Chapter 1
A shiver ran down her spine as Cheryl's lips brushed against her lovers for the first time in so many years. The air in the room almost nonexistent as she pulled back looking for any hesitation, but all she could see was a shy smile and a twinkle in the most beautiful brown eyes.
"I've missed this."
"Me too, TT," she whispered, leaning back in as familiar hands danced on her pale skin.
The recurring dream pulled Cheryl from her slumber like it had many times throughout the past few years. She never made it to the end. Not once. Even though she so desperately wanted to.
The arm wrapped around her waist pulled her closer, a quiet breath leaving her lips as she resisted stretching out her body. Instead, she felt the warm body move closer to her bare back.
"Good morning," Minerva whispered, placing a kiss on the redheads shoulder. "I have to leave soon."
"Now?" Cheryl asked, turning over to look at the woman beside her, her own body worked up from her dream. "Because I could think of something a little more exciting..."
"What do you have in mind?" Her question wasn't answered with words, instead the redheads hand found her hip pulling her into a kiss.
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"Did Minerva stay again last night?" Veronica asked, her eyes following her best friend as she entered the kitchen.
"She did." Cheryl nodded when the raven haired woman held up the pot of coffee. "She had to rush out to work."
"I bet she did," she said sliding the mug over the counter. "Seems like it's getting serious."
The redhead sipped on the hot drink, her eyes looking mischievously into her friends as she shrugged. "I don't mind having her around."
"I know that. I heard you last night-"
"No, you didn't!" The blush running up her cheeks burnt her skin. "I-"
"Relax." The reaction made her laugh, "it wasn't like I could hear you in my bedroom. Just when I went to the kitchen..."
"Oh my god..." Cheryl buried her face in her hands. "V, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise-"
"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you're happy. You deserve it and anyways... I'm kind of jealous, it's been a while since I've had a good time. We should go out..."
"When?"
"This weekend if you're not too busy? The clubs have been doing well and it'll be good for me to show my face," Veronica said and Cheryl nodded in agreement. "Great, it's a date."
Coffee at the kitchen counter in the morning had been their routine everyday for almost four years. The apartment they shared in the city was perfect for the both of them. Before that Cheryl had spent three years trapped in the walls of her old family home, trying everything she could to right the wrongs of her family as the world moved on without her.
After everything that happened with Toni she was a shell of the person she was. She never left the safety of her solitude and she rarely let anyone in. All of her old friends moved on with their lives, most of them going to college or leaving Riverdale to pursue their careers. The only people that came to check on her after the first few months was surprisingly Veronica and her cousin, Betty.
When her nana passed away, the two of them came back to Riverdale to support her through the loss and the funeral. Veronica somehow convinced the redhead to go back to New York with her for a break and she never looked back. Leaving Riverdale made her realise there was nothing left there for her anymore, so when the raven haired woman offered for her to move in she agreed, shocking even herself.
They found themselves a bigger apartment, their bachelorette pad as they called it. And slowly but surely Cheryl's life changed. There was still pain and sadness living inside of her, it was so deep routed she knew it wouldn't disappear overnight, but therapy helped.
The first time she sat on the couch in the unfamiliar room she felt like a phoney. Sitting and talking about her life and feelings to a stranger didn't feel like something she should be doing. She was so used to pushing it away, allowing it to eat away at her piece by piece until there was nothing left.
Time made it easier though and she pushed through it. Session after session, memory after memory, her therapist helped her work through the feelings she'd buried so deep inside of herself and although she had a long way to go she was finally moving forward.
The maple factory was doing well, she didn't do much to manage it anymore, she had people that helped her with that now. Paying them much better than her family ever did and also using a cut of the profit to help maintain the Uktenas land and the Southside.
Sharing an apartment with Veronica was more fun than she thought it would be, but she still craved solitude sometimes. She would always need her own space. About three months after moving into their new apartment she decided to rent out a studio. Somewhere she could be alone to paint or just exist. It was her own piece of heaven and it also helped bring in some extra income, her paintings were popular in the city, that's how she met Minerva, an experienced art appraiser.
It wasn't love at first sight or anything like that. Cheryl had a few flings over the years of living in New York, she had needs and didn't mind a one night stand or dating here and there. With Minerva though, the sexual chemistry was off the charts compared to any other woman she'd met in the city.
The way she carried herself caught the redheads attention even if she wasn't the one to do the chasing. The other woman was confident, sexy and successful. They shared a few drinks at a local cocktail bar and before Cheryl knew it they were in bed together.
Veronica was doing well for herself too. After owning La Bonne Nuit as a teenager it sparked a passion in her and her love for having a good time and living for the moment. She currently owned two clubs, partnering up with Cheryl to recreate the maple rum and sold it as a club exclusive and she was considering signing for a casino business that she was still mulling over.
