Don't Let Go

Part 23

Jughead- Hey! You're back! How was your day?

Betty- It was great until now.

Jughead- Shit, what happened?

Betty- As soon as I walked into the house my mom cornered me saying we should talk. I feel like she's suffocating me. She's literally everywhere. (tears)

Jughead- Hey, don't get upset. You had a great day, don't let this bother you. Just take a deep breath.

Betty followed his instruction, taking a few deep breaths before following him into her bedroom. But as soon as they walked in, he pushed her against the door and locked it. Then he bent down and kissed her lovingly on the lips. They kissed for a while but eventually they heard Fp yell for them.

Fp- Guys! Dinner!

Betty groaned, not wanting to leave the comfort of her boyfriend, but they eventually made it down the stairs and sat down for dinner. Alice waited to sit until Betty was seated so she could sit next to her daughter, but Jughead immediately noticed and pulled her closer to him.

Jughead- Do you want to switch with me? (whispers)

Betty- N-No, it's fine...just keep holding me like this. (whispers)

Jughead wrapped his arm around Betty's waist and pulled her closer to him, but when Alice finally noticed, she slammed her hands down on the table and stood up.

Alice- Elizabeth! Come with me! Now!

Betty and Jughead both turned to her with a glare while Fp, Ben and Caleb didn't even move.

Betty- What do you want? (sighs)

Alice- To talk! Let's go!

Betty- No, not unless Jughead can come too.

Alice- Elizabeth!

Betty crossed her arms and leaned against her boyfriend, making the mother sigh.

Alice- Fine, come on.

The two of them got up and followed the mother into the living room. Fp got up and followed the three, staying out of their way, but watching from the side in case he was needed. Alice stood on one side of the room while Betty stood across from her with Jughead next to her, his arm still around her.

Betty- (sighs) What do you want?

Alice- You!

Betty- What?

Alice- I just got you back! Why do you keep trying to avoid me?!

Betty- Why do you think?!

Alice- I don't know! That's why I'm asking you!

Betty took a deep breath and looked at her mother with pain and anger in her eyes.

Betty- You left me! (tears)

Alice- (sighs) Betty-

Betty- You knew what he was capable of but you still left me with him! (tears)

Alice- Sweetheart, I didn't-

Betty- You did! Remember when I was 11 and I told you that dad touched me?! I was just starting to go through puberty and dad groped me! I told you about it, but all you did was tell me to stay away from him and not tell anyone else! (cries)

Alice- Betty, I-

Betty- And he continued to do it! You knew that, and you did nothing!

Ben- Y-You...w-what?

Alice- B-Ben... (tears)

Ben and Caleb were standing to the side, listening to the entire conversation that had just gone on. Then they walked over to their sister and wrapped their arms around her.

Caleb- You need to fucking leave!

Alice- Caleb, honey, listen to me- (tears)

Caleb- No! I'm not going to fucking listen to you! You and dad are both terrible people! Dad has obviously done worse things, but you let it happen!

Ben- And I understand that you wanted to save yourself, he was torturing you, but you knew that by leaving he was going to move on to Betty.

Alice- B-But I didn't- (tears)

Caleb- If he was doing it before you left, he was clearly going to do it after!

Alice- I swear, I didn't know! P-Please believe me! (tears)

Betty wiped the tears that were beginning to fall from her eyes as she looked at her mother.

Betty- Y-You're saying all of these things, trying to make yourself look like the victim...but you still haven't fucking apologised! (tears)

Alice- Because you told me not to blame myself! (yells)

Jughead- Don't you fucking dare try to turn this around and make it her fault! You have put her through so much shit, and all you do is try to justify your reasoning! What the fuck is wrong with you?! (yells)

Fp- Jughead, don't get involved, this isn't your fight.

Fp grabbed Jughead's arm and pulled him to the side, but he pushed his father away and walked back over to his girlfriend, standing behind her supportively. But when Alice didn't say anything, Betty began to yell.

Betty- You're not going to fucking say anything?! After everything you just heard?! (yells and cries)

Alice- I don't know what to say. (softly)

Betty- How about "I'm sorry"?! "I'm sorry for everything that I put you through and you didn't deserve any of it"! (yells)

Alice- I am sorry, baby...but I'm not sorry for leaving, I wouldn't be alive if I wouldn't have left.

Betty- You fucking asshole! Any mother would die to protect their children! Instead, you left me with a man who abused me, sexually assaulted me and got me pregnant at 15! (yells and cries)

Alice- Betty, please don't-

Betty- Just stop talking, A-Alice.

Betty was about to continue speaking, but suddenly she started to feel faint. She leaned back against Jughead while Ben and Caleb quickly grabbed onto her to hold her up.

Betty- S-Something is wrong. (softly cries)

Jughead- O-Okay, okay, shh, calm down baby.

Betty- I-It hurts. (softly cries)

Fp ran over and looked at Betty before quickly noticing what was wrong.

Fp- She's bleeding, we have to go to the hospital, now!

Alice- F-Fuck. (whispers)