𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚

chapter four

✴︎°༄

"HOW STUPID ARE you Northsiders? You really think you can come to my house, stick a gun in my face and steal my girl, and there wouldn't be any payback?" Sweet Pea said and tried to shove his way into the Andrews residence.

"You have crap timing, bro," Reggie Mantle budged in. Sweet Pea rolled his chocolate brown eyes and scoffed with annoyance. "Bulldogs eat Serpents for lunch."

"Where is she, Red," Sweet Pea asked through firmly gritted teeth.

"In my room. Why?" Archie smirked and Sweet Pea balled his hands into tight fists.

"Kiara?" He shouted and the girl came running out of Archie's bedroom. Her eyes widened with excitement when she saw Sweet Pea. She hurried toward him but was stopped by Archie.

"Let me leave, Archie," Kiara whispered. His grip tightened around her waist and he shook his head. "Please? Archie, the Serpents won't take 'no' for an answer."

"It's not safe and you know that."

"Archie, have you been hiding a girl in your bedroom?" Veronica exclaimed and walked up to the two.

"Veronica it's not what you think," He smiled. "I'll explain everything."

"I trust you, Arch."

"Veronica Lodge? Really Archie?" Kiara scoffed. "I know something I'm sure you don't want her to know, so let Sweet Pea take me home or I'll gladly spill the beans."

Archie's eyes widened ever so slightly and he clenched his jaw. He let go of Kiara and she ran into Sweet Pea's arms.

"God, I missed you," He kissed her quickly before leading her behind him. She grasped his bicep and he continued to argue with Archie.

"Let's finish what we started huh?" Sweet Pea grinned.

"If you wanna fight, we'll fight," Archie said.

"What about your gun?"

"What about your knife?"

"How about no weapons? Please, I don't want someone killed!" Kiara exclaimed.

"Alright, but there's gonna be a gamble," Archie said. "Winner keeps Kiara."

"No deal, she's staying with us," Fangs cut in. Kiara trailed her fingers down Sweet Pea's leather-covered arm and to his large, soft hand. She gripped it tightly and leaned on him.

"If there's no deal, then we'll use weapons," Archie bluffed. "You know a gun wins against a knife any day."

"Sweet Pea, just take the deal, I'll be fine," Kiara whispered. "If I end up with Archie you can come back tomorrow."

"Fine, we'll take the deal. No weapons, winner keeps Kiara," Sweet Pea sighed. "Now get your asses out here so we can settle this once and for all."

"With pleasure, Serpent scum," Reggie smirked and pushed past them. "C'mon Bulldogs!"

The other guys ran out and the Serpents followed them to the street. Kiara tugged on Sweet Pea's arm and he turned around. She gave him a peck on the lips and whispered, "I want you in one piece when we go back, okay?"

"Okay," He smiled then walked away.

They lined up and Sweet Pea walked up to Archie. The red-head threw the first punch and soon they were all punching and kicking each other. Kiara backed away because she hated seeing the Serpents punching and getting punched. Rain poured down which made it difficult to see what was happening.

"You okay?" Veronica came up to her.

"Yeah," Kiara mumbled. "I mean, I was kidnapped by my ex and now he's fighting my best friend slash maybe-boyfriend slash roommate, but other than that I'm doing pretty well. How are you, Veronica?"

"What if Archie's right?" Veronica replied. "I know he's a good guy and he just wants to do the right thing. He's known you for quite a while, right?"

"Yeah, we grew up together," She sighed.

"How long have you known Sweet Pea?" Veronica asked.

"Only a few months," Kiara shrugged. "I know where you're going with this, but let's not, okay?"
"All I'm saying is; Archie's really just doing what he thinks is best for you," Veronica smiled.

"Well, so is Sweet Pea. But he's doing what I think is best for me too."

"This fight is so fucking pointless!" Veronica commented, wanting to change the subject. "What do they even hope to get out of it?"

"Sweet Pea hates the Northside," Kiara shrugged. "Even more than the other Serpents because of what happened to me."

"This time has everyone over here on edge and, trust me, Archie would never have acquired that gun if the Black Hood hadn't shot his father."

"It's not Archie," She replied and flashed her a sad smile. "I used to live next to Betty, we were neighbors, but she didn't care enough to really find out what was going on inside my hell-of-a-home until it was too late."

Kiara turned back to the fight and saw Archie kicking Sweet Pea with excessive force. Her eyes widened with rage and she ran toward the two, dodging punches being thrown around her. She went right up to Archie and was able to tackle him to the floor. She punched his face repeatedly as if she had no control over what she was doing.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Sweet Pea pulled her off him.

"Let me take him, Sweet, I wanna beat his ass!" She shouted.

"You're gonna get hurt, Kiara," He whispered and she just huffed with frustration. "Your ankle is weak, healing please just go take a seat."

"Fine," She mumbled then walked back to the sidewalk. She watched as Archie stood up and began beating on Sweet Pea again. This time, Archie was the one getting the worst of it.

"Dilton, no!" Archie shouted. Kiara looked over and saw the young man take out his pocket knife and stab himself in the thigh.