#smallestjones

They messaged, her and JB. Across the distances, on WhatsApp when they could (no texting fees). Bridging the gaps between Toledo and here, with her left always asking how she was, how Gladys, was. How she missed them both, the surrogate parents that she and FP had presented for a time, before the man had fallen to his knees before his own demons, and his wife had lost her patience and taken off with their youngest. Even though JB was younger, she was still like a sister to her, albeit, one with edgier taste than herself, the little scammer that she was.

[ txt; jb zeppelin ] girl what’s in the chop shop tonight? [ txt; jb zeppelin ] ya mama keeping you busy?

Things were not alright out here within the Southside, only home now, after her summer spent on the road, but she didn’t want to be the downer tonight with the bad news. Or with the knowledge that her father was stepping out on Gladys, not her place to destroy a family with news that would, she was sure, trickle to the woman with the stars in her eyes, tongue slipping between her lips in a nervous little slip, typing onwards to maintain her cool.

[ txt; jb zeppelin ] andrews is getting his sentencing tomorrow [ txt; jb zeppelin ] i saw hot dog today, he misses you loads~ [ txt; jb zeppelin ] i feel really restless tonight...

A wrongness within the air tonight, rolling onto her back within her tent, the faded, beat up fabric holding to together managing against the wind, but only slightly. The stirring sounds of the tent city that had sprung up all around her, no semblance of peace afforded in the slightest, eyes closing against it all, wondering, would things be better with the Jones all together once more?

FP had been trying to figure things out, how to get Jellybean and Gladys back to town but there was nothing he could really do. But now since things were getting a little messy-- well, messier, on the Serpents end, hearing that his wife and daughter were coming back to Riverdale, was a bit shocking. He didn't mind but it was also not the best time nor place at that moment to have a little Jones family reunion. No matter how much FP and even Jughead missed the other half of their family.

it had been happening for as long as he could member. jellybean each year, on  DIFFERENT month would waddle up to him and say happy birthday. their parents would laugh and try to explain to her that it wasn’t the right time. he didn’t mind, because at least someone remembered. 

five years later she walked up to him in march and gave him a card. he loved it so much he had no will to correct her. ever since then it had become a tradition between the jones siblings to gift each other with presents at a different time each year. sometimes it was six months before or two days after the actual birthday. but it was fun. 

until one year. jughead entered his teenage stage, parents were arguing more and more and he just wanted to run, to get away, to end it all. jellybean had come up to him all happy smiles and grins, a spring to her step without knowing into his room with a wrapped something in her hands. 

“happy birthday brother” she said, and yet jughead — full of anger and hate and SPITE, raised his voice for the first time ever towards his sister. “ GET OUT. IT’S NOT MY BIRTHDAY! HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU TO REMEMBER WHEN IT IS” he yelled over and over, while packing things in a bag, including her gift and left without a word. 

only months later, when he found out that mom and jelly had LEFT. when he had calmed down, did he realize what he did and it hurt. like a a ton of bricks fell to his chest. he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t speak. he though he was dying. last thing he remembers saying before darkness took over was JELLYBEAN. 

he awoke later, same place he passed out. against the rubble of an abandoned construction site. no shower, no food, rain falling upon him as the project was unfinished and he was getting wet. yet he found a dry corner, hand in the bag looking for some dry clothes or some food until he got a paper cut. 

wincing, hand withdrew with the card in hand. it was the gift that his sister gave him all those months ago. slumped deep into the dark corner ; both mental and physical, jughead chucked at the skill of the wrapping paper. he knew mom didn’t help her this time.

breath caught in his throat as he opened it. two pictures inside. one of the four of them on a good day. one of just the two of them. jelly and jug. he was holding her on his shoulders, her arms and legs straight out yet a laugh on her lips captured. 

❝ a-are you HURT? ❞