IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ last straw

( LAST STRAW )by onemorefanaccount

I was supposed to be meeting Reggie in the student lounge after class but I was running late because my teacher wanted me to stay back. I took my time, knowing he was probably hanging out with his friends while he waited.

The halls were practically empty as I made my way to the lounge, which meant they were silent-leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I came face to face with the entrance just as another student was leaving, "Thank you," I smile as I walk into the room, passing the boy who was holding the door open.

Not expecting to be met with the sight of my boyfriend jumping over the back of the couch aiming for Jughead, I'm brought to a sudden stop.

"Hey, shut the hell up Reggie," Archie intervenes.

"Boys," Veronica interjects.

"What do you care, Andrews?"

"Nothing. Just leave him alone."

"Holy crap. Did you and Donnie Darko kill him together? Was it some sort of pervy blood-brother thing?"

"Reggie!" I yell out, shocked he would suggest such a thing-but he didn't hear me. I was merely acknowledged by Veronica and Kevin who both shot me a sympathetic look.

Archie shoves Reggie, an action that angers him. The taller boy pushes back, shoving the redhead against the vending machine and it wasn't long until Reggie had him on the floor.

"Reggie!" I scream, finally getting his attention. He got back on his feet, stepping away from the boy on the floor-whose friends had already rushed to his aid. "Seriously?" I demand, turning back and storming out of the room.

I wait in the hallway, expecting him to follow. Soon enough he made his way out of the lounge, hesitantly hovering by the door watching me.

"I can't believe you," I spat. "Why would you do something like that?"

"He pushed me first," he argued.

I scoff, "You were asking for it, Reggie! You were purposely provoking them!"

"Why do you care?"

"Why do I care?" I scream. "Because they're my friends and maybe because I'm sick you bullying people; hurting people; putting them down! There's no point to it, it only causes them harm and makes you look like a douche." Reggie remains silent, avoiding my eye. "I can't do this anymore," I tell him.

His gaze snaps to mine, "What are you saying?"

Seeing him take a step closer, I shut my eyes and take a deep breath. I feel his hand rest on my arm, the other gently pushes my chin upwards. When I finally open my eyes, I'm face to face with him.

"Don't," I whisper, stepping away from his hold. A heartbreaking expression crosses his face, making my chest tighten. "I just-" Unable to word what I want to say I release a frustrated groan, running a hand through my hair. The door to the lounge opens revealing Archie, Jughead, Veronica and Kevin. They look over at us, spotting us immediately. "We'll talk later," I tell him.

Walking across the hall, I find myself standing in front of the redhead. "Are you okay?" I ask softly, feeling an unexplainable sense of guilt.

Archie offers me a kind smile, "I'm fine." His eyes flicker behind me and he sends me a questioning look. I shake my head and link my arm with Veronica.

"We should go," I suggest.

"(Y/N)," Reggie sighs. "Please."

"I can't do this now," I insist. Hearing the crack in my own voice, my grip on Veronica tightens. "Let's go to Pop's," I mumble, starting to pull the girl along with me.

I press myself further into Veronica's side after feeling her arm wrap around my shoulder. "Did you want to to talk about it?" she asks me. The sound of Jughead typing away on his computer momentarily stops as he glances our way. "Did you two have a fight?"

I nod, taking a quick sip of my milkshake. "I'm just so over it all."

"Over Reggie?" Jughead asks, raising an eyebrow, looking completely confused.

"Of course not," I sigh. "I love Reggie. I just can't stand his behaviour. Sometimes his actions...I just can't accept that side of him. He can't expect me to either," I reason. "It's not right what he does."

"But he's not like that with you," Archie offers.

"That's not enough. He can't be one way with me and completely different to the rest of the world. It doesn't work like that. I don't want to be that girl and expect him to change for me. I would never ask him to do that. But he needs to grow up. He needs to see his words and actions can have serious consequences."

"Maybe you should-" Archie's words are cut off, distracted by something behind me.

Turning around in my seat, I find Reggie walking towards us. He stops when he's at our table, his gaze meeting mine. "I'm sorry," he says quietly.

"I'm not the one you should be apologising to."

Reggie's jaw clenches, looking over at the two boys sitting opposite me. "I'm sorry for today. And all the days beforehand," he sighs.

"Are you apologising because you think it will make me happy or because you actually mean it?" I ask crossing my arms.

He closes his eyes, "Both? I don't know."

"Reggie-"

"No," he interrupts. "I'm sorry, okay? I hate that I was stupid enough to give in to my anger when I should have handled everything differently, I hate that I hurt my teammate, but most of all I hate that you're mad with me and that you just walked off before without actually talking with me-that you're disappointed in me and that you're questioning our relationship."

"Remember to breathe," I mumble, turning my attention to my hands in my lap.

Veronica lets out a small chuckle and squeezes my shoulder before unwrapping her arm from me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Reggie sink to his knees beside me. "(Y/N)?" he asks. "Please forgive me. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll make it up to Archie and Jughead, too."

His hand rests on my knee and I grab hold of it, clutching it tightly with both og my hands. "I'm sorry, too," I admit.

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I do," I nod.

"Fine. Then I forgive you, just please-look at me."

Lifting my head, I'm met with Reggie's hopeful expression. I kiss his forehead quickly and rest mine against his. He lets out a breath of relief and squeezes my hand. "I love you," he whispers.

"Sorry to break up this...momentous occasion," Jughead speaks, "but I think all our drinks need a refill."