"You would not believe the day I've had." Toni badgered, bursting through the door of her friend's trailer.
Too distracted by her own drama to acknowledge the strange boy cuddled up to her close friend. The pink haired woman strode straight towards the fridge, swinging open its door - almost taking it off of its hinges. As she rummaged in search of a decent drink, her voice muffled into an echo as she continued her rant,
"To think I actually saw myself liking her, the self centred bitch."
A snort came from Kevin as he tried to hide his amusement of the situation. Without having to ask, he already knew who the mysterious woman was.
"What ar—" Sweet Pea attempted but was soon cut off by another bundle of words that spilled from the pink haired girl's lips.
"I mean, come on, do I look like someone who'd take advantage of a drunken woman? You were literally there!"
Toni's head popped up from the fridge for a quick second to shoot a look towards Sweet Pea before diving back in. A frustrated sigh leaving her lips as she shoved a few items aside, struggling to find anything consumable.
"How did she have the balls to twist it on me? To lie to her fiancée's face? God, I never knew I could hate a bitch so much!" The brunette growled through her gritted teeth, "And who even calls their daughter Heather, it's the twenty-first century for christ sake!"
Sweet Pea rolled his eyes, trying once more to get a word in the girl's rambling. "Why don't you take a minute and breathe?"
Toni let out a groan almost loud enough to rumble the old trailer, slamming the refrigerator door closed.
"Why don't you guys have any beer?"
Sweet Pea raised an eyebrow at his friend, "Maybe because we used it all on our company?"
This made Toni's face crease in confusion, before the realisation hit her and an embarrassing blush rushed to her cheeks. When she turned, her eyes met another set of brown and a tall boy rose from the seat he was in and greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Nice to finally meet you, Toni." The boy grinned, extending a hand to shake hers as she brushed her hair out of her face. "If you really need that beer, I can go grab you one?"
The brunette smiled gratefully at the offer, but shook her head. "No, don't be silly. I've embarrassed myself enough, I won't make you go out of your way to quench my thirst."
"Well, it was one hell of a first impression, I'll tell you that." Kevin chuckled lightly, glancing down beside him towards his boyfriend who watched the two with a devilish grin.
"What can I say? I'm annoyingly memorable."
The three boys shared a short lived laugh at her words. Toni sucked in a breath, dropping down in a slump on Sweet Pea's couch. She couldn't fight the irritation that Cheryl didn't believe her - it was offensive and she couldn't help but feel hurt. She wasn't some sleazebag who prayed on drunk women, and she certainly didn't want the woman she may or may not have feelings for to think such a horrid thing.
"Now, are you finally going to explain that nonsense you just spewed?" Fangs asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
The brunette's head lulled, resting against the back of the couch as her eyes fluttered shut. An internal fight battling within her.
"I've done something stupid."
Her words gripped the attention of the three brown eyed boys, all of them thinking the worst.
"Please tell me you haven't killed someone..." Fangs said, concern hinted beneath his tone and he rested his elbows on his knees.
"Worse." Toni grumbled miserably, keeping her eyes closed and ignoring the boys complaints of her to hurry up and tell them. "I'm throwing my education out of the window because I've been too busy drooling over my professor."
Sweet Pea released an inhale he didn't know he was holding, thankful she wasn't in any real trouble.
"All of this over a woman?" The boy questioned, eager to know why Toni was so wound up by one girl. "You've had plenty of play things, why is this one important?"
Toni's eyes snapped open, shooting the boy who was much like her brother a glare. "She's my professor, Sweets. I didn't just pick her up at some club. Oh, and here's the best part - she's engaged to that witch from the party."
"Ah, so that's the person I'm assuming is called Heather?" Fangs chimed in, reflecting on the rant from earlier. "Or is she the 'self centred bitch'?"
"I didn't mean to call her that - I was just annoyed. But yes, Heather is the stupid fiancée." Toni huffed, returning to her pit of misery.
