*Sage*

Hog Eye has asked me for help at the Whyte Wyrm so afterschool we all went to hang out.

Fogarty did find out but swore to keep it a secret from my brother, thankfully.

Toni and Fogarty sat on the other side drinking some root beer as I cleaned some glasses while Sweet Pea and the others played some pool, Tall Boy included.

"So, aside from the cut, how was your Northside adventure?" she smirked in a whisper.

"Shhh!" I shushed her in a snap, Fogarty snickering. "Not while Sweet Pea is a few feet away."

"Sorry, but as much as I dislike majority of the Northside, I am still curious," She said. "Not everyday a Northsider rescues a Serpent."

I sighed as I continued to clean up. "Well, his girlfriend wasn't a total snob as anyone would expect... Not sure what she sees in that guy though."

"Who, Andrews?" Fogarty asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Kind of down a few points in the IQ meter if you ask me."

They both laughed at my comment.

"But... He wasn't as bad as he seemed in that video.... I just find it weird that he has it out for us yet he saved me...." I said.

"I guess that is weird, especially for him," She said.

Soon the door of the Whyte Wyrm opened and we turned and to our surprise, it was Jughead.... in his Serpent jacket.

"What..." I said, but Toni held her hand up as if to just watch and see what would happen.

He looked around as everyone either stared or went about their business.

"I think this Northsider is lost," Sweet Pea mocked as he took aim and shot the billiards off.

"I'm not," Jughead told him as he walked over to the pool table, Sweet Pea staring as Jughead turned to Tall Boy. "I'm over being half a Serpent."

"Wow. You would do anything to protect your Northside buddies," Sweet Pea said, shoving him aside.

"Sweet Pea, knock it off," I snapped as Sweet Pea went to take aim.

Toni, Fogarty and I watched, feeling a bit nervous.

"My father was a Serpent. He led you,"Jughead said sternly, then faced everyone. "I want to stand with you guys."

We were all quiet as we listened.

"Tall Boy was the one who gave me this jacket," Jughead added as he pointed at Tall Boy. "Its finally time I start wearing it."

That's when Tall Boy adjusted the pool cue in his hand before walking over to Jughead, the three of us watching cautiously.

"So, now you wanna be a Serpent, huh?" Tall Boy asked him.

Jughead looked at him with a serious look.

"Lets see if you survive the initiation first," Tall Boy said.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

Serpent Initiation for the girls is almost always performing the traditional Serpents dance on stage with a pole. However, with the boys, their initiation is a lot more brutal, especially towards the end.

Jughead is already Serpent by blood, practically a prince. However, everyone knows that even royalty has to make things official.

I couldn't help but be scared for Jughead, and it looks like Fogarty noticed.

"It'll be okay," he said. "You know he's tough."

I took a deep breath and hoped everything will be okay.

***

The day ended and Sweet Pea and I headed home, but went to get Chinese take out for dinner. He took the truck once we got home.

I decided to finish some quick homework and then watch television before he came home and I see he set the food down before walking out again.

I went to get my food when suddenly a large white mass entered and my eyes lit up.

"Hot Dog!" I smiled as he happily trotted over to me and I knelt down to greet the beloved English Sheepdog with a hug as he licked my face and I gave him baby talk. "Oh who's the sweetest boy in the world. I missed you so so so much."

He happily whined and wagged his tail when Sweet Pea walked in and saw what was going on.

"Sage, quit babying the Beast," he groaned.

"The Beast?" I asked, and that's when I remembered and everything fell into place. "You're going to be in charge of Jughead's initiation, aren't you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Relax, he just has to watch over Hot Dog," he said.

"Oh, you know I'm not dumb, Sweet Pea, you're doing this so you can get a kick of his his final test," I snapped.

"Ugh. He's gonna get it anyway," he snapped.

"Doesn't mean you have to do it," I snapped, but then sighed, knowing I couldn't argue with this. "You break anything in him, you'll have hell to pay with me."

He sighed. "Fine, I won't break any bones," he said with an eyeroll as he got a container and an eggroll.

"Hot Dog ate before I picked him up, but I have some treats for him," he said.

I nodded as I decided to pour some water for him in a bowl either way, then got my food as me and Sweet Pea sat on the couch to watch some movies and eat, soon finishing and letting Hot Dog cuddle on the couch.

***

*Archie*

"Lollipop lollipop

Oh lolli lolli lolli, lollipop, lollipop....."

Betty's phone rang and she motioned to it quietly.

Despite today, I swore to Betty that I was going to help her through this.

She spent most of the day comforting Veronica, until she had to go home that Kevin comforted her.

"Hello?" Betty asked nervously.

"Your mother is at work," a deep voice said.

Yes, she and my dad are...." she replied as I watched.

"I know, I'm looking at them through a nice, big picture window," he said. "Are you alone?"

She looked at me and I quietly nodded at her to say yes.

"I am," Betty replied.

"She's a thorn in both our sides, your mother," he said. "We can't have her looming over us."

Betty looked worried. "Wait, if you're suggesting-"

"Check your email," he suddenly said. "Publish what I sent. And then I'll know that you're loyal."

Betty and I look at each other, thinking of what to say, before she got up.

"I want something in return. To prove your loyalty," She said.

"What are you doing?" I mouthed silently.

"How about...." he said. "You do this for me. And then you get to ask me a question. And I have to answer it. You have until tomorrow night."

The call ends and I take a deep breath.

Betty then goes and checks her email and logs in, where there's a new message.

She opens it and we're met with the picture of an article.

SOUTHSIDE TEEN ARRESTED AND RELEASED ON BAIL

That's when I saw the picture under the headline my my eyes widen.

"Oh my god..." I said. "Is that...?

"It's my mom," Betty said in shock.

Betty and I looked at each other in shock.

***

*Sweet Pea*

I pull on my mask as we quietly sneak into the Jones's trailer, seeing Jughead fast asleep, a Serpent holding on to Hot Dog outside the room.

We all met up at the crack of dawn to do this. Sage isn't happy about Hot Dog leaving, but I convinced Tall Boy to let him stay for a while once Jughead's initiation is over.

We stood in position as Jughead slowly started to wake and then sleepily looked back at us, suddenly wide awake.

"What the hell?!" he said as he quickly sat up in surprise.

"Your initiation begins now," I spoke. "With you assuming guardianship of the Beast."

With that we walked out and Hot Dog was released and entered Jughead's room, pouncing on the bed to great him.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Jughead said, almost in a whine as I quietly snickered before we headed to our bikes and left.

~~~~~

Hope you're all enjoying the story so far! 🌻

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CNCO "Mamita"

♡~ sapphire.