Cast
Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz
Jordan Connor as Sweet Pea
Willa Holland as Hannah Pearson
Drew Ray Tanner as Fangs Fogarty
Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews
Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle
Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones
Danielle Campbell as Emma Walker
Author's note: This one-shot is set in an alternate universe where Betty never did the Serpent dance and Jughead never broke up with her. Archie and Veronica haven't broken up either. They're still together. Betty doesn't know the Serpents.
Jughead Jones led Toni Topaz, Sweet Pea, Hannah Pearson, Fangs Fogarty, and the rest of the Southside Serpents through the doors of Riverdale High. Sweet Pea gripped Hannah's hand tightly as they walked down the hallway. Toni and Fangs walked beside Sweet Pea and Hannah, glaring at anyone who looked at them the wrong way.
The Serpents stopped walking when they saw the table that Veronica Lodge, her boyfriend, Archie Andrews, and Kevin Keller were standing behind.
Veronica smiled. "Friends! On behalf of the students and faculty here at Riverdale High, welcome to your new school! To ease this transition, I've set up a registration desk, where you can get your locker assignments, class schedules, and a list of sports and extracurriculars. We encourage each and every one of you to drink deeply from the cup that is fair Riverdale."
"Stand down, Eva Perón!" Cheryl Blossom yelled, walking down the stairs with Reggie Mantle and a group of girls in blue and gold cheerleading uniforms.
Veronica sighed and turned back to look at Jughead before facing the redheaded girl headed right for them.
"There's the school spirit I so fondly remember," Jughead said sarcastically.
"Cheryl." Veronica acknowledged, glaring at the redheaded girl. "No one invited Fascist Barbie to the party."
"Wrong, Veronica. No one invited Southside scum to our school." Cheryl said, crossing her arms over her chest.
The Serpents tensed.
"Listen up, ragamuffins!" Cheryl yelled.
"Ragamuffins? What kind of insult is that?" Hannah questioned.
Hannah was tall, slender, and beautiful. She had fair skin and green eyes. Her long brown hair was parted in the middle and styled in loose curls. She wore an unzipped black leather jacket with the Southside Serpents logo on the back, an unbuttoned long-sleeved green and white plaid shirt over a white tank top, dark blue denim jeans, and black combat boots with black laces. She had on a light amount of black eyeliner, a light amount of black mascara, and soft brown eyeshadow. Her lip balm was a pretty peach colour. She had a double-headed snake tattoo on her left arm, but it couldn't be seen underneath her jacket. She didn't have any other tattoos besides her Serpent tattoo. She didn't have any scars or birthmarks. She didn't have any piercings.
Hannah was 16 years old. She was born and raised in the Southside. She was the only child of Mark and Kelly Pearson. The three of them lived in Sunnyside Trailer Park. Mark was a mechanic and had his own repair shop in the Southside. Kelly was a doctor and worked at the hospital in the Southside. They were part of the Southside Serpents. She wanted to follow in their footsteps and decided to join the Serpents when she was 15. She lost her virginity to a guy her age one night at a party shortly after she joined the Serpents. They weren't romantically involved. It was just a hookup, nothing more. At some point, she and Sweet Pea realized they were attracted to one another and started dating.
Cheryl looked at Hannah with raised eyebrows and then started speaking again. "I will not allow Riverdale High's above average GPA to suffer because of classrooms that are overcrowded with underachievers, so please do us all a favour and find some other school to debase with your hard-scrabble ways." She looked the Serpents up and down with a fake smile on her red lips and held her hands together in front of her.
"Why don't you come over here and say that to my face?" Toni asked angrily, moving towards Cheryl. Jughead, Sweet Pea, Hannah, and Fangs followed her, ready to fight.
Cheryl got in Toni's face. "Happily, Queen of the Buskers."
