The past week had been the longest of Betty's young life. For the first time in forever she was alone. It was a strange feeling, one that had her reflecting on her life – what she stood for, what she wanted, who she was. She'd been dating Archie for as long as she could remember. Back then they'd hold hands and giggle about it. He was her first and only kiss, the boy who took her virginity. He'd been a part of her, and being without him now felt a little like she was missing a limb.
He'd cheated on her, he'd been cheating on her, she was just too naïve to realize it. Betty didn't know what it was about her that wasn't enough for him. She tried to be perfect – watched what she ate so she could stay a size 4, slept with him whenever he wanted, always made sure her hair and make up were nice, she was supportive and interested in the things that were important to him.
What made everything worse was that the whole school knew. She felt humiliated. Everyone tried to act normal around her but she knew they were all talking about her heartache behind her back. On top of it all she couldn't get away from Veronica, the one Archie had replaced her with. The two girls were on the Riverdale Vixens together. Veronica hadn't addressed Betty since Archie and she broke up, so she hadn't really give Betty reason to doubt that it was indeed her he'd fallen for. Betty should have seen this coming. Archie had taken an interest in Veronica as soon as she arrived to town, wanting to include her in their group of friends and making sure she felt welcome.
The following Friday Betty felt like being alone after the game. Her parents thought she was staying out like she usually did, and she'd told Kevin that she was just going to head home. She waited in the locker room until everyone was gone, then decided to go for a walk up by Sweetwater River.
It was a lengthy walk, but it was good for her, the walk helping ease her pent up nerves. She found a hidden overlook, with a single picnic table, and decided it was a good a place as any to hide out for the night. Maybe she'd call Kevin later for a ride. He'd be pissed that she lied, but he'd understand. He was a great friend.
She hopped up onto the table, looking at how the full moon reflected on the water that separated Riverdale and Greendale. This was the perfect spot to be alone and think, secluded and quiet.
The temperature was dropping and she cursed herself for only grabbing her thin sweater to throw over the small Vixens uniform. Her mind had been elsewhere since the breakup – she was forgetting to eat, staring out into nothingness instead of studying, and feeling more tired than usual.
She began to lose herself in her thoughts, going through each and every encounter with Archie over the last month since Veronica had moved here. She realized he'd stopped asking her for sex, constantly telling her he was tired and not up for hanging out – that should have been her first clue. What guy was too tired for sex?
Hearing movement behind her, her heart rate increased as she turned to see who it was.
Jughead Jones: The football playing gang member.
He put his hands up in defense, not wanting to scare her. "Hey, you alone?"
She sighed and turned back to continue looking out at the view.
"I guess we both are." She knew she should feel nervous that he was here and that she was alone with him, but she really didn't have the energy to care.
Jughead walked around and stood beside her, leaning back against the table and looking out at the dark river. There was nothing but the moonlight reflecting off the water, the night still and calm. No one would hear her scream. She was numb.
She glanced side ways at him as he pulled out a flask from the inner pocket of his jacket, downing some of the alcohol before handing it to her coolly. Betty didn't drink, not really. She usually nursed one drink all night at parties, just to look like she was drinking. She decided here and now that was going to change.
