Serpent By Association

Cook Out

The four couples spent the rest of the day in and out of the pool, just hanging out with each other. Sophia was reading Romeo and Juliet.

"That's quite the bit of literature." Jughead noted.

"Yeah. It's always been one of my favourites." Sophia explained. "I was able to read stuff like this before I left Riverdale the first time. I was a smart kid."

"Super smart." Sweet Pea said. "I remember in kindergarten when the teacher gave you a book to read and it was such a kids book that you threw it back at her." 

Sophia smiled. "I did the same thing many times in England."

"So, why do you like Romeo and Juliet so much? Is it the love story?" Cheryl asked.

"Yeah, that's okay. But mostly because as much as Juliet is supposed to be a damsel in distress, she's also a sassy bitch." Sophia said.

"I mean, I've never heard that connotation but then I've also never actually read it, so- " Toni shrugged.

"Listen to this," Sophia flicked to one of the pages she had marked with old post-it notes. "So Juliet says, 'come, I pray thee, speak; good, good Nurse, speak,' and the Nurse says, 'Jesu, what haste? Can you not stay awhile? Do you not see that I am out of breath?' And Juliet says, 'How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath to say to me that thou art out of breath?' Sassy bitch, see?"

Archie laughed. "And you enjoy reading like that? I don't really get it."

"That's because you never liked reading, Arch. It's why we did all of your summer reading catch-up in one week in 4th grade." Betty said.

Soon, the evening started creeping in.

"I'll get the barbecue started." Sophia said. "I used to be queen of the grill back in England. Not that we had much of the weather for it."

"I'll help." Archie said.

He picked up the bag of charcoal and some wood, taking it round to the barbecue area, while Sophia brought over the food and utensils. They started putting everything together, starting the fire of the barbecue.

They worked in a content silence for a while, until Archie asked, "So, how are you and Sweet Pea?"

"We're... everything." Sophia answered him.

"What does that mean?" Archie asked. 

"I just feel so much when I'm around him, Arch." Sophia said. "I've never felt like it before. I had boyfriends or whatever, I had guys I fucked around with, even girls I fucked around with but not once in my life have I ever felt something so real. Not until I remembered how we were as kids. Sweet Pea was in my life then, and I'm so glad he is now. Because he is the only person I've ever felt truly alive around, and who I actually think I could love one day."

"Shit, Soph. You just said- " Archie started.

"I heard it. The 'L' word." Sophia nodded. "And yet, I'm not scared of that. Because I'm pretty sure he'll be there at the other side. And if he isn't, I'll at least have had the experience. He is why I am who I am. He saved my life many years ago, and he continues to save me piece by piece every day. I have a somewhat tragic past, we all know that. My future currently is being in another gang, not knowing if I could get involved in something dangerous day-to-day, essentially it always being in the back of my mind that each day could be my last. I'm okay with that. As long as I get to spend my last day surrounded by those most important to me, my family, you guys, the others, but mostly Sweet Pea. Even when I couldn't remember him, I knew I had someone on my side because of the ring that was given to me. I didn't know where I got it from or why I had it, but I could feel that it meant something. Having it on a necklace chain meant it was always close to my heart, and even though I didn't believe in sentimental stuff, or fate, or anything like that, I believed I'd find out why I always felt that way. And I have, Archie. I've found it in him."