Don't Let Go

Part 32

Betty- Thank you for being here for me.

Jughead- Of course my love, I always will.

~2 years later~

Jughead- Where the fuck are you going?!

Betty- I have to get out of here! He's going to come after me! (cries)

Jughead- What are you talking about, baby?

Betty- M-My d-dad, he sent me a letter. He's going to come after me! I'm taking Riley and I'm leaving. (cries)

Jughead- No, you're not going anywhere!

Betty- Jug, I love you, but I can't just sit here and do nothing, waiting for him to hurt me again...or worse, hurt Riley. (cries)

That's when Ben and Caleb walked down with more bags of Betty and Riley's stuff.

Jughead- You guys are helping her with this?!

Ben- Yes, she has to get out of here! The first place he would come looking for her is this house!

Jughead- But he's still in prison! He can't get to her!

Betty let out a sob.

Betty- You didn't read the letter, did you? (cries)

Jughead- I didn't even know there was a letter until two seconds ago!

Betty grabbed the letter from the kitchen counter and handed it to her boyfriend...and as soon as he read it, he was furious.

Elizabeth,
I think I'll be getting out soon. I was originally sentenced to 10 years, but because of my good behavior, my parole officer said I can get out a lot sooner. I can't wait to see you again, and I can't wait to meet the baby. How old is she now, two? Time flies. See you soon, baby girl.
Dad

Jughead- What the fuck?! How does he even know about Riley?!
Betty- I don't know, but we're leaving, now! (cries)

Fp walked downstairs with Riley in his arms, the little girl had just woken up from her nap and was still tired but they needed to start moving.

Riley- Mama... (sleepily)

Fp handed her over to Betty and the young girl held her tightly.

Jughead- You knew about this too?!

Fp- Jug, don't be mad-

Jughead- Mad?! I'm fucking furious! You're helping my girlfriend move away and you didn't tell me about it?!

Fp- Betty asked me not to. (softly)

He looked at her with hurt in his eyes...but even though she felt terrible for hurting the man she loved, she knew she was doing the right thing.

Jughead- Why?! Why didn't you want to tell me?!

Betty- B-Because I didn't want to hurt you. (cries)

Jughead- So you thought that not saying goodbye would be the right idea?!

Betty- N-No, I just-

Jughead- Whatever! Just go!

Betty- J-Jug-

Jughead- No, I'm not doing this with you right now!

He stormed off, leaving Betty to cry even more. But she wiped her tears and picked up her bags while still holding her daughter tightly.

Fp- Alright sweetie, you can always come back...and let us know if you ever need anything. I love you.

Betty- Thank you, I love you too. (cries)

Fp- And honey, I'll talk to Jughead, he'll eventually calm down.

Betty nodded and walked over to the man, allowing him to wrap his arms around her and her daughter. And as soon as he pulled away, she turned to her brothers.

Caleb- Are you sure you don't want us coming with you?

Betty- (nods) I honestly think I'll be safer on my own. It's harder to find just one person. (cries)

Ben- (nods) But if you need anything, literally anything, just call one of us.

Betty- I will. (cries)

She hugged them both but before she left she wanted to say goodbye to her boyfriend. She handed her daughter to Caleb and dropped her bags back on the ground before running up to his bedroom...but he wasn't there. She walked back into the hallway before heading toward her bedroom, and as soon as she opened the door she saw her boyfriend crying into her pillow. She let out another sob, causing him to turn in her direction. He wiped his tears and stood up...and immediately Betty ran to him, wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could.

Betty- I'm sorry, please don't hate me. (sobs)

Jughead- I could never hate you, baby. I just wish you would've told me. (cries)

Betty- I know, I should've, I was just scared. But I would've asked you to go with me- (sobs)

Jughead- Then why didn't you? (tears)

Betty- You're going to college in a few weeks, Jug. I didn't want you to give that up for me. (cries)

Jughead- But I would've- (tears)

Betty- I know, but I couldn't let you do that for me. You're going to go to school and get your degree, and I will figure out what I'm doing. (cries)

Jughead- But Betts- (tears)

Betty- But nothing. Riley and I will be fine, okay? (cries)

He nodded and wiped his tears before kissing her over and over again.

Jughead- I love you so much. (tears)

Betty- I love you so much too. (cries)

Jughead- I don't want to say goodbye to you. (tears)

Betty- Then don't. (cries)

She hugged him tightly one more time before walking out of the bedroom and heading back downstairs. She took her daughter from Caleb's arms before picking her bags back up from the floor, then she walked out to the car that Fp had bought for her. She put her stuff in the back and placed Riley down in her car seat before waving to everyone who was standing on the porch...but as she was about to get in the car, she saw Jughead running to her from the corner of her eye. He reached her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Jughead- I can't let you leave without saying goodbye...as much as I don't want to. (tears)

She leaned into him further and kissed his cheek before pulling away and looking into his eyes.

Betty- Goodbye, Jug. (sniffles)

Jughead- Goodbye, my love. (softly)

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