×Misplaced Serpent || S.P.×

01

After finally making friends the school day went by a lot faster. Talking to them whenever we had a class together was refreshing. I didn't have to stay quiet and bottle up my thoughts. I could finally be myself.

Unfortunately, when I walked through the front door to my house I was welcomed by the glares of my parents as they walked out. I looked down and sighed. Heading to my room only to find Cheryl in there going through my closet causing me to stop dead in my tracks. Oh God, I know what this means.

"Cheryl?" She turns around with a dress in her hands and the biggest smile I've seen since Jason passed. Which would only make me feel worse when I shake my head at her. "Nope, I'm not going."

Her smile falters a little though still glued on her face. She swiftly grabs a pair of high heels that she must have brought in here with her. Then walking to my bureau she pulls out a couple of things. Afterwards making me put down my backpack and drags me to her room.

"Yes, you are dear sister." She continues to ignore my protests before pushing me into her room. "I will not let my sister sit around to house when she could be going to a dance instead."

I just sigh and nod, knowing I never win arguments with her. I pick up the dress she threw on her bed. It's not the worst she's dressed me in. It has a black strapless top that is connected to the bottom by a black belt. The bottom is my favorite thing about the dress, it's white, black, and red plaid.

"Don't worry, I'm going easy on you this time." I look over at her as I start to change to see a smirk on her face. Oh no, here it comes. "So, while I've got you here. Where have you been? You're rarely ever home now."

I sigh, which I seem to be doing a lot lately. "Hanging out with a friend and sometimes staying at their place." By now the dress was on and she hands me what she took out of my bureau. A pair of black and silver earrings and a beaded bracelet.

She nods, "Understandable sis, but why?"

I walk to her vanity and sit down already knowing she'll want me to wear make-up. She walks over and picks up a red lip gloss as I put on the accessories she gave me.

"I just can't be here anymore." She freezes and her smiles is completely gone now. Probably thinking it's about her or Jason I quickly continue. "Have you not noticed the looks mom and dad have been giving me." I quietly scoff as I throw my hands in the air while I talk about them. "Hell, that's even if they stay in my vicinity for more than five minutes."

She puts the lip gloss on and gives me a red leather clutch purse. Bending down, I put on the black and silver high heels before moving so she could do her own make-up.

"I did notice the looks. Just not sure why they are directing at you instead of me." She hurries into a crimson extravagant dress then into a pair of heels. Then she's standing directly in front of me and giving me a tight hug. "I was the one there and yet they blame you, I'm sorry."

I hug her back just as tight. I know I look nothing like the other Blossoms. They all have red hair and pale features. While I have dark brown hair and eyes with fair skin. She pulls away and looks at the two of us in the mirror.

"Okay, we look killer good. Now let's get going." I take a peak up in the mirror and for once I agree with her choice of dresses. She looks absolutely stunning right now and the dress I'm wearing is surprisingly comfortable.

I nod and let her drag me downstairs. Where my parents are in the living room. Guess they must have faked leaving the house thinking I would stay in my room and not know. I just roll my eyes and blank out everything until I get my phone and we leave.

~~

We arrive late or as Cheryl calls it, "Making an entrance while being fashionably late." She walks off towards the stage leaving me alone when I didn't even want to be here.

I see Betty and Archie dancing. Then he's ditching her to go talk to Ms.Grundy making me roll my eyes at their not so subtle argument. My eyes drift back to Betty as Kevin walks up to her.

I make my way towards them only to see Ronnie drag Kevin off as Cheryl walks on stage. I stop by the refreshment table not wanting to interrupt Betty and Archie. Getting a look at Moose and Reggie spiking the punch bowl.

Seriously? Can this get even more cliché? Wait, it can cause Cheryl is introducing Riverdale's own Josie and the Pussycats. Apparently, they are singing the song my twin siblings were conceived to. Which is plain disgusting to even know much less hear the song.

I start to head for the gym doors, already wanting to leave. Only for a hand to grab my wrist. I tense then relax when I see it's Ronnie.

"Why are you leaving, Flora?" She looks like she's thinking before looking at me again. "Matter of fact, when did you get here? Why didn't you come find one of us?"

"It's not really my scene Ronnie and literally ten minutes ago." I glance down at my uncomfortable heels than at her again. "I didn't wanna bother you guys, I'ma just head to Pop's cause I know Cheryl is gonna have an after-party at the house."

She nods. Releasing my wrist she pulls me into a hug. "You wouldn't have bothered us Little Flower but, I understand." I hug her back. We let go and I head outside.

~~

When I get there I see Jughead in a booth and Pop behind the counter. I wave at the latter while heading to my locker in the back hoping I have a change of clothes in there.

Lucky for me there was a black hoodie with a crown on it that Jug gave me. There was also a pair of blue jeans and black converse. After changing and taking off the earrings, beaded bracelet, and the lip gloss I stuff everything in a bookbag and into the locker. Grabbing a sketchbook and pencil case, I make my way towards Jughead.

Noticing Archie sitting across from him I slow down and ask Pop for a chocolate milkshake. By the time I make it to the booth, I only hear the last part of their conversation.

"If you mean Betty, whatever happened, just talk to her, man. That would go a long way." He hesitates before quickly adding on, "Would've gone a long way with me."

Archie doesn't say anything just nods and turns to leave. He glances at me but, exits Pop's without a word as I slid into the booth.

"I'm guessing something happened and he broke her heart?" He nods while he continues to type up his novel about this summer and Jason's death.

I play with the straw of my milkshake that had just arrived. We are both content here in the silence of Pop's. It doesn't bother either of us that we don't talk. It's refreshing to just sit together without the pressure of the world on our shoulders.

However, neither of us knew that by morning everyone would be talking, texting, and posting about something that would leave me speechless. Sure everyone would be feeling the effects of JJ's death even more but, my life would unravel at the seams. Everything was about to change forever and not all of it for the better.

~~

It seems as if everyone I know is at Sweetwater River right now. Jughead is here having walked me after I spent the night sleeping on the floor of the Drive-In's projector room. My parents, Betty with her parents, Veronica with her mom, Archie with his dad. Along with Kevin who stands near Moose, them having been the ones to find him. Hell, even Ms.Grundy and Weatherbee are here with other teachers and students.

Everyone looks transformed from who they used to be. They looked scared of the bullet that went through Jason's forehead. I'm standing next to Cheryl as we watch Jason's body be loaded into an ambulance. She appears a lot more terrified than everyone else as she wraps her arm around my shoulder pulling me into a side hug.

I know that now Riverdale wasn't the same small, innocent town anymore if it ever was. It was a town full of lies and secrets. That will soon come out and no one will be safe to walk the street alone at night anymore.