The two friends were successful women in their mid twenties with everything to look forward to. Cheryl still thought about her old life often. Her ex invaded her dreams and though it hurt her to wake up without her high school sweetheart, even all of these years later, she was grateful to be reminded of the time she spent with the then pink haired girl.
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The redhead never thought she'd be a party girl after high school, but she loved letting her hair down. Betty didn't come out as often, being an FBI agent didn't leave her with many weekends free and she could never be as reckless as her friends, but she still enjoyed herself.
"Cheryl, are you ready?" Veronica knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. "Betty said the cabs picked her up. She's on her way."
"I'm ready," she said, fluffing up her hair. Standing from her vanity she glanced at her friend wearing a little black dress. "You look hot!"
"So do you, Bombshell," the raven haired woman said looking over her friend wearing a blue dress as short as her own. "Let's go, girl."
By the time they stepped outside the yellow cab was waiting outside of their building, Betty sent them a wave as she reached over opening the door for them.
"I love the dress," Cheryl said, as she got inside sitting next to her cousin, the black dress she wore was short with long sleeves and just the right amount of sparkle. "You look great."
"You really do, B!" Veronica added as she slid into the car, shutting the door and greeting the driver.
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The line outside the club followed the building down the street. 'Pulse' stamped proudly above the entrance of the club illuminated the nights sky with a neon red. Veronica's second club 'Euphoria' was just around the block. They planned on spending the last half of the night there.
The groans of the customers when they entered the club were a common occurrence, but there was no reason for Veronica to queue up to enter her own club. It was already busy as usual, the music loud and the lights flashed brightly as people danced.
There was always a VIP booth available for Veronica and her friends. They made their way through the crowd, their hands linked together. "Good to see you, Veronica," the bulky man said as he lifted the rope.
"You too, Steve."
The VIP section had a mini bar which made it easy for the girls to grab a drink. Free as always. It didn't take long for the alcohol to start flowing and although Minerva would be meeting them later, Cheryl was looking forward to having fun with her friends.
"Should we dance?" Veronica asked an hour or so later receiving nods from her friends. "Then let's go."
Their dancing always got the attention of other people, but they'd become experts at ignoring it unless someone caught their eye. It wasn't unusual for them to get looked at by other girls either, although it was usually envy. Which was a shame... sometimes.
Cheryl and Veronica pushed boundaries the most, they were more than comfortable with their friendship, sometimes too comfortable. Their hands roamed each other's bodies as they danced, losing themselves in the music.
It was all just fun.
Freedom to be happy.
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"I love you guys," Cheryl slurred as they made their way to the next club. "You're the best!"
"We love you too," Veronica and Betty said, the three of them wrapping their hands in each others.
"The nights still young," Veronica said. "And thankfully so. Not one person has caught my eye tonight. What about you B?"
"Nope, but I'm happy to be with the two of you. Who'd have thought all these years later we'd still be together."
"Right?" Veronica leaned against Betty before looking at the redhead. "What time is lover girl showing up?"
Cheryl laughed at Veronica's mischievous smile, "should be within the hour. She's just at home getting ready and less of the lover girl please. It's not that serious."
"Oh, it's pretty serious."
"Yeah, I agree with V," Betty said. "I haven't seen you this settled since-" Luckily she stopped herself from saying the name that almost left her lips. "Since you moved to New York."
"Yeah, well, I'm just seeing where it goes, but it's been a while since I liked someone this much. We're so similar in some ways though, she wouldn't be my usual type outside of a hookup."
"Well she's hot and so are you. You've been dating for a while so maybe your types changed."
Cheryl shrugged even if she didn't exactly agree. "Maybe."
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The girls didn't bother with the VIP section at Euphoria, instead they headed straight to the bar to grab a drink before making their way to the dance floor again. Cheryl closed her eyes as she moved to the music, she was at her perfect point of intoxication, enough to have fun but not be completely out of control.
With the feeling of hands wrapping around her waist, she turned around to see Minerva smiling back at her before placing a kiss on her lips. "Hey," the redhead said.
"Hey," Minerva said, placing another kiss on her lips before she greeted the redheads friends.
By the time Minerva was tipsy, Veronica and Betty had each found someone to entertain themselves with. The raven hair woman danced with a blond haired muscular guy whilst Betty was sitting at the bar with a pretty dark haired girl.
Cheryl would only ever be interested in women, there was no way she'd go near any man. However, Betty and Veronica were more fluid, if they liked the look of someone they weren't too concerned with their gender.
"Do you want to sneak off for a minute?" Minerva asked.
Cheryl looked between her friends, they seemed fine so she nodded her head as she reached out and joined their hands, "lead the way."
