now tell me, how did all my dreams turn to nightmares?

Chapter 17

Days went by, and nothing. No contact; no speaking. They hadn't talked once over text, let alone in person. Toni was avoiding her, dodging her in the halls. When they had to be near each other, like in English Literature, Toni would actively ignore her.

Cheryl couldn't help but think about how far they had come before she threw it all away. She couldn't regret her choice. She knew she did the right thing... no matter how much it hurt.

The redhead just wanted a moment to explain, but at the same time, she worried any moment would give Toni the opportunity to end their... whatever it was... for good.

"Ready for lunch?" Jughead asked as he leaned up against the cool metal.

The redhead was shoving her books into her locker. "I'll meet you there."

"You aren't going to stand out here hoping you see her, are you?" he asked.

"No," Cheryl scoffed. "I simply need to go to the bathroom. I doubted you would want to wait outside the ladies' room when there is food waiting for you in the cafeteria."

"You know me too well," the boy laughed.

She closed the locker door and they walked off together until they reached the bathrooms. "See you in a few, Jug," Cheryl said.

Jughead took off, his stomach leading him towards the food. Cheryl laughed momentarily before turning to her right and stepping towards the bathroom. As she opened the wooden door, Cheryl came face to face with dyed blonde.

"Toni," she breathed out.

Toni scoffed, "I'm not ready, Cheryl."

"Please let me explain." Cheryl begged, finally having a moment with the girl.

The shorter girl shook her head, "I can't believe you'd try to talk to me after what you did."

"Toni..."

"Cheryl, please leave me alone," she said as she pushed past, leaving Cheryl speechless with tears streaming down her face.

"She hates me," Cheryl said as she paced back and forth in her room. "I made the love of my life hate me."

"She doesn't hate you," Jughead encouraged, trying the best he could.

"You didn't see her," she countered. "She's been avoiding me for days. I tried to talk to her, but she can't even look at me."

"You did drop a bombshell on her, though."

Cheryl glared at him, angry at his use of phrasing. "I am quite aware of what I did, Jughead."

"Just give her some time," he suggested.

"I'm scared," the redhead admitted. "I'm so scared."

"Hey," Jughead said as he stood up, reaching to embrace his friend, "I've got you. It'll work itself out okay?"

Cheryl cried in his arms until she felt her phone buzz. Her face contorted in confusion as she broke the hug and reached into her pocket. She glanced down at the device and gasped. "It's Toni," Cheryl looked up from her phone, panic in her eyes.

Jughead stared at her for a moment before asking, "Well, what does it say?"

"Right," the redhead turned her attention back to her device.

TT💕 [04:57pm]: Can you come over?

TT💕 [04:57pm]: We need to talk

"She wants to talk," Cheryl said. "What do I do?"

"Go see what she has to say," the boy shrugged. "Hopefully it's good news."