"She is just asking to get her ass kicked," Hannah muttered to Sweet Pea. She stepped forward and was about to lunge at Cheryl, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Okay, guys, can we just put our differences aside and start over?" Archie interjected, standing in between Toni and Cheryl. Hannah's gaze went from being focused on Cheryl to being focused on him. "A clean slate?" He looked between Cheryl and the Serpents.
"You don't speak for the Bulldogs, Andrews, and need I remind you that these greaser snakes showed up at your place trying to kick your ass," Reggie said, giving Archie a pointed look.
"Happy to finish what we started." Sweet Pea threatened, shoving past Toni and moving towards Reggie. He stopped in his tracks when he felt Fangs and Jughead's arms hold him back.
Veronica stood in between Reggie and Sweet Pea, resting a hand on Sweet Pea's left arm. "I'm so over the toxic masculinity in this hallway right now," she said loudly, her voice laced with annoyance.
"All right, that's enough pomp and circumstance! Everyone, get to class now!" Principal Weatherbee shouted. Sweet Pea turned back to see that Reggie had backed off a bit at those words.
Veronica took her hand off of Sweet Pea's arm. Sweet Pea's gaze focused on Reggie again as he began to walk towards the staircase, and he felt Jughead give him a small shove to pick up the pace. He could make out the rustling of papers as he and the rest of the Serpents walked down the hallway.
"Stupid Northsiders," Sweet Pea grumbled.
"It's okay, babe. Everything will get better." Hannah reassured Sweet Pea, rubbing his arm and getting him to calm down. "And if it doesn't, we'll just kick their asses," she added. He laughed.
Hannah walked into the math classroom. Math was her last class of the day. Once the clock struck 3, she would be able to jump on her motorcycle and go back to her trailer.
None of the other Serpents had math at this time of day besides Jughead, who was sitting next to a girl with fair skin, blue eyes, and long blonde hair tied up in a high ponytail wearing a white t-shirt, an unbuttoned pink cardigan, dark blue denim jeans, and beige ankle-length boots.
Hannah recognized the girl as Jughead's girlfriend, Betty Cooper. She had met Betty in English class. Betty was as sweet as apple pie and was one of the few Northsiders she could stand to be around.
Hannah sat on the other side of Jughead and gave Betty a friendly smile. "Hey Betty."
Betty smiled back. "Hey Hannah."
The teacher wrote an equation on the whiteboard and explained it to the class. Hannah listened intently while writing in her notebook. Despite what people like Cheryl and Reggie may think, she was actually pretty smart and cared about getting an education.
The clock struck 3, and Hannah left the classroom and walked out to the parking lot. She got on her motorcycle and drove to her trailer.
Betty laid in her bed, cell phone in hand, browsing Instagram. The name Hannah Pearson showed up in the list of suggested followers. She tapped on Hannah's profile picture and checked out her profile. Hannah had 99 posts and 85 followers and was following 100 people. At the top of the page, there were pictures of Hannah, a picture of Hannah's black Honda CB550 motorcycle, and a picture of the outside of the Whyte Wyrm. She scrolled down the page and saw a close-up of the Serpent tattoo on Hannah's left arm, pictures of Hannah and Sweet Pea, and pictures of Hannah, Toni, and Fangs. She couldn't help but smile at how cute Hannah and Sweet Pea were together and how close Hannah was with her friends.
Betty hit the follow button. A few minutes later, she got a notification saying that Hannah had followed her.
A few weeks had passed since the Serpents transferred to Riverdale High. The Bulldogs and the Serpents had been in their fair share of fights, and Principal Weatherbee had banned the Serpents from wearing their leather jackets and showing their tattoos. Sweet Pea had to wear a turtleneck in order to cover his tattoo, much to the amusement of the rest of the Serpents.
Hannah was talking to Fangs in the student lounge. She stifled a laugh as Sweet Pea walked in. "You look great, babe."
Fangs turned to see what Hannah was talking about and almost fell over laughing.
