Chapter 16 || Homecoming
The awkwardness was palpable across the two booths at Pop's. Archie and I sat across from each other, looking down at our hands. On either side of us were Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Sweet Pea, Toni, Cheryl, and Fangs. It was silent as we waited for our milkshakes, and I was sick of it.
"Jughead." I spoke quietly. Archie grabbed my hand as I spoke, making the others furrow their eyebrows at the action. "What happened while I was gone? I thought I asked you to take care of the Serpents, not destroy them."
"I-" Jughead started, only to be cut off by Pop Tate bringing us our orders.
"Betty, vanilla." Pop started. "Jughead, Veronica, Fangs, chocolate. Sweet Pea, Cheryl and Toni, strawberry. One with an extra cherry. A root beer float for Archie, and a hot cup of coffee for Kitty. Welcome home guys."
"Thanks, Pop." I murmured, sipping the coffee black.
"Since when do you drink root beer floats?" Betty asked Archie.
"And since when do you drink coffee after eight?" Fangs asked me.
"I, uh-" I stuttered for an answer.
"She doesn't sleep much." Archie supplied. "And I guess I'm not in the mood for a strawberry milkshake."
"Thanks, Arch." I murmured, sipping my coffee.
"No problem, Kat." He replied, sending me a soft smile.
"New drink, new hair, new haunted, vacant look in your eyes-" Jughead started, glancing between Archie and I.
"Let's go to another booth, guys." I suggested.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Kat?" Archie asked, eyeing me carefully. I slid out of the booth and leaned over the table, kissing his cheek softly.
"I'll be okay, Arch." I smiled.
"If you need me I-" He started.
"You'll be right here, I know." I nodded, picking up my coffee and retreating across the diner to the booth Toni and Cheryl picked out.
"What happened to you?" Fangs asked as I slid into the booth between him and Sweet Pea. Toni and Cheryl sat across from us, looking at my face and neck.
"Are you asking about the scars, or my absence?" I asked, sipping my coffee.
"Both." Everyone chimed.
"To be perfectly honest," I started. "I left Riverdale, in the beginning, for two reasons. The first was because Archie needed protection, and I didn't rust Jughead to provide that alone. The second was to get away from Sweet Pea."
"Why?" Sweet Pea asked.
"I needed to be reminded that my life was bigger than one relationship." I answered honestly, sipping more coffee. "I spent most of my time obsessing over you and what we had that I wasn't looking forward."
"Okay, keep going." Fangs pressed.
"Right," I nodded. "We were on the road for a while, train hopping and slumming it. Then we came across a farm. There was a nice girl and her sister, and they offered us a place to stay for the night, and food. So, Archie took them up on their offer. Unfortunately, they were working for Hiram and knocked Archie and I unconscious while Jughead took pictures in town."
"Wow, he really couldn't protect Archie." Toni snickered.
"Anyway, they tied us up in their barn and tried to give us to Hiram, but Jughead untied us and we escaped." I shrugged. "We could've died, but Jughead was there just in time."
"What next?" Cheryl asked, plucking a cherry from her milkshake.
"Jughead suggested we go see our mother." I stated.
"How did that go?" Toni asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
"About as well as could be expected." I shrugged. "She was happy to see Jughead, disappointed at me because I became Serpent Queen and dated Sweet Pea and I didn't date Archie. Anyway, while we were in Toledo, Penny made an appearance. She tried to kill Archie for some bounty."
"Shit." Fangs muttered.
"I took care of her." I stated calmly. "She hasn't shown up here, has she?"
"No." Sweet Pea shook his head. "No one's heard from her or about her since you've been gone."
"Perfect." I snickered.
"Okay, what about the scratches?" Sweet Pea asked, gesturing to my face.
"Red and I crossed the border together with Vegas after we dyed our hair." I said, tugging at a piece of blonde hair.
"Looks good, by the way." Cheryl smiled.
"We stayed in this cabin a couple miles off of some barely used hiking trails." I continued. "We were there for about five weeks before the rangers radioed that there had been bear sightings. We were meant to be clearing trails for hikers and being vigilant while we did so, but neither of us were prepared to be surprised by that grizzly."
