Jokes On You (Veronica Lodge)

Chapter 3

Walking into the Whyte Wyrm after being in school for 6 hours made the Whyte Wyrm seem that much louder. Today, boys just happened to be pushing each other around and when one of them got pushed into me I shoved him back ten times harder. He slammed into the table then glared back at me, but when he saw that I was ready to fight he backed down. The boys gave me a bit more room after that trying not to accidentally run into me because they know I'm in a bad mood.

I stormed up all the stairs to F.P.'s office. I throw my bag to the side of his office and lay across the chair in his office. I could tell he was already drinking, but I wasn't entirely sure how far he had gotten yet. He reentered his office and a confused look crossed his face. He sat down before he began questioning me.

"I know that the school day isn't over yet, what reason do you have for being here?" He questioned rubbing his hand over the bridge of his nose. I roll my eyes at his question before counting the new bottles that cluttered his desk.

"What reason do you have for being three drinks in F.P.?" I question leaving my lying down position to look F.P. directly in the eyes. He didn't fear me, but he knew there was no reason for him to be three drinks in at 1 in the afternoon. So of course he backed down about me not being at school. Getting out of the chair i grab the three bottles and toss them in the trash. Grabbing my bag, I go to head out the door, but I give F.P. one quick look.

"You're not going to get him back acting like this," I state before walking out his office and down to watch the other Serpents con each other at pool. I felt the table dip a little and saw a familiar face on the other side.

"Why aren't you at school Joaquin?" I quizzed while watching Mustang and David compete to see who's 'the best' when really neither of them are. Joaquin never responded so I looked back over at him. He was staring at the snakes across the room. He looked lost. I slid my chair down and looked at him. "Alright Joaquin what's wrong?" I quizzed while facing him. He tried looking everywhere else but at me, that however wasn't going to work.

He wasn't going to break anytime soon, he looked pretty dedicated to not answering me. Joaquin was similar to Jughead in the fact that he trusted few and didn't use many words. Maybe tactics that would get Juggie to talk could get Joaquin to talk. What could I tell Joaquin that would make him trust me though?

"Want to know why I'm not in school Joaquin?" I quiz snapping the boy out of whatever daze he was in. He suddenly seemed interested. "It didn't feel right." I stated looking at the roof instead of the boy in front of me.

"I don't fit in at schools Joaquin. I'm not smart. I start fights I don't answer math questions. Nobody expects me to get good grade, they all expect me to get detention. At first I tried to prove everyone wrong, but they were all right Joaquin. I'm not the brains, I'm nothing more than the brawn. So why do I need to attend school right?" I ask Joaquin after my whole rant was over. He looked at me as if I had told him some huge secret. It was nothing new though the Serpents all thought Queenie was the smartest and I was the dumbest no matter how hard I tried to be smart they only ever saw Queenie.

"Well, you let out a secret I guess it's my turn. You remember that secret I told Queenie and you a couple months back?" He asked as if I wouldn't have remembered. Of course I'd remember.

"That you're gay?" I question right back. He put his hand on my face as if he were trying to shush me. I rolled my eyes. As if every Serpent doesn't already know.

"Yes that secret. Anyways, some kids at Southside know and they're giving me a hard time." Joaquin said. He didn't really tell me much, but he told me enough. Probably more than he'd tell anyone else in this bar.

"Well then you give me names and I'll kick some butt." I say getting angry. Who would hurt Joaquin in anyway? Like he may pretend to be the strongest Serpent in here, but he is still a small child that needs protecting. He seemed upset that I'd even offer to fight his battles for him. "Or, if you don't want me to go to your school and kick some jerks butts, then you can go kick their asses?" I offer. He seemed happier with that suggestion because he gave me a slight smile. That's the most I've ever seen Joaquin smile, ever. My phone buzzed before I could help Joaquin more.