Roommates | CHONI |

Fourteen

Finally Friday had arrived and Toni was looking forward to the weekend putting herself through college and working at the same time was draining and the internal battle she was having with herself about her feelings for certain redhead wasn't helping. Toni was comfortable dating girls that wasn't the problem, the problem was she was watching Cheryl withdrawing into herself when she should be enjoying herself. 'Tea?' Cheryl asked from her desk when she realised Toni had woken up. 'Sure' Toni smiled as she sat up in bed. 'So I hope you're into scary movies, that's the plan for tonight, it's all the boys watch'. 'Fine with me' Cheryl lied, she'd only ever watched one scary movie and that was with Jason years ago, she swore she'd never watch another ever again as Jason laughed at her hiding her face behind a pillow. 'Cool' Toni nodded. The kettle had boiled and Cheryl made their tea. 'Here' Cheryl handed Toni her mug while she was still in bed. 'Thank you' Toni smiled. Cheryl returned to her seat and started on her make up, Toni watched her intensely mesmerised, that was until Cheryl's eyed her through the mirror. 'Is something wrong?' Cheryl asked turning around. 'No... look I know you don't want to talk about it' Toni started causing Cheryl to groan and turn back to facing the mirror 'but you have to know your parents are wrong...' Cheryl's eyes lifted making eye contact with Toni 'anyone would be lucky to have you whether you have a face full of makeup or bare faced with your hair up in a messy bun, you always look beautiful. You're beautiful inside and out Cheryl always. You shouldn't settle for anything less than someone who completely and fully appreciates you'. Toni smiled.

What was Cheryl even suppose to say to that, she just froze, Toni got up giving her shoulder a light squeeze 'I mean it'. Cheryl was left with her thoughts when Toni went to use the bathroom. She looked at herself trying to see whatever it was that Toni saw. Maybe one day she'd be brave enough to go after what she wants but today wasn't that day. It wasn't awkward when Toni came back into the room, Cheryl just kept quiet and Toni respected that. She wasn't sure how often the redhead heard positive things about herself even though it was all true. 'Shall we walk to class?' Toni asked. 'Yeah sure' Cheryl said grabbing her bag. The day went by painfully slow especially for Cheryl, she had an extra class at the end of the day so she assumed Toni would be home before her unless she had somewhere else to be. Finally the day came to an end and Cheryl could leave, she was looking forward to the weekend, she was hoping to spend most of it with Toni.

Cheryl opened the door to her room and was met with a cheer from the boys. 'Finally' Jughead smiled 'Toni wouldn't let us start without you, now go get changed we've got a lot of movies to get through'. Jughead, Fangs and Toni were sat on Toni's bed against the wall in that order, they had moved the bedside table so everyone could see the laptop screen. Pillows behind them, blankets covering them and piles of candy and chips spread across the bed. They were all in sweats so Cheryl opted for the same going into the bathroom to get changed. When she came out with her hair in a bun on her head Toni smiled and patted the spot next to her. She held up the blanket so Cheryl could get in. Cheryl climbed in and got comfortable, her arm touching Toni's, there wasn't a lot of space when four people are squeezed in a bed. 'Everyone ready?' Fangs asked. Everyone nodded as Fangs played the first movie. Luckily for Cheryl it was more gore than horror so she managed to keep a straight face, the light conversations and few beers helped too. Cheryl's luck had ran out on the next movie though, it was intense so everyone's eye's were fixed to the screen, halfway through there was a jump scare which made Cheryl physically jump. She heard Jughead laughing, as she was about to tell him to shut up she felt Toni's hand on hers, the Serpent didn't take her eye's off the movie though. Cheryl didn't attempt to move, she felt Toni squeeze her hand as a sign to ask if she's okay. Cheryl squeezed back silently letting her know she was. After the third movie the boys were getting restless and decided they didn't want to watch anymore. They stood up causing the girls to let go of each others hand. 'What do you want to do?' Toni asked. 'Let's play some music, have a few more drinks and chill' Jughead said getting more beers from his bag, handing them all one before jumping back next to Fangs.

