Character Analysis
Reagan's more than her appearance, of course, but her appearance sums her up pretty well, so we'll start there. Check it out:
Reagan wore eyeliner all the way around her eyes. Like a hard-ass Kate Middleton. And even though she was bigger than most girls—big hips, big chest, wide shoulders—she carried herself like she was exactly the size everyone else wanted to be. (6.101)
Don't you kind of want to be her friend just from those two sentences alone? Confidence goes a long way, and Reagan's got it in spades. She unapologetically hangs out with Levi, the boyfriend she cheated on, and he goes along with it; she has the social life to beat all social lives; and she tells it like it is when she gets tired of Cath moping around the dorm room saying little more than hey. Reagan tells her:
You're a sad little hermit, and it creeps me out. So get dressed. We're going bowling. (6.116)
When she says this, Reagan does more than demonstrate confidence through her outspoken ways; she also shows immense compassion. Though it's masked by little jabs at Cath, the whole point is that Reagan is making her go out. It's not the behavior of a mean girl, but instead the behavior of a girl who's comfortable enough in her own skin to call 'em like she sees 'em, and then help a nerdy roommate out.
Cath says "Reagan and Levi […] felt more like sponsors than friends" (13.8), but sometimes a girl needs sponsors, especially if she's having trouble leaving her room. And Reagan's totally down for the job. When she finally drags Cath to the dining hall and introduces her to the snark-on-everyone-you-see game, and when Cath says she thinks a girl's fake tail is kind of cute, Reagan says:
If God put me into your life to keep you from wearing a f***ing tail… I accept the assignment. (5.29)
Add funny to the list of Reagan's qualities, too. She also coaches Cath in the ways of boys—specifically Levi—and while Reagan may be blunt, she also gives good advice. The best advice she gives Cath by far is to get out of the room, put on some pants, and go have a life. And even though it's hard for Cath to do, once she starts leaving the room on a regular basis, she has to admit that Reagan was right. We have a hunch Reagan knew that all along, though. It's part of her confidence.