A Serpent Can't Shed Its Skin

Ch.9

My parent's didn't say anything for a very long time, finally my father said very low and hesitant :

''To join the Ghoulies you have to first hot wire and hijack a car, preferably a vintage one, and drive it around town without getting caught, and then gift it to the leader, and then you have to endure the Burial where all the members beat you up all at once until you are withering on the floor in agony begging for and so close to death, and you can't fight back, whatever happens, and it's the exact same for girl's because not many have the guts or stomach to join, and when you are in the Ghoulies, you are in it for life'' my father finished almost looking off into space or the past, remembering his own messed-up initiation.

My mother started very tenderly rubbing my father's back, and kissed and nuzzled his neck very affectionately, and then my mother said very low and hesitant too:

''To join the Southside Serpents you have to first take guardianship of ''the beast'' or the gang's dog Hot Dog, and then you have to know the Serpent Laws by heart, and yell them under pressure at the Whyte Wyrm, their local bar/ hangout, and then you have to retrieve a knife from the serpent tank, and finally you must run the Gauntlet where all the members take turns punching you in the face, until you get to last person at the end of the line, and they will punch you until you go down, but you have to get back up, but all that stuff is only for guy's, for girl's you have to do the Serpent Dance for your preferred romantic interest, and only they can let you in the gang'' my mother finished almost wishfully, and remembering her own ''serpent dance''.

''Mom what exactly is the serpent dance??'' I ask, and imagine doing it for a very cold and distant Sweet Pea, and he immediately looks away, and rejects me, I physical shutter at the thought.

''It's exactly what it sounds like dear, and when you are in the Serpents, you are in it for life too'' My mother says in a very deadpan voice and not elaborating at all.

''Okay, what are the Serpent Laws then?'' I ask still trying to pry her for answers so I can join like I have always wanted to.

My mother looks at me very seriously before getting up, and walking into their bedroom that I am never ever allowed in to. I follow her, completely confused. She then takes down the set of rules that have always been hanging by their bed for as long as I can remember. The ticket to becoming a full fledged Serpent has been right under my nose this entire time. She then takes out the very battered and almost burned sheet of paper from inside the glass, and the glass itself, and hands them both to me, which I take as my mother's official blessing to let me be a Serpent, just like her.

''Here, take it, and memorize it.  We never meant to keep you from your birthright. We just thought it would be safer that way'' my mother said as my father came up behind her, and put his head on her shoulder, and his strong arms around her waist.

''Thank you mom'' I say as I read through the laws:

1. A Serpent never shows cowardice.

2. If a Serpent is killed or imprisoned, their family will be taken care of.

3. No Serpent is left for dead.

4. A Serpent never betrays his own.

5. In unity, there is strength.

And right under the 5th and final law, in permanent marker, my mother had written:

6. A Serpent can't shed its skin.

We then hugged like a sappy sitcom family, and I go to my room to marinate on every single thing that happened today. I get ready for bed, put on my pajamas, put the Serpent Laws under my pillow, and just before my head hits the pillow, and I can finally get some sleep, a weird sound comes from my window pane, almost like tiny pebbles are being throw at it or something. I open the window so confused to see a very apologetic looking Sweet Pea standing outside on the perfectly manicured lawn.

''What are you doing here?'' I ask trying to make my voice sound angry but he immediately sees right through it, just like always.

Sweet Pea then takes his giant 6'3 1/2 frame, and starts climbing up my mother's prize rose wall, and almost gracefully lands on my pink cotton candy carpeted floor.

''I came here to sincerely apologize. I can't imagine how much of a shock it must have been for you to discover that your entire life has been one big fat lie, and your father was actually the leader of the Ghoulies, and your mother was a Southside Serpent, I can honestly say with all of my heart that I didn't know your mother was a Serpent though, and that it actually is in your blood, and I'm sorry I thought you were just some spoiled Northsider princess who doesn't belong, I'm just really sorry Sam, please forgive me'' Sweet Pea says inching closer to me very hesitantly

I let him, and then we get very close to each other. I sit down on the bed, and he kneels in front of me, and puts a very firm hand on my thigh, and the other one on my blushing cheek, and I put both my hands on his shoulder, and he pulls me closer, and our lips finally meet as they should have back at Southside High School, or even the first second we met. His lips massage my lips for a while, and we are just lost in the wonder of our pure passion, and then his tongue lightly teases my lower lip, and I eagerly open up, and our tongues fight for dominance in my mouth. It is quite the struggle, but I finally give in, and allow my submission to him, at least for now.

We finally break apart after what seems like hours, but was probably only a few minutes.

''Wow'' we both say at exactly the same time. The door to my room then rattles, and I know it's my mom doing her nightly bed check (I guess some things haven't changed).

''Why is this door locked Samantha? What is going on in there??'' My mother says still trying to rattle the door like a snake (I don't know why I never guessed who she really was sooner).

''You have to leave'' I say so quietly to a very startled looking Sweet Pea.

''I know, goodbye Sam, thank you for forgiving me runt'' Sweet Pea says giving me a smile so sweet it actually warms me up to my very core.

''Goodbye Sweet Pea'' I say touching a shaky finger to my still tingling lips as he climbs back down the rose wall, and runs almost quietly into the night.