CHAPTER FIVE
Toni knew she had no right to be upset that Cheryl had clearly been avoiding her, it wasn't like Cheryl was obliged to spend all her time around the brunette just because they'd had breakfast together one time. Something had changed within Cheryl, she had chosen to sit beside Toni in most of the classes they had together, she'd smile when they passed one another in the hallway, the redhead had stopped flinching away from Toni's touch. If Toni was mistaken, Cheryl seemed happier.
That was until today, Toni had been watching over the girl all day, it wasn't just a vibe that Toni got. Cheryl hadn't came in with her cheery attitude, instead she had walked through the double doors with concerned eyes - as though something was weighing itself over her heart.
The gingers warm brown eyes had found Toni's, giving her a smile, but today it wasn't genuine, it was sad...scared even. Usually Toni knew to stay out of everyone who wasn't a Serpents business, but she couldn't ignore Cheryl. The woman was always in the back of her mind, the fact that something was worrying Cheryl's mind made it worse. She couldn't just ignore the girl when she could tell she needed someone to talk to.
Toni glanced up from her locker, there was only a couple hours of school left. Her eyes fell on the couple across from her, Betty was leaning against a locker, her eyes on Veronica. Toni couldn't help but allow a smile to twinge on her lips, Betty looked at her with such love. She'd only spoken to the pair a few times, mainly only when they were paired together in classes but she knew they knew Cheryl well. Toni sucked in a breath and headed over.
"Hey."
The two young women seemed surprised that Toni was approaching them, Betty glancing at Veronica as the brunette gave her a pearly smile. Clearly happy to see the girl.
"Toni, hi." Veronica beamed, Betty giving her a curt nod as hello.
"I was wondering if you guys have noticed anything off about Cheryl today?" Toni questioned, she didn't want them to think she was nosy, but she couldn't help it.
The pair exchanged a glance, then shrugged.
"We've hardly seen her actually, she'll be at practice later though," Betty told her, a smile suddenly smearing across her lips. "You know...maybe you should join?"
Toni let out a sharp laugh, causing the two girls to frown making Toni realise they were being serious.
"Come on, chica. You look like you've got some moves hidden inside that tiny body of yours." Veronica encouraged, "You'd make a great River Vixen...besides it means you'll see Cheryl pretty often."
The short girl didn't really have to think about it, she'd been told by Mr Honey that she needed to pick up an extra curriculum anyway, so why not.
"Sure, why the hell not."
Veronica let out a cheery squeal, extending a hand to squeeze Toni's upper arm, happy to have a new River Vixen. Even though Toni would have to pass with Cheryl's approval first...but something told Veronica there wouldn't be problem in that department. The brunette had noticed how the two were around each other.
"Great!" The preppy girl exclaimed happily, Betty edging closer to her girlfriend as she slipped her hands into hers, intertwining them. "See you at tryouts."
Toni wasn't exactly over the moon about her invitation to join the famous River Vixens, but on the other hand she was glad to get a chance at making some friends that were girls for once. Most of her life, all she'd known is her male friends, heavily lacking on the female interaction side of her life. The rest of the day flew by quicker than Toni would have thought, before she knew it she was changing into the classic Vixen's shorts and t-shirt that Veronica had supplied her with. It was only her in the locker room seem as the others got ready ten minutes ago and were already out practicing. The sensation of the music vibrated through the floor and walls, it wasn't bad...not exactly the type of music Toni would listen to - but she could make it work.
"Toni, what are you doing here?"
The sound of the familiar voice caused the girl to spin on her feet, a pearly smile dancing across her expression as she let her eyes travel up the womans body before her.
"Damn you look good in that outfit, Red." Complimented Toni as she playfully bit her lip, enjoying how Cheryl blushed because of her words. "I'm here to tryout, Veronica thought it was a good idea."
Something leapt with joy inside Cheryl when she heard those words, it wasn't very often that she cared for whatever Betty and Veronica were up to. The girl used to be jealous of how happy the pair were, how simple their lives seemed, how caring their mothers were compared to hers. But right now she was thankful to the women, she needed a pick me up right now.
"Well then…shouldn't you be out there showing us Vixen's what you have then?"
Toni didn't mind the layered sassiness under Cheryl's words, the girl simply shaking her head lightly and heading through the door, Cheryl following closely behind her. The beat of the music seemed to flow with the cheerleaders movements, the girls moving as though they were one. None of them seemed out of beat and Toni knew if she wanted to be on the team, she'd have to keep up. SweetPea will be in fits of laughter when he hears about this. He always said she wasn't the girly high school type...which he was right, she'd rather be with the photography group. But she could pursue that along with cheerleading, it wasn't like she was doing much with her time anyway.
"Alright Vixen's, gather round!" Cheryl called out, her powerful voice echoing around the hall. Toni unfortunately happened to be right beside her as she yelled. "We've got a wannabe Vixen on our hands. Toni Topaz. Come over here and show us what you can do, being a Vixen isn't just about being pretty."
Toni simply nodded, sashaying past the girl, confidence in her stride. She was used to having eyes on her, stage fright wasn't exactly her thing...fear in general, wasn't her thing. Betty had pressed play on the stereo, the same song Toni had heard earlier starting up and when Toni found the rhythm she began to move. Swift and smooth, one foot at a time, ensuring that she kept on beat with her every movement. It was familiar to dancing, all she needed was to add a little excitement. The music was halted to a stop, causing Toni to pause her routine, the brown eyed girl finding Veronica had been the one to switch it off.
"Now that, was awesome! The way you move Toni, how were you not queen of your old school's cheer squad?" The brunette spoke up, Betty frowning slightly at Veronica's words, jealousy seeping in. "I vote she stays."
"Alright V. Ton down the excitement…" Betty rolled her eyes at her girlfriend, not needing her to compliment Toni completely. Veronica seemed to shoot Betty an apologetic look, making Toni laugh, hands on hips as she caught her breath.
"Cheryl? Your turn to vote." Veronica told the redhead who looked as though she'd just walked into Disneyland for the first time.
"It looks like we have a new River Vixen on our hands, ladies."
Toni raised an eyebrow at the redhead, she must've impressed her with her moves. It wasn't exactly what she was trying to do, but hey, it seemed to capture Cheryl's attention. A round of applause came from the girls in the hall, always happy to welcome another Vixen. A few of them knew Toni from their classes, she was one of the nicer ones out of the Serpents. The girls dispersed back to their practices, leaving Cheryl and Toni.
"Now...how about you tell me what's been bothering you all day?" Toni could finally ask, Cheryl seeming surprised that Toni had noticed. It was flattering to know she cared for her that much, that she noticed when something was wrong. Cheryl managed a small smile.
"How about you sleepover at mine with Veronica, Betty and Josie tonight? We can talk then." Cheryl suggested, praying Toni agreed to come along. She secretly only wanted Toni to stay, but she knew her mother wouldn't let her have just one girl over. "It's my father's will reading tomorrow...I didn't want to go alone."
Toni smiled softly at the vulnerable woman, taking a hold of her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Of course I'll be there, Cheryl."
