'Boys and girls dancing in chaste harmony, just as god intended. Wouldn't you agree Ms Blossom?'
'Yes,' Cheryl said with a slight nod of her head unsure if she could push another word through the lump in her throat as she stood with her eyes still fixed on the girl across the room. 'Everything is as it's meant to be.'
Only you can make all this world seem right.
Toni looked as pretty as a picture as she sipped whatever alcoholic drink she had hidden in the brown paper bag, however she was displaying little concern about being caught. As much as Cheryl wanted to pretend to be carefree, she was currently going through an internal war and Principal Featherhead looming over her shoulder didn't help.
Deciding it was best to leave she made a beeline for the exit. Her conflicting emotions, as well as the physical attraction she tried to deny having towards Toni made the situation even more confusing. The principals comment only added to her discomfort and although she only shared a dance with the serpent she didn't want anyone to get any ideas about them.
It gave her a harsh yank back into reality. A reality where she and Toni shouldn't even be friends, never mind... well, anything else. As she stepped outside, the fresh air that should have filled her lungs was replaced by cigarette smoke causing her to cough as she wafted her hand.
'What's a pretty little thing like you doing out here without an escort?'
Cheryl spun around to see a group of greasers looking at her, one of the boys with a particularly sinister grin. She ignored them, but the boy called out to her again. 'Hey! Doll face! I'm talkin' to you.' He stepped in front of her blocking her path. 'Lemme give you a ride home.'
She tried to walk around him. 'Oh, no thank you.'
'What is it with you northside chicks? You're always thinkin' you're better than us.'
'I don't. I, uh, I have a boyfriend.'
'Oh yeah? Then where is he?'
'He's-'
'I don't think you have a man at all sweet cheeks. How about you give me a whirl?'
Cheryl tried to back away, but the boy grabbed roughly grabbed her wrist. His friends were slowly closing in on her and she really didn't stand a chance. After pleading with them she began to panic as she tried and failed to free herself.
'Bonehead, what the hell are you doing?' A familiar voice said as the door to the gym slammed shut.
'Just showing Red here that she's not better than us-'
'Who?'
Toni stepped forward with her jacket slung over her shoulder. As soon as her eyes landed on Cheryl she saw the fear in her eyes causing anger to fire through her body. She didn't even have a chance to say anything before her fellow serpent was speaking again, her eyes to snapping towards him.
'I don't know why she's acting all shook up. She was up for a fumble-'
'Get your hands off of her.'
The mood suddenly changed from the group of serpents laughing at the redheads expense to them all taking a step back, all except for the one who had hold of Cheryl's wrist.
'Cool it Toni. We're just razzing her up.'
'Bonehead, I won't tell you again. Get your hand off her before I break it.'
With a huff, he pushed her arm away. Cheryl immediately rubbing the angry red mark away keeping her eyes to the ground. The brunette made her way over to the redhead as she told the boys to scram. 'I'm sorry about that. They're half wits. I hope they didn't-'
'I have to go.'
'Woah. Hey. What's the rush?' Toni asked as she followed the redhead towards the school gate. 'I thought we were cool.'
Cheryl ignored her, walking away. Too much had happened in such a small space of time. What was she thinking? Dancing with Toni Topaz like no one would notice. She was being ridiculous, and the best thing for her to do now was walk away. It was the only thing she could do.
Toni didn't give in easily, though. She followed the other girl for two reasons. One, she didn't want Cheryl walking home alone, and two, she finally thought she was getting somewhere with the girl who caught her eye and now she was acting like she was Satan in disguise.
'Cheryl, please,' Toni called, a vulnerability in her voice that the redhead wasn't sure she'd heard before. 'I'm sorry about what happened back there. I'll make sure they get what's comin' to 'em.'
