jock → reggie mantle [riverdale]

13

"Anyway, enough with my drama, Betty, you were saying something about Jughead's birthday?" Veronica turned to our friend and furrowed her eyebrows, I gave Archie a weary look, Jughead has never once wanted to do something for his birthday, aside from going to The Bijou. "Here." I handed Reggie the other half of my sandwich, he raised his eyebrows at me. "What's wrong?" He questioned, "nothing, just not hungry." I mumbled, resting my forehead on my crossed arms. 

"Mr. Jones told me that Jughead's never had a birthday party." Betty exclaimed, putting her hands out for a moment, emphasizing her shock. "Really? Damn." Reggie spoke up from his spot across from me, taking a bite from the  previously mention sandwich. Archie agreed with Betty's statement, knowing the best out of all of us. "Let's have one for him, like a low key surprise party." Betty sounded so excited but Archie instantly started trying to shut it down. 

I sighed, lifting my head up so I could watch this unfold. "That's a fantastic idea!" Veronica grinned, well Archie was still repeating the same word, no. "Jughead doesn't like his birthday." He stared at the two girls, "everyone says that, but nobody means it." Kevin pointed out, "Jughead's not everybody though." I piped in, only to go completely overlooked as Archie started talking again. 

"Jughead is a lone wolf." Veronica rolled her eyes, "okay, ignoring the negativity. Betty, you know me, any excuse to wear a cute party dress. Okay, so I'm thinking, a quaint gathering, inner circle only." She nodded slightly as she spoke, "but what about what Jug wants?" I wondered aloud, "he'll like it." Veronica smiled as if it was obvious. As much as I've grown close to Veronica, she still has her moments. "Oh my god, don't turn around." Kevin had wide eyes as he looked to the left of us girls. 

Slowly each one of us turned around to see the one and only Chuck Clayton, I glanced back at Reggie to see him already staring at me wearily. "Holy Chuck, I think his lats got bigger, not that I care because he's evil incarnate." Kevin rambled as he walked by, I didn't even look towards my brother as he spoke. I nudged Reggie's foot under the table, "it's okay." I mouthed, looking him in the eyes. He hesitated before nodding, clearly tuning out the rest of everyone's conversation as he put his earbuds in. 

"What's Chuck Clayton doing back?" Archie asked, "he got suspended, not expelled." Veronica sounded disgusted. "This isn't the first time he's been here." I added, everyone's eyes shot to me, "he pulled me into a closet a few weeks back, but I got out of there." I shrugged, as if it was no big deal, because after everything the last week has thrown at me, Chuck Clayton is the least of my worries. 

"Oh my god." Veronica and I whispered simultaneously as Betty strutted over to Chuck, who was sitting next to Ethel. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but next thing I know, Betty slams her hand down on the table, "I'm not!" She snapped. Instantly, despite everyone trying to get me to sit down, I made my way over there. 

"God, your face." Chuck noticeably gasped, I hadn't had the time nor the energy to properly cover the fading mark on my face. "Betty, come back to the table." I placed a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off, "Ethel, is Chuck bothering you?" Betty turned to the red head, squeezing her hands shut to the point of drawing blood. "You can relax, Betty, it's fine." Ethel answered, and you could tell she's being sincere, "yeah, Betty." Chuck started off, looking towards her with a dark smile, "we're fine. The real question is, are you?" 

Betty took a shaky breath before turning and leaving me there, I noticed Chuck wink at Archie and I internally gagged. "I swear to god, Chuck, lose your attitude." I hissed, surprising him with my new found confidence. 

By the time I had gotten back to the table, no one was talking, Reggie had taken his earbuds out and was staring at me along with Kevin and Archie.