The Exception to the Rule

Part 11

Jughead made it into the home office he was calling his bedroom just before Fred got up for his morning shower. He had forgotten how early construction started and made note not to cut it so close next time.

Jughead replayed the night in his head, on a loop, like a highlight reel with a mischievous grin

"Next time" he said aloud, before drifting off, waking up hours later to Archie banging on his door, yelling about having to leave early for some shit or another.

"I'm up! I'll see you at school" Jughead yelled back, turning over, contemplating going back to sleep. Allowing his thoughts to run back to his girl next door, Jughead got up, realizing he didn't have time to do anything other than get dressed before having to pick Betty up. He pulled together some clothing, also realizing he needed to do laundry.

~~~

Meanwhile that morning, Betty rolled over to turn off the alarm she'd set to beat her mothers morning ritual of busting into her bedroom, unannounced.

Betty buried her face in the pillow that held her paramour's head just a few hours ago, breathing in the faint but distinct smell of his hair. She tossed herself onto her back, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of their night together. She felt a warm throb between her legs as she pondered the details, slowly getting herself up and out of bed. She chose her school clothes, realizing she was running out of high collar options.

'Could I pull off a scarf? Sure, But should I?' She shook her head with a frown, knowing Kev and Ron would call her out on it instantly if she dared. Instead she found a sweater that would do.

Betty grabbed a towel and headed for her bathroom. She turned the shower on, letting the hot water run as she slipped out Jughead's tshirt. She examined her skin in the mirror, smiling at the faint bruise above her hip, the bite mark on her shoulder and the multiple red marks on her neck line. Betty was thankful they were low enough to cover up, because if they weren't, sweet Jesus, they'd both be in shit. She stepped into the shower, adjusting the water quickly. Standing under the steady flow, she allowed the hot water to soothe her tired muscles.

Betty expected to be more shore, but her body felt like it did after sweating in cheer practice, when Cheryl was in a particularly destructive mood. Inside however, she felt different. The fact that they'd shared this experience with each other made her chest tighten with excitement. Jughead had opened the flood gates within her, exposing Betty to the feeling of loosing herself in him. She thought about the way their bodies fit together, the tender words Jughead whispered for her ears only, and how much more of him she wanted. She felt that familiar throb below, turning her face towards the shower stream

"Pull it together, woman" She mumbled to herself as she finally began her shower routine.

By the time she was ready Polly and Alice were already at the breakfast table. Alice had her face buried in her paper, black coffee still scorching in front of her

"Morning" Betty beamed pouring herself some juice, before putting bread in the toaster

"Good Morning, Elizabeth" Alice said pleasantly, not removing her eyes from the words in front of her.

Betty looked at her sister, to find her grinning wide. Polly caught her eye and Betty smiled back wider. Polly raised her brows in question, and Betty nodded back, communicating through a language only sisters and close friends could understand. Polly clasped her hands over her heart as Betty's toast popped. She slapped some peanut butter on each slice before finishing her juice.

"I've got a deadline for the Blue and Gold so I have to leave early. Polly, can I borrow those brown boots from last year?" Betty wanted to tell her big sister everything, just...later. Her mind was set on getting out the door as fast as humanly possible, for multiple reasons. Seeing Jughead again being the most pressing.