& Wrong side of the tracks

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. We should probably switch it up; and breakfast foods sound incredible right about now. Now I kinda want French toast; I think those chocolate chip pancakes are still calling my name. And a side of bacon.” If they were gonna do breakfast, Tess was getting bacon too. That was a breakfast staple; and it was kinda her favorite food item. It went good with pretty much anything. About to comment on her love of grape soda, the tiny Serpent was interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling. “Okay, can we just order please? I don’t need the entire diner hearing my stomach sounding like some weird dinosaur.” She let out a soft chuckle.

“You wouldn’t want to order the same thing as me now, huh? Gotta have some originality. But, alright. I’m gonna order some french toast and coffee for myself and for you, some chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and I can’t forget - your damn grape soda,” She nodded her head, before getting up from the booth they were sitting at and putting in their order. 

‘what exactly are you doing here, valdez?’, the serpent question, his eyes rolling slightly as he walked over to her, ‘ you’re van is basically  broken then. okay, but this isn’t going to be a free inspection, and i’m demanding repayment by you buying me breakfast at the worm after this.’ usually, sweet pea wouldn’t make demands like this but it was so early and they hadn’t even opened..but honestly the male would stick out a neck for one of his fellow serpents as long as they deserved it. ‘so what seems to be the issue?’, he spoke boredly. 

“I’ll buy you stupid breakfast at the Worm, alright?” Stella shook her head, trying her hardest not to roll her eyes at the older boy. She understood that having to deal with people early in the morning was never a joyful task, but she was looking to try and get a possible answer on what might be wrong with Clifford - again. It was no secret that the girl’s red mom van was basically a driving death trap, always seeming to be having some kind of issues. But, it was still her car. Her beloved car that she became too attached to for reasons not many might understand. “I’m not quite sure what it could be. For the past week my car hasn’t been wanting to start up, the battery is still pretty new though. I’m fairly knowledgeable with my own car but I can’t figure out what could be wrong right now. Thought it would be worth a shot asking y’all at the shop.”

“You know me. I’m far from picky.” Tess had quite the appetite for someone of her size. If money wasn’t an issue, she could probably eat half the menu at Pop’s in one sitting… Okay, maybe that was a slight exaggeration. But she could eat a lot. “I’m kinda feeling chili cheese fries and, uh, I dunno. A bacon burger maybe?” It was her go-to order; but it was her go-to for a reason. One could never go wrong with fries and a burger. “Then again, chocolate chip pancakes sounds really tempting this time of night… Ugh, I dunno. You could, like, just order for me; and you know I’d eat it. As long as I get my grape soda.” Most people came to Pop’s for the milkshakes. Not Tess. She came for the grape soda. She’d kinda become addicted to it since moving to Riverdale. It was a staple of ever trip to the Chock’lit Shoppe. 

“Burgers and fries do sound good,” She admitted, looking over the menu even though she had it practically memorized by now. “Seems like we tend to order that kind of stuff so often. How about we switch it up, huh?” Stella suggested, the thought of breakfast foods at this time of night sounded amazing. If you’re wanting chocolate chip pancakes, then I’ll probably order some blueberry one’s for myself or perhaps some french toast?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Can’t forget the grape soda though. You’ll drink that shit regardless of what you’ll eat it with.”

Toni watched on in amusement as Stella negotiated with the Bulldog across from. She was ready to intervene if necessary, but the other girl seemed to have it under control. That was only emphasised by the boy slamming the extra twenty dollars on the table before he left. “Way to read him the Riot Act, Stell.” A soft chuckle passed through glossed lips as she welcomed herself into the now vacant seat. “He holding back on ya?” Toni asked, hoping for the full story rather than the bits and pieces she overheard.

