Cheryl awoke to the sound of plates clattering in the kitchen. She sniffled and rubbed her eyes, "What's going on?"

"Shit," Claude said. "I was tryin' not to wake you."

"What time is it?"

"Just after six," the man said. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"Toni spent the night," she smiled, relishing in being able to say those words. "I gave her the bed."

He raised an eyebrow, "Is that the girl?"

Cheryl blushed and nodded. "She is."

"You know, Goose," Claude rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, "as long as things stay PG in there, I don't mind if y'all share the bed."

"Oh," Cheryl blushed deeper, "it's not like that… not… not yet."

"Ah. Well, when it is," he smiled. Claude tilted his neck, looking down the hall. "Speak of the devil."

"Where am I?" Toni asked, emerging from Cheryl's bedroom looking incredibly disheveled.

The redhead's heart plummeted. "You don't remember?"

"Cheryl?" the blonde squinted. "Is this your place?" Cheryl nodded in response, wondering how much Toni remembered of the previous night. "I guess we came back here from the bar."

A sigh of relief left Cheryl's lungs. Toni did remember, well, some of their evening. "We were both too drunk to drive, especially you."

"Thanks," Toni ran a hand through her hair as she padded into the living room. She sat in the arm chair and yawned.

Cheryl couldn't help but grin, admiring how adorable Toni looked. "How about I get you some Advil and make something for breakfast before driving you home?" she asked.

"That'd be great," the shorter girl said. "Just some toast or something."

Claude fetched the pills and a glass of water before leaving for his shift, handing them to Cheryl as he left for work. The redhead brought them to Toni with a smile before busying herself in the kitchen. Despite Toni only requesting toast, Cheryl cooked an entire meal. It wasn't anything special, simply runny scrambled eggs, dry toast, and a side of sliced bananas. She prepared the exact hangover meal she always cooked Toni, knowing exactly what the other girl craved when she woke up after a night of drinking.

After their breakfast, Cheryl changed and drove Toni back to Thornhill, though she suspected Toni's family didn't refer to it as such. When she returned, Jughead was waiting for her on the porch.

"Since when are you out this early on a Sunday?" he asked, jumping off the banister.

Cheryl smiled widely, "Since Toni spent the night, and I had to drive her home."

His eyes grew large, "What the hell was that text last night?"

"I have a lot to catch you up on," Cheryl said as she walked passed him to unlock the front door and enter the trailer. "Wait a second, why are you here this early?"

"I had some inspiration and was up late researching," the boy explained. "Didn't even sleep." Jughead downed a huge drink of coffee from the tumbler he carried in his hand. "I was out walking and noticed your car was gone."

"Inspiration on what?" she asked, intrigued.

"On you," Jughead answered. "On your life. On what could have possibly changed between our two versions of reality for them to be so different! And I think I've figured it out."

"You figured out how to get me home?"

"No," he said. Jughead's face fell as he realized how Cheryl had interpreted his excitement. "I figured out what changed. I figured out where the timeline changed."

"Still impressive," Cheryl said, pursing her lips. She ran her hand through her hair, trying not to show her disappointment, as she walked to the couch to sit down. "Why don't you tell me what you've discovered?"

He gave a definitive nod and joined Cheryl on the couch, sitting beside her. "Have you heard of the butterfly effect?"

"Wasn't that a movie?"

Jughead laughed, "Yes, but the movie was based on a concept. If one event changes, a whole series of unexpected consequences happen as a result."

"And I caused this how?" Cheryl asked.

"Not you," he corrected. "Sweetwater Syrup."

The redhead's brow furrowed, "What's that?"

"Formerly known as Blossom Maple Syrup, before your family sold it," Jughead explained.

"You're telling me they sold our lucrative family business to… what exactly? Move to the Southside and be poor?" Cheryl gave him a judgemental gaze, feeling as though his theory was a waste of her time.

"They had to liquidate their assets when your great-grandfather was convicted of — "

"When he murdered his brother," she interrupted. "But that wasn't even public knowledge."

"Attempted murder," Jughead said. "That's it. I thought it was the trial, but that's it. Everett Blossom gained sole ownership over the company, sold it, and donated the profits! He wanted to be free of the company that destroyed his family! That's the butterfly!"