'I have to go home,' Cheryl said, barely above a whisper. She had stopped walking, giving the serpent the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
'Have I done something to... upset you?' Toni asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Cheryl turned her head immediately, capturing the sadness in the other girl's eyes. Normally, she'd have no issue with lashing out, with telling someone to leave her alone, or throwing whatever insult it took for her to keep them at arms length. She couldn't do that to Toni though, not with the way her big brown eyes stared into hers.
'No.' Cheryl let out a breath. 'It's not you.'
'Then what is it? You were going to leave before even saying goodnight.'
Cheryl looked up to the stars, hoping for answers she didn't have or better yet she didn't want to admit. She wasn't completely oblivious, she knew she was having strange feelings for Toni, feelings that she should only have for boys.
Toni broke the silence. 'Cheryl... talk to me.'
'There's nothing to talk about.'
'There's something bothering you and I'd like to know what. I-I thought we were getting along swell.'
Did Toni Topaz just stutter?
Gone was the confident girl that had Cheryl's heart racing, now replaced by someone more vulnerable. Anxious even. However, that made the redheads feelings even more complicated.
Toni Topaz has depth and Cheryl wanted nothing more than to learn every little thing about her. She shouldn't though, she knows that. She's playing with fire and it's extremely likely she would get burned.
'If you want me to go just say the words, but at least allow me to walk you home first,' Toni said, a conversation between them was clearly off the table, but she still didn't want the other girl walking home alone.
Cheryl put one foot in front of the other without saying a word leaving Toni to follow alongside her in the same silence. Crickets and cars could be heard in the distance, but other than that it was like they were the only people in the world.
'What exactly is your goal?' Cheryl said causing Toni to snap her head up at the mere sound of her soft voice.
'What d'ya mean?'
'With me,' her voice was quiet and she couldn't quite believe she'd even asked. 'I'm not like your friends so why are you so keen on befriending me? People will think a friendship between a preppy, as you say, and a greaser is strange.'
'Well for one, I don't care about what other people say. They can mind their business,' Toni said with a little more pep in her voice than she had a moment ago. 'As for you, is it really that hard to believe that I simply like you? That there's something about you that draws me in, and I just want to get to know the person you are? It's especially helpful that you're cute as a button.'
Cheryl turned her head to look at Toni who just shrugged her shoulders. The redhead wasn't experienced in flirting, but she was pretty sure the brunette was making eyes at her.
'I-I'm not sure if you're aware, but I- we're, um, girls-'
'And?'
'Forgive me if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick, however you seem to be putting on the charm.'
'Maybe I am. I mean look at you. You have the prettiest face I've ever seen, would it be so bad of me to notice?'
'I don't think-'
'Look, if I've picked up the wrong vibe I'll apologise and leave you alone. However...' Toni lowered her voice, 'if there is a part of you that's even remotely curious about me just gimme a chance. I'm real good at keeping secrets if you don't want nobody to know.'
Cheryl bit her lip as they continued to walk. She thought about all the terrible things that could happen if her parents found out, if anyone found out really. Toni, on the other hand, didn't seem to show any fear as she admitted her feelings, the redhead was envious of the other girl's ability to be so carefree. She wished so badly that it was one of her own personality traits.
'So what d'ya say?' Toni asked.
'Could I have some time to think about it?'
The serpent smiled, it was better than the answer she was expecting, 'take all the time you need.'
'This is my stop,' Cheryl said as they reached the corner of her street. 'Don't... stray too far away. Just because I need some time doesn't mean I-I want you to stop trying.'
'You have my word.'
Cheryl felt a surge of bravery as she leaned forward placing a soft kiss on the serpents cheek, 'thank you for walking me home. Goodnight Toni.'
'Goodnight Blossom.'
The brunette tried hard to keep her composure even though she felt her knees go weak as she watched Cheryl disappear through the gate to her giant home. Toni Topaz never blushed, but she could feel the skin of her cheeks burning. Never in her life has anyone made her feel this way and she promised herself to make Cheryl Blossom her girl. No matter how long it took.