Sweet Pea was wearing a white turtleneck over an unbuttoned blue and white plaid shirt with long sleeves, dark blue denim jeans, and black combat boots with black laces.
"Shut the fuck up," Sweet Pea grumbled, making his way over to Hannah.
"It suits you," Hannah added, trying to conceal her smile.
Hannah was wearing a grey tank top over an unbuttoned red and grey plaid shirt with long sleeves, dark blue denim jeans, and black ankle-length leather boots with silver studs on the buckles.
"Yeah. It...um...it brings out the colour of your eyes," Fangs said with a smile. Sweet Pea shoved him.
"It's really not that bad." Hannah tried to reassure Sweet Pea, but he just rolled his eyes. "I've seen Fangs wear much worse."
"Hey!" Fangs exclaimed, offended. Hannah laughed.
"You would look good in anything. I promise." Hannah kissed Sweet Pea, and he smiled.
"Thanks, but that doesn't make me feel any better." Sweet Pea said.
"Are you guys busy tonight?" Fangs asked.
Sweet Pea shook his head. "No."
"Do you want to go see Love, Simon at the Bijou with me?" Fangs asked. "I was going to invite Toni, but she's too busy trying to get with Cheryl Bombshell." He rolled his eyes.
"Sounds like fun. We'll be there." Hannah told Fangs.
That night, Sweet Pea, Hannah, and Fangs arrived at the Bijou in Sweet Pea's truck. Sweet Pea held Hannah's hand as they walked in and found their seats.
Fangs nudged Sweet Pea and Hannah. "Guys, look."
Sweet Pea and Hannah turned their heads to see Toni sitting next to Cheryl. Toni made a flirtatious comment, causing Cheryl to blush.
Hannah smiled. "Aww, how cute!"
A few weeks had passed since Cheryl's date with Toni. They had become a couple. Fangs and a girl named Emma Walker had become a couple as well.
Emma was a Northsider. She was on the cheerleading squad with Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and Toni. There were no other Serpents on the cheerleading squad besides Toni.
Principal Weatherbee eventually lifted the ban on Serpent jackets and Serpent tattoos, and the Serpents started wearing their leather jackets to school again.
After their lunch date at Pop's, Sweet Pea and Hannah went back to his trailer.
Hannah walked into Sweet Pea's bedroom, Sweet Pea following behind her. He shut the door behind them.
Hannah took off her black combat boots, dark blue denim jeans, black t-shirt, and Serpent jacket, leaving her in just her black lingerie.
Sweet Pea left a trail of kisses on the side of Hannah's neck, rubbing his hands up and down her legs. Hannah groaned in pleasure, taking off Sweet Pea's clothes, leaving him in just his boxers.
Hannah straddled Sweet Pea's body as they laid on top of the bed. She kissed down his body, creeping closer to his boxers. Sweet Pea flipped them over so that he was on top. The two kissed each other all over as they made love.
Sweet Pea and Hannah collapsed on the bed next to each other.
"You up for round 2?" Sweet Pea asked.
Hannah rolled on top of Sweet Pea. "Definitely."
Hannah stood beside Sweet Pea, laughing at something stupid he had said. Fangs was standing on the other side of him, and Jughead was in front of them all. She looked around the park and saw Cheryl and Toni laughing with each other. She smiled.
Jughead's father, FP Jones, whistled, getting the attention of the Serpents.
"Listen up, now! All right, listen up!" FP yelled. "Some 60 years ago, the very first Serpent meeting took place on these same riverbanks. Now, it makes sense that this is where we gather now, where I…" He paused, trying to find the right words to say. "Where I say my goodbye. Jughead, would you step up here, son?"
The crowd started muttering.
"What the fuck is going on?" Hannah whispered to Sweet Pea.
Hannah's hair was down and straight. She was wearing her black leather jacket with the Southside Serpents logo on the back, an unbuttoned long-sleeved blue and black plaid shirt over a black tank top, dark blue denim jeans, and black ankle-length leather boots with silver studs on the buckles.