The two women found a quiet spot near the exit of the club where the music was much quieter. Cheryl found herself pushed up against the wall, her body buzzed with alcohol as she lost herself in the moment.
Something suddenly came over her, she wasn't sure what it was, but she opened her eyes mid kiss landing on the last person she expected to see. She pulled away slightly, the other woman hadn't noticed her yet.
There was no way.
Her heart was in her throat and just when she thought she was going to go unnoticed dark eyes landed on her. Time stopped for a moment as she passed. Cheryl didn't even hear Minerva talking to her.
"Hey." Minerva carefully placed her hands on the redheads cheeks pulling her gaze towards her. She looked completely bewildered. "You okay?"
"Fine." Cheryl cleared her throat. "I'm fine. We should probably fine Veronica and Betty."
"Um, alright."
The sudden change in the redhead's demeanour confused the dark haired woman as they walked hand in hand back to her dates friends.
"I'll be right back," Cheryl said to Minerva letting go of her hand and grabbing Veronica's, pulling her away from the guy she was still dancing with and towards Betty.
"Cheryl, what are you doing?" Veronica asked, but she didn't get a response. The grasp around her wrist tight as they reached Betty.
"What's going on?"
Betty wasn't answered either as they followed the redhead to the smoking area outside. The fresh air felt good against her skin, but it didn't distract her as she paced backwards and forwards. Her friends concerned eyes watched her, their drunken minds trying to figure out what was happening.
"Cheryl, will you stop for a minute." Veronica placed her hands on pale arms holding her in place. "What's going on? Did something happen with Minerva?"
Her dark eyes found her friends, darting between them both. "It's Toni," she whispered.
They were a little surprised, it had been a while since Cheryl mentioned her ex girlfriend even when she was drunk and although they knew she would always love Toni they believed she'd moved on.
"Toni?" Veronica said. "It's okay to miss her, but you're allowed to be happy."
Her eyebrows pushed together in a frown. "No, you don't understand," she said. "Toni's here. I saw her when-"
"Toni's here at Euphoria?" Betty asked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure!" Cheryl snapped, running her fingers through her hair. "What the hell is she doing here?"
"I've no idea," Veronica said, still not sure if the redhead didn't just see someone that looked like her ex. "Do you want to leave?"
"I-I don't know. I didn't think I was ever going to see her again..."
"Should we get Minerva?"
"No!" Cheryl said quickly. "No, I don't want her to know."
"Why?" Betty asked.
"I... I don't know. It's not really relevant is it." Veronica and Betty hadn't seen the redhead look so unsure in so long they weren't sure what to do. They watched her gather herself as she looked up at the sky before taking a deep breath. "I think I'm going to go home, but you two should stay. There's hours left until the club closes."
"We'll join-"
"It's fine. I'll ask Minerva if she's ready to go. You too enjoy the rest of the night," she cut off her friend, bringing them both in for a quick hug. "I'll see you both later..."
Betty and Veronica watched her walk away, pushing her way back into the building. "Should we be worried?" Betty asked. "It's taken her so long to get where she is today."
"I think we just wait and see what happens. I'll speak to her tomorrow when we're sober," Veronica said. "Let's head back inside it's cold."
"Hey, you ready to go?" Cheryl asked, making her way over to Minerva. She was desperate for her eyes to stay focused on the woman in front of her.
"Now? What about Betty and Veronica?"
"They're going to stay for a while..."
Minerva smirked as she leaned into the redhead, "your place or mine?"
"Let's go to yours." Cheryl returned the kiss before grabbing her hand and heading for the exit.
The cloudiness of her mind when she was drunk was something she usually enjoyed, but right now she couldn't make sense of anything and she just needed to leave. She didn't even see the person in front of her until she bumped into them.
She felt strong hands on her arms stopping her from falling over. "Oh my god, Red." She felt herself being pulled into a hug. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Sweet Pea," Cheryl said, looking up at the boy she once knew who was now a man. "I, um, sorry I was just leaving." She forced a smile before pushing through the crowd finally getting to the exit.
"What's going on with you?" Minerva asked when they got outside, especially with Cheryl's urgency as she flagged down a cab.
She could tell the truth. Running into an ex didn't have to be a big deal, but this wasn't just any ex. This was Toni. The only person she'd ever been in love with. No, it was better for her to avoid the truth right now.
"Is it a crime to want you to myself?" Cheryl pushed her feelings away, playing with the fingers joined in hers causing the other woman to smile. "C'mon, let's get out of here."
When the cab drove away from the club Cheryl finally felt like she could breathe a little easier. She wasn't going to let herself become wrapped up in what happened, she didn't want to go down that path again. It hurt too much to even think about, so when she felt a warm hand on her thigh she tried to concentrate on that.
She wanted to distract her drunken mind tonight and that's exactly what she would try and do.