𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚

chapter one

✴︎°༄

THE UGLY SOUND of the bell signaled the last period at Southside High was finally done. Kiara grabbed her bag and swung it over her shoulder before she followed Toni and the other Serpents out the door of the classroom and into the crowded hallway. The smell of Jingle-Jangle filled the air and she scrunched up her nose in disgust. She smiled at the feel of Sweet Pea's arm finding its way around her shoulders.

"Why'd you leave class?" She asked him.

"Cause that teacher was getting on my nerves so I decided to make a little scene so he wouldn't question it, how'd I do?"

"Amazing, I'm sure no one suspects anything!" She laughed sarcastically.

"Can you believe that guy?" Sweet Pea said, motioning to Jughead who was now walking a couple of feet behind them.

"FP wouldn't want us to reject him, Sweet Pea," Toni sighed.

"He'll become one of us soon enough, he needs the Serpents on his side," Kiara added.

"Whatever you say," He shrugged.

"Hey, slut!" Kiara shivered at the sound of her boyfriend's voice. "Get your hands off her man, she's mine," He said to Sweet Pea

"Hey Pitbull," Kiara faked a smile.

Kiara's boyfriend had serious anger issues but she feared that if she left him he'd go after her family and friends, so she stuck with the bastard.

"Sorry about last night, did you find a place to sleep?" Pitbull asked.

"Yeah, I went to Sweet Pea's and he let me sleep with him," Kiara smiled.

"You slept with him?" His eyes grew wide with anger as hers did with fear.

"No, it wasn't like that!" She explained but he shoved her to the side and faced Sweet Pea.

"What the hell, man? You're fucking my girl, now?" He pushed on his shoulders which caused Sweet Pea to stumble back slightly.

Sweet Pea pushed Pitbull back and it escalated to punches being thrown. Pitbull slammed Sweet Pea to the stone floor and punched his face repeatedly.

"Get off him!" Kiara screamed.

"Pitbull, that's enough! Stop it!" Toni shouted.

There was now a crowd around the two, Jughead being one of the many, and it was clear that no one was going to do anything. Kiara couldn't take it anymore and kicked the boy on top of Sweet Pea. Pitbull stood up and stared at her. He slapped her across the face and shoved her to the ground before walking away.

***

"How're you feeling?" Kiara whispered as she cupped Sweet Pea's cheek in her hand. He sat up and winced in pain. She stretched out her other hand and helped him sit up before she sat beside him. She brought a bag of ice that was seated near them, to his face, and placed it over his swollen cheekbone.

"Can you please break up with him, Kiara? Please?" Sweet Pea whispered. "I understand that you're scared, but I'll protect you."

"But what if he brings his friends and kills you, Sweet Pea?" She replied. "I can't let that happen. And if being with him keeps him off you, then I'd rather stick with the psycho."

"But it doesn't keep him off me, Kiara, look at my face." He pointed to his black eye and she inhaled sharply. "Look at my ribs!" He lifted his shirt and exposed the bruised, purple mess they were in. "He's not gonna stop this any time soon, Kiara. And it's not just me he's hurting." He traced the red bruise on her cheek with his index finger.

"But he'll kill you!" She whispered.

"Don't worry about me, Kiara, I'll be fine."

"Okay, I'll do it. I'll break up with him, Sweet Pea."

"Thank you," He smiled. "I'll go with you and I promise he won't hurt you, okay?"

She shook her head, "No, I can't let him think you had anything to do with this."

"Kiara-"

"No, Sweet Pea, this isn't negotiable. I have to do this alone." Sweet Pea sighed in defeat. "Let's go grab Toni, she'll wanna know how you're doing."

Sweet Pea led her out his trailer and to his motorcycle. She hopped on after him and wrapped her arms around him tightly, careful not to put pressure on his bruises. They soon reached Southside High and went straight to the Red and Black room.

"Topaz, let's bounce," Sweet Pea exclaimed.

"Jughead, you could come too if you want. We're gonna hang at the quarry for a bit," Kiara offered but he shook his head.

"Thanks but, I- I don't have my beach bod yet," Jug chuckled.

"What? You'll ask for help from the Serpents when you need it, but you won't hang with us?" Sweet Pea questioned. "Don't come crawling back to us, hat in hand, when some Ghoulie decides to earn his stripes by taking out FP Jones' kid."

"Duly noted, Sweet Pea," Jughead replied. "Look, I appreciate what you and the Serpents have done for me and my dad. I do. But I'm done, okay? No more favors coming your way."

"Let's go," Kiara mumbled.