Sweet Pea groaned as he got up from sleeping on the Andrew's couch. "Good Morning. I made waffles, eggs, and bacon." Abby walks into the living room.
"I'll be right there, I'm going to use the bathroom." He went to the bathroom to use it and brush his teeth.
When he came out, he was surprised to see Veronica standing there only wearing Archie's shirt. "Oh, hi. I didn't know you woke up." She pulled on the shirt to cover more of her legs.
"Just be happy it's me and not Mr. Andrews. That would be awkward." He laughed as he walked around the girl and into the dining room where Abby was waiting for him. He sat down to make his plate and pour himself a cup of coffee. "So, Veronica and Archie went at it again last night?" He didn't even hear her come in like he did the other nights.
"No, this morning. I'm just happy they did it in the soundproof garage." She was tired of hearing distance moans at night.
"My offer to get payback by doing it louder still stands." He smirks.
"Do I need to point out how gross the idea of having a loud sex contest with my brother is again?" She shivers in disgust.
"I have an announcement to make. My dad's getting out." Jughead announced to the Serpents he gathered at the Whyte Wyrm. Sweet Pea clapped and hollered while Abby let out a wolf whistle. A loud cheer came from everyone except for one. "And when he does, I'll bring him up to speed about our plans with Mayor McCoy. "
"That's brilliant." Tall Boy rolled his eyes as he put down his beer.
"Do you have a problem with that, Tall Boy?" Jug sighed. Ever since the race with the Ghoulies, Tall Boy had been giving him attitude.
"Your old man? No. I got no problem with him. But you want us to sit down with the Mayor." He stood up to meet Jug in the middle of the room.
"I do. He's right." Jug turns to speak to the room. "I think we can bring the Southside back. But it's going to take work and it's going to take compromise."
Tall Boy let out a dry laugh. "Bring the Southside back. You've been here all of five minutes."
"Tall Boy, I am sick of you acting like a little bitch. Whispering behind my back that I'm half a Serpent or that I don't belong here. Why don't we put it to a vote? If you guys think what I'm doing is wrong, I'll step aside." He challenges him in the Serpent's way.
Toni stood up to make it official. "All those who stand with Jughead and think that Tall Boy should shut the hell up…" She raised her hand. Abby was surprised that Sweet Pea stood up from the pool table he was sitting on to raise his hand. Fangs wrap an arm around her while raising his hand to symbolize her vote. Almost everyone in the bar raises their hands. Tall Boy stomped out of the bar like a child. Jug looked around the bar in pride. He felt like he fitted in here but he wasn't sure if anyone but Toni felt the same. It did his heart good to see all the hands up.
Everyone went back to their business. "I'm surprised you guys raised your hands." Abby looked at Fangs and Sweet Pea.
"As much as he irritates me. At least he's doing something to try and make the Serpents better. All Tall Boy wants to do is drag us deeper into the mud." Sweets could give credit where it is due.
"I lost all respect for Tall Boy when he went to Malachi." Fangs nods.
"So, it's not surprising that Jughead won that vote?" She asked.
"Nah, Tall Boy always wanted FP's spot. But he'll never be FP." Sweets didn't want to be a part of Tall Boy's desperate attempt to be the leader no one wanted.
It was a busy afternoon at Pops, so Abby was happy to have a new coworker. "Josie. Playing a car dealership opening is barely a step above amateur porn." Cheryl was telling her as Abby gave them their milkshakes.
"Reggie's texting me that his dad is gonna pay me five thousand dollars, for five songs. As long as he gets to escort me." Josie thought it was a fair trade.
Cheryl got that blank look on her face that Abby knew promised rage was coming. She moved out of the way when she saw her hand go by the milkshake. "Clean that up, Plebe." She stared at FP to clean up the strawberry milkshake she knocked over. "The way you did my brother's blood."
His son moved to defend him. "Jug, don't." FP stopped him. He wasn't expecting to be welcomed back with open arms by any of the Northsiders. "We'll get you another milkshake right away on the house." He bent down to pick up the cup, spoon, and straw. He went in the back to get the mop.
"Josie, I think you should accept the job." Cheryl gasps at her best friend for betraying her. "But, you should check with Mr. Mantle about Reggie having to be your escort. I doubt that something he would add-in."
