DISMANTLED | riverdale

iv/

four (iv). || syd's quick stitch 

I cleaned up the last table and whipped the towel over my shoulder. After that stunt with the cheerleader I know that Cheryl wants nothing to do with me. I doubt her minion would do that on her own. Just as I was thinking to myself about how wrong this all was the bell on the door rung out. 

"We're closed." I grumbled and turned around to see just who it was that could be here so late at night.

Harrison.

Harrison with a black eye and a busted lip. I put down my towel and looked at him shocked.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" He asked me and at first I didn't move. I didn't know what to do.

Yesterday at school I thought I stopped the fight. But apparently I didn't. I guess they just waited until I was gone to finally go at it. But this can't be good for Harrison.

Then I moved.

I jogged to the  register and picked up the kit from underneath the counter. As I did he stumbled his way even further into the bakery and sat in a chair near the window.

"So am I gonna turn into your personal doctor now?" I asked silently as I stepped over to him. His black eye was the least of his worries if he was breathing like he was before. I know he got hit in more places than he cares to admit.

He shook his head. "No, just clean me up and I'll be on my way."

"Not gonna let you do that." Grandma Aggie's voice came from the steps.

We both turned to see her at the top of the staircase with her arms crossed over her chest. Just like a grandmother would.

"Ms. Arlon I'm sorry, I was jus-"

She shushed him as she descended down the steps. I watched her carefully as she went into the kitchen, leaving us alone for a few seconds.

I looked at him, "She's not going to let you leave, and neither am I." 

He sighed and hissed as he bit down on his lip. 

My grandma reappeared from he kitchen with a bag of ice in her hands. She walked over to us and placed the ice over his black eye.

"I need you to promise me that you won't be out there getting hurt again if you want us to leave you alone. And if you can't do that then you're gonna have to explain it all." She demanded him so softly it was like she wasn't even giving him an ultimatum.

He looked between the two of us for a few seconds.

"I'm a serpent."

Like the gang?

"Well I'm not scared of snakes, hell my husband was one of you." Agatha just up and said- which shocked me because I didn't know the grandpa was a serpent? I didn't even know him well enough but I didn't think he would be in a gang.

"Wait are you talking about Van?" Harrison asked her and she nodded her head. "Ms.Arlon he was a legend. I didn't know he was your husband- your last name."

"He didn't want me to be linked with him so when we got married I kept my maiden name. But enough about us, tell me why you're all beaten and bruised." 

We both waited for him to start talking. His breathing was becoming more normal and he seemed to be willing to talk. But how could we know whatever came out of his mouth wasn't some excuse?

How could my grandma believe him? How could I? 

"I just needed to pay my bills. I did a job and got the money but- it's just bit complicated right now. I need to un-complicate it before it gets worse." He explains not to clearly but apparently my grandmother is picking up what he's putting down.

"You've mingled with Peabody haven't you?" She asked him and the look in his eyes was filled with guilt.

I didn't spend any time in the south when I was growing up but I know that the serpents sometimes did things that weren't legal. Didn't make them bad people.

He nodded his head at her once.

"Ms.Arlon I just needed my bills payed this month. No one wants to hire a serpent on the north and thats where the money is. I promise I 'll find something else to make me money." He apologized to her and as he did she grabbed his hand.

"Damn right, because my bakery is open. Syd doesn't know salt from sugar." 

What?!

My face changed into one of shock, "First of all they weren't labeled and they looked alike. It was one time." 

"You want me to work here?" Harrison asked very quietly, like it was wrong to even say it out loud. 

Was this how bad it was?

"Yes. And you're gonna do it. You can start next week."

-

"You let him out and then go to bed. School is waiting for the two of you bright and early." My grandma said to me as she closed the aid kit and placed it on the counter.

I waited for her to get at least half way up the steps before staring to talk with Harrison again. 

"I didn't know you were a gang member." it happened to slip out in a way that wasn't too nice but then again being a part of a gang isn't some walk through the park.

Harrison scoffed a little under his breath and looked at me. "Is this a deal breaker then?"

"No Harrison. It's not." 

He shifted in his seat and looked at me weirdly. While I had told him the truth it was only a little part of it. There are certain things that even my mother doesn't know. Certain things that I've done that no will ever know.

But he's-

he's not no one. 

If he felt like he could come here and trust me and my grandma than he doesn't think we're no one. So it's only fair that we're on the same level with one another.

One of these days I am going to tell him at least one of my secrets. One of these days.

"Harry. Just call me Harry."