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MidReal Story
My Gang My Rules
Scenario:this is based on the tv fictional high school show riverdale this story has murders and drama and love and and bullying and drugs and gangs and violence and high school parties and fights and partying and drinking and teen sexual and nudity and my name is mohamed abdi and i am the main central character protagonist and narrator of this story and i eventually i became a member of the southside serpents biker gang i got my southside serpents gang black colored leather jacket with my name and last name on the front and the gangs snake logo and the gangs name on the back of the jacket and i am wearing a black colored leather pants and the gang i am wearing the black leather colored southside serpents biker gang leather jacket everyday and i love it and i am 16 years old and i have dark skin and black braided cornrows hair and jughead is member of southside serpents jugheads dads gang he is the leader of the southside serpents and my family just moved to the south side of riverdale and i started attending southside high school as a freshman and there is a south side and north side rivalry i live on the south side and i choose the south side of this rivalry and i became friends with archie andrews he has redhead hair and he has brown eyes and light skin and he is a good guy he always protects and helps his friends and he is muscular and he is 16 years old there is his bestfriend jughead jones he is A heartthrob with a philosophical bent is 16 years old and he has blue eyes and black hair and he is a rebel and his father is a bike gang leader of the southside serpents with gang they have leather biker gang jackets with names and the snake logo on the back of their jackets and there is veronica lodge she is 16 years old and she is latina and she is popular and love gossip and social media and friendship and love and she has light skin and black hair and black eyes she is rich because her father is a business man and former mob boss of new york now he is a gangster in riverdale and veronica just moved to riverdale like me too stay and live here and she has a best friend named betty cooper she has blue eyes and blonde hair she is innocent and virgin and she falls in love with jughead and veronica falls in love with archie and me and jughead and archie and veronica and betty becomes a tightknitted group of friends us 5 we became unseparable friends and close friends and best friends almost family and one thing changed this summer a dead teen boy from our high school was found dead in sweet water river a river in riverdale and this story is named riverdale archie and veronica and betty are northsiders but they are my best friends and not southsiders like me and jughead
Create my version of this story
Mohamed Abdi
He is a 16yearold high school student in Southside High School, South Riverdale. He is rebellious, loyal, and introspective. Mohamed moved from New York to the South Side of Riverdale with his family, becoming fast friends with Jughead Jones and Archie Andrews. Jughead's father leads the Southside Serpents biker gang, and Mohamed becomes entwined in their world. Mohamed navigates high school drama, friendships, and the mysterious death of a classmate.
Archie Andrews
He is a 16yearold student at Southside High School in Riverdale. He is resourceful, friendly, and protective. Archie is Mohamed's best friend and Jughead's best friend. He helps Mohamed adjust to the South Side and stands by him through high school challenges. Archie has a crush on Veronica Lodge, despite her being from the North Side and having a wealthy background. He remains committed to his friends despite social differences.
Betty Cooper
She is a 16yearold student at Southside High School from the North Side of Riverdale. She is sweet, innocent, and friendly. Betty becomes fast friends with Veronica Lodge and Archie Andrews despite their side rivalry. She faces social pressure to attend parties and conform to high school norms but remains committed to her family's values. Betty helps bridge the gap between her North Side background and her new friendships in the South Side.
My name is Mohamed Abdi and I am 16 years old.
I live with my family in a house on the South Side of Riverdale.
I just moved to Riverdale from New York with my family, and now I am attending high school as a freshman in Southside High School, which is located in the South Side of Riverdale.
I have dark skin, black braided hair, and brown eyes.
I love wearing black colored clothes, leather pants, and a black colored leather Southside Serpents gang jacket every day.
Speaking of the Southside Serpents, Jughead Jones is a member of this gang.
His father is the leader of the Southside Serpents biker gang.
They have leather jackets with their names written on the front and the snake logo and their gang name written on the back of their jackets.
I became friends with Jughead and eventually became a member of this gang too.
Now I have my own black colored leather Southside Serpents gang jacket with my name "Mohamed" written on the front and the snake logo and "Southside Serpents" written on the back of my jacket.
