Whispers of my soul | CHONI |

Four

Hey everyone!

I hope you're all well and looking forward to tonight's episode. Let's hope the Choni scenes outweigh the Cheryl and Archie scenes. Unfortunately I can't watch it since it'll be on at 2am in my time and I'll be at work, so I'll be watching it as soon as I get home in the morning.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the comments on this story and the oneshot I posted a few days ago. You have no idea how happy it makes me to know you're enjoying my stories.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's over 6000 words long. I haven't finished the next one yet, but it'll be ready for me to post next week.

Happy reading!
Nat xx

Also, follow me on Twitter @thunderstorms92 if you want to.

The sound of the birds singing pulled Cheryl from her restless slumber, she tossed and turned like she had for the past few nights. Last night was different though, knowing that Toni was asleep in a bedroom not too far from her home filled her with anxiety. She felt bad for not being more persistent in offering her bedroom since the others matched the rest of the mansion. Dark and lonely. Her own bedroom at least had more of a personal feel or so she thought.

When she opened her bedroom door she noticed that down the dark hall the door to her studio was open. Maybe she left a window ajar somewhere and the breeze blew it open. Wrapping her robe tighter around her body and made her way over careful not to make any noise.

As she reached for the door knob though she saw the silhouette of her own body in the room. She watched quietly for a moment, lingering in the shadows of the hallway hesitant to make any movement that would interrupt her guest. Normally, Cheryl wouldn't allow anyone inside this room, it was hers and only hers, but Toni was an exception. She would always be the exception.

Toni ran her fingers over one of the frames before moving to the next one, her back still to the door, 'good morning.'

Cheryl's heart raced, she was caught so she stepped forward leaning against the doorframe, 'good morning.'

'Did you do all of these?'

'Yes. Most of them over the past seven maybe eight years.'

'They're beautiful,' Toni said turning her head a little to acknowledge the woman behind her. 'I didn't realise you painted two of these.'

Cheryl looked up at the portrait of Toni hanging proudly on the wall, 'I did. I, uh, I gifted you the copy. That's the original.'

'I don't think I ever thanked you for mine so thank you.' Toni turned her attention to one of the paintings over in the corner. 'Is that-'

'Minerva.'

'I didn't realise the two of you were... an item.'

'It was brisk,' Cheryl said honestly when Toni turned to face her. 'After the key party. I confided my frustrations in her and I suppose one thing led to another-'

'Frustrations? About what happened between us?'

'Toni, I realise now that the way I put myself across that night was unfair and perhaps borderline psychotic. I swear that wasn't my intention, but at the time I was hurt. I hated myself and Minerva told me all the things I wanted to hear. It wasn't anything serious.'

Toni nodded with a feeling in her stomach she didn't want to acknowledge, 'and Heather?'

'Was different. She is an amazingly kind woman and I'm so glad I got to reconnect with her. I'm sure we'll remain good friends.'