Roommates | CHONI |

Fifteen

Cheryl woke up feeling arms wrapped around her middle and a warm body pressed into her back. She allowed herself to enjoy it for just a moment, after everything she'd been through in her life, she just accepted this felt nice pushing any negative voices out of her mind. Even if it was just because Toni was a cuddly sleeper and not that she felt anything towards her. She noticed the sun was out and she knew the boys were in the bed opposite hers. She untangled herself from Toni causing her to grumble in her sleep. As she sat up and looked over to Toni's side of the room she noticed Fangs sat up, he looked over to her sending her a wink. 'Morning Red'. 'Good morning Fangs, did you sleep well?'. Even though she knew he had seen Toni's arms around her body she decided to ignore it. 'I did, except Jughead here kicks in his sleep. Thanks for taking Toni off our hands, we've been in tighter spots but it was nice to actually get have a night together because we wanted too, not because one of us had been kicked out' he laughed. 'Kicked out?' Cheryl asked. 'Yeah, it wasn't unusual for us all to have to fit into a single bed at my place. If Jugheads dad was drunk and locked him out or Toni's uncle had kicked her out. That's why we're so close, a lot of the time all we had was each other' he shrugged. Cheryl looked down at the sleeping girl next to her, wondering why anyone would kick out someone as sweet as Toni Topaz. 'Don't mention it to Toni though, she'll kill me if she finds out I brought up her uncle' Fangs finished. 'Okay' Cheryl nodded. 

When Toni and Jughead finally woke up they all decided to order breakfast before going their separate ways. They went over arrangements before the boys left so everyone knew what was happening for Veronicas party. 'So thanks for letting me share your bed last night, I hope I didn't disturb your sleep'. 'Not at all Toni' Cheryl smiled. 'I'm sorry that I didn't ask you to join me in meeting Betty for the party, I just assumed you'd be meeting Veronica' Toni felt generally bad. 'It's fine, Fangs and Jughead are meeting me here'. 'Yeah well whatever they say about me don't believe them' she laughed. 'Like what?' Cheryl asked looking at Toni. 'Erm I don't know, you know how they are. So what are your plans today?' Toni decided to change the subject. 'Not much, I'm going to study for a while and then get ready for this evening I guess. You?'. 'Yeah same. Dress code is just casual though right?'. 'That's what Veronica said' Cheryl nodded. Before they were about to study Cheryl was sat on her perfectly made bed with her phone in hand watching Toni attempting to make her bed. She tried not to laugh at the shorter girl huffing with frustration. 'Toni what on earth are you doing?'. 'Making my bed what does it look like?'. Cheryl stood up 'well you're doing an awful job, step aside' as she took the blankets from Toni's hands. Toni rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, she watched as the redhead effortlessly worked her way through making the bed. 'Perfect' she said before turning back to her own bed. 'I didn't expect any less' Toni mumbled.

It was 5.45pm and Toni was about to go to meet Betty. She had decided on black skinny jeans, a black mesh top revealing the black bra she wore underneath, black boots and to finish off her outfit, of course her Serpents jacket. She wore her hair down allowing her curls to fall. Cheryl had been that busy doing her own makeup she hadn't noticed Toni was ready. 'Okay Cher, I'm going to meet up with Betty, I'll see you at the party'. Cheryl turned around to face the pink haired girl her jaw nearly hitting the floor, she looked gorgeous but the redhead gathered herself quickly. 'Okay Toni, I'll see you there' she smiled as Toni was opening the door to leave 'Oh and Toni?' the Serpent popped her head back around the door to see Cheryl 'you look good'. 'Thanks' Toni blushed as she shut the door. That was all the shorter girl could manage to say, she had gotten herself into a fluster and didn't want the other girl to see. After Toni closed the door Cheryl turned back to the mirror with a smirk on her face, she caught the blush on Toni's face and it made her feel good that she had some effect on the other girl.

At exactly 6.30 the boys knocked on the door as Cheryl opened it Jughead spoke 'wow Cheryl, Toni's a lucky girl'. 'How many time do I have to tell you we're friends' she said ignoring the feeling in her stomach. Cheryl had chose a simple black dress with killer red heels, her fiery red locks falling down her shoulders. 'You look good Red' Fangs smiled. 'Why thank you Fangs' Cheryl nodded making way for the boys to enter. 'So should we start on this?' Jughead lifted his hand showing Cheryl the beers. 'Definitely' Cheryl laughed. The trio sat in the dorm room, quickly drinking the beers throughout their conversation, leaving them all slightly buzzed. It was only 7.15 when Jughead heard his phone chime.

