Fate can be Fatal

Part 38: With Sweet Pea

The next day, Toni awakes. Leaving Cheryl in bed she gets dressed, kisses her girlfriend on the forehead and rushes out the door ready to meet one of two best friends, Sweet Pea. 

They've known each other for years, inseparable from the first moment they say each other. But recently, they haven't spent much time together recently due to busy schedules. So today, the second day of summer, decide to hop on their bikes and head out of town. 

Riding to their old hang out spot together was like old times. Before any of them had bikes, they used to cycle up there after curfew and mess about, annoying the neighbourhood, spray painting walls near the river, among other juvenile things. It wasn't smart, but it was the only fun they managed to have. 

After a short journey, they arrive. Near a field, bordering the lake they used to swim in, in the summer months. 

"So glad this day is happening. You've been bailing for weeks" Pea jokes, pushing Toni playfully. They both laugh and stroll down the lake. 

"Not fair. I've been busy---" she begins to defend herself.

"Yeah - doing Cheryl Blossom" he laughs but Toni's hand catches him.

"You're so annoying" she goes.

"Annoying but right" he chuckles as the pair take a seat by the water, whipping out some burgers and soda. 

The sun, at the highest point, boils the grass from its intense heat. The pair enjoy the nice weather. They finish their burgers when pea suggests: 

"Go for a dip?" 

"Pea" Toni starts.

"C'mon, like old times" he asks her, pleading for them to relive their childhoods. 

Toni jumps up happily and proceeds to toss herself into the lake. Pea quickly follows, almost landing on his friend. They mess about like little kids for hours, laughing, joking, chatting about their upcoming summer. 

On the other side of town Cheryl heads out by herself down the street. Music playing from her phone, the sun shining in the Northside as well. Half way to Pops, she runs into Archie, also heading to Pops to grab lunch for him and V. 

They chat briefly, but part ways soon after. Eventually, Cheryl's food arrives and she takes it home. On the way back her phone rings. She picks up cautiously at the unknown number. 

"Cheryl dear. Still not giving up? Watch your back, because I don't think Toni will be for much longer" 

Her uncles voice rings in her head. Over and over and over until she makes it home. Throwing her food to the side, she sits in panic. She calls Toni, but nothing. She's still in the lake with Pea, to which Cheryl has no knowledge of. She calls a few more time before the panic sets in. What does her uncle mean? Toni won't be around? Is that a threat? She wants to go to the police but there's no evidence to this. 

Back at the lake, Toni and Pea finally hop back out the lake and dry off under the sun. 

"Tons, there's a shop close by. I'm going to grab some stuff. You want anything?" Pea asks, drying his hair with a towel. 

"Just a soda please Pea" she replies as he heads off on his bike. 

As he leaves, Toni checks her phone. Seeing the 6 missed calls from her worried girlfriend she immediately calls her back. Cheryl picks up and begins to blabber. 

"Toni! Tons! Thank God. Are you okay?" 

"Yes, Cheryl calm down, what's wrong?" Toni says, standing up in a sudden panic.

"My uncle called me. I don't want to jinx it but I think they're after you. He said watch your back, because Toni won't be for much longer. Babe, I'm----" but her panic is cut short.

"Cheryl. I'm fine. They're bluffing. I'm with Pe----" - the phone call ends.

"TONI! TONI!" her girlfriend yells through the phone, pacing the living room. Not knowing what to do, she rushes to her car and---- everything goes black.