I wear this jacket every day with black colored leather pants.
I love it so much.
After school, I lean against the rusty chain-link fence outside Southside High, waiting for Jughead.
After a few minutes, he comes walking towards me with Sweet Pea, Fangs, and Toni Topaz.
All of them are wearing their Southside Serpents gang jackets.
Jughead introduces me to them as Mohamed Abdi, the new Serpent and the new student at Southside High.
They nod in acknowledgment and look at my jacket.
Then we walk together towards the parking lot.
We talk about how we had to go through trials to join the Serpents gang.
We reach Jughead's motorcycle, and he tells me to hop on.
I climb onto the back of Jughead's motorcycle, gripping the sides of the seat.
Jughead revs the engine and Sweet Pea and Fangs mount their bikes.
Toni slides onto her purple Harley, and we thunder out of the parking lot in formation.
The wind whips through my new leather jacket as we weave through the narrow streets of South Side.
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the pavement.
We stop at a red light, and Toni pulls up beside us, her bike purring smoothly.
She catches my eye and smiles, then edges her motorcycle closer until our knees almost touch.
The light stays red as traffic crawls past.
I lean forward and whisper to Jughead, "Why don't we race through the intersection?"
My heart is already racing at the thought.
Toni hears me and revs her engine in response.
The sound echoes off the buildings.
Sweet Pea and Fangs pull up behind us, blocking other vehicles from cutting us off.
Jughead hesitates for a moment, his fingers tightening on the handlebars as he glances at the cross traffic.
I grip his shoulders harder, urging him on.
The tension builds as car after car flows through the green light, their drivers oblivious to our growing restlessness.
I lean forward and grip Jughead's shoulders tighter as he hesitates at the red light.
The rumble of Toni's engine next to us grows louder, and Sweet Pea honks impatiently from behind.
A delivery truck approaches the intersection from the left.
My heart pounds as I watch the gap between passing cars grow wider.
The moment feels electric.
Without warning, Jughead twists the throttle hard.
The bike lurches forward, throwing me back slightly.
Toni's purple Harley roars beside us as we accelerate toward the intersection.
The delivery truck's horn blares.
Toni shouts over the noise, "You sure you want to do this, Mohamed?"
I nod, adrenaline surging through me.
Jughead yells back, "Hold on tight, this is where you prove you're one of us!"
I press my face against Jughead's leather jacket as we race through the intersection.
The delivery truck's chrome grille fills my peripheral vision, impossibly close.
The driver lays on his horn, the blaring sound mixing with the roar of our engines.
Toni's bike swerves left while we veer right, the truck's bumper passing between us with inches to spare.
The rush of wind and diesel fumes makes my eyes water.
Behind us, Sweet Pea and Fangs whoop and rev their engines in celebration.
Toni shouts over the wind, "That's what I'm talking about, Mohamed! You're fearless!"
Jughead glances back at me, grinning, "Welcome to the family, kid."
Sweet Pea pulls up alongside us, laughing, "Next time, let's see if you can keep up with Toni!"
I walk through Southside High's graffiti-covered hallway with Toni and Jughead flanking me.
Sweet Pea and Fangs trail behind us.
The fluorescent lights flicker above, casting shadows on the cracked linoleum floor.
Students huddle in corners, some exchanging small bags of Jingle Jangle, the new street drug that's all the rage.
A Ghoulie gang member shoulders past us, making eye contact with me before Toni steps between us.
Jughead leads us to our usual spot near the broken vending machine.
The smell of marijuana drifts from the bathroom.
We follow Jughead's motorcycle through the streets of South Side, heading toward the Whyte Wyrm.
The neon snake sign flickers above the entrance as we park our bikes.
Inside, cigarette smoke hangs thick in the air while older Serpents play pool and younger members cluster around worn leather booths.
FP Jones stands behind the bar, his presence commanding attention.
When he spots us, he waves us over with a stern look.
Toni nudges me forward as we approach, my new leather jacket suddenly feeling heavy on my shoulders.
I lean against the bar next to Toni while FP pours drinks for a couple of older Serpents.
