Thinking 'Bout You- SP 3 ✔️

Chapter 36- Labor Day Pt1

Summer before junior year and I spend it either in a hot ass courtroom or working at Pop's with Veronica, who is not only working her but off at Pops, well I mean she does own it, but she is also working super hard to open up her speakeasy that will be downstairs. I'm currently fanning myself with a piece of paper while sitting in between Pea and my dad. Fangs and Toni are sat behind us
"Ladies and gentleman of the jury the evidence and testimony that was presented in this court tell a dark story that Mr Andrews has a history of violent behaviour. That he started not one, but two masked vigilante groups. That he assaulted an innocent boy, who was helpless with two broken legs" I scoff and roll my eyes
"Innocent my ass" I mumble to Pea, my dad hears me and nudges me to stay quiet
"That he went wilding in the Southside of town, and threatened to shoot a young man in his face and threatened his own sister" what the fuck, this woman just be lying now, that is not what happened
"Objection your honor, that is not Miss Andrews testimony" yes mom!
"Continue please" the judge speaks. The woman who is trying to get my brother locked away starts to walk forward and walks towards the jury
"While partying with his friends in the town of Shadow Lake, Mr Andrews ran into the woods and shot the victim Cassidy Bullock point blank in the head. Now Mr Andrews claims that it was his girlfriend's father's doorman who shot Mr Bullock. A shot Mr Andrews claims to have heard, but not seen. Who knows the truth of what happened that terrible night in the woods near Shadow Lake? I'll tell you who" the woman turns from facing the jury and points to Archie "that man. Archie Andrews may be a varsity Athlete, and he may be a sensitive musician, but he is also a cold blooded killer" the woman walks back to her desk and sits down. I fidget with the ring I have on my fingers nervously as mom stands up and walks to the front. Pea takes my left hand in his and gives it a squeeze
"Ladies and gentlemen, we know for a fact that Archie Andrews constantly puts the needs of others ahead of his own. We know that he helped to solve the murder of Jason Blossom. We know he offered both friends and enemies shelter when they had nowhere else to stay" I look behind me and smile at Fangs, Toni and the few other Serpents that have come in support of Archie "we know that he punched through a river of ice to save the life of his classmate Cheryl Blossom and helping Jughead to save Aurora  Andrews. Well let me remind you that there were no witnesses to the actual killing. There was no murder weapon. There is no motive" mom now walks towards the jury talking to them "at the end of the day all that the prosecution has is cloudy testimony from unreliable people. Now it is my solemn duty, as a mother, to protect my son, but as an attorney it's my duty to adhere to the facts, to the evidence. There is nothing here to prove that Archie Andrews is anything less than an innocent boy. Thank you" mom walks back and sits next to Archie
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the charge is first degree murder. You may retire to begin your deliberations" we all stand and wait for the jury to leave before we all walk out of the courtroom.

Pea, dad and I walk over to mom who is stood with Jughead and Betty
"You were great in there Mary"
"Thank you. It's only the most important case of our lives"
"You were amazing" Betty says to mom
"Well Betty your help this summer was a godsend"
"Thank you Betty for helping mom with the case. I'm sorry I wasn't much help"
"No it's ok I understand. This hard on all of you, I'm glad I could help" Betty side hugs me
"Have you guys seen Archie?" Veronica walks up to us
"No" Betty shakes her head
"He'll be sat somewhere alone, thinking" I sigh "he's been doing that a lot lately"
"We'll go and find him" Jug says to my mom and dad
"I'll come with you"
"No Rory you stay here with your mom and dad" Betty says. I nod my head and let the group walk off.

