Two Evils // Sweet Pea

Chapter Fifteen

Katherine Lodge places the piping hot takeaway coffee in front of the Serpent, umber brown eyes watching her every move. She shares a soft smile as she leans against the booth, yet another milkshake in hand — this time to go. Kat chuckles lightly as the boy rolls his eyes at her. Just seeing him so comfortable and chilled made her heart ache. This was the first time they'd been alone and truly themselves in each others company; no facade and no alcohol; no expectations of or from either side.

"I thought we could go for a walk," Kat presses her lips together, twisting her straw between her fingers, "I don't want to go back to ignoring you."
"You didn't exactly do a great job of it, anyway," Sweet Pea teases, pulling his leather jacket over his shoulders. He wasn't exactly wrong.
"It's a bit difficult when you're always causing trouble," Kat bites back playfully, taking a sip of her chocolate shake, "I was actually surprised that you took your jacket off."
"You saw Southside High," He shrugs, "I wasn't about to give up an opportunity like Riverdale High."
Kat's eyes widen, "I don't realise you cared about school."
"Because I'm a Serpent?"
"No, because you act like you don't give a shit about anything," She huffs at the defensive boy, "Other than your Serpents."
He chuckles,"I don't want to go back to ignoring each other, either."
Sweet Pea stands, coffee in hand, a wide grin on his face. Returning the smile, Kat hops to his side and they make their way towards the exit. He studies her momentarily as they walk, before raising an eyebrow, "What's bugging you?"
"Sorry?" Kat is physically taken aback by his question.
"You get this weird look whenever something's bugging you," He shakes his head as if it was a known thing, "So, what is it?"
"Nothing," She runs a hand through her hair, pursing her lips.
"If you say so," Sweet Pea leans against his motorcycle, a smug look on his face.
"What weird look?" She furrows her brows, "Have you been watching me, Sweets?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Lodge," Sweet Pea chuckles, bringing his coffee to his lips, "I sit at the desk next to you in Algebra."
She exaggeratedly rolls her eyes at him, laughing along. He really did beam when he laughed.
"I heard you showed Reggie up at basketball training," Kat chuckles, "Believe me, I didn't hear the end of it for days."
"Yeah, well the guy's an ass."
Sweet Pea looks at her, waiting for her retort. When she doesn't bite, he frowns.
"What? I'm not going to disagree," She presses her lips together, "Pretty sure he'd freak if he saw us together."
He raises an eyebrow, taking a large gulp of his coffee.
"Apparently, he wasn't impressed with me getting a ride from Fangs," She shifts her vision to the black motorcycle, drumming her fingers on the seat, "Said something about 'spending time with criminals', you know, like father, like daughter."
"Are you serious?"
"Extremely," She exhales slowly, "The irony being that he is the school's drug dealer."
"He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it," Sweet Pea recites, nonchalantly. Did he actually just quote George Orwell? His smug face would usually irritate Kat, but she found herself impressed instead.
Katherine tilts her head towards the bike, raising an eyebrow, "I thought we were going for a walk?"
"I'm not really a fan of walking," A crooked smile appears as he climbs onto his bike. He adjust himself momentarily before extending a hand to Kat, "Besides, how long has it been since you rode with me?"
She chuckles, shaking her head, "Fine."
Kat accepts his hand, using it to balance as she hoists herself onto the bike. Once on, she takes the helmet from his grasp and pulls it over her head. Kat takes a deep breath, wrapping her arms around Sweet Pea's torso.

*

Katherine clutches tightly around Pea's torso, she'd almost forgotten how fast he whipped around corners, and flew down the streets. She feels him chuckle to himself as she grips tighter, clearly amused by her worry; she knew she was safe, Sweet Pea was a safe driver and she trusted him, but not being in control did scare her. Kat closes her eyes, the smell of leather and smoke filling her lungs; being so close to him only brought bad memories. She sighs to herself, would she always be plagued by bad memories?