Cheryl had another clash with her mom. She couldn't stand the fact that her mom kept with her…business and even found huge pleasure in what she was doing. After brief affair with Hale Cooper, that Cheryl helped end, she got back to her old ways and almost every night different men would come to their house and spend the night there. Apparently her mother was good in bed since the money just kept coming, as did the new clients…some even from the neighboring towns. She was glad that their estate was big enough that she could just leave the house and spend time in the garden or doing her archery. She would often imagine her mommy as the target and hitting the center always made her feel chills of satisfaction. Someday she would be free of Mrs. Blossom and she couldn't wait for that day. Mama Blossom found money to fix Thornhill and Cheryl guessed she would move there and keep entreating her clients far from her daughter and mother in law. Hell, she could even expand her business, make a dungeon there. That house was God given place for S & M activities. Those walls have seen a lot of weird things take place, so what would be one more thing. Jokes in her head just kept coming and coming…almost as her mother's clients..too many at the same time. She smiled at that joke too and continued shooting the target. Just after ten in the evening, Penelope escorted her last John for the day. Cheryl was sitting beside the fireplace reading the book. They didn't notice her at all.
''I had amazing time Ms. Penelope. I hope to see you again.''
''Any time. Just give me a call and we will think of something.''
He gave her couple of hundred dollars bills and left the house.
'' I see your whoring was productive tonight?!''
''I may be a whore, but unlike you I am not deviant shame of the family. My bed is never cold and there are many men who come for comfort to me. Unlike you, I love good confronting in the strong arms of men. I am not some sick freak of nature…like you. I am wanted, loved and every night I go to bed exhausted from love and passion. Unlike you... You are emotional starving anorexic.''
She smiled at her daughter and caressed her cheek.
'' Good night dear.''
Cheryl stayed there with tears in her eyes and new wave of pain only her mommy could cause. It was one more night she cried herself to sleep.
Cooper household didn't recover from the affair, and even though Hale was back home, he and Alice would often go down the Penelope Blossom route when they argued. Betty was tired of it, especially since Mrs. Blossom often did things to annoy Alice and that caused more trouble at home. She also had some trouble with the Serpents. She fired some of them from the maple syrup factory and she refused to pay them for the work they did until the day they stopped working. She really had every day more and more people on whose shit list she was. But it didn't bother her. She had her powerful clients and good relationship with Lodges and she felt safe and untouchable. Betty organized small meeting in the student lounge and she tried to find a strategy how to teach Penelope a lesson and make her stop causing trouble. She was trying to figure out what could annoy that woman. Toni, Sweet Pea and Fangs joined original Scobey gang.
''I can't believe some things she is doing. She fired those people just like that. She left them with no money and pretty much in the street.''
Toni was angry. She didn't know her personally, but she had few unpleasant encounters with her in the town or when some Serpents went to protest in front of the maple syrup factory. They exchanged few words and she noticed that Penelope really didn't like her. Toni always had a way with words and a way to speak her mind. Penelope didn't like being told her truths. Betty and Veronica had few choice words for her too. Serpents agreed with them, but still had no idea what to do. In the middle of their brainstorming Cheryl got into the room.
''Oh, Scobey gang plotting with the Serpents. How surprising?! It didn't take you long to bond over some stupid thing. Who is on the receiving end of the plot now?''
Tony gave her an evil smile.
''Your mom…''
''Oh, momzy… What did she do to rattle your cage little reptile…?''
Toni rolled her eyes on Chery's comment. That girl was really getting on her last nerve.
''She fired some men and didn't pay them. They really need money. They can't sue her, since they worked illegally there. There is no paper trail they worked there and that is her argument on why she will not give them money.''
Betty was next.
''She keeps stalking my dad, and he and my mom fight.''
Jug followed.
''She is trying to fire my dad from Pop's.''
She heard Tony's, Jug's and Betty's reasons. She was curious why Archie and Veronica were there too.
''And you dynamic duo? What did my mom do to you? She doesn't care about your dad and she is close with your conquistador mam and dad?''
Veronica just took a deep breath. She was not in a mood for Cheryl and her ways of putting people down.
''We are here for Betty and Jug?''
''Oh, how nice. But what will you do? You can't sue her, since there is no proof those men worked there. She can insist on F.P. not working in the Pop's because he helped cover up her son's murder. She can go after Hale, since he had a relationship with here and promised a lot of things. I heard some of it in his own words. So… You have nothing.''
Toni was having it with this girl. She was always so hostile and sarcastic and she was done with her.
''Thank you Cheryl for saying that.''
''No, Toni, I am just stating the facts. With things you hold against her, you can't do anything.''
''And what do you suggest?''
Toni crossed her arms and waited for the answer. She noticed Blossom girl's lips turn into evil smile.
''You can't get her angry or humiliated, but I can.''
Betty was getting a little hopeful.
