A Serpent Can't Shed Its Skin

Ch.17

I strung a few fun curse words together under my breath as I put all of my unruly frizz in a very messy makeshift bun, and put Jughead's beanie on my head, all at lightning speed. I thanked my lucky stars that it was almost pitch black outside so there was no way any of the Serpent's could see anything but my silhouette, especially not Sweet Pea, who I suspected was going to hit the winning shot in this Gauntlet.

''Heyyyy Juggie come out, come out wherever you are!!'' Someone yelled, I suspected it was Tall Boy.

''Yeah Jughead let's get this little party started'' Sweet Pea said, his voice was very deep, and almost ice cold. I had never heard it that cold before, it almost scared me.

''I'm coming guys!!'' I said, trying to make my voice as deep, and close to a man's as possible, I don't think it was going to fool anybody though.

''Well hurry up, we don't got all night, a very sexy female Serpent is supposed to do the Serpent dance at the Whyte Wyrm later, and I am NOT missing that!'' One of the stupid Serpent guy's said, not even joking.

''Heyyy guys I'm right here!'' I said making my voice go all deep again, and coming from behind my hiding spot behind the trash can that was conveniently hiding Jughead, and as long as someone like Sweet Pea or Toni didn't look too closely at me, I should be okay. 

''Took you long enough'' Sweet Pea said, with his arms crossed defensively over his chest, I could already tell he was in a very foul mood.

''Oh calm down Sweet Pea, let's just do this!'' I said almost eagerly, and barely remembering to use my newfound male voice.

''Whatever'' Sweet Pea says, not even seeming to see anything or anyone, least of all me, his would be girlfriend, dressed as a literal boy.

They all lined up in two long rows with Sweet Pea at the very end of the line, and my predication was right that he was definitely going to be throwing the winning shot, I could just make out the gleam of Sweet Pea's prized brass knuckles in the moonlight, I gulped involuntarily, I really hoped this worked, and that I didn't get too beat up in the process.

I went to the start of that line, and gulped involuntarily again, there was no way Sweet Pea wasn't going to recognize me before the very end of this, I wasn't even the same size as Jughead.

I slowly started running as Tall Boy threw the very first punch, a very hard blow to my stomach with his giant fist. I almost went down, it really knocked the wind right out of me, then when I was just pulling myself together, three more random Serpent's punched me right in the gut, I almost went down again. Toni then punched me way too hard in the shoulder, and then Fangs punched me right in my face. I knew that was going to leave a really bad bruise. This was taking wayy too much out of me, I really don't think I can make it to the very end. Fangs, and a few more Serpent's then started punching me everywhere really really hard, and honestly that was the last thing I remember before blacking out.

When I woke up I was lying on Jughead's beat up couch, in his trailer with Toni, Jughead, and even Sweet Pea all glaring down at me.

''What were you thinking Samantha??'' Jughead said, almost yelling at the top of his lungs as soon as I opened my eyes.

''Will you please keep it down?? Everything hurts soo badly'' I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as Toni sits down right next to me, and holds a bag of frozen peas to my rapidly forming black eye.

''That's right you weren't thinking, I can't believe you impersonated me Sam, that was soo out of line, and this is taking your stupid obsession in the joining the Southside Serpents wayy too far'' Jughead said, still sounding like a very disappointed older brother, which no matter what happens between us, he will always be to me.

''I can't even look at you right now, so I won't'' Jugheads says, and actually walks out of the living room, and out the door.

''What were you thinking girl?'' Toni says, infinitely more gentle, but still sounding disappointed too.

''I really did just want to join the Serpents, but still earn your respect in the process, I knew doing that stupid, sexist, Serpent dance never would'' I said, clutching my stomach, and groaning in actual pain.

''That was the wrong way to go about it, and you know it, but Jughead already seemed to read you the riot act so I won't, besides I think Sweet Pea wants some alone time with you anyways, make sure to keep these peas pressed very firmly on your black eye'' Toni said, before walking out of the living room, and out of the front door too.

''I don't even know what Jughead is sooo mad at me about, it's not even like I got hurt or...'' I started to say before Sweet Pea cut me off with just a very scary death glare.

''Let me talk for a second Sam, this right here, is exactly what I was so worried about happening, and why I wanted you to do the safe, sexist, Serpent dance in the first place, you got really hurt out there Sam, and if I had got a hold of you, and thrown the winning shot like I was supposed to do with Jughead..god I don't even want to think about it, anyways the point is, you are wayy too reckless Sam, I'm done'' Sweet Pea says with pure black ice in his eyes.

''WHAT?? NOO!!!'' I said, sitting right up on the couch before my bruised stomach, and Sweet Pea's giant hand immediately stopped me.

''Lay back down Sam please, I don't want you to get beat up more, but I am done, I hope you have a happy life, and find exactly what you are looking for one day'' Sweet Pea says, walking out of the living room, and out of the door, and definitely breaking my heart in the process.