Cheryl gawked at him, "How high are you?"

"I really don't see how that's relevant," Jughead deflected.

She crossed her arms over her chest, "Trust me, it's relevant."

"I'm sober enough to know I'm on to something here."

"If you are right, what was this for?" she asked. "I'm nowhere closer to getting home. I know you love digging for information, but was there even a point to this?"

Jughead said. "Cheryl, this could all be part of a puzzle. We need to learn everything so we can get you home."

"Now you think I need to solve puzzles?" she huffed, clearly annoyed. "Just last weekend you were convinced none of this was real."

"I don't know what to think. I'm trying to look at this from every angle," Jughead defended. "This isn't exactly a typical situation."

"I appreciate you doing that work," Cheryl said. "I really do, but—"

"But it's a lot," he finished her thought. "I get it. I just wanted to help."

"Maybe you did," the redhead said with a forced smile. "However, it may be best you leave. I'm meeting Toni later, and this false hope has me feeling rather discombobulated. I would like some time to calm myself before I leave."

"You don't have to sound so proper all the time, Cher," Jughead laughed. "Say no more. I'm out of your hair, but I'm not going to stop digging."

"You wouldn't be the sleuth I know you to be if you did."

Cheryl needed a distraction. Jughead's theory was a lot to process, even if it was mostly all for nothing. She wanted to get his words out of her mind; she wanted to be clear headed when she saw Toni.

The redhead sat down at her desk, deciding to try the password she received from Storm the previous day. She turned on the computer and waited for the login prompt before typing in phoenix. The computer came to life, revealing a Window desktop.

She breathed out a sigh of relief before beginning to dig through the files but found nothing of interest. Cheryl then turned to the internet history, finding a LiveJournal account that was still logged in. A scoff escaped her throat as Cheryl inwardly judged her alter ego for having such an account.

Cheryl bit down on her bottom lip, her teeth pressing into the smooth skin. She clicked through various entries, interested to learn more. The account hadn't been updated in several months, but she found a few from a few months back to read.

November 12th, 2018, 09:57 pm

Today J and I were walking home, and he slipped in the mud. He fell and it ended up all over his ass. It really looked like he shit himself. I was laughing so hard so he started throwing mud at me to retaliate. Somehow we got into a whole mud fight.

He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember, even before my brother died. I don't know what I'd do without him, even if he does throw mud at me.

- C

Cheryl laughed at the entry, finding it heartwarmingly relatable. In the weeks since she had gotten trapped in her own personal hell, she had grown surprisingly close to the boy. He was a true friend, one she had desperately needed. It hadn't mattered to Jughead that Cheryl didn't remember the friendship she had read about, he loved her just the same.

She clicked onto the following entry, instantly feeling a sense of discomfort.

November 14th, 2018, 09:43 pm

I don't know what to do here. My girlfriend wants to take things to the next level, but I'm not sure I'm ready to do that yet with her. I keep saying I want to wait, but she doesn't seem to take no for an answer. I think I love her, but it's putting a strain on our relationship. It's almost like she's using that as a way to prove something to herself.

- C

The redhead saw a color near as bright as her head. It was no wonder why Jughead had been so adamant about her staying away from her. Storm tried to get her back just the day before, and now knowing the reason, Cheryl wished she had told the girl off.

November 18th, 2018, 11:50 pm

I think I realized what's been holding me back. I'm starting to crush on this girl at my new school. I transfered last year, and my girlfriend ended up going to another school.

There's this really bitchy but really hot girl at my school now. She'd never look at me in a thousand years though. I'm from the "wrong side of the tracks," and she's, well, rich. Her locker is right across from mine, and I can't help but look at her every morning while I'm getting my books. She's gorgeous.

It's probably not a good sign that I'm thinking about someone else while I'm in a relationship is it?

- C

A smile grew upon Cheryl's lips. The entries had to have been talking about Toni. Who else could it have been? She knew her alternate self had good taste, and this proved it.

November 22nd, 2018, 10:31 pm

Well, I just got dumped. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt. She broke up with me because I didn't want more. Because I didn't want that next step.

She knows, I think, about the other girl. I think she found my sketchbook.

It's better this way, she should have someone who can devote all their energy to her.

Why am I justifying this? Fuck her.

