VIPER • the serpent princess

25

I lean against Sweet Peas body, his arms around my waist as he leans against his bike. Fangs against his bike with Toni right beside us as we stand awaiting the race. I watch as Jughead and Archie talk, whilst Betty is looking over there car. The Northsider's than cane staring at the four of us and the other Serpents around us, but looking away scared as soon as we catch there eyes on us. Suddenly, loud yelling and howls come from cars pulling up. I watch shocked, as I see Malachai getting out of the lead car. He scans his audience, his eyes dropping on mine and a huge smirk forming on his face. I can't look away, this is the first time I've seen him in so long. Since what he did, it all comes rushing back. Malachai starts walking towards us, Sweet Pea stands up, but I stay in front of him, grabbing hold of his wrist and holding him back.

"Well hello Princess" he grins, looking me up and down, "You're still looking great"

"And you still look like a fucking dick" Fangs scoffs.

Malachai chuckles, looking around at my friends and then back to me. He goes to touch me, but Sweet Pea grabs his wrist and throws it back at him.

"Are you stupid? You remember what I did to you last time you touched her, don't you? You try it again, I'll do it again" Sweet Pea threatens, Fangs standing beside home strongly.

"Yeah, I do remember, I also remember what I did to your girl. I've get to watch it every night on my home movie-"

Sweet Pea hits Malachai chest back, I quickly run between the two of them and hold Sweet Pea back.

"No! We're just here to race that's it" I declare, looking into Sweets' eyes pleadingly.

"Yeah, so piss off Malachai" Sweet Pea hisses, turning around with me, Fangs following us.

Malachai walks back laughing, joining his fops. I take a deep breath, looking to a raging Sweet Pea.

"You okay?" he asks worried.

"I'm fine, are you?"

"I'm good" he chuckles, shaking his head, "Why you always worrying about anyone but yourself?"

I roll my eyes and smile, leaning back onto him, his arms wrapping around me fast. Our hands holding in front of me.

"Go Jug!" Toni cheers as they get into the car.

"Smash them Jones!" Fangs follows.

"Hey Malachai!" Sid yells from the Ghoulie side. "Smash those snakes like you smashed Casey"

"Leave it Sweets, just leave it" I quickly say, making him stand still.

Malachai smirks and winks at me before getting into his car. I look over to Sid who is laughing with all of his Ghoulie idiots and I give him my meanest glare.

"I hate that guy" Sweet Pea hisses.

"Everyone does" Fangs scoffs.

Then, earlier then expected. Much too soon, Jughead returns, the car skidding to a hault. He gets out of the cars and yells at everyone to run, that cops are coming.

"Go, I'll meet you guys at the Wyrm" I say, running over to Jughead and Andrews.

"You called the cops? You won't throw in with the Ghoulies, but you will with cops? Where's the honor in that?" Tall Boy roars, raging off with Jug.

"Calm down, Tall Boy. You think I knew Keller would be there?" Jug defends.

"I called Keller" Andrews admits.

I scoff, shaking my head at the idiot Northsider.

"What the hell, Archie? Did my dad tell you about this, too?"

"No, this was my idea to get rid of the Ghoulies.
It worked. They get arrested for racing, they're off the chessboard-"

"For how long? One month? Three months? You know what they'll want on the other side? Your head on a stake! All of ours!" I shout furious.

"Casey we gotta go! You can't be here" Sweets calls from behind me, waiting by my bike.

"You're not a Serpent Andrews, yet you've just put us all into a war. If the Ghoulies don't come for your head, I will" I threaten, before turning and running to my bike.

I ride off with Sweet Pea, fleeing the scene along with every other spectator. When we get to the Wyrm, I grab Sweet Peas wrist before we go in.

"When they're arrested, I want to see Malachai" I confess.

"What? Casey why the hell-"

"Because, Sweets. I can't let him still, have this power over me. This fear, I won't let him be happy about that. I said nothing today, I just, was frozen. He was so happy about it. I don't want him to think he broke me" I explain, shaking my head emotionally, "He didn't break me"

"Okay, alright. But I'm coming okay?" he sighs.

"Yes" I smile sadly, then wrapping my arms around his waist, "Lets go drink off my nerves"

Sweet Pea stays out in the station waiting area, whilst I walk down into the cell room, then stop in front of Malachai's. He laughs, standing up and walking to the edge of his cell.

"You just couldn't resist could you princess? I knew today would bring all the feelings back, you miss me-"

"No, Malachai. I don't" I scoff, "I'm not afraid of you. I, hate you. I feel, so much rage and anger when I see your stupid face. I feel, the need to stab my knife into your heart and twist it slowly. I'm not afraid of you and you have not won"

I smirk, feeling a sudden amount of strength I thought I had lost from Malachai. I step forward.

"I won. You lost. You're the one going to prison, whilst I'm going to my trailer, with my boyfriend and the Serpents, who still and always will rule the Southside. You lost, Malachai. You should have known you would" I declare, "Have fun in jail"

I turn away, Malachai hits the bars of his cell behind me, yelling cruel words. All words I've heard him call me before. I ignore him, and when I get into the waiting room, Sweet Pea rushes fast to me. He is about to ask if I'm okay, but I stop him by putting my lips on his.

"I love you"

"I love you too" he smiles happily, throwing his arm around my shoulders and then we both leave the station.