Safety Net- SP 2 ✔️

Chapter 24- The Wrestler Pt2

Over the next few days I find out the Archie is trying out for the wrestling team! mad I know. I finish putting away my things into my locker when Toni walks up to me
"Hey have you read Jughead's article?" she asks looking rather irritated
"No why?" I shut my locker door and and hands me a news paper
"Can you come with me to talk to Jughead?"
"Yeah, I'll text him to tell him to meet us in the Serpent's room" I give Toni the paper back and text Jug.
Not long later we are in the room, Jug is leaning on a desk while Toni is walking around reading what Jughead has wrote
"General Pickens was a murderer and ripples from his gruesome acts continue to be felt today. Dependents of the victims are still being displaced. So I challenge the Northside, instead of honouring men like General Pickens and Hiram Lodge, hold them accountable. Reparations must be paid to men like Thomas Topaz, who are to old and beaten down to fight back for themselves"
"Oh Jug" I shake my head
"This town is messed up and it needs to own up to it's history"
"My grandfather isn't some broken down victim ok? or some prop for your insane vendetta against the Northside. You interviewed my grandfather for a history report, not some half arsed article" Toni is obviously really upset by this and to be honest I don't blame her. Jug could have at least left names out of all this

"No of course not"
"Look, I get it. You hate the Northside. You hate that instead of inviting you to a party they asked you to work it. It triggers you're rage about being born on the wrong side of the tracks"
"Toni calm down" I walk over to Toni
"But this?" Toni shoves the paper into Jug's chest "this wasn't your story to tell" Toni walks out of the room
"Rory I didn't mean to upset her, or anyone. It's just how can we celebrate General Pickens? Everyone needed to know the truth"
"I know Jug, but maybe you just went about it the wrong way. I'll catch you later" I give Jughead a comforting smile before walking out to follow Toni.

Finally it's time for Pickens day. Pea said he was coming over to pick me up because the Serpents have something planned. When he arrives, I say goodbye to dad and hop on Sweet Pea's bike who then drives us to the Wyrm
"So thats settled then" I hear Toni's voice
"Whats going on?" I ask walking in with Pea behind me
"Get your Serpent jacket on and hold a sign because your protesting with us"
"I am?" I look at Pea who is smiling "but I don't get it, I wasn't born on the Southside, nor am I a born Serpent"
"That doesn't me anything. Your a Serpent, so are you in" Toni asks
"No Serpent stands alone, but my jacket is at home"
"Got you covered" Fangs holds out a jacket. I smile and take it from him putting on before heading to pickens park.

"Hello Riverdale, on behalf ofLodge Industries and Andrews Construction, we are thrilled to kick things off with a new twist on an old favourite. So Veronica and the Pussycats" dad says and we hear the crowed cheering and I just think to myself how annoyed Josie must be feeling right now
"Ready?" Toni asks and we all nod our heads before walking through the park with our signs and mouths covered in duck tape. I stand in between Sweet Pea and Fangs as the music stops
"Toni?, Jughead, Rory? what the hell is going on?" V asks annoyed
"Were here representing the dead and the silenced. Pickens day is a lie. General Pickens slaughtered the Uktena tribe, my grandfathers family, and this land, the land that we're standing on, the land that will soon give way to a new Southside, was stolen from them. And we can't bring them back, but we can and we must honour them" Toni finishes. Hiram Lodge walks over to the stage where Veronica was singing and starts talking
"Hi folks hi uh I think we can all be proud to live in a Riverdale where young people stand up for justice. Where a young woman can defend the honour and legacy of her grandfather and where we can celebrate the living legacy of the Uktena who contributed to the rich tapestry that is Riverdale, that is the Southside and that will be SoDale. So let's hear a round of applause for that am I right" everyone starts clapping except us Serpents I take off the tape
"Thats bull and you know it. You are only saying that to try and cover you skin. You call us snakes, but you are the biggest one"
"Aurora Rose Andrews" dad steps out of the crowed "apologise, now"
"No dad, you and mom always taught me to fight in what I believe in and this is it so no I won't apologise"
"Babe calm down" Pea hugs me
"Take me to yours please" I say looking up to Sweet Pea
"Yeah come on" I brush past my brother and dad as we make our way to Sweet Pea's bike.