❪ ꜱᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ ❫

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦: 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳
━━━━━━━━━━━━━
𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙤.

Putting her car in park Cami goes to open the door of her car before she pauses.

After seeing her Mom she wanted to go to her safe place.

She needed Fred.

But instead of being at Andrew's construction like she believed she was driving too, Cami was in front of Pop's.

Not even thinking Cami opens her car door and walks inside the dinner hearing the bell ring making FP look to see who entered.

The once welcoming smile he had on his face disappears into worry the moment he sees the tears running down Cami's cheeks.

"Hey, what's wrong?" FP questions rushing towards Cami cupping her cheek as she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry. I don't even know why I'm here...I'm just going to go," Cami tells him quickly as she goes to leave but FP grabs her hand stopping her.

"Pop I'm taking my break," FP tells the elder man who looks towards the two noticing Cami's puffy red eyes.

"Take the day. With pay," Pop tells FP with a nod before heading back to work FP wraps an arm around Cami grabbing his stuff behind the counter.

"No-it's fine. Really," Cami tries to say as FP pulls her outside and towards his bike opening the back to grab a helmet.

"Camilla," FP says making her snap her head up towards him wide-eyed never having heard her full name out of his mouth.

"Shut up and let me put this helmet on you please," FP tells her making Cami smile slightly before rolling her eyes.

"Only because you asked so nicely," Cami tells him as FP puts the helmet on her head making sure to buckle it before getting on himself and putting his helmet on.

Once on FP grabs Cami's hand helping her on as Cami looks hesitant.

"Just trust me," FP tells her making Cami take a deep breath but nod as she throws one leg over the bike and places her hands on FP's before sitting down and settling behind him although keeping some distance between the two.

"Hold on tight," FP tells her as the engine roars to life, and without warning FP takes off making Cami fall into his back.

"You did that on purpose!" Cami yells as she pinces FP'a side.

"I said hold on tight!" FP responds making Cami scoff shaking her head before laying her head on his back as she just felt this moment.

A laugh escapes her mouth before Cami throws her head back feeling the wind pass her face and moving her hair.

Laughing even harder Cami releases her hold on FP's waist who just wraps his legs tighter around hers as Cami throws her head back feeling for the first time in her life free.

On the back of the motorcycle, it was as if all her worries just disappeared. It was just the vibration of the bike and the wind in her hair.

She understood now why it was so addicting because she never wanted to stop. She wanted to feel this feeling for as long as she could.

Cami didn't know how FP knew it but this was exactly what she needed. To just not think for a moment in her life. To feel free of the obligations and responsibilities.

And as Cami was feeling free FP was just smiling driving along the forest letting her feel this moment. Knowing she needed it more than she would ever know.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

FP begins to slow down the bike before turning it off putting the bike stand down removing his helmet before getting off then helping Cami off.

The blonde removes her helmet and sits it beside FP's on the bike before wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Thank you," Cami whispers into his chest as FP wraps his arms around her before kissing the top of Cami's head.

"Never thank me for helping you," FP whispers to Cami who smiles at that just enjoying the moment in his arms. Feeling as if no one right now existed but the two of them at this moment.

"You want to talk about it, or I could just keep holding you for as long as you need," FP tells the blonde who chuckles softly before tightening her hold.

"Five more seconds," Cami whispers softly making FP tighten his hold on her.

"Five more seconds," FP agrees sighing slightly in relief not ready to let her go yet. Neither knew how long they held each other as they stood on the cliff that overlooks Riverdale but neither truly cared.

And slowly without realizing it, FP Jones was healing someone that he didn't break. He was putting the broken pieces of Camilla Cooper back together.

Because behind all the smiles and the happy attitude of Camilla Cooper was truly just a girl who wanted to be loved.

A girl who was broken in more ways than she let others know scared to be judged. Scared to drive others away, but right now in his arms were her eyes slowly beginning to truly open.

But like every peaceful moment eventually it has to end and this one ends with Cami's phone ringing.

With a sigh, the blonde wanted to ignore it but looking at her Apple Watch she saw Veronica making her pull back.

"Best friend duties," Cami tells FP as she answers her phone.

