The Jane Magnolias were in full bloom. The sweet smell wafted through classroom windows, awakening spring fever in the students who were unconsciously doodling in their notebooks, waiting for the 3:02 bell to ring.
As the bell chimed and the hallways cleared, loose paper, pencils, and notes littering the halls, the students of Riverdale High abandoned their studies for a week long spring break full of sunshine and wonder.
"So." said Jughead, lacing his fingers through Betty's own. "How are we starting off this week long exploration of love?" he joked, waggling his eyes brows up and down.
"Jug." her chuckle resonating between them. "Actually- I wanted to talk to you about that. My Mom has been- falling apart. Everything with Chic and my Dad....". she took a breath. "She's been talking about this flower festival on Saturday and... I may have said we'd go?"
"Betty, seriously? Flowers?" he groaned.
"I mean- it could be worse? It could be a - kitten festival?" she said, unable to crack a smile.
"Listen, Jug. She needs this- she needs me. You don't have to come with- but I do have to take her. Then we can spend the rest of the week soaking in the sun together." she said.
Bringing their linked fingers up to his lips, he kissed her knuckles and gave her palm a squeeze. As much as he did not love Alice Cooper, and as crazy as she made Betty, he understood- she was her mother after all.
"You know I'll be there, Betty." he told her.
"I know, Jug. Anyway, I have to run. We'll pick you up at 8?"
"Flowers and an early wake up call. Looking forward to it." he added.
The ride out to the festival was filled mostly with uncomfortable silence. Occasionally Alice would go on some tirade about Hal or worse, Betty.
She criticized her nail biting, the way she crossed her legs in the front seat, and the length of her sundress among other things. Betty, in stride, silently took it all.
Jughead never thought he would be so elated to arrive at a flower festival. He was the first out of the car, stretching his limbs, joint popping from the 2 hour ride.
"Oh, it's gorgeous here." said Alice, emerging from the car, fastening an oversized pair of sunglasses to her face, followed by Betty.
Her sundress, a golden yellow peppered with dandelion seed heads, came mid thigh and fit in perfectly with the blooms all around.
"You look nice." said Jughead, taking her hand and linking their fingers.
"She'd look better with a sweater on. Don't you think, Betty?" said Alice.
"Come on, Mom. Let's go find the hyacinths you've been talking about... all week long." added Betty.
"It's going to be a long day." whispered Jughead.
The first half of the morning, surprisingly, had passed quickly when they sat to grab lunch at a small cafe. The fresh air and distance from Riverdale seemed to drain some of the anger from Alice and lunch was pleasant. Alice didn't quip once about Betty sneaking fries off of Jughead's plate as a snack between bites of lettuce.
They had browsed stands all morning, Alice picking up handmade soaps, bath bombs, and pressed flower bookmarks, waiting to make all her fresh purchases on the way home. Jug had been on his best behavior for Betty, offering to carry bags and indulging Alice in smelling about a million awful floral scented bath products.
"Jughead." she said, looking up from her plate. "I- I just want to say thank you." said Alice. "Not just for today, but for- everything- these past few months. You've been good to Betty- to us and I- well, thank you."
