Y/N hated the rain. She could never understand people who liked it. Rain was just more of a nuisance. It seeped into your shoes and got your socks wet, it dripped past the collar of shirts so cold water was dripping down your back, and it was always so extremely cold.

As if the universe was out to spite her, Y/N always happened to be out in the rain. Her parents didn't drive, so she had to walk everywhere. Ending in her often getting caught out in the rain if she had to be somewhere.

On a cold Saturday afternoon, when most people were huddled inside out of the torrential rain that was pouring over Riverdale, Y/N found herself walking through the town on her way back from lunch at Pop's. If she'd had known at the time how bad the weather would be that afternoon, she'd have eaten at home. But the morning had actually been pretty sunny, so of course she hadn't thought twice about it.

Another product of her thinking that it was going to be a nice day weather wise meant she didn't have a coat, or a jacket, or literally anything that would protect her from the rain. Just a jumper that wasn't very waterproof at all, and a pair of jeans. The rain had seeped through her clothes to the point where it felt like she was in a freezer due to the wet and cold. She couldn't feel the ends of her fingers, the digits looking way too pale than normal. And to make it worse, the water had managed to get into her shoes to wet her socks, too.

By the time she'd reached Elm street, she'd started shaking from the cold. Her house was still pretty far away, and honestly she'd probably just freeze to death if she went much further - or that's what it felt like, anyways. So she couldn't help her gaze wander down the street to land on the Cooper-Jones residence. Both Betty and Jughead were best friends of hers, so no matter who was home, she was hoping she'd be let in.

One hand lifted to run through her dripping wet hair as her other lifted to ring the doorbell a few times, then bang on the door a little for good measure. Clearly she was impatient.

Jughead had been the one to open the door. He took one glance at her drenched and shaking appearance before his eyebrows furrowed and he gently pulled her inside by her forearm.

"You look terrible." He observed, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Thanks, nice to see you too." Y/N responded sarcastically, still shaking a little as she hugged her damp jumper a little closer to her body. "Um, is it okay if I camp out here for a little? My house is still a bit away, and I'm gonna get hypothermia if I walk the rest of the way."

"Yeah, no problem." Jughead nodded, walking a little further into the house as he spoke, Y/N trailing a little behind him. "Do you want anything to eat or something?"

"No that's okay." She shook her head a little with a small smile, crossing her arms as the shaking continued.

That time when Jughead turned around to face her, he noticed the small quivers across her body and frowned. His hand reached out to touch one of hers, frowning in concern when his warm fingers met her icicle-like ones. "You're freezing!"

"Really? I didn't notice." Y/N shot back sarcastically, just meeting Jughead's unamused gaze.

"Do you want to go and change into something else? I've probably got something that'll fit you, it might just be a little big." Jughead offered with a small smile.

"If you don't mind." Y/N smiled, watching as Jughead just shook his head.

"No problem, I'll just grab you something." The boy gently touched her upper arm before disappearing upstairs, leaving her stood in the lounge.

Y/N noticed that other than Jughead, no other noises could be heard. She was guessing that everyone else was out doing one thing or another, which in a way was good. Not that she didn't like spending time with Jughead's family, but his little sister was convinced that they both liked each other, and the constant teasing was getting a little annoying.

The girl was dragged from her thoughts when Jughead had come back downstairs, a pile of clothes balanced in one hand. "Here, I'll be in the living room when you're done." He smiled as he handed her the clothes, before turning to head into the living room to give her time to get changed.

Jughead had been wrong, because the clothes weren’t just a little big. They were a lot big. The long-sleeved navy blue shirt that he’d given her had sleeves that fell down past her hands, ending up in her rolling the sleeves up a little. And the pair of grey sweats that had gone along with it had the drawstring pulled and tied pretty tightly to keep them up. But she didn’t mind all that much. It wasn’t the first time that she’d worn an item of clothing from Jughead - and quite honestly, whether she’d admit it out loud or not, she liked it. There was a sense of comfort in wearing his clothes that she just couldn’t describe. The smell and fabric had such a familiar sensation of her best friend that it was almost calming, and she definitely liked that.

Jughead looked up at her when she’d walked back into the living room, his lips almost immediately curving up into an entertained smile.

“Don’t,” She warned him, her own smile creeping up on her. “I already know they’re huge.”

“I didn’t say anything.” Jughead chuckled as he shook his head, before his gaze softened somewhat as she took in her posture - arms hugging to her body a little. “Still cold?”

Y/N nodded. Whilst she wasn’t shaking anymore, she was still pretty chilly.

Jughead shuffled over a little where he was sat on the sofa and held an arm out, smiling as he offered, “Come here.”

