Since the breakup Jughead and I have only had 28 interactions. 

4 of which were forced because he came to Pops during my shift.  

5 were longing looks shared between us. One breaking the gaze because it hurt to much to see the pain in the others eyes. 

4 were attempts at a conversation about us. Every time I would end the conversation with some task I needed to do.

3 were stops at my house he made in an attempt to talk. I would always have Lily tell him I wasn't home. Or that I was sleeping.

2 were late night phone calls reminding me he loved me.

3 were texts varying from I love you's to please forgive me's.

2 were attempts from Archie to fix everything. Both ending in me yelling at Archie for choosing sides.

The last was his eye roll as Sweet Pea threw his arm around me. I let him keep it there seeing as it wouldn't harm anyone or thing. But I looked up across the bar to see Jughead rolling his eyes angrily.

"Y/n you have got to talk to him," Lily says as she walks back into my room. I was sitting in my window doodling Jughead. It was my twisted way of coping, drawing, I would draw hundreds of pictures of my family before. And recently its been a lot of Jughead.

"Why?" I ask her, "I see no need."

"You love him," She says, "and he loves you. Betty is just a shiny new plaything he'll get bored of."

"Why does he need a play thing in the first place?" I ask her as I shade the picture.

"He was copping in the worst way ever," She says, "but he really only loves you." I roll my eyes. I've been given this speech every night this week.

"I have to go to work," I mumble as I close the sketch book and toss it onto my desk. It was Dahlalia's but painted to match the room. "I'll see you later Lily."

******

   "And Here you go," I say placing down the plates, "enjoy." As I turn back to the counter my eyes turn to the Raven boy watching me. My heavy heart doing everything it could to keep me away from his booth. He flashes a weak smile and I follow suit.

 "What do you say, Pop? Is it okay?" Fred asks fluffing out the tree that he had placed in the diner.

"The best tree yet. Thanks, Archie, thanks, Fred," Pops says.

"Oh, no. Thank you, Pop, for letting us set up shop right in front of your diner," Fred says.

"Wait I don't have to decorate that thing right?" I ask. Pops chuckles.

"Box is in the back sweetheart," He says. I sigh and walk back to collect them reemerging to see Archie and Jughead talking.

"You guys gonna stay in town for break?" Jug asks Archie.

"Yeah.  We were gonna visit my mom, but she booked a single's cruise so-

 "How are you and Veronica?" 

"We've been better."

"If it's any consolation, Y/n and I aren't in the greatest of places, either," Jug says and I wince. His fault. His fault. My fault? His fault? Whatever.

"Jughead, you want a Christmas tree, you and your dad? On the house," Fred says to Archie.

"It'll have to be a small one, Mr. A," Jug says. Fred looks at me.

"What about you Y/n? Lily get one yet?" Fred asks.

"We we're going to but they were a little too expensive," I tell him, "I wish we could."

"It'll be on the house," He says, "just have Lily bring the girls down tomorrow and pick one."

"Okay Fred will do," I tell him. Archie and Fred leave and I look back over to Jug who now had an empty coffee mug in front of him. I walk to his booth and pour the refill.  "Hey Jughead," I say to him.

"Hey Y/n," He says staring up at me, "hows it going?"

Awful I regret breaking up with you.

"Its been fine," I say, "You?"

"Same," He says.

"Great," I say, "well I should get back to work. But I'll catch you at Kev's gift swap."

"Yeah," He says, "I'll be there."

"Good," I say, "well.... bye Jughead."

******

  "Fred offered us a free tree," I tell her, "for the girls." Lily smiles and nods. I shove the cereal spoon in my mouth as she gets the girls set up at the table for breakfast. 

 "A real tree!" Sophia exclaims excitedly. 

"Yeah Soph," I say as I poke her side. She giggles.  "And you and Anna can pick it out."

"Yay!" Sophia yells causing  Anna to run up to the table.

"Anna no running in the kitchen," Lily tells her.