"I think I will give Mr. Mantle a call. For all I know, this is Reggie tricking me into a date and there's no gig." Josie got her phone out.
"Good thinking bestie." Cheryl winks.
"Just don't knock over any more milkshakes." She smiles before going over to the counter when she sees Betty waving at her.
"I was thinking of planning a retirement party for FP, do you think you can help me?" Betty asked.
"Retirement?" Abby tilts her head.
"From the serpents." Jug mutters. It just figured that he joined to get closer to his dad and he was getting out.
"I thought this job was just for his parole." Abby looks down at the counter. She thought when FP came out he would take over the reins and bring the Serpents back to the top.
"So will you help?" Betty asks.
"Yeah, I'll help." She nods.
Abby walks into the Whyte Wyrm with Betty. Sweet Pea and Fangs came in after, being their rides. "Toni will be able to help you with the planning. She keeps this place running." Sweets point to the pink-haired teen behind the bar.
"Thanks." She nods to the boys.
"You know I never mind giving you a ride." He winks.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed Betty's hand to drag her to the bar. "Hey, Toni, did you get my text?" She and Betty sat down.
"Yeah, pick any day. I'll get the word around and clear the date." She nods.
"We're hoping for this Saturday night." She knew that was the big party day for everyone anyways.
Betty looked around the place before turning to Toni. "You have a stage. Would you be open to me bringing in a karaoke machine?"
"For FP's retirement? Sure, why not." She shrugged. It had never been done, she wasn't sure if any Serpents would sing but she didn't see the harm in it being there.
"Also, Toni, one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, beyond the party-planning, is... I've been walking the razor's edge since Jughead joined the Serpents and all I've been thinking is... You know, as soon as FP gets home, everything will get better because he'll be there to protect Jughead and make sure he doesn't get hurt." Betty had been worried about her boyfriend since he joined the gang. She told herself that FP would never let Jughead do anything that would get him in serious trouble. Without FP, she wasn't sure how far Jughead would take it. Right now, he was willing to street race for them and he was only in the gang for a few weeks. What would he do for them when he was in the gang for months or years?
"Yeah, I'm following you. I mean, with FP out of the picture…" Toni knew the future was cloudy without a leader that everyone respected.
"But that's my whole point. I do worry. So, I wanna keep an eye on Jughead, myself. Make sure that as deep into these snake-infested waters as he goes, he doesn't do something that... you know, puts him in danger." Betty's words made Abby and Toni narrow their eyes.
"So, what? You wanna be a Serpent?" Toni scoffs.
"Let's say Serpent-adjacent. But, yeah, part of his world, this world." She wouldn't helpfully watch from the outside.
A laugh came from a throat that's been through years of chain-smoking. "Shut it, Byrdie." Toni snapped.
"Sorry, Sweet Valley High, if you wanna join the club, you gotta do the dance… the Serpent dance." Byrdie nods the pole that a woman was spinning around.
"Excuse me, Serpent dance?" Betty leaned in wanting to learn more.
"It's an outdated, sexist Serpent tradition. Tried to get it outlawed, but misogyny dies hard. You don't wanna know." She glares at the old biker that was pushing the women's movement back.
"Uh, yeah, I do. I wanna know everything." Betty looked back at the woman.
Abby stares at Betty's eyes. They were captivated and determined to do anything to get closer to Jughead. She moved to sit across from Byrdie, who told her all about the old tradition, which was doing a striptease at a party and you become a part of the Serpents.
"Don't even think about it?" Toni warns her friend.
"It's demeaning but you have to admit her reason for doing it is romantic." Abby turns in her seat to face Toni.
"Sweet Pea would kill everyone in this bar if you flash your tits on stage." Toni pushed a cup of Mountain Dew to her.
"How did you join the Serpents?" She sips her soda.
"I went through the gauntlet. People thought I was stupid for not taking the easy way out. But, women who do that, they don't ever get the same respect the men do." Toni nods to the stage.
"You had grown men punch you in the face." She stared at Toni in horror.
"No, just the women." She shook her head. "Had to ice my face for a couple of days after, but at least I have my dignity."
Abby nods and leans on the counter as Betty's words echo in her head.
"Did I tell you how good you look tonight?" Sweet Pea reached over to squeeze her bare thigh. She was wearing a fitted leather jacket over a white lace bustier, a short red leather wrap skirt, and knee-high boots.