A smile made it’s way to her face as she walked over, taking a seat beside him before tucking herself against his side, her legs tucked underneath her thighs to keep her warm. Almost immediately she felt the heat radiating from his own body, relaxing against him as his arms moved around her.

“Christ, you’re like a block of ice.” Jughead commented as he rested his cheek against the top of her head, keeping her held close to himself.

“That rain felt like it was ice. It’s so cold out there.” Y/N complained, her eyes falling shut as she breathed in his comforting scent. Soon enough her own arms wound around his middle as she felt herself start to warm up.

“Here.”

Y/N almost complained when Jughead briefly pulled away, though couldn’t help but smile when she watched the raven-haired boy take his signature beanie off of his head and place it on her own, adjusting the sides so that the wool of the hat would cover her cold ears.

“Thank you.” She smiled softly, tilting her head just enough to look up at him.

Jughead was smiling too, though his eyes were a lot more intense than it had previously been. She watched his gaze flickered from hers down to her lips before straight back up again, and before she could make the connection with her brain of what that meant, he’d leaned forwards and cupped the side of her face in his hand as he pressed his warm lips against her cold ones.

It felt like all of the air had been knocked out of her lungs from pure shock. In a good way, though. There was something so amazing about kissing him, but she just couldn’t describe it. It felt so right. Her own hands lifted to gently rest along his sharp jawline as she leaned a little closer to him, smiling into the kiss.

It lasted a little too short for her liking, though she almost melted at the adorable smile and blush he wore once he’d pulled away. Only then did she realise that she pretty much had the same expression - feeling a familiar burn in her cheeks and the uncontrollable curve upwards at the corners of her lips.

“You’re absolutely adorable.” Jughead mumbled as he wrapped his arms around her again, his smile widening.

“Shut up.” She whispered jokingly in defence, still smiling widely as she felt him lean his head against the top of hers once more.

“I just kissed you and you’re telling me to shut up? Rude.” Jughead teased, grunting a little through his chuckle once Y/N had elbowed him in the ribs.

“Maybe I wanted to enjoy the moment without you talking and ruining it.” She joked with a quiet giggle, feeling him shake with quiet laughter as his hold on her tightened somewhat.

“Whatever, still rude.” He huffed in mock offence before dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

Y/N relaxed against him as her eyes closed like before. “Guess it wasn’t such a bad idea going out now, huh?”

“Maybe not.” Jughead mused. “I won’t kiss you again if you get sick, though.” He joked.

Cole knew this about her, and he made sure not to push (Y/N) too hard on something that made her uncomfortable. However, with this quarantine and the lull of the world around them, his fingers were itching to pick his camera back up and photograph something, anything.

They were lucky enough to find themselves in a situation where they could spend this quarantine together, and it was surprisingly nothing short of bliss. (Y/N) hadn’t found too much to be irritated about even though they were together 24/7, and it was through the quiet mornings, the relaxing afternoons, and the vibrant nights that she fell harder for the man she was lucky enough to call hers.

Even now, here at 5:58 am in the morning in their living room, she could only stare in awe at the way his dexterous fingers fiddled with his favorite camera. He’d risked her wrath by waking her up this early to catch the sunrise with him, so that he could capture it with the only person he’d want to. (Y/N) allowed it, admittedly only because she was still blissed out from their activities hours before. She watched him lazily from the couch adjacent to where he sat at their coffee table, right beside the floor-to-ceiling windows in his shirt she found discarded on their bedroom floor.  

She was mesmerized by the way his fingers moved—exposing the veins in his hands which trailed up to his bare forearms, through his biceps, to his pale neck that was starting to color with small love bites. His hair flopped messily into his face, but Cole paid it no attention as his focus was on the dismantled parts before him. He was close to putting it together in the way he desired, his black eyebrows furrowed, his mouth closed around the last piece he was going to use.

(Y/N) curled her feet underneath her, her elbow on the back of the couch as she absent-mindedly tugged at her strands of hair. A slight ray of orange caught her attention, and she immediately turned to the windows to see the sun just beginning to peek through the skyline. Her mouth parts in stilled astonishment, smiling to herself as the brightest star the Earth knew took its time waking up. “Hello baby,” she mumbled to herself.

Cole snorts inwardly at her words, looking up to tease her about her tendency to call every inanimate object a baby. But as his eyes dart to her, the words die between his lips. The gracious baby outside found its way to her, caressing his love’s face with a delicateness he knew. The rays painted streaks against the side of her face he could see, casting long shadows of her eyelashes, her post-sex hair, her parted lips—oh this is it.

The fluttering within his stomach, the expanding of his chest, the increased speed of his heart, all told him what he’s known for months. Taking the last piece of his camera from his mouth, he quickly snaps it into place, bringing up the lens to his eye—he had to get this, and with a quick burst shot, he knows he’s caught the ethereal beauty before him.