"So was that your teacher she was locking lips with on Saturday?" Sweet Pea guessed, unbeknownst to the fact that Heather was a cheat.
Toni shook her head, "No, but it explains why the car reminded me so much of Cheryl. I can't believe that whore is cheating on her, she must have a screw loose somewhere in that brain of hers."
The three men shared a knowing look, Toni had never behaved in such a manner about a woman. Even when she fancied some newbie Serpent two years ago, it was clear whatever drama she'd gotten herself into was weighing on her mind. Kevin cleared his throat, causing the friends to look in his direction.
"Do you think you stand a chance with her? I mean, she's not exactly in the most stable relationship..."
Toni thought the question over for a second before shutting it down, "Even if she wasn't in a relationship, she's still my professor. Isn't that breaking some sort of hidden rule?"
Fangs gave a curt nod of agreement, "It would be a risk, she could lose her job if anyone found out."
The pink haired girl sighed heavily, finding herself in a situation she couldn't seem to climb out from. It made her wish once more that she had feelings for someone else, anyone else. Even the girl she'd met in Pop's that one time. It wasn't fair that after all the hardship she went through: living on the streets, almost getting arrested on multiple occasions, having close to no family that she just so happened to fall for someone unattainable. It was as though life didn't want her to succeed in anything but her writing.
"I fucked up my friendship with Donna too," The girl spoke up breaking the silence between them all, her hand diving towards the pizza box and taking a mouthful.
"That pretty rich girl?" Fangs asked, taking a sip of the can in his grasp as Toni nodded.
"My only friend in that place, can't even look me in the eye." Toni mumbled, wallowing in her own self pity. "I knew she had feelings for me and I still proceeded to lead her on...I'm such an asshole."
The tousled haired boy outstretched a hand, resting it on her shoulder giving her a soft squeeze.
"You're not an asshole...just a little lost at the moment. We all know how that feels, you'll figure it out, shortstack. You always do." He said sweetly, the others nodding along in support. "We're always here if you need any help, you know that."
"I need food...you guys want anything?" The pink haired girl groaned, hauling her body from the couch. Part of her wanted to stretch out and nap for a couple hours, but glancing out at the darkened sky. There was a certain food her mind couldn't resist. Once the men shook their heads, she grabbed Sweet Pea's keys and borrowed his bike.
[x]
The familiar chime of a bell rang out as the brunette pushed her way through the door of the little diner. It still held the same aura as the last time, the soft hum of music drifting around the small space as customers chattered away. It was late, around midnight and yet the place was still buzzing with life. Toni's eyes fixed on the menu hanging above the counter, her stomach growling in hunger at the smell of freshly cooked food.
"Someone make me... please make me a burger!" A voice cried out, whomever it was catching the eyes of everyone in the diner - including Toni's.
To the pink haired girl's surprise, her brown eyes fell upon her english professor. The woman staggering through the doorway, the crash causing the bell to ring out louder than it had before. But as the redhead regained her balance, her droopy eyes lifted to meet whoever the pair of scuffed trainers belonged to. A slight hiccup falling from her lips as she stood, swaying slightly in her clearly drunken state.
"Oh."
The sound of her softly spoken voice melted something in Toni's chest, a warm feeling tingling throughout her body. On instinct the petite girl found herself taking a step forward, her arms reaching to steady the intoxicated woman.
"Sit down. I'll get you that burger." The brunette said warily, hoping Cheryl wasn't still furious with her.
Everyone in the diner had returned to their conversations, no doubt chuckling over Cheryl's entrance. The kind girl at the counter happily scribbling down her order, thankfully she had enough for Cheryl's food as well as her own. When Toni returned to her booth, she found her professor with her head pressed against the table a low pitched noise leaving her body. The noise enticing a grin from the brunette.
"Am I to assume this makes up for those waffles you got me?"
