Chapter 28: Reggie Or Not!
*Aria's POV*
I couldn't sleep. I didn't know why but I was having a really hard time sleeping. I wasn't having nightmares or anything like that. It was a late Friday night and, not only a few days after the Leviathan ghost other realm dealing with demons hullabaloo, but because both Jughead and Dilton wanted to watch an alien trilogy showing at the revival theater, where they played 10 alien movies from afternoon till 10pm, and Uncle Fred said yes to it, We compromised and Dilton gave up his Saturday to have it on Friday as a double date. But the late movie wasn't why I was up either.
"Leviathan. I feel like there is something in the sky. Like we're not alone. Aliens ya' know? I might seem crazy but I thought whispering this to you would help me sleep better. How are you doing? I'm doing better. My back healed up. I know you're happy. I am too. Goodnight Leviathan." I whispered to the bear as it, in fact, did help me fall asleep and stay asleep. I didn't realize I was right with the alien thing. I woke up in the morning with a gasp.
*It was just a dream.* I thought as I pulled myself out of bed. I was sweaty and sticky and decided to shower off. After the shower I got dressed in my usual outfit and had my hair up in the high ponytail I usually had it in with the usual make up. I went down the stairs and into the kitchen to grab a small and quick breakfast before heading down to the skate park. I really didn't want to deal with my aunt and uncle right now. I felt like they were babying me a bit and I could see glimpses of sorrow in their eyes when they see me. I couldn't stand to see it anymore. Everyone in that hospital room saw my pain and suffering. My sadness and loneliness. I didn't want anyone to see that. I hated spreading those emotions on to them but now they fully understood why I was me. Fun, creative, feisty as some have said, loving, smart, genuine, and so much more. That's what I want them to see. I guess it's just hard to believe. I went into the kitchen and saw Aunt Mary making breakfast and Uncle Fred reading the paper. I guess Archie's still sleeping.
"Good morning Aria." Aunt Mary chimed when she noticed me. Uncle Fred looked up from his paper and smiled at me.
"Good morning. How ya doing? Sleep well?" Uncle Fred asked me as he then took a sip of his coffee.
"I'm fine. Slept alright. And good morning." I said as I went to grab a fresh peach. I loved peaches.
*I wonder if Jughead could make those Peaches and Cream pancakes again.* I thought as I bit into the peach.
"I'll see you guys later." I said, mouth full of peach, as I headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Uncle Fred asked me.
"To the skating park to practice then I'm going to meet Archie and Jughead at Pop Tate's." I told them.
"Don't you want breakfast?" Aunt Mary asked me as she showed me scrambled eggs.
"This peach is fine. I'm not that hungry." I told her.
"Do you need money?" Uncle Fred asked me.
"I'm good. Thank you though." I said as I grabbed my bag and my skates and was almost out the door.
"Love you guys!" I shouted as I closed the door and walked off. I didn't even wait for a response. I just wanted to go and clear my mind. I was on my way to the skate park as I finished my peach and put the seed in my pocket.
*Maybe I can plant it in a bare spot no one uses at the park. * I thought as I smiled. Even if it didn't grow it was still worth a shot to try. I got to the entrance of the park when I heard someone call my name.
"Aria." I looked and saw Jimmy run up to me before hugging me.
"Oof. Hey Jimmy." I said as I lightly hugged him back. I found out a while ago Jimmy was, not only a hands on person who seriously didn't know much about personal space but was also, a hugger. He, thankfully, let go of me and smiled down at me. He was a couple inches taller than me.
"Didn't think I'd run into you. What ya up to?" He said and then asked me as his smile never faded.
"Just going to skate before I meet Archie and Jughead at Pop Tate's." I told him as I smiled back. His smiles were infectious.
"Mind if I join?" He asked me as I saw his skate board sticking out of his bag.
"Not at all." I told him as we head into the park together. We walked down a path when I noticed a nice open spot where a tree would be perfect.
"Hold on a sec." I told him as I darted over to the spot. I planted the peach seed and then went back to him.
"What did you bury?" He asked me as he had a curious look on his face.
"Oh. Well I had a peach earlier so I planted the seed in the ground. I figured even if it didn't grow it was worth a shot." I told him as he smiled at me.
"Well look at you, trying to help the environment." He said cheerfully and slightly teasingly as I nudged the side of my body into his to push him a bit.
"Hush." I said as we smiled and laughed lightly. We got to the park and we set our stuff under it while I sat down.
"You start. I've only seen skateboarding a few times and I'm curious to see." I told him as I started to slowly clip my skates onto my boots. Jimmy didn't even respond before he was off. He ran and slid his bored on the ground before he hopped on it and went down the slope just as he did. He looked incredible. He swayed back and forth, side to side, hi did a few twists on a jump and once he landed he moved is body in circles while the board only swayed side to side. He jumped off and danced a bit around it before hopping back on to gain speed. Once he had a good speed he grind on the bar and when he reached the end he jumped off his board and let it spin before hopping back on it. He did some more dances on and off the board and another small jumps before he skid to a stop in front of me. "How's that?" He asked me with a small pant. I'm sure I had the look of shock on my face.
