Once my hair had been fully dried I took out my trusty curling iron. Today was the day to make myself look bigger than reality and big, sexy curls was step one.

Normally I wouldn't be putting this much stock in to my appearance, but it was my grand reveal and I needed to look both appealing and like someone you didn't want to fuck with. I had to cement my place as a Serpent from the get go.

Once my hair was accomplished I shook it out, fluffed it up and put in a little flex-hold hairspray. I was punk rock/sex hair and I felt more myself than I ever had in that tight ass pony tail. After applying a tinted moisturizer I tinted my eyebrows a little darker and went in for the kill. Cat eye liner with a line across the bottom lashes, followed by some serious volume mascara and I felt I was ready to go. Dramatic, dark and devastating. I winked at my reflection and moved on to my closet.

Since I'd be taking a motorcycle to school today I decided distressed grey jeans were a better option than the leather skirt I was eyeing. Top it off with a tight white wife beater and some chunky boots and I was ready to eat breakfast and then impatiently await my paramour.

I was half way through a bowl of cereal when I heard a motorcycle pull up outside. Shoveling the rest of my breakfast into my mouth I scrambled to grab my bag and get to the door. No reason to leave Sweet Pea waiting for me.

As I opened the door I was in for quite a shock.

"Hope you don't mind, I ran into Sweet Pea and told him I'd bring you in today."

I felt my mouth open but no words come out as I looked up in to the eyes of our fearless leader. He was clearly fresh from the shower as his wet hair fell into his eyes and the shirt under his jacket clung along the ridges of a six pack I didn't know existed.

I am never going to get this image out of my brain.

"Sorry, I just, I wanted to bring you your jacket before your first day, can't have a snake go in without their skin." He looked slightly uncomfortable at my silence, his hand running through his hair in discomfort.

"God, no! I mean, yes! I mean…thank you. Would you like a cup of coffee? We have a little time before we need to leave." I said, tripping over my words, not feeling like I'd conveyed my sentiments really clearly.

(Flashback to a little earlier, FP's POV)

I was a little concerned when I caught Sweet Pea coming home in the same clothes he wore last night. I chose him and Toni as Betty's mentors because I thought thy would be the best fit, having been legacies before her. But if Sweet was dipping his wick at the same time things would have to be reevaluated. You can become very close and very dependent in these situations and I don't want there to be misunderstandings and hurt feelings because Betty got in too deep.

I walked over to the trailer he lived in with his mother, Letty, and knocked repeatedly until he answered the door. As the screen door creaked open I could see a look of concern cross Sweet's face.

"You mind explaining to me what you were doing spending the night with your charge," I growled out, keeping my voice low. His eyes seemed to widen fractionally before he put up a mask.

"Don't see why it matters who I fuck, but I got this, FP. Betts is cool, I'll keep a handle on it."

"It matters because she's a new member of this crew and I don't need her developing an attachment that's one sided. What happens if this goes sideways, huh? She'll feel like she doesn't belong here. You talk to her today. I want the air cleared so she understands her place here with or without you, capiche?"

I quick jerk of the head is the only response I got but it was enough.

"Now, I'm gunna go bring her new jacket over and take her to school myself, instill some fear into the other kids. You talk with her by the end of the day."

Before I could hear a response I took off back to my bike and headed to the other side of the trailer park, hoping the conversation I was going to have to have with Betty wouldn't be the most awkward encounter of my life.

(Flash Forward Betty POV)

As I poured FP a cup of coffee I could feel him staring at me and I could all but see how uncomfortable he was. Had he not been here only yesterday I would think he wasn't comfortable in my place, but maybe it was just being alone with me that set him on edge.

"Cream or sugar?" I asked, holding the container of sugar I'd pilfered from my parents pantry.

"Two sugars please, no dairy." He said, shuffling his feet under the table and leaning back slightly in the chair, affecting an air of ease even though the awkwardness was palpable.

The song "sugar, sugar" by The Archies started playing in my head and I couldn't imagine it being more out of place than in this moment.

Handing over the coffee, I retrieved my half empty mug and topped it up, taking my own seat at the small table.

"Was there something you wanted to talk to me about? You seem very…uncomfortable," I managed to get out, looking down into my mug so I didn't have to make eye contact.

Blowing out a breath I could feel him steeling himself for the conversation ahead.

"It uh…came to my attention that Sweet Pea spent the night here."

I could feel colour flooding my cheeks as he looked at me.

Great, of course he would find out the next day that I've had sex with a member of the crew.

"I'm not your father, I'm not here to scold you, I just want to make sure that everything was….above board. I don't want you thinking your membership is contingent on being with another Serpent, and if things don't work out you still always have a place with us. You're a serpent first, everything else is secondary."

As awkward as he seemed to feel, he managed to put that pretty eloquently. And he wasn't too far off base about my feelings maybe getting in the way of seeing the whole picture. I was glad he went out of his comfort zone to reassure me that my place was permanent regardless of how this "relationship" panned out.

"Um, thank you. I promise I'll use my head first and not let whatever this is get in the way of club business." I said, reassuring him as much as myself that even if this thing with Sweet went nowhere, I would be okay.

He seemed appeased by my statement and nodded. He then stood up and gestured for me to do the same.

"Let's try this jacket on you for size and then head out. Wouldn't want you to be late for your first official day."

He held it out for me and I slipped my arms through, feeling the soft lining against my bare arms. Once my hands cleared the holes I felt FP's on my shoulders, smoothing the jacket out and down my arms. I felt a shiver go through me and tried to mask it by moving my hands up to arrange the lapels.

"How do I look," I asked, spinning around slowly.

He looked me over thoroughly enough that I could feel yet another blush taking over my skin.

"Good," he said, clearing his throat and shaking his head as if in a stupor, "you truly look the part now."

With his hand on my back propelling me towards the door I couldn't help but wonder what my future would look like now.