Chapter Two
The sunlight peeking through the gap in the curtains shined on the sleeping redheads face. The sound of the city waking up drifted through the slightly parted window, slowly pulling her from her slumber. Cheryl fought it, desperate to stay tangled up in her dreams a little longer rather than be forced into reality.
"Good morning," Minerva said, stretching out her arms at the first sign of the body next to hers stirring. "I had fun last night although I wasn't expecting us to come back so early."
"Yeah, me either." Cheryl shuffled up the pillows, her head feeling fuzzy. She told herself it was the alcohol and not because of the person she wouldn't mention. "I just-"
"Couldn't resist me?"
The redhead looked at the smirk on the other woman's lips, glad she didn't have to make up some excuse so she agreed. The ease to flirt didn't seem to come as easily as it normally did and when she saw Minerva's eyes darken, she knew she needed some air.
Sure, spending last night wrapped up in the sheets of her dates bed was a good distraction for her drunken thoughts. Today though, almost completely sober they laid more heavily on her. Suffocating her. She played it off though, she'd always been good at doing that.
The beeping from her purse caught her attention, glad for the interruption she pushed her aching body out of bed. Feeling Minerva's gaze on her body she put on the robe hanging neatly on the back of the door.
There were a few notifications on her phone, including a missed call from Veronica which was unusual. Pausing for a moment she rubbed the sleep from her eyes before putting in the code to unlock her phone.
Veronica: Did you get home safe?
Betty: I hope you're okay Cheryl. Reach out if you need anything.
Veronica: I'm guessing you're staying at Minerva's. I came to check on you when I got home. Let's meet up for breakfast. Call me when you're awake. Love you oxox
"Do you want to go out for breakfast?" Minerva asked, breaking the redheads thoughts. "I'm yours all day."
"Actually, I told Veronica I'd grab breakfast with her this morning..."
"And here I thought I'd have you all to myself." Minerva pushed the strand of hair out of her face with a shrug, a smile playing on her lips as she pulled back the comforter for Cheryl to crawl in. "Are you sure I can't tempt you?"
Usually the redhead wouldn't deny herself of a good time. Someone telling her everything she wanted to hear was a satisfying ego boost she would normally participate in, even if she didn't truly believe the words.
"I really wish I could." She tried her best to act normal, the way Minerva was used to as she sauntered towards the bed , "but I promised Veronica. And anyway I'm sure last night will make up for my absence today."
"Can't say I disagree. I suppose you shouldn't keep Veronica waiting..."
"I suppose I shouldn't."
Cheryl didn't think much to the drawer that had become hers until she pulled out some clothes. She didn't even notice it until this moment. The way she had her own toothbrush in Minerva's bathroom and a drawer full of her clothes in her bedroom.
It's normal, we've been dating for a while, she told herself as she pulled on her clothes, usually a shower would be in order, but not right now. Right now she just wanted to leave.
After a swift kiss and the promise to see her soon, the redhead left, waving down a cab to take her home. She didn't care that her hair was a mess or her makeup was smudged beneath her eyes as she looked through the window watching the world pass her by.
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The apartment was quiet, she expected Veronica to be at the counter sipping coffee, but she wasn't. The thought of having a moment to freshen up went out of the window when she saw her raven haired friend emerge from her bedroom.
"Hey," she said quietly. "I thought I heard you come in. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Cheryl lied, hoping the single word leaving her lips didn't betray the front she was putting on, but Veronica just looked at her, reading her without permission. She didn't budge though, she just turned to lock their front door.
"Are you up for breakfast? Then we can catch up on last night... unless you have something planned with Minerva."
"Breakfast sounds good." The elephant in the room so obvious to both of them and Cheryl wished she never mentioned the person she saw last night. "I just need to shower."
"Okay... me too."
The redhead excused herself to her room, she needed a moment alone to process. Yes, she was drunk last night, but she'd recognise Toni Topaz anywhere. They hadn't seen each other in so long. They were no longer eighteen year olds leaving high school with so much of their lives to figure out, though if she were honest with herself Cheryl still did. But she's twenty five now and moving forward, which was more than she could say for the time up to her early twenties.