"Oh. My. Gosh. I didn't know you could do that! That was amazing!" I said in shock as I stood up and applauded him.
"Thank you! Thank you! I might not be a Tony Hawk but maybe close?" He asked me as I giggled.
"How long have you been at this? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were showing off just for me." I asked before I teased him. He then blushed a light pink.
"Well, um, a couple years now. And, um, I k-kinda was." Jimmy said as he rubbed the back of his head and looked away with a small blush. I was shocked at first but then I laughed lightly.
"Cute." I said to him as he looked at me.
"Let's see what you got then." He told me as I smiled.
"With pleasure." I said as, with my skates secured and head phones now on my ears, skated to a starting point. I hit play and put my ipod in my pocket and posed. The music started as soon as I posed. 'Le Freak' by C'est Chic played and of I went. I swayed my body side to side and was soon quickening my pace. I started to spin right when I went down the slope. Normally anyone who did that would fall but I knew what to do. I saw Jimmy had ran to the edge, since I looked like I would fall or skid, but as I was about to hit the ground I used my right hand to land on and used that hand to propel into a one hand flip. I did a mild split and a tiny spin before zooming off with speed. I went up the hill and did a ballerina type spin and land, barely, on the edge as I swayed back and forth. I weaved side to side and ducked under the grind bar. I turned and soon, once gained enough speed, jumped on it and did some hand motions while I grind on the bar. I jumped off with a spin and landed on one foot while skating backwards. I did mini kicks, like I was doing the can can, while moving my hands around. I did another spin with one leg still behind me and moved low while having that leg move to in front of me. Then when my music just about ended I stood and posed in a disco like pose. I pulled my ipod out and paused my tunes and removed my head phones just as I heard Jimmy applauding.
"Dang girl. Where'd ya learn to do that?" He asked me.
"I used to skate at different parks a lot. Also used to watch ice skating on TV at times. Never ice skated before but this if close for me." I told him.
"Well I was certainly impressed." He told me with a wide smile.
"Maybe we can tag team sometime." I told him my idea. His skateboarding and my skating would be an interesting combination.
"Ya know what? I was going to say the same thing. Sounds cool." he said as we lightly laughed. So for a couple hours we just goofed off and even did a few dance moves with our wheels and, before I knew it, it was time I met Archie and Jughead at Pop's. Jimmy decided to walk me there since he had to walk by there anyways.
"Thanks for keeping me company Jimmy. It's fun to do things with others most of the time." I said with a smile as the sun shined down on my skin to warm me up.
"No problem. I feel like we haven't spent much time one on one. I'd like to more often." He told me with a bright smile.
"I'd like that." I said to him as we made it to Pop's in no time.
"Here's my stop. See ya soon." I said as I waved him off.
"See ya!" He shouted as he waved back and boarded off. I got in there and saw Jughead reading a comic, Archie and Betty talking, and Reggie, well, being Reggie except a bit bored.
"Hey guys!" I said as I skated up to them.
"So, what we talking about?" I asked as I directed my attention to Betty and Archie.
"My uncle said we could use his cabin next weekend. We could go jet skiing." Betty commented that.
"Sweet! I've never done that before. I-" I started but then shrunk back.
*My scar.* I thought.
"Don't worry. You can wear a shirt over your swim suit. Also need a life jacket on." Archie said as he tried to reassure me. Only Archie and his parents have seen my scar. The memory they saw never showed them but they kinda knew where it was but not how big or ugly.
"Well I think you still look pretty even if we did see it." Jughead commented. It might have sounded rude, since he didn't look up from his comic, but it was actually meant to be sweet and, lucky me for being his girlfriend, I understood what he meant.
"Aw.~ Still not gonna see it though." I commented. It tend to gross people out.
"Either way it sounds fun." I commented with a smile.
"Water skiing's for wimps. Makes sense for Aria to want to go though." Reggie commented. I felt my right eye twitching.
*Did he just call me a wimp?* I questioned in my head as I grabbed Reggie's sleeve and yanked him out of his seat. He yelped and hit the floor while I smiled and sat in his spot.
"Oh sorry Reggie. I guess this 'wimp' didn't realize you were still sitting here." I commented with a smug smile as Archie and Betty lightly laughed. After i took my skates off and put them in my bag I curled close to Jughead.
"What ya reading?" I asked him in a curious tone.
"A comic about aliens." Jughead told me.
"Cool." I said as I curled up closer to him to read with him. He put an arm around me and adjusted the comic for both of us to read.
"That wasn't nice Doll Face." Reggie told me.
"I wasn't aiming for nice." I told him in a flat tone as Jughead and I continued reading the comic.
"Did I ever tell you guys the time I skied down-" He started to say before I cut him off.
"If you're going to remind us of the time you skied down with one ski then we don't want to hear that tall tale again." I told him without looking up. Jughead yawned.
"Also not in the last hour." Jughead added without looking up. I giggled lightly while cuddling closer to him.
"Yeah Reggie. What's the deal with cutting off Betty's invitation with that big lie?" Archie asked him.
"Just trying to spice up your boring little lives." Reggie said before I felt a hand on my leg. I eeped and jumped as I saw the hand belonged to Reggie.