The worn wooden counter feels smooth under my fingers, polished by years of use.
I glance around the room, taking in the mix of members.
A gray-haired Serpent plays pool with teenagers in matching jackets, their faces serious as they compete.
In the corner booths, middle-aged bikers share stories and laugh together, their weathered skin a testament to years on the road.
Toni points out different cliques within the gang, from the old guard who founded the Serpents to the recent initiates still breaking in their leather jackets.
She mentions how rare it is for outsiders to be accepted so quickly, her voice filled with pride.
Across the room, Sweet Pea and Jughead watch us with curious expressions.
The next day, I sit in a booth at Pop's with Jughead.
He introduces me to his friends: Archie, Veronica, and Betty.
They notice my Serpent jacket but remain friendly.
Cheryl and Reggie glare from another table, their disdain for Southsiders evident.
Kevin and Josie join us, showing interest in getting to know me despite my gang affiliation.
As we talk, I feel the tension from Cheryl and Reggie but focus on the welcoming attitudes of Jughead's friends.
Veronica leans in, her voice curious yet cautious, "So, Mohamed, what's it like being part of the Serpents?"
I shrug, trying to downplay the intensity, "It's different, but they're like family now."
Betty nods thoughtfully, "Just be careful; sometimes loyalty can come with a price."
After leaving Pop's, I walk with Veronica to her car.
She tells me about Riverdale High, describing its pristine hallways and advanced classes.
It sounds like a different world compared to Southside High, where graffiti covers the walls and drug deals happen in the shadows.
Despite attending rival schools, we make plans to study together at her place tomorrow.
As Cheryl and Reggie exit Pop's, they shoulder past us roughly.
Veronica stands her ground, linking her arm through mine.
She loudly invites me to her upcoming party, making sure they hear.
We exchange numbers before parting ways.
Sitting in my dimly lit bedroom, I scroll through photos of Riverdale High on my phone.
The lockers are pristine, the paint fresh, and the students wear pressed uniforms.
It makes my stomach turn to think about the contrast with Southside's crumbling walls and the Ghoulies' graffiti.
I type and delete several messages to Veronica about our study plans tomorrow.
I want to ask her more about her school without sounding too desperate.
My Serpent jacket hangs on the chair beside me, the leather still worn from today's ride.
Finally, I send a casual text asking about her calculus homework, then follow up with a question about her school.
I step off the elevator into Veronica's penthouse.
The music pounds through expensive speakers, and teens cluster around a makeshift bar.
My Serpent jacket draws immediate stares.
Reggie blocks my path, jabbing his finger at my chest and demanding I remove the jacket.
When I stand my ground, Cheryl appears beside him, her face twisted with disgust.
Veronica intervenes, positioning herself between us while Betty backs her up.
Reggie's face reddens as he c##s his fist back and slams it into the pristine white wall.
I follow Veronica to the dance floor.
She hands me a drink, and I take my first sip of alcohol, feeling it burn down my throat.
We move to the rhythm of the music, and I start to relax, letting the tension of earlier fade away.
As we dance, Betty and Archie join us, their smiles encouraging.
Reggie and Cheryl keep their distance, but their glares linger.
The night ends with Veronica whispering that I'm welcome here anytime.
I walk into my parents' house on the South Side.
They're in the kitchen, and my mother's eyes widen when she notices the smell of beer on my breath.
She frowns, reminding me that as Muslims, we don't drink alcohol.
My father's eyes narrow when he sees the Serpent jacket I'm still wearing.
He demands to know why I'm part of a gang known for violence and drugs.
I explain that the Serpents aren't like the Ghoulies, who deal drugs.
Tension fills the room as I stand my ground, defending my new family.
"You're defending them now?" my father asks, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger.
"They've been there for me when no one else was," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
My mother steps in, her tone softer but firm, "But at what cost, son? We just want you safe."
I sit at the kitchen table with my parents, the tension from last night still heavy in the air.
My mother's eyes are filled with worry as she pours tea, while my father's gaze remains stern.
I take a deep breath and explain how the Serpents have helped me navigate the dangers of Southside High.
