CHAPTER 1: Silver Tongue
Nice to meet you, where you been?
I could show you incredible
things.
Jughead's POV
The gang was in my trailer tonight, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Cheryl, Toni, Josie and Kevin and my dad who was sat in the kitchen reading the paper quietly trying not to disturb us. It was around midnight, Archie was talking to Sweet Pea about a different technique he was learning in the gym, Josie and Kevin were discussing tomorrow's biology exam with Betty, Veronica was chatting to Cheryl about lipstick and Toni was talking with Fangs and I. "You got any food FP?" Fangs complained jumping up to raid our fridge. My Dad chuckled setting down his paper which he clearly wasn't interested in.
"No, Jughead ate it all" Dad raised a teasing eyebrow at me and I just smirked shrugging.
"Lets go to Pop's, I'm dying for a shake!" Veronica squealed. It wasn't a bad idea actually, we all jumped up and Dad passed me some money to which he hugged my telling us to be safe with the Ghoulies and Penny lurking still-we took our bikes and Veronica's car and rode to everybody's favourite diner: Pop's choc'lit shop. A place where friendships were formed, love bloomed and laughs were shared though it had its share of darkness like the shooting of Fred Andrews. However memories remained fond and it was my safe place. We all scooted in a booth ordering our food which was brought to us in quick time as usual, our eating was interrupted by the door opening loudly to reveal an intimidating looking girl.
"Damn" Sweet Pea breathed, she was indeed beautiful but my Betty was far better. Her hair was stark white flowing down to her waist in barrelled vintage curls, her lips were pouty and painted a rosy pink, she had manicured eyebrows with prominent cheekbones, her fingernails painted black with many rings adorning her fingers that were bruised, scarred and bleeding in some spots, she wore a black dress that went to above her knees; wearing a deep red leather jacket, her knee high socks ripped with combat boots, her eyes were a bright green and bored into the soul. Her knees were bruised, she had a new cut on her right eyebrow and her necklace said a name in the middle of her chest.
"Who. is. that" Kevin said with a gawking mouth, by now we were all staring at the mystery girl who none of us had seen before, clearly Pop's had-they hugged for a minute before she went to sit in the booth in the far corner, away from us. "She is gorgeous! I mean those curls and clothes, damn girl" Kevin fangirled making Cheryl roll her eyes.
"I'm going to tell her that only one girl can wear an iconic red leather jacket!" Cheryl growled getting out from her seat. Toni yanked on her sleeve pleadingly.
"Hers isn't even the same shade of red!" Toni reasoned but Cheryl continued to stalk to the new girl who didn't seem so new to Pop. We all turned watching and listening to their interaction. Cheryl arrived at the girls table who didn't even look up from lighting her cigarette-she ignored Cheryl until she cleared her throat.
"Ahem" Cheryl said clearly irritated. The girl side eyed her before standing up and blowing a puff of smoke in her face, Cheryl's eyes widened at the rude action and I winced as to what was next, this girl had some serious balls. Pop's watched the girls before coming to our table with a frightened expression. We all frowned with concern and downright confusion.
"You need to tell Cheryl to be nice, ST isn't a girl you should mess around with" Pop's warned before waddling away.
"Can I help you, red?" the girl named 'ST' spoke in a silky smooth voice that was both intimidating, alluring and so cool too. Sweet Pea chuckled impressed with her in general, by the hungry look in his eyes you could tell he liked her already. Cheryl pursed her lips in obvious disgust.
"Yes actually you can, look there's only room for one red jacket in this town and that's mine!" Cheryl said but you could see a tint of fear in the way she stood so closed off. ST squished her cigarette into her hand ignoring the hissing of burning flesh with dull eyes, she sighed looking bored and tired with the dark circles under her eyes despite her perfect complexion.
