Roommates | CHONI |

Twenty Four

Veronica dropped Toni and Cheryl off at their dorm. Cheryl got out first looking smaller than Toni had ever seen her, not just physically but her personality was no where in site. As Toni went to get out Jughead grabbed her hand 'if you need anything, you call, no matter the time okay?'. 'Thanks Jug' she squeezed his hand before getting out and shutting the car door. She pulled Cheryl's bag onto her back before wrapping her arms around the redhead and guiding her up to their room. Neither of them saying a word, Toni wasn't sure Cheryl would be up to talking tonight and she wouldn't push her too. It had been almost six weeks since Cheryl had been forced home and Toni had no idea of what she had endured. The Serpents had been informed about what had happened and was on stand by in case Toni needed them. The Blossoms wouldn't stand a chance against the Serpents, regardless of their fortune, the Serpents would die for each other. 

Toni sat Cheryl on her bed, the redhead eyes empty, she knelt in front of her 'I'm not going to ask if you're okay, I know you're not but can I do anything for you?' she rubbed her cheek with the pad of her thumb. Cheryl just shook her head, no words coming from her mouth. It was as if she was watching everything sat behind her eyes, as if her soul had disconnected from her body. 'Okay let's get you dressed into something more comfortable' Toni stood up. No reaction. Toni grabbed some of her own pyjama's before approaching the girl sat on her bed. 'Lift up your arms' she said gently and Cheryl complied still facing ahead. She looked at the dark bruises coving the pales girl body, anger bubbling in her chest at how someone could do this to their own daughter. Toni pulled on the baggy shirt and knelt down to her legs 'okay let's get these off'. Again Cheryl didn't react and allowed Toni to remove her jeans. Toni let out a gasp upon seeing Cheryl's bloody thighs. 'Cher, what have you done to yourself?' she looked up at the other girl, her facial expression hadn't changed but there was a tear built up in her eye. Toni couldn't help a tear falling from her eye either, she'd never felt such a deep sadness, one that reached her soul. She wiped her eye's 'Cher I'm going to need to clean this' she got up and headed to the bathroom grabbing the first aid kit. 'Okay this is going to sting babe, I'm sorry' she used the disinfectant wipes expecting Cheryl to at least flinch but she didn't move. Toni couldn't help but worry, Cheryl had been through a lot but this was concerning. She patched up her wounds and placed a kiss on top on the bandage before heading to the bathroom. She gave herself a minute as she lent on the sink, she looked into the mirror. 'Shit' she had completely forgotten that Cheryl's father had gave her a couple of punches to the face, she quickly ran the tap cleaning the dried blood from her face. There wasn't much she could do for the black eye forming so she just dry swallowed a couple of aspirin and went back to tend to Cheryl. 

'Come on Cher let's lay you down' she carefully pushed the redhead back so she was laying back in her bed. Toni covered her with blankets and placed a kiss on her head 'try and get some sleep'. Toni moved away to get undressed herself, running her hands through her hair she tried to hold back tears, she couldn't cry not when Cheryl needed her. She didn't want to scare Cheryl away so she decided she'd get in her own bed leaving the lamp on, even though she wanted nothing more than to hold Cheryl and tell her that she's okay. She checked her phone before putting it on charge and climbing into her own bed. She was about to lay down when she saw Cheryl look over and reach out with for her, a quiet 'TT' slipping from her lips. Toni got up and made her way over to Cheryl sitting her the side of her bed. 'Stay with me' Cheryl pleaded. 'Of course' Toni laid down pulling the redhead to her chest. Both not asleep but not saying anything.

The next morning when Toni woke up Cheryl was thankfully asleep. She wondered when the last time the redhead had actually got any sleep. Creeping out of bed she tiptoed to her phone to send a message to Veronica asking if she could bring her some breakfast and a couple of things from the store, of course Veronica had agreed saying she would be there in thirty minutes. She sat on her own bed and allowed herself to silently weep, looking over Cheryl frowning and grumbling in her sleep. She couldn't even find peace in her dreams. Toni was pulled from her thoughts by her a message from Veronica letting her know she was outside the door. Thankful that Veronica had text instead of knocking on the door the Serpent stood up and slipped out of the door without making a sound.

'Jesus Toni your face' Veronica said taking in the dark bruises on the shorter girls skin. Toni just shook her head 'that's the least of my problems'. 'How is she?' Veronica asked sadly. Toni let out a breath 'it's bad Ronnie, really bad. She's barely spoke, she's like a hollow shell, there's nothing behind her eyes. God knows what they did to her, her body's covered in bruises. She's hurt herself V, she's been cutting herself' Toni cried, she couldn't hold it back 'I should have gotten to her sooner'. 'Hey' Veronica whispered 'this is not your fault okay? You did the main thing, now we just have to get her back to being herself, no matter how long it takes, you're not alone Toni'. 'Thanks V, I better get back' she said pointing to the door. 'No problem Toni, keep us updated and if you need anything, from any of us let us know okay?' she said pulling her in for a hug. 'Thanks again Ronnie' she smiled before entering her room again and closing the door.

Cheryl was still asleep and as much as she didn't want to she had to wake her up, Toni wasn't sure when the last time the redhead ate so she wanted to get her to eat a little something. She placed the bag and coffees on the bedside table before slowly sitting on the bed. She placed a gentle hand on the redheads shoulder and whispered her name as carefully as she could. Cheryl jumped up in fear with wide eyes. 'Hey, hey it's okay it's just me' Toni whispered, Cheryl calmed down when she laid her eyes on the pink haired girl, her breaths slowing. 'I got you a coffee and a croissant' she said passing them to the redhead. 'I'll have them later, I'm not hungry right now'. 'Cheryl please, try for me' Toni pleaded. Cheryl nodded accepting the cup and croissant. Toni smiled and concentrated on her own food not wanting Cheryl to feel the pressure of her watching her. They ate in silence, Cheryl taking small bites but it was better than nothing. 'I'm sorry' Cheryl whispered out of the blue. 'For what?' Toni asked looking up. 'Everything, my father hit you Toni' she said a tear slipping from her eye. 'Hey' Toni said lifting Cheryl's chin and wiping away her tear 'that's not your fault. You deserve better than that, I couldn't leave you there Cher. I'd take a hit off anyone to have you by my side. I mean it, your parents couldn't scare me away if they tried. I love you Cheryl'. That was the first time she told Cheryl that she loved her but it was true, she loved Cheryl more than she'd ever loved anyone. Cheryl's eyes glistened as she looked in Toni's eyes for any sign of a lie or pity, she didn't, she knew Toni meant it and she felt the same way. 'I love you Toni, you saved me'. Toni smiled and Cheryl's lips twitched into a slight smile. 'Can I kiss you?' Toni asked. 'Yes' Cheryl whispered. As carefully as she could Toni pulled Cheryl in. The kiss was slow and full of love, both of them allowing tears to fall.