stay away

Part 20

Betty pov

How dare he show up here, apologizing and thinking that everything is okay again? Besides, how does he even know that I'm working at Pop's tonight, because I just decided to do that an hour ago. I really wanted something to do and to take my mind off thinking about Jughead, so I just took on the shift of a new employee and hoped that the diner was well attended tonight. Just 20 minutes after I started, I realized that today was one of the few days when people didn't rush in like crazy, but exactly what I wanted to avoid; me alone with my thoughts and nothing to do.

When I was cleaning the counter for a long time, I found a pack of cigarettes and decided to have one without any reason. Outside in the cool October air I thought about many things that had happened in my life lately and asked myself if it was a mistake to go to that stupid bar that day. What would my life be like if I hadn't gone and would I even want to know? My thoughts came to an end abruptly when Jughead came towards me with smooth steps and a cheeky grin. He made a statement about me smoking but I didn't feel like talking to him and didn't want to hear any of his excuses. So I made it clear that he should leave me alone and went back into the diner.

I didn't expect him to leave me alone so quickly, but somehow I was surprised that 5 seconds after I walked through the door, the typical ringing of the doorbell announced a new visitor.

"Betty please let me explain." he begged me when he was still standing at the entrance and obviously didn't dare to come near me or at least waited for me to let him. I walked behind the counter without saying anything back and started to clean up.

"Betts..." I still didn't make any effort to even look at him because I didn't know if I would be able to resist him. Without seeing if he had moved, I knew that he was coming closer to me, because I could feel his warmth.

"Baby..." he whispered and just by the shock of this word my head shot up and our eyes met. In his eyes I could see things like repentance, pain, guilt but also warmth and affection. It was as if I was being pulled into a sea that threatened to drown me if I did not free myself from my trance.

"Jughead you can't just come and go whenever you want. First you confess that you are in love with me and then you just run away without any explanation and don't call for hours. I am tired of waiting and hoping that I could be the one for you." I shook my head to get more clarity and was just about to continue the pointless activity of before when Jughead stopped me by grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards him. My hand landed on his chest to give me some support while his other hand rested on my hip, probably to support me and keep me in place. I looked to the side to avoid looking further into his beautiful eyes but he put a finger under my chin and turned my head so I had to look at him.

His features were soft and a small smile played around his lips while he stroked a strand of hair, which had come out of my ponytail, behind my ear. I melted under his touch.

"I'm really sorry that I didn't treat you the way you deserve but this is all new to me and I'm completely inexperienced when it comes to showing my feelings for someone. The life I have is shit and I don't want any of it to get anywhere near you. You are so innocent and pure that it would be a crime to put you in any danger but I can't let you go either. It would kill me if something happened to you, but it would also kill me if you were not near me. I need you, Jellybean needs you, even my serpents need you. You're very special and that's why I love you, Betty Cooper." he confessed to me in the dim light of the diner in a night I never could have imagined. I was shocked, it totally knocked me out and hit me completely unexpectedly. A swarm of butterflies was released in my stomach and they flew around wildly and made me feel like I was floating. Even if I had wanted to, I could not have prevented the kiss I gave him. Actually I wanted to be angry with him, never see him again and forget who he was but none of this was even possible because we both attracted each other like magnets. I wanted to be near him, feel his warmth, press my lips to his while the world around us ceased to exist.

"Jughead I don't know what to say or even think but one thing I know for sure is that I love you too."

"Do you really?" he asked with big eyes, completely incredulous. I just nodded and looked at him piercingly before he pressed me even closer to himself and continued our kiss where we had left off.

Had we not been disturbed by the ringing of the bell, we certainly would not have stopped, ripped our clothes off and had unholy sex at Pop's.

"Betty what are you doing - Jughead?" Donna burst out, looked from me to Jughead and slowly came towards us.

"Hi Donna, I wasn't expecting you so early. What are you doing here already?" I distracted her and tried to avoid the subject of me and Jughead, but without success.

"Veronica called me to relieve you but that's not the point. What's going on between you? Jughead?"

"She is my girlfriend, that's what's going on. Don't get so upset all the time, it's annoying." he told her in an amused tone while his hand stroked my lower back and held me close to him. I loved it that he called me his girlfriend and blushed promptly.

"Your girlfriend? Since when does Jughead Jones have a girlfriend?" she asked, stunned as if she couldn't believe he had just said that.

"That's none of your business and now, if you'll excuse us, I'd like to take my girl home." Without waiting for an answer from her, he grabbed my bag and my hand and led me out of the diner to his motorcycle. He already sat on it and pointed to the place behind him.

"You can forget that, Jug. I'm not going to sit on a motorcycle." I announced in shock and took a step back.

"Come on, Betts, nothing's gonna happen to you, I promise. You can take my helmet too." he smiled at me and I couldn't resist, so I swung one leg over his bike, put his helmet on my head and clung on to him so there was no gap between us anymore. I knew he had a triumphant grin on his face when he stepped on the gas and drove down the road at a speed that made me sick. Because of my fear that we were about to die, it felt like we were driving for hours, even though it was only a few minutes before we stopped at the door of my building.

Despite standing, I still clung on to Jughead to absorb the shock of the ride and get a feeling back in my body.

"You can let go now little monkey, we are here. Wasn't so bad, was it?" he laughed as he released my hands from his body while he got off and waited for me. I took off the helmet and shivered a little, which of course he did not miss, so he lifted me up bridal style to carry me to my apartment.

"Let me down Juggie, I can walk myself." I giggled and held on to his neck so I wouldn't fall.

"No your knees are weak because of me and besides you are my princess and deserve to be carried on hands. " He actually managed to carry me all the way to my apartment without showing even a hint of effort. Shortly after he dropped me off and was about to leave I pulled him back to me.

"I want you to stay. Stay with me tonight, please." I looked up at him through my eyelashes, hoping for a yes, which I got by nodding, and just as we opened the door to my room, a rather sleepy Sweet Pea came out of another door, in just his boxers.

"Damn it Pea, put some clothes on, there are innocent girls in the room." he joked while holding my eyes shut and leading me further towards the room.

"Jughead I am surprised to see you here but I see you have your hands full. Have fun but not too loud." he laughed and walked on towards the bathroom. Jughead took his hands off my eyes and we looked at each other with amusement. While I closed the door, he took off his jacket and shoes and lay down on my bed.

"You don't waste any time, I see. I will quickly jump under the shower." I told him, grabbed a shirt and disappeared into the adjacent bathroom. Under the soothing water I recalled the day and realized how happy I was. The warmth that emanated from my heart flowed through me and made me feel more alive than ever.

After I was ready for bed, I stepped out of the bathroom and wanted to show myself a little sexy for Jughead, but when I saw how deeply he was sleeping I admired this strong man who has been through way too much in his life. I looked at his beautiful features for a while before I too slipped into a well-deserved sleep with a grin on my face.