My Hero In Leather |Jughead Jones|

Chapter 8

He stares at me. "You really want to become a Serpent," Braeden's voice holds no emotion.

"Look. I know you don't want me to do this. I get that, but this isn't your choice. I don't just want to be a Seprent. I need to. I may not be what they would consider a normal Serpent but neither are you. We both live in the Northside and never have to worry about not having enough money. That's not true about most Serpents. Please. I'm asking you as my friend. Let me do this," he stares at me for a long moment before his lips lift into a small smile.

"Fine. You want to dance on a pole for a bunch of older men, be my guest. Just now that if you do this, you can't go back," he says and I nod.

He lets out a sigh. "Meet me at the White Wyrm in an hour. I'm gonna see if I can get everybody out. I really don't want people watching us on the pole," he stands and leaves me sitting on the sidewalk. I have already packed my things into bags. I am currently waiting for whenever Archie decides we should go.

I'd talked to my dad and he surprisingly took the news that I needed to move out well. He actually argued for me when Archie was saying how terrible of an idea it was.

I hear the sound of a bike rolling down the street and I see Jughead in front of me. "You're trying to join the Serpents," he barks at me. He is angry, but I had expected that

"Yeah. You can't stop me either Jug. You don't get to make decisions for me," I snap back and he attempts to calm his breathing.

"How are you going to learn the dance," he asks slowly.

"Braeden's teaching me at the White Wyrm later," I am trying to stay calm. Getting into a fight with him isn't going to do me any good.

"Wait. He wants you to do this. He has always hated the idea of you being a Serpent though," Jughead is confused.

"Well he doesn't get the choice now does he. Juggie, this is something that I'm doing for me and nobody can stop me. Not you. Not Archie. Not Braeden. Not even my dad. None of you get to make decisions for me. Not like this at least," I stand and begin walking back into my house.

"Jasmin. Don't do this. You won't want this once your in. It isn't for someone like you," he pleads.

"No. It's perfect for someone like me," I snap and walk inside. I walk into my room and change into my most revealing outfit and then put on some sweats and a simple hoodie over it. I sit on my bed and look around my room. It is strange thinking about how long it might be until I laid on this bed again. Until I see these walls.

I shake my head and head back downstairs. Archie is waiting for me. "Veronica sent a car. Are you sure about this? I could always protect you," he suggests but I shake my head.

"I can't have you risking your life for me Archie. I'll be fine. Don't worry," I smile at him as I grab my bag of clothes from the floor and toss it over my shoulder. Goodbye home. See you again someday.

...

Braeden is waiting for me at Jughead's house. "Drop your shit off and then we can go do this. Toni's there. She'll be able to help show you," his voice is firm but I could see that he was nervous about this whole idea. I know that he doesn't want me to be a Serpent. I don't know why he doesn't, I just knew he doesn't.

Fangs is waiting inside sitting in a chair. "He wanted to see me do the dance," Braeden's cheeks are a bright pink and Fangs winks. Braeden looked away and I laugh quietly.

Toni is leaning against one of the poles. She smiles at me. "I've been waiting for the day you wanted to do this," she smiles.

"I've wanted to do this for awhile. I just decided that I wasn't taking no for an answer anymore. Braeden," I shoot my head towards him and he simply puts his hands up.

"Sorry for not wanting to watch you strip on a pole," he is sitting on Fangs leg. Fangs was massaging his shoulders.

"So when am I going to do this," I ask and Toni smirkes.

"Tonight. It's my birthday and what's a better present then seeing a pretty girl dance on a pole," I feel my cheeks turn a bright red and Braeden snickers. "I'm kidding. I know that you are taken by Jughead," I hit her in the arm and Braeden just loses it. Fangs is simply shaking his head in amusement.

"Well if we're doing this tonight I better learn this thing quickly," I attempt to change the subject.

Braeden slides off of Fangs lap and Toni smiles. "This is going to be really fucking beautiful," Fangs says and I see him pull his phone out.

...

I am covered in sweat. I have lost count of how many times we have done this. When they were doing it, it didn't even seem that hard. When I got up there though, I tripped the first time I did it. The floor is flat.

We don't have long until the rest of the Serpents got here. Braeden plays the music once again. I sigh and step up to the pole. This whole thing happened fast. Next thing I remember seeing is Braeden with a slightly proud smile on his face.

All three of them are clapping, but I can hear a fourth pair. The claps seemed slow and almost sarcastic. 'Jughead appeares in the doorway and I turn a bright red. He has just seen me. Dancing on the pole. In next to nothing. Fuck.

"I'm glad to see you really taught her it. You know, after I told you not to," Jughead snaps at Braeden who rolls his eyes. He iss most certainly annoyed.

"You think I wanted this? At least I care about what she wants. All you have ever gave a fuck about his what you want Jones," Braeden snaps back. I can see Fangs grip his shoulder and whisper something to him. Braeden falls back into Fangs.

"Jasmin. Please. Don't do this. I don't want you to be part of this world," Jughead is staring at me and I look away.

"I'm sorry Jug, but I'm doing this. Nothing can stop me," I try to reach out for him but he pulls away and shakes his head.

"Then have fun stripping in front of all those men," Jug snaps at me before leaving. I turn away and wipe away the tear falling from my cheek.

"Jas. He'll get over it. He's just worried about you," Braeden has his hand on my shoulder. I sigh.

"I guess a part of me wanted him to watch me and enjoy it," I laugh without humor.

"I think a part of him did. He just doesn't want to admit it," Toni smiles at me.

"What if the guys don't find me attractive," I ask and Toni laughs.

"Trust me. They'll find you attractive," Toni smiles and I feel my cheeks begin to burn.

Fangs whisperes something to Braeden who nods. "I ship it," Braeden says and Toni hits his leg and for one moment everything is in peace. It doesn't last long.