Jail Bait: Part Seven (Sweet pea x Andrews reader)
Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part four. Part Five. Part six.
Summery: She’s got a lot of bad coping habits and expectations to meet. He’s got a lot of walls and nothing to lose. Together they have a mutual want to piss of Archie. But could something petty and shallow turn into something forbidden and complicated.
Warnings: Cussing. Angst. aloooooootttttt of DRAMA
——————-
Being grounded was a lot more fun that you would think, surprisingly.
“You have to go.” I said to Sweet Pea, Between Kisses. “You really have to go.“ His back was against my bedroom wall, my knees pinned either side of his hips. My room was dark, and the lock was slid across on the door. As far as anyone else in the house knew- I had a ‘head ache’ and gone to bed early.
“I really have to go.” Sweet Pea sighed, and I got off his lap. He was dressed in his usual clothes- dark t-shirt and dark jeans. “Just one more day.” He said. “this time tomorrow you’ll be free.”
I sighed then. It had been 13 days since my Dad grounded me. I was counting down to the second. I had enough of climbing out of my window in the middle of the night- or climbing back in at the AMs. Mine and Sweet Pea’s routine for the last 13 days had been the same. A combination of texting and sneaking and a lot of concealer under my eyes or on my neck if we got to carried away. I was getting really good at being careful, though. “one more day.”
I got up, and made my way to the window. As I looked out, I froze. “Are you kidding me?”
Sweet Pea made a curios noise and came to see, his arm on the window frame above my head. “Is that-?”
“Archie? Sneaking out? Yeah, it is.” We watched as Archie, his red hair glowing in the street light, hurried down the drive way. I could make another figure out at the end of the drive way-
“Shit.” Sweet Pea ducked under the window. “Fucking Jones-“
“Jughead?” I squinted at the figure. Now Sweep Pea mentioned it- I could make the other figure out to be him; Tell tale signs of a beanie and a leather jacket. “Do you think he saw you?”
“I doubt it.” He glanced over the window sill to watch them disappear down the street. “Awkward if he did.”
“Did he say anything to you after the fight with Reggie?”
“Just the usual ‘I didn’t need help, I’m a lone wolf, you don’t have to look after me blah blah blah’ He thinks I was looking out for just him.”
“Can you believe it though?” I demanded, slamming my hand down on the window ledge. “I’m grounded, and everyone thinks he’s the good one. The town hero. It’s like no matter what he does, everyone forgives him.”
Sweet Pea laughed dryly. “I don’t think he’s the good one. I mean- you might try and scalp Reggie Mantel but you’ve never waved a gun at him.”
“What makes you say that?
Sweet pea looked confused. “You know, Archie and the whole gun thing-” Sweet Pea’s face went from someone looking confused, to someone realising they said something they shouldn’t have. “It’s not that big of deal-“
“What did he do?”
“He was spray painting those stupid circles all over the southside- I went over to him and he pulled a gun on me.”
“He did what?” My mind raced. “That’s why you got into that fight, isn’t it? Archie told me you started that- that you turned up here-”
Sweet Pea scoffed. “Cause’ he waved a gun at me. Not really a peaceful gesture.”
“How could he do that?” I raked a hand through my hair. “I swear-“
“No.” Sweet Pea said, with a firmness that struck me. “Y/n, this is bigger that just Archie and a stupid gun- It’s about the north and southsides.” His voice softened slightly. “Don’t re-open old wounds- things are already one second to midnight as it is, especially with Reggie running his mouth.” It was true. After the fight Reggie told anyone that would listen that Jughead and Sweet pea started on him for no reason- and that he didn’t get dragged by a girl.
“Okay.” I said. “Okay, you’re right. I won’t say anything.”
Sweet Pea kissed my forehead, then my lips. He drew back, and slid the window open. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Drive carefully.”
He winked at me, and was gone. I watched him vanish up the street. I flopped down on my bed, pulling the thick covers around me. They smelled like Sweet pea. I couldn’t get the imagine of Archie with a gun out of my head. The Image of the black hood pointing a gun at me seemed to blur with the vision I had of Archie with one. I just couldn’t understand it. I had always considered Archie to be gentle. So careful with me, Betty and Jughead growing up. He’d patched up scrapes, given me piggy backs and had spent countless hours with me, just talking. I wondered at what point I stopped reaching out for Archie, and started pushing him away.
