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When Alice heard rapid knocking at her door, she was expecting somebody from the council.
She wasn't expecting it to be Cheryl.
"Cheryl Is everything okay?" Alice says, noting the nervous look on her face.
"Yes, everything is okay. Um, I just needed somebody to talk to," Cheryl answers, her eyes looking anywhere but at Alice
Alice frowns. Cheryl was never really nervous, and she was a little surprised that Cheryl had chosen her out of all people to come to.
Sure, they emailed each other about various topics, but Cheryl had never asked for her advice.
But there was something clearly wrong with her.
"Okay," Alice smiles, "come in." She moves out of the doorway, letting Cheryl in.
Shutting the door, she leads Cheryl to the kitchen.
"Would you like something to drink?" She asks as Cheryl takes a seat at the table.
Cheryl shakes her head. "No thanks."
Alice nods and takes a seat across from Cheryl. "So, what brings you here, Cheryl? What do you need to talk about?"
Cheryl takes a deep breath. "Toni told me she was getting married...and I'm still in love with her."
Alice opens her mouth, but Cheryl continues.
"I always thought...I always thought..."
She trails off, looking down.
"I'm sorry, Cheryl," Alice says, looking at her in sympathy.
Cheryl doesn't respond or look back up.
Alice reaches into her jacket and pulls out a cigarette pack and lighter. She takes one out and places it between her lips, lighting it.
After taking a drag and exhaling, she speaks. "I know you must be in pain right now."
Cheryl nods. "I always thought Toni and I would get back together. We broke up after graduation, and I hid away in Thornhill for seven years."
"Why did you break up?" Alice asks, taking a drag of her cigarette.
"Toni thought her family wouldn't approve of her dating a Blossom. Her grandmother was heavily against it, and I didn't want her to choose between her family and me."
"That's very selfless of you."
Cheryl shakes her head. "I don't think I ever stopped loving her. I met Minerva, but my heart still belonged to Toni, and now there's Heather and-"
"Who's Heather?" Alice interrupts.
"A friend," Cheryl answers, looking back up at Alice. "We were friends during junior high. I had a crush on her, and my mom found out and sent her away. She only recently came back into my life."
"And do you have feelings for her?"
"I...I'm not sure. I thought I did and maybe I do, but right now, all I can think about is Toni."
Alice nods. She takes a deep drag of her cigarette. "I'm assuming Toni doesn't know about your feelings."
Cheryl shakes her head.
"And does Heather know?"
"I think she does," Cheryl quietly says. "She has been staying at Thornhill, and I told her everything about my relationship with Toni. She tried to talk to me after Toni left, but I blew her off."
"I see. Well, I do think you need to talk to Heather. I don't know what's going on between the two of you, but she might have feelings for you, and I don't think she would like being led on."
"I'm not trying to lead her on. I-"
"I know," Alice interrupts, "I know, but she might end up seeing it that way."
"Okay," Cheryl says. "I'll talk to her when I get back."
"As for Toni, I think you should-"
Alice stops talking upon noticing tears in Cheryl's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I just feel so stupid," Cheryl admits. "Toni actually tried to get back together with me. A few months ago, she told me that she was out and open with her family, and they were okay with us dating. When she became pregnant, she was simply carrying for Kevin and Fangs. She told me she would like to pursue a relationship with me, but I told her it wasn't possible. And now, she's in a relationship with Fangs and getting married. T-Toni tried to get back together with me, but I told her no. I-I still l-loved her, and I told her no. I'm so stupid."
At the last of her words, Cheryl bursts into tears.
As she loudly starts to sob, Alice quickly sits her cigarette in the ashtray and stands. She walks over to Cheryl and pulls her into a hug.
"It's okay, dear," Alice says.
"No, it's not," Cheryl cries.
Alice hugs her tighter. She lets Cheryl cry until there are no tears left.
"I'm sorry," Cheryl says as she rises from Alice's arms, her voice hoarse
"You have nothing to apologize for, Cheryl," Alice responds, pulling out the chair beside her and taking a seat.
She picks up her cigarette and takes another deep drag. She blows out the smoke a few seconds later and looks back at Cheryl.
"I'm not going to tell you to let go of your feelings for Toni."
"I don't think that's possible," Cheryl quietly says.
"And I'm not going to tell you to move on," Alice says, "but I do want you to live your life. Don't let Toni's marriage have a permanent hold on you. Don't let it isolate you like your breakup with her did. I'm sure Betty, Tabitha, and your other friends wouldn't like it if you isolated yourself again."
Cheryl nods. "I'm not going to do that, but I have had...bad thoughts."
"What do you mean?"
"After Toni left, I thought of cursing her and Fangs' marriage. I was going to go to Kevin, but I found myself here instead."
"Well," Alice starts, "I am glad that you came here instead, and I think it would be best for you not to curse their marriage. As nice as that sounds, it wouldn't be fair to Toni."
"I know," Cheryl says, looking away.
Alice takes one last drag of her cigarette before putting it out. "And while this may not be the best idea, I will tell you it."
Cheryl looks back at her.
"I know you can't let go of your feelings for Toni, and neither Minerva nor Heather can replace her. Maybe, you should tell Toni your feelings before it's too late."
"But her Fangs are getting married. Isn't it already too late?"
"Maybe not," Alice shakes her head. "She still had feelings for you a few months ago. Who's to say she doesn't still have them? I'm not going to tell you this will work, and that she'll call off her engagement, but it could help you."
"Okay," Cheryl nods. "I think I can do that. I think I can."
"And even if it doesn't work out or you decide not to do it, don't give up hope. Maybe Toni's marriage with Fangs will apart, and you two will get back together."
Cheryl smiles at that. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, dear. No matter what happens though, continue to live your life."
"I will."
"Good," Alice smiles. She pulls Cheryl into another hug.
When the hug ends, Cheryl sighs and says, "Well, I think better be going."
"Okay," Alice stands, pulling Cheryl up with her. "I'll be sure to email you."
"Please do," Cheryl smiles. "Toodles," she says with a wave.
"Bye, dear," Alice waves.
As Cheryl left, she felt much better. She had hope for the future.
Whatever that future may look like.
Preferably, however, Cheryl would like that future to be with Toni.