The question was aired, by a continuous groan coming from the woman before her. For a moment, Toni wondered if Cheryl was in the middle of a mental breakdown, but then those earthy brown eyes she longed to stare into connected with her own.
"You got me a burger?" The question appeared as though it was morphed into one, but Toni smiled in understanding.
"Is that not what you wanted? I can always change it?"
Cheryl shook her head like a child, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Burgers fine."
A rush of air passed through the pink haired girls nose, a twitch of a smile dancing along her lips. "Good, I got you some water to go with that. It looks like you need it."
Her professor's eyes bored into her for a few passing minutes, the silence between them feeling nothing but comfortable. Toni reached into her backpack, taking out a partly crumpled book and allowing her eyes to fall upon it. As they waited, and she read, Toni knew the redheads' eyes never left her. It was intimidating at first, the sensation making her feel shy and anxious, afraid the woman was going to fight with her again.
It was the sound of their plates being placed before them that finally brought her eyes back up. This time a smile graced the gingers lips as her eyes sparkled at the mouth-watering burger that was faced before her. Toni didn't think her heart could flutter so much, the sight of Cheryl's excitement was too much for her heart to contain. The younger girl sighed, stabbing a fry with her fork.
"I'm sorry about your fiancée. I didn't tell you so it would hurt you...I was angry and I wanted you to know the truth."
Cheryl swallowed her mouthful of food, shaking her head a little too fast that she winced.
"I should've guessed what she told me was a lie, Heather's had a thing for lying recently..." Her words slurred, her sad eyes twinkled in the red overlight. "People warned me, they warned me she was bad news, but I never listen...I don't listen to anyone."
Her words caused something to falter in Toni's heart, she knew how Cheryl felt she was stubborn as hell herself. It was hard listening to reason when your heart is convincing you otherwise.
"You love her, Cheryl. Don't be so hard on yourself." It pained Toni to see the hurt behind her eyes when she spoke. But she stuffed another fry in her mouth, uncertain on what to say to ease Cheryl's pain.
"I wish I didn't." Cheryl grumbled, more to herself than to her student. Silence washed over them again, the two taking advantage of the food they'd been craving.
It wasn't long before Cheryl was messily wiping the smeared sauce from her mouth, something that earned a chuckle from the brunette.
"I like your laugh. It's cute." Her professor complimented, a genuine dopey smile along her lips.
The rush of heat raced across Toni's cheeks, not used to receiving such a compliment. She'd always despised her laugh, people had told her it made her sound like a man. A comment she certainly didn't appreciate. No one ever had anything nice to say, except the ones who cared for her. Toni placed her empty plate on top of Cheryl's tucking a loose strap of hair behind her ear before she got to her feet, gesturing Cheryl up too.
"Come on. I think it's time you get home, it's a good thing we don't take classes on a Wednesday." Toni teased lightly, a trail of fire tracing her forearm as Cheryl used the young woman's body to keep her steady.
"You don't even know where I live." The redhead giggled like a child, attempting to stand on her own as they left the diner.
"Obviously not. That's why you're going to tell me," Toni replied with a raised eyebrow watching the woman stumble. "There's no way you're driving in the state you're in."
Cheryl spun in a drunken circle, her arms outstretched. "My car isn't here, sugarmuffin. I walked!"
Toni glanced around noticing the lack of a red Chevrolet, and her eyes returned to Cheryl. "Then you have no choice but to let me take you home...I hope you like motorcycles."
The redheads eyes widened at the thought, Toni wasn't sure whether it was fear glassed over her eyes or anticipation. But when the two finally stepped onto the vehicle, Toni quickly noted the tension that had suddenly shocked Cheryl sober for five minutes.
"I don't think this is a good idea." The taller woman spoke with a slight quiver, her arms wrapping tightly around Toni's middle.
If she wasn't being suffocated, the brunette was sure she'd feel sick with nerves.
"I'm a skilled driver, don't worry. Just hold tight and you'll be home in no time." Toni called back to her, revving Sweet Pea's engine and lifting her foot from its balance on the concrete. A frightened squeak left Cheryl's as Toni shot forward, not used to the feeling.