•••
As soon as she was in the safety of her bedroom Cheryl pulled out her sketchbook in an attempt to ignore all of her feelings for a moment. She wanted to feel the good ones, but that was impossible to do without acknowledging the bad ones too. Why couldn't she just live in a world where her and Toni could get to know each other without hiding? They weren't hurting anyone so why did she feel so guilty?
As her pencil scratched against paper, the redhead lost herself in every detail of Toni Topaz. Her deep dark eyes. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows. Her plump lips and the small beauty mark just above. Everything about the serpent girl was perfect in Cheryl's eyes and there was a part of her that wished she wasn't.
How it would be easier to see Toni as simply a friend. She wished she could see the same beauty in boys, that was how it was suppose to be, but no matter how hard she tried to force herself it just never happened and she never really understood why. At least she didn't until a certain brunette forced her way into her life.
She'd always thought girls were pretty and when her friends swooned over boys she just never saw the reason for it. After years of telling herself she would understand when she's older she simply never did. Until she felt the feeling her friends described they had for their boyfriends for Toni.
A girl.
She'd heard about homosexuals when her father mutter words of disgust as he read the morning newspaper and as much as her fathers cruel words made Cheryl uncomfortable, she wasn't one of them. Was she?
Maybe Toni was an exception. Maybe she was the only girl she has some sort of... attraction to. But then why had she never felt like this about a boy? Another person had never occupied her mind so much and she wasn't sure they ever would. It was confusing.
She didn't realise how lost she had gotten in her thoughts, the drawing of Toni resting against her lap now finished and it may have been the most in depth sketch she'd ever done. As she studied Toni's features on the page she admitted to herself no matter how much she tried to deny it there was just something about the other girl that made whatever this was worth the risk.
•••
The next day Cheryl was enjoying her Saturday morning in a booth at Pops sipping on a strawberry milkshake as she flicked through a teen magazine. The article she was currently reading headlined is 'going steady' for you?
'What ya reading?'
Cheryl slammed the magazine shut as she looked up to see Toni stood over her with her own milkshake in her hand.
'Nothing important. Just some teenage garbage.'
'Cool.' Toni's eyes moved from the magazine to the redhead. 'I was going to go grab a seat alone before I saw you. Mind if I join?'
Cheryl just shrugged trying her hardest to keep her composure, 'I don't mind.'
The redhead expected the serpent to sit across from her so when she slid in beside her, their legs brushing against each others slightly, she almost forgot how to breath.
'Is strawberry your jive?'
Cheryl looked at the milkshake placed on the table in front of her before looking at Toni, 'it's my favourite. I haven't tried another flavour since I was a child. I prefer to stick to what I know.'
'Here.' Toni pushed her own milkshake towards the girl sat next to her, however she saw the hesitation on her face. 'Don't worry I don't have cooties.'
With a roll of her eyes Cheryl leaned forward taking a small sip ignoring the smirk on the brunettes face when she pulled away.
'So? What d'ya think?'
'It's satisfactory although it's not as sweet as strawberry. Here try it.'
Toni raised her eyebrow as she took the glass from the redheads pale hand keeping her eyes on Cheryl's as she took a sip.
'You're right.' She handed the glass back. 'Yours is much sweeter.'
Cheryl couldn't hide her victorious smile as she wrapped her lips back around her straw. Their eyes burning into each others before Toni cleared her throat and looked away.
'So, I wondered if you'd be down for going for a ride with me?'
'When?'
'Now. If you can fit me in your plans?'
Cheryl looked around the diner, no one seemed to notice their presence, so she ignored her heart thumping against her rib cage and nodded her head. The brunettes smile was bright enough to light up the room as she stood up. She wanted so badly to reach out for the other girls hand, but she stopped herself. This wasn't the right place.
'So where's your car?' Cheryl asked as they stepped into the parking lot.