“Thanks, I try,” She shook her head, rolling her eyes just thinking about the conversation she had to suffer through with the football player. The bulldogs, along with other people who played sports, happened to make up a good chunk of Stella’s customers. Even though she didn’t even attend Riverdale High, news of the Serpent’s intelligence and ability to crank out assignments, essays, or projects blossomed into a business that reached across both sides of town. “Hell yeah he was really trying to. I wasn’t going to let him leave Pop’s without injuries if he wasn’t going to pay the full amount. The Knuckle draggers usually comply with me fine but this one just wanted to try and test me.”

Finally, it seemed as if their threats worked. The boy dug another $20 from his wallet and handed it over to Stella before scurrying off like a scared puppy. This elicited a small chuckle from Tess’s lips as she now turned her full attention back towards her friend. “Not that it wasn’t fun terrorizing a Bulldog; but I kinda came here to order food. You hungry? I don’t wanna eat alone.” Last time she was at Pop’s, she’d only been in the mood to be alone. But now, she kinda wanted company. Being alone allowed her to get wrapped up in her own thoughts. And getting wrapped up in her own thoughts led to her arm stinging from fresh cuts… Or not so fresh cuts as her current ones were several hours old. Between that and her jaw still healing up, she definitely preferred the company. 

“Well, if I went through all the trouble of coming to this side of town to collect my much deserved money, I might aswell grab a bite to eat,” She admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “What are you in the mood for? I’ll pay,” she added on, sending a smile to her friend as she waved the twenty dollar in her hand. “We can feast like kings and give our waitress a decent tip with this,” she told Tess.

sweet pea was actually not really  caring regarding the death of the town’s beloved jason blossom. plus, what would help him anyway? he had bills to pay himself or more important things to worry about other than some kid’s untimely murder. plus, he was so used to things being rough since he lived on the southside anyway. so, it was a surprise to him to see somebody showing up to a mechanic shop right after they had opened, ‘what exactly are you doing here?’ , he spoke, his words laced with heavy irritation. 

“Hey Pea,” the Cuban offered a smile to her fellow Serpent. “Hate to bother you so early,” she admitted. “Just think there might be something wrong with my van and thought you might be able to check it out? Wanted to come by before the shop might get more busy with people.”

At only 4'10 and 96 pounds, Tess was potentially the furthest thing from intimidating. One could probably snap her in half like a twig or squish her like a bug… Needless to say, her nickname of ‘Tiny’ was quite fitting. She was small. She always had been. But she had a big personality to make up for it. And when she wanted to, she could have a big attitude as well. It was times like this, times where she had to backup a friend, that the attitude came out, as did the moderate intimidating factor she’d been trying to perfect ever since joining the Serpents. “Here’s the thing… And I’ll speak nice and slowly as to not destroy those last two brain cells of yours. God only knows you’ll need ‘em to have a proper toss later… It’d be pretty pathetic for you to show up to practice on Monday to tell your mates you’re sitting out the rest of the season ‘cause your grades are shit and you got your arse beat by two little girls for being a cheapskate. I may be short; but I’m the perfect height to ruin your night, mind.” Staring him down, she grew silent for a moment before continuing on, sending a quick glance in Stella’s direction before speaking. “Just pay her what you owe, take your damn essay, and move on with your life.”

Nodding in approval of Tess’s blows against the jock, she hoped that the knucklehead would come to his senses and realize he wasn’t going to leave this restaurant without consequences if he didn’t comply. Holding out her palm, she locked eyes with him, her attention directed right at him. “Give me twenty more dollars now,” she raised her voice. Her raising her voice must have worked because it finally made the boy reach for her wallet once more, quickly shoving two ten dollars bills into her hand before getting himself up from the booth. “Hey, wouldn’t want to forget this, huh?” Stella replied in a sarcastic manner, holding up the printed out essay in her hand.

ONLY AFTER HE HEARS STELLA’S VOICE does he realize that his unexpected company is that of the small person variety—something that the girl was definitely never in short supply of. Avery, that’s right… Jughead recognizes the boy, having met the entire Valdez crew many times before, but frankly, most days there’s just TOO MANY NAMES to sift through to come up with the right one on the spot. A small smile tugs at the corners of his lips, amused by the kid’s unabashed curiosity. “Oh, he’s  f i n e,  Stella… I should probably take a break now anyway before my eyes go PERMANENTLY CROSSED.” He comments, scrubbing a tired hand over his face before turning his attention back to the boy. “—What’s up, kiddo?”