"I have no idea. To be honest, I thought we came here to get drunk and celebrate how far we've come," Sweet Pea said. Hannah laughed.
Jughead made his way towards FP.
"What are you doing?" Jughead mumbled.
"What I should have done a long time ago," FP muttered.
"I'm retiring from the Serpents." FP announced. The muttering got louder. "For real this time," he added.
FP put an arm around Jughead's shoulder. "Now, my boy has never stopped fighting for this crew. Hell, he almost died for it." He turned to face his son. "That's why I'm giving you the mantle."
The crowd cheered. Sweet Pea hit Fangs, making him wince in pain from his gunshot wound.
"And now, as your first official duty as Serpent King…" FP nodded to Toni, who made her way towards FP and Jughead and handed FP a red leather jacket with the Southside Serpents logo on the back.
"I think you know what to do with this." FP handed the jacket to his son. Jughead smiled.
"All right, all right," Jughead muttered. "All I can say is…I love you, Dad. And the serpents will not die out. Not on my watch."
The crowd cheered.
Cheryl made her way towards Jughead, and they smiled at each other as he gave her the red leather jacket.
"Welcome to the Serpents, Cheryl," Hannah said.
Cheryl smiled at Hannah before making her way back to Toni and kissing her.
"One more thing." Jughead told the Serpents. "We have a new Serpent Queen." He pulled out his cell phone and called Betty to tell her the good news.
Two years later
It was the night of the senior prom at Riverdale High.
Archie was going with Veronica. Jughead was going with Betty. Toni was going with Cheryl. Sweet Pea was going with Hannah. Fangs was going with Emma.
Veronica, Betty, Cheryl, Hannah, and Emma had gotten ready for the dance at Betty's house.
The limo Veronica had rented for the night pulled into Betty's driveway. Archie, Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, and Fangs stepped out of the limo and stood in the driveway, waiting for Veronica, Betty, Cheryl, Hannah, and Emma to step out of the house.
Archie was wearing a black suit, a white dress shirt, and a black necktie.
Jughead was wearing a black suit, a white dress shirt, and a black necktie. His beanie rested on top of his head.
Toni was wearing a strapless black dress with a floor-length skirt. The sweetheart neckline showed a hint of cleavage. Her long brown hair with pink highlights was styled in barrel curls. Her makeup made her brown eyes pop.
Sweet Pea was wearing a black suit, a white dress shirt, and a black necktie. The first two buttons of his shirt were undone. His Serpent tattoo was on full display.
Fangs was wearing a black suit, a white dress shirt, and a black necktie.
When Archie laid eyes on Veronica, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Wow. You look stunning."
Veronica had on a strapless purple dress with a floor-length skirt. The sweetheart neckline showed a hint of cleavage. A section of her wavy black hair was pinned behind her head with a sparkling silver beaded barrette. A diamond necklace stopped just below her collarbone. Her makeup made her brown eyes pop.
Veronica smiled and gave Archie a peck on the lips. "Thank you, Archie."
Archie walked towards the limo. Veronica walked beside him. He held the door open and took her by the hand, helping her into the back of the limo.
When Jughead laid eyes on Betty, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Wow. You look incredible."
Betty had on a pale pink dress with a floor-length skirt and a sweetheart neckline that turned into off-the-shoulder sleeves. The neckline showed a hint of cleavage. Her blonde curls were pushed out of her face but still left to fall down her back, clipped together by a sparkling silver beaded barrette. Her long dark lashes were thicker and framing her blue eyes, her lips were shiny, and her cheeks were rosy.
Betty smiled and gave Jughead a peck on the lips. "Thank you, Jughead."
Jughead walked towards the limo. Betty walked beside him. He held the door open and took her by the hand, helping her into the back of the limo.
