❝ SEASON ONE, EPISODE TEN ❞
🎭 The Lost Weekend 🎭

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"You do know that my dad has a drinking problem, right?" Jughead asked Betty after she had come into the shed where Jughead and Isabella were still hiding. "Of course I do. I didn't think people would be drinking tonight. I didn't plan on Chuck and Cheryl, and the rest of the school crashing, okay? This was supposed to be just your friends," Betty explained to him with a genuine expression. "You, Isa and Archie are my friends, okay? Everyone else, including Kevin, including Veronica, are people that, two months ago, I would've actively shunned," Jughead told her truthfully, he wasn't changing his mind on that.

"Why?" Betty asked him, Isabella felt like she was intruding on this conversation but Jughead refused to let her leave the shed for two reasons, he needed her with him to survive this, and he knew Chuck was inside and had something planned to mess with everyone's weakness; their sunshine, Isabella Larkin. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm weird. I'm a weirdo. I don't fit in, and I don't want to fit in. Have you ever seen me without this stupid hat on? That's weird," Jughead stated in an upset tone. "Why are you getting so upset? It's just a party, Jug," Betty asked him with a confused expression making Isabella sigh.

"It's not just a party. It's the fact that you don't know or even care that this is the last thing I would want. You did this for you. To prove something," Jughead replied to her while Betty shook her head. "To prove what?" Betty asked him. "I don't know, that you're a great friend," Jughead answered with a shrug. "Doesn't it ever occur to you just how different we are? Like on a cellular DNA-kind of level? You're a straight-A student, you're a cheerleader, for God's sake. The perfect girl next door," Jughead expressed to her. "I hate that word," Betty muttered. "I'm the damaged loner outsider from the wrong side of the tracks. I'm not one of your projects, Betty," Jughead finished off silencing the room.

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Betty had stormed off due to Jughead's words and Isabella's lack of helping her out, she needed to get away from the duo. Jughead sighed as he paced the room processing everything that had happened so far, Isabella took in a slow breath before standing from the couch. "Hey..." Isabella gently placed her hand on his arm, allowing him to pull away but he didn't. "I know this entire situation sucks and nothing I say could make it better but I want you to know that I have your back and for the record, I think that beanie is your best quality," Isabella told him with a teasing grin, the words bought a smile to Jughead's face.

"And I like that you're a weirdo and that you don't fit in, but you were wrong about one thing," Isabella told him as she smiled at him. "And what was that?" Jughead asked as he stepped closer to her. "You're not a loner because I'm here, Jughead Jones, I have told you time and time again, I'm not going anywhere," Isabella told him. "So I am damaged?" Jughead asked as he moved his hand to rest on Isabella's waist. "The best kind of damage. Damaged doesn't always mean bad, JJ," Isabella whispered to him as their faces rested barely any distance away from each other. "What would I do without you?" Jughead asked her.

"Crash and burn?" Isabella suggested as Jughead rested his free hand on the side of her face to hold her steady. "Definitely crash and burn," Jughead whispered before claiming her lips with his own. Isabella was momentarily shocked by Jughead kissing her but she didn't want it to be due to the high emotions and tension of the day, she could've sworn her heart was about to beat out of her chest. However, her mind was conflicted by the swarming emotions as Jughead pulled away reluctantly to see how she would react. Isabella opened her eyes and swallowed slowly before beginning to panic, she pulled from his grip and moved to leave.

"Isa!" Jughead stopped her and grabbed her waist, turning her to him. "Look, I'm sorry if I overstepped but don't run away. Talk to me instead, I can handle rejection but I can't lose you," Jughead told her in a hurry. "Why?" Isabella asked him. "Why did I kiss you?" Jughead asked her to make sure that's what she was asking, she nodded to his response; too scared to attempt to talk. "Because Isabella Elise Larkin, I've had an... infatuation since the day you kissed me on the cheek. And it grew that day you sat with me in Pops. And with every conversation, every smile and every moment with you, I fell deeper. And I may not know love but I do know I'd be willing to learn with you," Jughead told her honestly.

Isabella's heart swelled and swooned at Jughead's raw words, she smiled before grabbing his collar and smashing her lips on his. Jughead responded instantly, his hands resting on her waist pulling her closer to him as their lips moved together. Jughead may have hated everything about his birthday but this moment gave him something to cherish on his least favourite day of the year. The two pulled apart for air, resting their foreheads against each other with smiles on their faces. "I wish I could say my feelings began a while ago but... truthfully, they are more recent and I'd be honoured to teach you how to love, Jughead Jones," Isabella told him before pecking his lips, "Now let's get the hell away from here."

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The couple's attempt to escape the party failed, the two were stopped by Chuck and Cheryl which only made Isabella anxious. Cheryl and Chuck had an apparent "game" that they wanted to play and it made Jughead and Isabella feel uncomfortable as they moved to the couch and sat down. Jughead rested his hand on Isabella's thigh for both of their comfort and to relax the anxiety they both felt about this confrontation. "Everyone has their secrets. And we've all done our share of sinning. That's one thing my dear brother's death has revealed. So let's play a little game to get those secrets out in the open," Cheryl announced to everyone.

"What the hell is Secrets and Sins?" Jughead asked as Isabella shared a look with FP, she was worried about her own secrets and she could see FP was concerned too. "It's a variation of Truth or Dare in which we own our truths by telling it like it is," Cheryl explained with a vicious smirk on her face. "I'll start the game with Veronica Lodge," Cheryl said as she looked at the girl mentioned. "Naturally," Veronica replied with a faux smile. "Let's begin with the day you and your mob wife of a mother came to town for a so-called fresh start. Tell us, Veronica, what's so fresh about defiling Archie Andrews in a closet?" Cheryl asked.

