IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ she deserves better

( SHE DESERVES BETTER )
by archiefics

He watched as you leaned against your locker, Archie pulled in close to you, hand pressed against the locker, lifting himself above you. You smiled, wrinkling your nose as Archie laughed before pressing a kiss to your lips. Reggie had to look away; the sight was way to painful for him to look at. He hated how he had to pretend that Archie, his best friend, asking you out didn't hurt him. Archie came to him before he did so, of course. Reggie wasn't gonna say no. He knew that you had started to like Archie back and he wasn't going to deprive you of new happiness.

Reggie walked away from the scene and to class, but it was like he couldn't escape you two. As he sat down in his seat, you and Archie walked in, holding hands and laughing like idiots. Reggie just rolled his eyes, averting his gaze away from Archie kissing your temple as you parted ways. Moose, who sat next to Reggie, noticed that he was forcing his gaze away from you. "Reggie? You okay, bro?" he nudged him.

His friend just shook his head. "I'm fine, Moose," he sighed. "I'm fine."

But the more he watched you and Reggie sharing those little moments in the halls, kissing sweetly or you coming to the football games to cheer Archie on. It hurt him deeply to see that he couldn't be the one to make you smile like that anymore. He knew what he did to make you break up with him was awful. He dreamed every night about you crying in his bedroom as he sat on the edge of his bed, pulling at the roots of his hair. You had found out that he was dealing drugs for all of your relationship and even a little before. You were furious that he didn't tell you and he was furious that he was going to have to let you go. But he knew you didn't deserve to be in the dark. You didn't deserve a guy who had to keep secrets. You didn't deserve someone who could be busted by the cops at any moment, his scholarship for football down the drain. You deserved someone who could treat you with the love and respect you deserved.

When it was just you and him in the hallway, you'd give him a small smile as he reciprocated. "You played great last night as per usual," you complimented him, nudging his arm lightly as you unlocked your locker.

Reggie offered a small smile. "Thank you. Glad you were able to make it," he says as you nod your head. He knew you didn't come for him. You came for Archie. But a little piece of him hoped that you still got excited to see him play on that field. "Next game is on Saturday. Student section is doing a white-out," he tells you as you give him a thumbs up.

"I'll be there cheering the loudest," you smile as he laughs lightly before waving goodbye to walk to his class.

On his way, he thinks of how dumb he was. If it weren't for his need for a little quick cash, you two could still be together. He should have just quit the stupid thing, got a real job, and the two of you could have been happy together. It could have been him who you ran up to after lunch to hug in the halls. He could have been the one to pick you up from soccer practice. You two could have been all that they were easily. But Reggie was too selfish before to realize the huge mistake he was making.

It was right before the white-out Bulldog football game and the boys were getting changed in the locker room. Reggie wrapped his arm as Archie smiled at the screen of his phone. He knew that Archie was talking to you over text. Archie then got up from the bench and ran to the entrance, where you stood waiting to wish him good luck before he played. You stood on your tip toes to press a kiss to his lips and wished him the best of luck on the field. Reggie thought back to the times where you did the exact same thing to him. You'd stand out there, waiting awkwardly as Bulldogs walked past you. His teammates would call out Reggie's name, saying that you were waiting for him. Reggie would run up to you and give you a kiss before he had to get changed and head out. "You're gonna be amazing like you always are," you'd tell him as he smiled big. "You're the only one I watch out there." Reggie would always shake his head, rolling his eyes as you smacked his chest, telling him you meant it. He'd scoop you up into a tight hug before kissing you sweetly. "I love you," you'd tell him before scurrying away. Reggie remembered the memory fondly, smiling to himself. You were so good to him and he wished he never abused that kind heart of yours.

As Archie walked back to the bench, Reggie sighed, "Y/N?" Archie looked over to his teammate and friend, smiling while nodding his head. "Gotcha," he huffed. Reggie sat awhile in silence with Archie before speaking again. "How long have you been dating now?"

"Four months," Archie declares with a proud smile. You and Reggie had dated for twice that long, but Reggie kept that comment to himself. Reggie just nods his head. "She's great," Archie tells his friend as if he didn't already know that. "I've never been this into a relationship with anyone before."

Reggie wanted to scream at his words, telling the guy that he was plenty aware. He wanted to scream that he was still in love with you and it killed him to see that his best friend and his ex-girlfriend were crazy for each other. But instead he said, "Listen, Arch." Archie looked up at his friend. "I know I made my mistakes with Y/N. I know you're not the same guy as me, but if you're smart," he starts. "Don't make the same mistakes that I did."

Archie nods his head, "I know, dude. I won't."

Reggie shakes his head, "No, you still don't get it." Archie looks up at him confused. "Y/N deserves the god damn world and I'm pissed I couldn't be the one to give it to her," he bluntly states, his anger rising. Archie notices that Reggie is torn over the situation. He doesn't get mad at Reggie because he knows he's hurting. He lets Reggie speak. "She's beautiful and kind and passionate. She didn't deserve any of the crap I gave her," he huffs, standing from the bench to shut his locker. "What I'm trying to say," Reggie clears his mind. "Treat her better than I ever did. She deserves better. Much better. And if you're the one that is going to give her the best, then please. Do so."

"I will," Archie tells him. "I definitely will try my best at the very least."

"And if you hurt her, I swear on my life Andrews," Reggie warns with a tightened grip on his jersey.

"You'll kill me," Archie completes the sentence, trying to soothe Reggie. "I know you're still hurting, man. And it know it's gonna take awhile to heal. But dating Y/N or not, I'm still here for you."

Reggie shakes his head as Archie pats his back. His mind was now flooded with images of you and the times you spent together and he can't help but feel so guilt. Archie knows that he isn't over you. Archie wanted to get defensive and protective over you, but he knew if he did Reggie would just fight back. "Alright," Reggie breathes out, trying to focus himself on the game that he had to win. "Let's do the damn thing."