'Car?' Toni chuckled lightly. 'Oh, no doll face. So don't have a car.'
'Then how are we going to go for a ride.'
'On this baby,' Toni said pointing towards her bike. 'I call her the viper queen. She's my pride and joy.'
'Toni, I-'
'Not scared are you Blossom?'
'No, it's-'
'Great,' Toni said handing the redhead her helmet before leaning closer. 'Just hold onto me sugar. I won't let anything happen to you.'
The brunette hopped onto her bike holding her hand out for Cheryl to take. There was a brief moment of hesitation, but when her eyes found Toni's she didn't feel so afraid. As their skin touched the redhead felt adrenaline pump through her body as she climbed onto the bike of the bike.
'You'll want to hold on.'
Cheryl barely heard Toni over the sudden roar of the motorcycles engine, however she grabbed each side of the serpents leather jacket. As they began to move forward the redhead reached around Toni's middle and squeezed her eyes shut. She cursed herself for being so stupid, quite sure that she was going to die before the day was done.
Toni only smiled as she felt tight arms wrapped around her. She was barely going over the speed limits although she understood the courage it took for Cheryl to get on a motorcycle for what she assumed was the first time.
'Relax Cher! You're safe with me,' Toni yelled loud enough for the redhead to hear about ten minutes into the ride.
For a moment she didn't think that her comment was heard, at least until she felt the grip around her middle loosen a little and she was sure she could hear... giggling?
Toni's heart soared at the sound, she wanted to hear that giggle everyday for the rest of her life, no matter what it took. Everything about Cheryl was light and pure, there was a certain innocence to her that intrigued the brunette. It made her feel like she was experiencing things for the first time and maybe she was because whatever she felt for the redhead she was one hundred percent certain that she'd never felt this way for anyone else before.
•••
'You're not going to murder me are you?' Cheryl asked later on as she trudged through the woods. She definitely wasn't wearing the right shoes for this.
'I might be a gang member, but I'm not in the business of murdering people. Especially not pretty girls like yourself.'
Cheryl looked at the smirk on Toni's face, she felt a sudden burning in her stomach that she tried desperately to ignore. Due to her distraction she didn't see the root of a tree sticking out of the ground and by the time her foot had connected with it, it was already too late.
As she braced herself for impact she squeezed her eyes shut, but instead of colliding with the floor she felt soft arms wrap around her.
'Woah, are you all right?' Toni asked as she got Cheryl back on her feet. 'Seems like you're falling for me already.'
'Oh my gosh, I'm so embarrassed.'
The redhead felt a sudden pain through her foot where she'd stubbed her toe, she tried to play it off, but Toni had already noticed the look on her face.
The brunette guided her to a nearby tree stump guiding her to sit down, 'are you hurt?'
'No, I-'
'I should get you home.'
'Toni,' Cheryl said placing her hand on Toni's arm. 'I'm fine. I just hit my toe. I just need a moment.'
'Let me take a look.'
'I don't think that's necessary.'
'Don't worry, I don't have some kind of strange foot obsession. I just want to make sure you're not too hurt. May I?'
Cheryl looked at Toni who was sat on the ground with her injured foot in her lap before she nodded. Trying her hardest not to overthink the way the brunette was removing her shoe and bright white sock.
'Does that hurt?' Toni asked as she pressed the soft skin of the redheads foot.
Cheryl just shook her head, afraid she wouldn't be able to string a sentence together. This was probably nothing to the serpent, but in all honesty this was the most intimate situation she'd ever been in.
'Can you move your toes?' Toni asked afterwards, when the redhead wiggled her toes the brunette seemed satisfied. 'I don't think it's broken. You might want to keep your shoe off for a while though.'
'If I don't wear my shoes how am I supposed to walk?' Cheryl asked as Toni slid her sock back on.
'You're not.' The brunette stood with the redheads shoe still hanging from her hand. 'I'll carry you.'
