❝ SEASON ONE, EPISODE EIGHT ❞
🥊 The Outsiders 🥊

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Isabella walked into Pop's spotting Jughead, Betty and Veronica seated at a table, she made her way over and sat in the vacant spot next to Jughead across from Betty. "How is he?" Betty asked once Isabella had sat down. "He's bruised up but luckily there's no concussion and the doctor says he'll be in pain for a while but ultimately, he'll be fine," Isabella explained before resting her head on Jughead's shoulder, she was worried about Moose but he reassured her he was fine and it wouldn't deter him from helping Andrews Construction which made her appreciate him more. "Well, that's a good thing," Veronica told her, Isabella nodded slightly.

Archie came barging into the diner and sat down next to Betty across from Jughead leaving Veronica to move into the corner more. "Dude, what the hell? I've been texting you," Archie spoke directly at Jughead. "Archie, Jughead just told us what happened yesterday and Bella just updated us on Moose's situation," Betty explained to the boy sitting next to her. "Though I initially checked out at the words "construction" and "site" until Belle came in," Veronica added making Isabella laugh quietly at the girl, the two sharing an amused look with Betty.

"Moose and I are going to the Southside to find those Serpents. You in?" Archie asked Jughead causing Isabella to sit up properly. "Whoa, hey. You didn't say it was the Serpents who beat Moose up," Betty spoke as she looked at Jughead. "Because we don't know that for a fact," Jughead replied looking at Archie. "Exactly, we don't know for certain," Isabella added, she knew Archie would go back to stupid decisions but to confront Serpents; was the dumbest idea the ginger boy had and he's had a lot of dumb ideas.

"Well, it's still worth a shot if it might help my dad," Archie told Jughead while Isabella tried to think of a way to talk Archie out of this without revealing not just her connection to the Serpents but Jugheads too; even though Jughead had no clue that Isabella knew about his father being a Serpent and it was secret he wanted to keep. "Kevin's boyfriend can get us in," Archie added making Isabella mentally curse Joaquin. "Get you in where?" Veronica asked. "To some bar where the Serpents hang out," Archie answered her, Isabella knew he was talking about the Whyte Wyrm.

"If Moose spots them, we call Sheriff Keller and get these goons arrested," Archie continued while Isabella shook her head. "Archie, the Serpents are dangerous. They're drug dealers," Betty spoke up as she looked sideways at Archie. "What? Says who?" Jughead questioned her. "And besides, I'm certain that majority of Riverdale drug dealers are Northsiders," Isabella added with a slight shiver, she did know that for certain; she also knew that the drugs were circulated by the Ghoulies and not the Serpents at the Whyte Wyrm.

"Polly? Remember?" Betty said in response to Jughead, "Trev told us that Jason was dealing drugs? It was for the Serpents." Isabella shrugged as she began fiddling with the rings on her fingers. "You heard my dad, Jughead. Clifford Blossom is trying to torpedo him. Sheriff Keller basically blew him off right in front of us. Somebody needs to do something," Archie expressed to Jughead but Isabella knew he wouldn't go with him, And Archie realised too. "Archie, going into that bar is a bad idea," Jughead warned Archie. "Jughead, are you coming with me or not?" Archie asked him with a determined expression but Jughead stayed silent making Archie scoff, "Thanks for having my back."

Isabella was fuming as she watched Archie walk out, she turned her head to Jughead while Betty and Veronica shared a look. "Why is my cousin this stupid?" Isabella muttered before she got up from the booth and pulled out her phone. "Hey Belle," Christian greeted once he answered the phone. "Hey Dad, calling to warn you that Archie has plans to show up at the Whyte Wyrm today with a few friends after what happened to Moose," Isabella explained, she knew Christian would go to the Wyrm to ensure Archie's safety revealing Isabella's connection to the Serpents but she didn't care at this point; she just hoped that Archie doesn't see FP Jones.

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Isabella decided to wear a blue sweater with a white tennis skirt and some blue Converses with little stars sewn onto them, she made her way to the Pembrooke for Polly's baby shower. Once she got there, she grabbed the gift she got for Polly and headed in. Veronica greeted her and the two hugged before pulling away, "You look great." Isabella smiled at Veronica's compliment before Polly walked over after spotting Isabella. "Little Issy," Polly spoke before the two hugged each other, Isabella always looked up to Polly. "It's so good to see you, Polly," Isabella told her as they held each other.

Jughead stood next to Betty, the two talking before Jughead noticed Isabella gaining his full attention. Her long brunette curls cascaded down her back and shoulders, she wore a blue sweater and he presumed that she was claiming Polly's baby to be a boy. "She looks beautiful," Betty spoke as she noticed Jughead's stolen attention, he nodded at her words before clearing his throat. "Uh, yeah..." Jughead dumbly replied making Betty laugh. "Go greet her, Jug," Betty pushed him lightly towards Isabella as Polly moved to say hello to others. Isabella turned her head to Jughead and smiled at him, "Nice sweater."

Jughead rolled his eyes at her words, "I've been forced into slavery thanks to you." Isabella laughed and shook her head as she stepped closer to him, her usual perfume filled his senses reminding him of burnt marshmallows and Leather Jackets; a strange yet welcoming scent. "Well, I'm here to save you from that," Isabella told him with a grin. "My Knight in a Baby Blue Sweater," Jughead replied flirtatiously making Isabella blush though she smirked at him. Their attention was taken by Alice Cooper walking into the apartment, Isabella shared a look with Jughead prepared for anything.