"That was your doing," Veronica reminded the Blossom Bitch. "Moving on to dear Daddy Lodge. Isn't it true that your father, from prison, illegally purchased the drive-in land? Which makes me wonder what else he is doing from behind bars," Cheryl taunted while Jughead and Isabella shared a look, both were shocked by the information. "Well, I can't speak for my father but I can think of someone with a very dirty secret," Veronica replied to Cheryl. "Specifically, Cheryl killing her very own brother," Veronica continued. "Everyone knows how much I loved my brother," Cheryl argued in a softer tone that always appeared at the mention of her brother.

Isabella watched on as Veronica taunted Cheryl with the idea of twincest only for Dilton Doiley to throw Archie under the bus with the information about his and Ms Grundy's presence at Sweetwater River revealing the inappropriate relationship between the two. Chuck went on to tell people about Betty and the night she revealed a side of herself she didn't really know, a version that scared and worried her. Isabella scoffed as she prepared to speak up only to stop when Cheryl smirked her way, "Let's not stop there." Chuck laughed as he looked around, "Turns out, sweet sunshine Larkin isn't so sweet. She has her hands dipped in with Serpents."

Isabella looked at Joaquin and then FP who tensed himself as Chuck continued, "Everyone's heard the rumours about the Southside Fight Club known as Butchers but you won't believe who one of their fighters is." Isabella looked Chuck dead in his eyes after standing up, "Champion, Clayton. I'm their best champion, wanna find out why?" FP smiled proudly at the girl but Jughead tensed as he looked between them. "It was for the money, right?" Cheryl asked with an evil glint. "For your mommy," Chuck added causing Isabella's heart to start racing, the walls began to feel like they were closing in.

"Rumour has it that during the summer, your mother took quite the tumble and ended up in hospital. But you couldn't ruin the perfect family portrait so you've been hiding it. Ashamed mommy is dying, huh?" Chuck taunted her, Isabella was looking at the ground as tears formed in her eyes. "I guess that's what happens when you live in the Southside with Serpent parents," Chuck added with a laugh but his laugh was cut off when Isabella punched him in the face sending him to the ground from the impact. Isabella, despite the tears streaming down her face, dropped down and began throwing punch after punch into Chuck's face.

FP rushed over and pulled her from Chuck, pushing her towards Joaquin who dragged her outside as FP lifted Chuck from the ground and practically dragged the kid out of the house. "You charge her boy and there'll be problems knocking at your door," FP warned him before moving toward Joaquin who now held a crying Isabella in his arms. "I got her, help them clear the party," FP told Joaquin who nodded and let FP take the young girl into his arms. "I got you, Belle," FP whispered to her, rubbing her back as she cried, ignoring the pain in her knuckles and the pounding of her head.

Jughead made his way out of the house after Joaquin announced the party was done, he looked over to see his father comforting Isabella who looked like the entire world had just collapsed on her. He made his way over to the two, FP looked up at his son and nodded, letting him take the girl from his arms. "You look after her Jughead and she'll look after you. You've got something special here, Jug. Something we couldn't give you. So, don't let it go," FP told his son before moving to walk away. "Thanks... Dad," FP nodded at his son's words before making sure the Andrews' house was cleared of the party crashers.

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The couple found themselves at Pop's as that was the original plan, Jughead was icing Isabella's knuckles as she stared out the window in a daze. "Why didn't you tell me about the fight club?" Jughead asked her softly, he hated thinking of the injuries she suffered without him knowing. "First rule about fight club, don't talk about fight club," Isabella replied, her voice raspy from her breakdown. Jughead tried to hold back the laugh but even he had to admit the opportunity was perfect. "I don't know... I was ashamed of myself. I'm not completely there by choice but with everything going on, I needed a way to let out my frustrations," Isabella explained to him.

Jughead placed his forefinger and thumb on Isabella's chin to get her to look at him, "You don't need to be ashamed, Isa. I've got your back, just like you've had mine." Isabella smiled at him before leaning in to kiss him. Jughead smiled as she pulled back, "Thank you, JJ. And I'm sorry about the mess of this day. I bet you've hated it." Jughead laughed as he put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "Today has been a nightmare but honestly, it wasn't a complete disaster," Jughead replied to her, she looked up at him with a raised brow. "I got you," Jughead told her before kissing her forehead. "You've got me. You'll always have me," Isabella whispered happily.

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Rosemary Here!

THEY FINALLY KISSED!!!!!!
I was celebrating for a full minute despite writing it myself.

And no, I will not be creating drama between Jughead and Isabella. There's enough drama surrounding them and I need my babies happy!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna make Isabella and Jughead reflect my ideals of a relationship so it may not match what Jughead would be like.

However, I may stick to the whole, Jughead being Asexual but as a person on the spectrum of Asexuality, I believe that while sex doesn't interest or attract Jughead's attention; if the connection is strong enough, it may happen just not often.

Edit; in regards to Jugheads Asexual canon in the comics but clear signs of lacking such in the show. I've decided to place Jughead under Demisexual. Emotion bonds create potential sexual attraction.

I will point out that I won't write smut for this book out of respect for Jughead's canon sexuality (despite the show) but it will be hinted at/stated in season 2.

See you next chapter!