"Reggie! Tell me why your hand is on my thigh?" I asked him as nicely as I could. "Wanted to get your attention Doll Face. Maybe instead of dating the dorky twins you can go on a date with me? I'll-" I didn't even let him finish before I ripped his hand off my thigh and kicked him in the side.
"No Reggie!" I scolded him.
"You know better by know Reg." Archie said.
"Yeah. My girl will kick your butt." Jughead added in as I went to get comfy on his side again. Soon Veronica joined in.
"Hey look everyone! My new dress." Veronica said as I looked and saw her holding up a package.
"Is that the the evening gown with the original halts and tanks you got for $20?" I asked her.
"Yes!" She exclaimed with glee.
"Veronica I told you not to get it. I had Dilton run the site and he agrees that the creators of the website and it's sellers rip people off." I told her.
"Oh what do you know." She told me as she opened the package to find a doll dress.
"Huh? What's this?" She asked as she held up the doll dress.
"I warned you." I told her with an eye roll. Reggie was laughing. What a jerk.
"It looks lovely. To bad it'll never fit." Reggie said in a rude and mean way.
"You mean I was cheated? Aria was right?" Veronica asked in a hurt and shocked voice.
"Wake up and smell the rip off. If something seems too good to be true, then it is. Take Doll Face here. She seems-" Reggie started but I moved away from Jughead and kicked him so hard he flew half way to the next table and yelped as he landed.
"I don't even want to know the rest of that sentence." I scolded him as I stood up.
"I'm sorry about your dress situation. But if you want I'll buy it off you." I told her.
"You will?" She asked me.
"Sure. Collins' sister, Clarice, could use it for one of her dolls." I told Veronica as she smiled at me.
"Alright." She said as I gave her $20 for the doll dress and put it in my bag.
"You didn't have to kick me." Reggie muttered as he got up.
"Uh, yeah, I did." I told him with an eye roll and my hands on my hips as I looked at him.
"Not my fault Veronica got ripped off. It's funny." Reggie said.
"No Reggie. It's not funny at all." I said to him.
"So what if Veronica got scammed. Why do you have to point out everyone's mistakes?" Archie asked him.
"Because he thinks he's all that with a bag of chips and wants everyone to try and see that." I pointed out as I sat down next to Jughead and Veronica sat next to Archie. Reggie was now standing and looking at us.
"Well I am. Because I'm better than everyone." Reggie said as he then saw money on the table.
"Hey look! Somebody left some money." Reggie said as he picked up the money.
"Reggie Mantle that is Pop's tip and I will not sit by and let you take that." Betty scolded him.
"Okay. Okay. Sheesh. Why is everybody so down on me today." Reggie said in a disappointed voice as he put the money down.
"Because the reality is nobody likes your rude attitude." I pointed out dully.
*I wonder if I could work here part time.* I thought. I decided to get up and whispered to Jughead
"I'll be back." And kissed his cheek quickly and lightly as I got up and went to the front to talk to Pops.
"Hey Aria. What can I do for ya? Usual burgers?" He asked me.
"Yes please. But besides that I wanted to ask you something." I said to him.
"Sure. What is it?" He asked me.
"Is there any way I could work here? Even if it's just a couple days a week for the summer?" I asked him nicely.
"Well I'm not really hiring but business has increased this summer." He said as he looked around and gave it a thought.
"You wouldn't mind just cleaning up tables and doing dishes?" He asked me.
"Not at all. Anything to earn something." I told him. I was being honest about that.
"Then how about Tuesdays and Wednesdays to start? Then we'll see." He asked me as I brightened up.
"Sure! When do I start?" I asked him eagerly. He chuckled and smiled brightly.
"Now that's the kind of enthusiasm I like to see. I'll start you next week alright? 10 am until closing time at 10 pm. $8 an hour sound good?" He asked me as I smiled.
"Yes sir boss sir!" I said as I did a tiny salute. He laughed.
"Great. It'd be nice to have a bit more help this summer." Pops said as I smiled.
"I'll bring you your order. Same table as Jughead and the gang?" He asked me as I nodded yes. I then went over to the table and saw Reggie leaving and a kid who I recognized from school, If I remember correctly from Dilton's science group his name was Arnie, was at the table.
"Tonk'peh Arnie." I greeted in Vulcan as I did the Spock symbol.
"T-tonk'peh A-Aria." He said nervously while returning the hand symbol.
"What's up?" I asked him in English so they would know.
"Arnie was just telling us how he thinks he was abducted by aliens last night." Archie said.
"No way. You gotta tell me all about it." I said as I sat down next to Jughead and gestured for him to tell. He explained everything while Archie and I took notes. Reporting wasn't a big thing for me but solving mysteries was.
"We'll look more into it later." Archie told him.
"Thanks Archie. Thi'oxalra Aria." Arnie said to us.
"Veling. Rom-halan Arnie." I said to him as I smiled and waved him off.
"R-rom-halan A-Aria." He stuttered and lightly blushed as he waved goodbye to us.
"What on earth did you say to him?" Veronica asked me.
