Deadly || Sweet Pea [2]

31

Chapter 31 || Baby Teeth

Something that seemed all too common in Riverdale was the lingering shadow of death. It started with the brutal death of Jason Blossom, and it only got darker with the latest victim of the Riverdale curse. Brandon Morris, more commonly known as Baby Teeth, was found dead in Fox Forest in a similar fashion to how Jughead found Dilton.

At first, I was the one going to meet with my dad to talk about Baby Teeth, but I decided to send Jughead instead. After all, it was his fault Baby Teeth ended up toothless and carved up in the forest. Jughead wasn't very happy with my decision, but I didn't give him much wiggle room seeing as he blatantly broke my rules and my trust.

Sweet Pea, after hours of endless apologies and pleading, was finally back in my good graces, and he was doing everything he could to stay there. If I was angry with Jughead, he was angry with Jughead, and if I lashed out at Archie or Jughead, he let me. It wasn't very productive, but it helped me blow off steam.

Now, sitting off to the side in the student lounge beside Sweet Pea, I was watching Veronica talk with Archie about boxing.

"How's your boxing career these days, Archie?" Ronnie asked.

"Your pal Elio is organizing a boxing event called the Gilded Gloves." Archie sighed.

"Brawny young men," I started, smirking at Veronica.

"Shirtless and in shorts," She continued.

"Go on." We chorused.

"I was thinking," Archie gave us both a look. "Maybe you could help get the El Royale crew a spot in the tournament. The guys could use a win, or at least a boost after what happened to Baby Teeth."

"Wouldn't have happened if you bothered to listen to me." I sang under my breath.

"Let me see what I can do." Veronica said, smiling at Archie. "Kitty, how have you been? I feel like we haven't spoken in forever."

"I'm sorry, Ronnie." I sighed. "I've been busy with Serpent stuff. And dealing with my mother."

"What is she doing?" Ronnie asked.

"Don't open that can of worms." Sweet Pea warned.

"If I start now, we'll be here until we graduate." I added with an eye roll. "Short version? She's attempting to steamroll me in all aspects of my life."

"I'm so-" Ronnie was cut off by the familiar clicking of heels. I tore my eyes from the raven haired girl and looked out into the hallway. Evelyn, Cheryl, Kevin, and Fangs were walking together, all dressed in white. I furrowed my eyebrows at the new posse, even more so when Fangs glanced at Sweet Pea and I and ignored us.

"The Invasion of the Body Snatchers continues." Jughead scoffed.

"So, let me get this straight," Veronica started, sitting up straighter as she spoke. "The reason Cheryl is all-in on the Farm is that she gets to see and talk to Jason?"

"Yeah." Betty nodded, a smug yet disbelieving smile on her face. "My mom's entirely convinced that she's seeing and talking to Charles, her long-lost son."

"If you turn to the Farm, I'm breaking up with you." I told Sweet Pea. "That's a cult, and what they're telling people and making them believe is so wrong."

"I won't be going anywhere." Sweet Pea reassured. "The only dead person I care to see again came back from the dead. Twice. And she's right beside me."

"Gross couple aside." Jughead rolled his eyes at me, turning to look at Betty. "What if you prove that Charles was dead? I mean, your mom's lost touch with reality, so maybe the best way to snap her out of her delusions is with a harsh dose of truth."