Jellybean Jones

Chapter 89: Mantle

It's been a hot minute but I'm back and ready to give you guys the ending that you deserve! Please vote and comment –Nona xx

Third Person POV
        "You gonna be okay?" Jughead asked as he and Jellybean grew closer to the school.
        "I'll be fine." She mumbled, but her voice didn't feel like her own.
        Realty began to slip through her fingers and her grasp on what was happening was loosening every second.
        Jughead reached down and squeezed her hand, abruptly jolting her out of her trance.
        "Just text me if you need absolutely anything, okay?" He said softly, hoping that her anxiety wouldn't skyrocket.
        The school was in view now. Jellybean slowed the pace of her walk and started cowering behind her brother.
        A group of what can only be described as fuck boy football players were goofing off with each other on the front lawn and being rowdy as all get out.
        Jellybean couldn't help but stare.
        "Don't worry about them. They're just future  high school has beens." Jughead said, noticing her hesitance to continue. He had told her the same thing that he often told himself to revive his missing confidence.
        "I don't feel good." Jellybean mumbled, her stomach clenching tightly.
        They were about one hundred feet away now and her nerves had continued to climb.
        "It's going to pass soon, I promise."
        As they grew closer, Jellybean bowed her head and looked at the ground. She focused on her beat up Dr Martens. The cuffs of her light wash mom jeans hung just above them.
        Like the devoted fan that she was, she was wearing a Pink Floyd shirt that was tucked into her jeans.
        Her feet felt heavy as she tried to walk up the front steps. All she could hear was obnoxiously loud chatter.
        "The grade nines are supposed to go to the gym for an assembly. That's just down there and to the left." Jughead said, pushing open the door for her.
        "Okay." She forced herself to reply.
        "Today is the hardest part. After this it'll be easy for the next four years. Just get through today and you'll be just fine." Jughead said encouragingly.
        She nodded, trying desperately to make herself believe him.