My morning consisted of avoiding Archie at all costs. I’m not sure I could look at him without blurting out what Sweet Pea had told me. As well as that, School dragged all day- for two reasons. Firstly, Today was the last day of being grounded. After today, I’d be able to see Sweet Pea twice as much as I had for the last two weeks. And secondly, because in celebration I was going to Pop’s tonight with Kevin. When I’d texting him asking, I’d got a simple ‘ok’ In response. I was itching to talk to him. It seemed like the past two weeks he walked out of the room as I walked in. Having one friend hadn’t bothered me until now.
I crossed the hall to my locker, and froze in front of it. A piece of paper was taped to the front of it with the numbers ‘117’ written on. I frowned at it then shoved the note into my pocket hastily. I knew what it meant.
The halls weren’t as quiet as I would have liked, being lunch, so I threw a cautionary glance over my shoulder as I slipped into Room 117. It was an art room, with old paint splatters seemingly covering every available surface. I flicked the light on as I came in. It had been my usual haunt for a while now, and I’d spent a lot of time in here with-
“You got my note.”
I spun, and Sweet Pea was sitting at the teacher’s desk, feet on the table. “Lucky I did. Imagine if a teacher had walked in here and found you sitting at the desk.”
Sweet Pea shrugged, and patted the desk in front of him. I crossed the room and sat, looking down at him. “So, any particular reason you wrote it?” I waved the note at him.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Go on.”
“You left your Vixen shirt at my place the other day,” Sweet Pea said. Since losing my place, I had retired my practise shirt into Pjs. “And Fangs found it.”
“What did you tell him!?”
He Leaned back in the chair. “I impulsively said ‘That’s not mine.” And he said ‘No shit , dumbass.’”
“Pea, Seriously-“
He rolled his eyes. “I told him it was a hook up with a vixen- no one he knew- and he seemed pretty okay. In a guy way.”
“A guy way?”
“Yeah.” Pea said. “Like, ‘I’m happy that you’re getting laid but did you really have to pick a vixen right after breaking Reggie’s nose.’ He’s worried it’ll start a war.”
“Him and me both.”
Sweet pea rested his hand on my leg and squeezed reassuringly. “It’s not a big deal. Fangs doesn’t know anything too big and other that him- it’s just you and me.” I looked at him for a few seconds, before he narrowed his eyes at me. “Right?”
“Kevin-” I admitted. “-Kevin keller.”
“What?” Sweet Pea dropped his hand. “The sheriff’s son knows about us?”
I got up off the desk. “No! He doesn’t know about us- he just knows that I’m seeing- dating- a serpent.” I sighed. “I didn’t mean for him to find out. I bumped into him when I walked home from Pop’s, after that night. He noticed the Jacket.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He said, coldly.
“I didn’t think you’d be this upset about it. We can trust Kevin-“
Sweet Pea stood up out of the chair. “No, I can’t.”
“Because he’s the Sheriff’s son?” I demanded. “He lied to his Dad -and mine- for me. How is this different from Fangs knowing?”
“Because,” Sweet pea said. “Because Fangs is my bother. We swore oaths to look after one another. That’s what being a serpent means. But Kevin-“
“Is just a stupid northsider?” I looked at him hard. “Like me?”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” Sweet Pea raked a hand through his hair. “You should have told me that he knew. Fangs found that shirt this morning- telling you was top of my list. But I’m tired of this.”
I put a hand on the desk to steady myself. “This?” I echoed. “You’re tired of being with me?”
“No!” Pea said, quickly. “Of course not. I’m tired of lying- of the sneaking around.”
“But-“ I sank into the desk chair. “ -We can’t tell anyone. You know that.”
“But why?” He demanded, now pacing. “Why should we have to lie to our families, if we are serious about being together?”
“You’re really asking why we have to lie to my family?” I asked. “To Archie?”
“So what are we gonna’ do? Lie forever?”
He did have a point, but the idea of Archie with a gun and the look on my Dad’s face after he grounded me- “I don’t know, Sweet pea! It’s not so easy for me.”
“Oh,” He said, nodding. “So it’s easy for me?”
