Cole Sprouse X Reader(Imagines & oneshots)

Stupid Feelings

~Jughead Jones X Reader~

Description: Popular (Y/N) climbs down the social ladder to befriend Jughead, but quickly develops feelings. The crush is only one-sided.

Warnings: One swear

Word Count: 1160

Part 2 coming soon

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"(Y/N)!" Cheryl snapped, interrupting my thoughts.

"Huh?" I asked, looking up at her. She smiled sourly.

"I asked you if you're still coming to River Vixen tryouts tomorrow," she repeated.

"Of course!" I exclaimed, plastering a fake smile on my face. Satisfied, she nodded and strutted down the school hallway, leaving me at my locker. The smile slipped from my face and turned into a frown as I opened my locker.

Cheryl had been my best friend for five years, and I knew deep down I loved Cheryl. But her other friends? Not so much. I found myself constantly feeling drained when I was in their presence, and Cheryl seemed to regress into a horrible nightmare around them.

I slammed my locker shut and strode down the hallway, not bothering to make eye contact with anyone. Anyone but one person. I walked past Jughead Jones, and I couldn't help but let my eyes linger for a split second longer than usual. He was looking right at me, and we made eye contact for only a moment before I walked away.

During lunch, I sat at a table with Cheryl and her friends. Cheryl droned on about something she and Jason had done two summers ago, and as much as I wanted to listen and give my sympathy to my friend, I couldn't do it. For some reason, my mind kept wandering to Jughead Jones. The mysterious figure lurking in the school hallways intrigued me, and I couldn't seem to think of anything else.

"Are you even listening to me, (Y/N)?" Cheryl scoffed, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I hummed.

"I said," her voice was cold and stiff, "are you listening to me?" I glanced at her pursed lips and narrowing eyes, and her mannequin friends raising their eyebrows at me. This is not the people I want to be with.

"No," I retorted, standing up. "I'm not listening to you, Cheryl."

"And why not?" she demanded, also standing up.

"Because I don't want to!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in frustration. "I'm sick of this, Cheryl. I'm sick of you treating everyone like peasants whereas you carry yourself like a queen. I'm done!" By now all the other lunch tables had quieted down so they could eavesdrop on our conversation.

"Well," Cheryl spat, "I don't know why you're still here. Get out of my sight!" I rolled my eyes but obliged, grabbing my bag and storming away from the table, all eyes on me. Once I got inside the school, I leaned against a wall, closed my eyes, and released a sigh of relief. I was free.

"That was quite the scene," a deep voice commented, causing my eyes to snap open. Jughead was standing in front of me.

"Oh yeah," I breathed a laugh. "I don't know what came over me, honestly. I just...kinda...I was fed up." He nodded in understanding.

"I get it," he said, moving so that he was standing next to me. "I don't know how you dealt with it for so long."

"I don't either," I confessed. "I guess I was just oblivious to how awful she is."

"What made you realize that she was awful?" I paused, unable to think of an answer. Glancing at Jughead, I admired his raven locks and blue-green eyes.

"Jasons death, I guess," I answered, unsure of myself. "Because most of the time when a loved one dies, people will become more vulnerable. Usually grief brings about self-reflection, and it makes you realize you should be a better person. Cheryl, although she was heartbroken about Jasons death, didn't become a better person. In fact, it felt like she got worse. She's bitchier, more demeaning, and just more terrible overall." Jughead nodded at my answer.

"Well, I don't say this kind of stuff too often," he said, "but if you're looking for any new friends, I'm here."

Jughead and I quickly became close friends. Pops became our usual meeting place, and we would spend every evening there. Whether we were working on homework or just chatting, I always felt happy in his presence.

We had been best friends for a few months when I realized my feelings for him. Every night when we sat in our booth, the butterflies in my stomach grew a little flutterier. My cheeks began to tint a bit darker every time we hung out, and I always grew nervous when I anticipated us being together. But then when I was around him, I felt calm and safe.

One night, I decided that I'd tell him. I was tired of keeping this secret from him, and I figured being rejected was better than bottling up my feelings.

"Jughead," I said, taking his attention away from his computer. "Can we talk?" He closed the lid, showing that I had his undivided attention. I swallowed and fidgeted with my fingers, beginning to second-guess myself.

"Is everything okay, (Y/N)?" he asked.

"Yeah," I tentatively smiled and nodded. "I just I need to tell you something."

"Yes?

"I-I like you, Jughead. I like you as in more than friends, and honestly, I think I have ever since we started being friends." I bit my lip as I nervously scanned Jugheads face for a reaction. He was motionless, and we sat in the booth in silence. Finally, he broke the silence.

"(Y/N) I'm sorry," he apologized, and then my heart shattered. I knew what was coming next. "I don't...you're a great friend, truly, you are but I like Betty." I swallowed and nodded. Of course it was Betty.

"Yeah, that's- that's fine, it's fine," I stuttered out a reply, slowly standing up. "It's fine, really, but I have to go, I'm sorry." Jughead stood up too.

"I'm sorry, I don't want this to ruin our friendship," he said, trying to get me to sit back down. I shook my head.

"I don't either, Jughead, but I need time," I responded. He nodded sadly in understanding. "Bye, Jughead." I walked out of the diner desperately holding onto the little bit of dignity I had left. I wanted to be mad at someone, but there was no one to blame. It wasnt Bettys fault; she had no idea that Jughead liked her, she wasn't trying to steal him from me. Nor was it Jugheads fault, because he cant control who he has feelings for.

As I strode out of Pops Chocklit Shoppe, I knew that this would be the last time Jughead and I ever had a simple relationship. Thanks to me, every interaction from now on would be awkward and tense. And it was all thanks to me and my stupid feelings.