"Take mine off then" she replied simply, it sounded like a threat but wasn't one at the same time. We began to stand up not going closer but being aware of the situation, Cheryl seemed confused for a second but then attempted to remove the jacket. ST pulled her arm forward before swiping her off her feet and flicking out a blade. We all rushed to Cheryl's aid, Toni worried for her girlfriend. "Listen Blossom" ST began but was speaking to all of us...how did she know about the Blossoms? "You're a simple trickster, you play tricks and mind games. I'm a storm, I bring chaos. Names ST, I don't think you'll forget it" she smirked before storming off leaving 50 dollars for Pop's even though she hadn't had any food.
"Go after her!" I yelled, nobody messes with a serpent! Sweet Pea, Fangs and Archie raced out the door and I followed in suit. We got outside in time to see her hop on a Harley Davidson that was a deep green, "hey!" I yelled. She stuck her middle ringer up and rode off into the starry night, coating Pop's in another paint of mystery...
FP's POV
My phone began vibrating to see Pop's caller ID. I answered with worry, Jug and the kids were there-I hope nothing had gone to shit. "Hey FP?" Pop's said with both fear and excitement in his voice, "you'll never guess who is back in town" he began. I widened my eyes guessing who it was immediately, "ST is here" he said. Suddenly a grumble of a bike roared outside. I hung up swinging the door open to see my daughter outside looking bruised, angry yet hurt to see my face again.
"FP" she acknowledged. I stumbled outside in shock, she was really here? She came back! "Can I come inside?" she asked wearily. I nodded placing a hand on her back, she shifted from my touch and I followed her inside marvelling at how she was back and somewhat in one piece. "Can we talk?" she asked massaging her knuckles.
"Yeah, you want a bandage?" I said gesturing to her hand, she shook her head dismissing the pain she was in...a true Jones indeed.
"You got a stitching kit?" she mumbled lighting a cigarette, I disapproved of her habit but was in no position to tell her off-I dragged the kit from the top of the cupboard handing it to her, she pulled up her dress a bit to her thigh a huge gash which was pressed with an old oiled rage and rope was protruding. She undid the rope and revealed it in its bloody mess, signs of infection visible. My eyes bulged worried for my little girl.
"The hell did that to you?!" I cried in anger, she sighed grasping the suture between her teeth and using it to stitch herself up...Jesus this girl was tough.
"I'd rather not get into that" she replied calmly with a bead of sweat running down her forehead, "got any vodka?" she said and I rubbed my head, the hell had I done? I let her throw her life away like this all because I was afraid and irresponsible! "For the pain dumbass" ST's sardonic nature peered through and a small smile played my lips. I got up handing her a fresh bottle, she cracked it open and chugged until it was half gone-wiping her lips aggressively she continued stitching in silence. That silence which was always so terrible with ST.
"ST, I'm happy you're here...but why?" I said desperately trying to pull any answers from her. For a moment her eyes flashed with sadness before they returned to the cold ones.
"My mom killed herself when I was 10-I did some favours, stuff to survive and I got into trouble, I don't have anywhere else to go. I'll leave if you want" she whispered. My heart broke, my little girl had been homeless, alone and possibly doing things that threatened her life on a daily basis. "I met Jughead, he doesn't remember me" she laughed bitterly and I closed my eyes wishing I could embrace her but knowing she'd reject me was too much.
"Stay, I want to be your dad ST. I don't drink anymore" . I reminded her feeling proud that Jughead had got me on the sober wagon and back to being a father; Jug and I's relationship was at its peak. She looked me in the eyes with those cold, green eyes that could burn into you.
"If you couldn't stop for me I'm glad you stopped for him" ST nodded finished her last stitch and wiping it clean. The door burst open to reveal Jughead and the gang who stared at us is confusion and anger, "hello brother" ST mocked. Jughead pointed an accusing finger towards me.
"What is she talking about?" he yelled. Betty snaked her hand into his and he noticeably calmed down, Toni put Cheryl on the couch tending to the bruise on her head.
"ST is my daughter Jug, your twin actually" I stated and she smiled lighting another cigarette. Jughead slumped into a nearby seat grabbing Betty's hands for emotional support, Sweet Pea ogled ST longing and I glared at him until he stopped. ST smirked his way with a wink just to piss me off no doubt.