"Thanks, I've been wanting for a special occasion to break out these boots." She wiggles her legs.
Sweet Pea chuckled and pulled her from the seat next to him onto his lap. "Just to clarify, when I compliment your outfit it is never about your shoes."
"What's it about then?" She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"About how much it let me see." He drops his head down to lay a kiss on top of her cleavage. "And how easy access it gives me." He slips a hand up her skirt to rest it on her inner thigh.
He found himself gasping and gripping onto her when she traced his neck tattoo with her tongue.
"Let's do body shots." She whispers in his ear.
He half carried, half dragged her over to the bar. "Two shots, two lime slices, and a salt shaker."
"Oh come on." Hog Eye whines. It was uncomfortable to see Abby or Toni doing public displays of affection. He had known them since they were little girls.
"Oh, let them have fun, Hog Eye. You remember what it's like to be young and easily excitable." Alice had on a sly smile.
The teens gasp at seeing the uptight woman in a sexy leather outfit. "Hi, Mrs. Cooper. You look good." She greeted her neighbor.
"I look better than good but thank you. You look nice too." She nods to the younger female.
"Here you go, out of my sight please." Hogs Eyes put a tray on the table.
"Come on," Sweet Pea grabbed the tray and dragged her to the table. He helped her lay on top of it. He put the lime in her mouth, sprinkle some salt on her stomach, and put the shot glass between her breasts. He smothered himself in her cleavage, getting comfortable in her warmth before using his teeth to grab the shot glass and dip his head back to take the shot. He put the glass down, licking the salt off her stomach. He put his lips against her as he squeezed the lime making the juice squirt into his mouth and some drips onto her lips.
She licked the juice off her lips when he lifted his head and spit the peel out. "It's my turn to do you." She rolled off the table and pats it for him to get on.
He groaned at her suggestive wording. He laid down on the table and lifted his shirt to reveal his tone stomach. She put the glass down between his legs, snug against his crotch, poured some salt on his stomach, and put the lime in his mouth. She dips her head behind his legs and makes sure to drag the glass along his crotch as she picks it up with her mouth. She dips her head back and almost chokes, not used to the hard liquor. She put the glass down to lick the salt off his stomach and use her teeth to squeeze the lime into her mouth to ease the burning.
"Aw, you guys always start the fun without me." Fangs took a seat at the table. Abby giggled as she took the peel out of her mouth and sat down. Sweet Pea glared. "It's not like you were about to do it on the table." He rolled his eyes.
"You never know." He got off the table to sit down on the chair.
"All around me are familiar faces. Worn out places. Worn out faces. Bright and early for the daily races. Going nowhere. Going nowhere." She looks to the stage when she hears the familiar voice of her brother singing Mad World. Veronica was with him as she joined him in singing but when they got to the chorus she ran off stage. Archie ran after her. Abby smack Sweet Pea's shoulder when he booed along with the crowd.
Betty took to the stage to finish singing the rest of the song. "Happy birthday. Happy birthday. And I feel the way that every child should. Sit and listen. Sit and listen." She took off her top and let the skirt fall to the floor, revealing a black lace one piece. She took a step back from the mic to do the Serpent dance that Brydie taught her. After doing a basic routine on the pole, she came back to the mic to sing the last line of the song.
"Quite the show. Thanks, Betty. Here you go." FP came on stage to put his jacket on her. "Let's give her a round of applause!" Abby clapped while Fangs and Sweet Pea let out loud wolf whistles. "Show her some of that Serpent hospitality we're known for. You know what? I've been in and out of the Serpents since I was younger than my son. And it's been a... A wild ride. Good times, bad times, but through it all, the Serpents stuck by my side, while most other people turned their backs on me. My own family included. Now, the letter of the law says that I can't be here in the Serpent den. That I can't associate with my friends. My real family. My blood. But I've been thinking about that. And it'll be a cold day in hell before a snake lets a pig tell him what to do." That got a louder cheer than the half-naked teen. "Northside wants me outta this gang? Well, they better bring a coffin because FP Jones isn't retiring! I am not going gently into the night! I'm here to stay! So, bring the fire!" He got off the stage to hug Jughead.
"Shots, let's line 'em up!" A bartender yelled.
Everyone got a shot in their hands. "Hail to the king!" Toni yelled.
