𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚂𝚔𝚒𝚗// 𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝙿𝚎𝚊

𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜

I grab my wallet from the glove compartment and fix my lip gloss in the mirror before grabbing my sweater from the backseat. I get out and lock up the car, walking into Southside Liquor. 

"Afternoon Anna." Max the owner greets me from behind the counter and I turn to wave. I grab a small basket and pick out some snacks for me and Nick for later before moving on to the drinks. I hear the bell ring at the entrance and laughing. I look over my shoulder and some younger Serpents walk in laughing and messing around. One of them was taller with the darkest hair I've ever seen and the prettiest caramel-colored skin. He was breathtaking and I couldn't stop staring at him. He turns in my direction and I look away, grab the drinks, and walk to the front counter. I set the basket down and he starts to scan the items.

"How's the Northside treating you." He asks and I chuckle.

"What can I say other than the Northside is the Northside."

"I haven't seen you all summer, I thought maybe you forgot about me." He jokes and I shake my head.

"No, I've been picking up extra shifts at Pops to keep me busy. How's your niece doing."

"Good, she became a serpent over the summer. She and a few of her friends."

"Always in need of more Serpents." I smile and he grabs some cigarettes for my dad, putting them in my bag. 

"Just waiting on two more." He says and looks at me making me smile.

"Serpents are family but my dad would kill me and Nick if we joined. Besides I don't think Nick is interested."

"That's what all the younger Serpents say and then they join." I smile.

"Do you still have any of those chocolate chip cookies your wife make."

"Fresh batch this morning, I put some aside for you." He grabs the bag of cookies and places them in the bag.

"Oh I almost forgot the orange creamsicle bar." I walk over to the ice cream freezer and grab one. The laughing picks up again and I turn to see the Serpents walking out.

"Thanks, Max." The taller one says and they walk out. I walk back to him and place the bar on the counter allowing him to scan it.

"They didn't pay?"

"Those three never do, I'm used to it by now." He shrugs and I raise an eyebrow before setting my stuff down. 

"Anna seriously don't worry about it." 

"No, it's not fair." I walk out of the store, walking over to the raven-haired boy sitting on his bike. He was laughing with his friends, and they quieted down when they saw me. 

"Excuse me." I cross my arms and the taller boy looks at me with a smug smile on his face. Why did I always find the assholes attractive?

"I think you're lost princess shouldn't you be back on the Northside." He speaks first and I scowl at the pet name.

"Max already has a hard time keeping his business above water, so if you couldn't just take from him, that would be much appreciated." He gets off the bike and stands in front of me. He was taller than I expected, now that he was up close. 

"What are you going to do about it? You gonna call your Northside boyfriend." He taunts and I scowl at his words.

"No, I don't..." He cuts me off.

"I figured as much, a real boyfriend would have never let a stupid girl come near here." He teases and I roll my eyes.

"I don't need anyone to defend me, now are you going to pay for what you took or not," I ask and he smirks.