(Y/N) looks to him in surprise, finding Cole looking at her with a large grin on his face. “What was that?”

“Oh nothing,” he shrugs. “Just capturing the most beautiful thing known to mankind.”

Thinking he’s talking about the sun, (Y/N) nods in total agreement before looking back out to see the rest of the rise. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?”

Y/N POV

Friday

You woke up like any normal day heading downstairs for breakfast. Usually, your mom would cook eggs and bacon, or waffles something of that sort, but today was different. You walked down the stairs ready to smell the amazing breakfast but you were only met with the smell of toasted bread. It was odd because that rarely happened unless you were running late to school which you weren't. You walked downstairs to see your dad with his head in his hands and your mother trying to console him.

“Mom, Dad what’s going on?”

“Uh nothing sweetie”

“Your lying dad. Tell me the truth”

“I’m sorry”

“For what? What happened?”

“We, we have to move”

“What, why?”

“I lost my job and your mother has been getting fewer hours at work. We just don’t have enough money to live on this side of town anymore”

“This side of town… wait are we moving to the southside?”

“Yes”

“Dad you can’t just move to the South Side. We will get killed, there are gangs that don’t necessarily take kindly to strangers”

“We aren’t strangers”

“We live on the Northside, hence strangers”

“We may live on the northside but… your mother and I are serpents”

“Were serpents….?”

“No Y/N we are serpents. Thursdays when we go out for date nights we go to serpent meetings”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why do we live on this side of town then”

‘When your mother got pregnant we wanted a good life for you, I did a lot of jobs saved up and got sort of a loan from FP Jones to get us on our feet. He’s basically your uncle”

“You're insane… this is a joke”

“It’s not a joke darling”

“I’ve seen serpents they have tattoos and leather jackets how have I not seen either of those things.”

“Your mom’s tattoos is… well, to put it bluntly, it's on her butt”

“Her tattoo is on her butt… okay, and yours?”

“Bottom of my foot”

“This is crazy, I am living in an alternate universe”

“I’m sorry, we wanted to keep you safe we didn’t want you to be involved in this”

“I guess it’s whatever. When do we move”

“Tomorrow and Sunday, we didn’t know how to tell you. I’m sorry you don’t have much time.”

“It’s whatever I’ll pack when I come home from school” All day that was all you thought about. The fact that you were leaving the place you've known your entire life. You started to think that maybe moving wouldn’t be so bad… a sort of fresh start. You never really got along with the northside. You were a tomboy at heart, didn’t dress like them, act like them, or talk like them. You were always the girl who was fixing stuff with her dad. Now that you thought about it you weren't really that surprised your parents were serpents, but you were surprised they kept it hidden for so long.

*Monday / First day at Southside High*

It was weird sleeping in the new house, compared to the old house it was definitely smaller. The old house had a basement, an attic, living room, kitchen, office, 3 bedrooms, and so on. This house was one story 2 bedrooms and the living room and kitchen were basically the same space. It was definitely going to be an adjustment.

“Honey, why didn’t you leave yet?”

“Aren't you driving me?”

“Just walk”

“All the way to the Northside. Mom that's insane”

“No, you have to go to Southside High, it is closer and just makes more sense I'm sorry sweetie”

“Wait! I have to go to Southside High!!”

“Y/N I’m sorry we just can’t get you all the way to Riverdale High in the mornings and we can’t let you walk that far, it’s just not possible”

“Ugh, whatever”

You weren’t sad because of losing friends or anything because you really didn’t have any. More often than not you were the girl that ignored anyone, a self-identified loner if you will. You honestly were just annoyed that you had to switch schools in the middle of the year.

You finally made it to Southside High the walk only took about 10 mins and it honestly wasn’t all that bad aside from the few comments you got while passing by a building called the Whyte Wyrm which you assumed was a bar.

You walked up the staircase not really wanting to enter the school. You had heard things about Southside High. Things you didn’t believe to be true, but did you really want to find out, not really. As soon as you walked in you were met with metal detectors and a guard taking my bag from me. He started scanning me when it went off.

“It’s my shirt idiots” I wasn’t having it, not today. They let you go handing your bag to you and basically pushing you through the entrance. A girl came up to you slinging her arm around my shoulder.

“Can I help you”

“Oh, sorry I’m Toni, Toni Topaz”

“Cute, I like your boots”

“Thanks, well welcome to Southside High Y/N, let me give you a tour around”

“Uh, no i’d much rather find my own way thanks though” you didn’t want to be the girl that needed help, you wanted to be invisible again. you had a feeling though that being invisible as the new girl at southside would be hard considering all the eyes that were watching me. You started to walk away before the girl grabbed me again.

