CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
SERPENT FACE OFF
"and i shouldn't cry,
but i love it"
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     As morning rolled by in Riverdale, the news of someone's after midnight shenanigans came to light; someone had beheaded the Pickens statue found in Pickens park the very same night the festivities had been held. And while the sheriff was driving a hard barging pointing fingers at the Southsiders ( the serpents especially ), Archie Andrews was running around town for none other than Hiram Lodge himself. Apparently he had been offered an apprenticeship of sorts, and it included picking up his laundry and food orders.

     Jughead had filled in the blanks for Harley on what the hell had gone down with the protest at Pickens park. Harley, of course, supported Jughead and his cause a thousand times over, swearing to do anything she could to help. For now that meant simply educating the ignorant, and fiercely defending the serpents. Jughead was happy his friend wanted to aid him. Her support meant the world.

     Shockingly enough Harley had spent the morning eating breakfast with her mother. It had gone along the lines of this:

      "Why don't you consider this low fat yogurt before you scarf down that breakfast bagel, dear?" Addison Byers handed the yogurt in questioned to her daughter, swiftly swiping the bagel out of her hands, dumping it in the trash.

     Harley rolled her eyes, resisting to make a snide comment in response. "Did you see the papers? Someone beheaded the General Pickens statue. You know, I bet you it was one of those Southside thugs." Addison spoke with venom evident in her voice. The woman had quickly gotten over the initially shock of the crash, neverminding that a serpent had saved her daughter. Harley had hoped her mom would take the accident as a learning experience. That this traumatic event would change the family dynamic. But it hadn't. It was simply wishful thinking and the truth was that in reality people didn't change unless they wanted to.

     "Mom, you don't know that. It could have been anyone." Harley softly argued.

     Addison waved her hand dismissively. "I'm working late tonight. I left some frozen food in the fridge, so you can just pop it in the microwave." The mother explained, grabbing her keys off they counter. "Steer clear of the Southside trash! If I find out you're talking to anyone of them I swear I'm grounding you till you're forty."

     "Bye, mom." Harley called, watching her mother leave.

     The encounter was nothing out of the ordinary. The only unusual thing about it was her mother actually having time to speak more than five words to her daughter before rushing off to work. Harley shuddered at the thought of her mom discovering just how little talking she had been doing with a certain serpent. . . Especially considering how mad she got when she found out Harley was at Pop's with Sweet Pea the night of the accident.

     Harley was currently at the student lounge along with her friends. Veronica was going on about some family thing. "Usually these kinds of event, baptisms, confirmations, are family only. But since it's all about me and you guys are my chosen family I pulled some strings and reserved you a pew." Veronica smiled at her friends, inviting them all to her confirmation.

     "What is the dress code?" Kevin questioned.

     "Catholic chic." Veronica quipped. "So, dresses for the girls, veils optional. And Clara and ties for the boys."

     Harley opened her mouth to raise a question, but the crackling of the speakers interrupted her.

     "Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, please report to the principal's office. Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper to the principal's office." Mr. Wheatherbee's voice caught the group of teens attention, all eyes now on Jug and Betty. Harley watched the two sigh before leaving the room, heading towards the office.

     Harley took it as a cue to leave herself, skipping down the hallway to her locker. Her mind was running a thousand miles per hour, the main attraction being her intimate moment shared with Sweet Pea in the gym. The girl was uncertain if having him on her mind meant something, or if she was simply lonely. It had been a minute since the last time she had been with Reggie. It wasn't that she missed Reggie, but she did miss the intimacy of it all.

     Standing by her locker, guilt began eating away on her. She had yet to even officially end whatever had been going on between her and Reggie. After all he was still just a person with feelings and she wanted to make sure her conscious was cleared before heading into something new. Fortunately for her, the perfect opportunity presented itself as the boy in question strolled down the hallway.

     "Reg, we need to talk." Harley grabbed ahold of his upper arm, pulling her down the hallway.

     "Woah, Har, you've been missing me?" Reggie chuckled as the girl pulled the boy towards the janitors closet, shutting the door behind them. "I mean, I have class, but I guess I could go for a round."

     Harley rolled her eyes. "This is not a booty call." The girl stated. "I just want to. . . Clear the air. I know we haven't really been doing anything lately or whatever, but I just want to make it clear that this arrangement— us. It's not a thing anymore. You understand?"

