Taking a Bite from the Big Apple (Complete)

20

They pulled back and Cheryl felt her lips tingling, from the alcohol or kiss, she wasn’t sure, and felt Toni grab her hand and walk them into what she assumed was the living area of the house, but was too covered in passed out college students and spilled beer bottles for anyone to be able to come to a definitive conclusion as to whether that’s what it actually was. They sat on one of the sofas, next to a guy who appeared to be having a conversation with himself.

“Is he okay?” Cheryl whispered.

Toni looked at him and back at the smaller girl.

“I think so. Probably just smoked some pot or something. Half the people here are strung out.”

“Oh,” Cheryl nodded, gulping, “Baby, I don’t mind the occasional drink for myself and obviously you can drink or do whatever you want, but I’m not really into the drugs scene…”

“Me either, Cher, don’t worry. I like to be lucid to my surroundings. Especially when I’m around you.”

“Cool. Awesome,” Cheryl said with a smile, relieved, “Hey, there’s some awesome costumes here!”

Toni looked around and smiled as she saw the different outfits of people, some sitting around, some dancing.

“Yea. Look, Spiderman and Little Bo Peep are getting cosy in a corner over there.”

“There’s the movie you never saw,” Cheryl giggled.

“Hey, Toni.”

Toni looked to the side at her name being called and jumped up when she saw who was there.

“Betty! Oh my god, hi! What’re you doing here?”

“Needed a break from Stanford,” the petite girl said with a smile, then crinkled her nose, “Some family wedding I have to make an appearance at tomorrow. How are you? How’re you keeping?”

“Oh, pretty good. Finally got into college! I’m a journalism student in NYU now. And oh,” Toni excitedly turned and grabbed Cheryl’s hand, pulling her up, “This is my girlfriend, Cheryl. Cheryl, this is Betty, my best friend from high school. ‘Til California claimed her and I had to re-do my last year.”

“Girlfriend?” Betty asked with a quirked eyebrow.

“As in we’re in a relationship,” Toni nodded, her smile beaming.

“Wow. I didn’t think you did relationships.”

“Well maybe I was just waiting for the right girl.”

Cheryl blushed and spoke up for the first time.

“Nice to meet you?”

“Oh, yes, very,” Betty said, extending her hand, which the redhead took, “Nice to meet you. Listen, I have to run, I’m awake at some ungodly hour tomorrow for this wedding, but it was nice to see you again, Toni. Email me, yea? I miss New York!”

“I will,” Toni smiled, then embraced the girl, “Have fun at your wedding.”

“Any luck I’ll get one of the groomsmen back to the hotel room with me.”

Toni laughed and pulled back from the hug.

“Bye Toni. And bye, Cheryl. You must be pretty special if you managed to get my BFF. Don’t hurt her.”

“Betty…”

“I won’t,” Cheryl said emphatically.

“Good,” Betty smirked, “See you guys.”