Serpent By Association

Sweetwater Swimming Hole

The next morning, everyone met at Pop's for brunch. Jughead, Betty, Sweet Pea and Sophia brought up the idea of going to the swimming hole.

"That sounds like so much fun." Theo said.

"Well, there's 19 of us so I can fit like 6 in my car," Archie said. "And my dad will let us borrow his truck, so we could easily get everyone else in that."

"I can drive if he doesn't mind." Sweet Pea said.

"I can bring my car as well, that way we have room for all of the stuff too." Chuck said.

"That's a shout." Tom nodded.

"Alright. Let's get our stuff and all meet at the trailer park and go from there." Jughead said.

"Tom, grab all the camping stuff from our house with the others. I'll go with Sweets to Archie's to pick up the truck." Sophia said.

Everyone split off to grab what they would need for a couple days camping trip. Archie, Sweet Pea and Sophia went to Andrew's construction yard, so they could get the truck.

"Hello, kids." Fred said as they approached.

"Hi!" They all replied.

"Dad, you know I said that Soph's cousin and her friends are here?" Archie said.

"You did, yes." Fred nodded.

"We're all going to go to sweetwater swimming hole, camping for a few days." Sweet Pea said.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I doubt you've even been, right, Sophia?" Fred asked.

"Very right." Sophia nodded with a smile. "There's nineteen of us going in all, so we were wondering if we could borrow your truck so we don't just have Archie and Chuck's cars."

"Of course. Who'd be driving it?" Fred asked.

"Most likely me." Sweet Pea said.

"That's fine. I'll call the insurance company now so you're on it for a few days." Fred told them.

"Thanks, dad." Archie said.

"Yeah, thanks." Sweet Pea said.

"Thank you, Fred! This is going to be so fun." Sophia clapped her hands, excitement making her eyes shine.

Everyone met back at the trailer park with all their stuff, ready for a few days of swimming and chilling. Sophia, Sweet Pea and Archie had grabbed some food and ice and a few portable barbecues from the store, ready for the trip.

Archie's car had him, Veronica, Jughead, Betty, Kevin and Moose, then in Chuck's was him, Reggie, Fangs, Cheryl and Toni, then in the truck was Sweet Pea and Sophia in the front, and Theo, Sabrina, Harvey, Ros, Tom and Josie in the bed of the truck, along with a lot of the camping stuff, some of which was in the trunk of Chuck's car.

They began the drive to the swimming hole, it wasn't too long a journey and when they all parked up in a good camping spot, all of the tents were pitched before they all decided to put on their swimsuits and head to the swimming hole. Everyone jumped in, swimming around and chatting to each other. They played games together, some water volleyball, chicken fighting as well. 

Sophia was just floating in the water, enjoying the feeling of just being there. Sweet Pea noticed her and smiled, glad she was finally relaxed after all of the dramas of the Ghoulies, the SAT's and generally her life until now. He swam over, and gently rested his chin on her stomach, not enough to sink her but enough that she was aware. She opened her eyes, looking at him.

"You look relaxed." Sweet Pea observed.

"I am." Sophia sighed. "I'm so relaxed. And happy."

"Look, Sweet Pea's using Soph as a floatie." Josie laughed.

"Not fair! I want a go!" Tom shouted, jumping onto them.

Sophia went under the water, but quickly rose up again. "Tommy!" She screamed, splashing water at him. Everyone was laughing, Sophia included, and a huge splash fight broke out between everyone.

After a while, Sophia and Archie got out of the water to start up a barbecue, getting all the utensils needed, Archie passing over the hot dogs and burgers so Sophia could put them on to cook.

"Well, here we are again." Archie joked.

Sophia chuckled. "The queen of the grill and her trusty sidekick."

"Sidekick?!" Archie nudged her. "No, sidekick would be right." He nodded.

"Well, someone's gotta be the sidekick." Soph shrugged.

"Very true, Soph." Archie said. "So, last time we did this you were saying that you could love Sweet Pea one day, and now..."

"Now we've said it." Sophia bit her lip. "It's crazy, isn't it?"

"It really is. I genuinely am so happy for you, you know?" He said.

"You getting all sappy on me, Arch?"

"A little. I just... you know what I said to you at the trailer park party. I've always thought that you don't belong in all this gangland stuff, but you've obviously proved me wrong with that. But as I said, seeing you like this - in a relationship and everything, it's great. I'm really glad you and Sweet Pea got together."

"I am, too. And I have you to thank for a lot of it."

"How so?"

"You were the one who told Sweets to ask me on a date."

"Well, yeah, but-"

"And when I was rambling to you about me and Sweets kissing, you were always hyping it. Telling me I should open myself to something more than sex. You're a big part of why it all happened."

"I guess so," he shrugged.

"You know, up until I got with Sweet Pea, you were my favourite experience." Sophia told him.

"Why are you telling me this?" Archie asked.

"Because I wanted you to know. Ever since I got here, I have had a guardian angel looking out for me. That's been you, Archie Andrews. In some other time and place, there's a Sophia and Archie who I know are soul mates. On this earth, I'm lucky enough to have you as a best friend. And I am so thankful for that," she said.

Archie smiled, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm happy to have been here for you, and I am so thankful to call you my best friend," he said. "And for the record, it's one of my favourite experiences too."

"It really set out the tone of our relationship for me. Even though it was still just sex, you actually cared about me. That meant a lot." Sophia said.

Archie kissed the top of her head. "We all care about you, Soph."

They pulled away and smiled at each other, carrying on with the barbecue.

Reggie came over. "How's it going?"

"Pretty much ready, just a few more to do." Sophia told him. "Shout everyone over, they can start on what's ready."

"Yo, everyone, food time!" Reggie hollered, and everyone ran over. They all got their food, and finally Sophia and Archie finished cooking, also grabbing food for themselves. Sophia went over to sit next to Theo.

"So, cuz, catch us up on the Greendale mysteries," she said, and the Greendale kids gave them all of the gossip from their home town.