“Careful Y/N. Your family if anything happens come find me” You thought to yourself family? What did she mean family. The day went by pretty smoothly nothing out of the ordinary happened, well other than some kid getting high right in front of the teacher, or the fact that you learned absolutely nothing. Southside was a shit hole, bathrooms without doors, teachers who didn’t give a shit. You started your walk home as you felt some calls from behind me. You ignored them you didn’t want to make friends or enemies, you wanted to go to school and go home that was it. You turned around looking and swore you saw some guy with clown makeup, but you thought maybe you were going crazy. The calls got louder and you started running halfway through the run to your house they stopped. You caught your breath before entering the trailer.

“Hey hun how was school?”

“Alright I guess”

“Make any friends”

“Mom when have you known me to make friends? Also hi Dad”

“Hey sweetie”

“Oh Y/N dinner will be ready soon me and your father have a meeting tonight so we won’t be home till very late”

“Okay” I sat at the table hoping the questions would stop but that was too good to be true.

“So did anything weird happen, meet any new people?”

“I mean there was a girl who was going to show me around, I refused and then she said if I needed anything to come find her because I was family. I don’t know it was super weird maybe she was high or something”

“What was her name”

“I don’t remember maybe Tori, Toni, something like that and her last name was a gemstone, Topaz I think”

“Oh my god, you met Toni. She is a lovely girl Y/N”

“You know her mom?”

“Sweetie your Mom and I know Toni from the Serpents. She is a great girl. She told you that you were family because you are a Serpent by blood. Whether you are an official Serpent or not they will protect you”

“Protect me from what?”

“Uhm doesn’t matter just… nevermind. Eat and then do your homework. Hunny I have to go I will meet you at the Wyrm” I watched my dad leave the house it was as if he was hiding something

“Mom! What was that about?”

“Nothing, just you need to understand the southside can be dangerous if you hang out with the wrong people if you don’t want to be friends with Serpents that is your choice but you need to know that they can protect you and they will if protection is needed”

“Protect me from what? You're not even telling me anything. I don’t need their fucking protection I am fine on my own!” You were always the girl that wanted to stay away from people, you didn’t want the help you wanted to be left alone and that was your plan. You ran to your room slamming the door knowing that for the night your parents would be busy and you could at least be left by yourself.

*Tuesday*

The walk to school was the same, boring to say the least. You walked past the Wyrm again and the Toni girl walked up to you.

“Hey Y/N”

“Were you waiting for me or something?”

“Oh no haha I had to talk to FP before school”

“Should I know who that is?”

“Aren't you a Serpent?”

“By blood apparently according to my parents... but I’m not official”

“Are you going to?”

“What? Become official?”

“No, not really my thing to be quite honest”

“Oh okay, well maybe we can hang sometime”

“I don’t think so your really sweet I just… I don’t do friends” You made it to school at that point leaving Toni behind you as you walked into the building. You didn’t want friends the friends you had before always turned their backs on you and you didn’t want that to happen again.

Lunch felt like it came in a flash and you were hungry so you went to the cafeteria not really wanting to. When you went to Riverdale  High you often packed your lunch and ate in the library. You walked through waiting in the line. You grabbed an apple because you weren't too hungry. You went to pay but your mom must have forgotten to add the money. You said it was fine and put the apple down as you walked away. You were going to head to the library. As you started walking out of the cafeteria there was a tap on your shoulder. You grabbed the person's arm as you turned around.

“Don’t touch me” The one thing you never liked was being touched.

“Sorry, I’m Jughead...here” You looked to his hand to see the apple being held out for you.

“I… I don’t need it I’m fine”

“Take it, really”

“No, you don’t need to buy that for me”

“Are you hungry?” you looked down “N, no”

“Exactly you are so take the apple… please. Listen I’m not some weirdo I am a serpent we take care of our own if your hungry you need to eat it really isn’t a big deal” He took your hand turning it over and placing the apple in it.

“I don’t need your help”

“I never said you did” He walked away as you were about to say something. You realized how filled the cafeteria had become and you wouldn’t be able to get out without being noticed. So you took a seat at a random table where nobody was sitting. You figured you would be left alone if you tried keeping your head down. That wasn’t the case, about five minutes after sitting down you saw the guy from before, the guy with the face paint. He was staring at you and started to walk over to you. You got up quickly ready to bolt out of the cafeteria, but then you wrist got grabbed and you got pulled onto a bench at a table. You looked up to see the same kid that grabbed you before.

“I told you not to touch me”

“Well, it was either touch you or let you get beat up so…”

“Wha, what?”

