In Feeling There is Strength

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The rules of joining the Serpents weren't hard to memorize, not after years of helping FP Jones. He may have been in prison, but the Serpents still welcomed you with open arms.

Unfortunately, you weren't the only one they welcomed.

There couldn't just be one Jones involved in the gang, and until the King returned, new leadership needed to be put in place. The obvious solution was to induct the Prince.

But you were smart. They were impressed with how clever and resourceful you were, and they recognized you from working with FP over the years, helping him with occasional community activities as need be. Even though you hadn't been a part of the gang, you knew the inner workings well enough to be extremely useful. You were the unofficial princess, and the fact that you avoided the Prince at all cost grated on his nerves.

He never came around with Betty, and for that you were grateful. You had every reason to believe she was a lovely person, but just the sight of her made your hands start to shake and sent a wave of hurt through your chest.

But you didn't cry.

After that night in the woods, you hadn't permitted yourself to cry. It was weak of you. It was selfish. You had more important things to do than shed tears.

One such activity was visiting your mom. Sometimes Sweet Pea or Fangs would take you on their motorcycles. Other times, Toni would come with you. Your mom wasn't doing well – severe head trauma rarely goes over without issue – and as far as you'd heard, you were the only one coming to see her. You doubted it helped much; she'd always held a soft spot for your younger sister, not you. However, you tried to come offer your presence at the hospital as much as your school and work schedule would allow. The doctors seemed to think you being around would help her.

She was unresponsive – brain swelling and severe trauma can do that – but alive, so you counted your good fortune. The police, on the other hand, had yet to clear your house. It was still a crime scene. You couldn't enter. By now, though, you'd realized your father and brother must have pulled their belongings from the house before the police had closed it off.

You hadn't seen either of them in weeks.

At least you had your friends, though. Sweet Pea was still letting you crash on his couch, and Toni had been nice enough to lend you a few clothes until your paycheck came and you could obtain some of your own. They'd been lifesavers, and their words continued to play through your mind.

No Serpent stands alone.

You were draped over a stool at the bar, sipping a glass of water as you talked to Toni. "But how do I do the dance without looking like a clutz?"

"You won't! You just have to be confident in the moves you're doing."

"I'm not that sexy—"

"The boys are gonna be drooling on the floor for you!"

You laughed, rolling your eyes.

"What's up?" Fangs asked, hopping onto the seat beside you.

Toni passed him a soda, rolling her eyes. "She's just freaking out about the Serpent dance."

"Scared you're gonna fall off the stage?" he laughed. He was quick to quiet when neither you nor Toni laughed along with him. "Come on, you don't need to worry about something like that! You're gonna do great!"

"She thinks she won't be sexy enough."

"No way! You could have almost any guy in the bar that you wanted! Just take your pick."