Walking through the doors of Southside High felt like stepping into another world. The walls were covered in graffiti, the air smelled like cigarettes.

A life you used to be part of.

Jughead walked beside you, you felt out of place. It had been years since you‘d set foot on this side of town.

Because standing just a few feet ahead, leaning lazily against a row of lockers, was Sweet Pea.

The sight of him sent a jolt through your chest. He was taller now, sharper. His once-soft features had hardened, his smirk more dangerous than playful. His Serpent jacket hung effortlessly off his shoulders, and there was something cold in his eyes—something that hadn’t been there before.

This wasn’t the childhood friend you remembered

And then his gaze landed on you.

For a second, something flickered in his expression. Recognition? But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced with something distant. Uncaring.

He pushed off the lockers, making his way toward you.

“Well, well,” Sweet Pea drawled, his voice deeper than you remembered. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you back here.”

His words dripped with something I couldn’t quite place—anger, or maybe worse.

You swallowed hard “Didn’t exactly have a choice.”

He let out a humorless chuckle. “Right. Just like you didn’t have a choice when you left?”

You flinched “It wasn’t like that, Sweet Pea.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “You wouldn’t understand what it’s like here anymore, Northsider.”

“I never stopped being—” you started, but his sharp laugh cut me off.

“Yeah? Then why’s your tattoo covered up?” His eyes flickered to your arm, right where my bandage was. Covering your serpent tattoo.

Your stomach twisted. He still remembered.

“Maybe she doesn’t feel like explaining herself to you,” Jughead stepped in

Sweet Pea’s jaw tightened, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. Then, with a smirk, he turned away.

“Welcome back to the Southside,” he muttered, walking past you. “Try not to get in the way.”