''And how is that Cheryl?''
''I need to be seen on a very heated date with one of the enemies. She really has it for your little reptilian friends.''
Betty was confused. She feared Cheryl was referring to Jug.
''What?''
''A date with a Serpent, especially the one she can't stand.''
Betty and Jug felt even more uncomfortable. Veronica rolled her eyes.
''Cheryl , he is Betty's boyfriend. Leave them alone.''
''Oh, God NO! I was not thinking of him. Even if I help you I have reputation to think of. I wouldn't do that to myself. I need someone hot…smoking hot…someone who stands out. And it has to be believable.''
Sweet Pea smiled at her. She had to pick him.
'' Cha Cha, what are you up to on Friday evening?''
Toni looked at Cheryl very surprised by the question and the rest of them couldn't believe what they were hearing. Cheryl and Toni.
''What?''
Cheryl rolled her eyes and continued.
''You…Me… Biju, Pop's… Mom's friends would be out and we will be seen and she would informed of my date.''
''You want me to be your date?''
''How do you have 4.0 GPA when I have to draw this to you?''
She rolled her eyes on Chery's comment.
''Fine, it's a date.''
''Good… Dress in something hot. Leather, lace and things like that. I know you have it in you Topaz.''
''Sure I do Blossom.''
Were they flirting? Did she just flirt with Cheryl and accepted a date?
''Good. We will settle the details tomorrow during lunch.''
She got off the sofa and waved at them.
''See you all.''
And with that she left. Betty, Veronica and the rest looked at Toni in surprise.
''Topaz, what was that?''
''No idea.''
Fangs had a very evil and teasing smile.
''You have a date with Cheryl Blossom. Who would have known she was your type.''
''Oh, come on! This is only to annoy the mom.''
''Oh, Ok. Just for that. You don't fool me Topaz. You have hots from Blossom.''
''No, I don't. And now I have to go. AP English test has my name on it.''
Fangs and Sweet Pea had million more jokes about Toni and Cheryl but it was not fun to say any of them since none of the girls was there. Scobey gang didn't expect things to go this way. Jug was really confused.
''Did she really ask Toni out after saying she needs someone hot?''
Betty nodded.
''Yes, she did.''
''Didn't see that happening.''
Betty had a faint smile.
''None of us would have never guessed it. Toni and Cheryl…on a date…Even to annoy Penelope, I would have never considered it.''
Veronica smiled at that comment.
''They would be hot together. I would watch them make out and…stuff.''
''Oh, God V.''
''What B?''
''I don't want to go there….''
Jug and Archie had a lost look somewhere towards the wall.
''Too late…Too late…''
V knew that in their minds there was a very clear picture of Cheryl and Toni doing a lot of hot stuff. And the fun part was that in her head same images were floating too. She could see them together and she was sure that they would make an excellent pair. After this little game with Mrs. Blossom was done, she would personally make sure that two girls turn game into reality.
Cheryl came home that day to an empty house. Nurse took nana Blossom to her therapy, Penelope was who knows where and she had some time to herself. She left her bag on the chair and threw herself on the bed. Did she really do that? Did she ask Toni on a date? There was a hint of blush on her cheeks and she was glad no one was there to see it. She felt a bit nervous about the date, maybe even excited. She had to remind herself few times that it was not real date and that it was just to annoy the momster, but there was hint of hope it might turn into something real.
During lunch, Cheryl found Toni and the rest of the gang pretty easily. They sat at their usual table. She just showed up and took a seat across from Toni.
''So, tonight… We can meet around eight at Biju, there is a movie I would like to see and after that we can go to Pop's. It is Friday, so a lot of people would be out. We will be seen.''
''Ok… ''
''Oh, and dress causal. We want this to look real.''
''Casual for a date?''
''Yes, if we overdress it will not work.''
''So, jeans?''
''Yes, but please leave your gang jacket at home. It's a date after all. You can have your Serpent ways at school, but not really for the date. It's a bit too much.''
Toni smirked.
''Ok. See you at eight.''
''That you will.''
Cheryl left and all the eyes were on Toni.
''That sounds like two of you are going on a real date.''
''No, Fangs, we are not.''
''Yes you are. All the flirting and blushing… You have thing for Miss. Bombshell...and she has hots for you too T.''
''Fangs, you should cut hanging out in your grandpa's garage. Too many fumes damaged your already damaged brain.''
''Ya, ya… You'll see Topaz. You will hook up with Miss. Bombshell soon enough. Maybe this date is to annoy the mom, but the next one would be real.''
It seemed that the rest of the group agreed with Fangs. She picked up her things and shook her head.
'' I am leaving.''
Toni spent some time thinking about her outfit for the date that was not actually a date…and now she was confused what it was. She put on her Serpent jacket on the chair and started looking for something that would suit Miss Blossom and her wishes. She found deep red pants, black top and black short leather jacket. It had nothing on that could point out to her gang belonging. She did her makeup and she put her hair in a messy bun. Her pink curls were perfectly falling out and she looked very hot. She liked it.