I shuddered as I remembered the attack. I would never be okay with bears ever again.
"The, uh," I cleared my throat. "The details after that are a bit fuzzy. I got most of the attack, as I was standing in front of Archie. He caught the tail-end of it, even though it was nearly catastrophic for the both of us. We managed to stumble back to our cabin and lock ourselves in before Archie called for help. I don't remember much, only hitting the ground, the pain of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide being poured into my wounds, and then the dream I had as I bled out."
"You dreamt?" Fangs asked, reaching for my hand. I flinched unwillingly, pulling my hand into my lap. A look of hurt crossed his face, and confusion danced on the features of everyone else.
"Sorry." I muttered, putting my hand back on the table. "The dream messed me up pretty good."
"What did you dream about, Kitty?" Fangs asked softly, grabbing my hand again. This time I didn't flinch, but I still shook slightly.
"You were all tearing into me." I sighed, looking over my shoulder at Archie. He looked up from the table, shooting me a look. I blinked and turned back around. "Basically, you all told me that I was a burden; that I ruined everything I touched, and that I was pretty much the worst person you all knew."
"What?" They chorused, making me sink into the booth slightly at their loud and angry question.
"Hey," Archie's voice sounded. "Everything okay over here?"
"We're fine, Archie." Cheryl snapped.
"I was asking Kat." He rolled his eyes, looking down at me. "You alright, Kat?"
"I, uh," I pulled my hand from Fangs' and gently pushed Sweet Pea out of the booth. "I-"
"Breathe." Archie instructed, helping me out of the booth. He wrapped his arms around me and I inhaled deeply, exhaling once I was calm again. "It's not true, Kat."
"I don't-" I sniffed. "I can't, Arch."
"Come on," Archie whispered, pulling me away from the booth. "Let's get some air."
"Wait!" Sweet Pea followed us outside. "Is she okay? Are you okay Kitty?"
"Arch- I can't." I cried into his shoulder. Archie rubbed my back as he kissed the top of my head. "Ar-"
"I know, Kat." He sighed. "Sweet Pea, I think you should go inside."
"No, Andrews." Sweet Pea growled, making me wince. "Is she okay?"
"I want to go home." I sniffed, pulling away from Archie.
"Are you crying?" Sweet Pea asked softly.
"I need to go home, Arch." I pleaded. He nodded his head and grabbed my hand, taking me back inside of Pop's.
"Jughead, can you take Kat home?" Archie asked, squeezing my hand.
"Are you okay, Kitty?" Veronica asked, her voice also making me flinch.
"Ronnie, not now." Archie sighed. "And Jug?"
"Yeah?" He asked, carefully wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"Tell her that you love her, and that you're glad to be her twin." Archie said. "She had a dream before she died the second time."
"You died again?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Juggy, can w- I want to go home." I sniffed.
"Come on, Kit." He breathed, leading me away from everyone. "What was Archie talking about?"
"I had a dream that you didn't want me as your sister, or your twin." I said, looking down at my boots. "And that I ruined you."
"That's not true, Kitty." Jughead laughed softly. "You didn't ruin me, and I certainly do want you as my sister. You're my wombmate, Kitty. I love you no matter what."
"I just, I feel like coming home was a bad idea." I confided. "The dream really affected me, and I don't think I'm ready to be around everyone when I still think that they hate me."
"No one hates you, Kitty." Jughead started. "Well, Penny and the Ghoulies might, but they don't matter. Everyone here loves you."
"Can I tell you something?" I asked quietly.
"Of course." Jughead nodded.
"You have to promise me that you'll take this information to the grave." I stated seriously.
"You have my word." Jughead stated just as seriously.
"Archie and I were almost in a relationship." I whispered. "We never went too far, but we were practically a couple while we were in Canada."
"What?" Jughead whispered in shock. "What does that mean?"
"We kissed, cuddled, held hands, shared a bed, and we died together." I sniffed, hopping over a rock in the road.
"Why?" Jughead asked.
"As a mutual distraction." I informed. "He was still hurting over leaving Ronnie, and I wanted to ignore my feelings for Sweet Pea. So we decided two weeks into our trip to try it out for a while. It was nice, and that's why he's taking care of me like he is."
