Roommates | CHONI |

Twenty Six

When Cheryl walked in she kept her eyes down as she shut the door behind her. She walked over to where Toni was sitting on the bed and knelt down in front of her. Taking a second to gather her thoughts before she looked up at the girl in front of her 'TT I'm so so sorry, I should never have spoken to you that way I was just so angry but that wasn't your fault'. Toni sighed 'Cheryl I love you but whenever you're feeling overwhelmed you need to talk to me. I'm here for you always but you can't keep pushing me away. Please tell me what's going on in your head, let me help you' Toni said taking hold of her hand. 'My parents were cruel Toni as soon as they got me back to Thornhill my mother threw me in the shower under scolding water and scrubbed my skin until it was raw. They constantly told me how disgusting I was and how they would never allow me to see you again. My father hired nuns to come and perform an exorcism on me every other day and just for good measure he would beat me until I couldn't stand. I cut myself because it made me feel in control and I still crave that TT. Worse of all though Toni I've never known complete peace' Cheryl breathed in, Toni squeezed her hand to encourage her to continue 'I didn't acknowledge who I was for years, I always wondered why I felt differently to other girls. No interest in boys no matter how hard I tried. Nothing made sense until I met you. No one had ever been there for me like you have and I am so grateful to you Toni. I just hope you know how sorry I am' Cheryl kept her eyes on the ground, after pouring her heart out to Toni she was preparing herself for rejection.

Toni gave it a moment before she slipped down to the floor next to Cheryl. She took her hands in her own and looked at her until Cheryl lifted her eyes to look back. 'Thank you for telling me that babe but can I ask you something and if it's too much you let me know okay?'. Cheryl nodded. 'When your mom video called you a couple of months ago she mentioned that you wouldn't be able to visit Jason's grave, is that your brother?' Toni asked carefully. Cheryl stood up, leaving Toni still sat on the ground, she pulled the photo of herself and Jason out of the draw before sitting down back next to Toni. She was holding the frame to her chest, she took a deep breath and passed it to Toni. The Serpent took the photograph holding it gently in her hands, she studied the boy who look so much like Cheryl. 'JJ was my twin brother, he was killed by a drunk driver when we was fifteen. He always looked after me and protected me from our parents. You see my mother and father have always been cruel to me, the only hope they had for me was to find a rich husband and keep him happy. I just miss him so much, as long as I was happy so was he. He would have really liked you Toni, especially for all the times you've defended me' Cheryl took Toni's hand in hers. 'Thank you for telling me babe, I'm sure Jason and I would have gotten on well' she pecked Cheryl on the cheek. 'As for your parents, you have to know they're wrong Cheryl and I'm so sorry for what they did to you, you deserve better and I don't think it's a good idea for you to ever go back. I can pull in extra shifts at the café to earn extra cash if your parents cut you off financially'. Cheryl's heart melted 'that's nice TT but I don't have to rely on my parents for money, my nana left all her riches to me when she died, they can't touch that'. Toni nodded in understanding. 'So are we okay?' Cheryl asked. 'We're okay Cher as long as you keep me in the loop okay?' Toni smiled 'and... if you ever feel like you want to hurt yourself please talk to me okay?'. 'Okay' Cheryl whispered. Toni stood up and pulled Cheryl up with her 'wanna get takeout and cuddle?'. The redhead nodded 'sounds great babe'. They ordered their food and got into their pyjamas, Cheryl finding a movie on her laptop as they had many times before. 

Cheryl felt lighter after her break down and conversation with Toni, for the first time she felt truly free. She could talk about her feelings openly whether they were good or bad and she could talk about Jason. Toni paid full attention to each and every story and it made Cheryl feel that Jason was still a part of her life. Cheryl was thankful that she has such an amazing partner and a few special friends and Toni was grateful Cheryl was getting better and fully embracing who she is. Fortunately they didn't hear from Cheryl's parents or Nick St. Clair again even though the redhead worried about it sometimes. But after everything Toni and Cheryl were happily and completely in love with their whole lives ahead of them and neither of them could have asked for more.

The end.