She got to the movie theater just before eight and now she was waiting for Cheryl to come. Few minutes later she heard the voice behind her.
''You cleaned up nice Topaz.''
She turned and found Cheryl behind her. She was in black skinny jeans, black turtle neck and red coat. Her makeup was very discrete, if you put aside her red lipstick. It was sort of her signature.
''Not looking bad yourself Blossom.''
''So, Toni, what movie will we be watching?''
''What did you have on mind?''
''It's the old movies night. What do you think about Casablanca?''
Toni smiled at that suggestion.
''Sucker for failed and impossible romances?''
''Aren't we all?''
It took Toni few seconds to answer. She did love old movies and part of her believed more in those love lost moments than happily ever after. So, in a way Cheryl was right.
''Maybe… I am not saying anything.''
They got drinks and popcorns and went into the theater. Cheryl picked their seats and they waited for the movie to start. Both girls looked around to see if there was someone they knew, but so far no one was there. It sort of let Toni relax and simply be herself. As soon as the lights went down she was excited to watch the movie. Casablanca was one of the movies she knew by heart and could watch all the time. It was the same for Cheryl too. There were some people late for the projection, so they could hear the commotion and quiet excuses.
After the movie, they went to Chery's car. She drove them to Pop's and now it was a show time.
''Give me your hand.''
Toni looked at her surprised.
''What?''
''My mom's friends are on the street. Give me your hand.''
Toni did as she was told and they walked towards Mrs. Blossom's friends. They were very glad to see Cheryl and at shock when they noticed that she is holding hands with a girl. Before they could say anything, Cheryl gave Toni a small peck on the lips. After that, they didn't even address the girls, but Cheryl noticed how all of them got their phones out.
''So, it beguines.''
''What?''
''They are calling my mom.''
''Because of the kiss?''
''And it being public kiss.''
Toni rolled her eyes. She kissed girls in public. What was the big deal about this?!
''So what happens now?''
''Now, I think that on Monday, entire town and school will know we are dating.''
''What?''
''Yes, now we are in a fake relationship…and that is the beginning of the downfall of P Blossom. People can look the other way when she sleeps with someone else's man, when she is whoring around, doesn't pay the workers, her family deals heroin…but gay daughter, that is something no one can let go .''
Toni was a bit caught off guard. Relationship?! That was not in the cards when they talked about the date.
''I didn't agree to this…''
''Com on Topaz, like you can really complain that others will think you got me? Come on?! Is there someone better? Someone you like?''
''I am single and not interested in anyone. So, there is no one who will suffer the consequences of our fake relationship. I just think it is stupid.''
''Give it a month and then come back to me.''
''A month?''
''Yes, people will see you in a different way. Maybe even the principal changes his mind about you.''
''What do you mean?''
And there was that Blossom smirk they all knew and feared.
''You went to him and asked to join the school papers… He said no. You wanted to enter that photography competition, she shut you down. You went and asked about speech and debate team, he shut it down. You wanted to join the science club… He doesn't think you are good enough.''
Toni was angry now.
''I have 4.0 GPA.''
''And who knows it? Who cares? You are just a gang member and a drug dealer and who knows what else. No one sees your brain. No one wants to see what your true potential is. They see your band of monkeys, pink hair, bike and jacket with a giant snake.''
Toni was silent.
''You date me, and you get it all… But we start small.''
''What do you mean?''
''You join the Vixens first. That is your ticket in.''
''What?''
''Yes, as a Vixen you are more visible and have more power in school. He will not see you as a gang member, but a cheerleader.''
''You must be high!''
''No, I am dead serious. You join the Vixens and the change of the perception will happen. First, you are no more a gang member, but a cheerleader, you are active in class, you write good papers and have good arguments during the debates. Plus, now, aside from being a Vixen, you are dating me. You are top of the crop now Miss Topaz.''
Toni just stood there and watched Cheryl give her explanations and she started to realize Cheryl was maybe on to something. She was denied many things due to being a Serpent. Now she will try a different approach, and use her new ''relationship'' too.
Around midnight Cheryl came home. House was dark and silent. She guessed her nana was asleep and mommy was…otherwise occupied. She got ready for bed and finally snuck under her fluffy covers. Her mind wondered to kissing Toni. She didn't plan that. It just came to her. She just wanted to kiss the girl and see how it would feel. And it felt right; better than kissing Archie or Nick or Moose or any other person…but H… She decided not to go down that road. She closed that chapter few years ago and didn't really go back to that…until now.
Toni was surprised that she actually didn't have bad time with Cheryl. She didn't expect the kiss and some things she heard from her, but after giving it some taught, she realized Cheryl was right. If she wanted something accomplished at that school, she should change her strategy.