The Missing Part of Me | a Choni Story

Chapter Twelve

Sweet Pea stands nervously outside the Pembrooke. He's doing his best to calm himself down but seeing Veronica in person is different than texting her. At least through the phone, Sweet Pea can hide his butterflies from seeing Veronica's name show up on his screen; he can take a few moments to compose himself and then give a well thought out response. His fear is that in person, he'll be a total mess and make a fool of himself in front of Veronica.

The two had been texting about the plans for Cheryl and Toni. The girls' routine in recent days hasn't changed, so Sweet Pea and Veronica have no trouble sharing ideas on how to get the lovebirds to make a move on each other.

Sweet Pea looks up the side of the building, scratching at the tattoo on his neck. Their meeting is casual, as Veronica put it, "two friends meeting up to get two other friends in bed together." Still, Sweet Pea wants to make a good impression, so he wears the best clothes he could find: a button up without any noticeable stains, clean work slacks, and his Serpent jacket. Not that his appearance will change Veronica's opinion on him, but he hopes she'll notice the effort.

Finally, Sweet Pea enters the building, gulping again as the doorman walks up to him. He brings Sweet Pea to the elevator and tells him Ms. Lodge is waiting in the penthouse. He thanks the doorman and presses for the top floor, he has to take deep breaths in order to calm down. His palms feel sweaty and the collar on his shirt feels too tight.

He wishes he could consult Toni on this, but he couldn't come up with a viable explanation as to why he'd be meeting with Veronica without revealing what the meeting would be for. He pulls his phone out and calls Fangs, needing someone to talk to before he goes into the penthouse suite.

"Hey Pea, what's up?"

He can tell Fangs is at work, the sound of a computer typing can be heard. Sweet Pea clears his throat, "I'm about to go into Veronica Lodge's penthouse and I just need someone to reassure me I'll be okay."

"You know," Fangs is drawing out his words, "I'll have to ask for a further explanation as to why you're at Veronica Lodge's but I'm pretty busy here at the hotel so I'll save it for later. You're a king, you've got this. Now I gotta go -- sorry about that Mrs. Oliver, your bill came out to $649.88"

Sweet Pea hangs up the phone and takes one more breath. The elevator opens and he walks down the hallway until he sees the Penthouse Suite plaque outside the door. He knocks, taking a step back and looking around the hallway. The potted plants match nicely with the wallpaper and carpet. Aesthetically pleasing, he's not surprised; Veronica Lodge always had a knack for looking elegant.

"Oh, hey Sweet Pea, you're right on time."

Archie Andrews stands in the doorway, coat in hand. Veronica comes to the door seconds later, smiling. The two exchange goodbyes, a quick kiss on the cheek and Archie leaves the penthouse towards the elevator. Veronica looks to Sweet Pea and grins.

"Wow Sweet Pea, you look," her grin grows wider, her nose happily crinkling, "dapper." She sighs and motions for him to enter.

Sweet Pea lets out a quick breath, he hadn't realized Archie and Veronica still kept in touch, let alone were still together after all these years. He rubs his hands on his pants, quickly sitting down on a couch and brushing a hand through his hair.

"So where are our two lovebirds anyhow? I can barely get a hold of Cheryl, she'll answer my texts hours later and miss my calls."

Sweet Pea doesn't respond, he's looking around her apartment, it's the first time he's ever been inside. Art pieces hang around the walls while the fireplace has a small fire going. Above the mantle is Veronica and her mother Hermione, painted valiantly next to one another. A small picture frame holds an old picture of Veronica, she's a young girl grappling the neck of her father; they both look happy. An open set of french doors reveals an office, Sweet Pea can see plaques displayed on the walls around shelves of awards.