     Reggie wore a puzzled look on her face, an expression that quickly twisted into anger. "It's those— those Southside piece of trash snakes, isn't? Are they threatening you? Making you do this?"

     Harley's eyes widened at the accusation. "What? No! Reggie I'm just saying I don't really want to continue whatever it is we've been doing. It has nothing to do with anyone but us."

     "You expect me to believe that? You're obviously scared, but not to worry. Mantle has your back. I'll make sure they never bother you again." The Mantle boy brushed past the girl, rushing out of the closet and the direction of the locker rooms. Shit.

     Harley chased after him, desperately pulling on his letterman jacket to slow him down. "Reggie don't. Oh my god can you just listen for once!"

      "Shit Har you're acting crazy." Reggie exclaimed, pushing her forcefully off. The Byers girl stumbled and crashed into the lockers. The Mantle boy immediately backtracked, turning to approach the girl. "What had gotten into you? Why are trying to protect them?"

"I'm not, I'm trying to protect you. What do you think will happen if you start a fight in the middle of class, huh? Not to mention that they're in a violent gang. Those thugs not worth it so just leave it Reg." Harley lied through her teeth, realizing that Reggie would never relent unless he thought she was actually just looking out for him. Appealing to his ego was the best way to go about it she decided.

"Yeah you're right. But I'm telling you the second I get the Bulldogs together we're skinning those snakes." Reggie barked.

Harley nodded, content with the fact that she had swayed from his warpath him for now. . .

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Harley wasn't quite sure what was considered to be appropriate attire for a catholic conformation seeing as she had never been to one before. Veronica's advice on wearing something 'catholic chic' wasn't exactly helpful, so Harley settled for some formal looking dress she found in the very bottom of her closet. Her mother wouldn't have been too pleased with Harley attending a Lodge event. According to the Byers mom evil took human form in the Lodge's, Veronica included. Anything accosiated with Hiram Lodge was just wrong. The woman would completely spiral if she knew Harley was going to the function. Fortunately the Byers mom was still at work, and Harley had no intentions of telling.

The confirmation was exactly liked one expect; classy yet boring. Harley supposed the ordeal would've been more entertaining if it was something she either cared about or if it was about someone she cared about. Not that she didn't care about Veronica, but the two weren't really that close. Harley was pretty sure the only reason she had been invited was because of association and circumstance. Harley was there when she invited the others, it would've been simply rude if she hadn't invited the Byers girl as well.

     "Ronnie, you look stunning." Harley complimented the Lodge. Veronica truly looked dashing in her charming white dress beautifully adorned with pearls around the neckline.

     "You warm my heart, Harleen. Thank you for coming." Veronica smiled at the Byers girl. Harley nodded, taking the opportunity to step off to the side lines. Her eyes fell on Jughead who was sneakily escaping the room. Hot in his heels Betty Cooper followed.

     Pursing her lips, Harley silently wondered what the duo were sneaking off to do. According to Jughead they were still broken up, so they were probably not sneaking off to hook up. Knowing them, they were up to something. Normally Harley would pass up on the opportunity for dangerous adventures, but seeing as she was bored out of her mind she was in the mood for some excitement. So she got to her feet and made a beeline for the exit. As thought, Harley found the pair speaking in hushed voices.

     "Whatever it is that you two are doing, count me in." Harley announced her presences as she approached them.

     Their head snapped in her direction. "We're not—"

     "Save it." Harley cut Betty off. "It's clear as day that you two are up to something. Now I don't care what it is, I just want in. Please save me from the dreadfulness that is this evening."

     Betty crossed arms over her chest in annoyance. "If your bored, why don't you just go home?" The Cooper girl questioned. It wasn't that their current mission was top secret, but the blonde simply didn't like the idea of Harley joining them. Betty wanted to take the opportunity for some alone time between Jughead and herself, hoping it would push them closer together. Not to mention the fact that Jughead had confessed his kiss with Harley the night of his father's retirement party. Originally he and Harley had agreed upon keeping it a secret, but it had slipped out in a haze when he ended it with Betty that night.

     Before Harley could think of a whitty response, Jughead came to her defense. "You can come with. One more mind wouldn't hurt." Jughead could sense Betty's reluctance, but he didn't want his best friend to be turned away only to go back to the hell hole that was her home. Even if it meant pissing Betty off.

