Aberration ≫ Jarchie

F O U R T E E N

Seven Years Old ❣︎ September

Mr. Jones came back the day before the first day of school.

It was hard for Jughead to tell if this meant things were going to go back to normal, or if things were going to get worse.

His summer wasn't really his summer, it was more like JellyBean's. Mrs. Jones smiled her innocent smile, and the raven haired boy couldn't help but to volunteer to watch over his delicate sister as his mom went to work. He absolutely loves his sister, but watching over her everyday this past summer bored, and worked him to death.

Why couldn't his dad just stay and help?

And on top of that, His mom could barely afford the house on her own-- even with the two jobs she already has-- and there has been talk about moving.

Why couldn't his dad just stay in help?

It's safe to say that the raven haired boy held a grudge.

Just a little one.

But the minute Mr. Jones walked through the door, he couldn't help but to feel happy and impressed. He thought that it was the end of all the bad, and that his dad would never let him down again.

He wouldn't, would he?

Despite all of this going on in Jughead's mind, he hadn't shed a tear. He felt overwhelmed, let down, confused, and honestly crushed.

Was he not good enough for his dad to stay?

Despite thoughts such as these floating around in his mind, he hadn't wiped the smile off of his face. He didn't think he had a right to feel sad. So many other people are going through so many other things, far worse things, and he felt that he had to be strong. He had to be strong for his mom, so she didn't didn't have to worry about him while she was working towards keeping them alive, and he definitely didn't need her feeling guilty about putting so much on the boy. Taking care of a child is a lot of work, especially if you're still a child yourself.

He also had to be strong for Archie, believe it or not, because he felt that he had to set an example. Archie always looks up to Jughead, how would Archie feel if he saw his hero break down?

Jughead didn't want that.

So you can imagine that when his father returned, so many emotions hit him at once.

Things were going to go back to normal, things were going to be better. Jughead would be able to take steady breaths again, without wondering if he even had time to catch one. He could focus on school properly, without having a potential distraction, and he could hang out with Archie again.

He missed Archie.

Sure, the redhead came over, but they couldn't hang out without constant interruptions from the candy named baby, or the frequent phone calls from his mom checking in on him out of paranoia. Archie hadn't seemed to mind it so much, completely understanding Jughead's situation, but it still didn't calm the darker hue's conscious about it.

If I was good enough, daddy would've stayed. If daddy would've stayed, I could've hung out with Archie more. Am I even good enough for Archie?

No one knew the darker hue felt this way.

And sadly, things didn't get better when Mr. Jones came back.

They got worse.

There's always constant yelling coming from the small gray house, but somehow Jughead's silent approach to these arguments is louder.

Archie wonders how Jughead is even able to cope with this, he's worried.

But nobody else seems to care, or even notice.

You can hide anything with a smile, the raven haired boy gathered.

"Are you okay Juggy?" Archie asks concerned from where the two are sitting on the old rusty swing set behind their school during recess.

"Not at the moment, but things will get better." The darker hue shrugs.

The scarlet hue frowns but says nothing more, opting for grabbing the latter's small hand.

"You'll tell me if it doesn't right?" Archie whispers in a small voice.

"Of course."

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