Rivals and Roses Betty X Jughead

Betty POV

     Oh no. No. No. What have I done? Jughead probably hates me now! My mom needed help at the register. I couldn't have just bailed one her. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but my dad had gone completely insane. He said that if my mom didn't get a hit story in less then a week then he would fire her. They divorced about a month ago. They wouldn't tell me why, but ever since I got older my dad has gotten.... weird with me. I feel bad that he is alone, but everyone is fine in our household.
       I didn't tell anyone about the divorce because I didn't want it to seem dramatic when a kid literally died at our school.
     I really didn't mean to push Jughead away, I loved when ever we would walk home together. I was just afraid I would block my ideas from coming, it was just a lot of stress.
     I saw Jughead after school with his headphones on, leaning on a light post. I came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't look very happy to see me, but at the same time I wasn't expecting him to.
   "I'm really sorry." I start. "I didn't mean it like that."
   "Then what did you mean it like Betty?" He asked desperately. "What is so important that we can't walk together?"
I sighed.
"My dad threatened to fire my mom if we didn't come up with a successful story in a week. I've been having serious writers block, and stressing over it for the past few days."

"Why? Why is he threatening to fire her?"

"Their divorced Jug! And they hate each other, so why not?"

"Your parents divorced?!"
I realized that Jug hadn't known about my parents splitting up. Shoot, this isn't what I wanted.
"It's not a big deal." I say looking down at my feet.
He sighed.
"I'm sorry too. For being a jerk in math."
I gave him a forgiving smile and gave him a huge hug.
"How about this, I can help you at the register."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
I had butterflies in my stomach. At first I didn't think too much of it, but they were the same butterflies I had with Archie.
The walk to the register was just like old times. When we got to the register I opened the door and the little bell thing chimed, getting my mom's attention.
  "Hi mom."
"Betty! Thank god your here. I think I have a story on the Southsiders - oh hello there."
"Mom, you remember Jughead right?"
"Jughead, as in Fps kid?"
"Guilty."
My mom raised an eyebrow but eventually just let it go.
"So, where are we?" I ask getting down to business.
"Yeah, you said something about the Southside?" Jughead said.
   I knew Jughead's whole family grew up on the Southside so I didn't know how comfortable I was writing a story on them.
  "Well, there was a story that a certain gang on the Southside has been dealing Jason drugs to sell on the Northside."
  I have to admit, it was one heck of a story, but I don't know how true it was.
"Mom, maybe we should think of a story that won't offend anyone."
"Well were running out of options Betty."

"I agree, besides, the newspapers that get the most attention are the ones that are debatable." Jughead said.
I sighed.
"Well then, I guess we have our story. Jug, do you think that you will be able to come over tomorrow and do some digging."
Jug's face lit up.
"Of course!"
After a few hours of working silently my mom got up from her computer.
"I'm going to head out to Pop's, you kids want anything?" My mom said while standing up.
I glanced over at the clock
11:55 pm.
"Uh, a vanilla milkshake is fine for me, something to keep me up."
"And a chocolate for me please" Jughead said.
She nodded and left the room.
It was just me and Jughead in the yellow lit room. It felt cozy, and I felt that I could talk to him about anything here.

"You really don't have to stay up this late, I can give you a ride once my mom comes back if you like."
"It's alright, I don't get much sleep anyways. Besides, I am enjoying this." He says while getting up and moving closer to the desk I was working at.

"I'm enjoying this too, but isn't your dad worried on where you are."

"You don't have to worry about my dad."