In this one shot Cheryl has a developmental disorder. I'm writing through Cheryl from my own perspective, in an attempt to voice some of my personal struggles.
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"What's wrong babe? I can tell by your face that something is bothering you." Toni asked as she sat down next to her girlfriend on the bed. After more than five years of dating she knew exactly when something was troubling her lover.
Cheryl looked up at her girlfriend and narrowed her eyes to comprehend the expression painted on the brunette's face. "I'm just a little worried about tomorrow. You know uhmm...the party."
Toni nodded. That's what she had expected Cheryl to say. "Okay. You know that there are no obligations right babe. You can excuse yourself in case things get too overwhelming or if you just need a break and you know I'll be right next to you the whole time."
Toni stroked her girlfriend's leg and waited for a response. She knew Cheryl well and she was aware that occasionally it could take her a while to collect her thoughts and express them. It was vital to be patient with her.
Toni had known about the fact that Cheryl was autistic ever since their third date. Back then she didn't have much knowledge about the disorder, but Cheryl had taught her a whole lot about it ever since.
"I just hate it." Cheryl whispered while she let her head hit Toni's shoulder.
Toni immediately put her hands around the taller girl and caressed her arm and head gently. "What do you hate baby?"
Toni noticed a wet droplet had landed on her denim jeans while she heard a soft sniffle come from her girlfriend.
"I hate that I can't be normal." Cheryl whined. "That I can't have a normal conversation with multiple people and that it always feels so unnatural and uncomfortable."
The brunette placed a firm kiss on top of Cheryl's head. She hated to see her girlfriend so upset, because even though she could help Cheryl and be there for her, eventually she would never be able to change how her brain worked.
Toni tried to console Cheryl with kisses and whispered a few uplifting words in her ear. After several minutes Toni could merely hear the sound of her girl's breathing and so she figured she was starting to get tired. "Let's get some sleep babygirl." Toni said as she carefully moved away a little so Cheryl could no longer lean on the brunette's shoulder.
Toni held her girlfriend in her arms until after about an hour she knew for certain that Cheryl had dozed off. She slept better knowing that her girlfriend was getting some rest too.
(The next day)
"Are you sure no one will be here before 7?" Cheryl said while she poured the batter for her carrot cake into a tin.
Toni rolled her eyes playfully and smiled without Cheryl being able to see her. This was the third time she'd asked this question. "Babyyy. I promise you, I specifically told everyone to not be here before 7. So they won't."
Before they started dating, about five years ago, Toni would celebrate her birthday by throwing the biggest party in town. She'd invite half of the school, all of the serpents and old friends from her childhood. Anyone was welcome really.
Nowadays, things were different. Very different. Instead of throwing a huge chaotic party like she always loved to do back in the day, she now merely invited a few people that were close to her to celebrate her birthday with.
Toni had in fact tried to throw a bigger party once at the beginning of her relationship with Cheryl. She had realised, however, it had been a mistake after about thirty minutes when Cheryl had had a panic attack because she was overwhelmed and overstimulated.
