Public Knowledge (Sweet Pea x Reader)

The Party

He didn't respond to your text.

Or your email with the comments.

He didn't even look at you in school the next day.

As expected you had made it worse.

It seemed like an uphill battle to hide your disappointment from everyone, but you'd been giving it a particularly valiant effort and had felt rather good about getting away with your mopiness unnoticed until Sarah cornered you at your locker.

"You're coming out with me tonight," Sarah announced as you closed your locker door.

"To where?" you asked.

"Reggie's having a party, and you look like you need some fun and socialization. So, be at my house by 8:30, and I'll figure out which clothes I'm going to dress you up in."

"Sarah," you sighed. "Nobody wants me at their parties."

"Oh come on, like the whole school is invited to this one. It's a blowout for his birthday, and if there's one thing people like Reggie love it's celebrating themselves," Sarah argued, following you as you took off towards the door. She continued to nag you all the way out the door and onto the bus until finally you broke down and agreed that you'd go to this party.

But even though Sarah had said everyone was invited, you hadn't really expected that "everyone" would include the Serpents. You said as much to Sarah when you walked in.

"I'm guessing Cheryl bullied Reggie into it so she could bring Toni," Sarah rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, we don't have to talk to them." She pulled you along, and your eyes fell on Sweet Pea. He met your gaze and you quickly turned away, following her further into the house and straight for the bright red concoction on Reggie's counter.

It only took an hour to lose Sarah to an attractive junior on the track team, which was really just your luck. Being alone. At a party in which you didn't belong. Too straight laced to get drunk enough to deal with this situation. This was the worst.

"Hey! Having a good time?" A voice shouted over the music and you whirled, stumbling on over your feet. Two hands shot out, grabbing a hold of your shoulder and elbow to steady you.

"Thank you," you mumbled, staring up at Adam Chisholm. He had the audacity to smile at you.

"You look great."

"Thanks," you murmured, looking away from him and out to the crowd, desperately wishing you could will Sarah to appear.

"Look, I wanted to talk to you about Pop's. I was on my way when Ginger texted, and I tried telling her I couldn't come over, but you know Ginger; I don't think she's even heard the word no before."

It was hard to keep track of what he was saying. All you could hear was. Pop's. Ginger. No.

"It's fine," you shook your head.

"You're way too nice—"

"She really is," another voice agreed, coming up behind you. You could feel his presence at your back, closer than he normally was. He was here. He was behind you. He was next to you. He was defending you. No one could know.

"I'm sorry, I don't think anyone was talking to you," Adam bit back, his eyes on Sweet Pea. "So why don't you just slither away."

"Sure, as soon as you go back to your kennel and leave Y/N the hell alone," Sweet Pea said, leaning forward so that he pressed against your back.

You bit your lip, trying to keep from looking at him. You couldn't look at him. Couldn't acknowledge him. Couldn't give him away.

"Jealous, Serpent?" Adam asked.