hello! I have not written fiction in a long time and at the moment I am obsessed with Riverdale. I would appreciate it endlessly if you would favourite, follow or review this story as it would encourage me to write more. thank you :)
Sunlight slipped into my tent through a small crevice while birds chirped from a nearby tree. Despite the warmth of the sun shining directly onto my body, the actual temperature of my surroundings were freezing. It was the type of weather where if you breathed out, you could see the air transform into cold mist, almost like alchemy or a spell. You'd be guaranteed to find a blanket of ice on the glass of your car in the morning. Typical Winter vibes.
Today, much like other days, was a school day. From my knowledge, many people dreaded attending school but I personally looked forward to it. My previous school, Southside High, had been recently closed down by the local government. Although there were speculations about the true intentions of the mayor's choice, I respected it immensely because it opened up better learning experiences. Southside High was known to be the heart of youth gang behaviour within Riverdale as both Ghoulies and Serpents preciously roamed its terrain freely. Closing down the school and transferring students to different districts reduced tension and provided less fortunate students with opportunities.
Running my brush through my hair, I smiled at the thought of learning at Riverdale High again. The facilities demonstrated the correct amount of funding that a school should receive; clean walls, modern computers and recent textbooks. It featured so many luxuries that teenagers took for granted but only those that were accustomed to less would understand. All of the other Serpents that also moved to Riverdale High, such as Fangs and Sweet Pea, understood what I meant. However, I got the impression that they were not as thrilled about the move than me. They appreciated the power Southside High offered them and did not have as big aspirations.
I crawled out my tent and back into the grand space of Sunnyside Trailer Park. It consisted of an assortment of trailers and tents. Whether you owned a trailer or a tent depended on both your connections within your own family and the Serpents. Individuals, like FP and Jughead Jones owned a trailer as their role within the community were higher in the hierarchy than other members such as myself. Arguably, I had potential to own a trailer as I worked at the White Wyrm but my tent was comforting and my home. The Serpents had always been open-minded to accepting newcomers and offering them a place to stay in response to loyalty, allowing me to live where I did for over four years.
From a distance, I noticed Sweet Pea hanging laundry onto a washing line. He wore his trademark leather jacket with a plain black t-shirt underneath and his hair scruffily rested over his baby face. I poured two cups of coffee from a pan of boiling water and called him over.
'Good morning,' I said with a smile, 'Sleep well?'
He sipped out of his mug then grumbled, 'I wish. A few of the younger guys were throwing rocks at trailers last night until Jughead told them off.'
Afterwards, we complained about the hostility of the Bulldogs and Vixens at Riverdale High. We had only been students for two weeks but naturally due to the division between the north and south, there was an uproar from the prized pupils. Their main issue was the fact that we did not belong there and could jeopardise their learning. Truth was, I would have understood their concern if we misbehaved but the majority of us just wanted to keep peace. Annoyingly, their lack of hospitality made us feel like intruders, which we were to a certain degree but whatever.
'Don't you think it's weird how Veronica is so welcoming to us? I mean, she's Hiram Lodge's daughter so that isn't a good sign,' Sweet Pea commented, 'But at least it gives us some sort of defence while we're at that school.'
I shrugged my shoulders and noticed Jughead approaching us. Although we all had faith in him for his services and blood connection, we knew that Veronica was close friends with his girlfriend. His association with the Northside definitely caused commotion a few months ago, especially with Tall Boy, but I knew that he was someone to trust. Either way, we avoided discussing the topic of his friends from the Northside because of the sensitivity.
We greeted him and started walking to school together. On the way, we visited Riverdale's favourite diner, Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, so that Jughead could pick up breakfast. It was one of those classic American diner type places with booths and counters to eat at. Or, customers took away their food in a paper bag. Judging by its popularity, the majority of the town had at least ordered a couple of milkshakes from it.
Much like how he always was, Pops served breakfast from behind the main counter. He was an elderly man that I was pretty sure only owned his a white apron and work attire. Pops never failed to hold a sheepish smile on his face. We watched him give what appeared to be a morning coffee to Cheryl Blossom and two Vixens.
Or, well, to everyone else. Cheryl Bombshell.
At Riverdale High, Cheryl Blossom was the leader of the cheerleading team, a student that consistently attained high grades and most importantly, the Regina George of the school. Jughead informed me that even before the passing of her brother Jason, her outspoken personality had always attracted the attention of her peers. She strutted everywhere with confidence and her bright ginger hair made her stand out like the Black Hood in a kid's playground. The first time I met her, she stole my role as the girl who set off the race between Jughead and the Ghoulies. The next encounter involved her talking so badly about the Serpents to the point in which I snapped at her. Hopefully, we would leave promptly and unnoticed.
Not wanting to attract attention to myself, I waited with Sweet Pea near the door. I frequently turned my head to peer outside of the window then back to the scene in front of me, tapping my foot gently with folded arms. We observed Jughead approach Pops to receive his usual and exchange a brief conversation with Cheryl. She flicked her long locks and cocked her head at him while he smirked. Moments later, he returned to us and we fled.
'What were you talking to Cheryl about?' I asked.
Jughead stuffed his bacon roll into his mouth and shrugged his shoulders, speaking through mouthfuls, 'Nothing important really. She quizzed me about Betty. After finding out that they're cousins, she's become overprotective of her. It makes sense, considering the rest of her family are a modern day Adams family but I kept the details short and simple. Besides, Betty is the one that's been distancing herself from me as she doesn't seem too supportive of me being a Serpent.' I nodded, not wanting to pry further. Recently, Jughead's relationship had undergone strain as his girlfriend, the daughter of the owner of the local newspaper company, was concerned about his commitment with our gang. Understandably, everyone knew the dangers that came with being a Serpent but equally, membership also offered protection and support that was unobtainable otherwise.
Once we drew closer to Riverdale High, Jughead pulled out his mobile phone to text what I believed to be his best friend, Archie Andrews. Meanwhile, I walked ahead with Sweet Pea and Fangs. Hopefully, today would be an ordinary day without drama. Well, at least less commotion than usual.