“It’s just different-“
Hurt flashed across this face, and I reached for him. He stepped back. “I see. Because I don’t have a family to disappoint? I’m just a Serpent, right? Nothing to lose.”
“I didn’t mean it like that-“
“Don’t worry” He said, grabbing his bag from the floor and stepping past me. “I know exactly how you meant it.”
“Sweet pea-“
It was too late. He slammed the door behind him and he was gone.
———————
By the end of the day my excitement for seeing Kevin fizzled out. Fighting with Sweet pea made we feel like I had one of those cartoon rain clouds floating above my head all day. By the time I actually made it to Pop’s to meet Kevin, I just wanted to go home. He was sitting in a booth, and I sunk opposite him. “Oh my god,” I said. “You would not believe the day I had.”
He looked up at my from his phone. “Really?”
“Just Drama.” I said, leaning across the table. “I haven’t seen you in ages.” Kevin looked at me evenly. Something about his expression made me sit back in my chair. “Are you okay?”
“Y/n.” He said. “You know I love you, but Betty is my friend.”
“What?” I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
He scoffed. “Seriously, Y/n. I know who your serpent friend with benefits is.”
I rocked back like he slapped me. “You- I- What?”
“Jughead.” He said. “I know about you and Jughead.”
My mouth fell open. “Jughead.” I repeated, “Jughead Jones? You think me- and Jughead?”
“Betty said he’s been distant. I heard what Reggie said to him- about getting with Archie’s sister. You said you couldn’t tell me who he was. Betty is my friend- Betty is your friend.”
“Kevin!” I shouted, “I’m not sleeping with Jughead. I can’t believe you would even think-“
“So I’m wrong?”
“Yes, you idiot. You’re wrong. I wouldn’t do that to Betty-“ I cringed. “Besides, Jughead is like a brother to me. It would be beyond gross.”
“Oh.” He sat back. “Well, this is awkward.”
“You could have just asked me before coming at me, you know. I can’t believe you would think I’d do that.”
“I’m sorry I’m just- worried, I guess.”
“About me or Betty?”
“Both. You.” He shrugged. “You’ve been happy. It scares me.”
“Im not allowed to be happy?”
Kevin blew air out his nose. “You are, but how long can covering things up last?”
“Christ, not you too.” I rubbed my hands across my face. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m not sure there’s anything to tell. I probably ruined everything today.”
“What?”
I put up a hand. “I really don’t want to talk about it, Kev. Let’s talk about you.”
We did. Kevin told me all about what the past two weeks had been like- the fact that he’d been avoiding me because he thought I really was seeing jughead behind Betty’s back, how stressed his Dad was at work and how he’d been lonely recently.
“What?” I said, chocking on my milkshake. “Kevin, you should text me when you feel like you need someone.”
“No offense, but everyone is pretty caught up in their own drama around here.”
“You know, I could ask about Juaquin-“
“No.” He said, putting his hands on the table. “I need to move on with my life. You hear of any other single, gay serpents though, feel free to hit me up.”
“Ill ask around.” I glanced at my phone screen, mainly to see if Sweet Pea had replied to any of my texts. “Shoot. I gotta’ go, Kevin. My Dad wants me home by 7.”
“Gotta’ stay out of trouble for a while?”
“You know it. I’ll see you later.”
I looked at him one last time over my shoulder before I left the dinner. I felt like my Day had finally got better. If only Sweet pea would at least open one of my texts.
——————
I got home, and welcomed the heat seeping out of the radiator by the door. The Winter had really taken over in the last few weeks. I kicked my shoes off and headed towards the kitchen. “Hey!” I called out. “Anyone home?”
I stepped though the kitchen into the dinning-room and froze. I felt like I had been thrown into icy water, as if the ground under me had just given way. My Dad stood Facing me, the table between us. On it, was the Serpent Jacket Sweet Pea had leaned me and next to it, the switch blade from the pocket.
My Dad leaned forward, placing both hands on the table. “Do you want to go first, or shall I?”
——————-
“I can Explain.”
“Please.” Dad said, gesturing to the jacket. “I’d love to hear it.”
“They aren’t mine- I forgot to return them. I borrowed them from a friend Dad, I swear to god.”
“What kind of friend do you borrow a knife from? Is this Jughead’s?”
