The Missing Part of Me | a Choni Story

Chapter Ten

Just a few quick notes:

I don't think I'll be following an update schedule anymore. School and work are in full swing. I'll try to update when I can.

Also, there is some texting happening in this chapter so I thought I'd clear up how to read it. On the right is the person sending the text, on the left is the person receiving the text, just like with a typical text conversation.

Enjoy!

Cheryl wakes up at dawn after tossing and turning all night. She gets out of bed, goes to the bathroom, then goes into the kitchen to make some breakfast.

She sits alone at the table with her egg white omelette, mindlessly clanking her fork against the fine china. She takes a large sigh, looking out the door to see the swimming pool.

Cheryl recalls as a child learning to swim in that pool. She was with her Nana and Jason, floaties on both arms. Jason had already learned to swim and was encouraging his sister to try coming into the deep end. Still sitting by the stairs, Cheryl had squealed no, as she was scared that she'd get hurt.

Jason came back over, a smile on his face, telling his sister to trust him as he removed the cherry red floaties from her arms. He guided her through the pool, allowing her to hold on to the edge of it, as they got deeper and deeper into the pool. Nana Rose watched close by, making sure the children were safe.

Cheryl suddenly felt the lack of floor beneath her toes and began to squirm. Jason was quick to reassure her, though, calming her down by placing a hand on her cheek. He showed her to kick her legs back and forth so that she could stay above the water. It took her a few tries before she got used to it, still gripping tightly to the pool's edge.

Jason was patient with her as he waited until she felt ready to let go. When she'd told him that, his face lit up and he moved over so Cheryl could do it on her own. She was still scared but released her hand from the edge, kicking her legs just as Jason told her. Expecting to hopelessly sink to the bottom, Cheryl opened her previously shut eyes to see she was still afloat, wading in her spot as Jason cheered.

From where Nana Rose was sitting, she smiled at the sight of her two grandkids.

They were only seven.

Cheryl changes into a bathing suit and slowly walks into the pool. She feels the water grip every part of her body, cooling down the wildfire that still burns inside her. It's only seven in the morning, Mr. Peterson informed her Jason and Nana Rose would be there by nine.

She sits on the stairs, letting the early morning sun beat down on her. She looks around, aware of the lack of company, and suddenly becomes sad. She hadn't been too upset over being alone before. There is a difference between being alone and being lonely, and Cheryl didn't mind one and hated the other.

She picks up her phone that sits nearby her on a towel and opens her text conversations. There aren't many: one with her boss, one with her roommate, a group chat with her coworkers, and one with Veronica Lodge. Their last messages together are from months ago but it's the sort of norm for their texts to be like that.

The last messages read:

Veronica

Another grand opening happening this weekend! The bar is close by you too!

Cheryl

Will you be there? I'm not really feeling the bar scene but I'll go to see you.

Veronica

Sorry chica, I'm still here in Fresno looking over the winery. It's my first one and I want to make sure it's running smoothly