protection of my own || sweet pea

seven

Riverdale grew colder over time. Fall was starting to set in, and with Fall came Homecoming. Riverdale High took Homecoming Week very seriously. A football game on Friday and the Homecoming dance the following day. And if the Bulldogs got a Homecoming win, the dance would go crazy. Before transferring to Southside High, Neveah was a part of the Homecoming committee with Betty and the rest of her friends. She had been so excited for the dance, it would be her first since it was only for upperclassmen.

The group was in dire need of a nice night, especially after what happened at Jughead's birthday party. It had been two days since then and Neveah hadn't spoken to anyone other than Kevin. She did, however, know that Archie's mother was in town and wanted to stop by one day during the week.

On Monday, Neveah walked into Southside High with a positive mindset. She knew that it was Homecoming week and maybe, just maybe, this school could be good for a singular week. But, when she noticed the lack of decorations, her mood changed. The closest thing to decorations was the fresh spray paint on the lockers that read 'Ghoulies Rule'.

She went to her locker, free of spray paint, and got her books out. English was first, so she stuffed that textbook into her bag and closed her locker. She jumped when she noticed Sweet Pea standing on the other side of her. He smirked at her reaction and turned to rest on his side. "Can I help you?" She asked, avoiding all possible eye contact. "Heard you've been asking around about me."

"I mean, if someone cornered you outside of a bar and threatened you.....I'm sure you would want to figure out who it was." Neveah answered calmly, turning towards him now. "I didn't threaten you." Sweet Pea spoke up. "You pushed me against a wall." Neveah defended.

"You know, FP told us you were coming here. My question is why?" Neveah rolled her eyes mentally and looked up at him. "That's none of your business." She stated before pushing past him in the direction of her English classroom. Sweet Pea turned and watched as she walked away, his curiosity only growing. And his annoyance.

Neveah found her way to the classroom and took her seat next to Toni. "What's with the lack of decorations?" She asked, setting her textbook down on the desk. "Southside High doesn't really do the whole 'Homecoming' thing." Toni answered with a small sigh.  "Never has, probably never will."

"That sucks....I was really excited about Riverdale's Homecoming but- you know." Neveah said. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think anyone at this school has been to a school dance." Toni recalled with a small frown. Neveah glanced at her, then her attention was brought to the front when their teacher walked in.

"Sweet Pea talked to me today." Neveah spoke up about ten minutes later. "Did he threaten you? I swear to God, I told him to leave you alone." Toni asked, a bit of worry and anger in her tone. "No. He was uh- civil? I guess that's how you explain it. He said he had heard people say I was asking about him, which is totally stupid because I only asked you and Joaquin."

"You know Joaquin?" Toni said, looking up from her notebook. "Oh yea, the guy he's with, Kevin; that's like my best friend." Neveah explained. Toni nodded and continued her notes.

When the school bell rang and the students filed out of the building, Neveah followed suite and started in the direction of the Northside. She sent Kevin a message, letting him know that she was on her way. 

Kevin was just getting home when Neveah walked up the driveway. He smiled at her and opened the door for the two to walk inside. "Thank God you're here, Joaquin wants to get food before the dance which means I don't have as much time to get ready. I'm still pissed that you can't go, should we sneak you in? We should sneak you in." Kevin rambled as they walked upstairs into his room. Neveah giggled and took a seat on his bed, putting her bag down next to her. "Kev, calm down. You're rambling."

Kevin took a deep breath and laughed softly to himself. "Sorry, this is the first time I'm taking a guy to something like this, and it means a lot to me." He explained. Neveah nodded and smiled. "I'm proud of you, Kev."

Neveah caught Kevin up on some recent drama at school while she watched him get ready. She couldn't help but feel sad that she wouldn't be attending the dance, but it was better than everyone finding out the truth. "So, what are you doing tonight? You know, in place of the dance?" Kevin asked. Neveah shrugged and opened her phone. All the people she knew would be at Riverdale's Homecoming. "Probably just catch up on some TV and relax." She answered.

"You could come to dinner with me and Joaquin." Kevin suggested as he sprayed some cologne on his body. Neveah laughed and shook her head no. "I am not third wheeling you and Joaquin again." 

"Worth a shot."

Neveah said her goodbyes to Kevin before venturing back to her house on the Southside. She did just as she told Kevin she would, lay on the couch and watch TV. The night was quiet. Too quiet for Riverdale. Something was bound to happen, the chances of a quiet night in Riverdale are 1 to none.

At around 9:30 PM, Neveah's phone screen illuminated with a phone call from Kevin. She answered with a smile, not thinking anything of it. "Don't tell me you're drunk and fucking Joaquin in a random classroom. If you are, use a condom, you don't need another STI."

"Yeah, yeah, uh you wanna meet me at Pop's? Something happened." Kevin said, his voice a bit low. Neveah sat up and turned the TV off. "Sure, I'll be there in ten." She answered. Without another word, the call was ended. Neveah put her shoes on and threw a hoodie on as well. She grabbed the keys to Savana's car and walked to the main bedroom. "Hey, I'm gonna meet Kevin at Pop's. You want me to bring anything back?" She asked. Dale looked up, motioning to a sleeping Savana. He shook his head no and Neveah softly shut the door. 

She walked into the cold air; her arms bare. The small amount of snow on the ground was starting to melt away. She drove in silence, her thoughts wandering of what possibly could have happened to prompt Kevin to invite her to Pop's.

The neon lights of Pop's Chocklit Shoppe illuminated Neveah's car as she pulled into the parking lot. She got out, made sure to lock her door, and walked inside of the diner. She quickly found Kevin and Joaquin in a booth near the back. "Hey." She spoke breathlessly, sliding into the seat next to Kevin. "Jughead's dad just got arrested." Kevin said.

Neveah took a double take when the information registered in her head. "What? Seriously? For what?" She questioned. Kevin took a deep breath and glanced at her. 

"The murder of Jason Blossom."