"Well I said hello to him, which he said hello right back, then he said thank you, which I responded with of course, and then we both said goodbye to each other. It was Vulcan was why." I explained to her. I was suddenly pulled into a hug, I eeped lightly when I felt the hug and a sudden kiss on the cheek, as I looked at Jughead.
"You're so cute when you speak Vulcan." He told me as I blushed.
"jIH DaH embarrassed." (I am embarrassed.) I said in Klingon.
"Qatlh? 'oH qly'amo." (Why? It is attractive.) He replied in Klingon. I gasped lightly at that.
"tlhIngan Hol IaH Dajatlh'a' vISovbe'." (I did not know you could speak Klingon.) I responded in shock. I had no idea he liked Star Trek.
"Iuq jIH qaS fan je toH." (Of course I happen to be a fan as well) He replied in Klingon.
"'oH Amaze!" (That is amazing.) I replied in Klingon.
"Will you two please stop speaking gibberish?" Veronica practically shouted as Pop's brought me and Jughead over a couple burgers.
"Thanks Pops." I said to him with a smile.
"No problem. See you Tuesday." He told me as he went back to work.
"What did he mean by that?" Archie asked me.
"Hold on. 1. Veronica it wasn't Gibberish. It was Klingon. A language from the Star Trek series that will soon become an official language. 2. I'm going to be working here Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the summer to help Pops out. Does that help?" I asked them.
"Wait. Pops agree to hire you?" Archie asked. I nodded my head.
"Yes but mostly cleaning tables and doing dishes for now. I can't fully babysit unless I end up stealing Betty's clients, which I won't so, and it's mostly the twins I watch anyways or if Betty can't. Also helps to earn extra besides doing chores." I told them as I smiled. Jughead and I ate are burgers and Archie talked a bit about investigating this and then Pops gave me my bill, which I paid for, as I sipped a bit of my soda just as Reggie came up to us.
"Don't look now, but the Ego-maniac is back." Veronica said as we all groaned. Reggie then put his hands on the table and bent down a little to see us.
"What a delightful day." Reggie said with a bright smile.
*Okay~, Weirdness.* I thought to myself.
"So Betty, Have you seen the new Zepherelli film? I think his cinematic approach to the human condition reflects your positive look on life. I recommend it." Reggie said as Betty just looked at him.
"Huh?" She and Veronica said at the same time. He then looked at Veronica.
"Veronica. What an amazingly attractive dress you have on. Is that new?" He asked her. My mouth hung open and my eyes were wide. Reggie never noticed new clothes to often.
"Why yes. I just bought it yesterday. You really like it?" Veronica commented and then asked while Reggie smiled at her.
"It's so you." He complimented her. I shook my head and decided to ignore it.
"Aria." Reggie started.
"Reggie, I swear, if you flirt with me again I'll throw you out the window." I told him.
"Actually I wanted to apologize for that." He said to me.
"Yeah that's what I-say what now?" I started to tell him off but then finally registered what he said and cut my sentence off to ask him that. I was shocked and now staring at him.
"I had been very rude to you and I wanted to apologize for that. I had no right to touch your leg or to keep calling you Doll Face. You're a woman, not an object, and should be treated as such. I also came to terms that you are in a relationship and I hope for the best with that. Perhaps we can still be friends?" He explained to me and then asked if we could be friends. I was shocked. I heard an alarm go off in my head telling me no way this was real. But it was.
"I, well, I. Of course we can be friends." I stuttered out from the shock.
"Great. I'm glad we could work this out." He said with a bright smile. I had no idea what happened to Reggie on his walk but I was liking the new him.
"Jughead. My compandre. Wait, What's this? Yours and Aria's plates are empty?" He looked as he then signalled over to Pops.
"Pops. 6 more burgers for my friend Jughead. And 6 more for my other friend Aria as well." He said as I just started at him. The whole group was shocked.
"On me of course." Reggie added in. I swear I could faint.
"You mean it?" Jughead asked as Reggie looked back at him and nodded.
"Thanks Reggie." Jughead said for the both of us. This was way to good to be true.
"And Archie, My friend." Reggie started. Oh boy. Another insult.
"I read your latest weird mystery, and what an inspired piece. You and Aria did a fabulous job. A sterling job of swords smithing." Reggie commented. Now the alarms were inexcusable. Reggie just complimented the weird mystery article. He never does that.
"Really? Thanks. Aria and I really worked hard on that one." He started to say. Then he had a look of realization. He heard the same old car horn alarm I did.
"Wait a second." Archie said. Yup. It hit him.
"What's with this nice guy approach Reggie? Are you up to something?" Archie asked accusingly. I wanted to agree with Archie but I also wanted to think that maybe, just maybe, Reggie changed.
"Not at all. I've just come to realize that I don't show how much I appreciate you all enough. Especially you three lovely ladies." He said to Archie before pointing us three ladies out. I blushed lightly. He held out a hand to Betty and Veronica.
"Would you two ladies mind me escorting you to dinner tonight?" He asked before he kissed each hand.
"What a gentleman." Veronica commented.
"We'd love too." Betty added in.
"What?" Archie yelped out.
"Seriously? You're dating my cousin." I pointed out.
"So?" Veronica asked. I was going to say something until I felt a hand on my hand.
