Five

                                    

                                          
Cheryl had to work a little bit harder on her make up for tonight to cover the bags under her eyes but still once she was done it looked flawless as did the ginger curls falling down her shoulders. She decided on a short dress, red of course that showed her curves perfectly. With a deep breath she ordered a Uber to take her to the party in hopes of meeting Veronica there. Cheryl had asked Veronica that if Nick was attending she'd appreciate some space away from him for now. The raven haired girl had promised she'd speak to him and that she would be there while Cheryl needed her. A lot of people had friends already and Cheryl didn't, Veronica knew that and she did genuinely like the redhead and could see them having a good friendship even though they'd known each other less than a week. Cheryl called Veronica to meet her outside once she had arrived. Thankfully she did and much to Cheryl's surprise she greeted her with a hug. 'Don't worry about Nick he promise's to do as you ask and behave'. 'Thank you Veronica'. 'Now come on let's get you a drink'. Veronica had asked if there was any progress with Toni, the look in Cheryl's eyes when she replied they hadn't spoken nor had she got the chance to apologise made the other girl feel bad. 
                          
Plenty of alcohol had been consumed in the time Veronica and Cheryl had spent talking so they both felt more relaxed. 'I don't mean to pry Cheryl but when we saw each other before you was mortified you had to share a room with her what's changed?' Cheryl looked down at her cup 'maybe she's not as bad as I thought'. 'I get that, I've always said people can't help what they're born into but as long as they're good people that's all that matters. Nick on the other hand doesn't see like that and that is his downfall'. Cheryl just nodded. 'Oh I love this song come on' Veronica grabbed Cheryl's hand and led her to the dancefloor. Cheryl finally relaxed and decided she'd enjoy her night with her friend. She would sort out any problems she had tomorrow. Little did she know a group of Serpents were stood close by, one curiously watching her dance. 
                          
Cheryl was more than tipsy now pulling Veronica into the kitchen to fill another cup of alcohol as she lifted her head she noticed the leather jackets, the one Toni wears. There she was, the girl the redhead had been dying to make amends with. She excused herself from Veronica and began walking towards Toni. Suddenly she felt a hand on hers 'can we talk' she heard a familiar voice. 'Not right now Nick' she said as she watched a flash of pink hair move passed the boy who was blocking her way. 'Please' he asked. 'I said not right now' she pulled her arm away and made her way after her roommate not knowing what to say but knowing she had to say something. The alcohol buzzing through her body helped her confidence immensely. She pushed through the crowd until finally her hand reached Toni's shoulder. The Serpent turned around expecting it to be one of the boys that was waiting for her in the kitchen. 'Can we talk please?' Cheryl pleaded. The look in Toni's eyes hurt her but the little nod she received gave her hope. 'In private?' Cheryl asked. 'Fine follow me' Toni said as she made her way upstairs. When the other students saw Toni coming they moved out of the way, maybe Cheryl didn't take the whole gang thing seriously. Toni pushed a random door open and Cheryl followed closing it behind her.
                          
'So? What do you want?' Toni asked with her arms crossed as she turned to face the redhead. 'I wanted to apologise Toni, I never intended to hurt you. I'm so sorry'. She tried to look Toni in the eye but the other girl was avoiding it. 'Look' Toni sighed 'I don't know what your deal is or why my life is any business of yours but it wasn't right Cheryl. Yes I may be in a gang but that gang is my family, I don't have anyone else. We don't deal in drugs or anything like that. They're there for me whenever I need them, they'd do anything for me and I would for them. I can't stand it when people that have no idea about my life try and throw it in my face. No matter what you or your boyfriend says I know I'm a good person and I'm not perfect in any sense of the word but I've worked harder than most to get where I am today and I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of my friends'. 'He's not my boyfriend' was all Cheryl managed to say. 'What?' Toni asked confused. 'Nick he's not my boyfriend'. 'Boyfriend, hook up, piece of shit, whatever you want to call him. You're completely missing the point, this is a waste of time' Toni rolled her eyes as she went to move around Cheryl to the door. 'Please' Cheryl whispered grabbing Toni's hand as she tried to pass her. Toni looked down at Cheryl's hand on hers and then back up at the redhead. 'What do...' before Toni could finish her sentence she felt Cheryl's lips on hers. Without thinking Cheryl had done the only thing that had felt right to her at that moment in time and connected their lips. She knew she shouldn't, that this was a bad idea but when Toni's lips moved back against hers she finally understood what all the girls meant when they spoke about kissing their boyfriends except Cheryl felt it with a girl, this girl. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach, she didn't want to come up for air. She moaned as Toni deepened the kiss as she pushed her against the wall, it was electric that's the only way Cheryl could explain how she felt.
                          
'Cheryl?' she was pulled from the heaven that was Toni Topaz into the harsh reality she now had to face. She recognised that voice, it was Veronica. 'Shit, shit, shit, I'm so sorry' she mumbled to Toni before practically running out of the door. She passed Veronica, down the stairs and straight out of the door without any idea where she was going. She made a mistake, even though it didn't feel like it, if her parents found out she would be sent away or worse. She couldn't be gay, she just hadn't found the right man yet she told herself. Toni on the other hand stood there in shock out of all the scenario's she could think of this one seemed the least realistic. Cheryl had just kissed her completely out of the blue and it felt completely right. 'Are you Toni?' A voice brought her mind back into the room. 'Do I know you?' she asked. 'I'm Cheryl's friend Veronica Lodge, I didn't know Cheryl was into girls, I thought she was dating Nick'. 'I'm not sure she knew either. Look I've got to go, do me a favour and keep this to yourself'. Veronica nodded 'Of course'. Toni made her way downstairs to look for the boys, she found them still in the kitchen. 'Guys can we go outside I need to speak to you' Toni asked. 'Sure Tiny' the boys followed her. Just as they got to the front door, a dark haired boy blocked it. 'Move' was all Toni said, Jughead and Fangs stood behind her although they knew she wouldn't need their help they had her back. 'Have you upset Cheryl again scum? I can't find her anywhere' Nick spat. 'Call me scum again I dare you' Toni tightened her jaw. 'Well it's what you are' he laughed in front of his friends. That was it Toni had had enough, she pulled her arm back and landed a hard punch on Nick's nose causing him to squeal and fall to the floor. 'Like I said move' she smirked as she walked out the door.
                          
'Okay what was that about?' Jughead asked. 'Guys I need to tell you something but you've got to keep it to yourselves'. 'Of course' Fangs nodded. She took a deep breath 'Cheryl kissed me'. 'Wait what? Is she crazy after what she did to you?' Jughead looked genuinely shocked. 'And what did you do?' Fangs could see the worry in Toni's face and after assuming that was Cheryl's boyfriend she had just punched he could see where this was going. 'I kissed her back' she looked confused 'I'm not sure what's happening but I need to find her, her friend walked in and she bolted'. 'Toni this seems a little messy even for you, I don't want you getting hurt' Jughead said. 'I can handle it Jones'. 'Where do you think she'll be?' Fangs asked before a fight broke out between his friends. 'Maybe she's gone back to the dorm, I'll go and look, thanks for letting me stay with you'. She hugged them both before setting off in a sprint towards the dorm.