VIPER • the serpent princess

36

That night, Sweets and I recruit Fangs and some of the other boy Serpents. I never told Toni our plan, knowing she wouldn't approve, same with Jughead. But I knew everyone else would be all for it, and there certainly were. Me and the boys wait at our bikes in the dark night, outside of Riverdale Highs gymnasium. It's basketball practise, and as I watch the team leave, their captain comes out last. As always. We wait for him to come over to his car which is right across from us, then I step into the light. Reggie freezes as he notices the group of teen gang member's in front of him. And realises he is all alone in the car park.

"Reggie" I smile, taking a deep breath, "How's your night going?"

"It's about to get a whole lot worse" Fangs chuckle's behind me.

Before Reggie can speak, I cut him off.

"You have come for the Serpents since we stepped in the Northside. But coming after me?" I scoff.

"That was really, fucking stupid" Sweets glares.

"Really, fucking stupid" I repeat, an evil grin on my face, "You Northsider's have to learn to have respect for the Serpents. Because if you piss of a snake, you're going to get bit"

With that, I raise my fist and punch the boys face hard. The Serpents all rush past me and start punching and kicking Reggie whilst his down. Once the damage is done, we all laugh happily at our successful jump, rushing onto our bikes and riding on back home.

As we pull up at our trailer, we can hear shouts coming from inside. I look to Sweet Pea confused as we can't make out the voices. When we walk in, we find FP and Henry. I immediately grab Sweet Peas hand worried for him.

"The kiss have arrived! I heard you knocked Casey up son! Good job!" Henry scoffs drunk.

"Henry was just on his way out" FP hisses.

"This is my god damn house!"

"No it's not! You don't pay the rent! You don't pay for the food or any of the fucking furniture in here! This is not your house! Now get the hell out, I told you to never come back Henry" I demand.

"You've got a big mouth Casey. It's time you learnt a lesson like I taught Sweet Pea" he threatens, then starts storming towards em.

Sweet Pea shouts and quickly pulls me behind him. But before Henry can even reach me, FP swings his fist and punches him so hard I swear I hear the crack in his nose.

"You fucking come near either of those kids Henry and you're a dead man" FP declares, "Now get the hell out of Riverdale. If you come back, me and the boys will teach you a lesson"

Henry scoffs, holding his nose and makes his way to the door.

"I, am going to be nothing like you. You pathetic, disgusting, fucking asshole shit head" Sweets assures, then slams the door behind Henry.

He turns around to me and wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead and sighing in relief. He then moves back and shakes FP's hand.

"Thank you" he says, extremely grateful.

"It was my pleasure, trust me" he chuckles, "You're a good kid Sweets, you're not your father. I'll get going, good night"

"Night, FP" I smile, opening the door for him.

Once it's closed, I hear a loud bang and turn to see Sweets has punched the kitchen cabinet.

"Sweet Pea" I sigh worried.

"I'm fine he just, he's just such a ducking asshole. And if he ever lays a fucking finger on you Casey, I would never forgive myself and I would, I would kill him" he declares.

"He won't. Sweets I'm safe, you are safe. He won't come back. Hey, look at me" I plead, pulling his face to me, "I love you. I love you so much"

"I love you too" he leans down and presses his lips onto mine.

The next morning, we walk into school and I grin happily, when passing a beaten Reggie. He cowers away scared at me, Sweets and Fangs. When we reach the common room, we come face to face with a mad Jughead and Toni.

"Hey guys" I start, in as much of a sweet voice as I can.

"You guys beat the hell out of Reggie! I said I'd deal with it Casey" Jug sighs.

"Well we dealt with it first. We dealt with it our way, the Serpent way. We showed him to have respect and now he does. You shouldn't be mad at us you should be thanking us Jones" Sweet Pea defends.

"And why did you tell me?" Toni questions annoyed.

"Because we didn't think you'd approve of us beating someone up. I mean you don't usually approve or come" I explain truthfully.

"But this is Reggie. Reggie who was an asshole to my best friends and my niece or nephew. I approve you beating him up" she shrugs, then placing a smile on her face.

I grin, then wrap my arms around her and we hug each other tightly. Her, Sweets and Fangs go to sit down, but I grab Jughead's arm.

"That dinner, with you and Betty. I'm available tonight?" I suggest.

"Really?" he responds shocked, a smile on his face.

He's excited. He's not ashamed of me or wants to keep me away from his Northside life and girlfriend. He never has.

"Really, I wouldn't miss it" I assure.

"Alright then. Tonight, sounds good I'll tell Betty" he smiles nodding.

"Good"

I walk over to the couches and sit down beside Sweet Pea. He puts his arm around me and the two of us get comfortable. In the common room is me, Sweets, Toni, Fangs, Jug, Kevin and Lodge. The group of us all starting to talk and gossip about our life's. Suddenly, my phone buzzes and I look down to see a text from FP.

'Henry is at the Wyrm plastered. What do you want me to do?'

I take a deep breath and quickly pull my phone down. I look to Fangs and subtly motion for him to go out of the room. Soon after, I turn to Sweets and kiss his cheek.

"I'm going to the bathroom"

He nods and then laughs, going back to his conversation. I leave the room and find Fangs waiting for me outside the door.

"I need you to give me a ride to the Wyrm. FP just texted me that Henry is there" I explain upset, "And Sweets can not know about it"

"Alright, I agree. Let's go" he nods.