Jellybean POV
        Just as I had left Jughead and turned down the hallway to get to the gym, I spotted Rosie. I felt like I could breathe again.
        She saw me shortly after I saw her.
        Her soft pink dress hung just above her knees and her jean jacket cascaded off her shoulders.
        I bolted over to her and she grinned.
        "You look like you're about to pass out." She remarked.
        I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.
        "At this rate? I probably will." My voice was weaker than I had expected it to be. It hadn't recovered from the rush of anxiety that had seemed to diminish it.
        People were filling up the hallways now. Overwhelming conversations made it practically impossible to hear and it was not doing any favours for my nerves.
        We started towards the gym, but I suddenly laid eyes on Reggie Mantle.
        "Just my luck." I scoffed.
        "What?" Rosie questioned, before spotting the audacious boy.
        He was clad in his letterman's jacket and leaning against the wall, laughing obnoxiously with a group of boys.
        He spotted me and snorted. He motioned in my direction before speaking.
        "Holy shit. Is that the Jellybean Jones?"
        I froze. People turned to state. I could feel the rush of blush spreading across my pale cheeks.
        "Damn, who knew anyone related to Jughead could be that smokin'. You got a nice rack for a freshman-"
        "Leave her alone Mantle!"
        Archie seemed to appear out of nowhere and he was quick to slam him into the lockers behind him.
        The few people who hadn't been paying us much attention were now full out staring unashamedly.
        "Keep it in your pants, Andrews." Reggie smirked, shoving him back.
        "That's not what you said a few months ago." Archie shot back. He glared at Reggie once more before crossing over to me.
        "You good?" He asked, concern threaded through his eyebrows.
        "I'm fine." I mumbled.
        I let my shoulders slump in a half hearted attempt to hide my chest.
        I felt Rosie gently grab my hand and soothingly stroke it.
        Archie smiled sympathetically.
        "Good luck today, you two." He said, patting me on the shoulder.
        "Thanks Arch." I said, struggling to form words.
        He left us and we continued to the gym.
        "Mantle's an ass." Rosie said. I could tell that she was trying to help me feel better.
        "Yeah." I agreed lazily.
        I knew full well that Archie was bound to tell Jughead about the incident and I knew that he would blame himself due to his relationship with the jerk of a boy.
        I didn't want him to feel guilty about it. He shouldn't have to.
        After navigating the halls past what felt like the entire student body, we reached the gym.
        Rosie pushed open the door.
        "After you." She said, before bowing daintily.
         I laughed lightly and obliged.
        The floors looked freshly polished; each coloured line was bright and fresh. The brick walls seemed extra white, with a near plastic looking finish.
        The noise in the gym was nearly louder than the hallways.
        It seemed like most of the grade nines had already found their way to the gym and were already ready for the day.
        The bleachers were already filled with students and the remainder of us would have to sit in uncomfortable looking plastic chairs that were aligned in rows all facing a podium situated at the back wall.
        Rosie tugged my hand and guided me to two free seats on the end of a row near the front.
        The group of boys sitting beside of us were already on my nerves and we had barely even sat down.
        Upon reaching out seats, their conversation came to a halt and they stared at us rather obviously.
         One of them motioned towards my boots and smirked before whispereing to the two other boys.
        They were all wearing Champion hoodies and jeans.
         I swear to god, is every single male in my grade a fuck boy? This is why I'm gay.
        "Nice boots." He said, winking at me.
        I was grateful that Rosie had sacrificed herself and taken the seat closest to them.
        I rolled my eyes and flipped him off.
        He gasped fakely and turned away.
        I recognized one of them from middle school, but I couldn't place why.
        "Wait a minute-" The one that I recognized said.
        "That's the one Jackson tried to take care of." He said.
        That boy, it hit me now, his name was Ethan. He was one of Jackson's friends, er, accomplices, maybe.
        I tried to conceal my emotions. The tension that filled me was almost too much.
        So much for a good start to high school.
        "Jackson was such a fag." One of the boys scoffed, resulting in the other two hooting with laughter.
        Both Rosie and I tensed. That wasn't their word to say.
        There would always be a part of me that wanted to come out, but the people in this school, hell, in this entire town, they're, even in they deny it, homophobic.
        Small towns suck ass.
        I bit my lip and crossed my arms over my chest. Barely five minutes in and I already felt defeated.
        The faint, washed out sound of the first bell ringing captured our attention. A hush fell over the crowd and I swallowed hard. My nerves intensified as Weatgerbee walked up front and stood at the podium.
        Pretty soon, I'd be emerged completely into high school, but for now, all I could do was worry. I tied to use Sasha's strategy and at least get myself feeling mildly uncomfortable, but simply telling myself how I was feeling didn't work.
        "Students, welcome to Riverdale High. This will be your home for the next four years until you leave for something greater." He boomed through the microphone.
        I let myself fall into autopilot, but I figured it was just the same old bullshit.
Respect the school.
        Respect each other.
        Don't skip classes.
        You matter.
        No vaping.
        No vaping? Yeah, good luck with that. I swear most of the kids here are more addicted to nicotine than drug addicts.
        "Your homeroom teachers will now take you to your classes. Enjoy your first day, everyone!"
