~~ w r i t t e n i n t h e s t a r s ~~ a bughead story

c h a p t e r t h r e e

Jughead said nothing, but instead set down his phone and looked up at Betty. She looked far way, even though her eyes met his. Jughead reached up and brushed the hair out of her eyes, gently cupping her cheek. Betty sighed, and leaned into his hand, glad she had Jughead to bring her back down to Earth.

Jughead, who had low-key been counting Betty's freckles, sat up. The two teenagers locked eyes, green meeting blue, and Jughead felt his pulse quicken, and Betty's breathing hitched.

Without thinking, Jughead leaned forward and closed the space between their lips, while cupping the back of her head. Betty reacted immediately, gripping his shoulders and leaning into his kiss. Jughead placed a hand on her neck, bringing her closer to him. He deepened the kiss, wanting more of her to hold, to taste. God, she was so warm. He relocated one of his hands, and placed it on her bare thigh, and was surprised when Betty didn't pull away.

Betty ached for this moment, where Jughead would kiss her like the world was ending. They kissed like it was the last time they'd see each other, like it was the moment just before their death, holding their loved one. They kissed like they would never get the chance again. They kissed like their time was short, like they couldn't get enough. They kissed like they needed each other.

Neither wanted to pull away, but they needed to breathe. Jughead took one deep breath, and exhaled slowly, before opening his eyes. Betty was breathing slowly, but hadn't opened her eyes yet.

"Jug," she whispered softly, opening her eyes. Jughead swallowed, still looking at her lips. His hands were still on her, just like hers were on him, but he was scared to let go of the moment that had just passed between them.

Just then, a cough from the doorway broke them out of their spell. Betty, panicking, pushed Jughead off of the bed, and he landed on his head, while his legs were in the air and against his bed. Both were vibrant and varying shades of pink. Jughead muttered an "ow", as he rubbed his head, still upside down. Cheryl Blossom stood in the doorway, with a hand on her hip.

"That was interesting," she said simply, tilting her head to the side. Betty was the first to recover from shock.

"How long have you been standing there, Cheryl?" she asked, struggling to readjust her crooked top. Cheryl shrugged.

"Long enough," she replied. She looked between the two. "I watched that whole thing go down, and honestly, Betty, I ship it."

"What d'you need?" sighed the shorter female. The redhead pulled out a compact mirror, and began reapplying her cherry red lipstick.

"I just wanted to apologize for letting last night get out of hand," she said, closing her mirror and storing her lipstick. She looked Betty in the eyes as she added, "And I'm sorry that Archie asked you for date advice for Veronica. I didn't know he had a date with you, and I was drunk, and suggested a date." Once more, Betty sighed.

"It's fine, Cheryl." The tall girl nodded, as she left the doorway, but stopped when she got to the top of the stairs.

"Sorry for interrupting! I think your ship name is Bughead," she called over her shoulder.

Jughead, who had finally recovered from being pushed off the bed, sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, then sighed and leaned against his bed. There was an awkward silence between the two teenagers, as neither of them knew how to address what had happened before the interruption. Jughead stood and looked at the blonde girl that was wearing his shirt.

"So, um," they said in unison.

"You go first."

"No, it's alright, you can go first." Betty scratched the back of her neck.

"I, uh, think I should go home and take a shower. You know, because, the whole, 'puke and alcohol' smell..." she said, mentally facepalming. Jughead tried his best not to look disappointed, so he nodded.

"Uh, okay... yeah... I'll uh, see you... later, then... I guess..." Betty nodded once. Jughead, awkwardly stood, accidentally blocking the doorway, so when she tried to leave, there was once more some very awkward apologies and goodbye's uttered as he stepped to the side.

The second she had left his house, he flopped onto his bed, covering his face. That was the most awkward experience of his life, he decided. He wished he had kissed her goodbye, or told her how long he had wanted to do that, or something. But no. Nope. Notta. Absolutely not.

Betty, similarly, was dying of awkward embarrassment. She wished she had said something cute, or flirty, before she left, but that did not happen.

Both groaned at the thought of having to see the other the next day.