Offline | CHONI |

Part IV

Hey!
Sorry for the delay in updating. I've been so busy with life that I haven't had the chance to write so I did this while I was having a bath lol.
I hope you're all doing good and I hope there are still some choni fans around to read this!
Happy reading!
Nat xx

Cheryl hadn't been able to get Sweet Peas accusation out of her head all week. She managed to avoid the serpents at school so she was unpleasantly surprised Friday night when she saw them at Archie's house party. Thankfully Veronica didn't notice her reaction since she was too busy with making sure Betty was alright.

Before the redhead turned away though she caught eyes with Toni and then Sweet Pea who just sent her a wink. She needed a drink. Something strong otherwise this was going to be a long night.

"Maybe you should just talk to Jughead," Veronica said. "Clear the air."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Betty said, she didn't normally participate in teenage drinking, but tonight she wanted to take her mind off of other things. "Cheryl, you were friendly with Toni. Is she-"

"I'm not friendly with Toni."

"Right, but you talked. Do you think her and Jughead make sense? I mean... now he's a serpent I guess he's found his place in the world."

Cheryl didn't think Jughead deserved a girl like Toni, but she wouldn't admit that it's because she's jealous so she just shrugged her shoulders and hoped her friends would change the conversation.

:::

The taste of vodka didn't make her face scrunch a couple of hours into the party. The way it buzzed through her body was a welcomed distraction as she danced with Moose Mason of all people. She'd danced with boys plenty of times before, but right now she was trying to make a point to Sweet Pea. Not that he was around to see, he and his friends had disappeared a few songs ago and she finally felt like she could relax a little.

After removing Moose's hands from her hips she headed to the yard for some much needed fresh air. Cheryl didn't quite realise how drunk she was until the cool breeze hit her skin. Finding a seat on a bench at the back of decent size outdoor space she took a breath, making her feel slightly better.

Her fingers were still wrapped around her cup, but she refrained from taking another sip for now. Lately, she'd been getting in her head more often than normal. Thinking about things she would much rather ignore.

By the time someone took a seat beside her she was so lost in thought she didn't even notice until she heard a voice that made her blood run cold, but her body tingle as her heart rate increased.

"Hey, are you having a good night?"

Cheryl didn't dare avert her gaze, so she kept her eyes forward as she shrugged her shoulders, desperate to keep her cool. "I can't complain."

"I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you since moving to Riverdale High. I didn't... know if you wanted me to after our last conversation."

Cheryl didn't know what to say so she stayed quiet, hoping that would force Toni to stand and leave.

"I don't think your friends are my biggest fans either," she said, her own eyes facing forward. "I hope Betty knows I don't dislike her or anything because of Jughead."

"You're in a relationship with her ex boyfriend. People don't usually form friendships over that kind of thing."

"Right." Toni cleared her throat. "So, how have you been? Sweet Pea was pretty excited about his date with you the other day."

"Date?" Cheryl turned her head, immediately wishing she didn't when dark eyes landed on her own. "It wasn't a date. He was more concerned with us." The redhead cursed herself for her slip up, the alcohol blocking the majority of her filter.