Always and Forever

Chapter 48: Requiem for a Welterweight

Early morning I was dancing around the kitchen making breakfast and coffee when I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist. 

"What's got in you into a good morning?" Sweet Pea whispered into my ear and kissed my temple. "Besides waking up next to me." I chuckled. 

"I scheduled a facetime interview with someone from Harvard," I informed. 

"Already trying to run away from me," Sweet Pea laughed then placed his hand on his chest. "You're going to break my heart."

"I'll visit you," I smiled. "You know I will miss you reading to me all the time." 

"And with that comment, I will send you some voicemails of my singing every day," Sweet Pea said. 

"You know I really wouldn't mind that," I said. "I love hearing your voice." 

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(Sweet Pea's POV)

After school, I was in the Serpents' classroom and there was barely anyone. 

"Where the hell is everyone else?" Jughead demanded as he and Betty walked in. 

"Oh, we're down another eight," I reported.

"Another eight?" Betty asked. 

"All girls," Fangs confirmed. Betty looked confused at all of this. Guess Dani didn't tell her.

"Where are they all going?" Betty asked. 

"Turns out Toni and Cheryl started their own gang," Sweet Pea said. 

"With a little help of our own Dani Jones, who is now one of them as well," Fangs put in. 

"What?" Betty asked. "Why would she do that?" She then looked at Jughead. "Jug?" 

"I don't know why," Jughead answered. 

"Maybe," Carson stood up. "Just maybe it's because she was sick of being pushed to the side by you and wanting to be a part of something new where she would be heard." Jughead sighed. 

"So, what do you want us to do boss?" Fangs asked. 

"Nothing," Jughead answered. "This is all because I banished Cheryl and Toni. I guess Dani didn't like that so she join them to get back at me or something. I just need to talk to Toni and Dani, get them back into the Serpent fold, and the rest will come back, too. They need to be reminded what it means to be a Serpent. I'll make this right. Sweet Pea, I need you to tag along with me." 

"Why do you want me to come? You're the one who caused this," I said. 

"You know that they both are headstrong and if you could help talk to Dani, it might help get them both back into the Serpents," Jughead explained. 

"Fine," I stated. "When?"

"Tomorrow morning," Jughead answered. "At Pops. I think Dani might have a shift tomorrow." 

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(Dani's POV)

When I got home that day, I saw Sweet Pea already there sitting on the couch. 

"Hi," I smiled and kissed him. 

"Hi," He said. "I have something to tell you." 

"What's up?" I asked. 

"Jughead wants to meet you and Toni at Pops tomorrow with me tagging along," He answered. 

"What? Why?" I questioned.