The tightness in her chest and weight on her shoulders loosened when she stepped under the running water of her shower. Her tears forcing themself out even though she hated it. She wanted to be over Toni. It had been too long to feel still like this. Yet, she couldn't help it and although she would never admit it out loud she could admit it to herself in the solitude of her own mind.
By the time she stepped into the lounge, Cheryl forced any unwanted thoughts into the back of her mind. Her hair pinned up and her face touched up lightly with makeup made her feel a little better. If she survived her excruciating break up with Toni all those years ago, even when most days she didn't feel like she would, she could deal with seeing her in a club for ten seconds. It wasn't like she was going to see her again anyway.
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The small coffee shop was dark, but cosy and a place Cheryl, Veronica and Betty came often although the blonde hadn't joined them today. They filled their walk with idle chit chat until they arrived, finding a table out of earshot of other people.
Veronica waited for their order to be taken by the waitress that knew them by name before she decided to speak. "So, are we going to talk about the shocking appearance of a certain serpent or are we going to completely ignore it ever happened?"
"Maybe it wasn't her," Cheryl said, maybe pretending it didn't happen was for the best. "It was probably just a girl that looked similar. I mean, I only glanced at her for a few seconds and I was drunk-"
"Oh, it was definitely her..." Veronica cleared her throat. "We ran into her after you left with Minerva."
"You did?" The feeling of her stomach dropping made her nauseous, but she didn't show it. She tried to pretend she wasn't too bothered as she fiddled with her bracelet. "What's she doing in New York?"
The waitress interrupted them bringing over their order of lattes, croissants and a cherry muffin each. It wasn't something they usually had in a morning, but Veronica figured her friend could do with the pick me up.
"Believe it or not they've moved here. Riverdale's not really too far away and Toni's just signed off on a bar here. Apparently, Riverdale just isn't what it used to be... I mean that's probably not a bad thing with the black hood and gargoyle kings and all. It's just a quiet town now."
"A bar?" Cheryl repeated with a sense of pride at her exs accomplishment.
"Yeah, it's called The Dark Room. I said we'd check it out at some point. Look, Cheryl... there's something I need to tell you."
"What?" With the look on Veronica's face she wasn't sure if she even wanted to know. "V, what is it?" she asked.
"Toni... she's, um, she's seeing Fangs... they've been in a relationship for a while apparently."
"Oh." Out of all of the things she thought Veronica was going to say that wasn't one of them. She couldn't deny it left a bad taste in her mouth, but she tried to act as unfazed as possible.
"Pretty weird, huh? It's just if we did meet up I didn't want you to be caught off guard." Veronica felt guilty, she could see the sadness hiding behind her friend's dark eyes. "She asked about you... I told her you were doing well. Sweet Peas pretty much the same as he always was maybe a little more mature and Fangs, well, he's changed a lot."
For some reason that name now left a bad taste in her mouth. She took a sip of her coffee to push away the lump in her throat before she spoke. "I don't think I'm into the idea of meeting up. Things have changed. We're different people now."
"That's okay." To be honest Veronica expected it. "I don't have to meet up with them either-"
"No," Cheryl interrupted. "My reasons are mine. It shouldn't stop you from catching up with old friends. I just... I don't want to open up old wounds."
"I totally get it and if you never want me to mention their names to you I can do that. What if they ask where you are, what do you want me to say?"
"Just make up an excuse. That I'm working or painting-"
"Or with your hot art appraiser girlfriend?"
"Yeah, or that."
"So, let's change up the subject. How was last night?"
Cheryl's face finally softened. "You are far too interested in my love life."
"What can I say?" Veronica smiled at her friend's laugh. "One of us is getting some action lately and it definitely isn't me."
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The evening Veronica and Betty accepted the invite to The Dark Room, Cheryl busied herself in her studio, painting the deep brown eyes she remembered so well. For the brief moment their gaze locked at the club the redhead captured the woman in front of her in her minds eye. It replayed again and again in her head even though she didn't want it to.
