Poison | Jughead Jones

Chapter thirteen

"What is going on with you lately jug?" Jessebelle prodded as she wrapped her arms around her shivering frame. The boy paused, snaking some loose change from his pocket and keeping his gaze on the vendor.

"Do you still like salt with your popcorn, or do you want a hot dog?" He swerved past the comment and gave her a fleeting look. She furrowed her eyebrows, tightening her grip against her own forearms as the wind chuckled behind them.

"Um- popcorns alright I guess." She muttered a small response, watching as jughead almost flung himself against the counter and handed the money to the younger teen.

"Jug you're scaring me." Bella whispered, unsure of how to act. This was unlike her best friend, yet with the two years apart she couldn't really tell what was different anymore.

"I didn't think you were easily scared Rhodes." Jughead chuckled dryly, slipping the popcorn into his hand and flicking a piece at the brunette.

"Is this because of our argument earlier, or because the drive in is closing." Jessebelle continued to press forward, But was swivelled around and out of her train of thought as jughead sent them in another direction.

"Why don't we just go into the shack and talk." Bella commented as she was passed the popcorn and guided toward the screen.

"No, no. Everything is fine, okay? Everything is totally okay." His voice was distant and it made Bella feel uneasy. Something was up and she had no idea how to wrangle it out of him.

They stopped by a familiar truck and familiar people. Bella stood silently as she sent a questioning look to the boy next to her. Kevin smiled, nudging the girls slightly to make room for an extra.

"I'll see you later okay?" Jughead whispered, and before Bella could stop him he was walking away. She grunted, shoving the popcorn into Kevin's arms and trying to suss out what was going on.

"Do any of you know what's up with jughead?" Bella snipped, stress overwhelming her small frame. Kevin smiled apologetically as he chomped down on the free food and shook his head. Veronica shrugged off her question, pouting her red lips slightly in sympathy.

"You can join us if you want." She offered, taking some of the popcorn herself. Bella sighed and turned down the offer, dragging her lip under her teeth in worry.

"I'll see you guys whenever." Bella waved and hurried off to the boys retreating frame. She stopped slightly as someone hollered down to her, catching her friends attention.

"Trouble with the boyfriend Bells?" Jack laughed, mischief glinting in his eyes. Bellas head snapped back to the truck she was just at and noticed the three curious stares.

"Shut your mouth Jack, before I make you." She yelled, trying to rid the intrusive glances from the trio. Jack laughed as some of the serpents clapped his back, knowing how Bella had kept most of her life a secret.

Before she could get pulled up on questioning, she darted and left the three to make up their own concoctions.

"I knew it, ofcourse Jessebelle fraternises with the serpents. Her little temper tantrums all make sense now." Cheryl cheered at her conclusion, watching the girl hurry off toward the shack.

"Shut up Cheryl. Bellas terrible at lying she could never keep that big of a secret." Kevin declared angrily, his gaze flickering between the red head and the curious boy sitting with the gang in question.

"I don't know Kev, do we really know her that well?" Veronica joined the conversation, nagging thoughts tracing her mind.

"I do." Kevin argued, slouching back into his seat and ignored the comments flying around.

Ofcourse Bella could never hide that big of a secret, could she?

"Jughead Jones if you don't slow down I swear to-." Bella snapped as she marched toward the boy, ignoring the cold lashing at her skin. Jughead turned around, cutting off her voice with a sharp look.

"Leave it Bella." He retorted, digging his hands deep into his pocket.

"No. Don't tell me to leave it. Don't ever tell me to leave it, not when its to do with you." Bella shot back, tugging against the thin fabric clinging to her arms. Jughead sighed, stepping closer to the shaking girl with hesitance. Bella squeaked quietly as his warm hands landed onto her arms in comfort.

"Bella, I'm alright." He whispered, watching her cloudy eyes squint at his simple response.

"Then tell me whats going on." She muttered, wiping the dry tear from her eyelash as her emotions over ran. Jughead dropped his hands down to his side and sighed, glancing back at the creaking door only a few metres away from them.

Bella watched his movements, furrowing her dark brows as something clicked. She shook her head and pushed past him, slipping from the hand that had darted out to stop her. Bellas hand slapped against the door and nudged it ajar.

The room was dark and musty, clothing littered across the floor. A rickety bed was crumbling by the corner, whispers of the movie licking at the rust. Her hand clasped around her crimson lips, eyes flickering throughout the room in shock. She heard slow footsteps slip behind her, no words falling into the heavy air.

"Oh jug." Bella whispered as her hand dragged down her chin, eyes flashing to the mute boy. His face was stoic, expressionless, but she could still read the pain behind his eyes.

He had wanted no one to know his struggle, and yet Bella was always one step ahead. Always on the look out for problems. And always able to see right through him.

•••

Happy Easter