Start Again | Choni

i'm going to fight you with everything i have

Cheryl's POV

"Nick St Clair." I said as I entered his interrogation room. He smiled charmingly when he saw me but I looked away from him. I'm not going to be fooled by him anymore. "I knew you'd come, it was only a matter of time." "I'm not dropping the charges, Nick, I'm not scared of you." I said firmly. He sat forwards in his chair and brushed hair out of his eyes. "What's it going to take?" I scoffed. "Wow, just like your parents. They offered me money to make this all go away. But I'm not like the other girls, the ones back in New York with everything to live for and families to look after. I know what you did to them, I talked to Hermione. But this time, it's just me, and I'm going to fight you with everything I have until you go down for this."

He stared into my eyes, trying to be intimidating. But I'd changed. I was no longer a shy, timid girl, I had confidence, and a girl to look after. Things had changed. "Why did you do it, Nick?" I asked. He smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Because it was easy. A slight slip of the hand when you weren't looking. You were an easy target, low self esteem and inexperienced, my kind of girl. And don't get me wrong, the sex was wonderful. You've really got talent there." "There were tons of people at that party, much better people, why did you choose me?" He grinned, he knew how irritating he was being. "Maybe you should as your cousin, huh? Ronnie knows. After all, it was her idea."

As soon as he said that I stood up. I'd gotten what I wanted: his confession. He looked surprised as I turned to leave. "That's it? No goodbye or anything?" I smiled before I walked out. "Enjoy jail." I said and shut the door.

Toni was waiting for me by the door and as soon as I emerged she wrapped her arms around me. "Oh Tee-Tee." I sighed contently. "Did you get it?" She asked eagerly. I moved my hair to reveal the microphone hidden underneath my broach and grinned. "Every word. Now it's time for Veronica." She kissed me briefly before wishing me luck. "Not that you need it, though, you're on fire, babe." She winked. I chuckled and readjusted my hair to hide the microphone again.

Veronica wasn't in an interrogation room, instead she had arrived at her mother's request and was walking up to me, her arms folded across her chest. "Cheryl, what crazy thing have you gone and done now?" She sighed impatiently. "You mean what have you done?" I retorted. She blinked rapidly before talking. "I-I didn't do anything. What are you talking about, Cheryl? If this is some crazy thing you've made up just to get attention, then it won't work. It may have with Toni, but it won't last. We all know you'll mess it up, it's just a question of how long?" I ignored her. "So inviting Nick to your party wasn't your idea, then?" That stumped her. "I- Cheryl, I'm sorry." She finally apologised. "I didn't mean for him to... I just wanted to cause a little chaos. I didn't think he'd actually hurt you." She said in a softer tone. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. "You don't have to pretend with me, Veronica, I couldn't care less. Why me though? That's all I want to know." "Because, Cheryl, I hate you. I hate you, your family, everything to do with you. Blossom this, Blossom that, your family is poison, and you deserved what you got. I never wanted to be a part of your twisted family, but then Mom tells you that you're her niece? How do you think that makes me feel, Cheryl? She's a Blossom, it's a part of me, too. Of course I wanted to spice things up, to make you uncomfortable, to make you miserable. Because that's what you do to everyone else. You don't belong here, face it. Just go run back to that messed up orphanage and don't come back. Or do us a favour and join your parents." She shouted before storming away.

I held myself together, it didn't matter what she said, because I'd recorded it all and finally it was going to be over. I handed the microphone back to FP before joining Toni and heading to the car. Hermione smiled as I settled into the backseat. "How was it?" "Oh, it was great. Nick's going to get what he deserves." I did with a grin on my face. "Good, I'm glad." She said before driving off. Just before we arrived at the Pembrooke, I saw a police car drive past, it's lights flashing. "What's that about?" Toni asked as we watched it disappear from view. "Well, it is Riverdale, so maybe someone died." I said seriously before catching her eye. "I don't know, Tee-Tee." I added afterwards. "Well, it looks like we're about to find out." Hermione said as we pulled up. It was parked across the street from the apartments.

"Maybe it's about Nick." I whispered to Toni as we got out. Hermione had already gone to find out what had happened but we lingered outside. "Maybe. Veronica said some god awful things to you earlier." She said. "Oh, you heard that, did you." I asked quietly. "Cher, you don't have to be afraid or embarrassed to tell me these things. And you aren't your family, babe, so just ignore her. She had no right. And if only everyone else saw you just the way I do, they'd see how amazing you are." We interlocked lips and I tasted her sweet lipstick before we parted again. "You're even more amazing." I said smiling. She was about to respond when the doors of the Pembrooke opened and out walked FP Jones with his deputy, and beside them, Veronica Lodge.

"I will get you for this, Blossom." She sneered as she was led to the back of the police car and driven away. I breathed a sigh of relief, maybe it was finally all over.