Cheryl was enjoying herself, she wouldn't have believed it if someone would have told her a few weeks ago that she'd be spending time with gang members by choice. 'So Toni told me about the bike races you guys used to have' Cheryl said. 'Oh yeah' Fangs laughed 'we're actually looking forward to doing it again when we visit home. Topaz here is the reigning champ, she'd rather risk getting seriously hurt than lose. Plus it gets her a lot of cred with ladies'. Cheryl raised an eyebrow at Toni. 'Hey I don't like to lose what can I say' Toni laughed. Cheryl rolled her eyes 'you could get hurt'. 'Watch it there Blossom, you don't want people to actually think you care do you' Jughead smirked. 'I do care about Toni' Cheryl shrugged 'we're friends'. 'Oooohh burn Topaz' Jughead laughed. 'What did I tell you' Toni said diving on the boy. 'Here we go again' Fangs said as he moved over to join Cheryl at the bottom of the bed. They rolled around throwing light punches. 'What?' Jughead continued to laugh 'you mad cos Red here has friend zoned you?'. Cheryl looked at Fangs when he said that, had Toni been talking about her to her friends she thought. 'That's it' Toni said pushing him off the bed and pining him down. Jughead screamed in laughter, similar to an excited child. This made Cheryl chuckle, she loved Toni's relationship with her friends. 'Okay that's enough' Fangs said getting up and picking Toni up off Jughead and plopping her down next to Cheryl. 'Sorry about him' Toni looked at Cheryl. 'It's fine' she laughed.

'So what's the plan for tomorrow then?' Fangs asked. 'Well I've got meet Betty and her friend before the party'. 'Toni Topaz leaving your girl to escort someone else' Jughead said 'Cheryl would you like Fangs and I to escort you to the party?' he said in his best posh accent. 'I'd be delighted' Cheryl smiled ignoring the look on Toni's face. 'Great, Toni what time are you meeting Betty'. 'Six I think'. 'Cheryl we'll meet you here at 6.30, we'll have a little drink before we leave'. 'Sounds perfect' Cheryl lifted her beer to Jughead who did the same. She looked over to Toni and bumped her with shoulder giving her a smile, Toni couldn't help but smile back. 'Hey let's take a selfie' Fangs suddenly said. 'No way' Cheryl laughed 'I'm not prepared for photos'. 'Are you kidding?' Fangs said 'Toni come on tell her'. 'She knows my thoughts' Toni said looking at Cheryl. 'Fine one' Cheryl huffed. They crowded together, Cheryl and Fangs in the middle as Toni leant against Cheryl's back and Jughead laid across them making them all laugh. Fangs snapped the picture. 'That's a good one send it to me' Toni laughed. 'Will do Topaz' Fangs nodded. 'See what I mean' Toni whispered to Cheryl 'beautiful'. Cheryl gave her a shy smile, her cheeks reddening.  

They settled down now starting to feel tired. Jughead moved Toni's bedside table back where it belongs. 'Okay... Toni you can sleep in the middle, Fangs you against the wall and I'll take the edge. Don't say I never do anything for the either of you' he laughed. 'Okay sounds good to me' Fangs smiled and Toni nodded as they started to arrange the pillows. 'Toni you're welcome to sleep in my bed... if it helps?' Cheryl said as she got up from Toni's bed. 'Yeah if that's alright with you?' Toni looked at her. 'Of course I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't' Cheryl laughed. 'Well...' Jughead started, Toni knew he wouldn't be able to help himself 'no funny business, unless I can join' he smirks. Toni was just about to tell him off but Cheryl beat her to it 'sorry Jones, I don't share' she turned her back to them to get into bed. Toni's jaw dropped matching the look on Jugheads and Fangs face. The boys got into bed and Toni got in next to Cheryl as they all said their goodnights Toni turned off the lamp. It wasn't long until Jughead and Fangs were fast asleep, their lights snores in sync. Cheryl turned to Toni 'thank you for tonight, I had fun'. Toni turned onto her side too, their faces inches apart 'me too' she lifted her hand to run her fingers against Cheryl's face 'goodnight Cheryl'. 'Goodnight Toni'.