Looking down at her younger brother, he smiled eagerly at Jug. “Just eating some burgers and milkshakes,” he replied. It was true. There was something about the food at Pop’s that made her younger siblings so happy. If only times were still simpler for the oldest Valdez. She’d kill to still be Avery’s age, still so young and not feeling the pressure of the world on her shoulders. Patting him lightly on the back, she turned to Avery once more. “Go take these napkins and go back to where we all are sitting, I don’t want your food getting cold,” she told him. Once her little brother had made his way back to their table, Stella slipped into the booth across from Jug. “So, what does have you here this late?” She raised a brow to him.

JUGHEAD’S FINGERS CLICKED AWAY FURIOUSLY at the keys on his laptop, barely even noticing when someone else approached the otherwise empty booth. Grateful that Pop’s was always open, and for the bottomless flow of CAFFEINE currently fueling his writing frenzy, he had to at least finish his current thought before distractedly lifting his gaze. “—Can I  h e l p  you with something?”

Stella had taken everybody in her family for dinner at Pop’s. Even though the Valdez clan was far from made of money, the girl always tried her best to take them all out to the local diner once a week. To her, she considered it a small treat for all of them. She was walking with her ten year old brother, Avery, to get some extra napkins when the young boy noticed a familiar face, Jughead Jones. The boy looked lost in thought and whatever he was typing up, but that didn’t stop the younger boy to become curious at Jug’s writing. “Avery, just because you constantly wonder whatever I’m writing on my laptop doesn’t mean you can be annoying and interrupt somebody else while they’re working,” she told her brother, with a slight roll of her eyes. 

It was fairly late; but that didn’t stop Tess from finding her way to Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe. She hadn’t had dinner yet, despite the time being after 8pm; so needless to say, the tiny Serpent was hungry. Then again, the girl was always hungry. Her size didn’t show it; but she could easily out-eat just about everyone she knew. Walking into the diner, she her plan was to make a beeline to the counter and place her order; but she stopped and changed direction upon hearing what sounded like the start of an altercation between a dumbass Bulldog and one of her fellow Serpents. The brunette only heard half of the conversation; but from what she could tell, the Bulldog owed Stella money for doing his homework. And of course she was going to back her girl up. Making her way towards the pair, she slip into the booth beside Stella. “What seems to be the problem here?” She inquired, her jade eyes glancing between her friend and the boy. “Do we not know how to count to $50? Or do we simply wish for our teammates to know just how much of a fucking pansy we truly are? ‘Cause I promise you I can make the latter happen if that’s what you so desire.”

Stella wasn’t expecting her dear friend and fellow Serpent to slip in the booth next to her, but she wasn’t opposed to the other girl back her up. “Look, my girl and I are just trying to make this as crystal clear to you as possible. Either you give me the full amount you had agreed to paying me or certain things are going to go down. I’d rather not have to get to a point where my other options may have to come into play, but I’m not afraid to do so. There doesn’t have to be a need for our argument right now anyways, you’re the one being difficult. An A+ on one of your first essays of the year is what you wanted and you’ll kiss it goodbye if you don’t pull out another 20 for me, jackass.”

[ LAUREN JAUREGUI ] ( ✶:･ﾟ♦ — ▓ hey, guess what - i just saw STELLA VALDEZ by sweet water river, you know they’re SIXTEEN and a HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT who identifies themselves as FEMALE i sometimes hear people describe them as RECKLESS and STUBBORN but others say that they’re LOYAL and ADVENTUROUS . me personally? i’m wondering what they were doing at the scene of jason blossoms murder, alone.

TW: child neglect, child abuse, gang violence, murder, alcoholism, drug abuse