Homecoming day. The day the student body looked forward to the most. It was a chance to show off school spirit – not that Sweet Pea had any – and a chance not to take the day so seriously. He knew that the cheerleaders were gearing up for the game that night, as were the football players. Sweet Pea didn't care about the game and was only going because Betty, Cheryl, and Ronnie were cheering. He needed to make sure his sister was safe first and foremost. Then he wanted to see Ronnie in her cheerleading uniform, showing off her legs. What could he say? He was a creature of habit.
The Serpents, plus Cheryl, Ronnie, and Kevin, were all sitting outside, eating lunch in the grass. Betty and Jughead were sitting close to each other, Jughead's arms wrapped around his little sister. If it had been anybody else, they'd be a dead man, but Sweet Pea trusted Jughead the most out of the Serpents. It was why he didn't begrudge him the desire to date his sister. And they had been dating since Freshman year and had been best friends since kindergarten. It was only natural that dating came into the picture at some point.
Ronnie was sitting next to him, laughing at something Cheryl said, and Sweet Pea was content. For all of two minutes before a ginger judas showed up that was not invited. Archie smiled at Betty, sneering at Sweet Pea and the rest of them the next minute. "Hey, Betts."
Sweet Pea's hand twitched. He hated that prick called her by their nickname for her. "It's Betty, Andrews."
"And yet, she's not correcting me, is she, Cooper?" Archie demanded; smirk intact. Sweet Pea looked at his sister, who shook her head slightly, and he sighed. It wasn't worth the fight.
"Unless you want another shiner to match your other eye, I suggest you leave, Andrews," Jughead snapped, tone dark.
Archie just laughed and looked at Betty. "You look great in your uniform."
Jughead handed Betty his leather jacket as Sweet Pea and Joaquin stood at their feet, shielding her from view. Sweet Pea glared at Archie. "Go away."
"Seemed to have touched a nerve," Archie snickered. "She won't always be protected." With that, he winked at Betty and walked away. Sweet Pea clenched and unclenched his fist, glaring at the back of the redhead's head.
"Archie Andrews is a thorn in my side," he growled.
"Yeah, but best to know what the enemy is doing," Ronnie muttered, unfurling her legs and standing up. She placed a hand on Sweet Pea's chest, soothing him with her ministrations alone, and he had to admit, it was working. He stared down at her, offering her a smile.
"Thanks," he said quietly, and she nodded, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. His skin felt warm where her lips had touched, and he grinned down at her goofily. Yeah, he was so far gone.
"Come on," Betty said, standing to her feet and tightening Jughead's jacket around her body. "We've got the afternoon periods and then the pep rally. Then there is the game."
"I'll walk you," Jughead said, interlacing their fingers together. Sweet Pea held Ronnie's hand and walked with her to her classroom as the group split up.
"I promise," Ronnie said quietly, looking up at him. "She won't be on her own."
He knew that Ronnie would do anything to make sure Betty was safe and that caused his shoulders to loosen their rigidity. "Thanks, Ron."
"Any time," she murmured, pressing her lips to the corner of his mouth once more. He wished he could feel her lips on his, but he knew that neither one of them were into huge public displays of affection. "I'll see you at the game tonight."
XXX
The pep rally went smoothly, with only Chuck and his boys calling out harassing comments to the cheerleaders. Jughead and Sweet Pea responded kindly with their fists, and then they went home to get ready for the game. The dance was the next night, and Sweet Pea had to admit he was excited to dance with Ronnie to a couple of slow songs. Betty was waiting for him downstairs, and he made his way towards her. He grinned when he spotted her and headed in her direction. "Jughead will meet us at the game, Sweets."
"That sounds good," the taller agreed, looking at his mom and dad. Alice patted his cheek fondly, and Hal clapped him on the back.
"Look after your sister for us," Hal intoned quietly, and Sweet Pea nodded.
"Always, dad," he replied lowly. "You know that."
"Good man," Hal said, stepping away from Sweet Pea the next minute. He looked at Betty. "You stay with your brother and friends tonight, you hear me?"
Hal Cooper's voice was unusually stern, and Betty kissed him on the cheek. "I promise, daddy."
Then they were heading out.
XXX
The game was one of their better ones for the team. Archie – unfortunately – scored the game winning point, and the crowd was besides themselves. Sweet Pea and Jughead were standing off on the sides, watching the girls cheer.
Betty was on top of the pyramid, flipping off and into the arms of one of the male cheerleaders, and Ronnie was racing Cheryl along the length of the field in a series of cartwheels or whatever the fuck they were called.
Sweet Pea and Jughead clapped and whistled with the rest of the stands and serpents and then the game was over. Moving quickly, Sweet Pea led the way to the field, looking at Ronnie and Betty. Ronnie jumped into his arms, hugged him tightly, and he laughed. "You did great."
"Thanks, Sweet Pea," she murmured. He spun her around for a minute as Jughead kissed Betty in a secluded corner. Then Sweet Pea was watching as Archie strode up to them, eyes lit up.
"Did you see me make the game-winning point, Betts?" Archie demanded, and Jughead narrowed his eyes at him, tightening his arm around her waist.
"Come on, Archie," Betty sighed. "Don't do this."
"Do what?" Archie asked innocently. "Celebrate my win with the prettiest girl in school?"
Sweet Pea didn't give Archie a chance to crowd around Betty; he pushed him out of the way, and Betty and was walking off the field. The dance was the next night. Hopefully the drama will stay at a minimum. But Sweet Pea thought to himself as he stared at Archie, that didn't seem like such a big possibility.
Author's notes: Homecoming dance up next. Some drama unfolds. Stay tuned and as always, would love thoughts! X