The thought of getting it out on a canvas made sense. Maybe that way her mind would stop racing. It didn't. Each stroke pushed more memories as well as thoughts of Toni and Fangs together. It made no sense to her, but she didn't know them anymore. Perhaps them being friends for so long helped or maybe Toni had always liked Fangs that way.
It wasn't something she noticed all those years ago when they were together, but she couldn't be sure. Cheryl shook her head. What she and Toni had was real. Even if they were young.
The tight feeling building in her chest was disrupting the calm she was trying so hard to create. "This is ridiculous," she said to herself, throwing down her paintbrush.
Maybe going home and calling Minerva over would be a better distraction...
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A loud clattering pulled Cheryl from her dreams the following morning. As quickly and quietly as she could she pulled on her robe and walked bare foot towards the kitchen. She expected to see Veronica having her morning coffee albeit a little louder than usual, but when she saw a broad bare back and dark slicked back hair she let out a quiet, "oh."
"Whoa," Sweet Pea said as he turned around. "Sorry Red, I didn't mean to wake you."
"Sweet Pea? What are you doing here?"
Just at that moment Veronica appeared, her eyes momentarily flashed concern but she masked it well. "I didn't think you'd be awake yet. Coffee?"
"Uh-"
"Morning..."
Cheryl tried not to react to the kiss on her cheek as Minerva greeted Veronica and Sweet Pea after her lips lingered on her skin. It felt like her worlds were colliding and she didn't like it. She didn't like it at all.
"Coffee?" Veronica asked again.
Minerva and Sweet Pea accepted, both of them sitting at the counter in the kitchen as they introduced themselves to each other. Part of Cheryl wanted to leave, however the other part was terrified of what Sweet Pea might say.
She never told Minerva about Toni. Any thought of mentioning her when the subject of exs came up made her feel like she was drowning in the waves of her past. So she made her way over to the counter, forcing herself to stay. She was going to kill Veronica later for not giving her the heads up.
The sudden sound of an unfamiliar phone ringing disrupted their conversation. Sweet Pea picked the phone up from the counter, bringing it to his ear.
"Hey T... Oh, shit. I'm sorry I didn't realise the time... I'm at Veronica's place... yeah, uh, she's here too..." Sweet Pea looked awkwardly at the redhead. "I can be there in thirty minutes... alright, jeez, I'll see you soon." He looked between Veronica and Cheryl, smiling awkwardly as he put down his phone. "I better go before Toni kicks my ass. I just need to, uh, get my shirt."
"Is Toni his girl?" Minerva asked leaning into Cheryl. "Seems like he's in trouble." Cheryl just shrugged her shoulders, too afraid her voice would betray her. "So, what's your plans for today or am I getting blown off again now it's the morning?"
"That's not what happened," Cheryl said, keeping her voice down. "I told you I had breakfast planned with Veronica." She did feel bad, but she had to clear her head that day. "Today I'm all yours." She leaned into placing a soft kiss on the other woman's lips.
"I'll see you later, Red," Sweet Pea said seemingly coming out of nowhere, Cheryl had to stop herself from pulling away feeling as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't. "Nice to meet you, Minerva!"
"You too!"
"Oh," Sweet Pea said, turning around as he got to the door. "You three should totally come to The Dark Room tonight, it's the grand opening."
"I thought last night-"
"We'll be there," Minerva said interrupting the redhead. "Right, beautiful?"
"Right," Cheryl said through gritted teeth, silently begging for Veronica to step in, but there wasn't much they could say when Minerva made the decision for both of them.
"Veronica?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Wouldn't miss it."
"Great! That extends to Betty too. I'll see you all tonight." Sweet Pea rushed out of the door with a final wave and a smile.
Veronica looked at Cheryl, mouthing a sorry when Minerva wasn't looking. It wasn't impossible for her to make up an excuse not to go, but she knew Minerva would ask questions and there was no way she wanted to explain her reasons.
