The Last Blue Rose// Reggie Mantle (1)

Chapter Eleven

The night of the drive in, Caia and Reggie sat in the back of Reggie's dad's pickup truck, covered by a fleece blanket. A bucket of popcorn was settled in between the two of them. On screen, Rebel Without a Cause played.

Caia knew this was the time to talk to Reggie about their relationship. She wanted to know what the kisses meant. What they were.

But she was scared. She feared Reggie would friendzone her or something. So scared, she almost didn't do it.

But in a moment is spontaneity, she brought it up. "Hey Reggie, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he replied, turning his head to Caia. "What's up?"

She swallowed her nervousness. "You know how we've kissed and stuff?" She asked and then cursed herself. That was so awkward!

Reggie nodded. "Yeah. I was there." Caia chuckled nervously. It was funny, but she was still scared.

"Yeah. Um," she paused and scratched the back of her kneck anxiously. "What are we?" She finally blurted out. As soon as she said it, she wished she hadn't.

Reggie kept eye contact. "You mean like relationship wise?" Caia nodded sheepishly.

"Are we dating, or friends, or do we have some weird-"

"Caia, do you want to be dating?" Reggie cut her off.

Caia shrugged. "I mean, sure, if you want to I guess," She rambled.

Reggie chuckled. "You've really never done this before, have you?" Caia shifted her eyes to the truck bed. "Let's try again. Caia, would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Caia was silent for a moment. "Yes."

Reggie smiled. "Good. Cause I want to be your boyfriend." With that, he pulled Caia's chin up and kissed her. Caia brought her hand's up to Reggie's face to steady herself.

They were still kissing when hoots and howls were heard from behind the two. "Look at the two sucking face!" Someone yelled.

Reggie broke away from Caia, standing up to face the Southside Serpents, who were sitting behind them. "Shut the hell up!" He yelled. "No one asked for your opinion!"

Caia pulled on Reggie's hand, begging him to sit down. The serpents were dangerous, especially when provoked.

Reggie finally clattered back to the ground. "I hate those stupid serpents," he muttered. Caia gulped. If only he knew.

Only a second later, Veronica's voice rang out through the lot. "Know what happens to a snake when a Loubiton heel steps on it? Shut the hell up, or you'll find out." There was a smattering of applause as she finished. Reggie whooped.

All the talk of Southside Serpents was making Caia uncomfortable. She noticed the popcorn bucket was almost empty and took this as an excuse to get away from them. "Want some more popcorn?" She questioned.

Reggie looked down into the mostly empty bucket. "Sure. I'll come with you." He started to stand up, but Caia stopped him.

"It's fine. I need to walk around for a while. I get leg cramps when I sit for too long." She took the bucket and hopped out of the truck bed. Reggie gave her a strange look, but let her go.

Caia stood in line. Once at the front, she set the bucket on the counter. "Can I get a refill, please? And a coke?" When the boy returned with her food, she slid a dollar on the counter for the pop and started back to Reggie's truck. Suddenly, she ran into a hard chest.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she appologised backing away. Her eyes traveled up the boy's body. She took in his leather jacket and her eyes stoped as she got to the serpent tattoo visible on his kneck. Her eyes skirted to his face and her suspicion was confirmed. She knew who this was.

"I- I have to go," She stuttered, stumbling back and hurrying away. She hoped he hadn't realized who she was. If he happened to follow her and Reggie found out she knew a serpent, things would not turn out good.

Caia convinced Reggie that she didn't need a ride home. When everyone had left, she walked up to the projection booth, knowing she would find Jughead there. She did, but she also found a place that not only looked used, it looked lived in.

"Jug?" She questioned.

Jughead turned around to see Caia in the doorway. "Caia! You're not supposed to be back here." He stated, trying to get her to leave.

Caia surveyed the small space. "Jug," she called sadly. "Is this where you've been living?" Her friend hung his head in shame, giving Caia all the proof she needed. "Hey, you know if you needed a place to stay, my couch is always open. Well, not always. My dad sleeps on it a lot," she rambled.

Jughead sighed. "Yeah, I know. I just hate to sleep there. I feel like I'm intruding."

Caia shook her head. "Jug, you're basically the brother I never had. Our dads were best friends." She wanted him to know he didn't have to sleep in a projection room. She had a house that he could stay at.

"Caia, thanks for the offer, but I'll be okay. Now go home. The streets aren't exactly safe at night." Jughead ushered Caia out.

Caia walked home. She knew the next morning the Twilinght Drive-In would be closed for good. She knew Jughead would have to go back to living with his dad or become homeless. A new day brought new troubles and old ones that had been previously solved.

But along with thay, a new day brought new happiness. Caia hoped that's what the new days would bring.

Though, you don't always get your wishes.