"He always did like you." Jughead nodded to himself.
"Yeah, he told me." I smiled softly. "If we weren't in love with other people, we could've been together."
"Huh." Jughead shook his head. "That's weird and I don't like it."
"He has Ronnie again, and I have a messed up dream that's ruining my relationships with friends and family." I shrugged. "I already spoke to dad about his part in the dream. It wasn't fun, and I sobbed."
"Damn, Kitty." Jughead sighed. "You're gone for a month with Archie and you come home all messed up, mentally and physically."
"Yeah," I sighed as well. "It started in Toledo with Peabody and went downhill from there."
"I'm glad you're home." He finally admitted.
"I'm glad to be home." I smiled. "I missed everyone and everything more than I thought I would have."
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"You don't have to go back to school, Kitty." Dad sighed, watching as I brushed my hair in the bathroom mirror. "We'd all understand if you wanted to stay home."
"I want to return to normal life, daddy." I said, gently running my left hand over my healing scars. "As normal as it can be."
"Are you sure you want to go this early, though?" He questioned, holding out my Serpent jacket. I took it from his hands and shrugged it on, smiling up at him.
"The SATs are soon, it needs to be now." I informed. Instead of saying anything else, dad wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
"If you even feel an ounce of panic, or you get slightly overwhelmed, you call me." Dad urged. "I'll pick you up and we'll head to Pop's or something."
"How about we do that after school?" I suggested. "I'll be fine, daddy."
"Okay." He nodded, letting me go. "Want me to drop you off?"
"Fangs and Sweet Pea offered me a ride." I shrugged, picking up my backpack. "I'll see you later, dad."
"Be safe." He called as I exited the trailer. Fangs and Sweet Pea were by my side instantly, only one of them wearing their Serpent jacket.
"Hey, guys." I smiled.
"Hey, Kitty." Fangs greeted, his eyes darting around the camp. He was deep undercover with the Gargoyle gang, and he wasn't supposed to be anywhere near Serpent camp. Jughead stripped him of his jacket while I was away, but gave it back to him so he could be our spy. I hated the idea, but I knew dad guided him to it, so I let it go.
"How are you?" Sweet Pea asked, eyeing me carefully.
"I'm better." I nodded. "It was just overwhelming being around everyone from that dream all at once. I'm okay now, can't wait to get back to school."
"Only you would get back from a two and a half month expedition and be excited for school." Fangs teased, opening his truck door for me. I climbed in, settling in the middle of the cab. Sweet Pea and Fangs slid in on either side of me, making me smile softly.
"Archie's excited too." I said. "He's been itching to return to normal life just as bad as I have."
"Have you spoken to Weatherbee?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Not yet." I shook my head. "He's probably going to tell me that I'm going to need to repeat my junior year, but I don't."
"What, were you studying up in that cabin?" Fangs teased, turning into the school parking lot.
"Yes, actually." I nodded. "I asked the rangers to bring me some stuff from the local high school to do when Arch and I weren't clearing trails. He thought it wouldn't help, so he didn't study with me."
"Oh." Fangs sighed. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, you haven't called Archie Red in a while." Sweet Pea added.
"We spent nearly six weeks together in the woods," I shrugged. "His nickname has evolved."
"What went on between you two?" Sweet Pea questioned.
"Nothing." I shook my head, glancing out of the truck's windshield. "Can we go inside please?"
"Kitty?" Fangs laughed. "Manners? The woods changed you."
"In more ways than you think." I muttered, climbing out of the truck after Sweet Pea. "I'm going to go see Weatherbee, I'll see you guys later."
"Okay." They both mumbled, watching me walk into the school alone.
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"According to this practice test, Miss Jones, you seem well prepared for the SATs this Saturday." Weatherbee said, looking down at the practice SAT he made me take. "Unlike Mr. Andrews, I think you can finish your junior year like normal."
"Thank you, Principal Weatherbee." I smiled, picking up my backpack. "Now, if I have my time right, it's lunch time. Excuse me."
"Of course, Miss Jones." Weatherbee nodded, looking back down at the practice test. I walked out of his office and into the hallway, smiling at the familiar environment of rushing high school students.
