Don't Let Go

Part 9

Jughead- Betty, hey, breathe. You're okay, I promise.

He moved so he was sitting next to her in her bed, then he wrapped his arms around her gently.

Jughead- Do you want to talk about it yet?

Betty shook her head, allowing Jughead to nod slowly while his arms were still wrapped around her waist.

Jughead- Well, whenever you're ready I am here to listen.

Betty nodded.

Jughead- My dad and Ben are back with all of your stuff by the way, and they brought some pizza back for us for dinner. So whenever you're ready you can come down to eat, but if you're not hungry you can just stay up here.

Betty- (softly) I don't think I can eat right now.

Jughead- Okay...I'll bring you your stuff when I'm done.

Betty nodded and watched as Jughead stood up from the bed. The young girl brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them before placing her head into her knees, making Jughead sigh softly.

Jughead- Is there anything that you need before I go back downstairs?

Betty shook her head, so Jughead left, knowing she needed some space. But not even a minute later, Fp walked in. Betty sniffled and wiped her tears off her cheeks while she looked up at him, making him smile empathetically.

Fp- Jughead said you don't want to eat but is there any way I could bring you up some food? I really want you to eat something.

Betty- I'm not hungry right now. (sniffles)

Fp- Betty I need you to-

Betty- Please don't make me, I feel sick to my stomach as it is, food is only going to make it worse. (tears)

Fp- (sighs) Okay, okay. I'll leave you alone. Please tell me if you need anything, I'm here to help you, alright?

Betty nodded and watched as he left, then she laid back down, flat on her back while looking directly into the ceiling.

Betty- (softly) Mom, why did you leave me? I need you.

--

~A few weeks later~

Betty had finally settled into the house with Fp and Jughead but had still been hiding the truth about everything that had happened to her to Cheryl, Toni and Jughead. All Betty had told them was that her dad was arrested for killing her mom, and even though they all kinda knew about the abuse, they didn't question anything that she had told them.

But anyways, few long weeks of school had passed, and at any chance they could they were all hanging out. And tonight was finally the girls' sleepover. Jughead had been hearing about it nonstop and was sick of it at that point, but he was also glad that Betty seemed a lot happier than she was when they first met.

It was already late afternoon, Betty had her duffle bag packed and was about to walk outside to Toni who was picking her up, but she was stopped by Ben, Caleb and Jughead.

Ben- Do you have everything you need?

Caleb- Are you sure you want to go?

Jughead- Do you have to leave now?

She was standing right near the door, trying to leave, but the boys were blocking her in and were bombarding her with questions.

Fp- Boys! Let her go, she'll be fine!

Caleb- But-

Fp- Caleb, she's okay, I promise.

They all nodded and moved out of the way so she could leave the house. But before she left she kissed all of their cheeks, Jughead's for the longest making Ben and Caleb push her out the door. She giggled and walked to Toni who was honking obnoxiously. Then they drove to Cheryl's house. And as they pulled up, Betty was in shock.

Betty- Jesus, I know you said her family had a lot of money...but I wasn't expecting this.

That's when Cheryl walked out and ran to their car.

Cheryl- Hey Ladies!!!!! Are we ready for tonight?!
Toni- Yes Ma'am.

Betty and Toni jumped out of the car and grabbed their bags before running into the house, then they went straight to Cheryl's bedroom. The girls painted each other's nails, did each other's hair, gossipped, basic everything you'd expect teenage girls to do...but as it got later, the three of them ended up having a deeper conversation about their pasts.

Toni- Wait, you've only mentioned Ben and Caleb, I thought you had three brothers.

Betty- I-I do.

Cheryl- Then why haven't you mentioned him.

Betty- He died a few years ago.

Toni- Oh, shit, I'm sorry.

Betty- It's alright.

Cheryl- How'd he die, if you don't mind me asking?

Toni- Cher!

Betty- It's fine...he was shot right in front of me. We still don't know who did it. (softly)

Cheryl- Jesus...I'm so sorry. B-But can I ask you another question?

Betty- Yeah.

Cheryl- Your bruises, you keep avoiding it which I understand, but your dad was arrested which is why you live with Mr. Jones and Jughead, right?

Betty nodded and looked down at her lap.

Cheryl- Was he hurting you?

Toni- Cher, don't-

Cheryl- I'm just asking out of concern for my friend, she doesn't have to answer if she doesn't want to. You don't have to, Bee.

Betty- (nods) H-He was hurting me, he had been for a while.

Toni- Why didn't you go to the police sooner? We could've stopped it.

Betty- Caleb, Ben and I tried to, twice, back in New York, but our dad was friends with the chief of police so he didn't believe us. And everytime we tried getting help he would hurt me more. Eventually he threatened to kill me if we said anything to anyone so we stopped trying...that's why I told you not to tell anyone. (tears)

Toni- Jesus, Betty.

Cheryl- B-But, he wouldn't have actually killed you, right? He couldn't kill his own daughter...

Betty- He was capable of so much more than you could ever imagine. (cries)