"You answered! Good, I was worried I was going to have to call in a SWAT team. Kevin just told me he saw your Mom at the high school. Why he decided to tell me almost two hours later? I have no idea! Anyways how are you? Where are you?" Veronica rambles worriedly as Cami just listens to her.

"Is this how I sound when I ramble?" Cami's questions come Veronica finishes.

"Yes. Now shut up and answer the questions," Veronica demands.

"Fine pushy. I'm fine and I left the school. I just needed to breathe. Is everything okay?" Cami questions as Veronica stays silent.

"Vee," Cami says in a soft voice making Veronica sigh.
"Someone tagged the school seal with a serpent," Veronica tells Cami who freezes at that.

"What's wrong?" FP questions the blonde who looks at him.

"Someone tagged the school seal," Cami tells FP who silently swears.

"Who was that? Was that who I think it was?" Veronica questions excitedly.

"Yes now that's out of the way will you please send me a picture of it," Cami asks nicely not wanting to get into the whole being with FP again making Veronica groan.

"Just sent it to you," Veronica says making Cami pull back to look at the picture of the defaced school's seal that has a spray-painted Serpent on it.

Cami zooms in on it looking at the serpent closely before a glare appears in her face.

"Reggie is telling Weatherbee that the Serpents did it. That Serpents were known for tagging their turf and due to it effective immediately, Weatherbee outlawed gang behavior of any kind. That me and no more Serpent jackets and tattoos had to be covered. Any gang paraphernalia would lead to immediate suspension," Veronica tells Cami who rubs the bridge of her nose.

"It wasn't the serpents. I know who exactly did it. I was paired with them in art class freshmen test and that's exactly how he used to always draw his snakes," Cami tells Veronica as FP stares at her.

"I'll deal with it Vee when I get back. Just tell the Serpents not to worry," Cami tells Veronica before hanging up the phone and groaning out loud.

FP walks towards Cami and begins to massage her shoulders making Cami hum smiling softly.

"What's got you having all your stress knots coming back so quickly?" FP questions Cami who laughs at him.

"They never truly disappear," Cami tells him as she opens her eyes looking at FP who raises an eyebrow at her.

"I have a choice to make. If I conformant the person who did this he will release a secret of mine. It's not that bad. Maybe. Or I could just let it slide and do nothing making the serpents think I'm siding against them," Cami tells FP before laying her head on FP's chest while whining slightly.

"Cami," FP says pulling back slightly to cup Cami's cheeks who stares at him not knowing what to do.

"Why don't you see how the serpents are feeling first before doing anything? They already know you would turn your back on them. Don't do something because you're scared of their reaction," FP tells her as Cami nods laying her head on his chest again.

"And whatever secret this asshole has over you don't let it control your life. Especially if you don't believe it that's bad," FP continues as he runs his fingers through Cami's hair.

"You might be right," Cami whispers softly making FP pause his movements at that.

"I don't think I've ever heard you say that before. I might need to hear it again. I'm what?" FP questions making Cami slap his chest laughing softly.

"Asshole. Your nothing now," Cami tells him laughing making FP chuckle pulling Cami back to him and kissing her forehead.

"Come on I'll take you back to Pop's so you can meet them at the Wyrm," FP says leading Cami back to his bike.

"Sounds good," Cami says smiling brightly as FP puts her helmet on smiling at her softly before pulling Cami closer to kiss her lips in a soft peck.

"Now we can go," FP tells her as Cami smiles brightly but rolls her eyes.

"One more time Trouble and I'm going to give you a reason to actually roll your eyes," FP warns making Cami open and close her mouth before smiling as she leans closer to FP who was now on the bike.

"Mhm..maybe that just encourages me to do it even more," Cami whispers smiling even better as FP tenses in front of her.

"Trouble," FP states shaking his head as he starts the bike and begins driving back to Pop's.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Cami pulls up at the Wyrm and begins walking in already hearing Jughead's voice.

"I can't believe you guys don't see it. Weatherbee is profiling us," Jughead says as Cami walks in but doesn't make her presence known as she looks at Toni who is having a drink while sitting on a stool and Sweet Pea is who playing the arcade games.

"Tellin' us what to wear. What's next? Brain implants controlling what we think?" Jughead says expressing his frustrations.

