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

6

Monday came around quickly. For Cheryl, the weekend was like a twisted dream, you could only remember bits and pieces of it when you awoke, and yet all you wanted to do was fall back asleep and see how it ends.

For Toni it was different, she remembered everything about Friday night at Thistle House, but she still felt like she was right back to square one. Toni saw the red head walk in this morning, in one of her usual outfits and strutting in confidence. Toni knew that most of this was Cheryl's personality, but she could still see the pain underneath that everyone else was oblivious to.

"So how did it go short stuff?" Sweet pea and Fangs came up beside her. Sweet pea with a donut in hand and Fangs, another cup of tea.

"Girls are confusing. I think I'm just going to get a dog," Toni sighed. "I knew getting through to Cheryl would be hard work, but not this  hard."

"You just have to be persistent, girls dig it when you don't give up easily," Sweet Pea said.

"Or they think you're a creepy stalker," Fangs countered sipping his tea.

"You guys are so-," Toni was cut off by the intercom.

"Good morning Riverdale High, this is Principal Weatherbee speaking. I'm here to announce the candidates for the annual Spring Fling Dance," The young serpents looked at each other anticipating who's names would be called. "Cheryl Blossom, Veronica Lodge, Josie McCoy, Antoinette Topaz, Archie Andrews, Fangs Fogarty, Kevin Keller, and Reggie Mantle. Voting begins this afternoon in the gym."

Toni and Fangs looked at each other in surprise. "Since when does anyone include us in events?" Toni said.

"Since Riverdale High anonymously decided you two were the hottest of your Serpent group," Kevin walked up to them. "Obviously Fangs is going to have some competition though, have you seen me?"

Toni rolled her eyes and walked into first period with still no other sign of Cheryl. Maybe she'll see her at lunch.

..

Wrong. She didn't see Cheryl at lunch. Toni was beginning to get worried. She got a glimpse of her this morning before first period, but that was it. She walked up to the table where Jughead, Archie, Betty, and Veronica were sitting.

"Hey guys have any of you seen Cheryl?" Toni asked.

"Well this morning she came and apologized to us about kicking us out Friday which was...weird," Betty said.

"Why is that weird?"

"Because Cheryl Blossom never apologizes. Everything she does is for a reason," Veronica replied eating a spoonful of her parfait. "So when did you end up leaving? Did your uncle pick you up?"

Lie or tell the truth?

"Actually, I stayed the night," Toni said. "She tried to get me to leave but I stayed put and she gave up trying."

"A lioness lying in wait for her prey, I like it," Veronica said. "And you both are candidates for Spring Fling."

"Sounds like an interesting month is to come," Betty smiled genuinely, but Toni was frowning from both nervousness and concern.

"Cheryl is most likely scolding freshman or with the Vixens," Jughead chimed in.

"But if she's not at school, check Pop's," Archie said. Toni hadn't thought of that, she's rarely on the Northside except for school.

"Thanks guys. See you later," Toni ran off to look for Cheryl.

By the end of fifth period, she still hasn't found the tall girl. She checked the gym, the locker rooms, the field, the auditorium, the girls bathrooms, and the student lounge.

She still had two periods left but didn't care. She hopped on her bike and texted Jughead, Fangs, and Sweet Pea that she was leaving. She put on her helmet and sped off to Pop's Diner.

Cheryl was sitting in a booth against the wall, farthest from the door but still in view of the world outside.

Pop asked if she was okay when she walked in a few hours ago, but she just nodded. She had finished her burger and fries a while ago and was now drinking a strawberry milkshake and reading.

She could've gone home, but she didn't want to risk her mother coming home early and finding her not at school. So she made herself comfortable along with two other people who had strolled into Pop's for lunch.

As she was finishing up a chapter, she heard the low growl of an engine and looked up to see Toni pulling up to the diner. She grew nervous, but glad. She was getting tired of the mixed emotions she was constantly feeling around the girl.

She pretended she didn't see her when she walked in and refocused on her book. That was until she heard her name fall from the pink-haired girl's lips.

"Cheryl? I've been looking everywhere for you," The girls were sitting across from each other now. Cheryl thought Toni was cute when she was concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Oh sweetie, you worry for nothing. I simply wanted a break from the chaos of my beloved Riverdale High and clear my head."

Toni was giving her a look, as if she only believed half of her excuse.

"Okay fine, after my out of character breakdown at my slumber party I wanted to get away. There, now can you quit stalking me?" She returned her eyes to her book.

"I'm not stalking you, I just wanted an excuse to ditch so I went looking for you," Toni lied.

"Well you found me, bye bye now," Cheryl gave a sarcastic smile.

"What are you reading?" Toni asked.

"The Great Gatsby," Cheryl mumbled.

"I didn't think you would be into those kinds of books. Personally I-," Cheryl cut her off.

"If I let you stay, will there be anymore of this riveting conversation, because I'd rather die."

Toni smirked but stopped talking. She pulled out her Anatomy homework and began studying for her test on Wednesday. Cheryl wouldn't admit it but she enjoyed having Toni there with her and smiled as she started a new chapter in her book.

..

Two hours passed and the warranted silence did not last long. The girls ended up sharing some onion rings and talked about some routines Cheryl had coming up for the vixens. Toni even showed her how to make an origami bird. Not too soon they were laughing and smiling, Cheryl feeling the lightest she had felt in a while.

"I want to take you somewhere," Toni finally said.

"So you've moved on from stalking to kidnapping. Interesting concept," Cheryl said. "But I must decline. I have to return to Thistle House."

Cheryl began packing her things as Toni was finding excuses for her to stay, or at least see her again.

"Okay what about tomorrow? You could come over?" Toni said. Cheryl just smiled and began walking away. "What about Wednesday?"

"Au Revoir Toni," She called with her back still turned away from her and left the diner.

Toni sighed but smiled. She had made some progress, feeling as though maybe they could be friends. She collected her things and left as well to head home.

When she pulled up, her Uncle's truck was in the driveway. 'Deal with him or go to the White Wyrm?" She decided on the latter and sped towards the bar she and her fellow serpents called home.