Offline | CHONI |

Part VI

By the time Toni arrived on the south side she was more frustrated with Jughead than she was before. He hadn't said anything wrong but she was eager to get to Cheryl who had now been on her own for more than an hour. Sweet Pea even messaged to see how the redhead was which made her feel worse for being with the boy standing in front of her now.

"Toni, are you even listening to me?"

"Yes," she lied.

"Look, I know things have been... difficult these past couple of days, but I really wanted to ask you something..."

Toni could see the nervousness on his face and it made her stomach drop. "What is it?"

He took a step forward, taking her hand in his own as he looked at her. "Dating you has been great, amazing even. You keep me on my toes and challenge me when I need it... but I wondered what you thought to making it official... I wondered if you'd be my girlfriend officially..."

Her eyes widened before she could stop herself. Toni had dated plenty of people, but an official relationship? That was something she hadn't ever been interested in. The thought of being someone's girlfriend made her chest tighten. Dating was easier, sure there was a fine line, but officially belonging to someone seemed like too much pressure.

"I didn't mean to spring this on you," Jughead said when she didn't speak, it was the first time he'd witnessed her completely speechless. "I can wait. You don't need to answer right away-"

"Right... uh, I..." she stuttered. "I have to go. I'll speak to you later."

Toni was out of his trailer door within seconds, ignoring the way he called her name. She didn't want to hurt him or leave him hanging, but her head was so full she thought it might burst.

She didn't even realise she reached Cheryl's place until she stopped outside the gate. Just to be on the safe side she left her bike parked around the corner, the last thing she wanted was for Cheryl to get into trouble because someone told her mom about a motorcycle on the driveway.

Her heart pounded as she banged the knocker against the large doors, she wasn't sure how long she waited until the door opened and brown eyes set on her.

"Toni, what are you doing here?" Cheryl noticed the look on the other girls face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she lied. "Actually I wanted to come and check in on you. You left pretty quickly and I was a little worried."

"I'm fine." Toni wasn't the only one lying today. "I just have a headache from the alcohol."

They stood at the door, it should have been awkward but they were both too concerned with their own thoughts to notice. Toni's phone ringing got their attention, and with a sigh she pulled it out expecting to see Jugheads name but instead a photo of her and Fangs lit up her screen.

"Are you going to get that?" Cheryl asked, a confused look on her face at Toni's hesitation.

"Uh, yeah..." she tapped the screen before bringing her phone to her ear.

"What's up?" Cheryl heard her say, but she couldn't hear the person on the other side of the phone.

"I'm fine, Fangs."

"Oh my god. I've literally just left his trailer..."

"Yeah, but I don't see why he keeps running to you guys every time we have an issue. It's really starting to piss me off..."

"Because it's no one's business, Fangs."

"Look, I'm busy right now. I just need some time alone. Would you tell him to respect that and stop getting you and Sweet Pea to chase after me? It's getting boring now."