Love Is In The Air

Lung Function

JUGHEAD POV

I sat in the waiting room with Betty's friends and family. I was getting glares from all of them. It was my fault, after all. I shouldn't have taken her out of the hospital.

"Alright, can Elizabeth Cooper's family follow me." Nurse Rebecca said. Everyone followed and it now just me and her friends.

"If Betty dies, it's all your fault." Kevin glared at me. I felt really bad about what was going on. Doctor Little came out of the into the hospital waiting room.

"How is she?!" Veronica shouted.

"She's stable. Loss of blood because she coughed up so much. I can't share the rest with you."

"Why?!" Kevin shrieked.

"The rest is for family only. You're going to have to talk to her parents or siblings. Jughead, I'd like to speak with you." Doctor Little nodded. I stood and walked over to her. We went into her office and I sat down and she did too.

"I feel like you should know because you were the one there...I lied. Betty's not looking good at all. The Cancer is spreading outside her lungs. It's spreading to small areas of her body and that's just the start. We're putting her on stronger steroids and medications."

"Why are you telling me this?" I shrugged.

"Because you guys are friends."

"But they're her friends too-"

"You have a soft spot for her! Jughead, you obviously like her. But I also wanted to talk about your Cancer. Typical Carcinoid Tumor in your lungs diagnosed 10-months ago. You were moved around from hospital to hospital."

"Yeah, So?" I shook my head and scoffed.

"Your tumors are growing. They're almost blocking your entire Bronchial Tubes. We're gonna have to do surgery to try and remove the large ones. It's really risky." Doctor Little sighed.

"How risky is it?"

There's a chance you could...pass on, while we're doing the surgery. Your lungs are so weak that we don't know if your body is going to be able to take all the pressure. It's up to you and your father."

"Don't do the surgery." I whispered. Doctor Little was taken aback by this.

"Jughead! If we don't do the surgery, it's a huge risk!"

"It's a huge risk if I do go into surgery! I win or lose either way. If there's even a small chance that I could die...don't do it. But the Cancer is going to kill me anyways. What's my life expectancy if I don't do the surgery?" I asked. I felt my hands shake and my heart raced.

"You're looking at only 1-year left. We didn't expect for the tumors to enlarge in such a rush. You have so much to live for, Jughead. I know you're scared, I understand. But what about your father, your sister, and your friends? If you really don't want to do the surgery, tell me now."

"I don't want to do the surgery, Doctor Little." I sighed. She nodded and I left the office. I went back into the waiting room and I saw another doctor walking out.

"Betty Cooper is awake and asks to see, Jughead Jones." The doctor said. I walked with doctor into the hallway where they kept everyone after being in the emergency rooms. He led me to Betty's room and I opened the door. I went in and saw her laying there. She was pale with her oxygen tube and her lips slightly blue. I sat down next to her bed and she smiled.

"Hi." She smiled.

"Hi. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better." Betty sighed. I took her pale hand in mine.

"Your hand is so cold." I said. I put my hands over her hand and tried to warm it up. She was staring at me and I was looking at her. She reached her other hand over and I chuckled. I took the other hand and tried to warm it up in my hands.

"I'm sorry, Betty."

"For What?" Betty giggled.

"I shouldn't have tried to act so rebellious. I should've just stayed here and made sure you stayed too."

"Juggie, I like your hands on mine. Y-you're a good friend. I don't know how much longer I'm gonna be in this room. Do me a favor. Will you?"

"Anything." I whispered.

"Can you...bring me your stuffed animal that's a dog? Hot Dog?"

"Yeah, I'll bring Hot Dog down. You're one of the bravest people I've met. Stay strong, ok?" I asked. Betty nodded and then drifted off into sleep. That's the moment I realized, I had a crush on Betty Cooper.