"Kit-Kat!" Reggie's voice sounded.
"Reggie!" I called back, spinning around to face my friend. I was met with a careful hug, and I grinned as I hugged him back.
"Don't you ever leave me again, Kitty." He said into my hair. He pulled back and actually looked at my hair, raising an eyebrow. "I don't know if I like you blonde."
"Maybe I'll dye it back." I shrugged, grinning up at him. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Kitty." He smiled, wrapping an arm around me and leading me to the cafeteria. "I have some stuff to tell you."
"Oh, gossip already?" I asked excitedly as Reggie pulled us into the lunch line. "Spill it, Reg."
"Ronnie and I had a thing before you and Archie came home." He said. "I like her, Kit, but she's back with Archie."
"I'm sorry, Reg." I sighed, grabbing some fries. "We'll find you someone else."
"I want her, Kit." He groaned, placing some chicken nuggets on both of our trays. "But all she sees is Archie."
"They're meant to be, Reg." I shook my head. "As much as I hate to say it like that, they are. But, to make you feel better, I have some gossip too."
"All the way from Canada?" Reggie teased, paying for both of our lunches. "Oh, Kit-Kat, you shouldn't have."
"We need to sit down first." I said, eyeing the tables around the lunch room. At one table, Cheryl, Toni, and the Vixens sat, laughing together. At another, Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica sat talking with Kevin Keller. Another table, on the opposite side of the room from Toni and Cheryl sat the Serpents, all eyeing Reggie and I carefully.
"Where?" Reggie asked, looking around as well.
"Outside." I breathed. "Away from everyone."
"Oh, this must be some good gossip." He laughed, leading me outside. We were alone, as it was cold outside, and I sighed.
"To the grave, Reg." I stated.
"To the grave." He nodded.
"Archie and I were together while we were away." I blurted. "Not official or anything, but almost."
"Does Ronnie know?" He asked, eyes wide.
"Only Jughead knows." I shook my head.
"And you and him broke it off so he could be with Ronnie?" Reggie questioned.
"Yes, and so that I could come clean to Sweet Pea." I sighed. "I still love him, Reg. I just don't know if I want to be with him."
"You do." Reggie nodded. "I know you, and I notice the way your body language changes when you talk about him, and the look you get in your eye when someone else brings him up in conversation."
"What do I do, Reggie?"
"Talk to him." He urged. "If you talk to him, and you listen to what he has to say, then the KitPea ship will be back on the open waters."
"Never," I shuddered. "Say that again."
"What?" Reggie laughed. "It's cute."
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"You done in there?" Reggie called, banging on the door to his bathroom. I set the blow dryer down and looked into the mirror, frowning at the girl I saw. Reggie opened the bathroom door slowly, taking in the sight of me with my hair dark once again. "What's wrong? You hate it?"
"I don't know who she is anymore." I admitted, catching his eye in the mirror.
"What do you mean, Kitty?" Reggie asked.
"I mean, I don't know who she- who this- is." I huffed, running a hand through my dark hair. "Katarina Jones has gone through so much, I don't know who she's supposed to be anymore."
"Look, Kitty, I get that you've been through a lot, but you'll always be who you were before." Reggie tried to make me feel better, but it only made me angrier.
"The person I was before was a heartbroken fool who couldn't handle being alone." I snapped. "She was weak, she let people in too easily, and she got hurt because of it."
"Kit-"
"I refuse to go back to that." I shook my head. "I'm redefining myself, starting now. You should get to Pop's, Reggie. Don't want to be late for Archie's party."
"It's for you, too" Reggie sighed, watching me gather my belongings from his room. "You should come too."
"No, I have things that need taken care of." I declined. "See you whenever."
I pulled out my motorcycle keys and headed outside. I climbed onto my bike and sped towards Serpent camp, determined to be different than the girl the people of Riverdale remembered.
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Black satin dress shirt tucked into a black skater skirt, accompanied my black high heel boots- you would think that Veronica Lodge and Cheryl Blossom dressed me up like a Barbie doll. But no, I decided it was time for a change, one that started with my wardrobe. Gone was the girl who chose comfort over fashion; now, I chose to look good above all else.
