Forbidden Love

Chapter 8 I Don't Deserve This

TRIGGER WARNING
This chapter includes police brutality and racism this was hard to write but I think it's important.

Cheryl made it home just in time so she was able to avoid being beaten she rushed to her room and locked the door, she took a deep breath, and finally allowed herself to relax. She honestly thought a cop would pull her up considering she was over the speed limit the entire ride home, A 20-minute drive took her just under 10 minutes meaning she made It back before 8:30. Her Mom didn't even acknowledge her coming home which Cheryl was thankful for. She changed into some comfortable clothes and got into bed. She wasn't tired so she decided to choose a book to read until she felt tired enough to sleep, she couldn't stop thinking about Toni and how she rushed off without even saying goodbye, the redhead felt terrible but Toni was aware of the problems Cheryl was having a home so hopefully she wouldn't be to upset. Cheryl was hoping that at least.

Toni decided to take a detour before going home, her mind was racing and she couldn't stop thinking about Cheryl she was hoping the redhead was safe in bed but there was no way for Toni to know for sure and that filled her with so much anxiety, whenever Toni rode her bike it usually helps her clear her mind but for some reason this time it wasn't working which stressed her out more. She continued her drive feeling the cool air hitting her face until she heard a siren behind her and instantly she filled with panic she knew a cop was following her, she checked her speed and she was under the speed limit so she wasn't speeding she needed to stop though otherwise things would just get worse, so she did she pulled up and waited for the cop to make his way to her.

The minute Toni felt the cop's presence behind her she felt her entire body tense up, She was alone riding a bike wearing a gang member's jacket and she was black, this wouldn't end well. The cop took one look at her and she instantly saw the hatred in his eyes. "Is this bike yours?" His voice was cold causing Toni to shake, "Yes sir it is" Toni replied her voice quiet "Can I see some proof that this vehicle is yours?" His voice was still cold and Toni felt her entire body shut down, The one time she had forgotten her insurance, she never forgot it she was full of panic now. "I don't have it on me but it's back at home I could try and reach my roommate and he will bring it" She was cut off by a strong hand pushing her to the ground. "You are under arrest on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle anything you may say will be given in evidence" Toni felt the ground hit her and handcuffs being forced onto her wrist. "Sir please I promise this bike is mine" she cries out, "shut up!" His voice rang out, She felt the first hit hard on her side and one more, and then she felt the gun pointed at her and she felt the tears pour out from her eyes. Her mind was screaming I'm gonna fucking die! "Do not resist" the cop's voice screamed out "I'm not resisting I promise" she cried out, she closed her eyes and waited for the shot to be fired but there wasn't one, she opened her eyes to find the cop dragging her to his car, her body hurt but she wasn't dead. Soon enough he was driving them back to the station. She truly thought she was going to die and the only thoughts she had were of the redhead and never seeing her again, not being alive to protect her, and that broke Toni. They made it to the station and soon enough Toni was thrown behind bars like an animal. She curled up on the floor and sobbed.

The next morning Cheryl woke up early and decided to have a shower, She stripped out of her sleepwear and checked her body out in the full-length mirror, the bruises were starting to heal and Cheryl was in less pain which was good she just had to keep her parents happy and hope this doesn't happen again, although she knew it probably would. She could try at least, she finished in the shower and got dressed for school. She ate her breakfast and then drove to school with Jason. She couldn't explain why but she felt uneasy like something bad had happened, She tried to make small talk with her brother but she couldn't ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach. The twins pulled up to school and that's when Cheryl saw Sweet Pea, Fangs, Jughead, and Tabitha but no sign of Toni. She said bye to Jason and walked up to her new friends.

"What do you mean she didn't come home last night" Fang's voice called out his tone was shaky, "exactly that she didn't come home and then I found her bike on a road 10 minutes from here" Jughead replied, "shit was her keys there?" Sweet Pea heard himself ask, "No they weren't" Jughead explained. "Fuck sake I think she's been arrested" Sweet Pea's voice was full of emotion.

"Toni's been arrested?" Cheryl heard herself say.

"Wait what the fuck they can't just hold her she should have gotten a phone call or something" Jughead heard himself say, "yeah maybe if you're white!" Fang yelled, "Legally she should get a phone call!" Tabitha explained "Hold on a fucking minute, are you suggesting that the police are holding her in custody just to keep her behind bars" Cheryl's tone was filled with a mix of sadness and anger. "Exactly they can't legally keep her for longer than 24 hours but something tells me that's their plan" Tabitha admitted. "We have to help her, let's fucking go to the station, I'll fucking pay the pricks if I have to, we need to get her out" Cheryl explained. "Agreed as soon as school is over me and Cheryl will go to the station and get Toni out" Jughead heard himself say. The group all agreed and then they headed to their class.

Cheryl couldn't focus on any lessons, all she could think about was Toni being all alone in a police station filled with racist cops, she felt angry she felt scared and she was worried sick. She barely ate lunch, she felt too nauseous to eat and now she was in her last class, she kept watch of the clock, she only had 20 minutes left but it felt like hours. Finally, the bell rang and Cheryl rushed out to find Jughead.

Toni was pacing back and forth, she hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, her clothes were dirty from the cop throwing her on the floor, and her body ached. They weren't letting her out even after checking her information and learning the bike truly was hers, they were just keeping her locked up for the sake of it. Every single cop she saw looked at her with pure hatred. She felt small, they treated her like some animal. She missed her friends but she missed the redhead more.

Jason was nice enough to let Cheryl and Jughead borrow his car the two thanked him and began the drive to the station. After Cheryl explained the situation Jason was nice enough to let Cheryl use his card to pay for Toni's release if necessary, Jason felt angry at the thought of someone being treated like shit just because of the color of their skin. After a 20-minute drive, the two pulled up at the station and walked inside, both angry and determined to get Toni out.

"We are here for Toni Topaz, I hear you are holding her illegally" Cheryl exclaimed, "What is your relationship to the criminal" The cop's tone was cold, "She is not a criminal" Jughead yelled "She is a part of the well-known gang the serpents is she not" the cop's tone was still cold "doesn't make her a criminal, you aren't legally allowed to hold a person without proof of the crime you are accusing them off" Jughead explained. The cop rolled his eyes and led the way to where Toni was being held. The minute Cheryl saw the brunette she rushed over to her. "Oh my god T.T are you okay!" Her voice filled with emotions she was trying to hold back the tears. "She can't be released without an adult signing for her" the cop explained. Jughead rang Tabitha who was able to call her grandpa to have Toni released. "Thank you Pop" Toni thanked the older man who smiled and soon enough the group was on the way back to Pop where the rest of their friends were waiting.

"Toni we are so thankful that you are okay" Fangs hugged his friend, "I'm okay well except for the bruising but it should heal okay" Toni managed to say, She hadn't said much since being released and Cheryl couldn't help the worry she felt. "Hey Cher could you drive me home" Toni whispered, She loved her friends but she was exhausted and emotional and she just wanted Cheryl. The redhead agreed. "Do you want us to come with you?" Tabitha asked to which Toni shook her head. Jughead and Tabitha understood what Toni wanted so with one last goodbye Cheryl and Toni made their way back to Sunnyside Trailer Park.