'Oh, no. I'm fine. Thank you.'
'All right. I really wanted to show you something, but we can always go another time. Sitting here is cool with me.'
Cheryl watched as Toni took a seat next to her. She seemed content however the redhead's curiosity had piqued. Another part of her felt like she was letting the brunette down and she didn't like to disappoint.
'How...' Cheryl started, 'exactly would you carry me?'
'A good ol' fashioned piggyback of course.'
'And you think you're strong enough?'
Toni scoffed playfully, 'there's a reason boys call me scary. I may be small, but I can hold my own. I'd have no issue carrying you sweetheart.'
'Fine, but once my foot stops throbbing I'll be fine to walk.'
'Okay,' Toni said excitedly as she jumped up pulling the redhead up with her, handing her the backpack of things she'd gotten from the store. 'Hop on.'
Cheryl was surprised by how strong Toni actually was, the last thing she expected when she woke up this morning was to be given a piggyback ride in the woods by that scary girl Toni. She was trying her best not to get lost in the moment, not to imagine doing things like this more often. As the smell of the brunettes perfume and shampoo filled her senses Cheryl knew she was losing the little self control she had left around Toni Topaz.
•••
'So has anyone else ever given you a piggyback through the woods?'
'Never,' Cheryl answered with her arms draped around the serpents neck like they had been for the past fifteen minutes.
'I'm glad I got to be the first. Well, we're here.'
'Where's here?'
As Toni walked through the last of the bushes with Cheryl still on her back she heard the redhead gasp. She'd found this hidden gem a few years ago when she'd been kicked out by her uncle.
'This place is beautiful,' Cheryl said taking in the small waterfall.
'Yeah, it is,' Toni said as she guided the redhead back to the ground. 'Later on we can go just over that hill. You can see the whole town from up there. It's especially beautiful at night.'
'Do you and your friends come here often?'
'Nope. In fact you're the only person I've ever brought here. I've never seen anybody else here since it's pretty far out of the way.'
Toni guided Cheryl closer to the water, placing her jacket on the ground so the redhead could sit down.
'How's your foot?' Toni asked taking a seat next to her, their arms touching slightly as the sun shined down on them.
'It feels better,' she said as she reached down to stretch it. 'Thank you for carrying me.'
'Anytime.'
Silence settled around them for a moment as they took in their surroundings as well as just enjoying being together without the fear of anyone watching.
'Do you mind?' Toni asked pulling out her packet of cigarettes causing the redhead to shake her head. 'Do you want one?'
'Oh, no thank you.'
'Fair enough. So, tell me something I don't know about you Cheryl Blossom. What do you normally do in your spare time?'
Cheryl faltered for a moment, she was no where near as cool as Toni, in fact her life was pretty boring. She didn't really have any close friends, she didn't date and she barely ever went to parties.
'I, uh, I like to draw and I'm cheer captain at school so that takes up a lot of my free time.'
'Drawing huh?' Toni took another drag of her cigarette. 'I'd heard that you were cheer captain, maybe one day I'll try out.'
'You're into that?'
'I'll try anything once. So, tell me about your drawing. What kinda things ignite your artist spark?'
No one had ever really been interested in her art before, she'd gotten the odd 'that's good for a girl', but to be honest she kept most of her sketches hidden beneath her nightstand.
'I like to draw pretty much anything. People mostly. I taught myself by drawing celebrities.'
'Celebrities like Veronica Lodge you mean?'
Cheryl scrunched up her nose, 'absolutely not.'
Toni laughed and it was pure music to the redheads ears, certainly better than any record she'd ever heard. She didn't even mind the smell of the burning cigarette mixed with hers and the serpents perfume invading her nostrils.
'So tell me preppy, what does it take to become a vixen?'
'Firstly, this has to stop,' Cheryl said reaching for the cigarette, pulling it from the brunettes lips before throwing it off to the side much to Toni's surprise. 'And secondly becoming a vixen takes a lot of practice.'
