"No, Toni, stop. You did not that is nasty!"
Cheryl heard Kevin's voice bellowing out of the rec room from the hallway as she approached, pausing before the door.
It was Thursday, and she had her free fourth period. She had no syllabus plans for herself this week, however, allocating this time instead to wallow in shame and pity for the gigantic fuck-up she had yet to rectify with a certain beautiful serpent.
"Toni, ewwww, why?!"
Betty's voice this time, followed by a chorus of laughs. Cheryl picked one in particular out from the crowd, a sad smile accompanying the flutter in her chest.
You idiot.
She'd thought about messaging her. She'd stayed up late night after night, her fingers balanced over the keyboard of her phone, her eyes reading over the last message sent to her on Saturday afternoon. 'Thanks for a great night and breakfast, Bombshell. Have a good weekend, see you at school x.' She had stared at it for what was probably cumulative hours, attempting time after time to just type something. But the truth was she hadn't known what to type. Nothing seemed to hold enough value over the phone. And after their interaction, or significant lack thereof, in the cafeteria two days ago, how could she just send her a message?
"No, I'm getting away from you, Toni, you're a jezebel. Frankly, I'm jealous."
That word again.
"Enjoy your free period, lucky lady." Kevin was still saying the words as he exited the room, a wide smile reaching his eyes as he walked arm in arm with Betty.
"Cheryl, hello! You look lovely."
"Thank you, Kevin." She smiled falsely at him. "Cousin Betty." With a nod, she left them, inhaling deeply through her nose and curling her hands together as she stepped into the room.
And there she was.
Toni.
Perfect little Toni
Curled up like a kitten in the corner of a couch, her legs tucked beneath her as she relaxed into the back of it. A small hand dropped from the page of her book to her thigh, scratching absentmindedly at it through her tights before reaching up to curl some stray hair behind her ear. It was loose around her shoulders with two small buns fashioned onto the crown of her head. It was the first time Cheryl had seen it like that and she was completely, and utterly, enamoured.
God she was cute.
She couldn't help but move towards her, coming to rest at a safe distance beside her.
Grow up.
Compose your feelings.
Communication is key.
"Hi," A weak start, "Do you not have fourth period?"
Toni looked up at her words, those lovely big eyes trying their best to remain hard and failing almost immediately.
She closed her book.
"No, Gutiérrez is off sick, she set cover work. So, I have a free." It was monotone and distant but it lacked malice. Cheryl took this to be a good sign.
Letting out a deep sigh she dropped her bag from her back, motioning to the cushion next to Toni.
"May I sit? Please?"
"Free country, Cheryl. I don't own you."
She took the jibe like ice water to the face but she knew she deserved it, taking her place on the couch as she pressed nervous palms into her thighs.
