Northside Angel

Twenty Three

Adeline's P.O.V

Dad, Archie, and I were planning to go to Chicago to visit mom but she already had plans. It was almost Christmas which got me excited. I had done my Christmas shopping early for everyone. I was helping dad sell some Christmas trees in front of Pop's.

"Merry Christmas!" I said to the buyer.

I felt arms wrapped around me making me look up. I smiled as I saw Sweet Pea behind me.

"You're staying here for break. Right?" Sweet Pea asked.

"Yes. My mom booked a singles cruise trip," I told him. Sweet Pea gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you later?" Sweet Pea said.

"Yeah. I'll text you," I told him. Sweet Pea held over a mistletoe over us making me laugh a little. I gave him a kiss before he walked away.

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The next day, I wore one of my Christmas sweaters along with jeans and boots. I walked downstairs with Archie to go to school until we saw dad in the kitchen.

"Dad, what is that? A letter from the Black Hood?" Archie asked as we both walked over to dad who was sitting on the table, looking at a paper.

"No, it's worse. Riverdale General. My hospital bill," Dad told us.

"How much is it for?" Archie asked.

"Eighty-six thousand."

"What, dollars? That can't be right, can it? Or doesn't your insurance..."

"They probably made a mistake. I'll call them tomorrow," Dad told us. I looked up at Archie who looked back down at me.

"Well, after your incident, I've saved some money to help cover it," I told him.

"Adeline, no. You work too hard for that money," Dad told me.

"Dad please, let me help," I told him.

"No. No. It's fine," Dad assured me. I looked up at Archie who looked back down at me.

When we walked out to go to school, we walked a little slow to talk.

"I hope dad will be okay," I told him.

"He will be. I know it," Archie said.

"I wish mom was here," I told him.

"Me too. However, we can try to put on brave faces for dad," Archie told me.

"You're right. We can do that," I nodded.

Archie and I sat together during Kevin's secret Santa thing. Archie had Betty while I had Josie. I got her a pair of new cat ears along with a Starbucks gift card.

"Hmm. Oh. A gift certificate for a couples' massage. Thanks, Josie," Veronica said after opening her present.

"You can go with Betty, or your mom..." Josie said awkwardly.

"Or I can go with your mom, if you want," Reggie winked over.

"Oh, dear God, can we please get this torture over with?" Cheryl asked, rolling her eyes.

"Betty, you're next then Adeline," Kevin said.

"Well, I think I know who picked my name based on these wrapping skills," Betty smiled. I smiled as well, knowing Archie's terrible wrapping skills.

"Archie..." Betty awed.

"My dad, Adeline, and I were cleaning out the garage and I found it," Archie told her. Betty chuckled a little.

"Swiss Family Robinson?" Veronica asked.

"Yeah, It's this old read-a-long record we used to listen to when we were, like, five. Oh, my God. I love it, Arch. Thank you," Betty said.

"Adeline, you're last but not least," Kevin told me. I smiled as I grabbed my present. I opened it to see one of the books I've been dying for.

"Oh my god," I smiled. There was a bookmark in there as well. I saw a small note which read: Merry Christmas to my favorite Andrews. Love, Reggie.

"Reggie, I love it," I told him.

"I'm glad you like it," Reggie said.

"I love it," I told him.

"Hey, Merry Christmas," Moose said, limping over. He had his cane and Midge to help support him.

"Moose," Reggie said hurrying over.

"Hi," Josie said happily. I stood up and smiled at him.

"Hey, Moose. Glad to see that you're better," I told him as I gave him a hug.

"Thanks, Adeline," Moose smiled.

After school, Archie and I were helping out selling Christmas trees as usual. I drank some hot chocolate as I waved at a family.

"Hey," I looked up to see Reggie walking over.

"Hi," I told him.

"How do you like that book?" Reggie asked me.

"I love it," I told him.

"I'm glad you do," Reggie said.

"Looking for a tree right now?" I asked him.

"Was just about to eat at Pop's. You wanna join?" Reggie asked.

"I'd love to but I'm working," I told him.

"Can't take a break?" Reggie asked me.

"Bills are a little high at the moment. I'm just helping out my dad right now," I told him.

"I understand."

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I helped Toni wrap some presents for the children at the Whyte Wrym.

"What did you get Sweet Pea for Christmas?" Toni asked me.

"It's a surprise," I smiled.

"Oh. Is this surprise pg?" She asked me.

"Yes but there's one more thing that I want to tell you," I told her.

"What?" She asked me.

"I want to join the serpents," I told her.

"What?"

"I want to join the serpents," I told her.

"Adeline, no."

"Why not? I want to be part of Sweet Pea's world," I told her.

"You are his world," Toni told me.

"But I want to be part of the world he was in before he met me. I want to support him," I told her.

"Adeline, Sweet Pea wouldn't want you to do it. Besides, there's a good reason why you shouldn't join the serpents," Toni said.

"Why not?"

"Because of the dance."

"Then I'll learn it. I know it's way too sexual for my taste but I want to be part of Sweet Pea's world," I said.

"Adeline, take it from me. Don't do it," Toni told me.

"Alright," I nodded as I didn't want to push it even further.

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Author's Note: Wow. Adeline wants to join the Serpents. What will Sweet Pea say about that?