New Girl In Town

Chapter 28

"How are you feeling?" Toni asked as she leaned up against the wall with the serpent symbol still staining its surface.

"Better now," I responded, tossing my cigarette on the ground and putting it out with my foot. "Thanks for the cigarette; I really needed it".

"It's what I'm here for," she joked, causing the both of us to smile. "So, other that the whole pregnancy ordeal, how has your first day back been?"

"Honestly, it's been pretty overwhelming," I sighed out. "I feel so behind in everything. Missing a week and a half of school is definitely shitty".

"Why don't you explain your situation to your teachers," Toni suggested. "Maybe they'll lay off a little".

"I don't think that would work out well. It just takes one teacher to report my situation to child services, and then I'll end up in a foster home or something". Toni nodded in understanding and looked down at her feet. She scrunched her face in concentration as she continued to ponder over ideas.

"What if we had a study date?" she offered, perking up a little. "You and I are in almost all of the same classes, and the ones that we don't have together, you have with Cheryl. Plus, it could give you two a chance to get to know each other better".

"As much fun as that sounds, I don't really want to be a third wheel to my best friend and her girlfriend," I joked.

"You don't have to be a third wheel," she countered. "You'll have Sweet Pea". I stared at the pink haired girl in front of me for a moment before erupting into a small fit of giggles.

"Sweet Pea studying with Cheryl," I said between laughs. "I never thought I'd hear those words together in one sentence". Toni crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop herself from joining in with my laughter.

"Okay, I get your point," she smirked, "but I still think it's a good idea. We'd be killing two birds with one stone: you would get caught up with school work, and I can properly introduce you guys to my girlfriend".

"Alright," I agreed after a moment, "I need all the help I can get. How about you guys come over to our place around six. We can order pizzas or something to make studying less miserable. But don't blame me for anything Sweet Pea says to Cheryl". Toni beamed at me before hooking her arm through mine and dragging me back into the building for our next class.

I had to admit, I was excited about tonight. Seeing Toni so happy made me happy, and I was more than willing to accept Cheryl if she was the reason behind Toni's bliss; however, I was also nervous. Sweet Pea and Cheryl don't have the greatest history, and he can be unpredictable in the presence of people he disliked. I guess there would only be one way to find out how things would go.

* * *

"Hell no," Sweet Pea scoffed as he sat lazily on the couch in the living room. "There is no way in Hell that I'm inviting that spoiled, ginger bitch into my house".

"Well, too bad," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. "I already told Toni that it was fine. They'll be here in ten minutes, so you better get over it fast". He rolled his eyes, pulled himself off of the couch, and walked into the kitchen, sighing dramatically as he did so. "What's your problem with her anyways? You hardly even know her," I questioned.

"You mean other than the fact that she's a Northsider who has given shit to the Southside her whole life?" he snapped back, grabbing a can of soda from the fridge and cracking it open.

"Like I said, she's a bitch. I want nothing to do with her. I have no idea how she got Toni to like her; on our first day at Riverdale High, Cheryl gave us hell". He took a swig from the can and closed the fridge, finally turning to look at me. "I just don't want to be associated with someone like that".