Rivals and Roses Betty X Jughead

Jughead's POV

       We all moved to a different table that was about 3 tables down from our old one.
"Again, I'm really sorry you guys." I spoke looking down at my feet.
"Don't be" Kevin said.
"Yeah it's good to know how much of a jerk Cheryl can be." Veronica said while moving her hair away from her face.
"Maybe she's just not feeling well. I'm sure she will feel much better once Jason's killer is caught, and we can all be friends again."
     I had a pit in my stomach. Betty is still on Cheryl's side which is bad on its own, but I still hadn't told her that my dad was Jason's killer. I started to sweat profusely, thinking of her reaction when I told her, and if I told her.
   "You okay Jug?" She said.
"Yeah, it's just I'm glad I'm sitting with all of you."
"Me too," Veronica said. "I think we can be good friends."
   I was having a good time, but what's the fun of sitting at a popular table and not being at least a little petty.
   "You sure you want to be friends with someone like me."
"I'm not following...." Kevin said.
"You know, someone that reads history novels for fun, and wears a beanie all the time. I'm not nearly as popular as yo-" Betty cut me off.
"Please, don't believe any of what Cheryl said. She is not good at adjusting to change. Besides, I like your beanie." She said smirking.
We seemed a lot more flirtatious during lunch then in the hallways. Like, SHE HELD MY HAND. FREAKING BETTY COOPER HELD MY HAND.
        We all talked till the bell rang. They seemed like my genuine friends. We joked and laughed, I never really liked having that "popular attention" but once I actually had it, it wasn't all that bad.
     "Well, we better start going. Don't wanna be late." Betty said.
She never wanted to be late. The rest of us threw all our trash away and headed for class. I waited until Veronica and Kevin were gone so they didn't think anything was going on between me and Betty.
     I quickly caught up to her and didn't know what to do to get her attention. I panicked and grabbed her hand from behind. She turned around and seemed a little startled by my act of bravery. I quickly let go once I saw her reaction.
    "Sorry I just- do you want to maybe walk home together?" I was so tensed and forget when to breathe between my sentences. She smiled a warm smile.
  "Like the old days?" She chuckled.
"I mean yeah, if your up for it?"
"I would love to Jug, but I sort of have to do something after school."
"Uh, yeah sure, that's fine."
"Catch you later?"
I just nodded and looked down to the floor. I quickly turned in the other direction and didn't relax until I heard Betty turn and walk to class.
  I was so curious on what she had to do after school that we couldn't walk home together. Maybe she was seeing someone and didn't tell me? The thought hit me.
Was this rejection?
Was this her way of telling me she wasn't interested. It couldn't possibly be, I didn't even tell her my feelings.
     The rest of the day absolutely sucked. We had math together, we made eye contact and she smiled at me, but I just turned away and faced the board. I felt terrible after words but didn't apologize for it later. I wanted to talk to her, but I didn't want her to think she was forced to talk me because she felt bad for me or something.
        I traded my math books for my science ones keeping my head down. The hallways were completely deserted, everyone was already in class but I didn't care about showing up on time. I headed to my classroom preparing an excuse for when the teacher would ask me why I was late, when I bumped into someone. That startled me quite a lot since the last time I looked up no one was there.
"Greetings, hobo."
I knew exactly who it was.
"What do you want Cheryl."
"Chill out, I was going to the library to pick up some books."
I knew she was lying but I really did not feel like getting started with her.
"Please, be my guest." I say while moving out of the way so she can get her "books". She ignores me.
"You know, I meant what I said earlier. You shouldn't get cocky. They were just being nice. Soon things will be how they used to be."
I moved back to my original position and tilt my head a little.
"You sure your not just salty they left you for me."
"Oh, please. Don't act so powerful. I know all about your fantasies with the girl next door."

I couldn't tell if she was being just trying to get on my nerves or if she actually knew about my crush on Betty.

"W-What?" I reply.

"Can I just say, never, EVER going to happen."

"You don't know that!" I say defensively.

  What am I doing? I'm basically admitting that I have feelings for Betty which is giving Cheryl all sorts of power.

"Oh trust me, I do. Once I tell her about what your father did to Jason."

I froze. I couldn't believe that I let myself be backed into this corner.

"Toodles." She said in an annoyed tone.

I stopped her.

"Cheryl, I can't believe I'm saying this but please, please do not tell Betty. I will literally do anything."

"Anything?" She asked, interested.

I wanted to punch myself in the face.

What have I done?