Not Broken, Just Bent- A Choni Fanfiction

4- Motorcycles and Motels

AN:
This one's a bit longer than normal, so enjoy!

Holding my breath, I watched as Cheryl yelled into her cherry-red phone.

"Please, I didn't mean it, it was one time, I didn't- I don't- feel anything for her! She loves you so much, it was just one bad day, and..."

Cheryl hesitated, taking a deep breath. As much as I wanted to spite her for what she put me through, I felt equal amounts of pity for her as I felt confusion. Wiping a tear off her cheek, she continued speaking.

"Just don't hurt her, JJ. I don't want to call the authorities, but I will if-"

I watched as Cheryl suddenly stopped talking and looked down at her phone. I could clearly read the despaired expression on her face as she realized that whoever she was talking to had hung up.

Ignoring the nagging side of me that so desperately wanted to ask her what was wrong, I ran into the school before she could notice I was there.

After grabbing the screwdriver from the janitor's closet, I began heading back towards my bike when I heard a voice chime from behind me.

"Toni?"

Turning around, I saw Cheryl standing with her phone in her hand. I could tell her demeanor was less confident and brazen than usual, but it was nearly impossible to tell she was crying merely minutes ago.

I decided to give her a chance before I snapped at her.

"What's up?" I inquired.

Cheryl took a deep breath before speaking.

"Umm....."

"What is it?"

"I need a ride," she blurted.

I opened my mouth to ask her a question, but she immediately interrupted me.

"Listen, someone was going to come pick me up, but..." She hesitated. "...he's busy. I'll pay for gas or whatever, I just need to get home."

I was shocked to see her pleading like this. It had been so long since I had seen her let down her guard even the slightest bit.

"Cheryl, I don't have a car," I said blankly.

"How do you get to school then?"

"I ride my motorcycle."

"Is there extra room?"

I could tell that Cheryl was equally surprised by her own words as I was.

"I mean, I guess, but-"

"Well, let's go then."

I looked at her quizzically.

She sighed defeatedly. "Please- I just need to get home."

"Fine," I hesitated. "Come with me."

*

I unscrewed the bottom of my motorcycle as Cheryl sat on the curb behind me. As I felt through the wiring of my bike, I found myself watching as her fingers twirled her bright red hair. Wondering how I managed to get myself into these situations, I began replacing a wire that had been fried.

It was slightly chilling to see Cheryl so quiet- It's almost like she's a different person without her constant insults and witty one-liners.

After about ten minutes of extremely awkward silence, I finally managed to repair the wire. Screwing the top plate back on to the bike, I couldn't help but smirk at the impressed expression that briefly flashed across her face.

"Good as new," I announced, revving the engine. The bike was hardly good as new- It was quite worn down, covered with dust and scratches that it had accumulated throughout the years.

As I start to put my helmet on, Cheryl finally broke her silence.

"What am I supposed to wear? I really don't want this rust bucket to be the reason that I die."

I shot her a disgruntled expression before throwing her my helmet.

"Oh- Thanks."

"No problem. I trust my skills."

I was surprised to see her crack a half-hearted smile before she slowly climbed onto the back of the bike. I took a deep breath as I felt her arms wrap around my waist. I don't know if it was from nerves or another reason, but I felt Cheryl's heart beating equally as fast as mine was through her chest.

"Hold on," I declared as I hit the ignition.

*

Once I went home after dropping Cheryl off at Thornhill, I took off my helmet, went inside, and flopped backwards down onto my bed with an overly dramatized sigh.

"What just happened?" I whispered giddily to myself under my breath, before immediately shaking my head. "No," I muttered, "Nothing happened." I tried to convince myself.

Still, I couldn't stop my heart from fluttering.

After I was finished dramatically laying on my back, I began pacing around my room. I had never understood those teenagers in the movies until now; The ones who would spend their time dreamily writing about a boy in their diary, or who would stare out the window with their hand on their chin, thinking about their special someone.

"I didn't think  I would ever find someone like that," I found myself thinking. "But then again, I probably still haven't."

Not to my chagrin, the ding of a notification on my phone disturbed my train of thought. Opening my phone, the subject of the recent email in my inbox immediately made my eyes widen.

RE: Cheryl Blossom- Hotel Rooming Assignments

After moment of hesitation and deep breath for preparation, I opened the message.

Hello Vixens,

Due to the upcoming football game in Greendale, I was stipulated into assigning rooms for the trip. Well, they were created by Mr. Weatherbee- I just... made some edits. After all, there is NO way I would be able to survive in a room for so long with most of you. Anyways, your rooms are listed below.

Regards,
Cheryl Blossom

P.S.
Please do not send any complaints- All replies will immediately forwarded to my junk mail, so just don't bother.

As Cheryl had promised, there was a long list of names in rows and columns, which I began immediately scanning for my name.

"Midge Klump, Veronica Lodge, Melody Valentine..." I read mentally, my eyes finally catching my own name. "Toni Topaz. Okay, I'm with... Ethel Muggs- Well, she's sick, so I guess that just leaves me and..."

My eyes widened as my eyes landed on the last name at the end of the row.

"Cheryl Blossom"

*