"Jughead you sound like a conspiracy nut," Toni tells the boy flat out.

"A school closed down," Toni tells him slowly trying to explain to him.

"A crappy school," Sweet Pea adds not looking away from his game.

"Yeah and now we're at a better one, with a computer lab and textbooks," Toni continues to the boy.

"And toilets that flush," Sweet Pea adds once again.

"Getting transferred to Riverdale High is the best thing that could have happened," Toni continues.

"Maybe ever. And let's not forget that we have Cami. At least half of us might graduate with her help. That's better odds than Southside High ever could have given us," Sweet Pea says shrugging his shoulders and making Cami smile at that.

"So if I have to take off my jacket 8:30 to 3, Monday to Friday. Hey, I'm down with that," Toni tells the Jones boy who just stares at her.

"Well I'm happy to hear that," Cami says walking towards the three and making them look towards her.

"But if I need to I can help. I might not be able to change the rules but I can get the heat off your guys' back," Cami explains making Jughead tilt his head slightly.

"How?" Jughead questions making Cami shrug.
"Don't worry about it," Cami says smiling softly as Toni watches her closely.

"Now I have a seal to go fix. Let me know if you guys need anything," Cami says smiling softly before leaving as Toni watches her.

"She seems off," Toni says making Sweet Pea finally turn away from his game to look at her.

"What do you mean?" Sweet Pea questions worriedly.

"She just seems a bit off that's all," Toni tells Sweet Pea shrugging before going back to her drink as Sweet Pea looks at where Cami was once standing.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The next day Cami stood in the student steering her coffee when suddenly Jughead walked in with his Serpent jacket on.

"Oh, hey, guys. What's up?" Jughead questions while walking to the vending machine as if he wasn't breaking the rules as everyone looks at him

"Take it off," Reggie demands putting the basketball that was in his hands on the ground making Cami look between the two, and then putting her coffee done once Reggie stands up.

"Take off that jacket, Rat Boy," Reggie demands Jughead who sighs turning around making Fangs Toni, and Sweet Pea who were in the student lounge stand and begin walking.

"Oh, Reggie, I don't think you know what this jacket means. Because you have no sense of honor, or history or loyalty," Jughead says making Cami stare between the two.

"Boys," Cami says in a warning tone making Reggie look towards Cami.

"You sure about that Jones. Because I'm sure if you ask Cami I have a lot of loyalty," Reggie says as Cami tenses walking closer.

"Reggie," Cami says as everyone looks between the two.

"What? You don't want your new friends to know that Miss Perfect isn't exactly as perfect as she appears to be?" Reggie questions the blonde who gulps slightly.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jughead questions looking at Cami slightly.

"About how Miss Perfect hasn't only had one Bulldog between her legs but two. I wonder how many serpents have been between them now?" Reggie questions staring at Cami who just looks at him as if he were a stranger that look makes Reggie realize what he just said but it is already too late.

"That's it," Jughead says before punching Reggie right across the face making Reggie stumble, and then a brawl begins in the center of the lounge between the Serpents and Bulldogs.

Toni stands back, watching helplessly pulling Cami closer to her to avoid the girl getting hurt as they watch Sweet Pea punch Reggie again and again just as Veronica passes the student lounge.

"Oh, my God. Mr. Weatherbee," Veronica says calling the man for assistance to break it all up.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"You all a week's detention for fighting," Weatherbee says as Reggie, Fangs, Toni, and Sweet Pea sit on the bench in the office while Jughead stands in front of the principal with Veronica and Cami leaning against the cubbies in the office.

"And Mr. Mantle you will be helping the janitor fix my seal that you vandalized along with another week of detention and before you try to deny it I have proof from a reliable source," Weatherbee tells the boy who looks at him in disbelief as Toni looks towards Cami who leans against Veronica who was holding her close to her.

"But I made myself clear to you, Mr. Jones," Weatherbee says looking toward Jughead.

"Take off that jacket, or you're suspended," Weatherbee warns the boy who stares at in.

"Please, Jughead, just...," Veronica begins to say but gets interrupted by the boy in question.