"They've been like a family to me," I say, hoping they can understand.
My mother nods slowly, her hands trembling slightly as she sets down the teapot.
My father leans back, his expression softening but still cautious.
"Be careful, son," he warns, his voice firm but laced with concern.
I nod, promising to stay safe.
The next morning at Southside High, I stand with Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, and Fangs as the principal's voice comes over the intercom.
We're in the crowded hallway, surrounded by students rushing to their next class.
The principal's voice crackles through the speakers, his words causing a stir among us.
"Attention students and faculty," he begins, his tone serious.
"As you are aware, Southside High has been facing significant challenges. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts and declining enrollment, we have been left with no choice but to close our doors."
Murmurs ripple through the hallway as students exchange worried glances.
The principal continues, "However, we are pleased to announce that arrangements have been made for all Southside High students to transfer to Riverdale High School. This decision was made with the best interests of our students in mind, ensuring that you receive the quality education you deserve."
The news sends shockwaves through the crowd.
Some students look relieved, while others appear apprehensive.
Jughead clenches his fists, his jaw tightening as he processes the information.
Toni's eyes narrow in anger, her gaze fixed on the intercom as if she could challenge the principal's words.
Sweet Pea slams his locker shut, frustration evident on his face.
Fangs kicks a nearby trash can, causing it to clatter loudly against the wall.
I stand there in stunned silence, my mind racing with thoughts of what this means for us. "Riverdale High?"
I whisper to Jughead, my voice barely audible over the commotion.
He turns to me, his expression grim.
"It's not going to be easy," he says, his voice laced with concern.
"Riverdale High is known for its strict rules and... let's just say they don't exactly welcome outsiders."
I swallow hard, feeling a mix of dread and defiance wash over me.
"But we'll stick together," I say firmly, determination etched on my face.
Jughead nods in agreement, a small smile forming on his lips.
"That's what Serpents do," he says, his voice filled with a sense of unity and strength.
We walk into Riverdale High's main office, our Serpent jackets drawing immediate stares from the students and faculty.
Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, and I stand at the counter, filling out registration forms handed to us by the secretary.
She whispers to another staff member, her eyes darting towards us with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Through the glass windows, I see Veronica waving enthusiastically at us, flanked by Betty and Archie.
Cheryl storms in with Reggie, demanding that the principal reverse the transfer decision.
Reggie knocks my form off the counter, causing Sweet Pea to rise from his seat and confront him.
Principal Weatherbee steps between them, ordering everyone to separate sides of the office.
My hand trembles with anger as I pick up the scattered papers from the floor, refusing to break eye contact with Reggie's smug face.
Sweet Pea stands behind me, his fists clenched and ready to fight.
Principal Weatherbee watches us like a hawk, positioned between us as if anticipating another confrontation.
I deliberately smooth out the crumpled form on the counter and continue writing my information, pressing the pen so hard it nearly tears the paper.
Toni places a steadying hand on my shoulder, her presence calming me enough to finish filling in my previous school records.
Through the window, I see Veronica giving me an encouraging nod.
We follow Jughead down Riverdale High's pristine hallway, our boots echoing against the polished floor.
Students press against lockers to avoid us, whispering and pointing at our leather jackets.
When we enter Ms. Smith's English class, she freezes mid-sentence at the chalkboard.
The room falls silent.
I spot Veronica waving from the back row, but Cheryl loudly announces there's no room for "gang members" in their class.
Ms. Smith assigns us seats, deliberately separating our group.
I stride purposefully toward Veronica's desk, ignoring Ms. Smith calling my name.
The click of my boots echoes in the silent classroom as other students watch.
Cheryl's face reddens with anger when I drop into the empty chair beside Veronica, my leather jacket creaking against the plastic seat.
Veronica slides her textbook between us to share, while Cheryl whispers something to Reggie two rows ahead.
Ms. Smith approaches our desk, attendance sheet in hand.
She taps my shoulder, pointing to an empty seat across the room, but I pretend to be absorbed in Veronica's book.
