Start Again | Choni

you're so beautiful and you don't even know it

Cheryl's POV

I sat alone on the front steps of the Pembrooke, keeping out of Veronica's way. I'd heard the rumours that she was planning a party and I definitely was not attending. However she approached the complex, her arms laden with new bags of shopping. She stopped with a somewhat evil smile. "You're coming to the party, right?" I shook my head and she looked offended. "No, you have to come. It's only right since you're here anyways. And make sure you invite Toni." She added with a laugh before disappearing inside. I sighed and took out my phone. I don't know why I always feel obligated to do what she wants, but I guess I am living in her home so it's only fair.

Hey, it's me. Obviously. Veronica's having a party tomorrow and wants me to invite you. And she seems determined for me to be there. Can you make it? - C

Of course, as long as you're there. - T

I guess I have to be. Want to hang out? - C

Give me ten minutes. - T

Well my evening just improved. Right on time, Toni arrived on her motorbike and I swung my leg over, grabbing her waist tightly. It just felt so comfortable, our bodies pressed together, fighting against the wind, feeling free. I had no idea where we were going but it didn't matter to me, because I was with Toni, and that was all I cared about. After removing the helmet, she brushed my flyaway hair as I gazed into her eyes before brekaing eye contact and investigating where we were. Toni had driven to Sweetwater River, to a secluded, closed off area that overlooked the river, with breathtaking views of the rest of Riverdale as well as the water. It was just so perfect as the sun slowly started to set, burning the sky a bright red. Toni took out her camera and started taking pictures as I watched absent-mindedly, admiring her eye for natural beauty as well as how perfectly her hair matched the patches of pink in the sky.

After she had finished, Toni and I sat on the ground looking at the photos she had just taken. "They're gorgeous, TT" I said, staring at the shimmering water with the sky's reflection. "This is my absolute favourite, though." And she handed me a picture of me laughing as I just turned to the camera, my hair still swinging behind me as I turned, my cheeks pink and my horrible teeth showing. "That looks so bad, how is it your favourite?" I asked. She turned to me and put the photo down. "You really think it's ugly?" I nodded. "Hey, look at me. It's gorgeous, you're so beautiful and you don't even know it. And I think that makes you look even more pretty." "Really?" She smiled and wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Really." Toni just had some magic ability to make me smile, no matter what was going on, and I loved that about her. Wait, did I just say I love her? I mean it's true, but is it really love? Or strange deviance, acting out, confusing emotion with obsessions and fantasy? Do I even know love?

"I guess I should take you back now, Cher." Toni said with a smile, standing up. I stood up too, brushing myself off. We stood inches apart and I felt the sudden urge to pull her towards me, to be enveloped by her warmth and feel her skin against mine. But that's wrong. That's what I was told. It's wrong. "Cher?" I heard my name and looked up. "Sorry, it's getting late, Toni, I should, I should go." I felt her hand on my arm and stopped. "I know, it's okay, I'll take you straight home. I promise." Her voice was so gentle and sincere so I nodded and climbed onto the back of the bike.

The ride was quicker than I thought, and I was back in the Pembrooke in no time. Veronica was playing her music loudly and Hermione was trying to work in the living room. "Mija, basta, por favor." I guessed it was Spanish, and she sighed and went to talk to her. The music quietened down just as I headed to my room. I took my jacket off and something fell out of the pocket onto my bed. I smiled as I picked it up, it was the picture of me that Toni had taken by Sweetwater River. I couldn't believe someone would think I was beautiful, and yet she made me feel that way, it was magical. I thought of her as I closed my eyes to go to sleep.

- Toni's POV -

It was time to go to Veronica's stupid party, and as promised, Cheryl was waiting outside the Pembrooke, dressed in a short, tight fitted black dress. She had her contacts in again, and had let her natural curls fall loose over her shoulder. She was gorgeous. Cheryl waved with a small smile as I approached and opened her arms to greet me. "You look amazing." I said as we hugged before going inside. "You too."

Inside, the party was in full swing, and Veronica was in the middle of it, drinking and dancing and pulling random boys towards her. Mrs Lodge was nowhere to be seen, so I guessed she had gone out, leaving us to it. Cheryl and I headed straight to the kitchen, which was quieter and less crowded. I poured a glass of water, definitely in no mood to drink, whilst Cheryl opened a bottle of cherry cola. "Is that all you drink?" I laughed as she took a sip. She blushed and giggled. "Perhaps a cherry phosphate too?" God she was so cute. "Hilarious." I rolled my eyes and stood beside her, leaning against the counter so our bodies were almost touching. I felt her slide closer, just millimetres away from me, before we were interrupted by Veronica pulling someone in, giggling. They stopped when they saw us but something told me that Veronica had come in on purpose. "Oops, my mistake. Let's leave them too it." She tugged the boy's arm, someone I had never seen before, but he smiled, flashing his perfect white teeth and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "In a bit, I'll catch up with you."

His voice had a soft lilt, almost hypnotising. Cheryl hadn't looked at him yet but when she did, he looked straight into her eyes, giving a charming smile. "Hey there, pretty, I'm Nick. Nick St. Clair. And what do they call you?" "C-Cheryl." "Well, Cheryl, how about you tell me more about yourself and I'll show you what a party in New York is like." She looked uncomfortable and I was about to pull her away but he picked up an empty cup, pressing it into my hands. "Do you mind?" I gave her a quick smile, "I won't be long." I said reassuringly, heading back into the party to find a drink. There were lots of people around, she was going to be fine, I told myself as I picked up the first bottle of beer I could find and headed back to the kitchen. When I arrived, however, she was nowhere to be seen. And neither was Nick.

"Cheryl? Cheryl?" I shouted, searching the apartment for her. I checked the bedrooms, the bathroom, the living room, the lobby, everywhere I could think of. The longer I looked, the more frantic I got, and the more I realised just how much I worried about her, how much I loved her, and how I would do anything to see her again, to keep her safe and protect her. It was true, I loved her. I'd never felt like this about anyone, but she was just different. She was so intriguing, so naturally majestic and gorgeous and insecure, it just made me love her even more. And as I thought about her, about how she worried about everything, I realised just how much danger she could be in, because she was just an innocent girl, who jumped at the smallest of noises, who was afraid of being alone, and who was currently lost in the darkness of the night, with a stranger that apparently nobody knew anything about.