The Missing Part of Me | a Choni Story

Chapter Two

As they enter Riverdale, Cheryl looks at the familiar sights. They pass Pop's, pass Town Hall, pass the high school. Cheryl looks out to what used to be her town, feeling her heart get a quick pang of somber nostalgia.

After the very quiet car ride, Toni pulls into the auto shop. She stops the truck and looks over at Cheryl. She'd noticed the look in Cheryl's eyes, how they'd seemed to grow scared as they got closer and closer to Riverdale. Toni can see how she's hurting, she can't imagine how much. Despite the little quarrel between them, Toni's intentions are real. For whatever reason, she's worried about Cheryl, she sees that there's something tearing at her heart.

Cheryl looks through her wallet, grinding her teeth as she looks at how much money she has. "How much do you think this will be?" The amount of money Cheryl had brought with her, at first, seemed like enough. She'd planned on staying in her car to save a bit more instead of staying at the local hotel. Now that the car would be in the auto shop, she'd have to pay for both a place to stay and the repairs.

Toni sees her counting her money, remembering a time where she was in Cheryl's shoes. Toni shakes her head, "Don't worry about it. I've got it."

Cheryl raises her eyes to look at Toni, confused. "What?"

Toni repeats herself, "I'll take care of it. Consider it a little gift from me to you. Welcome back to Riverdale."

Cheryl eyes the Serpent, believing there is some sort of catch. She looks through her money again, thinking that if she just stays for the day, she'll have enough to pay for the repairs and return back to the hopeless life she leads.

Toni sees the change in Cheryl's expressions and stops her, "Nope. I'm telling you Cheryl, I've got this covered."

Her tone is assertive, yet soft. Cheryl sighs, while the girl was obviously smaller than her, she must be part of a gang for a reason. Cheryl nods, putting away her wallet. Toni leaves to go fill in the paper work for the car while Cheryl grabs her things from her car and begins to leave.

"Wait!" Toni calls out, catching up with the girl after finishing the papers. "It's about noon right now, I'd say your car should be all right by six? Seven the latest."

Cheryl nods, finding herself walking the streets with the Serpent. The townspeople begin to realize who is walking around, whispers growing loud as they turn away and walk faster. Cheryl knows they're talking about her, clutching her bags close to herself for comfort.

"Well, look," Toni begins, kicking stones as they walk. "I'll let you go roam around town but we'll need your number to reach you when your car is done."

Toni herself can hear her expression be a bit too happy to ask for the redhead's number. She would've made a mental note to tone it down if she hadn't caught a glimmer in Cheryl's eyes when she spoke.

Cheryl eyes the pink haired girl, really looking at her for the first time. The pink hair frames Toni's face perfectly, swept to the side with a small braid on the opposite. Her outfit fits her personality, at least the parts that she's presented to Cheryl: ripped black jeans, a flannel wrapped around her waist, a simple tee shirt, and the leather Serpent jacket. A relaxed look, yet badass and fierce.