I drag my feet toward the empty desk near the window, my Serpent jacket squeaking against the plastic chair as I drop into it.
The desk's surface is covered in carved initials and crude drawings.
Cheryl's snickering carries across the room while Ms. Smith resumes her lesson about Romeo and Juliet.
I catch Veronica giving me an apologetic look, but I turn away and stare out the window instead.
My reflection in the glass shows my jaw clenching as I grip the edge of the desk, fighting the urge to storm out.
Veronica leans over, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "Don't let them get to you; they want a reaction."
I nod slightly, but Cheryl's voice cuts through the air, dripping with sarcasm, "Oh look, the Serpent's got a conscience now."
Reggie smirks and adds, "Guess even snakes can play nice when they're outnumbered."
At lunch, we sit at a long table in the Riverdale High cafeteria.
Veronica and Betty sit on one side, while Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, Kevin, Josie, Fangs, and Archie take the other.
We pass plates of food around, sharing bites of pizza and fries.
Veronica teases me about my Serpent jacket while Betty asks Jughead about his latest comic.
Across the room, Cheryl and Reggie glare at us with their friends.
They whisper to each other, their eyes darting towards our table.
A group of students starts throwing food at Sweet Pea and Fangs.
Sweet Pea stands up, wiping ketchup off his jacket, and growls, "You want to start something, Reggie?"
Reggie leans back in his chair, smirking, "Just making sure you Serpents feel welcome."
Veronica slams her hand on the table, her voice steady but fierce, "Enough! If you want a fight, you'll have to go through all of us."
I lean against my locker between classes, watching as Northsiders and Southsiders cluster at opposite ends of the hallway.
Cheryl rallies her cheerleaders to block Toni from entering the girls' bathroom, while Reggie and his football teammates shoulder-check Sweet Pea into the water fountain.
When I try walking to my next class, a Northside student trips me, sending my books scattering across the floor.
Veronica kneels down to help me gather them, but other Northsiders pull her away, warning her not to choose sides.
Jughead appears beside me, his jaw clenched as he watches more students fill the hall.
After being tripped, I stay crouched on the floor, pretending to gather my books.
The Northsider who tripped me laughs with his friends, turning his back to me.
I watch his feet shuffle past, timing my move carefully.
As he takes another step, I extend my leg swiftly, catching his ankle.
He stumbles forward, arms flailing, and crashes into a row of lockers with a loud bang.
The hallway falls silent as students form a circle around us.
He pushes himself up, face red with anger and embarrassment.
I stand up slowly, meeting his glare with a steady gaze, ready for whatever comes next.
He charges toward me, fists clenched.
The fluorescent lights reflect off the glossy surface of his varsity jacket.
Phones are raised all around us, recording the scene.
I hold my ground, refusing to back down.
He throws the first punch, but I dodge it easily.
Before he can swing again, a figure shoves through the crowd and plants himself between us.
Jughead's black leather jacket creaks as he spreads his arms, creating a barrier between us.
"Touch him again," Jughead warns in a low, dangerous voice, "and you'll have every S###t in this school to deal with."
I nod at Jughead, stepping back to let him handle the situation.
The Northsider's eyes dart between us, his chest heaving with agitation.
"Back off, Jones," he snarls.
Jughead doesn't flinch.
"You want to pick a fight? Fine. But you're not taking it out on one of my friends. You know what happens when you mess with a S###t."
The hallway is silent except for the sound of whispers and shifting feet.
Students lean in, eager to see what will happen next.
Some still record on their phones, capturing every tense moment.
I keep my eyes fixed on the Northsider, ready to jump in if necessary.
Jughead remains steady, his gaze unwavering as he stares down the Northsider.
The Northsider hesitates, glancing around at the gathered crowd.
He must realize that backing down now would be a sign of weakness.
But continuing this confrontation could lead to consequences he's not prepared to face. After a moment of tense silence, the Northsider takes a slow step back.
Jughead doesn't move, keeping his arms extended until the Northsider retreats further into the crowd.
The crowd parts as he retreats, leaving Jughead and me standing firm in the center of the hallway.
