𝐒𝐎𝐋 | ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵖᵉᵃ

• N I N E T E E N •

« Sobrevive a la Noche »

A cloud of fog covered Riverdale that day. The air felt different to the Bartholdy siblings. It may have been because of the heavy feeling they had towards their Uncle at the moment, or because they were dreading the locations they had to go to today.

Clemintine was to meet her redheaded cousin and her Poison's. Cheryl had given Clemintine a stern talking to the other night for missing her first Poison's meeting. So, she knew that Cheryl wasn't going to take lightly to what Clemintine was about to tell her.

"Archers, draw!" Cheryl's voice called out. Clemintine's pace slowed. "Anchor your hand at the corner of your mouth. Use your dominant eye. Now, relax, my pretties. Release." The wind whipping sound of the arrows flying to the targets rang out. "Brava. Now go again."

"Nice work, Poisons." Toni spoke once Clemintine came to stand beside her.

"Do tell cousin, where have you been?" Cheryl flashed a sickly sweet smile.

"Jackson and I aren't the best of friends right now, and I'm only here to return the jacket. Jack says I'm out." Clemintine handed the jacket to Toni, who reluctantly took it. "I'm out of every gang, actually."

Cheryl crossed her arms over her chest. "And what if I refuse?" She rose a brow.

"Then I have to transfer schools. I'd have to leave Julian behind. That's not an option." She turned on her heel, walking back the way she came.

"We should do something, Cheryl." Toni spoke. "We need Clemintine."

"I couldn't agree more, T-T."

The couple went to the Bartholdy's household. Jackson was the one to open the door.

"Mr. Bartholdy." Cheryl grinned. "I'm Cheryl Blossom and this is-"

Jackson cut the teen off. "I know who you are, Cheryl and Toni." Jackson stepped to the side, allowing the girls to pass. "Come on in."

Inside the house, three Serpents and a Gargoyle sat. Cheryl and Toni reluctantly sat with the other members.

"So tell me," Jackson took a seat on the coffee table. "why are three Serpents, two Poison's, and a Gargoyle in my living room?"

"Clemintine." Each person spoke in unison, unintentionally.

Jackson held up a hand to stop them all. "Kurtz. You go first. State your case." Jackson crossed his arms.

Kurtz straightened his posture. "The Gargoyles really need Clemintine. We never make a decision without her input."

Jackson then turned to the Serpents. "Boys?" His brow rose.

Fangs and Sweet Pea looked at Jughead. "The Serpents don't do anything illegal, not since my dad stepped down. We all care for your niece. She's helped us in more ways than one and we vow to never let her get hurt."

Jackson finally turned to the girls. Cheryl opened her mouth to speak, but Jackson stopped her. "I want to hear what Toni has to say."

Toni was shocked at first, but then spoke. "The Poison's are more of a club. We're teaching the girls how to protect themselves. We think that Clemintine's knife skills could come in handy, especially when applied to the rest of the Poisons."

Jackson looked down, heaved a heavy sigh, and looked back at Kurtz. "Every decision, huh? Even the drugs? Jughead, don't forget how the Serpents got her shot, and how she was found next to a river. Cheryl, you're not mature enough to lead. Stick to cheerleading." Jackson stood, moving to the front door. "You can all leave now."

"No." Sweet Pea stood. "Midge Klump's crazy mom was the one who shot her and Fangs. Sunny was trying to protect him. Incase you're forgetting, Cheryl is Clemintine's cousin. You won't be able to keep them apart. She went down to the river on her own free will. No one forced her to go there." Sweet Pea looked at Kurtz. He choked on his next words. "It's easy to see that they're happy together."

"I understand that." Jackson looked at him with sad eyes. "I don't want her getting hurt. She's all I have left of my brother. Let me think about it. In the meantime, Clemintine doesn't know about this."

"Agreed." Jughead spoke.

As the three gangs exited, Jackson went up to his office. He sighed as he sat down. All he wanted was for Julian and Clemintine to be happy and healthy. This was his first time ever being a parent. He thought it would be easy, since they're teenagers and they can take care of themselves, but it was hard. Nothing could have prepared him for this.

chapter word count: 755