no serpent stands alone

    “i don’t know what these ‘heart eyes with joey’ are.” deciding to just drop the situation all together, liv rolled off the bed, moving towards her wardrobe to purposely pull out one of her boyfriend’s hoodies. she was about to tug on the large piece of clothing, but instead moved to climb back onto the bed and let it rest against her legs. “hey ton..” she whispered the nickname under her breath, tearing her eyes from the jumper and towards her best friend. “you ever think you’re like.. really into something? and then realise you aren’t?”

Turning the corner, Axel paused at the person standing against a closed shop, rain hitting the pavement. They were practically drenched. Walking over, he moved his umbrella so it was covering the other person. “You alright there?”

Toni should have been paying better attention to her surroundings, but she was more caught up in trying to read the messages on her phone. She leaned up against the closest wall. Trying to stay out of the way and hoping they’d have some kind of ledge to keep her dry. She may have been unsuccessful in the attempt, but someone was kind enough to share their umbrella. Which Toni appreciated even if his voice caused her to jump. “Yeah, sorry. Just a little distracted. Thank you for the umbrella help.”

Alice eyed the Serpent like she might an annoying gnat. Damn Betty and that mugshot. Damn that janitor for keeping it. Alice had been so sure she’d gotten rid of every copy. “Used to,” she repeated the girl’s words sharply. “I didn’t claw my way out of that shithole not to be on the highest fucking horse I can be.” Her voice was barely loud enough to be heard by the girl in front of her. No one needed more fodder about Alice Cooper’s dark past. She would be damned if she let anyone drag her back down there. “Don’t tell me that Thomas Topaz’s granddaughter isn’t smart enough to pull herself out of there too. Or do you just aspire to be another Penny Nobody?” All that work to become a lawyer just to squander it on selling drugs and trying to control a biker gang. Fucking idiot.

    “it’s mine.” she laughed, shaking her head. this wasn’t going to be easy and she was sure toni was going to keep it up for the rest of the night. “jesus, remind me to never buy anything you have, please.” she ran a hand through her dark hair, toying with the ends of it - a nervous tick of hers. “something there? uh.. sure, i’d tell you. but need i remind you.. i have a boyfriend.” that wasn’t stopping liv, but she at least needed to convince toni for now. “–why would there be something there?”

fallon laughed at toni’s statement, “not quite, i’ve not managed to get any wildlife animals to show up and do my chores… or any other animals for that sake either, i think i’ve just not got what it takes to be a real disney princess. i just like to spoil my friends’ pets, whether it’s with treats or just affection… okay so maybe that’s not limited to just my friends’ petst but stil.” she contemplated, bright smile on her lips, “well, he’s not been spilling on who else he’s been kissing to either of us so i think we’re good with this one over here. it’ll be up to us to remain strong, topaz.” the brunette teased the other girl.

“Sorry for bothering you with my life story, angsty fourteen year old version of Halsey. That’s because of the hair if you hadn’t realized.” He said and rolled his eyes. “I do not look like the cat, and even if they were trying to compliment me why would they use the picture of this cat? There are way cuter cats all over the internet, this is obviously not a compliment.” He said and sighed. “Okay, thanks for the help, one down, but still a whole school to go.”

“I figured. You know, there was almost potential for it to be funny. Before you explained it. Haven’t you ever heard it’s one of the best ways to kill a joke? Next time be confident in your Grumpy Cat self,” Toni said, nodding towards his locker. “That’s because of the note if you hadn’t realized,” she mimicked. “And there are way cuter boys all over Riverdale. Your point? I was trying to be positive, but you can take it any way you want.”

“i’m going to go out on a limb here and say we’re safe then, i don’t think finley would betray us like that so we’re all good.” fallon laughed, scratching behind the dog’s ear as the animal leaned into her touch with what almost looked like a lopey expression on its features. “that’s definitely true, i mean cats and other animals aren’t bad but i’m definitely a dog person at heart.” the brunette said with a a shrug.

     “i’m not getting defensive either.” she rolled her eyes, closing her book over to climb onto the bed next to her. hopefully toni being able to look at olivia head-on would help her convince the girl that nothing was happening between them. even if that was lies. “ask her, she’ll tell you the exact same thing. it’s my shirt.. get over it. c’mon.”

i think outsiders are getting the wrong idea about what’s going on here. none of us are ‘changing our ways to be accepted by the north’. we’re doing our best to adjust to our new school. taking advantage of new resources and make friends. we’re still southsiders. we’re still proud to be serpents. not throwing punches and cheering with the vixens don’t take away from that. the boys are a little more standoffish, but we’re just as southside as them. they know that. we know that. it’s not a problem for us and it shouldn’t be for anyone else. serpent bonds are much stronger than that. 

