Young and In Love

Word of their breakup went around the school like wildfire.

“Betty and Reggie broke up.” No one could believe that after three years of going steady, the ‘power couple’ were no more.

“Now you can play the field Reg. Plenny girls out there want you, man”, his friend Frankie said.

“No. I don’t want any other girl, Frankie. Betty and I will be back together. We love each other. Everyone goes through tough times.”

Frankie looked at him doubtfully, but said, “Sure man.”

***

Time for the prom was coming up soon. Betty was not going to go until she had received a call from Reggie.

“Hi Babe, are you still mad at me? We need to discuss the prom.”

“What do we have to discuss? I’m going with Archie. Maybe I’ll see you there?”

“What?! Betty, I said I was sorry for being a dick. Please, I love you. I’m sorry baby. Come on. Be my date for the prom?”

“No!! I still hate you! Ask someone else.” Betty slammed down the phone, and then she called Archie.

“Hi Arch, do you have a date for the prom yet?”

“No Bets, I was thinking of not going.”

“Will you take me? I have no date.”

“What about Reggie?”

“What about him?”

“I would think as your boyfriend he’d have a lot to say about me taking you out.”

“He’s no longer my boyfriend, remember? I don’t want to talk about it, okay? Well, will you take me or not?”

“I’d love it if you’d be my date Bets. Can I come over? You know, to discuss the details of our date?”

“Sure Archie, it’ll be like old times.” Betty felt better already.

***

Reggie never felt as horrible as he felt now, in his whole life. Betty hated him and she still did not want to be his girlfriend any longer and he didn’t know how to make it right

with her. “Dad, can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure son.”

“I messed up big time. Betty broke up with me and I think I’m gonna lose it. What can I do to get her back? I

love her so much.”

“Remember what I told you before? If you’ve hurt her and she doesn’t want you, there’ll be very little you can do about it. Just try to show her you care, and

how wrong you were, and pray it’s not too late. Just show her that you care. Give her some space. If I know anything about women, she will make it very hard for you, but if you

love her, son, hang in there with her.” Rick hugged his son. He knew how much Reggie loved Betty  and hoped that they could work it out.

 ***

“How dare you ask my girl to the

prom, you  fuckin’ freak!?” “Actually, Mantle, she asked me.”

“Why you…stay away from Betty. She’s my girl!”

“That’s not what she told me.”

“Well I'm telling you, she's my girl. Stay away from her!”

“No!!”

With those words Reggie and Archie had exchanged blows, and both got a week’s detention for their fight.