𝓛𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭

𝓉𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

"Snakes don't shed their skin so easily." 

- F.P. Jones

+ + + +

Nellie woke up to the sound of dishes being dumped into a full sink. Lazily rubbing her eye, she bumped her way through the small bedroom and into the open living area of the trailer.

"Mornin'" Sweet Pea mumbled, standing next to the door. He was shrugging on his leather jacket over an entire black outfit. Nellie squinted at the sight. It was a normal weekday. Normally, he would be dressed in his school uniform from Riverdale High. His face showed no emotion.

Nellie leaned against her doorframe, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What are you up to?" She asked the tall Serpent.

Sweet Pea shot her a quick glance, feeling his heart race when his eyes landed on her long tanned legs. 

"I got a message from Fangs," he explained himself, reaching for his brass knuckles on a tiny table next to his bed. Nellie followed his movements.

"And?" she pressed, raising an eyebrow as the weapon disappeared in Sweet Pea's pocket.

"We're going to protest in front of the school. Chain ourselves to the fences, you know, prevent the demolition to continue," Sweet Pea admitted not looking at Nellie. He had no desire to watch the disappointment on her face. 

After a long silence, Nellie hummed. "You should," she answered, leaving her doorframe behind and stepping into the tiny kitchen. She was on her way to reach for a glass in the cupboard above her head when Sweet Pea looked up in surprise. 

Unable to stop himself, he walked in her direction, reaching for the glass and offering it to her. He held his breath once he caught sight of Nellie gratefully looking up to him. His arm lingered a bit too long to close the cabinet. He sucked in a breath, trying to clear his fogged thoughts. 

Protest, he thought, pulling away and heading back for the door.

"Just be safe, right?" Nellie added before the Serpent could pull open the door. She sheepishly smiled as she looked up to him "Wouldn't want to lose my house."

Sweet Pea shook his head, trying to mask his smile. "No problem. it's the cops that should worry about me," he said, patting his pocket that hid the brass knuckles.

As he opened the door, a thought ran through his mind. "Oh, I arranged you an interview with Mr. Andrews."

His words had immediate effect. Nellie's head snapped up in confusion. 

"Yeah, the Serpents work for Andrews Construction from time to time. He won't ask you to read out loud, I just hope you're better with numbers than you are with letters," he continued, scratching the back of his neck.

Letting out a relieved huff, Nellie couldn't help herself from deserting the kitchen and wrapping her arms around Sweet Pea's torso. "Thank you, Sweets" she mumbled against the cold leather surface of his jacket.

When Sweet Pea finally registered what was going on, he tried to force his heart to stop racing. Instead of backing away from her embrace, he dropped his arms, letting them rest against her shoulders. Her body was still warm from the bed, torturing his mind with images of her sleeping next to him.

"No problem, be there at ten," he instructed, his voice sounding restrained. Nellie looked up, blushing. 

"I"ll be there," she beamed.

Sweet Pea immediately felt cold when she released him and returned to her spot, leaning against the kitchen counter. "You really made my day," Nellie smiled, "Now go and protest the hell out of Riverdale," she encouraged him. 

With a chuckle, Sweet Pea left the trailer and the girl that made his stone cold heart beat faster with every hint of sincere emotion.

+ + + + 

At 9.50 a.m. Nellie glanced up at the small container that held Mr. Andrews office. In the background, she heard trucks driving up and down the gravel road. Men in heavy boots and bright yellow helmets threw her curious stares. Braving up, she made her way up on the shaky staircase.

Taking a deep breath, she rose her fist and knocked.

"Yes?" sounded a tired and graveled voice from the inside.

Nellie entered wide-eyed. Her eyes immediately had to adjust to the dimmed lightning in the room. Sitting down behind a desk at the end of the room, sat a man with dark brown hair and eyes. However tired, as he stood up to meet Nellie, a smile appeared on his face.

"You must be Nellie Hearst. Fred Andrews," he introduced himself, holding out a calloused but clean hand. Nellie shook it faintly, casting another look around the room. Shelves filled with thick binders lined up the walls, alternated by thick rolls holding construction maps. 

"So, Miss Hearst, do you have any experience as an accountant?" 

Nellie's eyes widened. She had no idea Sweet Pea would recommend her for a job as important as being an accountant.

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Andrews," Nellie admitted. Fred Andrews frowned and scribbled something down on an almost empty notepad.

"But I am willing to learn, sir. I am quite alright with numbers and maths. I can be your assistant while you teach me anything it takes to be a good accountant."

Fred's eyes glistened with amusement. "You sure are enthusiast about this job offer, aren't you? Well, since I am running for mayor, I could use an assistant at Andrews Construction. I won't have as much time coordinating my teams during the selection so I could really use your help."

A feeling of pride and motivation soared through Nellie. "So I am in?" she asked, her face lighting up. 

Mr. Andrews chuckled and nodded. "Let's put you on trial first. One week. If you survive, you'll become my assistant."  

"And you'll teach me accounting?" Nellie eagerly asked. Never could she have dreamt of an opportunity like this. Not only was she offered a job but also an education. 

Mr. Andrews seemed to consider the idea but his eyes betrayed his final decision. "I guess that's a great deal," he finally said, holding out his hand.

Enthusiastically shaking it, Nellie thanked the man "Thank you so much, Mr. Andrews."

The older man smiled at her affecting enthusiasm. "Please call me Fred," he said, feeling awkward by being addressed so formally.

"Meet me here again after lunch," he finally concluded "I'll show you the way around so you can start tomorrow morning at 9 a.m."

Still muttering words of thanks, Nellie left the office behind. Once outside in the bright daylight, she let out a squeal of excitement. She ran down the stairs and headed straight towards the busstop. 

There was only one person she wanted to share this big news with and that person was currently chained to a ramshackle schoolbuilding.