Definition of Want (Bughead)

FOREPLAY

Betty had decided Christmas miracles really do exist.

For her, it came in the form of Fred Andrews.

Somehow, along the grapevine, Fred had heard about Betty's own displeasure with her own family, probably through Archie. The boy meant well, but couldn't keep a secret or something on the DL to save his life. Betty wasn't sure exactly what he said, but it wasn't long before Fred was inviting the foursome back to his place for the Christmas holiday.

Jughead, who didn't really have a place otherwise, was always assumed to be going with Archie. Veronica, who was in one of her epic feuds with her mom and dad about god knows what this week, didn't hesitate to agree. Betty signed up for an online course and then told her parents it was an in-person one. Sure, she'd have to be reading over Christmas break, but she had already been considering Winterim classes anyhow. It got her a much-needed ticket that was one family gathering away from Hal and Alice.

So, in the end, there wasn't much stopping the four friends from gleefully jumping on the chance.

Fred and Mary Andrews lived out in Chicago, a place that seemed as fantastical to Betty as Disney, as she'd only ever retraced the same pattern around New York for all trips that happened in her childhood. They were separated, but still living together. Betty didn't want to pry too far into the entire situation and wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Jug and Archie had flown out during Thanksgiving, or else it wouldn't have been worth even going, but since they had a month off, there was a discussion of a road-trip between the four. Archie was the only one of them with a car, and it was a beat-up truck at that, but more than the rest had. In the city, a car wasn't necessary, but for moments like this, Betty was grateful he had one, or else they might never get there.

The road trip plans were going swimmingly until Veronica heard.

"Twelve hours? In a car?" She'd almost gagged, "I love all of you, but not that much."

So, part of Veronica's Christmas gift to all of them had been flights to and from. First-class, of course. Betty was unsure Veronica had ever flown any other style.

"This is bigger than my room," Jughead said, looking out of place in the wide first-class seats, which would transition to a bed if he so wanted.

"It's different," Betty agreed, trying not to seem so star-struck about the whole experience. Veronica was dressed like she was deplaning to a cocktail party with what she was wearing, looking like a supermodel compared to Jughead's flannels, Archie's jeans, and Betty's yoga pants.

"Well, I'd usually just have us take the Lodge Jet," She said, sighing, "But alas, daddy was using it to go to Greece for Christmas."

"You're missing Greece for Chicago?" Archie said, pausing his fingers, which were playing around with the screen built into the seat in front of him, "Woah, Ronnie."

"It's not that great," Veronica said, shrugging.

"Says to the group of kids that have hardly left their hometowns," Jughead sniggered, and Betty couldn't help but smile behind her hand. Veronica, as kind as she was, truly had no idea sometimes.

"Oh, hush," Veronica said, but her cheeks were reddening as she realized her mistake, "Look, next break, I'll commandeer the jet and we can go anywhere in the world," She promised, her eyes glimmering.

Jughead dug his headphones from his bag, pulling on the long strand until he popped into his palm, "I'll hold you to that, Lodge."

XXxxXX

The Andrews lived in a gorgeous greystone in Chicago. Mary Andrews, a high-powered lawyer, had never let money go to Archie's head. He wasn't as wealthy as Veronica, but Betty knew his college was being completely paid for and that he could afford a new pair of Adidas whenever he wanted. Fred Andrews, who had been a stay at home dad for most of Archie's life, was a construction worker by choice. It wasn't as though he needed a secondary income and Betty got the feeling that he just liked to work things with his hands.