- C

Cheryl turned off the computer, not sure what she learned or why she went looking in the first place. She wasn't sure why she was feeling upset over something that didn't even happen to her, even if it had to her other self. Since waking up in the trailer that first day, Cheryl had been sure of only one thing: her feelings for Toni. That was the one thing she was sure of throughout all of the chaos. And now she knew, or she assumed rather, that her alternate self had feelings for her as well. Perhaps that meant they really were meant to be in any reality; at least, she hoped that's what it meant. It was so hard to be sure of anything.

At 3 in the afternoon, Cheryl pulled into Toni's driveway. Her nerves were already getting the better of her. She shouldn't help but feel anxious about the possibility of meeting the girl's parents. These were the people Toni idolized, the people she came from. They were people she never thought she'd be able to meet…

"Hey," Toni said when she answered the door. "We actually going to make some progress on this today?"

Cheryl laughed and followed her inside towards the kitchen. She saw the cabinet she had burglarized as she walked past and quickly averted her eyes, the guilt already eating at her. The redhead pushed it down, doing her best to ignore those thoughts and focus on spending time with Toni.

They sat down at the table; Toni's copy of Romeo and Juliet was already laying on the flat surface, waiting. The blonde took her seat, pulling the one next to her out slightly, signally for Cheryl to sit there.

"We have to finalize what we are doing or we won't finish in time. I'm sure everyone in class is making a movie," Toni said as she flipped through her binder, looking for the handout stating the project requirements. "I could do something with photography. I haven't shot anything in a couple years, but at least it would be different than everyone else."

"What about a comic? I draw," Cheryl said, realizing Toni had forgotten their conversation.

The shorter girl's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea."

"It's yours actually," Cheryl laughed. She bit down on her bottom lip momentarily before continuing, "You said that last night."

"Let me guess," Toni winced. "When I was drunk?"

"You were a bit intoxicated," Cheryl affirmed.

"Thanks again for that, Cheryl."

The taller girl smiled widely, "It was my pleasure."

"Still can't believe you like the same exact hangover meal as I do," Toni laughed. The backdoor opened, "But don't let my mom hear about that."

A woman Cheryl recognized as Jade Topaz, Toni's mom, walked into the room. As she came into view, Cheryl could see just how similar they were. Her mother's hair was in long, well kept dreadlocks. Cheryl had seen photos, but in person the similarities were striking.

"Hey, sweetie," Jade said.

Toni looked over her shoulder, "Hey, mom. This is Cheryl. We're working on our English project."

She walked over and picked up Toni's book, "Romeo and Juliet; I remember loving this play."

"Yeah," Toni nodded. "We read a lot of Shakespear, but this was one of my favorites."

"It's good to know my daughter inherited my taste," she joked, placing a kiss to the top of Toni's head. "I'll let you girls get back to your work. Don't mind me. Nice to meet you, Cheryl."

"It's… it's nice to meet you too," Cheryl said, still feeling as if she had seen a ghost. She waited until Toni's mom had left the room before turning to the other girl, "Your mom seems really nice."

"She's the best," Toni smiled. A beat passed before she continued, "So about this project…"

"Yes, we do have a lot to finalize," the redhead agreed.

"It's supposed to be relevant to our lives right?" Toni asked. "So, what about instead of the Montagues and Capulets, a Northsider and a Southsider fell in love?"

Cheryl's breath caught in her throat, "I… I think that's a perfect analogy."

"Great," the shorter girl smiled. "We have our medium and our concept. Now all we have to do is do it."

"Where would you like to start?"

For two hours the girls diligently worked on their assignment. They had finalized their plot outline and were about to start writing the script for Act I when they were interrupted.

"Hey, kid," a man's voice said. "Your mom home?"

"Upstairs, I think," Toni answered, not looking up from her work. "Check her office."

Cheryl looked to the source of the voice, seeing Toni's father Anthony, who she knew preferred to go by Tony based on her girlfriend's stories. Once again, she felt as though she was seeing a ghost. Of course, he wasn't dead where she came from, but the way Toni spoke of him, he may as well have been.

"Dinner in thirty?"

Toni looked up from her work and glanced towards him, "Sounds good. Pizza?"

"My favorite," he smiled. "Your friend staying?"