Tonight would be a one off. She'd go, show her face and then make some excuse to leave and go never go again. If the bar was anything like the Whyte Wyrm back in Riverdale, Cheryl was sure she wouldn't have trouble convincing Minerva it wasn't the place for her.
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"Are you insane!" Cheryl burst through Veronica's bedroom door the moment Minerva went home to get ready. "Did you seriously bring Sweet Pea back to our apartment without thinking to tell me?"
"I'm sorry!" Veronica said and she meant it. "I wasn't thinking about much last night except for..." She stopped as Cheryl scrunched up her nose. "We were just having some drinks and reminiscing about old times. We were just having some fun..."
"Fun?" Cheryl scoffed. "You've never ever been remotely interested in Sweet Pea-"
"Actually, after my break up with Archie in high school-"
"Urgh, I don't want to know. I don't care about what you do or who you sleep with. I care that I've been dragged into a situation I don't want to be in. Minerva doesn't even know about Toni..."
"You haven't talked about exs?"
"We've talked about some hook ups. I didn't mention Toni. I couldn't..."
"Look," Veronica said, taking a step forward. "If you don't want to go I'll vouch for you. Say you're sick. I'll even stay here with you if you want?"
"No... no." Cheryl let out a breath. "I'm just worried seeing... will bring up bad memories, you know? It took me a long time to pull myself out of that void. I'll go, I can always leave, right?"
"Right, if you wanna leave all you've got to do is tell me. I'll make up an excuse for us to come home."
"Okay, V. Thank you."
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The girls were invited to attend the opening early. Veronica and Betty agreed, but Cheryl said she'd meet them there a little later. That little later was now and as she sat in the cab beside Minerva she had to stop herself from wringing her hands together.
"Wow, there's a line of people already outside," Minerva said as the cab pulled up to the bar only a few blocks from one of Veronica's clubs. "Hopefully it won't take too long to get inside."
"Hopefully not," Cheryl said, she didn't know whether she was thankful that they'd have to wait longer before stepping inside or annoyed that she couldn't just get it out of the way.
After paying for the ride, they made their way to join the line, but just as they were about to, Cheryl's name was being called. She saw Sweet Pea waving her over, so with Minerva's hand wrapped in hers she made her way towards him.
"Welcome ladies," he said with a smile.
After greeting them they followed him down the stairs into the dark bar. It was everything Cheryl expected and more, but also there was a hint of calmness unlike the Whyte Wyrm. She was proud of what Toni had achieved, she always knew she would thrive.
"Look who I found outside," Sweet Pea said, gesturing to Cheryl and Minerva, luckily Toni and Fangs weren't at the table.
Veronica and Betty greeted them as well as a woman and man she didn't recognise.
"This is Tabitha," Veronica said introducing the woman. "Believe it or not she's Pops granddaughter. She's about to open another Pops right here in New York."
"Amazing," Cheryl said, shaking her hand. "I used to love Pops. Your grandpa made the best milkshakes."
"And this is Clay." Veronica motioned to the man sitting next to Tabitha. "Kevin's husband."
"It's nice to meet you-"
"Cheryl Bombshell, is that you?"
The redhead turned around to see Kevin standing behind her with a wide smile on his face. "It's so good to see you!"
"You too. Have you just moved from Riverdale too or are you visiting?" She was desperate to distract herself from the thoughts flying around in her head.
"I live here. Have done for a while," he said. "I kept in touch with some of the guys and thought we'd come down and support Toni with her grand opening. Who's this?"
In her nervousness, Cheryl had completely forgotten to introduce her date. "This is Minerva," she said as Kevin glanced down at their joint hands before greeting her.
Once everyone had settled back into their seats the redhead excused herself to the bar. She needed a moment to herself and disappearing to order herself and Minerva a drink seemed like a good reason to do that.
The bar was relatively busy, but she managed to get served pretty much straight away. With both drinks in hand she turned to head back to the table and the moment she was dreading was suddenly happening.
