𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵖᵉᵃ

F I V E

« Dᴀɴs ᴜɴ Eɴᴅʀᴏɪᴛ Sᴏʟɪᴛᴀɪʀᴇ »

Try to find the
worst in me...

҉

                REGGIE KNOCKED on the large oak door. Julian answered, ready to join the couple. The blond moved to the staircase. "Clem! Let's go!"

     "Coming! Coming!" They had canceled the tutoring session so she could change for whatever Reggie had planned.

     Her outfit shocked both boys. It was clearly new, matching nothing in her wardrobe: an oversized shirt that looked like a dress, ending mid-thigh, paired with thin black tights and black combat boots.
"Oh no you don't," Julian said, blocking her at the bottom step, fully in big-brother mode. "Go change."

     Reggie chuckled. "She looks fine, Bartholdy. Let her live."

     Clemintine smiled at her boyfriend. "Thank you."

     Julian rolled his eyes. "Of course you would think she looks good."

     The three headed toward Archie Andrews' house. The rest of the Riverdale Bulldogs waited outside, holding several pizza boxes. Reggie knocked loudly, tucking the boxes under his arm.

     "Reggie?" Veronica asked Archie after opening the door, seeking an explanation.

     "Can we come in?" Reggie gripped Clemintine's hand and led the way. The Bulldogs shuffled in behind them and settled in the living room.

     "To what do we owe this unexpected honor?" Veronica asked the boys, ignoring Clemintine.

     Reggie's arm rested behind Clemintine's shoulders. He seemed right at home. "Archie could have told Weatherbee the hood was mine, but he didn't." Clemintine was utterly lost. "In the book of Reg, that makes you a top-tier loyal badass. And, uh. We were talking today and decided if you wanna keep the Red Circle going... we're here for you, dude."

     Clemintine had no time to ask what was happening when Veronica stood and moved to the front door.

     "Not a moment too soon. Archie," she said, facing the living room. "Trouble."
Clemintine expected the hooded figure, but when Archie opened the door, she saw Sweet Pea. She instantly moved to stand beside Veronica to hear the exchange.

     "How stupid are you Northsiders? You really think you can come to my house, stick a gun in my face in front of my boys, and there wouldn't be any payback?" Sweet Pea's words dripped with venom, echoing his tone from yesterday's tutoring session. "Isn't it enough that you got a little Northside spy to tutor us?"

     Reggie stepped forward at the mention of his girlfriend. "You have crap timing, bro." The other hot-headed teens began moving toward the door.

     "Reggie." Clemintine took his hand.
Sweet Pea finally noticed her. A smirk grew for a secret reason: He liked how she was dressed. She looked better. "So this is why you canceled? For them?" Sweet Pea scoffed. "I was right about you." He said it as if he was disappointed he wasn't wrong, that he truly thought she cared.

     "Watch it." Reggie moved from Clemintine's grasp. "Bulldogs eat Serpents like you for lunch."

     Sweet Pea's gaze slowly returned to Clemintine, who was now behind Julian. "And the more, the merrier."

Reggie started to advance. "Hey, chill." Archie soothed, stopping Reggie's tall frame. He turned to his girlfriend. "Veronica, you and Clemintine stay here."