When I Met You | CHONI |

Chapter 19

'What do you mean she can't stay' Veronica says furious at her parents 'she has no where else to go!'
'I'm sorry Veronica but we have a business deal with the Blossoms and they are threatening to back out if Cheryl stays here' Hermione says looking at her daughter.
'Daddy' Veronica pleads.
'I'm sorry our decision is final' Hiram says.

Cheryl steps out from behind the door where she heard the conversation. 'Veronica it's alright, thank you for having me Mr and Mrs Lodge, I'll gather my belongings and then I'll be on my way'. She turned back to the room she was staying in.
'Cheryl wait' Veronica ran after her. Once she stepped into the room Cheryl was packing her bag. 'Don't worry Ronnie I'll be fine' Cheryl smiled at her friend trying to accept the fact she was either going to have to beg her parents to take her back or face being homeless. Neither was good but one seemed a lot more appealing than the other. She hugged her friend as she left the house having no idea where she was going to go.

After walking for what seemed like forever Cheryl ended up at Pops and made her way to a booth at the back. She sat in her own thoughts.
'Here' a gentle hand placed a hot chocolate in front of her.
'I'm sorry Pop I have no money' Cheryl didn't lift her eyes.
'It's on the house' he smiled, Cheryl lifted her head with a small smile 'thank you'.

It was getting late and Cheryl's phone had died, this was the first time in a while she had felt this alone. She was so deep in her thoughts she didn't even hear the bell above the door ring.

'Cher' a familiar voice spoke 'I've been looking everywhere for you'.
'Toni what are you doing here?'
'Veronica told me what happened I tried to call but you didn't answer'.
'Sorry' Cheryl simply said.
'Come on let's go' Toni said reaching for Cheryl's hand.
'Where are we going?' Cheryl questioned.
'Back to my place' Toni answered.
'What about your parents?' Cheryl challenged.
'I live alone, well technically I live with my uncle but he's never home, come on'.

Toni picked up Cheryl's stuff and fixed it onto her bike.
'Just to let you know my place is nothing fancy' Toni said.
'I don't care about that TT' Cheryl kissed her and they jumped on the bike and headed towards the Southside.

At one point in her life Cheryl would never have dared to enter Southside Trailer Park but now she's never felt safer. They pulled up to a little trailer at the back of the grounds, Toni helped Cheryl off the bike and grabbed her bags. As they entered the trailer Cheryl felt instantly at home. 'Since my uncles never here the trailer is basically mine, there's just a bedroom to the back that he uses the couple of times of year he actually stays here so make yourself at home'.
'It's lovely TT' Cheryl smiles back.
'Let's put your bags in my room, it's pretty late so we can sort your stuff out tomorrow, can I get you anything?' Toni asks walking into her room.
'No thank you' Cheryl replied taking in Tonis bedroom, there was fairy lights around the ceiling and a wall of photographs. One catches her eye, it's a picture of her on their first date, her heart swells.
'Well the bathrooms down the hall, help yourself to anything you want' Toni smiles grabbing some spare blankets about to leave the room.
'Where are you going?' Cheryl asks.
'I'm going to sleep on the couch, you can have my bed'.
'Oh, goodnight Toni'.
'Goodnight babe' Toni steps back in and places a kiss on Cheryl's head, just as she's about to step through the door to leave Cheryl steps forward.
'Wait'.
Toni turns around.
'Do you think you could stay with me tonight?'
'Of course' Toni could never say no to that face.

Toni passes Cheryl one of her T-shirt's and a pair of shorts since the girl didn't attempt to get any out of her bag. Both the girls turned around to get changed neither wanting the other to feel uncomfortable.

They climbed into bed, although it was dark they were both staring at the ceiling.
'I'm sorry this happened to you Cheryl, I know this is new but you're welcome to stay as long as you need. No pressure though' Toni whispered.
'Thank you TT' Cheryl whispered back. She moved her head onto Tonis chest. Toni wrapped her arm around her girl. They fell asleep together in the comfort of Tonis bed, Cheryl had never slept so soundly.