“The guy walking to your table, that was his plan and I wasn’t going to let that happen”

“Look whatever you think he was going to plan is one thing, I do not need your help. Leave me the fuck alone” The Toni girl started talking.

“Y/N look we just want to be friends with you, I know I do. Sit with us it’ll be fun really”

“I don’t need your protection Jughead and I don’t need your friendship either” a guy in the corner spoke up then

“Look I don’t know who you think we are or if you think we are going to hurt you but we aren't you are a serpent by blood which means you get our protection, but if your going to act like we don’t exist don’t come crawling to us when you need protection or when the ghoulies try and take you out to get their stripes” The jughead kid spoke again.

“Look… he” Before he could finish you ran. You didn’t want to be in the cafeteria anymore, and you didn’t want to a part of the Serpents. You didn’t need their protection and you didn’t need their friendship either. You ran to the library, it was the South Side there was barely any books and no one willingly went in there not even to do J&J. It was the one place in the entire school no one would look. You drug a chair into a back corner and started reading a book. Books were important to you they were a way to escape into a world that was better than your own. You read for what you only presumed to be hours because once you looked out the window you saw darkness. You looked at your phone to see text after text from your mom about where you were and if you were safe. You told her you got stuck at school and asked if she could pick you up. She didn’t respond so you figured that she was busy and you were just going to walk home. You started walking out of the library and thought you heard a noise. You chose to ignore it thinking it was just anxiety or the fact that it was dark. You saw it then on the ground someone's shadow standing in front of you. You turned around but bumped into someone. You looked up and there was the paint again. You knew you had to stand your ground because these were not the type of people you could back down to.

“Leave me alone”

“Oh, and why would we do that?”

“Because I… I didn’t do anything”

“Oh but you did sweetheart, your a Serpent”

“No! I’m not” you tried to run but the guy standing by the door caught you.

“What, haven’t done the dance?”

“What dance?” He slapped you “Don’t play stupid Serpent Slut”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Who are you?”

“I’m a Ghoulie let’s just say our gangs don’t get along and you sweetheart are fresh blood. See my boy over there he wants to earn his stripes, and he wants to do that with you”.

“Why me? Just let me go I’ll leave you alone”

“Oh no no, no one is here to protect you” he took a knife out of his pocket cutting away at the shirt I had on. “Stop please” you saw how close he was and thought it was your only chance. You brought your foot up kneeing him directly in his crotch but you regretted it instantly. He became angrier.

“Oh, so you wanna do this the hard way… okay”

“Boys hold her” your head flung back before you even realized what happened. He had punched you in the nose. You saw the blood drip to the floor coming from your nose before you were thrown down on top of it. The guys who were holding you each kicked you in the ribs. You swore you heard an audible crack if that was even possible. It was hard to breathe for a second the wind being taken out of you. “Just let me go”

“Can’t do that, we have to make a mark”

“Wha… what do you mean” You saw the switchblade being pulled out of his pocket almost as if it was slow motion. “No, no god please no”

“Oh don’t worry we are going to have some fun first” Two guys held you down as he began to drag the knife across your neck and down your stomach. You knew not to move the sharp end was pointed towards you. One wrong move and the guy would draw blood. You looked up trying to forget what was happening around you. You thought of the story you read trying to relay the events of it in your mind as a way to ignore everything that was happening. But you felt it he was done with the knife, for now, he closed it but still held the cool metal to your neck. His hand came down along the line of your jeans unbuttoning them. You wanted it to be over. You wished you had just gone home after lunch, You wished that you would have listened, but you didn’t and now you were alone. You heard your phone ring, the ringtone from your mom, but you couldn’t reach it. You were screaming you wanted this to be over. Your jeans came off and his hand laced around the top of the panties that you wore. This was it you closed your eyes hoping it would end.

Jughead’s POV

I had to stay after school to work on a paper for the red and black I sat there with my headphones on for hours typing away. It was easier writing the articles here than it was to write them at my trailer or at the Wyrm.

I took my headphones off as I was getting ready to leave when I heard a scream followed by “let me go” I texted Toni, Fangs and Sweet Pea to come to the school. I knew I was going to be in a fight Serpents hade code we didn’t let women get hurt or really anyone for that matter. They responded saying they were on their way. Usually, we were to wait, but once I saw who was getting attacked I couldn’t. There Y/N was on the ground, the Ghoulies trying to take full advantage. I couldn’t let that happen, not to her.

Y/N POV

The hands that were holding you down stopped. The guy was pushed into a locker. You looked up and saw Jughead. He dodged a punch. You saw his switchblade click open before you heard one of the Ghoulies yelp in pain. You heard the doors of the school open as bodies came running towards you. Toni, The tall guy, and some other dude. The tall one took out one of the ghoulies why the other guy pried the one off of Jughead. Toni ran towards you trying to knock you out of your shocked state but you sat there in shock you couldn't move. You watched as the guys drug the ghoulies outside.

