went missing.

I took a closer look at the photo, and when I saw something in the corner, my heart stopped. 

There was a shadow of a boy on the picnic blanket. He had mussed hair, and his clothes looked too big for him, strings poking out of the side. 

Where had I seen that before? I couldn't think, I couldn't move. My brain wasn't working. Suddenly, I got a text. 

betty are you coming yet :/ papa's waiting.

ew actually forget I said that.

Shit. Jughead was waiting. Saying my bye to Polly, I rushed out the door. Only when I had got into the car and started it had I realized I'd taken the photo with me. 

At least I could help solve the mystery. A nagging sensation inside of me said that the shadow of the person, the phantom of the unknown man, was the killer itself. 

And the answer was right under my nose. 

When I pulled into the driveway of his house, a jolt went through me. Excitement. Hadn't felt that in a while. I rang the doorbell, and before you could say "Jason Blossom", Jughead opened.

That familiar, soft smile welcomed me. I shoved him playfully aside, and entered the house. "Oh, are you cooking? Now  that's a sight I wanna see." He smiled.

"Yeah. I made artisan pasta. It's a family recipe. Want some?" I smiled. 

"Sure it isn't poisoned with something?" He kissed me softly, arms snaking around my waste, and I smiled into it. 

"I swear." 

1 hour and five bowls of pasta later, I collapsed onto the couch, legs on Jughead's lap. We were watching  Night of the Living Dead, and the sun was slowly reddening the night sky. I moaned with boredom.

"You're kidding me. Who had the idea of watching this movie?" Jughead shrugged.

"You? You're the boring one." I laughed sarcastically. After a small moment of silence, I decided to show him the photo. 

"Hey, Jug, wanna see something?" He nodded. "So you know how Jason went missing on the fourth of July?" 

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, look at this. There was a photo taken the exact same day." I showed it to him, careful not to rip the delicate paper. His eyes squinted in suspicion. 

"What's your point, Betty?" I rolled my eyes.

"You haven't seen it? There's a suspicious looking silhouette on the picnic blanket behind them. Since you're the hippie cameraman, I decided to come to you." He grinned emotionlessly. 

"Well, since the silhouette is facing north, the person has to be to the left of the camera. Somewhere in the bushes maybe. Look, I don't know." He set the photo down, pacing the room.

I watched him for a little. "Everything okay, Jug?"

"Yeah." We were quiet for sometime.

"I don't know, Jug. I'm a little scared. What if the person who killed Jason is coming after the Coopers next? What if Polly is next?" I took a breath, and his eyes became soft as they noticed my face.

"I don't want to lose any more people in my life, Jug. That's why I want an answer. I don't want to lose anyone. Hell, I don't even want to lose my boyfriend. What if he comes after you? What--"

I felt soft lips on my forehead, and my spiraling thoughts ceased for that little moment, that little spark of happiness. His fingers trailed my shoulder reassuringly, and his soft breath was so close to my lips.

"Bullshit." I managed to muster a small smile. Suddenly, a pulling sensation in my stomach urged me to move closer, to break the space between Jughead and I. He clearly felt it too, because his eyes turned misty with excitement, and he grabbed my waist in a sudden move.

He roughly put his lips on mine, and we were there for what felt like an eternity. Our kisses went from soft and short to deep and passionate quickly, and a lurching feeling tugged on my stomach.

I ran my hands through his hair. His hands flitted around my waist, and he touched a little of my exposed skin, cool hands jolting me. I shivered with happiness, and slowly inched onto the couch, smiling widely.

He looked up at me, questioning if this was really a good move. I nodded, grinning even wider. I inched his shirt off, and my body landed on bare skin.

It was literally the most beautiful sight ever. It was better than a nature documentary, better than--

I'm going too far. Let's not.

Anyways, he noticed my reaction, and took off my jacket, exposing my bare arms. His kisses left my mouth, going quickly towards my jaw. Not in a sexual way, but rather playful. I wrinkled my nose, and instead kissed him, wrapping my hands around his neck.

When we pulled away, he looked into my eyes, a smile erupting. The smile quickly turned into laughter, and soon, we were laughing our asses off, for no reason at all. 

It was just the moment. Him and I. 

I couldn't have asked for anything better. 

omg sorry you guys have to deal with my unupdating ass, i have aps coming up you know the deal. thank you so much for 8.4k! i love you all with all my heart. thanks for making my dream a reality. but aww, our journey's about to come to an end. i'm thinking we have about 5-7 chapters left together. butttt i might write a sequel??? oooh!!!! more of that at the end. but again, thanks for all the love. byee <3

~mo