        Five teachers left their seats and started calling out their class lists.
        Rosie was called in the first group. I kept my fingers crossed that I would be too, but I quickly realized that we were already being seperared.
        I shut my eyes until I heard my name. I left my seat and joined the group of the other twenty or so students waiting patiently for the male teacher to lead us to our room.
        He was presumably handsome and in his late twenties. His dark red haired was clipped short and the small and perfect curls seemed to sit atop his head. His skin was fair, his eyes were light green. If only I had listened to here his name.
        "Alright!" He exclaimed, guiding us out of the gym. His enthusiasm was so over the top it was nearly contagious.
        "So, welcome to homeroom 3! We are just down the hall towards the back of the building. In case you missed it, I'm Mr. Clive and I'm one of the PE teachers." He continued.
        We reached a small classroom with five circular tables spread out around the room and a rectangular desk in front of the chalkboard.
        Yes, chalkboard.
        If your school has whiteboards, you're a lucky bastard.
        Everyone stood awkwardly near the doorway before Mr. Clive broke the silence.
        "Don't just stand there! Take seats! You only get one first day of high school so make it memorable."
        I nearly snorted. Mine had certainly been memorable thus far.
        I sat at a table near the middle. A girl with bluish green fluffy hair sat beside me and smiled. She was wearing grey skinny jeans that were ripped at the knees and a grey Brandy Melville car shirt with a green flannel tied around her first.
        She was the perfect mix of trendy and edgy.
        Mr. Clive took attendance before he got called down to the office for something.
        "I'm Paisley." The girl said as he left the room.
        You've got to be fucking kidding me.
        Was this really Seth's Paisley? The girl that I loathed for so long. How many Paisley's could there possibly be in Riverdale? It had to be the same one. But wasn't she from Greendale?
       "I'm Jellybean." I said, flustered.
        "Cool! I just transferred from Greendake and I don't know many people so-" She cute herself off. Sudden emotion danced across her face.
        "You were friends with Seth, weren't you?" She asked, her voice now more defensive.
        "Yeah...you dated him, didn't you?" I said, matching her tone.
        We both looked at each other uncomfortably.
        "Only until I realized he was an asshole." She remarked, slightly lighter.
        "Was and always will be." I scoffed.
        She grinned slightly.
        "I used to hate when he'd mention you. Oh, Jellybean this and Jellybean that. But uh, you seem kinda cool." She said, looking me up and down.
        "I was a little bit heartbroken when I found out about you." I admitted, laughing shyly.
        Oh how I remember the joys of being so repressed you don't even realize you're not straight.
        She laughed along with me.
        "Seth...he took advantage of me. He made me feel special and I just, I let him do it. I broke it off after he called me a slut when I wore a crop top." She smirked.
        I liked her already.
        "Ugh, let's see. He called me a dumb slut, a whore. Then he fought me, of course. I let myself fall for him, I was desperate, I guess." I told her.
        We had already formed an instant trust.
        "Did you know that he got drunk after you broke up with him?"
        Paisley gasped and quickly covered her mouth to avoid more bouts of laughter.
        "What a loser!" She exclaimed.
        She pulled off her electric pink lipstick well. I would never have the confidence to wear it.
        "I like your hair." I said impulsively.
        "Thanks. Nice nose ring." She replied, raising her eyebrows briefly.
        I'm sure blush spread across my cheeks.
        I really shouldn't fall for her, but she had already shoved me to the ground.
        Just as she opened her mouth to say more, Mr. Clive rushed back in.
        "Sorry about that folks! Now, let's get to know each other, shall we? Let's all go around and say our favourite part of summer." He announced.
        I couldn't decide if I liked him or not. He vaguely reminded me of my beloved Mr. Cassidy.
        I had tuned out what most people were saying, but it all sounded pretty lame. Like swimming at Sweetwater or eating at Pop's.
        It got around to Paisley and I snapped back into focus.
        "I'm Paisley. I dyed my hair from blonde to this cool colour. So that was fun I guess." She said. She commanded everybody's attention with the way that she spoke alone.
        It was my turn me. 
        "I'm Jellybean. The best part of my summer was probably either cutting my hair or getting my nose pierced." I answered dully.
        I could've sworn I heard and saw a guy a had seen around middle school turn to his friend and whisper that I was covering a scar with my bangs. I think his name was Jayden and I think that I disliked him.
        That's the thing about small towns; they aren't quirky, they suck ass. You think everybody's friends but really everybody is just all up in your goddamn business.
        "Best part of my summer, you ask?" Mr. Clive asked once we had all finished.
        Okay he's a tad aggravating. The audacity of this guy. I mean, come on, man.
        "Finding out I transferred here from Baxter High!" He announced.
        Paisley tapped my thigh and showed me her phone under the desk. There was a note open that read I wish he stayed there.
        I smiled at her and giggled. I took her phone and wrote This man really is ADHD at its finest.
        She covered her mouth and coughed to hide her instant hysteria.
        Part of me celebrated making a friend, but I couldn't help but hate myself for letting myself catch feelings. It was like Adelaide all over again; that sickening, undeniable instant connection.
        Goddamnit, Jellybean. You useless freaking lesbian.

Does anybody read this anymore? I hope you liked my return to this fanfic, it was a little rushed but it's not nothing. Have a lovely rest of your day <3