Disclaimer: No, still not mine.

Author's Note: Here is the first chapter actually written after what was done three years ago. This story has the feel of my life in eerie ways (which is weird since it was written before the events in question) and so this chapter was written with these feelings in mind. Hope you enjoy.

Changes
Part 9: Change is afoot


"Dear Diary,

"Things are ruined. I have not talked to Reggie since I ran from him in the street. That was a week ago. And even though it was suppose to be a secret, it seems that everyone at school now knows. Everywhere I go, I can hear the masses of students whispering behind my back. They go silent when Reggie comes near though, they don't want to risk his wrath. He's reverted back to his old, self-centered, egotistic self. That hurts almost as much as the thought of being without him.

"Veronica assures me that soon the whispers will die down and Chuck and Jughead promised me they would make sure that Reg stayed out of trouble...

"I wish I knew that I did the right thing. More and more I'm doubting it. But I can't focus on that now. Now, I have to meet Archie. Our project is due tomorrow...

"Diary, why do I always have to fall for men who will never love me back as much as I love them?

"Faithfully yours,

"Betty."


She sat down heavily at the table with a sigh.

Archie gave her a sympathetic smile. "You okay? You look tired."

She shrugged. "I've been better." She watched Archie shift in his seat, a sign she knew all to well. "What is it?"

"You and Reggie, huh?"

"What?" In the week since 'the event' Archie made no mention of it, or of her and the brunet. "What about it?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. I just never saw it coming I guess. You seemed like the type who..."

"Would stay mooning over you?" She smiled sadly. She was glad that she had Archie back in her life. Now more than anything, she needed him.

"No. Who would see through his act."

"What makes you think what you see isn't the act?"

"You're defending him."

"Yeah, it seems I'm always defending the guys I..."

"Love?" He broke in.

She thought a moment, before nodding, her throat tightening. "Yeah. I thought by stopping what was happening, I could me from falling for him more."

"Besides the obvious, why would you want to do that?"

"I dunno. Maybe I'm not totally convinced its just an act, maybe I don't want to be hurt again, maybe I don't want to know for sure that I will never be loved as much as I love." Tears started to fall from her eyes as all the insequrities that she had been hiding and pushing away started to well and overflow, spilling into the heart of her first friend. "What if it never happens? I can't go on forever hurting like this. And what kills me the most is that no matter what, I'll still love him. No matter how much it hurts I'll still love him, because somebody has to love him."

He held her as she cried, for the first time knowing just how much happy-go-lucky Betty Cooper was capable of hurting. And he also got a glimpse at how much pain she still carried with her he had caused.

He closed his eyes as a tear of his own fell. He never wanted to hurt her. He never knew just how much love she was capable of. He wanted to take all the hurt he caused her back. Knowing he couldn't, he would do the next best thing. he would be there for her, until the hurt went away.

"Its okay Betty. You'll find it. Everything will work out..."


"So I have some good news," Midge beemed as she sat down beside Betty in their Physics lab, "Suzzy Miller was caught by Coach Carter in the boys locker room with Robert."

"How is that good news?"

"The rumor mill is now buzzing with that instead of you and Reggie. No more whispers following you everywhere you go."

"Well thats good. But poor Suzzy."

"Oh she's a slut. Almost as bad as Cheryl Blossom. Totally had it coming. Speaking of coming..."

"Bad segue Midge. Gross."

Midge laughed. "Chuck is throwing a party tomorrow. You are coming to it. See... it was a totally none gross segue into my topic. Proud?"

"Very. But I'm not up for a party."

"So? Rumor has it Jason is going to be there. And he has a very big thing for you."

"How is this a good thing?"

Midge rolled her eyes. "Jason hits on you, Reggie sees, gets pissed and hits on Jason in a totally beating up way. Then you know that he likes you, you two can make up and live happily ever after."

Betty blinked. "I would love to live in your fantasy world for a moment some time, so I can be lacking the fundamentals of reality." She laughed a little before stealing a look at Reggie who was reading a random magazine. "Reggie is going to be there?"

Midge shrugged. "I guess. Chuck is making him go. He figures that way he can keep an eye on him."

"How is he?"

"Reggie?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know. Moosey said that he's been acting weird. Broodier, less egotistical. Chuck said the last part. Moose doesn't know what broodier means let alone egotistical."

"I was wondering."

"Listen Betty, why not talk to him? I know you care a lot for him. He's showing the world that he's upset about this..."

"Its not that easy." She paused as she thought it over. "In practice, its not that easy. The theory behind it is sound. But, I don't think I'm that brave."

"Well its a good thing you're going to the party. Booze made you brave enough to fuck him, it should make you brave enough to talk to him."

"Midge..."

"No. You are forgetting the fundamentals of a happy ever after. Fight for it. Don't just lie down. If you want to be happy put up a fight or get over being sad and live with it. Look at Reggie, he's not happy. If you give him a reason, I'd bet he'd put up a fight to get back with you. But unless you do too, there's no point. There is no sure things in this life. There are chances, there are losses and wins. They aren't given to you. So just get over it."

Betty hid a smile. "You know, you are kinda cute when you're angry. Psycho, but cute."

Midge huffed at her. "I just think its stupid for you to look happiness in the face then walk away. You deserve it, but you're the only one who can do it." She looked around. "Come to the party."

"Okay, just because I don't want to see you pissed again."

Midge smiled in triumph before looking to Jughead and winking. Without a word, Jughead got up and left.


Reggie watched Betty leave before sighing. It had been a long week, one in which it felt like he had lost something he didn't even know he had, or was even capable of having. It hurt him more than he even thought he could.

He looked over when he heard the chair move. "What do you want Carrot top?"

Archie frowned. "Are you going to Chuck's party tomorrow night?"

Reggie shook his head. "Don't feel like a party, despite Chuck trying to get me to."

Archie smiled as he followed Reggie's lead in standing. "I think you should."

Expressionless Reggie turned to face the grinning redhead. "And why is that?"

"I just overheard from Robert that Jason Blossom is going to be there."

"And?"

"Its common knowledge that he's had a torch for Betty for some time."

Reggie's interest rose. "Betty will be there?"

"Midge and Ronnie are basically forcing her. Think it will do her some good. Jason knows she's on the rebound from you. This might be your only chance to make things right." Archie started to walk away.

"Why are you doing this? I'm not exactly anyone's favourite person. Why help me?"

"Betty." Archie confessed as he turned once again and met the brunet's eye. "I hurt her more than I'd care to think about in the past. I want to see her finally get what she deserves. If you can give it to her, then--what more can I ask? But if you hurt her again..."

Reggie smiled. "Arch, even the thought of hurting her again hurts. Thank you." He held out a hand.

Smiling again, for reasons neither had to say aloud, Archie took the offered had and shook it. Yes, things were definately starting to change...


Please R&R. And also, please tell me about any mistakes, problems with style change and if it blows. Thanks.

Only one chapter left... I think.