now tell me, how did all my dreams turn to nightmares?

Chapter 9

"Hey, babe."

Cheryl would know that voice anywhere. She turned away from her bedroom wall and saw Toni standing in the doorway, giving her a crooked smile. It wasn't the Northsider Toni she had been avoiding, it was her Toni, Pretty Poisons jacket, pink hair, and all. She gasped and sat up, "Toni? Is that really you?"

"Who else would it be?" The shorter girl walked over and sat down next to her, reaching up to cup Cheryl's cheek in her hand. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you," the redhead echoed desperately. "I've missed you so much."

Toni leaned in until their lips met. Cheryl whimpered at the contact, instantly melting into the touch. She had been craving that feeling for so long. The kiss was far shorter than she liked as Toni broke away, her eyes searched Cheryl's for answers. "When are you coming home, Cher?"

"I don't know how," she admitted.

"You've got to fight," Toni told her through squinted eyes. "Why aren't you fighting?"

"All I'm doing is fighting," Cheryl cried. "Every day is a struggle."

"For us, baby," the pinkette sighed. "Why aren't you fighting for us?"

"Wha-"

"Don't tell me you've given up," she stared at Cheryl inquisitively. "What's going through that head of yours?"

The redhead sighed, "I'm so lost, Toni. I'm just trying to survive."

"That's what you want? A life of surviving... on the Southside... with Jughead?"

Cheryl let out a breathy chuckle, "No. I want a life with you. I want to go home."

"So don't give up. Okay, babe?"

The redhead nodded, "Okay."

"Ya know," Toni smirked and tugged at the lapel of Cheryl's jacket, "this jacket still looks good on you."

"Everything looks good on me," Cheryl smiled before biting down on her lower lip. "I love you."

"Mm, I love you too." Toni kissed her brow before standing. "I'm sorry, babe, but I can't stay any longer. I've got to go."

Cheryl reached out and grasped her wrist, "No! You can't leave me again."

"You'll see me soon."

"When?"

Toni shrugged, "Monday will be here before you know it."

"That isn't you," Cheryl sighed. "She hates me."

"Babe, there's no world or reality where Antoinette Marie Topaz doesn't belong with Cheryl Marjorie Blossom."

"I'm not so sure, TT," she countered. "She... that Toni is the furthest thing from you. "

"So remind her who she is," Toni insisted. "Think about where we'd be if I had given up just because the HBIC pushed me away."

"A fair point, mon amour," Cheryl blushed. "Do you really have to go?"

"I do," the pink haired girl sighed, "but I'm waiting for you. Don't take too long, okay?"

"I don't know what to do!"

"Fight for us," Toni said as she began to walk backwards, traveling farther and farther away from the redhead. "Fight for us, baby." The shorter girl disappeared through the open bedroom door.

Cheryl jumped to her feet and ran from the room. "Toni, wait!" The redhead cried out to her, "Toni, come back!" Her eyes searched the trailer for any sign of her girlfriend, but there was none. Once again she was alone.