"Cheryl," Toni looked to her, "would you like to stay for dinner?"

"S-sure," she nodded.

Toni turned back to her dad, "She's staying."

"I'm old, not deaf, Ant," Tony said.

"Sure, Dad," she laughed.

"Toni, Toni, Toni," a tiny voice yelled as a blur ran past and into Toni's arms. "Hi," she said into Toni's chest.

"Hey, Vi," Toni said before turning to Cheryl. "This is my friend Cheryl. Can you say hello?"

"Hi," the small child said. She looked to be six or seven years old, and appeared to be a miniature clone of Toni.

"Y-you have a sister?" Cheryl asked, full of confusion. She wanted to smile about Toni calling her a friend, but an even larger bombshell had been dropped.

"Yup, this little gremlin here is Violet," Toni confirmed.

"She looks just like you," the redhead observed.

"Good genes," the blonde laughed. "Right, Vi?"

"I'm wearing a dress," the girl said in response, her face scrunched in confusion.

"And it's a very pretty dress," Toni said to her before placing her small frame back to the ground. "We've got to finish up here. Can you go play with your dolls until dinner?"

"'Kay," she said, running towards the door. Violet turned around and said, "Nice to meet you, Cherrie," before returning to her original course and darting from the room.

"She's adorable," Cherl said, still in awe.

"And she knows it too," Toni said with a smile.

"Do you have any other family?" the redhead inquired, now wondering if Toni had any other surprise siblings.

Toni shook her head, "Just my grandpa, but he lives on the far back end of the property in his own house."

They worked until the pizza was delivered, continuing to chat while still staying on task. By the time they stopped to eat, they had the first two pages planned out.

"So you girls are studying Shakespear?" Tony asked as he handed out plates. The group was gathered around the kitchen island, where resided three medium pizzas.

Cheryl nodded as Toni answered, "We read through a lot of them in class."

"Ant always loved plays," her dad explained.

Toni looked at him, a warning in her eyes, "Dad."

"Just making some harmless conversation with our guest," he claimed. "I'm sure Cheryl would love to hear some stories."

"I would actually," Cheryl grinned.

"She used to put on plays as a kid," Jade interjected. "There were even costume changes."

"Are you guys kidding me right now?" Toni whined. "I don't tell embarrassing stories when your friends come over."

Cheryl couldn't help but laugh at the exchange. She was distracted from the tale Toni's parents were telling when she felt something brush against her thigh. The redhead looked down to see Violet struggling to get a slice of pizza.

"You need help?"

"No."

The redhead crouched down to her level. "Looks like you could use a little help."

"I want to get my own," Violet pouted.

Cheryl could only assume she was used to her slice being chosen for her, which seemed to annoy the girl. "How about I help you so you can choose your own?" She looked up at Toni who was watching the exchange with an amused look on her face. "That okay?"

"Be my guest," Toni replied, giving the redhead permission.

Violet laughed as she was scooped up in Cheryl's arms. The redhead held her close so she could get her own slice and plop it onto her plate. Cheryl gently sat the girl back down on the floor, and Violet looked up at her with a huge smile. "Tanks."

"You're great with kids," Toni said as her sister ran off to the table with her slice.

"I'm used to watching my—" Cheryl stopped herself, remembering Juniper and Dagwood didn't exist there. "To babysitting, I'm used to babysitting."

"I'm sure you're great at it," the shorter girl smiled.

After dinner, Cheryl was surprised yet flattered when Toni walked her to her car. They had a great afternoon, accomplishing much on both fronts.

"So I'll see you at school tomorrow?" Toni asked through the car window.

"Bright and early," the redhead replied, referring to their plan to go over the pages Cheryl was going to draw that evening by the lockers before first period.

The blonde nodded and backed away from the car. "Drive safe, Cheryl."

"Thanks," Cheryl said in response, fighting the blush that threatened to encompass her face.

Progress.

She drove home, smiling the whole way. Things felt like they were changing between her and Toni. Cheryl hoped it wasn't just the project. She wanted this to be real, to be permanent, but the universe continued to knock her down.

This was her Toni, she reminded herself. Cheryl chose to believe in hope instead of fear, despite everything she'd encountered so far urging her to believe the contrary.