𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚

chapter thirteen

✴︎°༄

VERONICA AND JUGHEAD had left to get Archie and Betty a change of clothes. Since they hadn't gone home, Archie's jacket still had Kiara's blood all over it, the same with Betty's delicate top. Fangs and Toni had fallen asleep, but Sweet Pea just sat in silence beside Kevin. Next to Kevin was a very worried Tom Keller and every few minutes the sheriff got up to ask the nurses what was happening.

One nurse came out with a bag of Kiara's belongings and gave it to Tom. He looked through it to see if anything could be used as evidence, but there was nothing. He took the picture she had in her wallet of Kevin, himself, and Kiara standing together on the bank of Sweetwater River. He then handed the bag to Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea instantly took out her phone.

"Who's Natalia Lodge?" He asked Kevin. The name appeared on the screen and the phone vibrated, but neither had the guts to answer the call.

"Um, I think she's Veronica's cousin; she was one of Kiara's best friends before- the incident," Kevin replied.

"What happened to her in New York?" He asked. "She's told me bits and pieces but-"

"I'm sorry, but it's not my story to tell," Kevin smiled sadly and Sweet Pea nodded with a sigh. "But you should know, drug dealing is a very sensitive topic for her. Also, Archie saved her life, and she's my adoptive sister; her prior family life was...traumatic."

***

At around ten o'clock more and more people bustled into the already crowded emergency waiting room. Most were Northsiders there to support Kevin and his dad, but a few more Serpents came too. FP and Jughead were seated with Sweet Pea, Cheryl was talking with Betty, and Veronica was comforting Archie. Moose had come to support Kevin, and Reggie had returned with a much different attitude. Josie and her mom were also there, mainly for Kevin and Tom.

The Northsiders and Southsiders tried their best not to mingle any more than what was necessary. The Serpents stood far from the group that consisted of Alice Cooper. The only people who were from opposite sides of the tracks, but still stuck together, were Tom, Kevin, and Sweet Pea.

***

"My cousin Natalia called Kiara?" Veronica confirmed. The group of teens was talking about what to do about the situation and if they should call her back.

"Yeah, she didn't leave a message or anything, though," Sweet Pea shrugged.

"Do you think it could be about her parents?" Betty asked Veronica and Sweet Pea visibility tensed. He balled his hands into tight fists and clenched his jaw with anger at the thought of her parents hurting her.

"That'd probably be the only reason for her to call," Veronica sighed. "If she calls again we have to answer."

"What if it is about her parents? Is there a possibility they're taking her back?" Sweet Pea asked.

Veronica took a deep breath and nodded, "they're very powerful people, so it's always gonna be a possibility."

Sweet Pea sighed and rested his head in his hands. His heart was racing and a nervous layer of sweat was beginning to coat his chest.

"He and my dad still work together, and it disgusts me that-"

Veronica was cut off by the vibration of Kiara's phone. Natalia's name appeared and she answered it.

"Hey, K, what happened you said you'd call me-"

"Kiara is in the hospital, Nat. She- She-" Veronica burst into tears. She had been holding herself together for the sake of Archie, but she couldn't any longer. Archie embraced her and Sweet Pea took the phone.

"Hello?" He said.

"What the fuck is happening? Who is this?" Natalia bellowed.

"Kiara was shot and she just got out of surgery. She's still unstable so none of us have been able to see her yet, but-"

"Archie?" She asked.

"What? No, my name's Sweet Pea." He took a deep breath. "I saw you called her earlier, why? Is it about her parents?"

"Wait, Sweet Pea? You're the reason she- oh my god! Tell Veronica I'm on my way to Riverdale. And yes, there's something about her parents." Natalia hung up and tears sprung to Sweet Pea's eyes.

"What'd she say?" Jughead asked.

"Um, she's on her way," He mumbled. "And she called because of her parents."