Loyalty - Regonica

vi • shorty

Chapter six:

Veronica had stayed up that night, training herself to forget Archie and move on. She wouldn't lie, Veronica was in love with him. He did break her heart, and she did care about him. Although, she was a Lodge, and Lodge's were strong and powerful.

It's quite amusing, though. How much love can tear you apart. It teared Veronica apart even more knowing he cheated on her, as if she wasn't pretty enough—or a better kisser—or didn't meet to his standards. What was the word? Insecure. Veronica Lodge felt insecure and broken.

In fact, she even cancelled on participating in the cheerleading competition that day. Now, her best friend, Betty, would finally get the spotlight instead of her and Cheryl for once. No regrets.

Well, apart from cancelling last minute. Cheryl sounded as of she wanted to rip her head off through the other line of the phone.

Of course, Veronica was also thinking of one person in particular. How come, out of all the friends and people in Riverdale, Reggie Mantle was the one to find her that night? How come Reggie Mantle, out of everyone, protected her and made her feel safe? Is this his way of lurring her into his bed? Reggie Mantle, for gods sake.

Reggie. Fucking. Mantle.

"Hello, gorgeous." He greeted her as she attempted to blend into the crowd. Everyone by now would know her and Archie broke up, Archie possibly making up a cover-up story to make him look like the victim, which would explain the dirty looks coming from strangers.

Veronica brushed a hair behind her ear and smiled faintly, not bothering to make eye contact with the raven-haired boy as she concentrated on the stares from strangers. She finally bit her lip from the negative attention and sighed. "Hello, Reggie. Do you need something?"

Reggie tucked his hands into the pockets of his varsity jacket and kept up with Veronica's quick pace at ease. "Considering the false rumour going around, i'm probably your only friend right now. Unless you've told Betty, Toni, Kevin and Cheryl the truth."

"Good point. Mind telling me what the hell this false rumour is?" Veronica perked up an eyebrow sassily. Reggie's muscles tensed, yet he managed to fit a smug signature smirk across his face.

"Well, you, apparently, cheated on him with me."

Veronica sent him a glare, her mouth agape before nudging him away from her, her cheeks a faded light shade of red. Reggie had let out a small chuckle as she scoffed. "You're kidding me right? Why are you even near me then?! You're just going to make the whole damn story more believeable!"

"Hey, don't get me wrong, I hate that he's doing this to you, Ron." Reggie turned serious as Veronica muttered a 'Mhm', "But you and me? That sounds like a match made in heaven, so why they hell deny—"

"More like a match made in hell." Veronica laughed under her breath. Reggie snaked his arms around her shoulders and moved his lips near her ear. "That explains why we would be such a hot couple. By the way, how are your h—"

"Why are you being so fl—"

"Ah! Moving on without shame, are we?" Chuck Clayton, a supposed friend of Reggie's stood in front of the two. Veronica rolled her eyes, folding her arms.

"You really believe that stale cracker?"

"Stale cracker?" Reggie pressed his lips in a thin line, holding back laughter. Chuck took a step towards Veronica and smiled. Veronica had furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I'm kidding, Veronica. I'm not the old Chuck, remember?" Chuck slipped in the middle of the two, one arm around Reggie's neck and the other around Veronica's "Besides, I'll always stick with my captain. It's called team loyalty."

Loyalty.

Veronica pushed off Chuck's arm quickly, her face twisted in disgust as she pulled her handbag up her arm. Chuck pouted, earning Veronica to smile sympathetically. "Sorry, you're sweaty."

"All good, you were too short anyway, it was starting to hurt my arms."

"Short? Me, short?" Veronica put on an offended act. Chuck smiled, amused. "Shorty!"

"What?"

"That's your nickname."

"Urgh—" Veronica groaned "No!"

"Don't worry, I find short people quite attractive. Too bad the last one I liked was more into girls."

"Obviously you found me attractive, Chuck. We almost had sex." Veronica wiggled her eyebrows.

Reggie on purpose coughed loudly, fake gaging at the two.  "Too much information."

***

Veronica flopped on her bed after having a shower, the ends of her hair still wet and soaking her pillow. She sighed, thinking about the day. Honestly, apart from the glares and break-up-heartache, she felt good.

There was now only one thing to sort out. Betty, Cheryl and the vixens were out the whole day competing in the competition, meaning Veronica had no chance to talk to the two. Veronica quickly dialed Betty's number.

Her phone picked up on two rings. "V! Hey!"

"Hey B. How was the competition?" Veronica tried her hardest to sound enthusiastic.

"We came third. It was great—you should have been here, though. It would be way more fun with you." Betty replied, sounding just as exhausted as Veronica. Veronica smiled faintly.

"Yeah, i'm just not in the emotional state to do that stuff ... you know?"

Betty sighed through the phone. "I know you didn't cheat, V. You loved him."

"I did love him—he cheated on me , B."

"What?"

"With Valerie. Reggie caught him a few days ago, but I don't think that's the first time."

"What did Reggie do?"

"Beat him up."

"Woah. Why? I'm sure he's cheated on a girl aswel."

"We've built up a small friendship." Veronica shrugged. Betty sighed and continued to talk about the day, leading the small conversation to last for hours. Veronica's eyelids stung, desperate for sleep.

"Hey, B. I'm tired." She yawned.

"Oh, yeah, same. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

"Night."

Veronica switched off her lights and plugged her phone on charge, one thought in her head before she drifted off to sleep.