Issues ▷ Reggie Mantle

TWO

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TWO; JEALOUSY LACED WITH GUILT

     "DID YOU HOOK UP with Reggie Mantle last night?"

     Kalani closed her locker door, coming face to face with Lucas. His eyes were filled with wonder and curiosity, but Kalani was more interested in figuring out where he heard such a rumor.

     "No, he walked me and Betty home after we left Cheryl's party. Why?"

     Lucas smirked, walking alongside her in the hallway. "Spreading around school. Needed to see if it was actually true since I haven't climbed that sweet piece of-"

     "Lucas!" Kalani stopped him, throwing her arm across his chest. Her cousin chuckled lowly to himself, stopping in the middle of the hallway. Kalani's cheeks grew a bright red. "Don't you have a boyfriend?"

     Lucas shrugged. "Define 'boyfriend.'"

     Kalani rolled her eyes at him. "Plus, I think people are more interested in Kevin finding Jason's body than me and Reggie being together." It was only the night before when Kevin and Moose stumbled upon Jason's corpse, and solved the mystery of where his body had went. However, the Blossom family had not only received their son in a body bag, but with a bullet through his forehead.

     Unfortunately for Kalani, she heard Reggie's booming voice echoing throughout the hallway. "Watch it, Wednesday Addams!"

     Her shoulders stiffened when she realized Reggie was speaking to Jughead. She always hated him the most when he acted like a bully. The situation worsened when Archie was caught staring at her, and his feet moved faster than his mind did.

     Lucas was gone in a millisecond.

     "Kal."

     "I need to get to class, Archie."

     The redhead intercepted her way, stepping in front of her. She glanced up at him, his eyes gazing at her expectedly. "Just listen to me, Kal. I want to apologize. Over the summer, I neglected-"

     "Beautiful rose!" It was the first time Kalani was grateful that Reggie Mantle wanted to speak with her. His arm draped around her shoulder and he pulled her away from her former beau. Kalani checked behind her to see Archie look defeated and guilty.

     Serves him right.

     "Tutoring session after school?"

     Chuck Clayton and Moose laughed from Reggie's side, and Kalani carefully threw his arm off of her. "Yes, Reggie, I'm tutoring you, and that's all." Chuck and Moose continued their chuckles, but she dismissed their ignorance.

     "Don't be so hostile, beautiful rose. A gorgeous face like yours shouldn't be tainted with so many worry lines," Reggie said, running his thumb over Kalani's forehead gently. She saw a brief flicker of adoration in his eyes before it quickly disappeared. His loving persona was replaced with the same cocky jock Kalani hated.

     "See you later, beautiful rose." He winked and walked away with his two sidekicks. Kalani changed directions before Archie could catch up with her.