"Please do not be mad. I wish not to steal anyone's girl. This is just a gesture of kindness to treat a woman right. Would you allow me to treat you to dinner as well?" He asked me suddenly. If this was the Mantle charm than dang~ it's a good charm to have.
"Um. I'm sorry but I must decline." I said to him.
"Of course. How dumb of me. You're still recovering and wish to stay at home to rest more. I should've been more concerned for you're health than to have you out and about to risk feeling worse." He suddenly told me.
"Well, no, it's not that. I just, well, I just can't believe that you've changed so quickly." I confessed to him.
"Between you kicking me and my long walk it has knocked the sense into me. I think it's wonderful a woman can defend herself nicely." He told me as I blushed.
"Thank you." I muttered out. Jughead then pulled me to him.
"Hey! I don't know what you're up to but she's my girl!" Jughead said in a protective and dominant tone. Man I loved it when he and Dilton got like that.
"I apologize for giving you the wrong impression. I only wished to make up to her for all the times I was so rude to her." Reggie defended.
"Really?" Jughead, Archie and I asked at the same time.
"Of course. If you ever need a friend to talk to I'll listen. Alright Aria?" Reggie asked me.
"Alright." I said quietly.
"Jughead, Aria, there's something fishy going on here." Archie whispered to us.
"You mean you think he's a clone or a robot or an alien in disguise?" I whispered the question to him.
"Exactly." Archie whispered back. Suddenly Pops put two plates, filled with 6 burgers each, in front of Jughead and I.
"Archie, you've been reading your own articles too much. Maybe Reggie's turned over a new leaf." Jughead said as he eyed the burgers. I already ate 2 of mine and started my 3rd.
"More like he turned over the whole tree." Archie stated as I laughed.
"That was a good one." I said as I finished off another burger.
"Well * Munch Munch* I don't know why he changed * Munch Munch Munch* but as long as he doesn't steal Aria * Munch Munch Munch Munch Munch* then I like it." Jughead said while he consumed his burgers.
"Well I'm going to prove he's a fake." Archie said.
"Oh boy. Archie don't-" I started to say but then he interrupted me.
"Reggie, quick, who won the world series in 1947?" Archie asked.
"-Embarrass yourself." I muttered the rest of the sentence. Why did he insist on this. No one knew the answer, not even me, and Reggie, not only offered to go to the library to look it up, but had also asked Archie what the answer was. Archie didn't know. Typical. I finished my burgers as Archie stormed off yelling he would prove Reggie was a fake.
"Hey guy I'm a head off." I said as I decided to ditch. Jughead seemed disappointed but, as I grabbed my bag with my skates in them, waved me off never the less. I had started walking away when I ran into Vinnie Wells.
*Oh darn it.* I thought as I tried to walk a different way.
"Hey babe." Vinnie said as I tried to ignore him. I felt my arm get grabbed and, before I knew it, my back was slammed against the brick wall, and now made the somewhat still sore back throb, as his arms were on either side of me.
"Don't ignore me." He told me as he sneered in my face.
"What part of 'leave me alone' is unclear?" I asked him with a small sneer.
"I just wanna talk." He told me.
"Yeah right." I muttered to him.
"You can't ignore our relationship forever." He told me.
"We are not in a relationship!" I stressed to him. He just scoffed.
"You're my girl whether you like it or not babe." He told me.
"No I'm not!" I nearly shouted.
"Don't make me teach you the hard way." He threatened me.
"I'll break every bone in your body Vinnie. I swear it." I threatened him with as much anger and venom I could muster into my words. He lifted his fist to punch me but then someone grabbed his wrist.
"I believe she wants you to leave her alone. It's not nice to hit a lady." I heard a familiar voice as I looked and saw Reggie.
"Reggie?" I whispered.
"Go away Mantle. My girl and I are talking." He told him.
"It doesn't look like talking and I believe she wants nothing to do with you." Reggie replied nicely.
"Oh thats it!" Vinnie yelled as he went to use his other fist to punch him but Reggie just simply tossed him aside. Vinnie got up and went after Reggie but Reggie just grabbed him and, literally, carried him across the street to the other side and dropped him in a trash can before coming back over.
"Are you alright Aria? I know you can handle him on your own but I didn't want you to be hurt more so." Reggie told me. I was just in shock. After a few more seconds I shook my head and looked at him.
"What are you doing here? I thought you would still be at Pop's?" I asked him. He suddenly held up a lavender wallet with black music notes all over it.
*Wait a minute.* I thought as I started checking my pockets.
"You left your wallet in the booth. I thought I'd return it to you, and I'm glad I did." He told me as I looked at him. I don't know what came over me but I suddenly lunged at him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, and held him close in a meaningful hug.
"Thank you so much Reggie. You don't know how grateful I am to you." I said to him as he hugged me back.
"Well you're welcome." He said to me. I then pulled away and took my wallet from him to put in my pocket.
"How can I thank you?" I asked him. Hopefully I won't regret my words.
"Would you mind accompanying me for a bit?" He asked me as I grew shocked.
"Um." I said as I was stunned.
