Redemption [Sweet Pea x OC]

Chapter 22

A few days after telling FP everything, I was at the Wyrm with Byrdie, Johnny, and Brandon. "Your boyfriend's not here," I called out, seeing Betty walk in.

"Um, no, that's okay. I actually came to talk to Toni," she replied nervously.

"Toni!" Brandon shouted, nodding to Betty. "You have a visitor."

"Has she ever been in here before?" I asked.

"I've never seen her," Johnny said, the other two shaking their heads. "Who's her boyfriend?"

"Jones," I replied, taking a drink from my glass.

"Damn, I didn't know FP was into blondes," Johnny said, eyeing Betty.

"Isn't she a bit young for him?" Brandon asked.

I rolled my eyes at the two, laughing. "She's into Jughead for some reason. Now shut up so I can hear."

"So, what? You wanna be a Serpent?" Toni asked, catching my eye.

"Let's say Serpent-adjacent. But yeah, part of his world, this world," Betty replied.

Byrdie broke down laughing, the three of us snickering around the table as well.

"Shut it Byrdie," Toni snapped.

"Sorry, Sweet Valley High, if you wanna join the club, you gotta do the dance. The Serpent dance," Byrdie said, ignoring Toni.

Betty turned towards us, confused. "Excuse me, Serpent dance?" I pointed towards the stage where Dani was dancing on the pole.

"It's an outdated, sexist Serpent tradition," Toni said, giving me a warning look. "Tried to get it outlawed, but misogyny dies hard. You don't wanna know."

"Uh, yeah, I do," Betty replied, still watching Dani. "I wanna know everything.

"Looks like you have a new recruit to take care of, Princess," Byrdie said.

"I do indeed," I replied, standing. "You do realize that you won't be doing the dance with the bar like this?" I asked Betty, gesturing to the empty seats. "You'll be up there on the stage, stripping before a full house."

"Abigail, don't–" Toni started.

"I'm sure," Betty said, interrupting. "Will you two help me?"

"Let the corruption of Elizabeth Cooper begin," I said with a smirk. "Can I get another?" I asked Toni, handing her my empty glass.

"Thank you," Betty said, hopping off her barstool. "I have to go right now, but I'll call you later, okay?"

"If we're going to do this, FP's party would be the perfect opportunity," I called after her. "I hope you're a quick learner."

"Jughead's not going to like this," Toni said disapprovingly.

I shrugged. "That's between the two of them. Betty came to us, and me, being the amazingly nice person I am, agreed to help. Now, about that refill?"

"FP made it clear he doesn't want you drinking anymore," Toni said, taking the glass.

"But he's not here to know," I replied. "Please?"

"Fine, but just once." Toni said. I took my drink, returning to my seat at the table.

"You think she's going to go through with it?" Johnny asked.

"I'm putting $50 that she chickens out," Brandon said, throwing some bills on the table.

"I'm in too," Johnny said, adding his money. "Byrdie?"