Young and In Love

 It had been a well-known fact that since they were kids, Betty Cooper chased Archie Andrews. Everyone in town knew that Archie was not interested in her romantically,

everyone but Betty. That is. He cared for her as a sister or a friend, but his real love was for Veronica Lodge.  Veronica was very fickle, and when she stood Archie up for

another boy, he dated Betty.

By the time they turned fourteen, Betty had realized that Archie did not love her. They were all at a party at Veronica’s house when it happened. Betty had demanded that

Archie choose between them. He chose Veronica.

“The best woman won, Ron. I hope you too will be very happy.” Betty had hugged Veronica tearfully, resigning herself to the fact that she had lost her one true love.

“Come on Bets. I hate the food here. Let’s go get a soda at the Chocklit Shoppe. I’m buying.”

“You’re buying Jughead?” Betty’s eyes widened in surprise, because everyone knew Jughead Jones never paid for anything when it came to his food.

“Sure. It’s a special occasion. Ole Arch finally made up his mind . Are you ok with it?”

“No, but I will be. Can we go soon, before I embarrass myself?”

They hooked arms and said their goodbyes.

“I think I’ll join you two.” Betty frowned at the speaker. She did not want to hear Reggie Mantle brag about how great an athlete he was today. He did not hang out with them

much anymore, having joined the clique of jocks, and they were very busy chasing girls and playing sports.

“If you don’t mind, Reggie, Jug and I have some private business to discuss. Maybe, some other time, ok?”

“Sure. I know when I’m not wanted”

Betty was surprised at the bitterness she heard in his voice.  Maybe he’s upset because Ronnie is going out with Archie, and not him. Reggie was the main boy that Veronica

dated when she stood Archie up, especially since Reggie and his parents moved to the wealthy neighborhood of Hampton Hills. Their new home was beautiful, and many of

the kids fought to be invited to Reggie’s house. Betty was amazed that the vain and handsome Reggie Mantle might feel hurt and rejected. He always had a girl on his arm.

Except for tonight, he came alone.

“Oh, it’s alright. You can come if you behave yourself.” He smiled at her then. A genuinely happy smile, making her notice how really fine he was.

“Reggie’s going with us Jug, if it’s alright with you.”

“Then you can pay for the sodas, Mantle.”

“No problem Needle nose. I’ll even pay for a few burgers.”

“You’re on Mantle. Let’s blow this joint”. Betty took each young man’s arm, and they left the mansion, like Dorothy, the tin man and scare crow from “The Wizard of Oz.”

The three of them had a great time at Pop’s. Jughead and Reggie took turns dancing with Betty  to her favorite jukebox tunes. Reggie kept feeding the box coins, alternating

between slow and fast songs. Betty never laughed so hard at the antics of her two friends. At one point they had even danced together, with Reggie acting as the girl. They

seemed determine to cheer her up, and it was working.

Ethel Muggs came into the Chocklit Shoppe and joined them, bearing a triple patty cheese burger deluxe platter for Jughead.  Betty knew that Ethel had saved enough money

to buy two more, just for a moment to be with Jughead. Ethel was madly in love with Jughead. But he only loved food. Jughead was the only person in town who could eat the

mammoth sandwich. He was lost in glutton heaven.

“Look Bets. I have some important  business to discuss with Ethel. Mantle will see you home. Right, Mantle?” Jughead actually began to drool before he was able to take a

bite out of the huge burger. “Mmmph” He was rolling his eyes in ecstasy.

“Of course Jug. Don’t mind us. I’ll take Betty home.”

“Good ole Juggie, His stomach overrules his dislike of girls.” Betty and Reggie laughed as their friend  Jughead cringed because Ethel kissed him as soon as he began

eating.

“Let’s go for a walk before I take you home, Betty.” Reggie stood up after footing the bill for their meal.

“Sure Reggie.” Betty had forgotten she was supposed to be heart broken. Going out with the guys had made her forget losing Archie.