"I only wish to walk with you to your destination. I don't want to leave you alone in case that creep bothers you again." He said as he used his thumb to point to a, still stuck, Vinnie as he struggled and shouted a bit.
"Sure. Better than being alone." I said as he held out his arm to escort me. Soon we were walking to a cooking store and we went inside.
"You wanted something?" He asked me.
"I mainly wanted to look around." I said as we walked around. I saw him buy a cookie pan and then hide it in his shirt.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
"I want to surprise Betty is all." He said as I said ah and nodded. We left and I saw an art store.
"You better hurry to the park to meet Betty. You'll be late otherwise. And thank you for the walk." I told him.
"You're right. I shouldn't keep a lady waiting. And you are quite welcome. Perhaps I will see you later." He replied with a bow like a true gentleman. I was shocked by that.
"Perhaps." I replied with a small smile. If I hadn't been dating Dilton and Jughead then I would've fallen head over heels over that. I saw Reggie leave as I entered the art store. I could smell the paint and the clay as I soon wondered around. I only needed a new brush but ended up walking out with 3 new brushes, a new set of colored pencils, and a few new art books. I was now walking down the side walk and saw Reggie with Jughead and Veronica ahead of me.
"Hey guys!" I shouted as I ran up to them. I was soon embraced by Jughead and he kissed me lightly.
"Yuck! I'll never get used to that." Veronica said as Jughead and I glared at her.
"I think it's sweet." Reggie said with a smile. We started walking.
"How about I treat the three of you to a new CD player?" Reggie asked us. We all agreed.
"Allow me." Reggie said suddenly as he took my bag and carried it for me.
"Thanks." I said as I leaned into Jughead more.
"Whoops. Need to tie my shoe." He said as I looked over at him and continued to walk to the corner. I was out of Jughead's arm and then I felt wet. I gasped at the sudden cold water that hit me. I looked forward and saw Archie right there with a bucket and a shocked look on his face. Jughead and Veronica got wet too but I got most of the blow.
"Archie Andrews!" I yelled a scold and then gave him a look that probably would've killed him.
"uh, hehe, sorry?" He said to me as my face grew red. I then kicked him in the knee. He yelped and held it while hopping on his other foot.
"You're unbelievable! I know you still think Reggie is fake but can't you just accept the new change? Even if he is a fake he's better than the old Reggie! I can't- I just- Ooo!" I said in anger, with a bunch of hand motions, as I turned on my heel and started to cross the street. I failed to notice the truck.
"Aria look out!" Veronica shouted as I stopped and looked just as I heard the honking and the big red 18 wheeler heading right for me. I then felt that I was on the ground. I looked to see the truck pass me and saw someone next to me. I looked over and saw Reggie was on the ground.
"Oh my gosh! Aria!" I heard Archie shout.
"Reggie?! Oh my gosh! Reggie you saved me!" I yelped out as Jughead soon helped me up. I saw Archie helping Reggie up.
"I'm sorry Reggie! You saved Aria! I guess I was wrong about * Gasp*!" Archie started saying and then gasped when he saw Reggie's face.
"No no. Think nothing of it. And did I mention what a handsome jacket that is?" Reggie asked him.
"Reggie are you hurt?" I asked him as he turned to us. Half his face skin was peeling but that's not what made me gasp. He was showing metal. He was a robot. Veronica, Jughead and I gasped at this.
"Holy cosmic muffins! Archie was right!" Jughead practically yelped out.
"This Reggie was too good to be true. We've got to tell Betty." Veronica said in shock.
"Great. Now I'll never hear the end of this." I muttered as Reggie looked at us.
"Is something wrong?" He said as he went to touch his face.
"No don't!" I yelped out as I ran and grabbed his wrist. I had an idea.
"You might hurt yourself more. How about we go over to Betty's and, as a thank you for saving me, I'll help patch you up?" I asked him the offer. If this Reggie was nice then he'd agree. I hope.
"Alright. You're very smart and trust worthy." He said as I had Archie grab him and guide him over to Betty's.
"Smart idea." Veronica commented.
"Would you believe me if I said I winged it?" I asked her.
"You did?" She asked me.
"Yeah." I muttered as Jughead held me close.
"I'm just glad you're alive." Jughead told me as he kissed my cheek. We soon reached Betty's and, after seeing Robo-Reggie and some explaining, her and I used her make up to patch him up.
"By the way, Aria, you're stuff is by the door." Robo-Reggie told me as he referred to my bag of art stuff.
"Oh. Thank you. I guess I forgot about it." I said as we were close to finishing.
"Understandable. You might still be shock from almost getting hit by a large vehicle." He told me as Betty and I finished.
"There. All done." I told him.
"Thanks girls." Robo-Reggie said with a smile. Dang it why couldn't he be real? Another idea.
"Hey Reggie?" I asked him.
"Yes?" Reggie asked me.
"I was thinking I wasn't really being fair towards you earlier. I suppose I could've been nicer to you when rejecting dinner." I pointed out. Everyone went huh and looked at me.
"It wasn't your fault for being like that seeing as how I treated you." He replied.
"Aria! What are you-?" Betty asked but I quickly shushed her.