"I guess I'm suspended," Jughead says before walking out of the office Reggie nods smiling slightly as Weatherbee shakes his head walking off.

Cami watches the principal go before grabbing Reggie by the ear and dragging him up only to knee him in the balls. Hard.

Reggie groans in pain falling to his knees as Cami bends slightly down to grab his chin making him look up at her.

"If you ever even imply I'm a slut again I will hang you by your toes on the goal posts and make it a game to see field games we girls can score. Do you understand me?" Cami asks in a dangerous dark time with a glare on her face.

"I understand," Reggie says in a strangled voice.
"Good," Cami says releasing his chin as she storms out of the office angrily.

"It seems you just made an enemy Reggie. Out of the kindness but the most vengeful girl in Riverdale," Veronica says glaring before leaving the office as Reggie gulps knowing she was right.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

At the Wyrm Jughead stands in front of Mortal Kombat an arcade game and when his character dies he hits the side of the game just as FP walks in.

"Now, you break that, you buy it," FP tells Jughead making Jughead turn slightly to see his dad.

"How'd you know I was here?" Jughead questions his Dad.

"Hog Eye called," FP tells his son as he stops beside the man in question.

"What's up, Hog Eye?" FP questions the owner.
"FP," Hog Eye says shrugging at Jughead who looks at him.

"You wanna Explain why the hell you're not in school?" FP questions his son walking towards him.

"Yes," Jughead says before pausing as FP stands right in front of him ready to listen.

"Weatherbee has been disrespecting the Serpents. He's been targeting us," Jughead tells his Dad who sighs at him.

"He told us to take off our skins," Jughead continues making FP laugh at that not seeing the big deal.

"You mean your jackets?" FP questions them before shrugging slightly.

"Wear 'em after school," FP tells his son as if it wasn't a big deal at all.

"A Serpent never sheds its skin"," Jughead says reciting the laws.

"I know the laws, boy," FP tells Jughead staring at him closely.

"What's goin' on, Jug?" FP questions making Jughead sigh.

"Really?" FP says making Jughead cross his arms before sitting down on the stool.

"At Southside High, we had a place. Yeah, it was crappy, but it was ours. We were a family. We had a home. I had a home," Jughead finally tells his Dad who nods listening to him.

"Yeah, I hear you. But getting arrested for truancy's not gonna help. You gotta be smart. Serpents hibernate during the winter. Look at me. Do you think I like cleaning toilets? Shoveling slop? No. But it's what I gotta do. Going to Riverdale High, that's what you gotta do. So, lay low for a while, but you never stop being a Serpent," FP tells his son who nods listening to him just as the doors to the Wyrm slam open.

"You fuckin' idiot!" Cami exclaims loudly walking into the bar and making everyone look at her. The blonde starts heading straight towards Jughead before stopping beside Hog Eye.

"Hi Hog Eye," Cami greets the older man kissing his cheek before storming towards Jughead who looks at her wide-eyed as Cami slaps him upside the back of the head.

"A brawl! You started a brawl in the middle of the student lounge! Are you insane?" Cami questions staring at Jughead.

"Wait you started a bawl? For what?" FP questions Jughead standing beside Cami as Jughead looks between the two before staring at Cami and then looking down.

"I should have done more than just punch him for what he was saying about you," Jughead tells Cami who sighs at him shaking her head as FP looks between the two.

"Who said what?" FP questions staring at Cami closely.

"Nothing," Cami tells him shaking her head and making FP look at Jughead.

"Boy," FP says towards his son who stares at his Dad.

"He basically implied that Cami was a...slut," Jughead says making Cami sigh as FP looks at her.

"She's right Jughead you shouldn't have punched him...," FP begins to say as Jughead stares at his Dad and Cami nods pointing at FP.

"Exactly!" Cami says agreeing while FP nods his head.

"You should have done worse," FP tells his son who nods agreeing as Cami stares at the older man.

"Forsythe Pendleton Jones II!" Cami exclaims slapping his arm as FP shrugs knowing he was right making Cami sigh.

"Jug...I don't need you to fight my battles for me. I already knew sooner or later that was going to come out and I don't know if you know this but I can handle myself," Cami tells the boy who sighs nodding his head.

