You were the new girl at Southside High, a fresh face in a sea of Serpents and outcasts. From day one, you had a target on your back—not because you did anything wrong, but because Sweet Pea decided you were his new favorite source of entertainment.

"What's the matter, princess? Southside too rough for you?" he'd taunt, shoving past you in the hallways, knocking your books down

Jughead had warned you about him.

It felt like he genuinely enjoyed getting under your skin. And after weeks of it, you’d finally had enough.

You stopped coming to school.

Three days turned into four, and by the fifth, you figured no one would even notice your absence. You weren’t exactly close to anyone, and it’s not like Sweet Pea would suddenly start missing his favorite target.

So when you finally walked through the school doors again, you weren’t expecting him to be waiting at your locker.

"Where the hell have you been?!"

Sweet Pea was leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, his usual smirk missing. He looked… annoyed? No, something else.

You scoffed. "Why do you care?"

He pushed off the locker, stepping closer. "Because it’s been boring as hell without you. Thought you transferred or something "