"To the king!" Everyone including Abby shouted before throwing it back.
After that shot, Abby grabs a beer every time a tray comes round. She got so drunk that Sweets had to borrow Hog Eye's truck to get home because he didn't trust her riding on the back of his bike. "Who knew my Northside Princess could throw it back like that?" He carried her into the bedroom and dropped her on the bed. He grabs one of his shirts from the dresser. He sat next to her to help her take off her jacket. Once it was off she grabbed his collar to pull him into a kiss.
"No babe. I can't tonight, not with you this drunk." He pushed her away. He could hear Toni's voice in his head telling him no woman can give her constant when she is under the influence of alcohol.
"I'm a bad girlfriend." She threw herself face down to sob.
"What? No, you're not. Look if you weren't throwing them back I would have taken more shots and probably got whiskey dick anyway, so it doesn't matter." He rubs her back.
"No, I'm not talking about that." She rolled onto her back to look up at him. "I'm talking about Betty's serpent dance for Jughead. I didn't do that dance for you. I'm a bad girlfriend." She cried.
Sweet stared down at her, not even trying to understand her slurring. He's never had to take care of a crying drunk girl before. If any of his hooks up did this, he would have got out of there. But, this was his girlfriend. He couldn't abandon her. He did the only thing he could think of, get her to go to sleep. "We are not talking about this when you're drunk. We can tomorrow. Right now, we're going to get you to change into this." She looked between him and the shirt in his hand. Seeing the hesitation in her face, he decided to use her desire against her. "You want to be a good girlfriend to your boyfriend then you listen."
She nodded before standing up to take her clothes off. Sweets shot up off the bed to help steady her when she was about to fall. After getting her in the shirt, he sat her down on the bed. "Now, you drink this." He handed her a water bottle. "And you go to sleep."
She nods her head, doing as she was told to help make up for being a bad girlfriend.
Abby came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth. "Abby, I got food for you." She heard her boyfriend call for her.
"Babe, I didn't know if I should eat. I just throw everything up." She walks into the small dining area.
"Come on, I got us chicken noodle soup and banana honey smoothies from the Southside's Cafe. Every Sunday they make a big pot because they know everyone is going to be hungover. I promise it'll make you feel better." He nods at the seat across from him.
She sat down and opened the take-out container. "I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have gotten that drunk. I was a sobbing mess." She stared down at the soup in shame.
"Yeah, what was that? All I could make out was dance and I'm a bad girlfriend." He took a sip of his smoothie.
"Ever since Betty asked Toni about joining the Serpent, so she could have a way to be closer to Jughead, to protect him I've been feeling like shit. I never thought about joining the Serpents for you. We've been going out longer than they have. She loves him enough to be a part of his everything and I've never even entertained the idea. What does that say about me?" She felt tears building up in her eyes.
"That you're not an insecure girlfriend like she is and that you take the Serpents seriously." His words made her look up at him. "The Serpents is a serious commitment, people shouldn't be joining on a whim. Betty wants to join so that she can cling on to him. So, she can feel like she has control over him. That's why I agree with Toni that the Serpent dance should be banned. It shouldn't be that easy to join." He gritted his teeth as he thought of Betty being able to call herself a Serpent. He bet if Jughead wasn't around, she wouldn't show her face. She wouldn't go through the struggle every day to keep the Serpents afloat.
"You don't want me to join?" She was surprised. With how much he loved the Serpent she thought surely he would want everything in his life to revolve around it.
"Before the letter from the Black Hood, I would have said eventually I did. But now, no." He shook his head.
"What's different now?" She asked.
"I worry about you all the time, to the point that when you're not in my sight it's hard to concentrate. I know it dumb because he had your dad's wallet and address since the shooting but I never thought you could be a target until that damn letter." He felt like an idiot for not realizing the danger she was in sooner.
"What does that have to do with the Serpents?" She didn't see the connection.
"If you were a Serpents, I would be worried about rival gangs attacking you, if a job you're on goes wrong, if a cop catches you, the list goes on and on. With the Black Hood, I'll be able to relax when he's caught." He passed her a spoon. "Now that we have that settled, eat."
He waited until she put a spoonful in her mouth before saying, "But, if you want to give me a private Serpent dance that's cool."
"Sweet Pea." She yelled after she nearly choked on the soup.