Living is always better with you by my side | Choni

I've held heaven in my hands

Toni checked her purse for the millionth time as she waited for the bus. She swore she had forgotten something but it was just her mind wondering from being slightly nervous.

She carried the roses she'd bought at the florist two doors down from the office building she worked in, so she knew she hadn't forgotten those.

She was already a ten minute walk away from the bus stop and Cheryl was expecting her home.

Toni walked onto the bus and gave the driver her ticket. It was the same driver she always had in the evening. A kind old man with a somewhat pleasing smile. A much more pleasant one than the racist she had to deal with in the mornings.

"Got a secret admirer?" the driver asked, nodding to the bouquet.

"Oh no" the brunette laughed awkwardly. "They're for my -" Girlfriend. "Mother. Tomorrow's her birthday and she just loves red roses."

"Well, aren't you a good daughter" he commented. Toni smiled appreciatively and took her seat at the back of the bus.

She hated lying to the man, but this was 1961 and her relationship with Cheryl was illegal in more than one way.

Where Cheryl had milky white skin, Toni's was darker, like café au lait. White didn't date anything other than white, and women and men didn't date anyone other than each other. Lying was necessary, they had to do it to protect themselves. That was why everyone believed they were best friends who roomed together, not lovers.

For the longest time, Toni had admired the redhead from a distance. Not wanting to get too close to her for her sake and Cheryl's.

Then, at some point, everything changed. They were growing into teenagers and Toni began noticing how beautiful Cheryl was.

Bright red hair against alabaster skin and soft brown eyes, a soft voice that gave the brunette shivers and when Toni really got to know her, a heart so pure that Toni knew the world would be a much better place if everyone were like Cheryl.

It had taken two years for her to come to terms with the fact that she really liked the redhead. Another year after that for Toni to confess it and try to pursue Cheryl, fully aware that it would likely not go the way she would like but she had a feeling Cheryl was like herself.

She just had to hope Cheryl would at least be true to herself about who she was even if she didn't like her back.

She hadn't expected the redhead to finally admit she was not only attracted to girls but  that she was attracted to her too.

It had been heaven from then. They moved out together at 20, 2 year after finishing school, claiming they wanted to experience independence before 'settling down'.

It had been 3 years since that, and they still had no intentions of settling with any man.
They were happy even if they had to hide themselves from everyone.

Toni got off the bus and thanked the driver. It was two blocks from the bus stop to their apartment building. She unlocked the glass door at the main entrance and checked the mail before heading up the five flights of stairs to their floor.

Her path stopped at a plain brown door, apartment 217. The apartment she shared with the person she considered her true home.

Toni tried to make herself presentable before she entered. Flattened her hair a bit, adjust her shirt and skirt, checked her lipstick and mascara. She'd had a rough day at work, she reminded herself when she saw the smudge of mascara under her eyes. She looked good enough.

Besides, Cheryl always thought she looked beautiful anyways.

The aroma that surrounded her when she opened the door was unexpected. The fresh herbs and juicy chicken smell was mouthwatering. Toni moved down the corridor, stopping to slip her heels off and drop her purse on the floor beside the shoes. Past the bedrooms, one of which they'd decorated as 'Cheryl's' in case they ever got a visitor.