Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Nineteen

Caia felt like she was constantly running back and forth between the Northside and Veronica's problems and the Southside and Jughead's. If she was being honest, it was getting quite tiring.

Caia was slumped in a camping chair with her head rested on her hand as Jughead spoke. She almost wanted to fall asleep, but stayed awake for the serpents sake. "Serpents," Jughead called. "Earlier today, I brokered a deal. I got us a paid gig." Caia sat up. That was exciting. "From here on out, we'll be working security detail for Veronica Lodge, her speakeasy, and her employees." Caia almost smacked herself in the head at this explanation. Why hadn't she thought of that?

Everyone else seemed very happy with the decision as they all clapped and cheered at the pronouncement. Sweet Pea seemed especially happy. "Long live the Serpents! Whoo!"

After allowing a few moments of clapping, Jughead continued his announcement. "Settle down," he commanded, somewhat less excited then everyone else. "I know it's good news for a change, but I've also gathered us here for less celebratory reasons." Caia glanced over at Betty as she figured she might have some intel that the rest didn't. However, she seemed just as baffled.

Jughead had paused and turned his gaze to two girls sitting before me. "Cheryl, Toni," he spoke scoldingly. "Come up here."

Cheryl seemed offendened by the instruction. "Excuse me?" She snarked. She glanced over at Toni. "What did we do?"

"You broke into the Lodge apartment and stole a Glamourge egg," Jughead accused. Caia recoiled, her eyebrows raising. Why would Cheryl need to steal? Wasn't she well enough off already?

Cheryl rose to her feet. "So what if we did?"

Toni rose up beside her as Jughead replied. "Well, more than that, you left your calling card, attaching yourself, and by extension, all of the serpents to your crime." Jughead's voice was livid and accusatory. Caia was glad she was not the subject of his wrath.

"I'm not afraid of Lodge," Cheryl shot back, seemingly unfazed. "What's he gonna do? Call the sheriff?" Cheryl gasped as she feigned surprise. "Oh, right, there is no sheriff."

Jughead shook his head. "Cheryl, that's not the point. You broke the code." He glared at the two girls. "Turn in your jackets and go."

"Are you serious, Jones?" Toni fired back. "I'm a Serpent by blood. You can't take that away from me."

"You hypocrite!" Cheryl accused. "You gave your drug-dealing buddy Fangs a pass but you crucify us?"

Caia's head shot to Fangs, who lowered his into his hand. That was news to her.

"And in case you were wondering how we know," Toni exclaimed. "Fangs told Sweet Pea, who told me."

"Who told me," Cheryl finished.

Jughead turned back to Fangs. He glanced at him, dissapointed, before turning back to the still talking girls.

"If you're asking for our jackets, shouldn't you be asking for his as well?" Caia hated to admit it, considering the fact that there was probably more behind Fangs' story than known to the general public, but Cheryl was kind of right in her thought process. Jughead couldn't kick them out without doing the same to Fangs. She did not envy his position.

Jughead was silent as he stared down Cheryl. From beside her, Betty called out to him. "Jug," she whispered.

Finally, Jughead conceded. "You're right," he agreed. He turned to the side and held out his hand, but didn't make eye contact. "Fangs give me your jacket."

"Hey, what the hell man?" Sweet Pea protested, rushing forward and shoving Jughead back.

Fangs had apparently accepted his fate. He sighed and stood to his feet. "It's okay, Sweet Pea," he consoled. This statement caused Sweet Pea to back down and lower his hand. Fangs stood in front of Jughead and faltered, his eyes tearing up, but he pulled off his jacket and threw it at Jughead's feet. "Some leader you are," he spat, turning and stalking away.