↳ CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

SIDELINED ↵

JUGHEAD JONES TOOK IT UPON himself to take care of his best friend. The young teen didn't know what was wrong with Virginia Hopkins but knew she needed to get home safely and sleep. She didn't talk on the walk home, rather stared vacantly in the distance as his arm stayed wrapped around her waist in support. He felt bad for her as she flinched at the contact and sighed when she didn't hear him ask questions.

Walking in silence had never been a problem for the duo but now, the downfall of Virginia Hopkins has brought a new component to the pair: hesitation. Before, Jughead always knew what was bothering his best friend but now, she held a secret that he didn't know.

Jughead knew the girl could be secretive but this was different— she was a changed person who had bottled too many emotions at once. 

Virginia hung onto Jughead, her arm around his neck while his supported her waist while walking. She felt numb, as if she wasn't actually awake and walking.

Minutes passed and the duo ended up at her rundown home. Jughead fumbled with his key in the dark before successfully opening the door and gently guiding Virginia into her home.

He lead the unresponsive girl through her dark house to her room, closing the door behind them. Jughead manuvered her to sit on her bed, grabbing her pyjamas and helping her get ready for the evening. Her shirt was taken off, her back facing Jughead as he slipped on her night shirt over her bra, waiting as the small female removed her bra from underneath. She tugged off her jeans, leaving herself in her oversized shirt and underwear. Virginia numbly allowed Jughead to help her collapse on her bed, facing away from Jughead, who stood above her.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Gin." Jughead whispered, afraid to make the volatile girl burst. He didn't know whether or not she wanted him to stay. He didn't really know where he would stay.

"No," her hand grabbed tightly on his, tugging him back to her. Her wide doe eyes stared up at him— as if she finally noticed him there.

"Do you want me to stay?" Jughead asked softly, brushing a strand of dark hair away from her face. She sighed at the tender moment, tugging on his hand, bringing him back to her.

"Stay, please."

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JUGHEAD SAT UP, PHONE IN HAND as daylight trickled in through the curtains of the bedroom. He looked at the girl sleeping soundly beside him. After the nights events, Jughead was worried for his friend. What had happened to her?

He got out of the bed, still in his clothes from the previous night, tugging on his beanie. He smiled softly at the girl asleep, knowing if she saw him without the beanie she would scream in delight.

The tall boy glanced at his vibrating phone, knowing it was time for him to go to Betty's house. He sighed, knowing that he had to chose between the two girls: the one whose sister was missing or the girl who was full of secrets and could self destruct.

"Hey," Jughead sat on the bed beside Virginia, shaking her shoulder lightly. She cracked an eye open with a groan but didn't speak. "I'm gonna go over to Betty's, okay?"

A frown came over Ginny's features and he sighed, "do you want to come too?"

Ginny sent him a small smile as he pulled on his jean jacket, pulling herself out of bed.

She just didn't want to be alone.

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VIRGINIA NEVER FELT MORE UNCOMFORTABLE than when she was with Alice Cooper. When Jughead and Ginny appeared on the Cooper's doorstep, the older woman sent judgmental stares at the two teens on her porch. Ginny just wanted to tag along and didn't speak a word, sticking behind Jughead as they entered the Cooper house.

"So, Jughead I suppose we have you to thank for Betty's ongoing obsession with this Jason Blossom ghoulishness?" Virginia stabbed her eggs with her fork, avoiding the glare from the blonde woman.

"Actually, Mom, I was the one who asked Jughead to help me write it for the Blue and Gold." Betty told her mom with a weary smile, glancing at Jughead with a warm look that made Ginny sick.

"Relax, Betty. I'm just making conversation." Her mother, however, wasn't trying to make conversation and Ginny knew it— the lady was a conniving bitch who always has ulterior motives.

"Do you guys have a bathroom I could use?" Jughead asked and Ginny glanced up with wide eyes at the prospect of Jughead leaving her alone with the Cooper family.

"Sure, I'll show you." Betty stood up, ready to help when her mother interrupted her quickly.

"No, no. I'll show him. Follow me Jughead." Alice Cooper led the teenager out of the room into the hallway, Jughead hesitating in the doorway as he looked back.

Virginia sat in her chair, clutching the sides tightly, watching as Betty blushed at the look Jughead sent her.

What the hell?

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GINNY WENT TO SCHOOL WITH Jughead and Betty, miserable, because she felt like a third wheel all of the sudden. She knew that she should give up on her feelings for Jughead— especially since FP Jones haunted her dreams.

Jason Blossom also haunted her dreams.

"During lunch, auditions for the play are on." Principal Weatherbee told the young girl as she sat in the principals office before class began. Virginia's home room teacher sent her there, telling her that Weatherbee wanted to meet with her.

Ginny rolled her eyes as she slumped down on the chair. "How many more events do I have to work on? I even did the dumb cheerleading car wash."

"I know these events don't suit you, Virginia, but your absences need to be made up in a way that shows you're committed to school and your eduction."

"I am!" Virginia told him indignantly, her pink lips forming a pout as she looked at the older man. "I'm apart of the Blue and Gold— I'm the photographer!"

"I know that, but you're almost finished with these events. Just think, this one will be good for your college applications."

Virginia didn't say anything to the principal but her heart fell at the thought of college.

Was she going to go to college?

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