The Lost Ones | Choni

28| Seperation anxiety

Toni's POV

We made it back to the Cooper's house and Penelope told me to take Cheryl upstairs and everyone else will help unpack the cars. She was a little jumpy and scared so we all wanted her inside and away from all the commotion so nothing would set her off. Alice told me which room to go to and I lead Cheryl there as I held her hand. We sat down on the bed and watched Jason bring in her bags.

"Thanks, Jay-Jay." She said just above a whisper.

"No problem, Cheryl." He smiled lightly. Just as he was about to leave and give her some space, Penelope came in and smiled gently.

"Toni, dear? Would you mind stepping out for a few minutes while I talk to Cheryl and Jason?" She asked.

"No ma'am." I smiled as I stood up. "I'll be right ba-"

"Wait why can't she stay?!" Cheryl asked frantically.

"I just want to talk to you two about this in private." Penelope tried to explain but Cheryl just started to cry in response.

"Please don't make her go. I won't feel safe unless she's here." She said as tears rolled down her face.

"Cheryl, it's okay." I said gently as I sat back down and hugged her. "I'll only be gone for a few minutes. This doesn't involve me and I think it's better with just the three of you. Once you guys are done talking I'll be back. I promise."

"O-Okay." She sniffed and I kissed her forehead. I then left the room and gave them all some space to talk.

__________

Cheryl's POV

Toni left the room and I felt my chest get tighter and a few more tears roll down my face. I was sitting with my back on my pillows and I pulled my knees up so I could wrap my arms around my legs and hide my face. Mom sat down and scooted closer to me and moved me to lay against her. Jason then sat in front of us as Mom calmed me down.

"I-I'm sorry." I said as I cried some more.

"Hey it's okay, honey. I know you're going through a lot right now." She whispered.

"C-Can you just say what you wanted to say so she can come back?" I asked. I realized what I said was probably rude and I felt a little bad. Mom sighed and nodded. On a normal day she would've said something about my attitude, but on a normal day I'd never say anything rude.

"I just wanted to talk to both of you on what's going to happen from here." She started.

"Is everything that you were saying to dad true?" Jason asked. "You were yelling really loud and we heard everything."

"Yelling?" I asked confusedly.

"You were sleeping with your earbuds in." Mom whispered to me and then looked back at Jason. "And yes." She replied.

"I'm confused." I thought aloud and Mom sighed again.

"I'm divorcing your father. I honestly haven't been completely happy with him for awhile and I was going to do this once you guys were in college, but I cannot stay with a man who'd send his child away for being themself without even caring about what would happen." She explained as she held me closer. "I love both of you so much and I need to keep you guys safe."

"So wait, are we going to live here now?" Jason asked.

"Just until we find somewhere else to live that will be a good fit for us." She said gently.

"Wait are we even going to be okay in terms of money? You have to pay the hospital bills and divorce isn't exactly cheap." Jason asked worriedly.

"We have good insurance that will take care of the bills and divorce is expensive but it'll be worth it. Alice is going to help us with everything and we're going to be okay. I promise." She reassured.