Chapter 18

Betty stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes seemed to have lost their shine and she seemed so much more tired than she remembered. She didn't know what to do with herself. She had no friends, no Jughead, her parents marriage was falling apart, she didn't have anything. She had lost it all. She needed a fresh start, she looked down at the duffel she had packed. She wouldn't find it here. There was nothing for her here anymore. Even Archie had abandoned her, the boy she had known her entire life, her best friend.

She put the bag on her shoulder and sneaked out the front door, making sure her mother didn't hear her as she closed it quietly behind her. She turned around and froze. Archie was standing before her.

"Archie?" Betty questioned, her blue eyes watering. "What are you doing here?"

"Going somewhere?" Archie asked as he looked at the bag hanging on her shoulder.

"Why would you care?" she questioned. She immediately regretted how bitter it sounded.

"You can't just run" he said. "Where are you even gonna go?"

"I'll figure something out Arch" she replied as she walked down her front steps and past him. He turned and followed her, there was no way he was going to let her be out here at night by herself.

"Betty come on" Archie said as he walked with her. "You don't wanna do this. Just use your head for a second."

She spun towards him, anger burning in her eyes. "I have used my head Archie, this is the only thing that will make me happy, getting away from it all."

He shook his head, "You still have me, I'm sorry I haven't been there for you lately, but you've been pushing everyone away that tries to help you."

"I don't need help!" Betty snapped. "Just leave me alone."

"No" Archie answered.

Betty stopped walking and turned to glance back at him, clearly surprised by his response.

"What?" Betty questioned.

"I'm sorry but I'm not leaving you alone to deal with whatever's been going on with you alone" he replied.

"Don't act like you care!" Betty said, her eyes alight with tears that threatened to spill. "You told me you didn't love me Arch." Her voice nearly broke as she said the words. "Not you, not Jughead, no one wants me."

Archie walked towards her, placing his hand softly on her cheeks. "That was a long time ago" he replied. "I do love you Betty. You should know that."

"What about Veronica?" Betty asked.

"That's over" Archie answered. "I was never in love with her, I thought I was, but now I know, it's always been you Betty."

Betty shook her head, placing her hand over his, "Arch, I wish I could believe you."

"Please, just trust me?"

Betty thought back to Jughead. He had promised he had loved her, that he would never leave her again, and then he had shut her out of his life completely. He had told her right to her face that he didn't want her. How was she supposed to believe that Archie somehow now cared so deeply for her.

"I... can't" Betty replied as her voice brook. She threw her arms across his neck and hugged him tight, kissing his cheek as she whispered, "I'm so sorry Archie." And with those final words Betty turned and ran off, leaving Archie standing there. This time he was the one hurting. He had no idea what to do next. She didn't trust him, didn't believe him, and Archie didn't blame her. He blamed Jughead, all of this had happened because of him.

END! Hope you all enjoyed!