"I know, but you can't expect me to just listen to him talk about you like that and do nothing. Cami that's impossible he was asking to be punched and worse. I'm more than sure if Weatherbee hadn't pulled Sweet Pea off of him then Reggie would have had some broken bones," Jughead tells the blonde who shakes her head.

"You are all idiots," Cami tells Jughead who smiles at her.

"But we're your idiots," Jughead tells Cami who laughs pulling the boy into a hug.

"Thank you for defending my honor I suppose, but if you ever do it again I will make sure you are never able to have children. Understand?" Cami questions Jughead patting his cheek and making Jughead gulp while nodding his head.

"Understand," Jughead tells her as Cami smiles.

"Now that that's all over I have an idea," Cami tells Jughead smiling brightly as Jughead stares at her before smiling back.

"A Camilla Cooper idea. I already like it," Jughead says making Cami laugh before rubbing her hands together.

"Are you sure you are okay?" FP questions Cami as he wraps an arm around her shoulder pulling her close to him and making Cami look up at him.

"I'm sure," Cami says nodding her head making FP hesitant but nod as Jughead looks between the two before looking at Cami.

"So the Camilla Cooper idea?" Jughead questions making Cami nod as she begins to tell him her plan.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The next day Jughead, Cami, Toni, Sweet Pea, Fangs, and the other Serpents stand in an empty classroom at the high school.

"Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the Swords and Serpents Club," Jughead says standing at the front of the classroom as Cami sits on the desk.

"Which is what, exactly?" Toni questions sitting on a desk.

"Like I told Fogarty to lure him back...we are a gaming group, sanctioned by Mr. Weatherbee, himself. Where like-minded students can meet and concoct world-building, role-playing scenarios, inhabiting fantastical heroes and dispatching mythological creatures," Jughead explains to the group as Cami smiles brightly making Toni chuckle slightly.

"No, but really," Toni tells the boy.

"It's a club. For us. A safe haven where we can be Serpents, during school hours, under everyone's noses. We're not shedding our skins. We're lying low, in the tall grass," Jughead tells the serpents as Cami smirks.

"And it'll be listed as an extracurricular so you guys don't have to sign up for another," Cami says smiling brightly as everyone laughs at her.

"And say hello to our mastermind. Another one of Camilla Cooper's brilliant plans," Jughead says wrapping an arm around Cami's shoulders.

"It didn't take much. Just a three-hour discussion with Weatherbee regarding how all students need to be accepted and embraced at their school," Cami says shrugging as Jughead smiles at her.

"To Camilla Cooper!" Sweet Pea exclaims clapping making the serpents clap as well as they cheer.

"Just so all you know this won't be time for you to goof around. This one-hour class will be used to study and catch up if anyone is beyond. Think of it as study hall," Cami says making everyone groan as she shrugs.

"Don't care if you all dislike it. I'm making sure everyone here has at least a high school diploma," Cami says crossing her arms as Jughead laughs.

Cami watches as some of the Serpents complain while others are already listening to some classes they need Cami's help in as the blonde thinks of another decision she needs to make.

Maybe Jughead was right. Maybe it was time to lay low under everyone's nose before figuring out what to do next.

And with that thought in mind, Cami concluded her decision.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Later that night Cami stood in front of a familiar red door before knocking slightly waiting for someone to answer.

"Cami?" Hal questions once he opens the door seeing his middle daughter who smiles at him slightly shrugging her shoulders making Hal look to see the bag on her shoulder.

"Can I come home?" Cami questions making Hal sigh in relief before pulling his daughter into a tight hug.

"You never had to ask," Hal tells Cami who hugs him tightly as Alice walks down the stairs.

"Hal where's the extra towels I need some for Chick," Alice says before pausing once she notices Cami.

"Cami," Alice whispered in disbelief as the blonde smiled at her.

"Hi Mom," Cami greets making Alice smile brightly happy that three-fourths of her kids were all under the same roof.

❀ ༄ ❀ AUTHOR NOTE ❀ ༄ ❀
Duh, duh, duh!!!

Well, Cami's life is about to get a whole lot more complicated!

Please ignore any spelling mistakes! I beg you! Don't forget to comment, my lovelies! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I love you all! <333