"I think I'm gonna puke."
[x]
As the two staggered through the apartment door, Cheryl practically lurched forward. Seemingly eager to explore her own apartment, a gnawing feeling in the brunette's gut told her she was looking for Heather. It was the first time she'd seen the redheads' place of comfort, her eyes casting upon the smooth red wallpaper that had been plastered all over. The little light details of plants and photo frames of nothing and everything jotted around - offering that homely feel. Toni couldn't help but want to disappear further, to see more into her professor's life.
She wanted to know more about the mysterious teacher who waltzed into her locker room that day. But as much as her mind urged her to, she stayed where she was, not wanting to intrude. Heather had already made her seem like a predator, she didn't want to appear as a thief too.
Cheryl soon reappeared, a phone clasped to her ear and her thigh high boots hanging from her free hand. Toni had no idea who she was on the phone to, but whomever it was, the redhead was smiling.
"I'm fine." Emphasis on the 'e' as Cheryl moved achingly slow towards the pink haired girl waiting in the hallway. "You didn't need to call me a gazillion times."
"You told me you were going straight home, of course I'm going to freak when I call you and you don't answer!" Betty cried down the phone in panic. "Where the hell did you go? You were plastered when you left!"
Cheryl's brown eyes lifted from her laminate flooring to meet Toni's gaze, a soft smile passing over her lips.
"I was with Toni."
"Your student, Toni? How the hell did that happen?"
"She bought me a burger. I'll tell you, that burger gave me more of an orgasm than Heather has in a long time." Cheryl chuckled to herself as though she'd told the joke of the year. The quiet thud of her boots, hitting the floor echoed the hallway. "She's not even been her to change her clothes. The tramp."
"Oh, you're going to have a sore head in the morning, Cher. Make sure Toni gives you water, try to get some sleep. I'll phone you in the morning." Betty urged before hanging up and leaving the pair to have a staring contest with one another.
Toni was first to break, her heart thumping rapidly in her chest. "I uh, I should probably get back..."
The suggestion switched something inside of Cheryl, her brown eyes suddenly feeling waves of sadness wash over her once more. She sniffed, keeping her eyes trained on Toni.
"I...I might be drunk but I've never been good at being left alone when I'm pissed..." The redhead started, tapping her finger nervously against her thigh as continued. "If it's not too weird, do you mind crashing on the couch? I promise not to be too much of a handful."
Toni found herself lost for words, the offer sounded sweet, a comfy bed for the night, plus getting to spend more time with Cheryl and getting to venture the redheads classy apartment. It felt like she hit the jackpot, but still she was unsure.
"Cheryl...I don't want you regretting that choice tomorrow. I know after what Heather said, you probably think I'm some weirdo." Toni sighed, wishing Heather would just vanish from both their lives. It would make things a hell of a lot easier. "Do you really want me to sleep on your couch?"
It seemed the alcohol was on the verge of wearing off, the older woman coming to place her hand gently in Toni's. Just for a second.
"I don't think you have a bad bone in your body...Heather just...she has a way of twisting things," The grip on her hand becoming tighter for a second before she dropped her arm back to her side, Toni missing the warm. "To answer your question, yes. I'd like to have you here tonight, I've never been great under the influence of alcohol."
Toni all but smiled, unable to stop the racing feeling in her chest nor the butterflies in her stomach as she stared with wide brown eyes at the older woman before her.
"Then if it's what you want, I'll stay."
Cheryl's smile mimicked her own at her words, the woman turning back to the end of her hallway, a sudden saunter in her step. "Then close that door, you're letting all the draft in."
A/N
Phew that was a long one, I hope you all are enjoying this book. This is a slow burn so they won't be together for quite a few more chapters so my apologies if you're hoping the get together in the next couple of chapters.
There's still so much I have planned before they can finally be together!!