“Y/N can you hear me?” you didn’t respond

“Y/N!” You couldn’t move. You watched as the guys came back in walking towards you. Jughead spoke up. “Has she said anything Toni?” you could hear everything but you couldn’t bring yourself to speak or move. “No Jug I tried she won’t even move she’s just been shaking” you watched as he stood up rubbing a hand through his hair. The fangs guy tried rubbing your shoulder as if he was trying to help you calm down but it scared you and you flinched back into the locker. “STOP!”  He jumped up and kept apologizing. Jughead pointed at him.

 “Fangs what the hell, don’t do that”

“Jones I was just trying to help”

“I know…” you watched as Jughead leaned in front of you. Your eyes met his and a calm washed over you. He started talking. “Y/N I'm going to put my jacket over you okay, I promise you I will not hurt you okay.” you nodded your head the only thing you seemed to be able to do. The jacket came around you and you felt safe. “Y/N can, can you walk you don’t have to talk just shake your head yes or no” You shook your head yes “Okay well let’s stand you up and then I am going to take you to my trailer so I can clean your cuts is that okay? If not I can take you to the hospital” You looked up at him as he was now standing as he reached his arm towards you. “Y, your trai-trailer please” You stood up and started walking but collapsed as the other guy caught you. “Thanks…” Jughead came up next to you grabbing onto your arm. “I got her Sweet Pea, Thank you” Jughead led you to the truck in the school parking lot that one of the guys must have brought. “Can you drive my bike to the Wyrm fangs, I’ll bring your truck tonight or tomorrow if that’s cool”

“Course Jones, tell her I’m sorry about what happened. If you need anything just call” He drove to the trailer and led me inside placing me onto the couch. He walked into the bathroom and came back out with a first aid kit. He put something on a towel and went to press it to my face but stopped. “This may sting a bit, I’m sorry” he was right it did and I hissed in pain he just looked at me apologetically. He stopped as he finished applying the ointment to my face. “I… thank you”

“Y/N I am so sorry I didn’t get there sooner. I promised myself I would protect you and I didn’t”

“Why?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why me? Why protect me”

“There is a few reasons” 

“Tell me.”

“No not right now”

‘No one ever fucking tells me anything Jughead. Not my parents, no one. I was told a day before we moved here that we were moving. I came home on my first day of school and was told to be careful that some people were not safe. I didn’t even know my parents were serpents till we moved. And then I'm getting attacked in a hallway. So save the not right now shit and tell me… please” Your voice broke towards the end and he grabbed your cheek.”

“Now isn’t the right time”

“No time is the right time, fucking tell me... please”

“One reason, your a serpent we protect our own. Another reason was that your parents asked the Serpents keep and eye on you. The third… I”

“You what Jughead”

“I like you, I don’t know why, I saw you moving into your trailer my dad told me we used to be friends as kids, and then you just caught my attention with the reading at lunch. I just wanted to help you I wanted to be your friend to get close to you. I… I’m sorry”

“I’m not used to protection Jughead, I am not used to friends, I’m kind of a loner”

“When I first moved to Southside High. I identified as a loner the Ghoulies tried getting me and they did but I got away. I wanted to protect you from them I thought you went home I am so sorry”

“You did protect me, you saved me. It… they could have”

“I know Y/N but they didn’t and your safe they won’t mess with you. I know it defeats the point, but do you maybe want to be loners together, friends and then figure it out from there”

“I’d like that”

“Y/N would you ever consider being a Serpent fully”

“I think so, what i've seen that you guys stand for the way your a family I want that. I think I was just shocked scared at my parents not knowing their lives completely, but I want to”

“Do you wanna stay here for the night”

“I do but I don’t have clothes”

“Hold that thought” You saw him walk back into a room and he came back out with shorts and a shirt. “I hope these are alright they may be a little big but….”

“Thank you jughead”

“The bathroom is the first door on the left” you went and changed coming back out to see sheets being laid on the couch. “I can make up the couch Jughead”

“No, no take my room please”

“I… I can't do that this is your home that is your bed”

“I insist really”

‘Tha….” he stopped you. “You don’t need to thank me” you went into his bedroom laying down and almost instantly fell asleep. You woke up screaming having a nightmare about what happened. You watched the bedroom door bust open.

