Resilience | Sweet Pea.

15 - Secrets.

(A/N: I couldn't help myself but post another chapter hahaha. NOW it'll probably slow down.... maybe... idk.)

WARNING: This chapter contains talk of sexual assault, please take care of yourself and take caution in reading, sending you love xx

"I don't know what came over her last night Nova." Archie tells me.

The two of us strolled forward, walking to school together. Not long after I had left to yell at Jughead, Archie had headed off to a party with Veronica and one of her New York friends. That's why he was in such a huff when Jug called him, he'd proceeded to sprint home after his phone call with Jughead. At this party, Betty had freaked out and said some really mean stuff to Veronica. Some stuff that was very out of character.

"Maybe it's this whole Black hood thing. It must be fucking traumatizing. We'll go find her as soon as we get to school." I say, Archie agrees.

We almost get to the school, when Archie pulls my arm, stopping me.

"There's something I have to tell you about last night, and my excuse isn't good and you're going to be really mad at me. But I know I have to be honest with you, in case you hear it from anyone else." Archie tells me.

"What is it?" I ask hesitantly.

"Last night at Nicks hotel room, he was offering people jingle jangle... I wasn't going to. I said no. But then he was trying to go into the bedroom with Veronica so I-"

"Felt pressured to do it so Veronica wouldn't be alone with him." I say.

"Yeah... Are you mad?" He asks.

"I mean yeah, Arch. But I can't say I've exactly been innocent in the 'don't do things you're not meant to do' factor. Or 'don't do the thing your sibling didn't want you to do' thing." I sigh. "I don't like it, but I get it."

He sighs in relief.

"Thank you, Nov." He says. "But what do you mean? What'd you do?" He asks.

I hadn't told anyone of my trips to the Whyte Wyrm, or my kiss with Sweet pea. Not Jughead, or Betty or anyone. I guess I don't know who to trust with some things or even how to talk about them.

"There's just a list of like dumb shit I guess I've been doing I guess." I say.

"You're not in any trouble, right?" He asks.

"No, no trouble." I say.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"I think I want to join the serpents, Archie." I say. "I mean I always have but like-"

"I thought you were going to do it once you turned 18?" He asks.

"I know, and that was a promise I made to Fred and I intend on keeping it." I tell him. "But, a part of me wants to join now."

"Why now?" Archie asks.

"I don't know who I am, I guess. Northsiders call me a Southsider, Southsiders call me a Northsider, I don't know what I am." I sigh.

"That's easy. You're Nova, you're the daughter of serpents, and the someone who's been through a lot. You're stubborn and feisty, funny and smart, kind and caring and I've never met any other girl that can throw a punch like you. But you're also my sister, who rebels against being a traditional northsider in any way you can, with your aggressive nature and motorbike riding." Archie says, making me laugh. "Maybe becoming a serpent is your missing puzzle piece but you're 16, you've got time, Nova."

"Since when did you get so wise, Arch?" I chuckle.

"I learn from the best, my brave, amazing big sister." Archie says.