"So I was thinking, as a thank you for saving me and an apology for not trusting you enough, how about we go on a little adventure?" I asked him.
"That sounds like fun. Although I don't want to leave anyone out." He said as he looked around the room.
"We don't have too. We can make it a group trip." I pointed out. Archie got my idea right away.
"She's right. I can drive to where we want to go." Archie pointed out.
"Well that does sound like fun." Robo-Reggie said.
"Yes, well, Archie and I were having trouble with an article and wanted everyone involved, whether it was real or not." I pointed out to him.
"What can I help with?" Robo-Reggie asked me. I smiled at how good I was playing this off.
"Well we all thought the next article should be a flying saucer. We all want to try and find one to explore today. Right guys?" I asked them as Archie nodded at them to play along. Everyone was agreeing with yeah and sure. Robo-Reggie suddenly stood up.
"I can help you with that! There's one parked not to far from here." Reggie said as I smiled at him.
"Really? Can you take us?" I bolted up with big sparkling eyes. What? I've always wanted to explore a space ship. I'm a Treky what else would you expect from me?
"Of course! Anything for my friends." He said to us. We all soon piled into the car, Archie and Robo-Reggie in front, while Veronica, Betty and Jughead were in the back. I looked at the car.
"Aria are you sure you don't want to be up front?" Robo-Reggie asked me. I smiled and shook my head no.
"It's alright. I'll sit on Jughead's lap again." I said as I slipped onto his lap before Jughead closed the door.
"If that's what you want." Robo-Reggie said with a smile.
"Trust us. It's what she wants." Betty teased as I lightly blushed. Robo-Reggie guided us to a farm land filled with fields until we made our way to a huge, possibly abandoned, barn. We parked a ways away and walked to the barn.
"Come on guys. It's right in here." Robo-Reggie said gleefully as he used his arm to wave us along.
"Hey Reggie. Let's pretend we're on a secret mission alright? That means we have to be very quiet and sneaky. Got it?" Archie asked him.
"Okay! I mean okay." He said loudly at 1st but then corrected himself and began whispering. We entered the barn and my jaw hit the floor.
"Holy phasers and transporters. A real ship! And it's here!" I, literally, squeaked with glee as I grabbed Robo-Reggie's hand.
"ComeOnComeOnComeOn!" I said in a super excited whisper as I, while bouncing, had him lead us to the door to enter. He opened the door for us.
"After you." He said as I went past him, and Archie, and looked around inside to see everything. I couldn't stop gawking at the technology this place had. Archie gave me a look, which I didn't notice, while he found Reggie and tried to free him. I then heard something. I ran and grabbed Archie.
"Someone's coming." I whispered as I pulled him behind the computer desk area to watch. We saw them up the voltage and saw Reggie spasm and say something about not liking butterscotch cookies.
"That looked like fun." Robo-Reggie said as my jaw dropped.
"You were suppose to keep an eye on him." Archie whispered a scold to me.
"Oops." I whispered back.
"What're you doing here?" The purple blob alien, who looked like the leader of the two, shouted at him while pointing a tentacle at him.
"I was pretending to be on a secret mission with my friends, who are over there, and investigate this ship. So I'm not supposed to tell you where they are." He explained with a kind smile as he pointed to where Betty, Veronica, and Jughead were hiding and then to where we were. Uh oh!
"Run!" I yelled as we ran to the exit. Then the door slammed shut on us.
"Well well. What have we here?" The leader alien asked as he made his way over to us.
"Intruders huh? Friends of this earthling's no doubt." He asked as he glared at us.
"Look sir, we don't want any trouble. We just want to get out buddy and get out of here." Archie pointed to the real Reggie as The alien leader grew angry.
"Ooh you've got trouble all right. Too many earthlings now about our mission. Things are getting to hot!" He said to us as he then made his way to the computers. Oh great. "I must get instructions from home base." He said as he started playing with the computer. We all watched in silence. I took the chance to look around and noticed some electrical wires that were showing. Idea. I tapped Archie and Jughead and signalled them to squeeze closer to hide me a bit.
"No more moving." The other one, who was watching us, said in a weird accent as I tried to sneak over to the wires. Archie then went up and distracted him while the others freed Reggie. I ripped a few wires out and pulled apart a few loose items, putting small ones in my pocket as a souvenir of this adventure, and managed to make the speakers blank out. No communication. I then heard yelling and bumped my head.
"Ouch!" I yelped out.
"Don't let them get me again!" I heard Reggie yell out as I then felt tentacle on me.
"Yikes!" I yelped out as I was pulled out and held in front of them.
"Resistance is futile. We'll leave you and you're friends on earth with the android while you come with us." He said with a laugh.
"What do you plan to do with him? He's stupid! He knows very little about everything." I explained to him.
"Perhaps you can take his place?" He questioned. Oh great.
"Uh no thanks. Robo-Reggie's nicer anyways." I said to him as I was let go and went right next to Archie.
"Thanks Aria." Reggie muttered a sarcastic thank you. Yup, That was Reggie.
"People will know about the fake Reggie soon enough." Archie said to him.
"Well not unless he turns out to be a bomb that will blow up the town." I said to him.
