Call Out My Name || C.B. x T.T.

3

That evening, Cheryl, Penelope, and Nana Rose were just finishing up dinner. "Cheryl, why have you taken it upon yourself to wear my jewelry?" Penelope questioned.

"You haven't worn them in forever and I figured why let them go to waste?" Cheryl said finishing her plate.

"Well you figured wrong, you miscreant. Stay out of my room and stay out of my things. This is your only warning," Penelope reached over and snatched the necklace from Cheryl's neck before making her way upstairs. "Do tend to Nana Rose though."

Cheryl sat, mouth agape for a few moments, before standing and clearing their plates. Then she wheeled Nana Rose to her bedroom and put on her favorite program to fall asleep to.

She then walked to her bedroom, being sure to lock the door. You can never be too safe when dealing with the Blossom family. She crawled into bed and grabbed her sketchbook. Since she saw Toni's performance at try outs she couldn't get her face out of her head, no matter how much she tried.

When her thoughts would carry her away, she would keep working on the sketches in her book. So far she had two, one a full body of Toni in her River Vixen practice uniform and the other a portrait of her face. She had decided to draw that infamous smile of hers, so soft and filled with mystery.

Cheryl was confused by her thoughts. Toni Topaz was a Southside Serpent, a group of delinquents who had invaded her school. Although they were all civil, she couldn't let others believe she had gone soft, or her image would crumble. But she also couldn't deny that the girl had moves and not putting her on the River Vixens would be a waste of talent.

After all, who is she to deny Riverdale of the spicy flair that is the short, pink haired girl. Cheryl smiled and spent the next hour finishing up sketches, before falling asleep.

++

As the days to crawled by ever so slowly for Cheryl, Toni prayed they'd slow down. She paced Betty's bedroom, joined by Veronica, as they prepared for school.

"Guys I'm so nervous. Cheryl's sleepover is in tomorrow night. I mean am I supposed to bring something? What if she shuns me?" Toni asked wearily.

"Toni in the short time I've known you I've never seen you this...vulnerable. You're always hitting someone with some sarcasm or goofing around with the guys," Veronica said. "Why is Cheryl so different?"

"Because I don't give a shit what anyone says, except her. It's the first time I valued anyone's opinion of me and it's driving me crazy!" Toni exclaimed in frustration.

"Betty! You're going to-," Betty's mom, Alice called before realizing her daughter wasn't alone. "Oh look what we have here. Anyway, you're going to be late for school."

Betty nodded and all three girls quickly left the house to walk to school. The weather was cool and misty as they walked down the sidewalk.

"You know what? I'm feeling quite generous these days, like a philanthropist with better style. Why don't you both come over after school?" Veronica offered. "We can get mani-pedis and make sure Toni here looks breathtaking for her Queen of Hearts."

"Guys what do you think is going to happen at this sleepover?" Toni inquired.

"Honestly anything can happen when it comes to the Blossoms. You don't really have anything to worry about," Betty said. "Besides Cheryl's mom. You guys may be serpents, but that woman is the true definition of a snake."

"She's right. I spent the night with Cheryl at Thornhill...you know before it burned down, it was quite the experience. The only reason I can tolerate Cheryl is because I know her bitchiness isn't completely her fault," Veronica told them. "With Jason gone, she's truly alone in that house."

Toni took in what the girls were telling her. As they approached school, Veronica explained to meet her at Andre's limo and they parted ways. Betty and Jughead walked away, most likely to discuss the Blue and Gold's next story. Veronica kissed a sweaty Archie on the cheek and began discussing something about their Spring Fling outfits. Toni on the other hand, was rolling her eyes as Fangs and Sweet Pea approached.

"Guys, Kevin got me on this like tea kick. I don't even know what this is but it's good," Fangs said sipping on a cup. "Some flowery shit, Chrysanthemum?"

"Okay one, I didn't even know you knew a word that big. Two, it's probably Chamomile stupid," Toni said. "Have you guys figured out what you're wearing to Spring Fling?"

"I don't dance, Topaz. Also I don't do suits or Northside events," Sweet Pea stated.

"Yeah yeah we know, but you need to quit being a buzzkill. It's one stupid dance, plus if I fail, I'm going to need a back up date in case redhead Barbie throws me off a balcony at Thistle House," Toni told them as they walked down the hallway.

"I think you're being overdramatic. I mean sure the girl's a reptile, but don't act like you don't speak snake," Fangs said and the boys walked off to get to first period.

Toni sighed and turned around to head to her class, but she was stopped, due to Cheryl being two inches from her face. "Oh my apologies, didn't mean to frighten the little squirrel," Cheryl said making Toni roll her eyes.

"Cheryl, If this-" Cheryl put a hand up to stop her in her tracks.

"Au contraire, I am simply here to inquire your tastes for tomorrow evening. Don't want to poison anyone...again," Cheryl said, the last part only under her breath.

"Um okay, well I like fish?" Toni revealed. Cheryl smiled and twisted away without another word. The pink haired girl brushed it off and walked the other way to class.

Toni didn't see Cheryl for the rest of the day. She wasn't in the cafeteria or in the halls. When the final bell rang, she met up with Betty and Veronica. She decided to ask the girls about her encounter with Cheryl in the car.

"Did Cheryl ask any of you what you wanted to eat tomorrow night?" Toni asked. They both shook their heads. "Okay now I'm confused."

"I've never heard Cheryl ask anyone what they wanted. These are big steps for the little she-devil," Veronica said.

"Everyone is accustomed to growth, V. I mean you have," Betty said.

"Very true," Veronica agreed. "But now let's focus on the task at hand...making Toni look even more fabulous than she already is."

Toni just laughed and listened to Veronica and Betty talk back and forth about lace and fabric, letting her mind drift to Cheryl's smile.