Just The Two Of Us <Sweet Pea FF>

18. Hearts Content

Saturday the day after the well let's say eventful ball. The serpents are meeting at the whyte wyrm to plan something because tomorrow is 'Pickensday' which is celebrated with a big festive event in the park where Pickens statue was built.

Since I just moved here a few months ago I don't know much about Pickensday or the guy it is named after. But Cheryl did a presentation at school about renaming it after one of her ancestors.

The other side of the story was published by my dear friend Jughead. As a consequence a lot of people are offended or upset. Because actually Pickensday is named after a murderer who killed men, women and children.

That's why the serpents are meeting, they want to protest with banners and stuff. I'd like to help not only because they are my friends and Tonis ancestors were affected but also because I'm a serpent. I officially am a serpent.

But of course I had to get I'll. Probably because of the whole sitting outside and talk-crying with Jughead. I mean it was really cold that night and I caught a cold. See that word play?

"Want some tea?" Sweet Pea steps into the room
"I'd love that" I cough and he disappears again.
It has been a pretty unspectacular day because I slept till 2:30 and now it's 5 o'clock and inbetween I've been laying in bed texting betty, Ronnie, kev or toni etc.

Sweet Pea enters the room again with a mug full of tea. He puts it down on the night stand "here drink this and sleep a bit i'll be going now" he gives me a peck on my forehead and walks out of the room. I can hear him closing the principle door and sink down in the bed.

When sweet pea came home I was already asleep and when I wake up the next morning he is already gone to this protest. Already out of breath I stand up and slowly shuffle into the kitchen to get something to drink and eat maybe.

Sweet pea came back in the evening telling me everything about the protest and how it was semi-successful.

The next day i wasn't going to school although I already felt better but sweet pea insisted that I rested for one more day. And I mean chilling at home instead of going to school... I don't complain. But when sweat pea finally came home he had good and bad news...

"So someone 'cut' of the statues head?" I start laughing
"Yeah but the mayor thinks it was us serpents so they are going to close down sunny side trailer park. The eviction notice was hanging at our door" he shows me the paper.

"But... they can't do this? Where are we gonna live?" My laugh was gone immediately.
"I don't know we'll have to figure something out" he brushes his hair back with his hand.

A few weeks later sweet pea and I where in the whyte wyrm playing pool when a blonde women maybe I her 30s came in with tall boy.

Sweet Pea, who's turn it was, stopped playing and looked up. I could tell from the look in his eyes that this women means trouble. "Sweets" he looks at me shakes his head and continues our game.

After half an hour jug came in putting up flyers for the missing statue head. Alright I don't judge, but as if this is going to work. Jug believes in his idea and wants to start explaining why when the women speaks up
"Jughead Jones" she turns around to look at him "did you really think you'd seen last of me?" Her voice is calm and soft but sharp and dangerous at the same time.
"What's the snake charmer doing here?" Jughead looks towards fp frightened "dad?"
"I brought her in to help us" tall boys deep voice resounds
"We don't need penny's kind of help" jug replies But tall boy is not having it "you don't get a say anymore. Not since you broke serpent law and hurt one of our own kind."

In disbelief I look at Jughead and then sweet pea who seems like hes got something to do with that as well.
Tall boy continues "Penny was about to tell your dad. Show him, Penny"
Toni already has a disgusted expression on her face like she knows what is going to happen next.

Am I the only one who is clueless?
"Show them all" tall boy demands and penny roles up her sleeve exposing a big fleshy scar. A small "Oh my" escapes from my mouth and I can see in fps face that he feels the same way I do.

"That used to be my serpent tattoo" penny starts explaining "until your son sliced my arm and left me bleeding in a ditch in Greendale" now she looks directly at a dissapointed and surprised FP who covers his face with his right hand.

"But" the snake charmer starts again with a sweeter tone "I'm still willing to help the serpents. Tall boy showed me those eviction notices. They're legit." She leans back "But, luckily, I can think of about 41 ways to stall the process. And I'm talking years"

I don't know what the deal with her but to me this sounds like a great plan. Why does Jughead look so done?

"What's your price, Penny?" Fp questions with a low voice
"Blood for blood" she stands up "an eye for an eye" rolling her sleeve down again "I want back in with the serpents, and I want him kicked out" she points at jug still looking at FP.

"Oh, yeah, one last thing" her voice is sickening sweet again "I want his tattoo carved off" now she is turning to face Jughead "and I want to do it myself" a creepy smile spreads on her face "with a dirty knife" penny walk past Jughead right out of the bar.

I have so many questions but fp takes Jughead by the arm and storms out with him. I look at sweet pea who has a frown on his face and crossed his arms before his chest so that his biceps can be seen through his leather jacket. Trouble is about to await us but at least sweet pea is still by my side.

~Meanwhile at the coopers house:

Betty is standing in front of her mirror throwing some poses then hopping away and dancing through her room, bad liar blasts from the speaker of her phone. When suddenly it chimed and the music stops for a second. Betty walks towards her bed and sits down at the corner of it. Unlocking her mobile phone she sees a message from an unknown number.

One of your friends is getting into serpent business. The formerly sweet girl passed the line to the dark side. But she can be saved. Help her and break up her relationship with the serpent, or I'll do it my way.
-B.H.

Betty looks up from her phone with a shocked expression. Is that the black hood? Did he return? This can't be true, she thinks, the black hood Mr. Svenson is dead. Or was he the wrong guy.

She looks back at her phone. Which girl? She isn't in a relationship with Jughead. Not since the black hood wanted them to break up but then it comes to her mind. Julia and sweet pea.
"No... I can't do that. She's been through so much" betty whispers as her breathing gets uneasy.
"No" the word is nothing more than just a breath.
No