'Maybe one day you'll show me some of your moves.'
'Maybe I will. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.'
'I guess we will.' Toni held the redheads eyes before turning to look at the water glistening in the sunlight. 'You down for taking a dip?'
'I-I didn't bring a bathing suit.'
'Neither did I.' Toni stood up pulling off her shirt and unbuttoning her jeans leaving Cheryl's eyes trying to focus on anything other than the girl stood in front of her. 'I swear I won't look.'
The redhead was about to refuse, that's what she should do. However, there was something about this moment that made Cheryl feel like she'd regret turning it down.
'Fine,' Cheryl said as she stood up radiating as much confidence as she could muster. She'd gotten changed in front of the girls at school many time. She told herself this wasn't any different. 'Don't look!'
Toni playfully covered her eyes as she kept her back to the redhead, careful not to ruin the moment. After a few minutes the brunette couldn't help but turn her head slightly, she wasn't trying to pry, but she wanted to make sure the redhead hadn't backed out.
'Hey!' Cheryl said as she swatted Toni's arm. 'You said you wouldn't look.'
'I don't think it's only me that's not keeping my eyes to myself. C'mon.'
The smile on Toni's face helped Cheryl not panic too much. However, it was too late to stop the blush rising on her cheeks and it only deepened when she felt a hand wrap around hers pulling her towards the water.
This may be the most scandalous thing Cheryl had ever done, swimming in her underwear with a girl... well a girl that, no matter how much she tried to ignore it, made her heart skip a beat.
The water was colder than she expected and a high pitch squeal escaped Cheryl's lips which Toni found hilarious. Once the water was up to their chest their hands left each others as the brunette dipped almost completely under.
'Are you having fun?'
'I'm in the middle of nowhere, half naked in a freezing body of water,' Cheryl said, her joke didn't deliver as well as she expected though because she saw Toni's face drop, 'but the company isn't the worst.'
The brunette perked up at Cheryl's playful tone towards the end of her sentence. 'I could say the same, preppy.'
'I am not a preppy.'
'Oh, you most definitely are,' Toni said putting on her poshest accent.
'And I certainly do not talk like that.'
'Do too.'
'Do not.' Cheryl splashed a little water the brunettes way.
Toni grinned, 'oh, you're going to regret that.'
The redheads smile was wide as she attempted to turn around to rush away. However it was too late and she realised she had no choice but to splash back. Within minutes their hair was drenched and they were sure their laughter could be heard miles away.
'Okay! Okay! I surrender,' Cheryl squealed throwing her arms in the air, her ginger hair covering her eyes so she could barely see.
Toni pushed herself forward through the rippled water, chuckles still leaving her lips as she reached for the redheads face gently moving her hair to the side. Something in the moment changed as soon as their eyes met each others, the laughter soon dissipating as everything seemed to disappear around them.
'Uh,' Toni mumbled after a few seconds, 'maybe we should get you dried off.'
Cheryl accepted the hand offered to her as they made their way out of the water and back to where their clothes were splayed across the ground. Toni noticed the redhead shiver so she covered her shoulders with her serpent jacket telling her she'd be back shortly.
It was hard for Cheryl to keep her eyes to herself, they were both still in their undergarments, needing to dry off before they changed back into their clothing. Toni's body was perfection, anyone could see that. The redhead felt a flutter in her stomach that she so desperately wanted to ignore. It only worsened after the brunette turned to smile at her with the sticks she'd collected in her arms.
'I'll have you warmed up in no time,' Toni said when she dropped the sticks on the ground before bending down to organise them.
Cheryl just stood as still as a statue as she watched the brunette work. She'd never seen a girl do the things that Toni did, mostly because they were never allowed. Many times the redhead begged her father to go out hunting with him and her brother Julian, but every time she was told her place was at home with her mother.