     Which, by the way, it really really did.

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     "Why do I have to carry it?" Harley Byers complained in annoyance as Betty, Jughead, FP and herself crossed the street over to the Whyte Wyrm. After heading down to the local trash dump, the three had discovered that not only was the culprit in charge of beheading the General Pickens statue a serpent, but it was none other than Tall Boy himself. According to Jughead, it didn't come as a suprise especially considering just how hostile the very serpent was towards him.

Jughead had filled Harley in on the latest serpent drama. Apparenlty Juhead had rounded up a group of young serpents to drive out this Penny Peabody woman out of town, also know as the 'snake charmer'. The Jones boy had been careful with the details, but essentially he had kidnapped her and exiled her from Riverdale. And it was all done with the intention of ridding the serpents of the snake charmer for good. Of course it all came back to bite Jughead in the ass, which Harley would have happily let him know in advance that it would if he had bothered to let he run on the insane idea.

It was just like him to keep her in the dark whenever he had a dangerously stupid plan. Oh well, bygones.

Betty, Jug and Harley had stopped by FP's on the way to the Whyte Wyrm, the head that once belonged to the statue in Harley's hands. After explaining it all, he joined them in crashing the vote currently going on at the serpent bar.

Harley entered with Jughead on her right, carrying the heavy head. FP and Betty followed hot in the heels. All eyes fell on them, including ones that belonged that of a certain Southside serpent. . .

"Stop the damn vote." FP barked, eyes locked on Tall Boy. FP pulled out a chair, forcing Tall Boy to sit in the circle of people. "What the hell were you doing at the dump last week, Tall Boy?"

Betty and Harley stepped off to the side, watching it all unfold. Harley struggled to pay attention to the interrogation, instead hyper focused on his breath fanning down her neck. Sweet Pea was stood directly behind her. Harley shifted on her feet, trying her best to direct her attention elsewhere.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tall Bot defended.

"I'm talking about you cutting the head off the Pickens statue and stashing it in the dump where you were seen, dumbass. So start spilling." FP yelled, glaring at the man in the chair.

"Why'd you do it?" Jughead interrogated. "Someone put you up to this?"

Harley could feet the heat radiating from Sweet Pea intensify as he edged closer to her. The girl clenched her fists, trying her best to remain calm. Something about his close presence had her sweating, her pulse rising.

"What's the Northsiders doing here?" Tall Boy redirected attention over at Betty and Harley, eyes falling on them. Sweet Pea glared at Talk Boy, buffing his chest out to appear bigger in an attempt to intimidate. He noticed how uncomfortable the attention made Harley. "This is serpent business. It's in serpent land."

"They're here because they're one of us." Jughead replied, glaring wildly.

FP stepped forwards, grabbing Tall Boy by his jacket. "You haven't answered my son's question; why'd you do it?"

"Because I am tired of seeing the seroents go soft under your rule!" Tall Boy yelled, finally cracking. "Then Hiram Lodge came by wanting to stir up some trouble. He said if I took the head, he'd get McCoy and the cops to swarm all over us. Cause some chaos."

"So Hiram Lodge asked you to start a mutiny and you helped him? Why?"

Harley suddenly felt a hand brush against her hip, caressing it softly. She sucked in a deep breath. Sweet Pea knew exactly what he was doing.

"I figured it would be my chance to get rid of you, sunshine." Tall Boy replied. "And i got rid of him, I could get rid of you too FP."

"And then what, you'd become the leader?" FP questioned.

Jughead nodded. "He and Penny. You're a Judas, Tall Boy. And an idiot."

"You betrayed your own kind, Tall Boy. You broke serpent law." FP stated. "What should we do with this lowlife?"

"Strip him of his jacket. Exile him." Jughead decided.

"All those in favor?"

Sweet Pea pulled his hand away from Harley to hold it up along with everyone else in the bar. Harley and Betty shared a look, putting their hands up too.

"Looks like this piece of trash and I got a long ride ahead of us." FP snickered. The Jones man hauled Tall Boy out of the bar, Jughead approaching Betty and Harley. Harley took the opportunity to step away from Sweet Pea, finally able to breath normally again.

"Well, I suppose this is yours." Harley said, handing the head over to Jughead.

"Erm, Betty and I are heading back to my trailer. Do you want me to drive you home first?" Jughead asked, accepting the head.