I thank Jughead for standing up for me, and we both suggest heading to the cafeteria to cool off.
We walk down the crowded hallway, passing students who whisper about the confrontation.
Some glance at us with a mix of curiosity and fear.
At the entrance to the cafeteria, I pause for a moment to scan the room.
Veronica and Betty are sitting at a table with Archie.
Jughead and I make our way over, sliding into seats across from them.
"Are you guys okay?" asks Veronica, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Yeah, we're fine," I reply, still feeling the adrenaline rush from the hallway incident.
We start eating our lunch, discussing the tension between Northsiders and Southsiders.
Across the cafeteria, Cheryl and Reggie sit at their usual table with their friends.
In math class, Toni and I sit together in the back.
She keeps glancing across the room at Cheryl, who sits with her friends.
Toni catches Cheryl's eye and gives her a flirtatious smile.
Cheryl looks away, but then she turns back to Toni and smiles.
Toni's face lights up, but then Cheryl says something to her friends, and they all laugh.
Toni looks hurt, and I ask her what happened.
"Cheryl called me a Southside Serpent d#e," she says calmly.
I'm taken aback by her nonchalant response.
"Aren't you upset?"
I ask.
Toni shrugs.
"I'm not ashamed of being bi," she says matter-of-factly.
"And I know Cheryl is too. She's just afraid to admit it."
I'm surprised by her confidence.
"So, you have a crush on Cheryl?"
I ask curiously.
Toni nods, still smiling at Cheryl across the room.
"Yeah, I do. And I love a challenge."
The teacher starts talking about our upcoming math test, and we both turn our attention to the front of the room.
After class, I go home and study hard for my math test.
The next day, I take the test and feel confident that I did well. When the teacher hands back our tests, I see that I got 97%.
I'm thrilled to have earned an A on the test.
But then the teacher accuses me of cheating.
I'm shocked and defensive as he questions me about how I managed to get such a high score without cheating.
I explain that I studied hard for the test and that my knowledge of math comes from my dedication to learning.
He asks me to go to the blackboard and write out the answers to each question, explaining how I arrived at each solution.
I stand at the blackboard, wearing my Serpent jacket and covered in chalk dust.
The teacher watches skeptically as I write out the answers.
Toni nods her head in support from her desk, while Cheryl and her friends whisper and smirk.
When I finish writing out the answers, the teacher looks at them carefully.
After a moment, his expression changes from one of doubt to one of reluctant acceptance.
"I apologize for accusing you of cheating," he says, looking at me with a mix of surprise and respect.
"I underestimated you. It's clear that you have a strong understanding of math, and I should have given you more credit."
I return to my seat, feeling a mix of relief and frustration.
As I sit down, Toni gives me a reassuring nod, and I realize that proving myself is just the beginning.
After school, I meet Toni at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe.
We slide into a booth and she orders two milkshakes.
The waitress brings them over and we both take a sip, grinning at our small victory.
"So, what happened with the math test?" asks Toni, taking another sip of her milkshake.
I tell her the whole story, from studying for the test to being accused of cheating to writing out the answers on the blackboard.
Toni listens intently, occasionally glancing across the diner at Cheryl and her friends, who are sitting at another table.
When Cheryl catches Toni's eye, she quickly looks away, but Toni just smiles and continues talking to me.
"I can't believe you had to write out all the answers on the blackboard," says Toni, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, it was pretty ridiculous," I reply, taking another sip of my milkshake.
"But at least I was able to prove that I didn't cheat."
Toni nods in agreement and we both finish our milkshakes.
As we're leaving Pop's, Cheryl catches my eye again and this time she doesn't look away.
She stares at me for a moment before turning back to her friends.
"Do you think Cheryl's ever going to come around?" Toni asks, her voice tinged with hope and frustration.
"I think she wants to," I reply, glancing back at Cheryl's table. "But she's scared of what her friends might say."
"Maybe it's time we give her a reason not to be," Toni says, determination in her eyes.
I spot Cheryl sitting alone at Pop's, nursing a milkshake.
Her eyes dart around the diner nervously, like she's waiting for someone.