"Excellent idea earthling! I almost forgot about the bomb I planted in him!" The leader alien said as I smacked my forehead.
"Me and my big mouth!" I practically shouted. I then had an idea. If Reggie was smart enough to fool them with making the fake him nice. Then maybe.
"But how do you know which is the robot?" I asked him in a challenging way as I signalled to Reggie. It looked like he got the hint.
"What are you talking about?" The leader asked me. I smiled a wicked smile as I walked in front of him.
"Simple really. What if both were kind? What if both were so similar that you couldn't tell them apart? I mean Archie figured it out in a way because of the differences but could you if they were the same?" I questioned him.
"I can use my metal skeleton scanner. Simple enough." He said to me.
"Aw but that would be cheating. I bet you're not smart enough to figure it out. In fact I bet you can't." I told him as a challenge.
"Aria! What are you-?" Archie said before the alien leader spoke up.
"Challenge accepted earthling!" He yelled as I moved aside and edged Reggie to be nice.
"Alright. A competition of niceness it is." I said as Archie led both Reggie's together. Archie then stood next to me.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Archie whispered to me.
"If he was smart enough to do this then he's smart enough to get out of it…..I hope." I whispered back as I muttered the last part to myself. Soon the nice competition began and it started off good. Mostly compliments and switching around. Thanks to the video games I've played based on memory I kept up with the real Reggie easily.
"Look! I'm too much of a nice guy to argue with you. So let me just say one last thing." One Reggie said as he whispered into the other's ear. The one who listened suddenly grew mad and punched the whispering one over to us.
"Gee pal, I hope I didn't hurt ya." The hurt one said while the other stood tall and had a smirk on his face.
"The one over by you kids is the android! I've won! Now get off my ship!" The leader yelled as he pushed a button and let us go. We were soon forced out and saw the ship leave.
"Great! They took the real Reggie and we're stuck with this walking time bomb!" Archie commented. I just crossed my arms and laughed lightly. Everyone looked at me confused.
"Well? Have anything to say Reggie? Maybe a thank you?" I asked as I looked over at the real Reggie.
"Oh come now. I know you're the real one. I have a good memory and followed the real you." I pointed out as he sighed and put an arm around my shoulders.
"Well, it looks like I couldn't fool you. I will admit that was smart. I'm even more flattered you kept watching the real handsome me Doll Face." He said as everyone gapped.
"Yup! You're the real deal. I'm guessing you told the robot that if he really was the nice guy then he'd let you win?" I said and then asked, not even bothered with the nickname right now, as he smiled.
"Yup! Now let me thank you!" He said as he went to kiss me. I punched him in the stomach.
"Ouch!" He yelped and moved away.
"Don't get carried away Reggie!" I scolded him.
"You knew?" Archie asked me.
"I had a feeling that if Reggie was smart enough to have the robot act differently then him then he would think of something like this. At least that's what I was hoping for." I said with a smirk.
"Yup! Now she can marvel at the real me and soon fall for me." Reggie said as I rolled my eyes. We soon saw a small explosion and knew that it was the ship.
"Well I'm proud of you Reggie. You proved that you can be a nice guy." Archie said as he patted his shoulder.
"Yeah. It was the hardest minute of my life." Reggie exasperated as I rolled my eyes.
"Let's go home." I muttered as we started walking to the car. I was then pulled into a sideways hug by Jughead as we walked to the car.
"Can I sit in the back with the girls?" Reggie asked.
"I suppose you deserve a small reward." I said as I grabbed Jughead and ran to the car just to push him in the front seat and sat on his lap.
"No fair!" Betty and Veronica yelled at me.
"I never said I was fair!" I yelled back as I stuck my tongue out at them. Reggie sat in the middle with the girls on each side as Archie drove us back into town.
"Aw. I thought I could get you on my lap Doll Face." Reggie said as I rolled my eyes.
"Not even in your dreams Reggie." I said as everyone chuckled at that. We made it back and spent the rest of the day asking Reggie about his experience. After a few lies we got the real story from him and wrote everything down from his and all of our views. By the time the sun was set we all parted ways. Jughead kissed me goodbye as I walked into the house with Archie. Thank goodness we only went to Betty's house. Soon Archie and I got started on our article.
"And so the safety of our town was saved by the temporary niceness of Reggie Mantle. ~Archie. I knew he could be nice. I kinda miss the robot and his niceness but I guess dealing with an obnoxious Reggie is better than a blown up town. Still it was nice to see the change. Even for a few minutes. ~Aria. An we all learned that if something seems to good to be true, it probably is. ~Archie. In a little town called Riverdale. ~Archie and Aria."
We finished up and I sighed a content smile.
"So. What do you want for your birthday?" Archie suddenly asked me.
"Huh?" I asked him.
"What do you want for your birthday? We're getting close to it." He repeated and then reminded me of when my birthday was.
"Oh that's right. It's coming up soon huh?" I asked more to myself than to him.
"Don't tell me you forgot." Archie said to me.
"Well a little. I don't usually have parties or go out or anything special." I told him with a shrug.
"Well it'll be your day to do whatever you want." He told me with a bright smile.
"I guess." I muttered as I said my good night and went to bed. What did I want to do?