"Sorry mommy," Anna says in a childlike voice.  I finish off my food and place my bowl in the sink. 

"I'm heading out see you guys later," I say as I grab my belonging. I wave then walk out the door to my truck. I slid inside to the car and sit a pile of gifts on the ground. They were for my secret Santa buddy who was actually Kev which was pretty cool. Then I had gifts for Archie, Veronica, Betty (to be nice), and Jughead. Which is going to be hella awkward. 

*****

 The circle around us had almost finished presents. "Y/n its your turn," Kev says I nod.

 "Great," I mumble as I grab the gift. I rip open the plastic and I see a book. I full it out and a huge smile finds its way on my face. It didn't have a cover but the carved initials on the binding gave it away. "Wow."

"What is it?" Kev asks looking over. I look up at everyone to see eyes watching me.

"Its this book of poems that Dalaliah used to read to me," I tell them. I open the book and see a picture of my family tucked inside. "This is......Wow.... Who?"

"I did," Jug says from behind the couch. I look back at him and smile. Sitting up on my knees I hug him over the back of the couch. 

"I love it," I say as I pull away. As I realized how weird it was me getting like that around him again I sink down and everyone goes quiet.

"Veronica, it's your turn," Kev says pushing an envelope towards her.

"Hmm," She says as she opens it, "Oh. A gift certificate for a couples' massage. Thanks, Josie." I cringe at the poor timing.

"You can go with Betty," Josie announces nervously, "or your mom."

"Or I can go with your mom, if you want," Reggie says winking.

"Oh, dear God, can we please get this torture over with?" Cheryl asks Harshly.

"Betty, you're next and mercifully last," Kev says as Betty drags her fingers across the paper.

"Well, I think I know who picked my name based on these wrapping skills," She says Archie wearing the cheesiest grin. She pulls off the poorly wrapped paper and smiles, "Archie ."

"My dad and I were cleaning out the garage and I found it," He says as she holds up the record. Betty chuckles happily.

"Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica asks sounding slightly jealous.

"Yeah, It's this old read-a-long record we used to listen to when we were, like, five," Betty says, "Oh, my God. I love it, Arch. Thank you." They exchange looks of innocent happiness.

"Hey, Merry Christmas" I look up to see who said it and see Moose entering the room. Reggie jumps up and runs to Moose. Pulling him into a hug. Everyone walks over besides Archie, Jug, Betty, and I. Archie drops his cheesy grin and leaves the room with Betty behind him. What the hell is up with them? 

"Y/n?" Kev asks, "come here." I nod and hope up and join the welcoming crew. I see Moose and Midge and hug them both quickly. 

"Welcome back guys!" I say to them happily, "we've missed ya. Reggie's been like a sad puppy without you Moose."

"A guys got to have his best bro!" Reggie defends. I nod.

"Sure yep yeah," I say, "that is totally what everyone thinks."

*******

I sit calmly in the blue and golds office. Since Betty has been chasing after Archie she's left this room alone. Leaving me to work on articles and make sure we actually have a running paper. I type quietly only to be interuppted by a soft knock on the door. I look up to see Jughead.

"Hey," He says. I smile.

"Hi," I say. He walks towards me holding another box in his hand.

"I stayed behind...because Merry Christmas," He hands me a box.

"Jug you already got me something," I say. He looks up hopefully. It was the first time I called him Jug since the breakup. Finally not using his full name. 

"Because I had to," He says, "but this is from me. You're best friend." I smile and take the box.

"Thank you," I tell him.

"I'm kinda sorry for how it all went down between us," He says.

"Its fine Jughead," I tell him, "feelings aren't something you can help."

"But I don't feel anything for Betty," He says slightly louder.

"Cool," I say to him. I look back down at my article and go back to typing.

"I should go. Check on my dad," He says. Before he leaves I sigh.

"Jug," I call out making him turn to me. I bend down and grab a box and hand it to him, "I got you something, too." He smiles and I wave. "Bye Jug."

"Bye N/n,"