She didn't even realise she was lost in thought until Toni was making her way over to her. Her breath hitched as the brunette reached into the inside pocket of the serpent jacket draped over her shoulders. Toni's hand accidentally brushed across the skin of Cheryl's chest causing an eruption of goosebumps.
Toni stepped away to light the fire, motioning for the redhead to come over once the flames were dancing in the slight breeze of the wind. After putting one foot in front of the other Cheryl was soon sitting by the brunettes side. The warmth of the fire fought away the cold lingering on their skin.
The sound of bottles clinking together got the redhead's attention as she watched the serpent pull two bottles of cherry cola out of her backpack. Toni pulled one of the bottle caps off with her teeth before handing it to Cheryl and opening the other one for herself.
'I hope you like cherry cola.'
Cheryl smiled, 'it's my favourite.'
'Mine too.' Toni smiled until she looked at the redhead still shivering slightly next to her. 'Here, put your arms through the jacket.'
Cheryl did as she was asked, watching the brunette zip up the jacket careful not to pinch her skin.
'Is that better?'
'Yes. Thank you.'
Toni looked up at Cheryl's eyes that were burning into hers with an expression she just couldn't place. Out of nowhere the redhead leaned forward connecting their lips for a brief moment pulling away before Toni could even react.
'Oh my- Toni I am so sorry,' Cheryl said as she rushed to her feet. 'I don't know what came over me.'
It took the brunette a second to gather herself before she scrambled to her feet and chased after the redhead who had already took off the serpent jacket and gathered her own clothes.
'Cheryl. Wait. What are you doing?'
'I need to go home.'
Toni panicked for a moment, she had no idea how to calm the redhead who was frantically pulling on her clothes. She didn't want her to leave, but she wasn't sure what to do.
'Cher, don't push me away...'
'Toni...' Cheryl shut her eyes and took a breath when she felt the brunettes arm on her arm, 'I have to go.'
'Why?'
'Because-'
'Because you kissed me? Don't sweat it.'
'Don't sweat it?' Cheryl turned to look at Toni. 'You're a girl-'
'And?'
'I'm also a girl. It's... wrong.'
'It doesn't feel wrong. Cheryl, can I be honest with you?'
The redhead looked anywhere but at the girl in front of her, however she nodded her head. Toni smiled as she took the redheads hand waiting for her to look at her before she began to speak, it took a moment but finally she lifted her head.
'You are the coolest girl I've ever met-'
Cheryl scoffed, 'I'm anything but cool.'
'You are,' Toni said. 'And you're also the most beautiful girl I've ever met both inside and out. You have this fire in you and I can't help but be drawn to it. I like you Cheryl. I really really like you.'
'But girls aren't suppose to like other girls, the same way boys aren't supposed to like other boys.'
'Says who?'
'My parents. Our teachers. The law.'
Toni blew out a breath, 'it wasn't long ago I couldn't be in the same school as you because of the colour of my skin. The law isn't always right. As for your parents and a lot of other people they just don't understand, but I hope one day they will. The world is changing Cheryl, the progress is slow, but it's there.'
'I don't-'
'Look, take everything and everyone out of the equation. Imagine there's only me and you, without judgement from anybody else. Would you give me a chance to court you?'
Cheryl hesitated as she fought with the answer she wanted to say compared to what she thought she should say. The brunette waited patiently, not wanting to force the redhead to answer before she was ready.
'There is something about you that gets my attention,' Cheryl admitted. 'But I've never been... courted before. What if someone finds out?'
'No one ever has to know if that's what you want, but I'd be honored to court you. I promise I'll treat you the way you deserve.'
'Toni, I-I've never even kissed anyone until you.'
'I'm the first person you've kissed?'
'Yes,' Cheryl said as embarrassment crept up her cheeks. 'It's pathetic.'
'No, it's not. It's actually really sweet and I'm over the moon that I got to be your first kiss. So, what d'ya say? Will you give me a chance?'
