Issues ▷ Reggie Mantle

ONE

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ONE; BEAUTIFUL ROSE

     THE FIRST DAY of sophomore year.

     Kalani could barely remember the days of her freshman year, even if only a few months distinguished her status of a freshman to a sophomore. The first year at Riverdale High was spent by Archie's side, holding his hand and kissing him fervently in the hallways. Her life was a fairytale back then, and she woke up every morning eager to go to school.

     She also spent the year with her cousin, Lucas, who was a social student around the campus. Lucas enjoyed kissing both girls and guys alike, and it attracted many classmates to him. Kalani would often find solace in Lucas if she didn't already confront Betty or Archie.

     The end of her freshman year took a disastrous turn. Late night calls with Archie were suddenly becoming dull and uninteresting, and their relationship slowly chipped away. Archie would never admit it to himself, but he could also feel the disconnection. Kalani was just the first one to bring it up.

     Their breakup came as a shock to Riverdale High, for if anyone was to make it through all four years, it would've been Archie and Kalani.

     Now here she was, standing on the same steps where she had broken up with Archie only months ago.

     An arm looped through hers. Lucas's bright eyes contrasted Kalani's saddened ones, but the boy took no notice to this factor. "First day. Can you believe it? We're finally not freshman anymore!"

     Kalani's lips pursed. "Yeah, I really suppose we're not."

     It didn't take long before Lucas was whisked away by one of his many friends. He left Kalani roaming the halls by herself, searching for the friends she once held dear to her heart. Instead, she ended up with Reggie Mantle and Moose Mason.

     "Beautiful rose! Where's the flower in your hair today, Kalani?"

     Kalani swore Reggie was the bane of her existence. Ever since kindergarten, she formed a strong hatred towards the football player. During her middle school years, Reggie enjoyed pulling at the pigtails Kalani wore everyday. Her hairstyle would usually be accompanied by a traditional Hawaiian flower, which was worn on the right side of her face to symbolize her relationship status until she began dating Archie. Once, when a substitute teacher entered the classroom, he complimented Kalani on the beautiful rose in her hair. Although, as everyone could see, it was clearly not a rose and the man's remark was directed towards her surname. Reggie continued to call her 'beautiful rose' to this day just to spite her.

     "Wow, Reggie, I didn't think you would take notice of my hair when you weren't pulling on it."

     He smirked, nudging Moose. "Firecracker, isn't she? Tell me again, beautiful rose, why did you and Andrews break up?"

     Kalani's eyes narrowed. Reggie saw a flash of hair before she was speed walking down the hallway and away from sight.

     After homeroom, students were due to report to the gym so Cheryl Blossom could speak about her brother and the fate of the school's semi-formal. Kalani couldn't care less about the dance, but her eyes narrowed when she spotted a familiar blonde.