The Exception to the Rule

Part 9

Jughead tapped his finger lightly on her window, to which Betty came to his aid in opening. He climbed through with sure footing, unlike the first time he'd entered her bedroom via her window. This was not the first time he'd made the journey up the side of her house, nor would it be the last. However, when he stepped foot into the familiar space the night took on a mood of longing and anticipation. He sat on her window seat taking off his shoes and coat while Betty made her way to her bedroom door opening it a crack, peering out and listening before closing it and twisting its lock shut. She moved over to her stereo and turned the soft music up a few notches making the melody just audible in the quiet night, the familiar tune trickled through the speakers breaking the silence.

Jughead sat, watching her move around her natural habitat. Betty's blonde hair had been released from her signature ponytail and she was in dark blue flannel pyjamas pants with a matching blue tank top. She seemed most comfortable here like this, with the door closed tight, and her music on. He felt lucky that her comfort included his company, that this room was her own small slice of paradise and he was included.

Jughead never had anywhere to call his own, or any space that he felt fully safe in. His home life was aways in turmoil and even when things with his parents were good, he still felt like he had to fight to survive. Not until he and Betty started dating did he ever feel any kind of contentment. He could sincerely say that when he was with her, those dark thoughts of sadness and loneliness were a distant blip on his radar. The only thing that he thought about what how good it felt to be near her and how he could make her happier.

Betty walked over to her bed and sat on the edge facing Jughead, who had not moved from his spot on her window seat.

"Dinner was great Betty. I don't think I've had home-made lasagna since I was a kid" Jughead complimented sweetly. He felt himself trying to lighten the mood, though nothing felt uncomfortable the air around them was charged with a heavy electricity that both of them could feel.

Betty grinned "Thanks Jug, I'm glad you liked it"

"Liked it?! I could have eaten the whole thing to myself!"

Betty chuckled thinking back to dinner, thankful that it was drama-less. Jughead had a way about him that helped Betty defuse everything, including Alice. Betty attributed this to his quick wit and her mothers common interest in journalistic writing. Though Alice was still skeptical of the young man who'd been dating her daughter, Jughead was smart, treated Betty right and wasn't a Blossom. So he passed the initial tests.

"I'll remember that for next time, maybe I can make you a personal one" She said tucking her hair behind both ears. Jughead smiled moving from his seated position at her window to her bed, settling next to her, and placing a tentative hand on her knee. She placed her hand on top of his rubbing her thumb over his knuckles.

Jughead swallowed hard, gathering courage to spit out his feelings "I have to be honest Betts..." He started quietly "I'm really fucking nervous" He finished looking at the floor waiting for her to say something, anything. But the silence between them lasted for what seemed like days as Betty processed what to say next, she sighed linking her fingers with his.

"I'm nervous too. But I'm not, all at the same time. Is that weird?" She confessed sweetly, waiting for him to turn his attention to her eyes. Once Jughead's gaze met Betty's he felt all the air in his lungs dry up, she had this look on her face that he'd never seen before. Concern, empathy and something else that he couldn't quite place.

"It's not weird. I feel that too, I just...I never thought that I'd be here...with anyone."

Betty furrowed her brow for a moment, before realizing what he meant by his statement. Growing up together, She had always noticed his lack of interest in girls. While his red headed counter part was pulling little girls pig-tails in grade school, Jughead either had his nose in a book or he was trying to stir up some light-hearted mischief. As they grew older, Kevin helped squash any rumours that Jughead was gay, solidifying Jughead's avoidance to the opposite sex. The only female confidants he kept were his mom Gladys, little sister JellyBean and most specifically and especially, Betty. Jughead always thought that Archie and his only female friend would end up together. He was no fool, and even as a kid he saw how Betty looked at Archie. He knew that she'd never look at him the same way, and was willing to let that be that. But Jughead's heart had other plans, and when his boneheaded friend rejected the blonde's declaration of love, Jughead was there to comfort her, and in turn, fall more in love with her.