Bughead Oneshots

※SATs※

(A/N: A little track to listen to as you read the story.)

BETTY'S POV

I sat on the couch in the student lounge surrounded by some of my friends- Toni and Cheryl on a couch adjacent to mine, Sweet Pea and Fangs resting on the edge of the same couch, Kevin, Reggie and Veronica on a smaller couch in front of mine and there was an extra chair and an empty spot next to me left for Archie and Jughead respectively. The SATs were coming up and I was studying extra hard and making sure I am well prepared. I know I am overexerting myself, but ever since my mom gave away all my college funds, I need to do well to get a scholarship. There was a way: I needed to get my dad to sign an affidavit saying that his signature was a forgery, which it was, and get him to release my funds. Sadly, my serial killer father was still incarcerated and I never wanted to see him again, but my future was at stake.

Sprawled on the table in front of me were thick books, highlighters, pens, pencils, notebooks, flashcards and some sample papers: any and all study material. We needed to all be studying, but Kevin, Reggie, Sweet Pea and Fangs seemed to be in some deep conversation. We would occasionally pipe in and volunteer in the conversation which was a good distraction from the amount of stress and anxiety I was dealing with. I looked down at my work and realised I had made some errors. I was so frustrated at this point that I ripped the page off and threw it into the bin close by without even looking, I was an excellent marksman. Everybody looked at my visible frustration.
"You know this wouldn't happen if you didn't take so many subjects B," Fangs exclaimed.
"Thank God I didn't take so many subjects," Sweet Pea murmured.
I quickly glared at him and sighed.
"I didn't have much of a choice at the time, Sweets, thanks to my controlling mother," I replied with a shrug.
They all looked at me sympathetically. My ponytail was starting to annoy me and I pulled at the elastic band holding it securely.
"Finally getting rid of the ponytail Betts?" Toni joked.
"It was irritating me so I decided for something comfortable," I grinned back at her appreciating the humour.

As I was tying my hair into a messy bun, my boyfriend, Jug, walked in with Archie who seemed to be in deep conversation. I quickly got back to work scribbling on a fresh flashcard as they entered. I avoided eye contact since I hadn't been sleeping much due to studying, but even because my nightmares about my dad and the Sisters of Quiet Mercy were back. Archie took the empty chair as Jug moved to the spot beside me on the couch. He briefly pressed a kiss to the crown of my head and my heart fluttered at even such a simple gesture.
"Hey Jug," I greeted him without looking up.
"Hiya Betty," he called back to me cheerfully and sat down beside me on the plush couch.
"Awwww bughead," squealed Kevin and Jug and I rolled our eyes at him, but still laughed at his enthusiasm of being 'ThE sHiPpEr GaY bEsTiE' in his words. I finished writing one flashcard and placed it on the growing, thick pile of the rest of them. I flexed my fingers as I started writing the next one due to a sudden hand cramp.
"Hand cramp?" questioned Veronica and I nodded at her.
"Jesus fucking Christ Betty," Archie exclaimed, "looking at you I think I'm gonna fail."
"Bro you have been failing for a long time now," Reggie replied and we shared a quick laugh which released some of the tension from my body.
"No offence Arch, but studying hasn't been a priority for me this year. I can already imagine the titles of my college essays- My Father is a Serial Killer: What I Learned During My Year In Hell," I spoke sarcastically and everyone chuckled at my joke, sensing the truth in it.

"Betty," Jug called out and I made the mistake of looking at him.
His eyes widened in fear looking at my red eyes and the dark bags underneath them. I quickly looked away and focused my attention back to the flashcard, but Jug gripped my chin and made me look at him. I stared into his eyes and I could see so much emotion in them: love, sadness, fear and worry. He cupped my cheek softly and caressed his thumbs over the purple bruises.
"God Betts," he started, " when did you last sleep?"
"Last night," I replied slightly annoyed.
"No, I meant when did you last sleep properly, like for 8 hours or something and not just a few?" he asked again.

I faltered, unable to come up with a reply. I couldn't meet his eyes. I looked down and bit my lip. Jug softly pulled my lower lip from the clutches of my teeth and I finally looked up at him. He looked worried and completely wrecked. I pulled away from him and reached for my bag, immediately chugging two Red Bulls and tossing them into the bin while everyone stared dumbfounded.
"I'm fine Jug," I reassured him, "besides you won't realise how motivating it is to be away from my mother right now."
"I feel you," Cheryl sighed and Toni rubbed her arm comfortingly.
"Blatant disregard for your health," Jug scoffed.
"Jug I need to do well to get a scholarship or something," I fired back at him.
"You're the smartest girl in the grade Betty. Besides, if you don't do well, you can always take it again," he calmingly replied and I sighed at his truth: my boyfriend always knew how to comfort me.
"I hate her so much at this point that I am considering leaving the house. Studying is a good distraction from listening to her Farm crap. She gave away my future just like that. I have to go and the date is looming closer not to mention it has triggered..." I trailed off and Jug looked at me confused.
"Go where and triggered what?" he asked, narrowing his eyes after realising I wasn't telling him something.
I gulped. "It's nothing Jug," I tried to distract him.
"Don't you dare say it's nothing or you're fine because something is bothering you," he growled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to comfort me.

I tried controlling myself but I couldn't help it. Tears spilt down my cheeks like a waterfall and Jug desperately wiped them away with his hands, holding me tighter and whispering sweet nothings.
"I have to s-see m-my dad again," I started shakily, " he needs to sign this affidavit so I-I can get my m-money back for college. T-the date is g-getting c-closer and I'm t-terrified of seeing him again. It has led to my n-nightmares coming back with the mix of the Sisters a-again I c-can barely s-sleep s-so I'm studying."
He looked at me sadly as did everyone.
"That woman is despicable," Kevin defended and I chuckled half-heartedly.
Jughead rubbed his face with one hand while tracing circles on my arm with the other.
"Fuck," he yelled as I steadied myself.
"Betty," he spoke soothingly, "you should've told me and relax everything will be fine. I will go visit your father with you- you don't have much choice in the matter. I will go. As for your sleeping issue, I'll spend the night at yours."

I smiled lovingly, "Thanks Jug, it means a lot."
"No problem Juliet, I love you," he replied endearingly to his favourite blonde.
"I love you too," I grinned.
We leaned in and kissed softly for a moment.
"I know this is the wrong time, but BUGHEAD BITCHES," Kevin yelled.
"Oh my God Kev," I laughed at him helplessly and the rest joined in.

At that moment I knew I was going to be okay.