“What happened! Y/N! Are you okay?” tears were streaming down your face. “I… I’m sorry, I’m fine go back to sleep or… I’ll leave you can have your bed back I’m sorry” he came to the bed cupping your face in his hand and wiping the hair out of your face. “You're not leaving it is 3 am and it’s okay. Did, did you have a nightmare or something” you shook your head yes as he hugged you. His arm snaked around your waist and you hissed in pain. He looked at you. Pointing to your shirt and you nodded your head that it was okay. He slowly lifted your shirt to see the bruise that littered your stomach. “I’m so sorry Y/N since your breathing okay your ribs aren't broken but I know it hurts, it should be gone in a week or so” you started sobbing again. “Hey I promise I will keep you safe, they won’t touch you again, now get some rest” he started walking out of the room and whatever courage was inside you, you used it to speak up 

“Jug”

“I like hearing that from you Y/N, what’s up?”

“I… can, can you sleep in here?”

“Are you sure, I know what you just went through if you're saying it cau…”

“I want you to, please” he came over laying down next you, you crawled close and he wrapped his arm around you. “I feel safe with you Jughead, thank you”

‘I hope I can always make you feel safe Y/N, and after your Serpent initiation I hope you know you will have an entire army of people that will make you feel safe too”

Betty turned out to be a sweet girl, she showed you around the school, showed you where your classes were and even let you in on the do’s and don’ts of Riverdale High. You were being bombarded with so much information that you were starting to feel more nervous than excited. 

You were so nervous and too into your swirling thoughts that you hardly paid any attention to where you walking. While rounding a corner you bumped into something hard and almost fell backwards but something, or rather someone held you firmly in place. 

You looked up and met eyes with a cute brooding boy with the cutest crown beanie.

Freaking out at the realization that you hadn't apologized yet, you start to ramble out, “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to…”

He cut you off before you could continue your ramblings and make a bigger fool of yourself, “It’s cool.” He looked up at Betty and said, “Blue and Gold Emergency for whenever you are done with your tour”. He took off in a hurry.

Even though you only had a brief interaction, you had a good feeling about him and wanted to know more about him. So, you ask Betty, “Who is that boy?” 

You didn’t want to sound too desperate so you also added, “I really like his beanie. It looks like a crown. That is so cool. That takes confidence.” You like wearing big bows but opted out of wearing them for your first day, thinking it would be too weird. What sixteen year old still wears bows?

Oh no, you were rambling again so you took a deep breath. Betty studies you for a second, wondering if you were expressing interest in the dark haired boy, before responding, “That, is Jughead Jones and he’s had that damn thing ever since anyone can remember.”

You give a small chuckle, surprised, “Odd name” you say.  

“Odd name for an odd boy,” Betty says smiling. 

“Is he a good odd or a bad odd?” You ask genuinely intrigued. 

“Good odd” she responds with a smirk. There was some hidden meaning behind that smirk. 

You smile back nonetheless, and say, “Well you can also add odd beanie to the list even though it is adorable.”

Later on you also see that a group of three girls, which you later found out to be a girl group called Josie and the Pussycats, wearing cat ears. This gave you the confidence you needed to go ahead and wear a bow on your second day of school at Riverdale High.

After what seemed like hours debating which bow to wear, you finally decide on a red bow.

You stride into school with confidence. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everyone just treated you the same as the day before. You get a couple of smiles as you walk to your locker and any doubt you had before disappears.

You even got a compliment from the captain of the football team, Reggie Mantle. “Hey, new girl Y/N! Nice hair bow”.

“Thanks” you blush slightly.

“Although,” he said looking you up and down, “it would look better on my bedroom floor” and he walked away with a wink.

You then blush hard. So this was what it was like to get hit on in high school? It didn’t seem too bad.

Once the school day was over, you were glad to have worn your bow. You smiled to yourself while putting away your books in your locker.

As you shut the locker, you are surprised to see a redhead behind it.

“So, you are the new girl everyone is talking about”. She flips her hair back, purses her red stained lips and narrows her eyes at you in disappointment. She clearly expected more from you.

“I’m…” but you didn’t get to finish for you were interrupted.

“Y/N, yes I know. I pride myself in knowing everything there is to know in this town. I have eyes and ears everywhere.” She seemed kind of intimidating but you didn’t let it show.

“That's good to know,” you say skeptically. “I’m sorry, who are...” you were interrupted again.

“Let’s see what we have here.” She walks around you checking out your choice of outfit for the day.

She chuckles, “Let me guess, Minnie Mouse?”

You gave her a confused look, “Excuse me?”

“Leave her alone Cheryl” you jumped turning around surprised by the boy wearing the crown beanie. You hadn’t seen him today but now that he was beside you couldn’t help but smile.

“What? It’s not my fault she dresses like a toddler.”

You gasp at her comment. How dare she ruin your mood by being mean to you. She didn’t even know you. “Well, at least I don’t dress like a high end hooker”.

