Leather Jackets and Brooches

Chapter 9

Toni stood next to the entrance of the school with her hands in her serpent jacket waiting for Cheryl. she heard footsteps from behind her, she turned around hoping it was Cheryl but instead she saw Sweet Pea and Fangs heading towards her.

"Hey guys, you're late leaving school"

"Yeah we got detention. What about you?"

"Cheer pratice"

"Wait, you're a cheerleader now?" Fangs said in shock

"Yeah, quite a shock I know" Toni laughed

"Wanna come Pop's with us, Fangs kept going on about burgers and shakes throughout detention" 

"Amazing as that sounds, I need to work on the presentation"

Toni looked behind her fellow serpents to see Cheryl walking down the steps towards them.

"Hey Tee, sorry to keep you waiting" Cheryl apologised.

Fangs and Sweet Pea looked at one another in shock.

"No you're ok. You ready to go?" 

"When did you become friends with a northsider. Well her?" Fangs questioned.

"Hey. Why you got to be like this? Cheryl and I have a lot in common" Toni said sternly

"Where's your loyalty. With them or us?" Sweet Pea argued then hinted at Toni's serpent jacket.

"I have every right to be both. I earned this jacket the same way you both did. And so what if I'm on the Vixens. I'm trying to make the most out of this school, the same way you should be" Toni stood up to them, despite the big height difference her ego overshadowed them.

"Whatever. Come on dude lets leave these northsiders" Fangs hinted for Sweet Pea to leave.

The two serpents left and headed out of the school parking lot. Toni stared at the ground for a while.

"Hey. Are you ok?" Cheryl lightly held Toni's arm.

"Yeah. I'm sorry they were out of order to you" Toni apologised.

"No it's ok. I was a bitch to all of you on your first day. I deserve it. But they had no right to talk you like that. You have every right to wear both of those jackets and I will fight anyone that says otherwise" Cheryl looked at Toni and smiled softly at her. Toni smiled back at her.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah let's go"

Cheryl and Toni walked out of the school and headed for Toni's trailer. The co-captains talked about the choreography for their dance for the upcoming show along the way. Toni suggested more partner work to improve techniques also co-ordination, Cheryl agreed and they discussed the plan for the next training session.

As they approached Toni's trailer they saw Toni's grandfather outside smoking a pipe on a rocking chair.

"Hey Grandpa is it ok I brought a friend home back as we have a presentation to work on"

"Of course it is" he smiled at both of them

"Hi Mr Topaz nice to meet you, I'm Cheryl" Cheryl politely introduced herself.

"A Blossom I presume?" Toni's grandfather brought the pipe to his lips and smoked it.

"Yes. The hair is a big give away" Cheryl said nervously.

"Well nice to meet you. So, what is your presentation on?"

"General Pickens" Toni replied

Her grandfather looked at both of the girls with squinted eyes.