The town of Riverdale glowed in the dusk like something out of a fairy tale. Betty always enjoyed the sunset and how the town seemed to glow in the evening.

They walked in companionable  silence for several minutes.

“How are you doing, really Betty?” There it was. The reminder that everyone knew she had been dumped this night.

“I’ll be okay, Reg. I guess deep down I knew it would turn out this way. I know I’ve been a fool, but I always had hope that Archie would choose me. Go ahead, laugh.”

“I don’t see anything funny, Blondie. I think it’s kind of sweet. I just hated how Archie led you on.”

“Everyone knew he didn’t love me but me.” With that Betty burst out crying. Reggie  pulled her to him, awkwardly patting her, surprisingly silent, and comforting too. She felt

good being in his arms, which was a great surprise to her.

“Cry Bets, you’ll feel better.  How about going to the spring dance with me? Knock them all on their asses to see us together. Let freckle snoot see you’ve moved on to a

better man.”

“You want to date me?” When he vigorously nodded, it helped her self-esteem to see his eagerness. That the popular Reggie wanted to date her made her feel so much

better about losing Archie.

“Sure Reg. That sounds great.” Betty sniffed as she looked at Reggie. He had an odd look on his face. They spent the rest of the evening watching videos and talking at her

house. Her mother asked him to stay for dinner, which he happily accepted. Reggie called his father to pick him up at ten o’clock. It was a very fun evening for them both.

Betty had forgotten she was supposed to be heartbroken.

***

A few weeks later, they had just settled in a booth at the Chocklit Shoppe, after the spring dance had ended. The whole dance had buzzed when Betty showed up with Reggie

Mantle. They were the hot new couple, stealing the spotlight from Veronica and Archie.

Betty’s blonde hair and blue eyes completely complimented Reggie’s dark hair and green eyes. He was already tall and surprisingly well built for a freshman in High School.

They looked so good together. Reggie’s friends: Chuck Clayton, Moose Mason, Jason Blossom and Frankie Valdez  had raced over to pat him on the back, ragging him

about Betty.

“Reggie loves Betty!”

They happy couple blushed, but neither said anything. They knew denying it would only fuel their friend’s teasing. Archie watched them the whole night, though he would

never dare to approach them. Reggie’s friends made sure Archie stayed away, because he had already tried to talk to Betty alone.

***

Now, after the dance was over, they were having sodas. Reggie convinced his friends that they needed some time alone. The weeks he and Betty spent together had

become very precious to him.

"Uh, Bets, can… can I …kiss… you?" She nodded, still staring into his eyes. He leaned forward and, with eyes closed, she felt his lips brush up against hers. He pulled

away, with a quiet kissing sound. She studied his face. God he's gorgeous, she thought.

He leaned in again, and kissed her. He didn't pull away this time but just let his forehead touch hers. She felt his warm breath on her lips, and kissed him back, her hands

finding his hair. She loved his silky black hair. She let her mouth open the slightest bit, and he did the same. The tip of his tongue barely touched hers, and his hands gently

cupped her face. His body tingled, especially where her hands rested on his shoulders. He pushed his tongue a little further into her mouth, thrilled when her tongue

touched his, and she sucked it, very timidly. They spent the better half of an hour in the corner of the Chocklit Shoppe, just kissing passionately. Her hands stayed on his

shoulder, and his hands never went below hers. They were oblivious to the amazed stare and catcalls that their friends were sending them. As Reggie walked her to her

door, his heart was swelling with the adoration he already felt for her. He kissed her again on her doorstep, and she couldn't believe how lucky she was that Reggie, who

turned out to be so great, actually seemed to like her. She gave him a huge hug as he reluctantly turned to leave. His father was going to pick him up at Chuck's house.

“I guess I should go  now. See you tomorrow?” She nodded quickly, still in a daze from this day’s events.

They both went to sleep dreaming about the other, him  with a frenzied hand that had relieved the erection she'd given him.