When Crossing The Tracks-Sweet Pea

6

    I walked into Riverdale High only to be greeted by the students wearing the same shirt: white with a red circle on it. Everybody was wearing it, everybody "Veronica! You made these?" I asked as I walked up to her "Yeah, here you can help hand them out" she smiled and gave me a box of t-shirts "Veronica, do you really think t-shirt are the most helpful thing to do right now?" I asked "It shows that we're a united community" she smiled "Hey Lila, here's a t-shirt for you" Cheryl smiled and handed one to me "The whole squad is wearing it" she added and I took it, thanking her but ending up not putting it on "Nice t-shirts" Reggie smirked as he walked up to me "I guess" I chuckled and he grabbed one "Not my size, I need a larger one, I'm pretty buff as you can probably notice" he said and I laughed "That was so bad" I said "I know but at least I got you to laugh didn't I" he smiled and left.
Later that day, in the evening, Veronica called me to help her with something "You're kidding" I said as we walked the empty and cold halls of RH, in the dark with a flashlight "I wish I was" she said "Where even is it?" I asked "He said it's in the boys' bathroom by the parking lot exit, nobody ever uses that so at least he was smart about it" she said and we entered the mentioned room. We went into the stall and she sighed "Okay, I'll hold the flashlight you take off the water tank top and take it out" she said "No way I'm putting my hand inside that nasty thing" I said "Well I'm not either. And besides, I'm already holding this" she said "I'll hold it for you, you get your hand in the water" I said "Rock-paper-scissors?" she asked and I nodded "Phew" she said and I rolled my eyes, reaching inside the water tank and grabbing the gun "Oh my God, okay let's get out of here" she said as she put the lid back on. I took it out of the zip lock bag and washed my hands before we left to Archie's place. I felt a little awkward as I listened to Archie and Veronica arguing but soon, Reggie and the Bulldogs showed up with pizza and an interest in keeping up the red circle "We want to keep the red circle going" he said "Yeah man, we're all here for you" James said and Archie smiled "I still think it's crazy....you guys are putting yourselves in danger" I said "I agree. Wait, what's that noise?" Veronica said as she stood up, walking to the door "Archie, trouble" she said and Archie quickly went to open the door "How stupid are you North Siders?" I heard the familiar voice "You think you can come to my house, stick a gun to my face in front of my boys and there won't be any payback?" Sweet Pea's voice said. Reggie stood up, walking over to them "You have crap timing bro" he said and soon, his friends followed him "Ronnie, what's going on?" I whispered as I stood next to her "Bulldogs eat serpents for lunch" Reggie threatened "We'll see about that, the more the merrier" Sweet Pea said, looking up at the rest of the Bulldogs, catching my eyes in the process, only now realizing I as there as well. He was confident but so were the Bulldogs "Veronica, you and Lila stay here" Archie spoke up and turned towards Ronnie for a second "If you want to fight we'll fight" Archie spat at Sweet Pea who's smirk only grew "What about your gun?" he asked "What about your knife?" Archie asked "How about no weapons" I spoke up, pushing between them when I noticed they were getting just a little too close "I agree. If you want to do this there's gonna be rules. Or should I call Keller to be referee?" Veronica said. Sweet Pea looked at me, noticing Reggie's arm that snaked around my waist, keeping me at a safe distance from him and the rest of the Serpents "The road that leads to Eversgreen Forest, South Route entry in an hour" Sweet Pea smirked "That only if you puppies don't decide to back out last minute" Fangs chuckled as they turned around, leaving "Fuckers. We'll show them not to mess with us" Reggie said as he grabbed his phone, calling for more backup "Archie, are you seriously going to go?" Veronica asked "I have to, Ronnie" he said "Then we're gonna come too" she said and grabbed my arm "No way, it's too dangerous" he said "Archie, I said we'll come with you" she pushed and he sighed, nodding. Soon enough, we got to the place "This is gonna be fun" Reggie said as he parked his car and getting out. I did the same, the rain soaking my clothes in seconds. Reggie put his arms around my waist, bringing me close to him so my back was leaning against his chest while he leaned against the hood of his car, waiting for everybody else to get there, running a few seconds behind. Sweet Pea was sitting on his bike, leaning his elbow against the handle and watching all the Bulldogs arrive and line up "Oh my God" I mumbled "Don't worry, we're gonna be fine. But I don't think I can say the same for the South Siders" Reggie said as he let go of me, following Archie who started walking towards them only to be met with Sweet Pea's tall frame hovering above him "It was a mistake bringing your little girlfriends" Sweet Pea chuckled and in a blink of an eye, Archie's fist met with his jaw, causing me to gasp and Veronica to flinch. I felt tears rolling down my cheeks, alongside the rain droplets as I watched the guys beat each other up in the most violent way ever "We have to do something" Veronica said "Do what?" I asked and she reached into her purse with shaky hands and pulling out Archie's gun. I stepped away from her, watching anxiously as she looked at the gun for a few seconds, not exactly knowing what to do next. I knew she never held a gun before, it was obvious which meant things could go wrong any second. She brought the gun up in the air, shooting it upwards which caught everybody's attention. I felt my back hit a tree, there was no more room for me to back away. In a split second, everybody was back in their cars or on their bikes, getting away as fast as they could.