When Toni laid eyes on Cheryl, her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Wow. You look beautiful."
Cheryl had on a strapless red dress with a floor-length skirt. The sweetheart neckline showed a hint of cleavage. Her long red hair was styled in barrel curls. She wore a light amount of black eyeliner, a light amount of black mascara, soft pink eyeshadow, and red lipstick.
Cheryl smiled and gave Toni a peck on the lips. "Thank you, Toni."
Toni and Cheryl walked towards the limo. Toni held the door open and took her by the hand, helping her into the back of the limo.
When Sweet Pea laid eyes on Hannah, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Wow. You look amazing."
Hannah had on a strapless dark blue dress with a floor-length skirt. The sweetheart neckline showed a hint of cleavage. Her long brown hair was swept to one side and fell over one shoulder in barrel curls. She wore a light amount of black eyeliner, a light amount of black mascara, soft brown eyeshadow, and nude lip gloss. Her Serpent tattoo was on full display.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Hannah said.
"Thanks," Sweet Pea said.
Sweet Pea walked towards the limo. Hannah walked beside him. He held the door open and took her by the hand, helping her into the back of the limo.
When Fangs laid eyes on Emma, his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Wow. You look gorgeous."
Emma had on an emerald green dress with a floor-length skirt and a sweetheart neckline that turned into off-the-shoulder sleeves. The neckline showed a hint of cleavage. Her brown curls were pushed out of her face but still left to fall down her back, clipped together by a sparkling silver beaded barrette. Her makeup made her blue eyes pop.
Emma smiled and gave Fangs a peck on the lips. "Thanks, babe."
Fangs walked towards the limo. Emma walked beside him. He held the door open and took her by the hand, helping her into the back of the limo.
The limo drove down the road towards Riverdale High.
A few days later
It was graduation day.
The ceremony was being held in the gym at Riverdale High. The graduates sat in the first row, clad in blue graduation gowns and blue graduation caps with gold tassels. The guests sat a little farther back.
"Before handing over diplomas to our graduates, here's a word from our Valedictorian, Elizabeth Cooper." Principal Weatherbee said.
"Thank you," Betty said, stepping toward the microphone.
Jughead couldn't help but smile. Betty had worked very hard on her speech. She was proud of it, and he was proud of her.
"Have you ever read a good book or a good story, and when you're on the final chapter and the final page, you feel a sadness you can't explain?"
"Sometimes, if you're lucky, the story or book will have an epilogue or a sequel. I stand here before you, my fellow graduates, to tell you that although this chapter in our lives has ended, the story is far from over."
"We are all still so young. We have time to fall in and out of love and to make mistakes. We still have the opportunity to fail and succeed and to change our minds like we change our clothes. There are tears of sadness running down some of your faces. Why? This isn't the end. This is the beginning of something really, really amazing."
"For some of you, maybe it's college. Maybe it's your dream job. Maybe it's getting married and starting a family. Or maybe it's finally accepting who you are and not being afraid of who you could turn out to be."
"Just promise me one thing. Don't forget what these past few years have brought to your life. Don't forget about the people that taught you all about friendship and bravery and courage. Don't forget about the smiles and frowns, the laughter and tears, and the break ups and make ups. Don't run from your mistakes. Learn from them and embrace them. I wish you all the happiness in the world. I can't think of a group of people that deserve it more."
Thunderous applause followed Betty's speech.
Betty ran to join Jughead among the crowd that had risen to wait for her. As soon as they were reunited, they passionately kissed in front of everyone.
After each graduate had received their diploma, Principal Weatherbee addressed the crowd. "Everyone, please rise."
The crowd stood up.
Principal Weatherbee turned to the graduates and said, "Graduates, please move your tassels from right to left."
The graduates did as they were told.
"Congratulations to the Riverdale High School class of 2019!" Principal Weatherbee exclaimed.
The graduates threw their caps in the air.
THE END