"Cheryl, hi." Toni smiled at her, thankfully alone without Fangs. "I'm glad you made it. It's good to see you. It's, uh, it's been a while."
"Yeah..." Cheryl said, it was like she'd forgotten how to speak. Toni was standing right in front of her, close enough to touch and as beautiful as ever. "It's good to see you too." She kicked herself internally, telling herself for the millionth time that her relationship with Toni was so long ago that she should be over it. "Congratulations on the bar..."
"Thank you." Anxiousness shadowed Toni's features, but she quickly masked it. "How's life in New York?"
"Good." Cheryl nodded. "It's been good. So much different to Riverdale."
"Yeah. Cheryl... I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done for the Uktena and the southside. People are thriving there now because of your kindness."
"You really don't need to thank me." Cheryl looked to the ground. "I only wish I could have done more."
"You've done more than enough. I'm sorry I didn't-"
"Babe..."
Cheryl tried not to flinch as Fangs wrapped his arm around Toni's shoulder, placing a kiss on her head.
"Sorry Cheryl, I didn't see you there. I was just talking to your lady, Minerva. How are you?"
Instantly Cheryl understood what Veronica was talking about when she mentioned about Fangs being different. He radiated arrogance. This was not the boy she remembered. "I'm good, thank you." She looked between them, feeling her body stiffen as if invisible armour began covering her body. "Well, I should get back to Minerva," she said, her eyes softening slightly as she looked at the woman standing in front of her, she couldn't help it. "Congratulations again, Toni. You truly deserve it."
Veronica watched them from a distance, Cheryl shook her head at her friend as she sat down next to Minerva handing over her drink. She understood the redhead didn't want to talk about it right now, but she was definitely going to check in with her later.
Although Cheryl didn't think she'd stay at the bar long, things were actually going well. Tabitha and Clay were really nice people and conversation with them was easy. Awkwardness only washed over her when Toni approached the table, but since she was so busy with her bar opening for the first time she didn't stay too long before disappearing again.
Obviously the drinks were flowing and though she promised herself she wouldn't get too drunk, the room was starting to spin. Veronica reached for Cheryl's hand, pulling from her seat and leading her outside.
The air was cool against their skin. Smoking wasn't a habit for either of them, but sometimes they'd head outside on a night out for a cigarette. Something Cheryl never would imagined herself doing a few years ago.
"You doing okay?" Veronica asked, taking a drag of the cigarette between her fingers.
Cheryl did the same thing, slowly breathing the smoke out into the air as she looked up at the stars. "I'm okay... it's kind of weird though, right?"
"Definitely weird. And Fangs, I can't believe how much he's changed."
"Yeah," Cheryl agreed. "The vibe is different with him."
"I could see the insecurity in him when he saw Toni talking with you-"
"I don't think that happened..."
"Oh, it definitely did and can you blame him? Look at you." She smiled with a wink. "You look amazing as always."
"I didn't think I'd ever see the day Veronica Lodge and Cheryl Blossom were smokers. Do you have a light?" Veronica handed over her lighter, the interruption was unexpected , both her and Cheryl watching as Toni took a drag. "Don't tell Fangs," she said as she handed it back. "I told him that I'd stop, but it's been a busy night."
"It's been successful by the looks of it though," Veronica said, nudging Cheryl breaking her stare when Toni wasn't looking.
"Yeah, it's gone much better than I expected. I'm grateful you guys came."
"We've enjoyed it too. Right, C?"
Cheryl cleared her throat, "yes, it's been a good night."
Veronica looked between the two of them, half of her wanted to walk away and leave them to it, but the other half wanted to support her friend. The awkwardness grew and eventually Toni excused herself, disappearing back into the bar.
"Come on you," Veronica said, the music inside seemingly getting louder and more upbeat. "Let's dance the rest of the night away."
And that's what they did. Betty joining them as they danced on the small dance floor. Plenty of eyes were on them, but as usual they paid them no mind. Cheryl didn't even notice the person looking at her from behind the bar as she danced and genuinely laughed with her friends.