My trademark Serpent jacket was placed over the dress shirt, giving some familiarity to the new Katarina Jones. I even did my makeup before school, sporting a dark smokey eye and iconic dark red lipstick. My hair, which was normally worn down and naturally straight, was curled expertly and hung down my back.
"Whoa." Dad commented as I scooped up my black leather backpack. "What happened to you?"
"Wanted to try something new." I shrugged, pulling the backpack over my shoulder.
"Well, it's certainly new." Dad's eyes were wide, and he shook his head. "Are you okay, kiddo?"
"I'm okay, daddy." I smiled, picking up my motorcycle keys. "I'm heading to school, see you later."
I rode my motorcycle to school, parking it in front of Reggie and his squad of mindless jocks. Luckily, my cheer spandex still fit, and I was able to hop off my motorcycle without flashing the whole school.
"Whoa, Kitty." Reggie's eyes widened as he took in my outfit. "Who dressed you?"
"I did, Reginald." I rolled my eyes, placing my helmet on the seat of my motorcycle. I put the keys in my backpack and eyed the boys staring at me. "Hello, boys."
They all scrambled to say hello as I walked past them. Once inside the school, I caught sight of Toni and Cheryl. Their eyes found me too, and they both looked shocked and concerned.
"Hey, Kitty." Toni greeted, unsure of herself.
"Confidence, Topaz." I pressed. "You need it if you're with Cheryl."
"How are you feeling, Kitten?" Cheryl asked, eyeing my outfit.
"Never better, Cherry." I winked, heading to my locker. There, Sweet Pea was leaning against the locker beside mine. While I worked on opening my locker, he started speaking.
"Hey, are you feeling okay?" He asked. "You left Pop's abruptly, wanted to ma-"
"I'm good, Sweets." I smiled, throwing my things into my locker. I pulled out the necessary books for my next class and slammed my locker shut. "Sorry about the other night, it was overwhelming to be around everyone at once."
"Can we talk?" He asked, following me as I moved through the hallway.
"We're talking right now." I laughed, waving at Archie. He motioned me over to him and I obliged.
"I mean, can we talk about us." Sweet Pea clarified.
"Right after I talk with Archie." I smiled, leaving Sweet Pea across the hall as I approached Archie. "What's up, Arch?"
"Just checking in." He smiled. "You feeling okay?"
"I don't want to be the same girl I was when I left, I can't be." I admitted, sighing deeply. "I'm not her anymore."
"I get it." Archie nodded, placing a hand on my waist. "I'm not the same guy as I was before."
"People change." I nodded, patting the hand he had on my waist. "We've changed too."
"Yeah," He sighed. "I'll let you go talk to Sweet Pea."
He dropped his hand from my waist and gestured behind me. I nodded and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"See you later, Arch."
I turned, making my way to a confused looking Sweet Pea. He followed after me as I passed him, shaking his head slightly.
"You were saying?" I prompted, looking up at him.
"I was just wondering if you'd give me a second chance?" He asked, pulling me to a stop beside him. "I just, I know what I did was wrong. And I know it ended up hurting you instead of helping you, and I'm so sorry."
"Sure." I shrugged, starting to walk to class again.
"Wait," Sweet Pea sighed, chasing after me. "You left for nearly three months, because you said you needed to get away from me and away from Riverdale, and now you want to go on a date with me?"
"Did you want me to say no...?" I trailed off.
"I expected you to blow up at me; tell me that I was an idiot for hurting you. I expected you to make me work for a date, I didn't expect you to just say yes." Sweet Pea sounded confused.
"Fine." I nodded. "Sweet Pea, you are an absolute asshole for making me love you- for making me fall in love with you- and then breaking my heart. You are an idiot for hurting me, mostly because you lost me, but also because you made us both miserable for months when we both knew where our hearts belonged. I missed you, so damn much, which was why I was willing to say yes. But, if you want to work for a date instead of accepting the one I agreed to, fine. It won't be easy, and I'm not going to let anyone make it easier for you. Good luck, Noah."
I whispered the last part so only he could hear me as I brushed past him. I glided into my first period class early, taking my seat and reviewing the things we'd been learning over the last few months I was gone, hoping to catch up.