Safety Net- SP 2 ✔️

Chapter 15- Nighthawks Pt2

Over the next couple of days we all get Pops ready for this event Veronica and Betty planned. While Veronica, some of the Vixens and Kevin get the diner cleaned, Betty, Jug and I are at FP's hearing. I'm sat in between Fangs and Sweet Pea with Toni sat next to Fangs. We're behind Betty and Jug. I hold on to Peas hand and rub little circles on the back of it trying to reassure him as much as I can
"Ms Blossom you may proceed with your statement"
"Your Honor. I speak for myself and my mother when I say, we forgive FP Jones for the part he played in covering up my brothers murder and we humbly ask the court for leniency. FPs guilt has been blown out of proportion to satiate what my fathers suicide denied us. Closure" Cheryl says standing at the front of the court room
"As much as I sympathise, I can't ignore the quality of Mr Jones' crimes. There were no extenuating circumstances" I look up to Sweet Pea who has a mixture of anger and upset
"My farther threatened him" Cheryl says quickly, I look back at her "I over heard them talking in daddy's study. Daddy said he would hurt Jughead if FP didn't comply.... is that extenuating enough?"
"In light of these revelations I suggest we take a step back and reevaluate certain aspects of the case. At which time we will revisit sentencing. Adjourned"
"Is that a win?" FP asks looking back at Jughead
"It's a delay so yeah" Jughead responds hugging him.

We leave the court room, Sweet Pea and I still holding hands
"So you guys coming to Pops tonight?" I ask as we walk outside
"Got nothing better to do" Toni laughs
"I will warn you though, it will be full of Northsiders" I sigh wishing we could all get along
"We know, but the Serpents are the ones who bring an event to life" Fangs throws his arms in the air for emphasis on what he's saying. We continue to walk back to my place
"Well I guess I better go and get ready. I'll see you guys there"

"No ones here" Betty whispers to Jug and I. Jughead is wearing a chef's uniform while Betty and I are wearing a yellow shirt with maroon shorts and roller skates "no ones coming"
"Pea, Toni and Fangs said they would come" I say trying to be hopeful
"Yeah it's still early ok?" Jughead says sat on top of the counters at Pops. The door opens and Alice walks through the door looking happy
"Mom. Did you come to gloat?"
"Don't be so cynical Elizabeth. I came to write my next story over one last root beer float. I'm calling it Requiem for Pop's" Alice moves her hand across her face as she says the name of the article "can I get a quote dear?" she says as she sits down in one of the booths
"Your a friend, a mother, but this is one obituary you're not gonna write" Betty walks off and picks up her phone.

Not long later Pop's is once again full with customers
"Here you go, enjoy" I say placing some someone's order. The door opens and in walks Cheryl and 2/3 of the Pussycats
"Why did you broadcast all over social media that the Pussycats would be doing a free concert here?" Josie asks Betty looking annoyed as Cheryl makes herself at home by sitting on the counter top
"I knew if I asked you would have said..."
"No. If my mom even hears that I set foot in this place..." Josie cuts Betty off, this time it me to interrupt Josie
"Josie, you care about this place. I serve you all the time. Just think this as free publicity for your next single and a way to say sorry for sleeping with my boyfriend"
"Even if I wanted to help, I'm down a cat. Valerie has norovirus"
"I don't mind stepping in" Cheryl says now looking interested. We all look at Cheryl with confused expressions "if you can be a River Vixen Josie, then I can be a Pussycat. As long as it's a cover I'll know all the lyrics"
"Was that a dig at saying you haven't heard the Pussycats music?" I ask to no one in particular, but alas my comment is ignored
"You do love you cheese fries" Melody says making Josie look at her
"Fine, fine" Josie gives in and the 3 girls walk off to get ready just as my 3 favourite Serpents walk through the door. I walk over to them smiling
"I have to admit you've done well" Toni says looking around
"All thanks to Betty and Veronica"
"How do you feel?" Fangs asks
"It's weird being in here, but it would be a lot weirder if it was gone ya know. Anyway what do you guys want? Your usuals?"
"Please" Toni says as she and Fangs find a booth to sit at
"I have to admit, you're ass looks good in those shorts" Sweet Pea whispers in my ear making me blush slightly
"Go sit down and maybe you'll get a good view" I wink at him then walk off to tell Jughead their order. I can now hear the Pussycats singing outside of Pop's and more Serpents arrive and sit in the booth behind Sweets, Toni and Fangs
"More Serpents? seriously?" Twiddle Dee says shocked
"I'll take their orders you can go and clean the restroom" I smile walking off with my note pad.

"I gotta put her on the spot. It's thanks to this young lady here that Pop's gets to stay open tonight, tomorrow, as long as you folks keep coming" Pops says pointing to Betty who is stood next to Kevin. I'm stood with all of the Serpents. We all clap and cheer for Betty "thanks also to the Lodge family for a donation they just made that gives us a little cushion to weather any storm that might come up"
"The lodges made a donation" I frown not knowing this. Once again everyone except the Serpents clap "can't imagine that they would happily give a donation"
"Wanna come back to my place tonight?" Sweet Pea asks. I turn to look at him
"Sure, I need to get some clothes to sleep in though"
"No you don't, you can have my shirt"
"Ok, but I still need clothes for tomorrow"
"You can borrow mine" Toni pipes up
"Well ok then. Let me just let Archie know so he can tell dad, well I'll say I'm staying at yours Toni"
"No problem" I leave the group to find Archie who is hugging Veronica
"Hey Arch just to let you know I'm staying over at Toni's place tonight. I'll see you guys tomorrow"
"Are you sure staying at Toni's?" Veronica asks with a raised eye brow
"Yes V, Toni's"
"It's ok Rory, I'll let dad know" Archie says with a knowing smile. I'm glad he's being ok with mine and Sweet Pea's relationship
"Thanks" I smile back and walk back over to the Serpents. Sweet Pea puts his arm around my shoulder and we all walk out of Pop's together. The cold air hits me and makes me shiver
"Cold?" Pea asks
"A little"
"Here" Pea takes of his Serpent jacket and puts it around me. The smell of his cologne hitting my nose as he does so
"We do need to get you a Serpent jacket" Toni comments
"But I'm not a Serpent" I sigh
"Would you want to be?" Fangs asks as we walk over to the motorbikes
"Actually yeah I wouldn't mind, but I'm guessing I can't just put a jacket on and call myself a Serpent"
"Sweet Pea, ya girl wants to do the Serpent dance"
"Oh hell no she's not, well not at the Wyrm anyway, she can do the Serpent dance for me anytime" Sweet Pea winks as he gives me a helmet. I look at Toni confused
"All in good time my dear" she pats me on the shoulder before she hops on to her own bike and shoots off.