“God, what is It with everyone and thinking it’s Jughead-“ I raked my hands through my hair. “He only leant them me so I could walk home safe- “
“He?” My Dad echoed. “Who is ‘He’?”
I gripped the edge of one of the chairs. Something about the way my Dad said ‘he’ filled me with rage. “His name,” I said, through gritted teeth. “Is Sweet Pea.”
My Dad raised his eyebrows at me. “Sweet Pea? That kid from the fight? Jesus, Y/n. You listen to me,” He pointed his finger at me. “This stops now. You stay away The serpents. Believe me, they aren’t the kind of friends you want. Do you understand me?”
“He’s not my friend.” I say, my voice shaking, “He’s my boyfriend.”
My Dad and I looked at each other across the table. “How long has this been going on?”
“Months.” I say, my voice sounded small and sad in my own ears now as I let go of trying to hide it anymore. “He makes me happy.”
“Is this the kind of person you want to be with?” He said, pointing at the Jacket and knife. “Someone who carries a knife? The Serpents aren’t an after-school club, Y/n. They are a gang. A drug dealing, violent gang. They’ve been involved in murder, y/n. Is that the kind of life you want?”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“No, Y/n. You’re the one with no idea. I’ve called you’re mother.”
“You what?” I demanded.
“We both agreed.” He said, “That maybe you should go spend some time with her in Chicago.”
My eye’s burned, and my stomach twisted. “You’re sending me to live with Mom?”
“Your behaviour recently just hasn’t been you, y/n. Detentions, fighting, staying out all night-“
“I’m not going.” I said, quickly. “You can’t make me go.”
“This isn’t a debate-“
I heard the door open. My Dad looked to the noise but I slammed my fists on the table. “Archie run’s around town with a group of freaking vigilantes and no one sends him to live with mom.”
“That was different. Archie was-“
“Upset? Traumatised after seeing you get shot? I was so scared to leave the house that he couldn’t keep food down or even look at Pop’s dinner for weeks without throwing up!” I could have stopped there, left Archie out of it. But I felt like I had my back against the wall- and from what Sweet Pea had told me and seeing Archie repeatedly get away with everything- I could have stopped, but I didn’t. “I got a Boyfriend, but Archie got a gun. He brought it off that psycho Dilton. Archie literally waved a gun in Sweet Pea’s face while spray painting Red circles all over the southside. Did you know that?” I demanded. “Is Mom gonna’ come and take Archie away as well? I know you got the short straw in the divorce, Dad, and ended up with me as well as Archie, but I don’t see you running to send him away.” I regretted it as soon as I said it, but I stood my ground. “I’m not leaving Riverdale.”
I could see that I’d hurt my Dad, and that he had no idea about Archie. But he was as stubborn as me. “Mom will be here tomorrow.”
I heard the door open, and we looked at each other for a hard moment.
“What’s going on?”
I looked, and Archie stood in the room. Behind him I could see Betty and Jughead, peering around my brother, cautiously. I took the opportunity to turn on my heel and flee through the kitchen and up the stairs. I locked my door behind me, and slid down it. Hot tears of frustration and fear slid down my face. I was trapped. I felt trapped. I stood up, and yanked my closet door open. I grabbed my black rucksack covered in decorative patches I’d collected and opened it. I shoved it with clothes, and slung it over my shoulder. I wasn’t leaving. I wasn’t leaving. I wasn’t leaving.
I opened my door and stomped down the stairs- right into the middle of Archie stuttering out something about the gun. Betty and Jughead looked mortified to be there.
I swept the Jacket and knife into my arms and clasped them to my chest.
“Where are you going?” My Dad demanded.
“I can’t take another minute in this house.” I spat, looking from Archie to my Dad. “You don’t want me here anyway.”
I turned, shoving past Betty and Jughead, who looked like he might comment on the jacket but thought better of it, and hurried towards the door. “Y/n, We can talk about this-“ My dad called, But the minute my hands grazed the handle, his tone changed. “You step out of this house and that is it, young lady.”
I turned to look at my Father. My eyes passed over everyone there. Archie, Betty, Jughead. The looks on my Family’s Faces made my heart sting, but something in me refused to back down. “This hate,” I said, looking between them all. “Is the reason kids in this town keep dying.”
I slammed the door behind me.
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