Choni One Shots

Small Town Charm (isn't always what it seems)

Hello! Kass (@softforchoni on Twitter & AO3) and I have decided to write a few prompts that we came up with. There are few mentions of homophobia, as well as racism, most is towards the end.

This is also in Anthony's POV, so I'm excited for you guys to read it and let me know what you think! <3

Prompt - "What I lack in height, I make up for with my attitude."

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Anthony sat in the office, his leg bouncing up and down while we listened to the principal making phone calls on the other side of the door. His hand was hurting and the nurse had given him an ice pack for the swelling.

He had never been to the principal's office before, always told to keep his chin up and ignore any remarks or unkind words towards him. And to never hit anyone unless they hit him first. But today was not that day.

At some point, after the principal had made his phone calls, Anthony heard the loud sound of heels clacking against the tile floor in the hallway. He wasn't sure if he should be happy or what he should be feeling, but then-

"Anthony," Cheryl's sighs, but she doesn't look upset. "Why did Principal Sullivan just call me and tell me to come down here?" She sat down in the chair next him and ruffled his hair affectionately.

Ma didn't seem mad, so Anthony was calling that a win. He was still anxious, though. His leg was still bouncing and his bottom lip was suddenly chapped and hurting. "I was defending myself," he finally answered, not looking his Ma in the eyes.

Ma sighs again. The principal hadn't told her what had happened, just that she needed to come pick up Anthony. She eyes the ice pack on the boy's hand, "You punched someone didn't you?"

Anthony rolled his eyes. Obviously he wanted to say. But instead, he grits out, "Yeah, I gave the other kid a black eye. He deserved it." Tears started brimming his eyes and he hated how emotional he was becoming.

Ma's brows furrowed. "Baby, what happened?" Her hand was on the side of his face, cupping it gently, like she always did when he was upset.

Anthony sucked in a breath, his bottom lip trembling. "It's not important. I was just...I did what I had to do." He turned away from her, wiping his tears away with his free hand.

They sat there for another few minutes, Ma's arm around his shoulders protectively and affectionately, until Principal Sullivan appeared from behind the closed door. "Mrs. Topaz. Anthony. If you'll come into my office, please."

Cheryl squeezed Anthony's shoulder and stood, leading the way into the office. The two sat down and waited patiently. Cheryl crossed her legs at the knee, her back straight, hands clasped over her knees. Anthony rolled his eyes again, seeing that his Ma looked like she was ready to ring the principal's neck. Not that he would mind.

Principal Sullivan sat back behind his desk, folding his hands over the top of it and said, "Mrs. Topaz, thank you for coming in."

"Please, call me Cheryl. Toni wanted to come in too, but she was busy at work, as I'm sure you understand."

Principal Sullivan nodded and said, "Yes, Principal Weatherbee speaks highly of her work at the high school." He clears his throat, "I wanted to speak to you about Anthony's behavior in gym class today."

Anthony sinks lower in his seat, his forehead resting in his hand, waiting for the inevitable.

"It seems that Anthony got into some sort of argument with another student and Anthony punched him."

Ma scoffs, "You can call Anthony my son." She turns to the boy in question and asks, "Honey, why did you punch this other boy?"

"It's not important." He didn't want to talk about this, especially in front of the principal.