     “who else would i have thought you were talking about? seriously?” she did, however, know exactly who toni was referring to. it was like almost everyone knew that something was up between her and the other serpent. her eyebrow raised easily then, almost wanting to hear the rest of what toni knew. “it’s not her shirt – she probably has the same shirt as me then. it’s a coincidence. i don’t even remember the last time joey was over here.” lies. olivia definitely could. “believe me, topaz. it’s nothing.”

“i think i’m safe as long as vader or vegas don’t find out.” fallon chirped, playing along as a smirk grew onto her lips copying the expression across toni’s features. it did morph into a more genuine smile, soft and every bit just fallon as toni continued to speak; for someone who hadn’t known the brunette for very long she did seem to be having a pretty good idea. “it’s the best kind of rebellion really.” fallon insisted as she searched the dog’s collar for a name tag, “as for a name… toni topas i’d like to introduce you to finley.”

the brunette directed a bright smile at the pink haired serpent that had really only just recently joined the vixens; fallon liked toni, she liked most of the serpents as it turned out. “we’re keeping this between us,” fallon hummed with a laugh, “but you’re in luck topaz, you’re allowed in on the action as well if you want, by the looks of it this one doesn’t mind being spoiled with attention.” she chuckled.

    “it’s no problem, really. did you think i’d say no?” she smirked playfully, moving to plant herself down on the chair in her room so she could glance back over the homework she had finished. all of the serpents knew that olivia’s place was the best place to be if they needed somewhere to crash because her parents were so welcoming and hospitable. they knew the struggles, they went through the same things when they were younger. “someone special? no. sean had things to do.” she had no idea what toni was referring to until she lifted her eyes from her work and spun around in the chair, surprised by the shirt that’d been tossed her way. “–it’s mine. not joey’s.” that wasn’t true at all, but she was definitely going to try to lie. “i just forgot to put it away, that’s all.”

lately, whenever slick had a moment of his time to spare during the school day, he’d be in the music room. he could do his thing there and not have anyone bother him, and it kept him out of trouble. he sat deep in concentration, going back and forth from scribbling down lyrics to working on the melody of his latest song with his guitar comfortably in his lap. perhaps he shouldn’t have let his focus stray so far from the volume pedal of the amp, though. the sounds had attracted a visitor to his little safe-haven unbeknownst to the musician, as he continued to play, oblivious.

toni had heard plenty of slick’s songs before. on the floor of sweet pea’s apartment or down by the quarry. she’d heard enough to tell it was ricky. also because it obviously wasn’t a pussycat and she figured most north siders would be too uptight about being that loud. something the knew wasn’t a problem to ricky. she still made her way in quietly, just in case it wasn’t. he was so wrapped up in his music, she doubted he would have even heard her if she tried to talk. instead, she made herself at home sitting on the piano stool. “hey there, snowflake.”

Melody was completely absorbed in the sound coming from her drums as she played them. It had been a while since Melody had been able to play in Riverdale High’s music room, the girl having actively avoided the room as of late. It wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to come and play. But, despite the disbanding of the Pussycats, it still felt like Josie’s room to her and, their relationship still strained, the girl opted to avoid the room so she could avoid Josie. But, by chance, the room had been empty when Melody stopped by it today, so she couldn’t help taking advantage. So focused on what she was doing, her eyes widened when she heard some shuffling behind her. “Oh, damn, hey,” she quickly said, turning to face the person. “Sorry, didn’t even see you there,” she gave a short laugh. “How long have you been standing there?” she asked, light smile on her lips.

Toni never went out of her way to avoid the music room. She’d even been in a few times to look for Josie. It just never appealed to her much outside of that. Hearing the music coming out from it was a different story. She assumed it was Josie since she was the only person she’d ever seen really use the room. The girl playing the drums was a surprise, but Toni couldn’t deny she was good. She stopped soon after Toni came in. Something she assumed wasn’t an accident. “Sorry for interrupting,” she said. “I haven’t been here long. I can go if you want.”

sat on the steps outside of pop’s fallon laughed as the dog reached for her face, excitedly kissing the brunette. “you’re pretty starved for attention, aren’t you?” fallon hummed, trying to gently avoid the affectionate licks from the animal, “between you and me i’m sure your owner will be here soon, they’re probably just inside picking up some food.” she contemplated, looking over her shoulder to see if she could catch the glimpse of someone who looked like they could be the owner of the cheerful dog that was still pawing at her for attention and with a giggle fallon returned her gaze to the animal, “maybe i should just stay with you until they get back out here.”