Following morning Cheryl was woken up by her phone. It was Toni. It was eight in the morning and she was worried about the call.
''Toni? Is everything ok?''
''Yes, I was just wondering if we could meet and talk.''
''Sure, where do you want to meet?''
''I don't know. You pick.''
''Pop's?''
''Too public.''
There was a slam smirk on Cheryl's face.
''Oh, what did you have in mind Topaz if Pop's is too public?''
Toni could see the other girl's face in her mind.
''Wipe that smirk Blossom. We need somewhere private to talk about our supposed relationship. Pop's is not place for that. We can show up there later, but first somewhere nice and quiet to talk about everything.''
''Your place Topaz?''
''You want to come to my trailer?''
''Is that a problem? Is your family going to mind?''
''No, I live alone.''
''So? Should I come?''
''No!''
''Why?''
''Because Fangs and Sweet Pea sometimes just barge in. And with my luck, they will show up before we have time to talk about anything.''
''Sounds smart. How about by the river?''
''Sure. Where?''
Cheryl gave her directions and Toni hung up her phone. She had few of ''what am I doing?'' moments in her head, but she soon decided to give this thing a shot. If dating Cheryl Blossom could help her accomplish something at school, she is ready to do it.
Cheryl got up and went to get ready for her outing. She was very curious about what Toni had in mind. She had breakfast with nana Rose and went out. Apparently, mommy was out for few days with her new ''friend'' and she was happy to have some peace and for the house to be just hers and nana's for few days.
Toni arrived early and sat on the rocks waiting for Cheryl. She got her camera out and took a few pictures.
''What did you find so fascinated?''
Cheryl took a seat beside her.
''I don't know. Just the nature… Sky…all the mixture and shades of the woods. I don't know. Sometimes I see the world in pictures, moments I would love to capture and cherish forever.''
Cheryl just watched and tried to find what Toni saw.
''I can understand…to some extent.''
''You can?''
Toni believed Blossom girl was teasing her.
''I am not good with taking pictures, but I draw.''
That was something Toni had no idea about.
''You do?''
''Yes, it's mostly in pencil. I don't dare often to use colors… Somehow, I am used to black and white.''
Toni pulled Chery's scarf and smirked.
''And shades of red…''
''Very funny. I was trying to be serious.''
''Ok, fine… Why not colors?''
''I don't know. Somehow I feel it wouldn't turn right.''
Toni was very passionate person about the right and wrong in the art. She believed that there is no wrong in art because it is artist's vision, the way they see the world and she was very passionate about it.
''But there is no right or wrong with art. It's your personal feeling and vision of things. If you see that tree purple, than it is a purple tree. It doesn't matter that I see it as yellow or emerald or anything else. It matters what YOU see.''
''I love this discussion, but why did you call me Toni? What is the thing you wanted to talk about?''
Toni turned to face Cheryl and took a deep breath.
''Ok. If we are going to fake a relationship, we must learn things about each other.''
''Ok. What do you want to know?''
''What is your middle name?''
''Really Topaz? Out of all the questions you could ask?''
''People often don't know that about their boyfriends or girlfriends.''
''It's Marjorie… ''
''I didn't expect that...''
There it was. Cheryl's index finger was almost in her face and the look was there too.
''…and if you say a word to anyone.''
''I promise…I will not… I didn't see that name in the mix.''
''I am sorry to disappoint. I hope you will get over that Topaz.''
''Hey, I am not saying anything.''
''Not all of us can have normal parents and names like you TONI…''
Toni smirked at that.
''I am sorry to ruin your vision of me being cool and having cool parents, but my name is actually Antoinette and middle name is Elizabeth.''
''Ok… Your parents had some issues…Just like mine… JJ's middle name was Cornelius.''
''Ok, our parents had some serious issues.''
Cheryl's smile was gone now.
''Yes, they did.''
''I am sorry. I didn't mean…''
''It's ok Toni… You are right. My parents do have serious issues, at least my mom doses now.''
''I don't know much about mine. I was raised by my grandparents. They are only mom and dad I know. My real parents were…not supposed to have kids. There were four of us. My two brothers are in jail for dealing drugs, one was stabbed to death in some bar fight and I am the only one who is clean and keeps her head out of the dirty things.''
