Roommates | CHONI |

Four

The sun shining through the window pulled Cheryl from her sleep, she automatically thought back to the previous night with Nick and then her mind moved to Toni. Cringing her eyes moved over to the other side of the room but Toni was no where in site. She didn't know if she felt disappointed or relieved. As she sat up she noticed the bottle of water and aspirin on her bedside table, she didn't put that there. It must have been Toni. She groaned to herself this girl would ruin her whole icy persona if she wasn't careful. She took the pills with a mouthful of water before pulling out her phone. She needed a distraction until whatever this was with Toni passes. She sends a quick message to Nick to ask if he wants to meet for coffee, as soon as he replies with an 'of course gorgeous' with a eye roll she gets up and prepares herself for the day ahead planning to avoid Toni as much as possible. As soon as she feels presentable she quickly makes her bed and moves towards the door, ready to really give it a try with Nick. As she opened the door to leave the main building she was surprised by the dark hair boy. 'Hi' he says as he kisses her cheek and hands her a single red rose. 'Hi' she tries to smile back as she takes the rose and the hand that's held out to her. She wanted to like the boy she really did, he was nice to her and treated her better than her mother had told her to expect but still something was holding her back.

They quickly arrived at the café they met at yesterday morning and Nick was sure to open the door for her. She thanked him as she stepped passed him but froze in her path causing Nick to bump into the back of her 'everything okay?' he asked. 'Yes, sorry' she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards a table. She couldn't believe it behind the counter stood Toni talking to a customer, she didn't know she worked here. When they took a seat Nick placed his hand on her hand 'everything okay? You seem distracted'. 'I'm fine Nick' she gave his hand a small squeeze reminding herself she had to try. 'Hi guys can I take your order? Oh hey Cheryl how are you feeling?' Toni asked. 'Who's this babe?' Nick asks looking at Cheryl. 'Babe' Cheryl thought her stomach dropping. 'This is Toni my roommate, and yes Toni I'm fine could we just get two black coffees?' Cheryl didn't look up keeping her eyes on the table. 'Ohh' Nick laughed 'the welfare gang member that disturbed us last night'. Cheryl looked up at Toni's face instantly seeing hurt in her eyes. 'Is that all?' Toni replied coldly not even looking at Cheryl. 'Yes unless you can deal me some Jingle Jangle' he laughed again as Toni stormed away. 'God I feel sorry for you having to live with someone like that, you're a saint' he smiled. Cheryl tried to smile back feeling like the worst person on the planet and it didn't help when it was the blonde hair girl that brought over their order rather than Toni. 'So...' Nick spoke sipping on his coffee 'there's a party on Saturday if you're up for it? Before we officially start college?'. 'Sounds good' Cheryl smiled. 'Great it's a date' Nick said bringing the redheads hand to his mouth and planting a kiss on the back of it.

Her time with Nick had come to an end after coffee and a stroll in the park. 'I think I'm going to head home Nick' Cheryl said her hands linked with the boy. 'Oh okay. You want me to come with?'. Cheryl knew exactly what he was insinuating but she politely declined and leaned in for a quick peck before mumbling her goodbyes. She hoped Toni would still be at work by the time she got back to the dorm so she could gather herself. She couldn't shake the awful way she felt after the way Nick had spoke to Toni in the café. She could of spoken up but she didn't. When she arrived home Toni was sat on her bed with her two friends. She didn't know what to say even when they were about to storm out, she had to make this right. 'Wait Toni'. The boy Jughead turned to her 'haven't you done enough? Is that what you like to do with your little boyfriend embarrass others in front of a room full of strangers? She doesn't want to speak to you'. Cheryl pushed past him to get to Toni. 'Wait please let me explain'. Toni turned around 'explain what?' she spat 'You might be used to treating people however you want but you won't do it to me. Oh and tell your boyfriend to watch his back, you'll see what we're capable of'. She stormed off with the boys pushing past her. 'Fuck' she said to herself as she closed the door, sliding down it and allowing herself to cry.

Cheryl felt bad for the rest of the day, she waited up into the night for Toni to return but she didn't. Cheryl crawled into her bed before finally falling asleep hoping that when the morning rolled around Toni would be back and she could apologise. She sat and wondered what was happening to her, she was Cheryl Blossom and she certainly didn't apologise to anyone but she felt drawn to Toni. Maybe she should give Toni a chance, maybe they could be friends even though they was complete opposites. She hadn't even officially started college and she was already going back on the promise she had made to herself. She promised she'd stay bitchy and cruel to keep people away but it's as if Toni was already having an effect on her, making her feel even if the feelings were shame and guilt. She wished Jason was here so he could give her advice, she's not sure her brother would be happy about the way she turned out, the way her soul turned black after he died. She knew he'd want her to be happy, have friends and a life where she was content. She fell asleep considering showing people the good side of her, the side of her Jason loved but she also wasn't sure that part of her existed anymore.

Toni didn't return that morning nor did she return in the following days. Cheryl ignored messages from Nick and didn't leave the room unless she was answering the door to the food she had ordered. She had a lot of demons to face to become herself again but she was going to try. A small knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts, her stomach dropped she wasn't expecting anyone and she hoped it wasn't Nick, she didn't want to see him right now. She looked a mess, her hair hadn't been washed and there wasn't a speck of make up on her face. Her mother had always taught her to be presentable at all times and anything less wasn't acceptable. She approached the door 'who is it?'. 'Jughead' the voice on the other side of the door answered. She was confused, why was he here. She slowly opened the door 'can I help you?'. 'Toni sent me to grab her a few things'. 'Oh of course' she said opening the door wider to let him in 'how is she?' she asked as she closed the door. 'Why do you care?' he shot back, Cheryl understood, he was protecting his friend. 'I need to apologise for what Nick said the other day. Do you know when she's coming home?'. 'Don't you get it? It's not what your boyfriend said it's that you laughed about her behind her back, how else would he know she's a Serpent? And for coming back I don't know she's staying with me and Fangs for now'. That's when it hit her, it wasn't Nicks spiteful words that hurt her the most, it was Cheryl and the way she had spoken about Toni behind her back. Jughead had finished packing what Toni had asked for as he was about to leave she grabbed his arm 'please just tell her I'm sorry'. Jughead looked at her wearily before nodding his head and pulling away his arm. She locked the door after him. She needed a drink she thought to herself, that's when she remembered it was Saturday and Nick had mentioned a party. She grabbed her phone to call Veronica, they had messaged a couple of times, Veronica asking if she was okay as she had ignored Nick and Cheryl letting her know that she wasn't happy with the way he treated her roommate. Even though Nick had messaged her multiple times with a sorry excuse of an apology she decided not to reply.