Redemption [Sweet Pea x OC]

Chapter 10

"I need to talk to Toni," I said, pulling away from Sweet Pea. "I'll be over after." He nodded, though I could see he was disappointed.

Toni was busy getting drinks together behind the bar and I waited for her to be done.

"So, are you two official now?" she asked, grinning at me.

"What?," I replied, caught off guard. I'd wanted to talk to Toni about this afternoon when the Serpents were talking about blowing up the Register. It took me a minute to figure out what she was asking about. "Yes? Maybe? I don't know."

Toni leaned on the bar in front of me. "Alright, babe, what's going on?" she asked.

"Did you manage to change Jughead's mind about us needing to do more than sit down for a talk with the Northsiders?"

"Don't change the subject here," Toni said. Well, it had been worth a shot. "What's going on with you and Sweet Pea?"

"I don't know, we're friends? More than friends?" I honestly didn't have an answer, I'd never sat down and had those girly talks about who liked who and who did what. This was new for me, and it felt weird.

Toni sighed. "It's obvious to everyone here that you two are into each other. And he can barely keep his hands off you," she added.

"Seriously, Toni?" I asked as we both started laughing.

"I didn't mean it like that, at least, not entirely. But, Abigail, I think you would be good for him." I raised an eyebrow at her. "Look, in case you haven't noticed, Sweet Pea has a temper. But Fangs told me what happened last night, how he calmed down when you told him not to go back to the police station. That's not like him at all."

I leaned back, remembering how upset he'd been not just the night before, but the night Andrews pulled the gun on us. Both times he'd been ready to tear someone apart limb from limb, but had managed to calm down. I looked towards the corner where Sweet Pea and Fangs had started a game of pool. "That still doesn't help me answer your question though," I said, turning back to Toni.

"Just think about it, okay?" Toni said softly. "Or talk to the boy. Then you're both on the same page. We're all rooting for you."

"Are you two done yet?" Tall Boy growled from behind me. Toni straightened up quickly and I turned to face him.

"Aw, were you jealous we didn't include you in our heart-to-heart?" I teased. I ignored Toni's warning stare, seeing Tall Boy fight a smile.

"Penny wants to talk to you," he said, not answering my question. "Topaz, back to work."

"Tell her I'll stop by tomorrow after school," I said, hopping off the barstool, heading towards the corner.

"Now, Babygirl," Tall Boy demanded. I turned back, crossing my arms. "You can go by yourself, or she'll come to you," he warned.

I sighed, knowing I didn't have a choice in the matter. "Tell Sweet Pea I'll be back later," I called to Toni before brushing past Tall Boy.

I knew where Penny had set up shop and took my time walking down the sidewalk. If she wanted to see me so badly, she'd just have to wait until I got there. What did she want with me anyways? All too soon I was crossing the tile floor of the tattoo parlor to her office.

"What do you want, Penny?" I asked coldly, stopping in the doorway, crossing my arms.

She sat back in her chair, looking me up and down. "I heard the rumor going around that our precious Babygirl was back and I just had to see for myself."

I shook my head slowly. "That's not it. You knew I was back, just like you've known where I've been for years. Now, what do you really want?"

"I've been making a living here in Riverdale as a successful lawyer, helping the Serpents more than anything. And I've had my successful Jingle Jangle business going in the nearby towns," Penny began. I nodded my head, knowing all of this already. "But your arrival back in town has hit fast forward on my plans."