Toni Topaz: Where are you guys?

Jughead Jones: Enjoying a few beers at your place.

Toni Topaz: Well get your asses here. Me, Betty and Kevin are waiting for you.

Jughead Jones: We'll get there when we're ready.

Toni Topaz: Okay well don't blame me when you miss your chance with Betty because one of these guys got there before you.

Jughead Jones: We're on our way. 

'Guys we need to get going' Jughead said finishing the last of his beer and waiting for Fangs and Cheryl to do the same. 'Okay let's go' Cheryl stood excited for the night ahead. The group laughed as they walked towards Veronica's place. To anyone walking by it was an odd site, a pretty rich girl walking between two leather wearing gang members laughing at whatever they was talking about. Still Cheryl was happy, she felt like she didn't have to hide too much of herself with Jughead and Fangs. They were quickly becoming unlikely friends. When they arrived at Veronica's door Cheryl knocked. 'Hi guys' Veronica smiled. 'Hi Ronnie, this is Fangs and Jughead, boys this is Veronica'. 'Thanks for the invite' Fangs smiled. 'Any friend of Toni's is a friend of mine' she smiled 'come in everyone's through there' she pointed. Veronica lived in a small studio apartment close to campus. 'There's plenty of alcohol in the kitchen, help yourself to anything you want' Veronica called as she locked the door. 'Sweet' Jughead smiled. As they joined Veronica's other guests Cheryl was relieved, when she said a small gathering she meant it. Archie approached the redhead 'hey Cheryl, I'm glad you could make it' he smiled. 'Me too' she smiled back. She glanced over Archie's shoulder and spotted Toni stood with a blonde girl and a brunette boy. Archie introduced himself to the boys before they made their way over to Toni.  As she watched them go she noticed there was another girl Cheryl didn't recognise as well as a couple of boys. She was still having a conversation with Archie when the three strangers approached. 'Oh guys this is Cheryl' Archie started 'this is Josie, Moose and...' 'Reggie Mantle' the boy smirked holding out his hand for Cheryl to shake. She did so before pulling it back to her side 'nice to meet you all' she said trying to ignore the glint in Reggie's eyes. They exchanged pleasantries before Archie, Josie and Moose went to the kitchen to grab another drink leaving Cheryl stood awkwardly with Reggie, she hadn't even had chance to speak to Toni yet. 

Toni tried not to think anything of it when she could clearly hear Reggie trying to flirt with Cheryl. She was trying to introduce Betty and Kevin to Jughead and Fangs but she couldn't help glancing over now and again. 'Oh no Topaz, he's into your girl for sure' Jughead bumped her shoulder. 'Jug shut up, Cheryl is single and can do what she wants' she rolled her eyes. Eventually Reggie had excused himself to find Archie, 'finally'  Cheryl thought making her way over to the person she actually wanted to spend her time with. As she walked over Jughead moved next to Fangs leaving a space next to Toni. 'Hi, you look great' Toni whispered earning her a shy smile 'thank you Toni'. 'Betty, Kevin this is Cheryl, Cheryl this is Betty and Kevin'. 'Nice to meet you' the three said at the same time. 'Shall we go grab a drink?' Toni asked Cheryl as the group got to know each other. 'Sure' Cheryl smiled.

They were alone when they got in the kitchen Toni poured them both a drink handing one to Cheryl. 'You really do look great Cher'. 'As do you Antoinette'. Cheryl let her eyes roam Toni's body before meeting her eyes again. She'd had a few beers so was a little more brave than normal. 'So' Toni said clearing her throat 'did the boys behave?'. 'Like perfect gentlemen' Cheryl nodded 'although Jughead seemed in quite the hurry to get here after he received a message on his phone'. 'Oh yeah that was me, I told him he might miss his chance with Betty if he didn't get here asap. Although Reggie seems to have his sights on someone else now'. Cheryl didn't miss the look in Toni's eye 'if you mean me, he's not my type, come on' she said grabbing the Serpents hand leading her back to the lounge. Veronica had made sure everyone had been introduced to each other before she turned up the music. 'Okay shots!' Archie called. Everyone gathered in a circle as the red haired boy handed them a glass 'to new friends' he raised his glass. 'To new friends' everyone cheered.