Redemption [Sweet Pea x OC]

Chapter 48

"Score!" Fangs shouted as the paper ball landed successfully in the trash can. "Hey, Jones, can you bring us all those paper balls that missed so we can try again?" The Serpents in the Student Lounge as they made good use of the Dark Circle flyers that had been taped to everyones lockers this morning.

Jughead sighed, kicking a few of the crumpled papers back in our direction. "Abigail, I need you to come with me," he said.

"Why would I want to do that?" I asked.

"Because we need to talk to Archie about these," he said, holding up a slightly crumpled flyer.

"Why can't you talk to him alone? He's your friend, not mine."

"Because I need someone there to back me up," Jughead said. "Now, would you please just do it?"

I sighed, standing. "I'll see you at home tonight," I told Sweet Pea.

"Promise?" he asked, kissing me softly. I smiled, agreeing before he let me go reluctantly. I'd had to spend a lot more time with the Ghoulies the past few days, planning revenge on the Serpents. Sweet Pea didn't like it, but he hadn't pressed for details about what I was doing.

"Come on, the sooner we talk to Archie, the sooner he can do something about his Circle," Jughead said, leading me down the hall.

"So he's replaced his Red Circle with a Dark Circle?" I asked. "Does he think everyone's so stupid they won't put two and two together?"

Jughead shrugged. "Doesn't seem like they have yet. Or they just don't care." That wouldn't be surprising. "He's in here."

I let Jughead take the lead, since, as he said, I was only there for backup.

"This is some pretty forceful branding, Archie," Jughead began, holding up the paper.

"Reggie made those, not me," Andrews protested.

"Whoever made them, they're still your crew, Andrews," I said. "I need your Dark Circle to lay off my Serpents before we have another pending turf war on our hands."

"Even though they were technically right about something," Jughead said, looking everywhere but at me.

"What do you mean?" Andrews asked.

"Jones," I said warningly.

Jughead sighed, giving me a quick look. "One of the Serpents was canoodling with Midge." I raised an eyebrow at 'canoodling' but held my tongue, hoping Jughead would too. "But he didn't kill her," Jughead continued. "And I'm not gonna give you his name, so please don't ask. But rest assured, none of our crew is a middle-aged white guy with green eyes. That's who you're still looking for, right?"

Andrews nodded. "Yeah. I'll tell Reggie to lay off."

"Thank you, from both of us," Jughead said. "In the meantime, I need to get back some possibly incriminating footage from this new sheriff. Have you met him yet?"

"No, but do you mind if I tag along?" Andrews answered. "You coming too, Abigail?"

"Definitely not," I said shortly. "I've already met him. And I have my own business to take care of right now." I stepped closer to Jughead, speaking quietly. "Be careful, remember what I told you about Minetta."

I left the pair behind, making my way out of the school and towards the Ghoulies lair. We were finalizing the plans today, and creating a fake plan that I was to carry back to FP. Then I'd do it all again, but in reverse regarding the Serpents plan of attack.

As I approached the house, I greeted the few conscious Ghoulies outside. "They're waiting for you upstairs," Xavier said. I took the offered Jingle Jangle, downing it before entering the room where Malachai and Verne were bent over a map of Riverdale.