The thing is, thanks to the EW article, we’re so focused on the kiss, that we forgot to ask a few important questions, what were the arguments about? (EW just tells us how they start) What was said during the Bughead and Varchie arguments? And what were Jughead and Veronica apologizing for? Just because they fought or was it something they said?
For instance, we know that the Bughead argument starts because Jughead isn't doing his schoolwork, which may not seem like a big deal but let's take a step back. For several episodes, Jughead has been talking about the kind of future that he & Betty will have. Then, everything happens at Stonewall & most of his prospects were lost. So maybe he can’t have quite the future he envisioned, but so long as he catches up in school, he can graduate with Betty & move on with their lives. Except instead of doing what he needs to do to have that future, he’s obsessed with another conspiracy theory (sounds like something a certain Guidance Counselor mentioned).
I get Jughead has been tramatized by almost being killed, just as Betty was tramatized waking up with Jughead’s body on the ground & a bloody rock in her hand. And let’s look at Betty’s side here, she’s been to hell and back to keep her boyfriend alive and catch his attempted killers. Now, they have a chance to salvage their future and, what, Jughead decides to give up? Where does that leave her?
See, this argument may sound like it’s over nothing, but really it’s about their future. So, it’s likely this argument gets heated. And when Jughead gets in heated arguments, he has a tendency to say what comes to mind and sometimes those things are very hurtful. Remember how upset Betty was after what Jughead said at his birthday party? Imagine how worse it would feel if he said something like that now (which I have a feeling he may do), because when things get bad, Jughead has a tendency to push people away. It’s a defense mechanism, but if he truly considers Betty to be his partner, it’s one he cannot use. You cannot build a relationship with someone, if you keep pushing them away. At some point, they won’t come back.
Now if this happens, does this mean the kiss is suddenly fine? No. But it does explain the mental state Betty was in when it happened. What happens if she tells Jughead? One, they could break up. Or two, & I think this is what might happen, Jughead realizes that while what Betty did was not ok (kissing Archie is still on her), his own treatment of Betty was also not ok. In other words, something bad happened in their relationship because of both of their behaviors. And while their relationship has been wounded, their love is strong enough to get them through this, so as they work on these issues (which in Riverdale terms is, what, an episode?)