Not Broken, Just Bent- A Choni Fanfiction

2- Cheerleading and Changes

"You can do this," I thought, "She probably doesn't even remember you." My eyes wandered over to Cheryl as she sat at her lunch table with what I presumed was a new cycle of air-headed girls to fill the temporary positions of her friends, just as it had been in Middle School.

Taking a deep breath, I strode over to their table.

"Cheryl?"

She turned her head towards me, causing her thick, red locks to bounce onto her shoulder.

"What do you want, Hobo?" She interrogated, standing up in her seat.

As much as I hated to admit it, Fangs was right- Cheryl was much better looking than she was in Middle School. Her fashion sense had remained similar; she was dressed in a black and red crop-top that beautifully hugged her curves, along with a choker to match, black shorts, and a red jacket that stretched slightly past her waist. Looking closely, I noticed that it was adorned by a dark-red spider brooch on the shoulder. She also sported a pair of black thigh-high boots. One thing that had changed was that now she wore bright red lipstick instead of her former pale-pink gloss.

"If only her actions were as pretty as she is," I mentally chided.

Apparently I had been thinking for a long time, because Cheryl interrupted my thoughts.

"I said, what do you wa-" She suddenly stopped talking as a glint of recognition flickered in her eyes.

"Toni?" She inquired, "Is that you?"

"Good to see you too," I rebuked sarcastically.

"Wow, you've changed since Middle School, huh."

"I see you haven't."

At my comment, the hint of softness disappeared from her eyes. I momentarily regretted it, before remembering that I wasn't the one that should feel remorse in this situation.

After gesturing with her hands for her
"minions" to leave the table, she turned back to me.

"Did you need something?"

"Yeah, Weatherbee says I needed to contact you about trying out for the River Vixe-"

Before I finished, Cheryl signaled me to stop.

"I'm sorry, we've reached our quota. Maybe next year," she declared, turning to walk away.

"But Mr. Weatherbee said-"

"It's not gonna happen, ragamuffin. Now get out of my face!" She snapped before turning and walking away, her boots clicking with each step.

As I watched her walk away, I couldn't help but wonder what made her this way. "She used to be so sweet," I thought.

As I reminisced about her, old memories from Junior High popped into my head.

I remembered when she got sick during a school trip, and I had helped her feel better. She called me a good friend that night; I realized that I wanted to be more.

I remembered how we got milkshakes at Pop's every day after school, and we told each other all of our deepest secrets. It was that booth at Pop's where I came out for the first time.

Most of all, I remembered that one night in her bedroom, when the power went out. I revealed that I was scared of the dark, so she compassionately offered to let me sleep in her bed.

How we laid across from each other.

How I looked her in the eyes.

How she leaned in...

"Whatever," I shook away the thoughts. "Things are different now."

As I began to walk away, I noticed a shiny object laying in the grass. I picked it up to examine it- The shine was coming from a dark red gem, with a gold bead stemming from the top and eight golden small wires, causing it to resemble a spider.

"Cheryl's spider pin," I murmured.

"Cheryl, wait!" I yelled in a lapse of judgement, which I immediately regretted as she turned around to face me.

She sighed in annoyance. "What now?"

"You dropped this."

"Oh. Thanks."

I noticed the hints of arrogance absent from her comment.

As I handed her the spider pin, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation where her hand had touched mine.

I froze.

To my avail, so did she.

Suddenly, she ripped her hand away from mine, ending the moment sooner than it had began. Feeling my face flush red, I began to walk away, embarrassed.

"Hey Toni?"

"Yes? I asked exasperatedly as I turned around to face her.

"We are actually short a member; Tryouts are at 1:30 tomorrow. I expect to see you there."

Before I could ask any questions she airily sauntered past me, shoving me aside with her shoulder.

As I watched her cherry-red locks bounce with each step, I smirked.

"You're an enigma, Blossom."

*