Jerks and Creeps

Reggie Mantle squinted hard once again to find the appeal in Archie Andrews. There was none, as far as he could tell.

Archie had average looks, below average intelligence, and average charm. And yet Betty Cooper adored the kid.

She stared at Archie from her lonely booth like he was the most special kid in the world, while Archie, in turn, played Betty like a poorly tuned violin.

It was like a joke no one had let Reggie in on.

Reggie turned to get a better view of Betty, from his own booth he sat not too far away. The girl was beautiful, clever, charismatic, no doubt. But he always stayed away from her for one reason, she was too sweet .

Reggie felt like a formidable monster standing next to the pure hearted Betty Cooper.

Those blue eyes. Oh those blue eyes.

He was a young-blooded man after all. He would seduce her like there was no tomorrow. Problem was, he didn't deserve her.

Archie didn't deserve her either. Why couldn't Betty see this simple fact?

Reggie may be a mean-hearted kid but he was no user. He would never hurt someone the way Betty was hurting right now. By meaning one thing and saying another, lying blatantly to ones face just to get laid. Reggie was many things, but he was not a liar and he was not a cheat.

True he was considered the bad one because he played pranks and spoke mean, but to him, under the word 'creep' was Archie Andrews.

Betty watched miserably as Archie chatted up another girl by the jukebox. . The kid annoyed him so much. Reggie felt the cola can crush under his fist.

He walked up to her booth and tapped Betty shoulder.

"Hey Betts. You sure look beautiful today."

This caught Archie's attention. He turned away from the girl, his face a deep shade of red. Redder than his hair. Reggie grinned at the sight.

"Thanks Reggie, you're awful sweet and such a good friend." Betty smiled gratefully.

Sweet? Not many people called him that. Funny thing about Betty. She brought out the best in him. Made him feel like he could almost be one of the nice ones, almost.

"No problem babe, just call 'em like I see 'em."