Old Habits Die Hard (Riverdale)

six

The next morning I was exhausted.  I lazily got ready for school and rode silently with Stanley.  Archie found me in the hallway and asked how my hand was.  It was super bruised and purple but I told him I would be fine.  Sadly, Veronica then came up to us while we were talking.

"Archiekinss!! I'm disappointed you haven't tried to acquaint me with your friend Sophia that you're always so involved with. I heard you guys were hanging out yesterday. " She smiled and linked her arm around his.

"If you want to get to know her just ask V, shes not super mean" He said shrugging. "We were watching some Netflix last night though and talked about her first day back at school"

I sighed at him feeling as if he had to explain our interactions.

"He's lying. I'm vicious and I don't make friends well" I winked and walked away annoyed.  I had no intention on becoming buddy buddy with Veronica.

I found Toni and we talked about our plan for later.  She invited me to come home with her and then go to FPs to talk about joining the serpents.  We were just discussing details when Cheryl approached us.

"Hey Sophia, i'm throwing a little get together at Thistle house on Saturday and I would love for you to come. Also your audition for the Rivervixens is set for next Tuesday!!" Cheryl smiled and put her hands on her hips. She then looked at Toni and sighed. "You're invited too Serpent Sally,  I need more diversity in social status" Cheryl walked away and me and Toni looked at each other and started laughing. Classic Cheryl.

We headed to class together and Toni saw Jughead and Betty at his locker. She waved.

"Hey Jug, Betty" She said smiling.  Jughead looked at me then to the ground.

"Hey Toni" He said as he walked away leaving Betty stranded at his locker.  She rolled her eyes and joined us walking to class.

"He's so dramatic" Betty sighed.

"Some qualities you have to look at differently to love" I said remembering what he told me about him and Betty.  In reality Jughead was trying to save Betty's feeling but to her he was just being difficult and understanding.

The day went by slowly and I finally got to go home with Toni to talk to FP.  Instead of stopping at her trailer we went straight to Jugheads.  He wasn't there but who knew when he would show up.  FP opened the door and looked surprised.

"Well what do I owe the pleasure?" FP said smiling and invited us inside.

"Sophia wants to join the Serpents" Toni said flatly.

"Before you argue with me I love being in the Southside. My dads home was here and my Uncle is a serpent.  It just feels right to me" I added hesitantly.  FP didn't say anything for a long time he sat down and put his elbows on his knees.

"FP-" I began

"I think it's a good idea." He said looking up at me. "Your family isn't in the best spot and we can be your family. I think that's something you need."

"Thank you so much FP really!! So you're going to help me join?" I asked excitedly.

"Your father died while he was still a Serpent.  I know you thought he quit but he never really did. I'll have to talk to some of the other guys but I think we can pass his spot to you without you having to go through all the difficult initiation." FP stood up smiling. "You're gonna have to talk to your uncle he'll have something to show you.  He usually doesn't get home until five though so you're welcome to hang out around here until then."

I jumped up and hugged him and then Toni.

"Sophia there's some photo albums of you and Jug on his dresser if you girls wanna go look at them" FP said heading to the kitchen.

Toni and I walked into Jugheads room and found a pile of photo albums evenly placed on the corner of his dresser.  I grabbed one and it said Jug and Sophs first birthday.  We sat down on his bed and flipped through pictures of us with cake on our faces and us taking baths together. 

"Look there's my dad!" I said to Toni pointing at a picture of him holding me and posing.

"There's your Dad with Jughead" Toni laughed.

We continued to look at pictures and albums when a small envelope fell out of one of the pages.  I picked it up and it said Sophia on it in Jugheads handwriting.  It felt like something heavier was inside.

"What are you two doing here??" Jughead said from the doorway and we jumped.  He walked to me and grabbed the envelope. 

"Your dad told us we could look at these phot albums, what's the envelope?" I asked standing up reaching for it.  He pulled it away from me.

"Well this is my room can you guys please leave" He said putting it back into the photo albums.

"We can go to my house, It's closer to your uncles anyway" Toni said grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Jug.

"See ya Jug" I said sighing and leaving with Toni. "Bye FP thank you so much!" I yelled and walked out with Toni.

Betty was sitting on the steps.

"Oh hey B" I said smiling. "Where are you and Jug headed??" I asked getting onto Toni's motorcycle.

"We're going to Pops for some food.  He seems to be in a better mood than earlier thankfully" Betty said smiling back "See you later" She waved me and Toni away.

***

I walked into my uncles trailer and he was sitting on the couch.

"Hey uncle Charley" I said smiling and sitting in the recliner by the couch.

"Hey Sophia whatcha doing here hun?" He asked smiling.

"Well I just talked to FP and I think i'm joining the Serpents.  He told me you would want to talk to me?" I said shyly.

"Well finally!! I've been waiting for you to finally decide to join.  I was thinking i might have to make the suggestion myself here soon" He said laughing. "Go under my guest bed in there and pull out that trunk from underneath it.  Open it up."

I did as he said and pulled out a black trunk with the name Samuel written on it in silver sharpie. I opened it and at the top was a serpent jacket. When I pulled the jacket out it was about my size and on the bottom seam the name "Angel" was sewn into it just like he used to call me.

"Wow" I said standing up and pulling the jacket on. "I love it"

"Your dad had that made before he passed.  He always wanted you and Stanley to join and have a good family to fall back on.  He knew it would be you that would want to eventually join" Charley said standing up and hugging me.

"It's yours munchkin.  Keep it and make him proud" He smiled and I thanked him over and over again.

***

When I got home I hung the serpent jacket in my closet.  I couldn't wait to wear it.  Tomorrow was Cheryl's party and I was hoping to have some fun.