𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 | 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚

chapter twenty-one

✴︎°༄

Pickens Day; a family-friendly event celebrating the founding father of Riverdale, who also turned out to be a ruthless killer. The whole town was at Pickens Park and enjoying treats with family and friends. Kiara was with her bio-parents because they basically forced her to come with them. She was wearing a tight pink skirt, thigh-high boots, and a sheer top over a bra. Sweet Pea would be bringing her Serpent jacket and an extra sign so she could join them for the peaceful protest before her parents realized what was happening.

"I'm gonna go look for Kevin," Kiara said then walked away. She met up with the two Kellers under a tree and sat down in the shade with them.

"Hey, Kiara, how have you been?" Tom asked.

"I've been managing. I really miss you guys though," She smiled sadly and the two men returned the gesture.

"We're gonna get you out of there, Kiki," Kevin said and pulled her into a hug.

"The Serpents planned a protest for when Josie and the Pussycats perform, if you wanna join, Kev. It'd definitely get you in with Fangs."

"I don't think I could date a guy named Fangs," Kevin laughed. "But, enjoy your protesting."

"Oh, I will," She giggled.

***

It was time for the protest. Kiara split off from the Kellers and joined the group of Serpents gathered yards away from the crowd of Northsiders.

"For you, m'lady," Sweet Pea smirked and kissed her as he handed her a sign and her Serpent jacket.

"Thanks, babe," She smiled. Her sign read 'HONOR THE UKTENA'. She linked arms with Sweet Pea as the group began walking toward the stage. Toni handed her a piece of tape and Kiara slapped it over her glossy lips.

"Toni? Jughead? What the hell is going on?" Veronica exclaimed, stopping the music.

"We're here representing the dead and the silenced," Toni announced through her megaphone. "Pickens Day is a lie. General Pickens slaughtered the Uktena tribe, my grandfather's family. And this land, the land that we're standing on, the land that will soon give way to a new Southside, was stolen from them. And we can't bring them back, but we can and we must honor them."

Kiara gave her a reassuring nod then met eyes with Mr.Keller. She couldn't tell if she saw disappointment or confusion in him, but he smiled which gave her a boost of confidence. But, she then met eyes with her bio-dad, and every ounce of happiness inside her was swept away, replaced with pure anxiety.

***

It was a miracle Kiara made it through the next few days without going absolutely insane. Her bio-parents wouldn't stop scrutinizing her and the fact she was still with Sweet Pea. They all talked it out though. She had been spending much more time in Sweet Pea's trailer and they were beginning to accept that. The eviction notices came and stirred up uneasy feelings in Sweet Pea and the other Serpents.

"Jughead Jones," Penny smirked and the young man's face visibly fell. "Did you really think you'd see the last of me?"

"What's the Snake Charmer doing here?" He asked. Jug looked at Kiara, who had tears in her eyes, then at FP. "Dad?"

"No, I brought her in, to help us," Tall Boy said.

"We don't need Penny's kind of help!" Jughead all but screamed.

"You don't get a say anymore. Since you broke Serpent law and hurt one of our own kind," The long-haired man replied. "Penny was about to tell your dad. Show him, Penny. Show 'em all."

The lady slammed her elbow on the table and pulled her sleeve down; "that used to be my Serpent tattoo until your son sliced a chunk outta my arm and left me bleeding in a ditch in Greendale. But I'm still willing to help the Serpents. Tall Boy showed me those eviction notices. They're legit. Luckily, I can think of about forty-one ways to stall the process. And I'm talking years."

"What's your price, Penny?" FP grunted.

"Blood for blood," She smiled. "An eye for an eye. I want back in with the Serpents and I want him kicked out. Oh, yeah, one last thing... I want his tattoo carved off. And I want to do it myself. With a dirty knife."

"It was my fault!" Kiara exclaimed and stepped forward. "I blackmailed him and therefore forced him to drive Penny away. I'll leave and you can slice off my tat, just- just leave Jug alone."

"Kiara-" Sweet Pea whispered and gently gripped her upper arm.

"You little bitch," Penny grinned and licked her lips tauntingly. "Why would a northside rape victim want me out of the Serpents?"

Sweet Pea pushed passed Kiara and gripped Penny's collar. FP pulled him back before the young Serpent could slam his fist into her face.

"You're dead!" Sweet Pea shouted. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"I was asking a simple question," Penny shrugged.

***

It was time for Veronica's Confirmation, which Kiara had been invited to and would of course be bringing Sweet Pea. They danced together before sneaking out the back and meeting up with Jug and Betty to go find the statue head.

"Stop the damn vote!" FP shouted. They sat Tall Boy down and got him to spill the beans about what Hiram had him do.

"So, Hiram Lodge asked you to start a mutiny and you helped him, why?" Jughead asked.

"I figured it'd be my chance to get rid of you, sunshine," Tall Boy grunted. "And if I got rid of him, I could get rid of you, too, FP."

"And then, what, you'd become leader?" FP scoffed.

"He and Penny," Jughead nodded. "You're a Judas, Tall Boy, and an idiot."

"You betrayed your own kind, Tall Boy," FP exclaimed. "You broke Serpent Law. What should we do with this lowlife?"

"Strip him of his jacket," Jughead smiled. "Exile him."

"All those in favor?" FP asked. Everyone raised their hand; even Betty. "Looks like this piece of trash and I got a long ride ahead of us."