''You said you live alone, what happened to your grandparents?''
''I do live now in my parent's old trailer. My grandparents helped me fix it and it's just by theirs, so I don't spend too much time there alone. I just sleep there and sometimes Fangs or Sweet Pea crash with me, but that place is just for when I need peace, and for sleep. I got emancipated so they could take care of my uncle's kids. He is also a failure of a person and a child. I don't get how two nice people as my grandparents could have two sons like my dad and his brother?''
''What is it like?''
''What?''
''To be emancipated?''
''I don't see much of a difference. I am still mu grandma's girl…and my grandpa's partner in crime when it comes to sneaking out and having burgers and fries. My grandma doesn't like him eating those things. He had serious heart problem few years ago and he must be on a special diet. But sometimes, we just sneak out to Pop's and have little feast. Just two of us.''
That image made Cheryl smile. She remembered seeing Toni's grandpa during the protest and he seemed very sweet.
''It's better for all of us. It gives me more freedom and control over my life. Because I am emancipated, I got to work in the bar, but just shifts until ten in the evening.''
''Why ten?''
''Because of the booze. It's not really legal for a minor to serve you a drink. And the most of the costumers drinking alcohol come after nine.''
''I wish I could get emancipated and far from my mom.''
''What's her deal? Was she ever…like…a real mom?''
''Not really. She was always very distant and cold. Even our dad was like that.''
''And with your brother?''
''He was definitely the child they loved more…and that is sort of absurd since my dad was the one to kill him.''
She was close to tears. Her eyes were glassy and she looked very sad.
''Sometimes I think my mom is sorry that Jason is not the one who is alive. I don't meet the expectations.''
''What sort of expectations?''
''All sorts…''
Toni realized that for now that topic is closed. She knew better than to push someone who doesn't want to talk.
''Ok, change of subject.''
''Oh, finally!''
''Cheryl, why did you pick me? Do you even really like girls?''
The mood changed all of the sudden. She had mischievous grin on her face again.
''Oh, the question that has been on your mind for a long time….''
''It is logical question.''
''Why is it a logical question?''
''Because you said us dating would anoy and humiliate your mom. So, the question is, why that? Why would she mind that?''
''Because she would be ashamed of a gay daughter or even something remotely like that.''
''So, you do like girls?''
''And you? Do you like them?''
''Yes, I am bisexual and out. My family knows. I came out a year ago, but they sort of always knew or had a hunch that it would not be just boys who I bring home.''
''Wow! Progressive!''
''I think it's just life. After so many losses, they didn't want to have one more. They learned to accept that sometimes I will show up with a girl and sometimes with a guy.''
''Did you date a lot?''
''Not really. There were just two boys and one girl.''
''And hookups?''
''None…. I am not into that.''
''Really?''
Cheryl didn't see that coming. She believed Toni was a player.
''Sorry to disappoint but I am not into casual relationships. I prefer good old relationships where you know who you are with and that person knows you are with them. I don't want to think about my person and other people. I like to keep it monogamous.''
''Go Toni!''
''What about you?''
'' I never dated.''
''A girl?''
Cheryl blushed a bit.
''Anyone…''
Toni was surprised to hear that. She didn't expect that.
''Really?''
''Yes, really. I've kissed few people but never dated.''
''How come?''
There was moment of silence where she was trying to find a valid explanation to why she didn't date.
''I guess no one impressed me enough or had guts to deal with being with me. I am not easy.''
''I would have never guessed.''
Cheryl smiled and smacked her on the hand.
''Shut up Topaz!''
''O.K. ''
''I think that for many people Blossom name was an issue and on the other hand, there was just one person I wanted to date, but it was a lifetime ago.''
''Who was it?''
''My best friend. Her name was Heather.''
''What happened?''
''Mama Blossom. ''
''No surprise there.''
''She found us kissing and caused a riot.''
''So, you do like girls.''
''I do… You can say I do.''
''And what about boys?''
''I can't say I don't like them, but I think that I lean more towards girls. I haven't met a guy that got me as much as…girls did.''
''Good.''
