Flatline ((Jughead Jones)) 3

2

Pop's was where we ended up after the jury were undecided. Pop's, the heart of Riverdale, was where we ended up after everything. I would bet that when the first of our group got engaged, we'd end up in Pop's, on the day, we'll end it in Pop's, maybe even after a baby announcement we'd celebrate with Pop's. It seemed like this small town diner would make even the dreariest situations seem a little brighter.

Jughead came back over with milkshakes in his hands for myself and Archie, passing Dilton and Ben on the table behind us. I hadn't been listening to what the guys were saying at our table, knowing they were discussing Archie, instead I was fascinated by the game the two boys were playing. I had first thought it was dungeons and dragons but then when Dilton started saying Griffins, I knew this game was something else.

He slid the milkshake over to me, me choosing to sit on the end next to Veronica, looking back at the game constantly. The two seemed immersed in the game, like they didn't hear anyone else around them, it was only them playing in this world of Griffins and something. I looked to the papers on their table and saw one that said Griffins and Gargoyles. I guessed then that the game was something like the innocent game that some group in school would always play and I would never understand.

"Thia?" Jughead brought me back into the conversation, looking at me in question.
"Sorry what was that?" I asked him, smiling back at him and trying to take my mind off the game that was behind me. It was Archie that spoke to me next, while Jughead looked around at the boys trying to work out what was so fascinating but coming up with nothing. I didn't realise why I was so curious about the game, it didn't make any sense.
"You agree that we shouldn't spend my potential last weekend hunting for clues that aren't there and investigating the mafia lord that we have looked into for months. We should enjoy it, maybe go to the Swimming hole." He spoke, his eyes filled with glee at the thought of returning to our childhood place, of not thinking about the trial for just one weekend, something that hadn't happened since he got arrested.
"Of course Arch, you deserve a somewhat normal weekend." I told him, and he nodded in thanks at me.

The sound of the doorbell rang out, and our heads turned. We saw Cheryl walk in, wearing her red serpent jacket, red bralette and high waisted shorts. She walked straight over to us, smiling widely as she stopped at our table. Cheryl Blossom was back.
"Greetings, chums. I wanted to let you know that after the three amazing months I had with Toni, riding motorcycles cross-country, we're celebrating with an epic end-of-summer pool party at Thornhill." She explained. I had been to her pool parties. It was a ritual in the summer to go to the Blossom residents and hang out in swimsuits as we celebrated the end of summer with the final party before school started back.
"Of course given the fact that Archie will most likely be walking the green mile while the rest of us are walking the stage at graduation,I understand if you're not up for it." Everyone's face turned from smiling and happy at the invite to distressed at yet another reminder that Archie may not be with us this year.
"We'll be there, sis." I told her, answering for the group that were sure to sit in silence. It was like my answer had lifted everyone's spirits, reminded them of what we were meant to be spending this week doing.
"Very well, fair warning: I'm in the mood for some hell raising." With that Cheryl was gone as fast as she had arrived, with just as dramatic exit as she had entrance. She had always liked to make an exit and make a statement entrance. It was what she had always done and what she would always do. I sipped my milkshake, silently listening to Dilton and Ben behind saying very strange things. Something about ascending and being with a king, and a realm that sounded like it was straight out of the hobbit.

When we got back to the Serpents, Jug went straight to Fangs and Sweet Pea. Throughout all of the summer, Jughead had a gang to run, and I was learning how to be a Serpent Queen. The Serpents that were used to calling me Lady had now switched to calling me Queenie, another way to remind me of my status in a gang that I considered family.

"Fangs, I need you to find the Ghoulies new lair. If you see them don't engage with them, this is a recon mission. We can't afford another gang war." He informed him. Seeing Jughead like this made me realise how much he had grown and I knew he would have a bright future as the gang leader ahead of him. Fangs nodded, proud that he had been chosen for this mission.

"Hey, boy, come take a look. It's almost as good as Thia's." FP said. I had been standing near FP and Archie, and I was stood just a little away, watching as Archie got his tattoo. I could remember what it was like getting the tattoo. Jughead had stood next to me, holding my hand as FP drew on the tatoo. I chose to have mine on my left collarbone, so in certain tops my tattoo was shown. It was on the same side as Jughead's so we matched, but in a slightly more girly place. Archie had his on his right arm, the other side to J's.

"How's it feel to be an honorary Serpent?" Jug asked him. My brother was unofficially/ officially joining the Serpents.
"Feel's pretty savage, Jug." He replied. I agreed with him. As a Serpent I felt more confident, more protected, more respected than I had ever felt. Nothing had changed, I was still friends with everyone as before, but everything had changed. I had gone from being Jughead's girlfriend to his queen in ruling of the serpents.