The awful day comes to an end. Dad even punched Mr Lodge! Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead go to Pop's while I head to Sweetwater where most of the Serpents are currently staying
"I hate that this is where you all living at the moment" I sigh as we walk to Fang's tent
"It's not that bad" Fangs chuckles "It could be worse, my tent could be next Sweet Pea's and Jones' trailer. I've heard they both rock and squeak" Fangs laughs. I punch his arm
"How strong do you think I am?" I laugh with him. We hang out for a bit, the boys taking off a few layers because of how hot it is outside. Jughead comes to join us, letting us know that Archie, V and Betty are also here
"We know Hiram Lodge is taking over the Southside 'cause he's colluding with the Ghoulies, but I need to know what he's up to exactly" Jug says as we walk towards the main area of this makeshift campsite "alright. Fangs your up I need you to find the Ghoulies new lair ok? If you see them don't engage with them this is just a recon mission. Can't risk another gang war. I just need confirmation that what Hiram's up to has nothing to do with the Serpents or Riverdale High"
"I honestly wouldn't put it passed him to take over this whole town" I say .We walk over to see FP giving Archie his Serpent tattoo
"Hey come have a look. Might be my best one yet"
"I really appreciate you doing this FP"
"Don't worry about it" FP smiles at me
"Well how does it feel to be an honorary Serpent?" Jughead asks Archie
"Feels pretty savage Jug. I forgot Serpents have tattoos and you've been wearing your jacket for months, please tell me you haven't got a tattoo Rory?" Archie looks at me with a concerned face
"Oh would you look at the time, Pea and I have to feed our cat" I look at my wrist as if I had a watch on. I grab Pea by the hand and start to drag him away
"You haven't got a cat, you haven't even got a watch on" I hear Pea yell to me
"He's going to know that that's a yes and anyway he'll see it tomorrow" Pea chuckles as we enter his trailer.

The next day Archie and I head over to Cheryl's for a pool party before we go back to school
"Rory are you decent?" Archie asks me as I'm putting one of Pea shirts on over the top of myself
"Yeah you can come in" Archie opens my door
"You ready to go?" I turn around and Archie immediately sees my Serpent tattoo poking out at the bottom where Pea's stops on my thigh making him sigh
"Just tell me you didn't have to do the dance"
"I didn't do the dance at the Wyrm" I reply looking sheepish
"Jesus Rory, ok well at least tell me no old men watched"
"No old men watched"
"Good. I'm guessing Sweet Pea?" he sighs again
"And Toni and Fangs. They had to be there to witness it"
"I'm sure everyone had a great time. Lets just go" dad drives Archie and I to Cheryl's, I meet Sweet Pea there
"Hi baby" Pea greets me, kissing me on the cheek "I'll bring her home by 10 Mr Andrews" he places an arm over my shoulder
"I've told you to call me Fred, and yes 10 is fine. Have a good time" dad waves before driving off
"You look sexy in that" Pea whispers in my ear
"Come on, I want to sunbath" I run into the house, dragging Sweet Pea along with me, but before I get to sit down on one of the sun loungers Pea picks me up making me squeal and jumps in the water. When we come up for air I pout
"Your shirt is now sticking to me and my hairs wet"
"It'll dry" Pea wraps his arms around my waist as I wrap my arms around his neck
"Hi love birds" Jossie calls out holding on to Reggie's hand. They jump in the water and swim over to us
"So are you two officially together then?" I ask
"No, just a summer fling" Josie replies but I can see the sadness in Reggie's face when she said this
"Right got ya" I nod my head.

The day goes on, Pea and I sunbathe, swim and right now were cuddling at the edge of the pool with our feel dangling in the water when Fangs comes running over to us in a panic
"Jughead's asked for an emergency Serpent meeting
"What? why?" I ask frowning
"It's the Ghoulies. Those bastards have Hot Dog" Pea and I wast not time in getting up and following Fangs to where we fine Jughead, Betty, Toni and Cheryl
"Are you absolutely sure it was Hot Dog?" Jug asks
"100% man" Fangs says pacing
"Jug he's been missing since riot night" I sigh "they must have snatched him riot night"
"He looked skinny. I don't think the Ghoulies are feeding him enough" Fangs continues
"Were lucky those animals aren't slow roasting him on a grill" Pea spits earning a nudge off me and a glare which causing him to sigh
"What do we do Jughead?" Toni asks crossing her arms
"We'd be going behind enemy lines out numbered open to attack from all directions, risking an all out gang war"
"No Serpent left behind Jug" I say looking at the table
"Right. And that includes our spirit animal. Ok we're going to deploy after dark. It'll be a stealth mission. It's gonna be quick"
"Jug" Betty says "last time you went into Ghoulie territory you were beaten to within an inch of your life"
"He'll have back up this time" Cheryl states looking at Betty
"We're going to be quick betty, they won't even know we were there"
"Then I'm coming with you" Betty responds to Jughead
"No"
"No, don't you dare tell me that it's to dangerous Jug. The Serpent Queen is a warrior queen"
"Wait when did she become Serpent queen?" I frown whispering to Pea
"I'm coming with you Jug" Betty finishes
"Fine. Rory are you coming?"
"Hell yeah I am" I smirk
"Ok, let's bring Hot Dog home shall we?"