Cheryl couldn't help but smile at the goofy look on the brunettes face as she shyly nodded her head pushing away the negative voice in her head. 'Okay.'
'Yeah? You'll be my girl?'
'I'll give you a chance. We'll see how that goes first.'
Toni shrugged smugly, 'I'll take it. There is one thing I've been dying to do since you kissed me...'
'What?' Cheryl asked nerves lacing her voice.
The brunette didn't say anything else as she stepped forward taking the redheads face in her hands as she connected their lips. She pulled away enough to gauge the other girls reaction, but before she could overthink her actions Cheryl pulled her back into the kiss. Everything felt right in that moment, like nothing could come between them. It was almost like the feeling of coming home.
'That was... wow,' Toni said when they finally pulled away.
Cheryl smiled, 'wow indeed.'
Suddenly feeling the cold breeze against her body the brunette realise that she was still in her undergarments, she had gotten so lost in the moment she hadn't even noticed.
'I should... get dressed.'
Both of them missed the closeness of the others body as soon as they stepped away from each other. Cheryl watched as Toni pulled on her clothes while she rearranged her own since she pulled them on in such a rush that they didn't feel comfortable. It wasn't a lie that things were a little awkward afterwards, this was new to them both, neither of them had ever been in a situation like this before.
They spent the rest of the day getting to know more about each other and somehow the brunette had managed to get Cheryl to show her some of the vixens cheer routine which she picked up so well the redhead practically begged her to try out. Toni was clearly better than most of the girls on her squad and she made sure she knew it.
Cheryl was also sure this was the most fun she'd ever had, something about Toni made her feel comfortable enough to be herself. There were some moments she felt a little intimidated by the brunettes coolness or she expected to be laughed at when she said or did something without thinking, but it never came. Instead Toni just looked at her in a way no one else ever had.
'Do you want to head up the hill to watch the sunset over the town?'
'Sure,' Cheryl said ignoring the fact that her curfew had almost arrived.
Toni took the redheads hand in her own as they walked up the grassy hill. Cheryl couldn't help but notice how their hands fitted together perfectly. Everything about their day together felt like the love they talk about in the movies.
Love?
No, it was far too soon for anything like that.
However something inside Cheryl disagreed, as if a part of her already knew Toni, almost as if they were meant to be together.
The redhead put a stop to her bizarre thoughts, she was sure everyone with a... crush felt the way she felt now.
'What do you think?' Toni's words brought Cheryl back to reality, their hands still tightly clasped together.
Cheryl's dark eyes widened as she took in the scenery. 'Wow, it's beautiful,' she said, her voice filled with complete awe.
Toni's heart swelled as she watched Cheryl take in the view. To her though, the most beautiful sight was the one standing right in front of her. 'Yes,' she agreed softly, 'so beautiful.'
As they stood there, the sun set casting an orange and pink glow across the town. The air was still, and the only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds.
Cheryl turned to Toni with a smile. 'Thank you for bringing me here. I've truly had a good time.'
Toni squeezed her hand. 'Anytime doll. It's getting late, maybe I should get you home.'
As they started to head through the woods to where Toni had parked her motorcycle, Cheryl leaned in closer. 'Um, can I tell you something?' she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Toni turned to her, noticing the hint of nervousness in her tone. 'Sure, everything all right?'
The redhead fidgeted with her hands for a moment before looking up at Toni with a shy smile. 'I think... I think you're more beautiful than the view,' she admitted, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink.
'You do?' Toni asked, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
Cheryl nodded, her eyes meeting the other girls dark ones with a newfound confidence. 'Yeah, I do,' she said, before leaning in and pressing her lips to Toni's cheek.
As she pulled away slightly Toni knew that this was the start of something special. And as they made their way back to her bike, hand in hand, she felt grateful that the beautiful girl walking beside her had given her a chance.