Surprisingly, even with Penelope Blossom present, the baby shower was going smoothly and Isabella was smiling through the whole thing. She stood next to Jughead who had specifically grabbed her hand and led her to stand with him claiming she owed him, but she didn't mind. However, Archie came in gaining everyone's attention and Isabella knew who he was looking for especially when he looked straight at Jughead and Isabella. He made his way over without a care in the world about who was listening, Isabella looked at Jughead before grabbing both his and Archies hands; dragging them toward the kitchen for privacy.

"You were protecting him. That's why you didn't tell me--" Archie was cut off by Jughead, "Relax. What happened?" Betty and Veronica made their way over to the trio. "Archie..." Betty spoke only for Archie to look at her, "Did you know that Jughead's dad is a Serpent?" Betty and Veronica were shocked by the knowledge but Archie noticed that Isabella wasn't. "You knew?" Archie asked her while Jughead turned his gaze to the brunette who shrugged. "Of course, I knew, Archer. I'm surprised you didn't see my father there," Isabella told him so Jughead wasn't alone, the information surprised everyone including Jughead.

"That's why they tried to stop me from going to the bar," Archie accused but Isabella scoffed at him and shook her head. "So I wouldn't find out. After everything my dad has done for you--" Archie was cut off by Isabella, "--Don't you dare, Archie Andrews." Archie stepped back from his cousin who stood protectively in front of Jughead. "Archie, I can explain, okay?" Jughead told him as his hand gravitated toward his lifeline, interlocking his fingers with Isabella's. "Not right now. This is Polly's day," Veronica told them, her reassuring expression toward Jughead to show she held no negative emotions towards him due to the new knowledge, something Isabella appreciated.

Archie stormed out and then Alice and Penelope began arguing causing the tension in the room to get worse, Isabella felt suffocated by it. She looked at Jughead and noticed he wasn't mentally present anymore; she tightened her hold on his hand before looking at Veronica. She led Jughead towards Veronica, "We're gonna leave." Veronica nodded in understanding, "I have your back. Both of you." Isabella thanked Veronica before leading Jughead out of the apartment and out of the Pembrooke. Jughead complied and got into the car, Isabella took a breath before she began driving.

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"Where are we?" Jughead asked before looking out the window to see a familiar playground, he turned his head to see Isabella looking at it fondly. "My dad mentioned that I had a head injury that messed with my memories but... a couple of weeks back I knocked my head and later that night, I had a dream that felt real," Isabella explained before sighing, "I asked my dad about it and despite the tears that fell, he told me it was a real thing that happened." Isabella turned her head to look at Jughead, his dazed eyes focused on her.

"We were six and I was sitting on the swings by myself. Archie was supposed to come and play but he had been naughty and his punishment affected me too," Isabella laughed as she remembered waiting for her cousin to show up. "It got later and the kids around me were leaving and my dad approached me and told me that it was time to go but over by those benches," Isabella pointed towards a graffitied table with scorch marks. "Was a boy with a beanie looking around like he was lost," Isabella smiled fondly, the sight made Jughead blush as he realised what memory she was talking about.

"I remember begging my dad to let me approach him, he was hesitant at first claiming that boys had cooties but that was an argument he lost and eventually he allowed me. I walked over and noticed the sad look on his face, I didn't like seeing him sad," Isabella looked back out the window at the park while Jughead watched her. "So I asked him to play on the swings with me. I wanted someone to push me but I knew he needed to be cheered up, so I told him that I'd push him on the swings and he smiled a toothy grin that made my six-year-old heart swoon in joy. He was happy and that made me happy," Isabella expressed.

"We played for hours before his father showed up, apologising for being late and promising to make up for it. I still remember the Serpent jacket he wore, my father wore the same one and the two greeted each other like old friends," Isabella turned to look at Jughead. "And I turned to that boy with a smile, he looked happy despite his father's late appearance. I leaned over and kissed his cheek," Isabella grinned as she raised a brow. "And I ran away screaming about girl cooties," Jughead added making Isabella laugh. "But it didn't matter. It was a memory stolen from me but ultimately, it's one of my favourites," Isabella told him.

"Your father being a Serpent doesn't make him a bad person. And Archie is clouded by his need to protect his father but he'll come around once his small brain lets the cogs turn," Isabella assured Jughead. "But I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. And as you saw, Veronica hasn't changed her view and I can guarantee that Betty still considers you a friend," Isabella added with a smile. "I know you are ashamed, JJ. But he and the Serpents are a part of your life and running from it will only make it worse. Accept it and learn to live with it. It'll be better for you in the long run," Isabella finished off as she grabbed his hand in her own.

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Rosemary Here!

We get a little memory reveal and insider information about where Jughead's crush began. Also, by knocked her head; she was punched in the head harshly during a fight -- just a little extra information that was hinted but not outright said.

Anyone else slightly annoyed with how Archie reacted? Like dude, wrong timing.

Also, "Hold My Girl" by George Ezra and "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran are literally Jughead and Isabella's songs, I swear it.

See you in the next chapter!