\--/
Cheryl pulled her phone out of her pocket, tilting it so that Toni could see the screen.
"3 minutes to spare. Nice work, Miss Topaz," she said. Toni looked down her nose at the other girl.
"Why thank you, Miss Blossom," the serpent said primly, before slowly grinning, like a cheshire cat. They both burst out laughing.
Then they suddenly stopped, as Mrs. Blossom walked into the dining room, Claudius behind her, wheeling Nana Rose along with him.
Mrs. Blossom rolled her eyes at the pair as they pushed off the wall they had been leaning against and started towards the table.
Standing behind one of the chairs, directly next to Cheryl, Toni turned to look at the other girl, unsure of what to do with herself in this unfamiliar environment.
"Sit down, Cheryl," Mrs. Blossom said scornfully. The girl did just that, Toni following.
Claudius pushed his mother up beside the table, making sure she was settled before taking his seat at the opposite end of the table to Cheryl's mother.
There was a long, awkward silence while everyone started eating. Eventually, Toni broke it, not being able to withstand the pressuring quiet of the room.
"So Mr. Blossom. How does it feel being back in Riverdale after all these years?" She asked, looking over at him. He looked up, almost surprised.
"Ignore that person Claudius. I had assumed tonight would be family only." Mrs. Blossom snarled, staring at Toni as if with hopes that the strength of her gaze might kill the offending visitor.
"It's alright. I enjoy meeting new people," Claudius said, brushing off Penelope's comment. Toni looked at him sceptically, tilting her head. "You know, during my journeys as a sailor, I came across the most wonderful island."
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
"Lesbos."
Toni dropped her fork, covering her mouth to keep from laughing. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her face going red as she tried to hold in her laughter.
"Oh my god," came from beside her. Apparently Cheryl was having a similar reaction. She was grinning, staring down at her plate.
"It is the most beautiful, natural place on earth," Claudius Blossom told them, smiling, obviously pleased with the reaction his comment had produced.
Both Toni and Cheryl were still grinning, even when Nana Rose started to speak.
"Oh," Nana Rose Blossom said, misinterpreting the atmosphere in once again silent room. "You're not going back on the boat dear boy? You're staying here with us?" She sounded worried, even though eveyone in the room knew there was no chance of Claudius leaving.
"Whatever I can do to make sure that you and this house are well cared for, mother," he said kindly. "That is, of course," he paused, and both the girls turned their attention towards him. "as long as I'm welcome," he added, noting Penelope's displeased expression. Everyone then turned to watch Penelope, Cheryl and Toni looking between the pair like they were at a tennis match.
"There's a room over the garage." Cheryl turned away from her mother to stare incredulously at her uncle. He winked at her, before focusing back at Penelope. "It's freezing in winter and boiling in summer but it's there." She replied, glaring at Claudius this time.
After that, no one else bothered to try and make idle conversation. 15 minutes later, their meal was finished, and Cheryl and Toni were free to leave.
Standing out in the corridoor, they were talking in hushed voices, not particularly wanting the adults overhearing their conversation.
"I should go. The guys dropped off my bike outside. Is that cool?" Toni asked, unsure of what would happen now. Cheryl took one of Toni's hands in her own.
"Stay for the night, TT. It will be our first sleepover as besties!!" Cheryl told her excitedly. Toni smiled at her childlike naivety.
"Ok Cher. But just for tonight. Tomorrow I do actually have to go back home, or you'll end up convincing me to stay here forever." Toni said.
Cheryl leaned in close, a small smile playing on her red lips.
"Now TT. That wouldn't be such a bad thing." She said huskily. Toni shivered, thoroughly enjoying this teasing side to her friend, a side she was slowly getting to see more of.
Cheryl pulled back, and they moved towards the stairs, and Toni had just stepped onto the landing when Penelope Blossom appeared down below.
"Cheryl!" She barked. "Where do you think you're going... with her?!"
Cheryl sighed turning around.
"Well, mother. I asked Toni to sleep over. Is there a problem?" The red-head asked with false sweetness.
Her mother glared at them from the foot of the stairs.
"I refuse to have that person in my house any longer," she yelled. "She leaves now."
Cheryl huffed, thoroughly unimpressed with her mother's reaction. She had been counting on the fact that her mother generally avoided public confrontations to win this argument. Turns out, Toni was special. To both of them.
Beside her, Toni tapped her arm. She looked kinda sad.
"Cher.. it's ok. I'll leave." She told the other girl calmly. Leaning in close to Cheryl, she whispered in her ear, not wanting her mother to hear any of what she was about to say.
"I'll just sneak in some other time. You'll be fine without me, ok?"
Cheryl nodded, understanding. So Toni made her way out of Thistlehouse, and Cheryl started towards her room, huffing at her mother. In the distance, she could hear her friend driving away.
\--/
Sorry this chapter was so short. I know I keep saying I'm making them longer, but I don't really know if you can tell yet. Oops.
Anyway, I just wanted to say huge thank you to @kevindiaries on instagram. Her Choni edits are incredible and she's really creative with her ideas. There is a truth or dare scene in a later chapter, and the whole thing was essentially her idea. Honestly, she's awesome, and I just wanted to acknowledge the help she has given me. Go check her out, and definately chuck her a follow if you like what you see.
That's all that from me today, I hope you guys liked this chapter!
Kisses,
-G