I walk over to her table, my Serpent jacket making a soft rustling sound as I move.
"Hey, Cheryl," I say, offering her a friendly smile.
She looks up at me warily, unsure of what to make of my sudden interest in her.
"You should join us next time," I continue, gesturing to the table where Toni and I usually sit.
"We're not as bad as you think."
Cheryl looks at me uncertainly, glancing over at her friends' table and then back at me.
"I don't know," she says hesitantly.
"I don't want to upset anyone."
"You won't upset anyone," I assure her.
"Toni really likes you, and I think you like her too."
Cheryl looks down at her milkshake, fidgeting with the straw.
"I do like her," she admits quietly.
"But I'm scared of what people will think."
"They'll think whatever they want to think," I tell her firmly.
"But if you're happy, that's all that matters." Cheryl nods slowly, taking a sip of her milkshake.
"Okay," she says finally.
"I'll think about it."
I pull out the chair across from her and sit down.
"So, what's your favorite subject in school?" I ask her, trying to break the ice.
Cheryl smiles slightly and tells me about how much she loves English class and reading books.
As we talk, I notice that her shoulders relax a bit and she seems more at ease around me.
After a few minutes of conversation, I tell Cheryl about our group of friends and how we all support each other no matter what.
I explain that we're not just Southside Serpents, but a family who looks out for one another.
Cheryl listens intently, seeming to absorb every word I say.
Finally, after a few minutes of talking, I look at her and say, "So what do you say? Will you join us next time?"
Cheryl smiles shyly and nods her head yes.
"Okay, but if anyone gives me a hard time, I'm blaming you," Cheryl says with a nervous laugh.
"Deal," I reply, grinning. "And don't worry, Toni and I have your back."
Cheryl takes a deep breath and says, "Alright, let's see what this Serpent family is all about."
We walk over to our booth, where Toni is sitting and sipping on a milkshake.
She looks up and sees Cheryl with me, and her eyes light up with excitement.
"Cheryl, you made it!" she exclaims, sliding over to make room for Cheryl in the booth.
Cheryl nods and sits down next to Toni, looking a bit nervous but also happy to be there.
I sit down across from them and signal the waitress to bring us another round of milkshakes.
When they arrive, I slide one over to Cheryl and we all take a sip together.
"So, what do you think?" asks Toni, looking at Cheryl hopefully.
"It's good," replies Cheryl, taking another sip of her milkshake.
"I'm glad you like it," says Toni, smiling at her warmly.
As we continue talking and enjoying our milkshakes, I start telling a funny story about our math class and how we all had to write out the answers on the blackboard.
Cheryl laughs softly at first, but as I continue telling the story, she starts to laugh harder and harder until she's almost crying from laughing so much. When I finish telling the story, Cheryl wipes away tears from her eyes and says, "That was hilarious! I can't believe you guys had to do that."
Toni nods in agreement and says, "Yeah, it was pretty ridiculous. But at least we were able to prove that we didn't cheat."
Cheryl smiles at Toni and says, "I'm glad you were able to prove your innocence. It must have been really frustrating to be accused of cheating when you knew you didn't do anything wrong."
Toni nods in agreement and says, "Yeah, it was really frustrating. But at least we were able to clear our names and show everyone that we're not cheaters."
As we continue talking and laughing together, I realize that Cheryl is starting to feel more comfortable around us.
She's no longer as nervous or hesitant as she was when she first joined us at the table.
Instead, she's starting to relax and enjoy herself, which makes me happy because I know that she's finally starting to feel like she belongs with us. After a while, we finish our milkshakes and decide to get some food.
We all order burgers and fries and wait for our food to arrive.
As we're waiting for our food, Cheryl starts telling us about how hard it was for her to come out as g#y.
"It was terrifying," Cheryl admits, her voice barely above a whisper.
Toni reaches over and squeezes her hand gently. "You're brave for doing it, Cheryl. We're here for you, no matter what."
Cheryl looks at us with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you. I really needed to hear that."
I walk to my locker after class, my Serpent jacket slung over my shoulder.