My Hero In Leather |Jughead Jones|

Chapter 28

I lay next to Jughead on his hospital bed. "That was really stupid Jug. I could've lost you too. I mean Jesus Christ. What would I have done without you? Or our baby or your dad. I already lost my best friend. I can't lose you too," I say and he pulls me closer. 

"I'm sorry baby, but I didn't want the Serpents going to war with the Ghoulies," he whispers and presses his face into my hair.

"Just don't be stupid like that again Jones," I say and sigh.

"The funeral's tomorrow," Jughead whispers and I nod softly. "You gonna be okay," he also and I shake my head. What kind of a question was that? Was I going to be okay going to my best friends funeral? Obviously not.

"It's not fair Jug. It's not fair," I say.

"No my love. It isn't."

...

I woke up crying. I didn't want to go to the funeral. Going was excepting he was gone. I sigh and pull on the white dress I'd had to buy after Jug got released from the hospital. Braeden said he didn't want people to wear black to his funeral. That was his color. The only person who would wear black would be him. We couldn't find his body. I think we all suspect someone took it for some creepy ass reason. Probably fucking Hiram.  Creepy ass motherfucker.

I sigh and sit on the couch, burying my head in my hands. I'm not ready for goodbye yet. We were supposed to both get married and have kids. Go to the same college so we could party together and take care of each other when one of us drank too much.  That's the life we were supposed to live.

"We gotta go," Jug says and I take his hand. We walk outside where my dad, Archie, Alice, FP, Betty and Polly are waiting.

"Hey guys. Before we go, can I talk with Jasmin and Jughead alone for a moment," Betty asks and everyone nods and head to there vehicles.

"What is it Betty" I ask and she sighs. 

"I'm sorry," she whispers and Jug and I both stare. 

"For what," Jughead asks and she looks at her feet.

"For everything. I was so jealous of you two so I acted like such a bitch. You two didn't deserve that. I didn't really think about it until you came to tell me Jasmin. You still came to me even though you were really hurting. You made sure I would know," she says and takes my hand. "Thank you. For caring about me even though I hurt you so fucking much," she says and I hug her. 

"It's not your fault Betty. I get it. I stole your boyfriend," I say softly.

"I guess I should apologize to you guys too. Betty I didn't mean to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you. And Jasmin. I know I was flirting with Betty a lot, but I love you and you didn't deserve that," he says and kisses me softly. 

"Thank you. I'm glad we're okay," I say to both of them. 

"I guess we should go," Betty says and I nod softly as we walk to our respective vehicles. I go with Jughead and his dad and Betty goes with her mom and sister. 

The drive feels like years. My hands won't stop shaking even when Jug grabs them. I'm already tearing up again. I lean on Jug who holds me close. 

When we arrive to the funeral home I take a shaky breathe as I get out of the truck. I walk with Jug and FP and we approach my dad who hugs me and then I hug Archie. "You okay sis," he asks and I shake my head and he hugs me tighter. 

When we all walk in I sit with Archie and my dad on the bench behind FP, Alice, Jughead, Betty and Polly. I see Fangs walk inside and he's a mess. I haven't seen him for a few days. Nobody had. He didn't want to be seen. He blamed himself. We all tried to convince him that it wasn't his fault, but he wouldn't listen. Sweet Pea pulled Fangs into a hug and I heard Fangs let out a sob as he clung to his best friend. I could hear them talking to each other, but not what they were saying. 

They sat a little closer to the back then I'd think they would, but I didn't question it. I knew how bad he felt.

The rest of the room was filled with his other family and our classmates. Reggie wasn't here. It kind of pissed me off. He can't just not come. It isn't right.

...

The funeral was full of crying and telling stories of all the stupid shit he's done. We begin to place flowers on the small table set up with photos and when Fangs steps up he falls to my knees and slams his fist on the table. "It should've been me," he yells and lets out a sob. "I should be the one who died," he says and I watch as Alice stands and crouchs next to him, eyes full of tears. 

"No Fangs. Stop blaming yourself for this. You didn't shoot him. It's not your fault and you don't deserve to die for what happened," she says and hugs him. "It's not your fault," she whispers and as they stand, we hear the door open. 

The first thing I see is the bright blue and yellow letterman jacket. "So he decided to show up" I think and then I see his face.

"You won't believe the day I've had," he says and it isn't. It can't be possible.

"Braeden," Alice says.