Not Loveless, But Sensational

3. Blushing Blossom

The night before, Cheryl and Toni spoke for almost 2 hours. She'd take care of other customers and find her way back in the company of the cheerleader. For the red-haired girl, Toni was a breath of fresh air. So easy to talk to but yet so extremely different from her.

They exchanged numbers and Toni was sure to walk her safely to her car after serving her water making sure she was sober enough to drive.

Cheryl had made it home a little after midnight hopeful her toxic mother wouldn't be waiting up for her. She opened the front door and stuck her head in, There was silence and the foyer was dark except for a few dim lamps to light her way.

Cheryl stealthily made her way up the stairs and to her room. She took off her dress and washed her makeup from her face in the ensuite bathroom. Taking her phone along with her to bed she pulled up Toni's number.

Cheryl: Hey, I made it home safely. Just wanted to say I enjoyed our talk and look forward to seeing you again. Good night. 🍒

Toni: Glad you made it. Can't wait to see you again either. I'll text you soon to see when you're free next. Night. 💖

Cheryl smiled at the response seeing that the girl with the pink in her hair ended her text with a pink heart. She thought to herself that that must be her favorite color.
She rolled over falling asleep quickly and peacefully as she hadn't done in quite some time.

The next morning Cheryl awoke feeling very restful. She slowly sat up and stretched her arms. She breathed in the aroma of gourmet Colombian coffee and decided to throw water on her face and glide down the stairs to have her preferred breakfast beverage which was peppermint tea.

Her mother was standing in the kitchen with a black feathered robe on, sipping from a mug in her hands.
For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel the urge to groan at her presence.

"Morning Mumsy," Cheryl said.

Her mother looked up in surprise, "Morning child. What has you in such a good mood this morning?"

"Nothing just woke up on the right side I guess"

"I think you had a good time with the St. Claire boy," Penelope smirked. "Did he show you a good time? Are you going out again? Was he-"

"Mother!" Cheryl cut the older blossom off from her excessive questioning.
"The date was fine. Yes, I'm going out with him again." She sighed.

"That's delightful to hear! I knew there'd be one boy you'd take a liking to if you just gave it a chance" Penelope said excitedly.

And just like that Cheryl's cheerful mood shifted. She turned her back to her mother to pour her now steaming hot water onto her tea bag, "Yes, Mother. I'm going to take my tea to my room. Veronica and I are going back to school shopping in Greendale soon so I'm going to get ready."

Now in her room, she called Veronica.
"C" Veronica answered.
"Hello bestie, I need a little retail therapy. Can you meet me at Greendale Mall in about an hour?"

Cheryl then heard silence and a giggle followed by a baritone voice.
"Uh, Ewe. What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. You said Greendale Mall, right? Sure, can you make that an hour and a half, please?"

"Yes, I can, and gross!" Cheryl quickly ended the call.

She thought about what her mother said and unlocked her phone to make another important call.

"Hello, Nicholas. I just wanted to brief you on what to tell our parents if they should ask about our date."

"Go on" He responded.