You covered your mouth with your hand, you had no idea where that came from but it elicited a low laugh from Jughead but Cheryl, on the other hand, was fuming.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean that.” You really were sorry but it still bothered you that she called you a toddler. That was uncalled for. You would just have to face the consequences no matter what they were.

She took a step closer to you but Jughead got between you two, “Just walk away Cheryl” he said giving her a stern look.

She seemed to comply but before she walked away she pointed a red manicured finger at you and said, “This isn’t over”. 

As she walked away, you yelled after her, “Your outfit is actually quite nice”. Still walking away she brought her left hand up and flipped you off.

If you were being honest with yourself, you kind of deserved it but you were also kind of scared. It was only your second day and you already started to have an arch nemesis in the making.

A chuckle brought you out of your thoughts of impending doom. “I can't believe you called her a hooker.”

You join in his laughter, “A high end hooker. If anything she should take it as a compliment.” 

At the moment your phone dinged.

One new message

From: Betty

To: Y/N

Pops, now!

“Did you just get the same message from Betty?” Jughead asked you. You nodded, “I wonder what she has summoned us for.”

“Today she told me we should hang out soon at Pops so that I could meet her friends. I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

“I guess.” You walked towards the diner together in silence.

You were starting to get nervous again. Would her other friends like you? How many friends was she talking about here exactly? Oh, no. What if you made a fool of yourself?

“Sorry for not introducing myself properly yesterday. I had a lot on my mind.” He stops walking and turns to face you, offering his hand. “Hi, I’m Jughead Jones the third.”

You take his hand and shake it. “Y/F/N Y/L/N, nice you formally meet you Jughead.”

You continue you walk to Pops talking about random things and making each other laugh.

“If it means anything, I think it’s cool that you wear flashy bows.” Jughead gave you a small genuine smile.

“Thanks.” That was really nice of him to say, especially after what Cheryl said. “ I really like your beanie.”

He laughed, “You don’t have to compliment my weird beanie just because I complimented your bow. It’s okay.”

“No, seriously. I like it. Where do you even find a crown shaped beanie? That is so cool.” He smiles taking the compliment. “Oh and thanks for stepping in with Cheryl, she would have clawed my eyes out if it wasn’t for you” you add. 

“You’re right she would have” he says with a serious face.

You scoff and bump him with your shoulder, “meanie”.

“Kidding. I have no doubt in my mind that you would have been able to handle yourself.” He smiles proudly at you.

You blush slightly and try to pretend you weren’t affected. “Well, my mind is kind of confused as to why someone like Cheryl would back down so easily when you told her to.” You look to him for an answer.

“We’re not exactly friends but we all went through a lot last year. Her dad killed her twin brother, it was this huge…”

This time it was my turn to cut him off, “The Blossoms” I face palmed myself, “of course. I remember.”

“You remember? I thought you were new here?” Jughead seemed really confused.

You smile at his confused features, gosh he was so cute. “Yeah, I’m new to Riverdale High but I’ve lived here my whole life. I was home schooled up until now.”

He cocks his head to the side, making him look like a confused puppy. It was just too cute. “Then why have we never crossed paths?”

“I don’t get out much. I’m kind of a loner since you don’t make many friends being home schooled.” You shrug as you get to Pops.

The bell above rings as Jughead opens and holds the door open for you. You walk in and find Betty sitting alone.

“Where is everyone?” Jughead asked coming up behind you.

“You just missed them. Something came up so they had to bail early I stayed behind to let you guys know.”

Betty saw the look of disappointment in your face, she felt bad for lying. “Y/N, I’m sorry.” Then she smiled and asked, “Rain check?”

“Sure,” you said.

“Everyone suddenly had somewhere to go?” Jughead questioned suspiciously. Come to think of it he was right. It couldn’t be a coincident, could it?

Betty ignored him and continued to look at you. “I’m sure Jughead can keep you company. First round of milkshakes is on me.” She seemed really giddy as she hugged me and practically skipped to the door. “Bye” she said looking back once more.

“Now that was odd. Is that normal Betty behavior?” You ask.

“Not exactly,” he said. He gestured for you two to sit in the booth.

Your phone dinged as you sat across from Jughead. You check your phone and find a message from Betty with only a winking emoji. 

You leaned across the table to show him the message. He chuckles, “figures” was all he said.

Betty must have already ordered some milkshakes for the two of you since someone had just brought them over. You took a long sip, enjoying the taste. You catch Jughead staring at you with a bright smile on his face. “Sorry, you don’t mind hanging out with me do you?”

He couldn’t help but to marvel at your innocent smile as he replied, “It’s cool.”