Chapter 10: FP II

                                    

                                          

Jughead stayed home the rest of the week, his phone on silent mode, except for Toni, and therefore barely saw other people. 
When he returned to school on Monday, he heard Veronica's voice before he even saw her. 
And she didn't sound pleased. 
Well, guess she knew. 
"Jughead Jones, we need to talk. Now." She snapped as soon as she had stormed over to him, her heels clicking on the floor. In front of him, she came to a stop, crossing her arms over her chest. 
"Uh, Veronica. What's up?" He asked, rubbing his arm with a soft chuckle. It could be all sorts of things after all. It didn't seem to help with Veronica's mood though. 
"Don't play dumb, Jughead. You know exactly what I'm talking about" She didn't wait for him to respond "I've been trying to reach you since Wednesday! Why didn't you tell me??"
"Tell you... what exactly?"
"Cut the act. I'm talking about the news about you being my half-brother! We have the same mother, and you didn't answer my damn calls!"
"Oh. That." Jughead scratched the back of his neck "Well, uh- I was kinda sick and then-" 
"And let me guess, you were 'too sick' to answer my text messages as well?"
"I had my phone on silent, okay? I didn't answer anyone. It gave me a headache" 
Or the nicotine, maybe that too. 
Veronica didn't have to know that though. 
"Fine, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt," She said, her tone still cold, though a bit softer now "but why didn't you tell me sooner?? We've been hanging out and whatnot, and you didn't think that was a small detail to mention?"
"I didn't know either, okay??" Jughead mumbled, flailing his arms around "I just- I freaked, and I didn't know if you knew and dad told me to not spill the beans until your mother — or our mother, I guess — told you"
That finally seemed to do it. 
With a deep breath, Veronica's face softened again. 
"Oh. You didn't know either"
"No, I didn't"
"I get it. You were surprised too, and you didn't want to say anything without mom's approval. But- Seriously, Jug, you should've at least answered my calls or texts"
"I-I know, I'm sorry, I-" Jughead sighed, driving a hand over his face "Sorry. I like to avoid emotional things when I can? I should have answered your texts..." The girl just softened further — because she had realized that by now. She had seen how Jughead and Betty had gone from being so close their first week of school to... her looking at him with longing looks and him turning the other way. 
"It's okay, Jughead. I get it. But the next time that you get any important news, I expect you to share it with me, okay?" A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips "Especially if it's about being related by blood"
"I know. I know. I'm sorry" Jughead apologized, shoulders sacking forward before he sheepishly looked up "I finished your photos though?" 
At that, Veronica brightened up. 
"You did? Can I see them?"
"Sure. But I still got them at home, so I can only send them over later" Jughead mumbled, going back to his usual self as he realized that Veronica wasn't mad — and that their friendship probably stayed the same, even after finding out about being related.