-Two and a half months ago-
The break up.
The town of Riverdale was pouring rain, a sure sign that spring had spring, and the long, frigid winter had come to an end.
The last few weeks had been rather lonely, as her boyfriend of almost a year, Sweet Pea, had been heavily involved with the Serpents and doing secret jobs that he wasn't allowed to disclaim to Isabelle. Sometimes she wondered if it would make a difference if she picked up and left, moving somewhere far, far from Riverdale. That's how Sweet Pea made her feel now. Yes, she still loved him, but she wanted a relationship with him, not a dead end road.
Isabelle walked through the streets, her boots splashing in the shallow water that gathered on the sidewalks, and her raincoat hood pulled over her icy blond hair. She was walking Sweet Pea's trailer. They had planned a day of movies and popcorn and cozy snuggles.
When she finally reached his trailer, she knocked on the door just to have it pulled open by Sweet Pea, who was pulling on his leather jacket. He looked surprised to see her. No kiss, no smile.
"Hey, Izzy. What're you doing here?"
Isabelle stepped in and out of the rain. She ignored his question. "Are you going somewhere?"
"I'm headed to Centerville with Fangs and some others. Making some money." He sat down in a kitchen chair and laced up his boots.
"So, we're not having a movie marathon day?" she leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms.
"Shit, that's today? Thought it was next week. Mind if we take a rain check? Gotta run." Sweet Pea stood up to push past her, but Isabelle wouldn't budge.
"Pea, I only ever see you at school now. Why can't you give me any time?" She asked accusingly, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she confronted him about her worries. "I miss you, but it doesn't feel like you want me in your life anymore."
Sweet Pea slumped back against the kitchen counter. "You know I want you around, Iz. I'm just busy." he shrugged, his face expressionless.
"Sweet Pea, I want my boyfriend. I know you go do these jobs to make money to keep living here, but this happens all the time, not with jobs. When you want to go out with Fangs, when you want to go work on your bike or your truck, I get you wanting time alone, but all I give you is time alone! We haven't slept together in almost a month, Pea!" Isabelle exclaimed, not feeling sorry for rambling.
"Just go, Isabelle. I don't understand what you're saying and I don't have the time to." This time Sweet Pea managed to push past her and outside, into the rain, Isabelle following suit.
"I don't think I can be with you anymore." Isabelle told him, causing him to stop in his tracks, the rain accumulating on his leather jacket and dripping down the side. He turned to meet her tear welled eyes. "I don't feel your love."
"If that's what you want. I'm not stopping you." Sweet Pea replied, and Isabelle still didn't see a change in his expression.
"Is it what you want?" Isabelle asked, her voice breaking. She hated herself for showing signs of weakness.
"Sorry, Isabelle, but yeah." he broke eye contact from her and pushed his wet hair out of his eyes.
"Fine." Was all she could get out, before trudging past her once true love, her shoulder brushing his elbow.
Sweet Pea grabbed the fabric of her rain coat, turning her towards him. For a second it looked like he was going to say something, apologize, but instead he dropped his hand and shook his head, and Isabelle turned away, running as fast as she could out of the rain and out of Sweet Pea's sight.
Present day.
Sun shone through the curtains on Sweet Pea's window, directly onto Isabelle's face. She had been awake for the last half hour, too warm and too nervous to get up or wake up Sweet Pea. Instead, she lay and listen to him sleep. She was tucked against his chest, and he was snoring softly.
She was still confused about their kisses, especially the heated ones from last night. Isabelle had no idea if Sweet Pea intended on getting back together or if he was just bored and felt sorry for her.
Soon enough, he stirred, rolling onto his back and stretching his legs out long, his head turning to meet Isabelle's gaze with his own sleepy eyes.
"Morning, sunshine." Sweet Pea's morning voice was terribly raspy and deep, it gave Isabelle butterflies.
"Hi." she smiled, pulling the duvet to her neck.
"Sleep well?" he asked, brushing her hair behind her ear, his fingers warm on her cold skin.
"As well as I could with your snores." this made him chuckle.
"Sorry, I'll try to not breath in my sleep anymore." he responded with a wink.
For a moment, the two just lay there, and the quiet near drive Isabelle insane. "I should get going, I got an all clear text from mom. She dropped Rick off at the bus station. He's working in Centerville a few days a week."
Sweet Pea sighed, rubbing his hands on over his sleepy face. "I'll make you a tea to go, then. I'll give you a ride."
"You don't have to do that, Pea. I can walk, really." she sat up in the bed, propping herself up on her elbow, looking down at his pale, handsome face. "I'll just take the tea." Isabelle grinned.
Sweet Pea laughed and pushed himself out of bed and out of his room, and Isabelle heard him fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove. She then heard tinkering around in the cupboard, and as she made her way to the kitchen upon getting dressed, she was amused to see it was an old black travel mug of hers that she must have left behind after the break up.
"You kept it." Isabelle observed, coming to stand beside Sweet Pea as he mixed sugar and milk into her steeped tea.
"Of course I did. Just a little bit of sugar, right?" Sweet Pea asked, and Isabelle nodded. He held a spoonful up to her mouth for her to try.
She sipped it, and gave him an approving nod. "Somehow you make tea the way I like it better than I do." Isabelle said as he twisted the lid on and handed it to her. "Thanks, Pea. For everything." she gave him a genuine smile, then walked to the door, prepared to leave before Sweet Pea grabbed her wrist, spinning her in for a soft kiss on her lips, holding his mouth there just a second longer than a peck.
Isabelle smiled against his lips, and when he pulled away, she sighed. "I'll see you on Monday." she told him.
"See you then. Text me if you need me." he gave her a wave before she slipped through the door, her nice, fresh cup of tea in hand and confused emotions in her head.
