Roommates | CHONI |

Twenty One

Glad the last week was behind them and Toni had finally almost healed, Cheryl remembered that she had agreed to let Toni take her out on her bike. Maybe she could convince the Serpent to stay in bed all day instead and have a repeat of the previous night. Toni was still asleep, snoring lightly next to her, Cheryl took a moment to study the girls soft features, most of the cuts and bruises from her fight had nearly completely healed and she just looked so peaceful. Just as she was about to reach and move a strand of hair from Toni's face there was a knock on the door causing the Serpent to crack her eye open 'what is it with our friends calling round at inconvenient times'. Our, Cheryl liked the sound of that. Another knock. 'I'll get it' Cheryl smiled kissing Toni's forehead. 'Jesus guys I'm coming' the redhead called as she got out of bed wearing one of Toni's t-shirts. 'Do you guys not know...' she started until she froze seeing who was on the other side of the door.

'Mother, Father what are you doing here?' Cheryl felt like her heart had stopped this definitely wasn't going to end well. Toni sat up in bed as soon as she heard the worried tone in Cheryl's voice. 'We've heard some... unexpected accusations we need to discuss. Now step aside' her mother said as she pushed past Cheryl followed by her father. As soon as she set eyes on Toni, Penelope's eyes widened 'Cheryl Marjorie Blossom what is going on here?'. Before Cheryl even got chance to speak Toni spoke up, Cheryl may be terrified of her parents but she certainly wasn't. 'Mr and Mrs Blossom, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Toni Topaz, Cheryl's roommate'. Penelope just raised an eyebrow and Clifford didn't even give her a glance instead turning to his daughter. 'Cheryl we are here because we received a phone call from a perfect suitor. I believe you've already met him, Nicholas St. Clair?'. Cheryl cringed. 'It concerned us though when he told us you rejected him because there was deviant goings on' he turned to look at Toni 'with a gang member'. Toni just sat there looking at Cheryl feeling helpless. 'Daddy I...' Cheryl started. 'No daughter of ours will live a life of sin, pack up your belongings Cheryl we're taking you home' Penelope spat. 'No way!' Toni jumped up. 'Excuse me?' Clifford stepped towards the Serpent. 'I said...'. 'Toni, it's okay' Cheryl said with pleading eyes before grabbing her bag and putting in some of her things inside of it. She entered the bathroom pulling on some jeans before stepping out again as she tried not to look at Toni knowing she could break down at any minute. Of course as soon as she felt any kind of happiness her parents had to come and snatch it away from her. 'Good girl' Clifford smiled 'we'll get you the help you need' placing his hand on her shoulder and guiding her out of the room, her mother in tow. Toni ran towards the door pushing past Cheryl's parents and grabbing her hand. 'Cher...' she said silently pleading for her to stay. 'Toni please... don't' she felt a tear fall from her eye as she squeezed the Serpents hand before dropping it and turning around allowing her parents to push her to towards the car.

Cheryl knew what her parents were capable of and there was no way she'd allow Toni to be in the wrath of it. She would happily take her punishment knowing that Toni was safe. She held back her tears as she entered the car not wanting to give her parents the satisfaction of breaking her again. 'You'll never have to see that girl again Cheryl, we won't allow your impressionable mind to be corrupted' Clifford said as he started the car and drove away. Cheryl looking out of the window hoping that Toni would forgive her. Toni didn't know what to do she ran her hands through her hair as she slammed the door shut. She looked around the room, Cheryl was everywhere. She moved to the bedside table picking up her phone and calling the few people she could trust.

Jughead, Fangs and Veronica arrived wondering what the big emergency was when they found Toni in tears on Cheryl's bed. 'What's happened?' Jughead rushed over. 'It's Cheryl' Toni whispered. 'Did something happen between you guys?' Veronica asked. Toni didn't say anything. 'T? What's happened?' Fangs looked at the others. Toni took a deep breath 'her parents came, they took her, I don't think she's coming back' Toni rushed out not wanting it to be true. 'What? Why?' Jughead asked. 'Nick tipped them off about us I guess' Toni said her face stilled 'I'm going to kill him' she spat angrily as she went to get up. The group grabbed her shoulders moving her back to the bed. 'That won't help Cheryl right now Toni' Fangs said calmly even though he was burning inside. 'What can we do?' Veronica asked. 'Unless any of you guys know where she lives or where her parents are taking her there's nothing we can do' Toni cried hopelessly. 'We'll figure something out T' Jughead sighed rubbing her shoulder, he'd never seen his friend so upset. Fangs and Jughead offered to stay with Toni but she refused. They promised that they'd find Cheryl and help her.

Unfortunately no matter how hard they tried they couldn't track Cheryl down. It had been weeks and multiple phone calls attempts with no luck, none of them gave up though, every evening after class they came together to find new ways to get to Cheryl. The redhead on the other hand had practically been a prisoner in her own home, her own room to be more exact. Her phone taken away the moment they pulled up to Thornhill. The only visitors she had was a couple of nuns who her father call out to to pray the gay away. Toni in her mind the whole time as she struggled to come to terms with never seeing the girl again. Her heart ached for her as she laid in bed every night as she tried to sleep. Of course hiring a couple of nuns wasn't all her father did, he regularly beat her whenever he felt like it as her mother stood back and watched. The cuts and bruises on her face didn't bother her when she looked in the mirror though, it was the hollowness beneath her eyes. She knew this was her life from now on, she knew she'd never be able to live the rest of her life happily, this was her reality. The only thing that eased the emotional pain was the feel of the sharp blade as it ran across her thigh, joining the collection of cuts, some healed, some not as she allowed herself to cry while alone in the shower. Sometimes, if she was lucky, she'd dream about Toni. Remembering how it felt to feel safe in her arms as they laid in bed watching movies on her laptop before waking up and being made aware of her cruel reality.

Veronica had tried to speak to the college about Cheryl's address but they wouldn't hand out any information. She'd also used some of her riches to hire private investigators who turned down the job once they realised they'd be looking into the Blossoms. Nick was no where to be seen either, she assumed he was laying low after the stunt he had pulled. Veronica was worried about what Toni might do if she saw him. The Serpents had also been trying hard to find any information on Cheryl and it was safe to say Toni was getting frustrated, she had no idea if Cheryl was okay or even if she was still in the country. She appreciated her friends though, they was there for her constantly no matter the time. She knew how much work they were putting in to find her girlfriend and she would hope that it would pay off eventually. Technically Cheryl was an adult so as soon as she got her back she was never going to let her out of her sight again and there was nothing her parents could legally do. She was laid in bed tossing and turning when her phone rang, Veronica's name lighting up the screen. 'Hey V its late, what's up?'. 'I think I have a lead'.