Harley grinned toothy as she realized just what was going to go down between the two. She shook her head. "No I'll figure something out. You guys have fun. But not too much fun, of course."

Juhead rolled his eyes at the comment. "You sure? Because I—"

"I'm fine, Jug. You guys go ahead." Jughead nodded, accepting her answer. Soon enough Betty and himself disappeared, leaving Harley to find her own way home from the Southside.

Harley stepped out of the Whyte Wyrm, regretting her decision to not bring a jacket as the chilly air nibbled on every piece of exposed skin. Leaning against the wall of the building, Harley pulled her phone out. She was debating whether or not to call Midge to come pick her up, opting for it.

"Hey Midge, could you maybe pick me up? I'm on the Southside right now, at the Whyte Wyrm. I'll explain later, I just really don't want to walk home. If you could call me back that would be great. Okay, bye." Harley pressed the red call button, silently wondering if she should try calling someone else, but just before she could, his tall figure cast a shadow over her.

Sweet Pea blocked the streetlight as he stared down at the shorter girl. Harley frowned deeply at him. She quickly looked around before pulling him into the closest by his wrist. "What the hell was that in there?"

Sweet Pea crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. What gives you the right? We were in public! Betty and Jughead was right there." Harley really didn't want anyone to know about the moment she had shared with the serpent, and him openly teasing her like that just couldn't slide.

"What? Scared they'll know you're associating with someone in a 'violent gang'?" Sweet Pea threw the words she had spoken to Reggie earlier that day in her face. Harley clenched her eyes shut for a moment, letting a sigh rip from her lips.

"You don't understand— that conversation wasn't what you think it was." Harley began.

"Really? Because I think I understand exactly what it was. You're afraid you're little bulldog boyfriend is going to find out you like to play around in the snakes den." Sweet Pea accused. He had acted the way he had back in the bar simply to provoke her. Overhearing her conversation had been an accident. Fangs and him was headed to class when they heard the two yelling. His initial reaction had been to beat Reggie up right there and then, but Fangs had advices him not to.

"It's not like that. Reggie isn't my boyfriend." Harley defended. "And if you would just let me explain—"

"You don't have to. I understand just fine." Sweet Pea stepped closer. In turn, Harley stepped back, her back hitting the wall behind her. His hand softly caressed her cheek, the other one secured firmly on her hip. "The bulldog just ain't cutting it for you anymore. You want something more, in fact I think you crave the danger." Harley furrowed her brows. "I know just the kind of girl you are, Harley. You think you're so much better than me—"

"That's not true." Harley pushed his hands away, shaking her head.

"You're just some entitled northside brat who's biggest challenging in life is whether you want to order a stawberry or chocolate milkshake at Pop's." Sweet Pea continued, his temper getting the better off him.

Harley bit down on her lower lip aggressively, her eyes stinging. "Shut up. You don't know anything about me, or my life."

"Maybe you're right. I mean, what's does my opinion matter? After all, I'm just some worthless thug, right?" Sweet Pea's use of her words stung her deeply. Harley sucked a deep breath in, fighting the tears. "What, did things get too real for you, princess? Go ahead and run away like you always do. Go cry to that bulldog of yours."

Harley pushed the serpent away from her with all the force she could muster. "Harley?" Midge's voice caught both of their attention. Moose and Midge stood at the entrance of the alley, having fortunately only heard the tail end of their conversation. Harley didn't hesitate to jog over to her friend, ready to get the hell out of this place. "Har, what happened?"

"Just get me out here, please." Harley pleaded. Midge nodded, leading her friend to the car.

"You stay the hell away from her, serpent." Moose barked. Sweet Pea glared at the bulldog, watching them retreat back to the car.

Gladly, Sweet Pea thought, walking over to the entrance of the bar. Toni, whom was leaning against the wall, stared at her friend in disappointment.

"That was way harsh, don't you think." She said, following him into the bar.

"Whatever."

word count; 3540
a/n

okay so here you guys are with yet another chapter ! i've really been having fun editing this book and writing a lil more. there's finally a move on between har and sweet pea ! rewatching riverdale as i'm writing this and realizing that there are several plot holes in this book lol. i'm sorry, been trying to fix it all up so hopefully this isn't all too confusing ! anywho pls stay tuned for more.

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