They talked some more and learned some more things about one another. They actually had many things in common and topics for conversation. Cheryl even felt as it was a real date, not just strategic meeting. Toni also changed opinion of Cheryl and had fun, regardless of some painful topics they just touched. They tried to avoid painful topics and it worked for them. They went back to talking about art, music, what got them into photography and drawing and it was fun conversation. They teased one another about some things the other said, especially about their guilty pleasures. Toni would never imagine that Cheryl loves to bake and Cheryl had no idea that Toni spoke four languages and played piano. All that talking got them a bit hungry.
''Is now time to go to the Pop's and flaunt our perfect relationship?''
''Blossom, you are bad, oh, so bad…''
''Come on, it will be fun to see all of their faces.''
''Fine.''
They went to their car and bike and started their journey towards the Pop's. Cheryl was first to get there. The moment she walked in, she saw the gang sitting together. Veronica was the first to address her.
''Hey Cheryl, want to sit with us?''
''Hey, thank you, but no thank you. I am waiting for someone.''
''Oh, who?''
And there was the answer. As the doors to the Pop's opened Toni came in.
''My date just got here, I must leave you now. See you…''
She turned and left them a bit surprised by the sight. They knew about the plan to annoy mama Blossom, but those two had something about the way they looked at one another. Toni took the hand Cheryl offered and they went together to their booth. Right away they started talking about something and teasing one another that led to loud laughing and some poking from the Cheryl's side. Veronica stared at them with curiosity.
''OMG! They really like one another.''
Jughead refused to believe Toni might like Cheryl. They were polar opposites. Toni was nice person, real friend and someone who was there for him in many situations. And Cheryl was mean, vindictive, cruel, self-centered, selfish, snob… and many other things. To him they would never be a couple. He knew Sweet Pea still had feelings for her and he was rooting for them to get back together. And he also made his goal to get them back together after this stupid charade with Cheryl ends. He wanted to see his two friends together and wanted them to be part of the gang too. He liked Sweet Pea and Toni a lot and he believed they would be nice asset to the core four.
''No, it's just for pretend. It's for the people to believe it and tell her mom.''
''No, they really like each other.''
''NO!''
Betty didn't like his reaction.
''Why is it so hard to believe she might like Cheryl?''
''Because Toni deserves so much better than that. Cheryl is crazy…and damaged.''
''And Toni?''
''She has been through a lot.''
''So, you can say she is damaged too?''
''Not like that…''
Betty was getting angry now.
''Explain!''
''She should be with someone like Sweet Pea. He really loves her and she broke his heart when she left him for her ex.''
Veronica was confused now. That was a new information for her. She believed Toni was just into girls.
''Wait! She is into guys too?''
''Yes, she is bi.''
''Oh, wow!''
''What does that mean Veronica?''
''Nothing Jugy… Just that our girl has very wide dating pool…and I like it.''
Archie gave her a look.
''Don't worry, I am not that into girls.''
''That?''
''I think they are attractive, I like to kiss them…but I am not sure if I could….you know…be with the one.''
''Now I am relived…''
''You know I love you Archie.''
''I love you too Ronnie.''
In the other booth conversation was far from the gang who was watching them as a hawk. Toni was telling Cheryl about some of her crazy adventures with her grandfather and how she learned from him all about bikes.
''I could never ride one of them. It's too unsafe.''
''It's not. It just takes practice and responsibility.''
''I saw how people die on them, no thanks. Just few days ago, one young man died.''
''It's different bike. We don't have those. We don't race. Those bikes are very fast and also very light. Bikes we ride are much different. They are much heavier and slower…safer. We just ride and enjoy.''
''TT, bike is a bike.''
''Ok, bike expert.''
Cheryl rolled her eyes at Toni and went for her fries.
''That is mine Blossom.''
''Do you always treat your dates so bad?''
''Ha ha… Just stay away from my food.''
''Or what?''
''Or I will make you ride my bike.''
''You could never. You will never see the day I get on that thing.''
''We'll see Blossom. Give it time. I think we might get to see you doing things you never imagined. I am pretty sure you will surprise even yourself.''
''You know Topaz, I might pretend to date you, but I will never do your gang things…''
''O.K. if you say so.''
''I know so…''
Toni smirked at her.
''So do I.''
