Leather Jackets and Brooches

Chapter 11

Later that Week

Toni and the other Vixens were gathered in the gym ready waiting for Cheryl to turn up to lead it, however she was no where to be seen.

"Cheryl would never miss a practise" Midge said to Toni who was trying to ring Cheryl's phone.

"Still no answer. She hasn't returned any of my calls" Toni told the girls.

"It's really strange. No one has heard anything from her have they?" Midge asked.

"No I haven't. I have been asked to drop off some work for her as she hasn't been in at all." Betty added.

"Do you mind if I take it to her?" Toni asked.

"Sure. I will get it for you."

"Ok girls. Lets call off practice today , I will go and find out what is going on with Cheryl, if anyone hears anything in the mean time can they let me know" Toni dismissed the girls and went with Betty to get Cheryl's work.

Toni left the school and headed to Cheryl's house to try and find some answers. As she approached the gates of the house she saw Mrs Blossom leaving the house in her car, Toni quickly hid behind a bush so she wouldn't be noticed. Once she saw the car drive out of sight she went up to the door and knocked on it. The door was opened to reveal a shocked Cheryl.

"Toni!" Cheryl exclaimed and she pulled her tightly in to a hug.

"Where have you been? I tried calling you non stop" Toni confessed.

"My mom took my phone" Cheryl explained.

"Why haven't you been at school?" Toni questioned.

"She kept me at home to try and teach me a lesson"

"What? That makes no sense" Toni pulled a face.

"It doesn't matter now anyway. I missed you" Cheryl confessed

Toni smiled at Cheryl and pulled her in to another hug.

"I missed you too"

"Come on. My mom will be gone for an hour. We can hang out for a bit" Cheryl lightly pulled Toni inside of the house.

Toni shut the door behind her and left her bag by the door, she followed Cheryl up to her room. Cheryl sat down on her bed, Toni followed her and sat down on the opposite side. Cheryl sighed deeply and laid back then rested her head on the pillow. Toni did the same.

"This is actually so nice. Just laying here without my mother bothering me every 5 mins"

"Yeah I know what you mean" Toni agreed.

The two girls talked about Cheryl coming back to school and about putting on an extra Vixens practice to make up for the one they missed. Unknown to the girls Penelope had returned earlier than expected, she immediately noticed the bag by the door. She opened up the bag and pulled out a decorated folder with Toni's named written on the front of it. She carefully returned the folder. 

Penelope took the bag and went in to Clifford's old study. Penelope opened the top drawer of his desk to find a stash of Jingle Jangle that he secretly kept in an envelope. She picked out a bag of the drugs and put it into Toni's bag. Penelope then put the bag back by the front door where Toni had left it, she then went in to the kitchen and phoned Sheriff Keller to tell him that she had found drugs in Toni's bag. She knew that if Toni wouldn't stay away from Cheryl then she would give her a reason to stay away.

A couple of minutes later, Sheriff Keller pulled up in front of Cheryl's house, he knocked loudly on the door. Cheryl and Toni bolted upright. They made their way to the door, Toni stood to one side as Cheryl opened the door slowly in case it was her mother. When she saw it was Sheriff Keller she opened the door fully.

"Hello Sheriff, what brings you here?" Cheryl questioned.

"Is Miss Topaz with you?" he moved slightly to see Toni who was behind the door

"Is something wrong?" Toni asked

"I'm arresting you on the suspicion of possessing illegal drugs, you have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions" he began putting Toni in handcuffs and continued to recite the Miranda rights.

"There has to be a mistake" Cheryl tried to stop him.

"I don't own any drugs" Toni pleaded.

Sheriff Keller's deputy picked up Toni's bag and began searching it. It didnt take him long to find the bag that Penelope had planted in there.

"Here they are Sheriff" he held the bag up for them all to see

"Toni?" Cheryl questioned

"I swear they're not mine. Cheryl you have to believe me" Toni begged

"Come on" Sheriff Keller pulled Toni away from the house towards his car.

"Cheryl please" Toni was crying at this point as she was scared of what would happen.

Toni was put in the Sheriff's car and was taken down to the station. Cheryl didn't know what to do. She wanted to believe Toni was innocent although the evidence was there. Her eyes began to fill with tears and as Cheryl turned to re-enter her house, she saw her mother standing in the doorway. Cheryl didn't realise she had returned.

"I told you to stay away, I tried to warn and protect you. They are bad people" Penelope offered her arms to Cheryl which she accepted. Penelope took Cheryl in her arms and tried to comfort her. Cheryl felt like this was the first time in a long while that her mother cared about her feelings, but unfortunately she didn't know the truth.