a cherry cola

touching hands

Toni's pov

The movie was great. Pretty sure Cheryl cried. Cheryl Blossom is who I'm talking about. She cried! Afterwards I️ asked if she wanted to maybe get a milkshake at pops and talk. She didn't bring a car to the movies since it's close to her house, so I️ offered her a ride on my motorcycle
I️ get on first and then she gets on be-hide me
She puts her hands stiff to the side
"Your gonna fall off if you don't hold something" I️ tell her
She nervously puts her hands on my shoulders. We start driving
We arrive at Pops and sit at the counter
I️ order chocolate
She orders cherry
We talk a bit about the film and I️ point out she was crying
"You might think you've mastered the art of silent tears. But I️ saw you crying durning that movie Cheryl"
"I️ never cry at movies. Real life is tragic enough"
She looks down and stirs her milkshake with her straw. She raises her head and takes a deep breath. Like she's holding back tears
"But when simons mom said he used to be such a carefree kid growing up and then at a certain point he stopped being that happy kid because he was hiding a secret"
She's on the verge of tears and I️ interrupt her
"Cheryl"
"Everyone thinks I'm this loveless monster. But I️t isn't true. I️ loves someone. Who loved me. But my mother destroyed I️t"
I️t must be Jason. I️ heard how bad she took I️t. I'm not saying it's an excuse to be mean. But I️ almost understand why she asks in the mean way she does. It's because she's broken. Broken because her family took away the only person who ever loved her.
"You mean your brother Jason. I️ heard how close you guys were"
"No not JJ"
She proceeds to tell me about a girl name heather, who she knew throughout her middle school years. How they were best friends. And implied as they were more. And how her mother reacted when she saw them in the same bed
"She said I️ was deviant"
Tears are now flowing from her eyes. She loved someone. Someone loved her besides her twin. And her mother ruined it. Her mother ruins anything that gives her happiness. This girl just needs love. She's misunderstood and mistreated
"Cheryl I️ am so sorry" I️ say to her
"But you have to know you mother is wrong. Your not loveless. Your not deviant"
I️ reach out and hold her hand. She tenses up but doesn't slap I️t away.
"Your. Sensational"
I️ hold her hand a bit longer and the tears stop coming from her eyes. She wipes her face and gives me a little smile
"You know. Your the only one I've ever told that"
I️ giggle
"I've been in the same boat"
She looks a little surprised and looks up at me
"I'm into girls as well and my family hasn't always been the best about I️t even though I️ told them about my first girl crush when I️ was eight years old. I️ just decided that I️ only want people who accept me in my life and I️ no longer speak to my parents. On a rare occasion maybe. But the serpents are like my family you know. I️ pick my family there all I️ need"
I️ get a little nervous. I️ know what they did to her brother. But there not all like that
"I️ know you have not the best blood with the serpents. But there not all bad"
She smiles
"Well of course not, look at you"
We are now both smiling

We finish our milkshakes and talk a bit more. When I️ realize it's Almost 1am
"I️ better get you home I️ say"
"Your right lets go"
We go out and get onto my bike. This time she wraps her hands around my waist. I️ smile and we drive away towards her home
When we arrive she gets off and looks over at me
"I️ had a really great time tonight. Thanks for being so sweet. I️ know I'm not the easiest the get along with"
"Well I️ think your amazing. Goodnight Cheryl"
"Goodnight Toni"
She walks away and I️ decide to wait to make sure she gets in ok
She turns around and comes back towards me
"Did you forget something I'm pretty sure you have your phone and purse"
She comes over to give me a hug. I️ hug her back and smile. She gives very good hugs
"No I️ have all my things"
She pauses
"Goodnight. And please use my number"
She walks into her house and I️ drive away. I️ rlly wanna use her number but I️ don't wanna sound desperate ya know. I'll text her tomorrow.