My Best Friend Sonny - Chapter One
A/N: Well... What can I say? We did it again! A new short story by myself (RoxyGirl24) and Jen (rescuemama2007) This one's called My Best Friend Sonny. Before you start reading this story, I just wanna say thanks to Jen, who is one of my best friends a great thank you for putting up with me and my crazy ideas! Believe it or not, this was something that I thought about for 3 days in bed when I was sick a few weeks ago. I got up and starting writing a rough draft and Jen worked her magic! I know, some of you might not like the short chapters, but this was intended to be a one-shot. But after great consideration, I decided to go for a 4 part chapter series. So a small chapter a day perhaps? Just a note to let you know that you will be reading many flash-backs in this story. I don't wanna confuse anyone, and if I do, I'm sorry! So, I'll shut up now, and let you finally read the first chapter. Here's My Best Friend Sonny...Roxy and Jen oxo
Present day...March 4th, 2014
My Mom's arm held on to mine tightly as we walked through the long hallway leading up to the gardens, where in just a few seconds, I was about to marry my fiancé of two years, James.
I actually can't believe this day finally came. We've talked about the wedding so many times over so many months, and now today is the day.
Ever since I came out, I've wondered if I'd ever find that perfect match for me; someone to laugh with, to build a home with, to plan a future with. And I think James is it. I hope he is. He is. After all who wouldn't want to be with him? James is every man's dream guy. He's smart, funny, and very attractive. He has these piercing green eyes that almost crinkle shut when he smiles. His laugh is contagious, and I can't help but join in when he gets going.
I met him back when I started my freshman year at Salem University, and we basically hit it off right from the start. He came in late to the first day of our Art
History lecture, and after apologizing to the professor, he introduced himself to me. I still remember that moment so clearly.
"Hello there, I'm James and you are?"
"Um, hi, I'm Will," I whispered back not wanting to draw the teacher's attention.
"Will. It suits you." He sat back in this chair and then turned one last time to look at me. That's when I saw this unapologetic admiration shining in the most
beautiful hazel eyes I had ever seen. He focused on me boldly. "Will, I think I'm really going to like this class."
That was really all it took. I ended up asking him out, and we've been together for two years now. Just a few months into our relationship on the first New Year's Eve we spent together, James proposed to me, and I accepted without question. Because that's what you do when you love someone. You settle down and you get married. But somehow, today of all days, something didn't feel right.
Because my best friend wasn't here...Sonny.
Sonny was the reason I'm even here today. During the most confusing and frustrating times of my coming out process, he was always there for me. Sonny had this way about him that made everything he does seem effortless. I could never get how easily he'd start-up conversations with strangers or come up with the most brilliant idea for his Small Business class or how honestly he would talk to his parents. I loved being with Sonny. He was the most perfect best friend for me. He was strong when I couldn't be; he was selfless when I needed comforting; he was generous and supportive and the only one I could tell anything to. And now, on the biggest day of my life, I felt his absence tearing at my heart.
"I think this is your stop baby boy," Mom told me as we reached the end of the hallway.
"Yeah, I guess your right."
Apparently I didn't do a very good job at convincing my mother with that answer, because within seconds she started with her interrogation.
"Will, what's wrong?" she asked with a concerned look on her face. "Why do you look so sad? This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life."
I tried to shrug it off, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn't hide my disappointment.
"Sonny's leaving today."
The Day Before...March 3rd, 2014
"Will, um, can you sit down for a moment? I know you have lots to do, but I really need to talk to you."
"Sure Sonny, I'll always have time for you!"
Sonny closed his eyes momentarily before looking back at me. "You know that's going to change when you get married," he finished softly.
"No. It hasn't changed while I've been with James so far, right? It didn't change when we got engaged and moved in together, so why should it now?"
Sonny shook his head slightly and attempted a smile. "Because it has to, Will. This is the man you're spending your life with, and you need to start confiding in him instead of me."
"Sonny, why are you bringing this up today...the day before my wedding?"
"I'm sorry, Will, this isn't what I wanted to talk to you about. What I wanted to tell you is something I've felt for a while now. We've been the best of friends for so long and I can't help but wonder..."
"You can't help but wonder what?" I had absolutely no idea what he was getting at, and my blank stare clearly communicated that.
And then Sonny's expression changed. He looked away from me and fiddled with the shoe string on his boots. "I can't help but wonder if we're still going to stay friends."
"Seriously? Like you've said, we've been best friends for so long. How could I get along without you? You are standing up for me at my wedding tomorrow. You are the person I want by my side, Sonny."
"No, Will. James is the person you want by your side," he corrected me.
"You know what I mean, Sonny!"
"Yeah, I do."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is that there's nothing left for me here, Will! I'm doing nothing with my life, my brothers are all away from home exploring the world, my best friend's getting married, and here I am, going nowhere with nobody."
"Sonny, I had no idea you felt this way..."
"Yeah, well, I do."
"How come you didn't tell me? We could have talked and done something about it together."
"See Will, that's just it. We won't be doing that stuff together anymore. You have that somebody in your life now who you will make plans with and build a life with. That person isn't me anymore, Will, because tomorrow James will be your husband. He deserves to be your best friend now."
"Oh my god. You're dumping me as a friend, aren't you?"
"No! We will always be friends, Will. I just think some distance between us would be good."
"Okay, we'll take some time away. I'll be gone on my honeymoon for two weeks anyway, so that should give you the space you need..."
"Ah, Will, the distance I was talking about is more than that. See, I'm leaving Salem."
"What?" I shouted completely in shock.
"Calm down, Will, it's something I've been thinking about but never acted on until they approached me last month."
"Okay, what the hell is going on? And what happened to my best friend, Sonny, who tells me everything? When did we start keeping secrets, Son?"
"Will, it's not like that." I opened my mouth to say something else but he stopped me. "Will, just listen. A friend of mine from the outdoors store, Dee, the one I'm always climbing with, well, she got a job creating training classes for all levels of climbers, and she asked me to work for her."
"Oh. So, is she moving far away or is it nearby, not too far from Salem?"
"It's kind of far away. Will, she's moving to Moab."
My heart dropped to my stomach and my throat was suddenly dry. "Moab, Utah?" I managed to ask.
Sonny just nodded.
As soon as I felt tears springing to my eyes, I had to turn away from him. He was leaving Salem. My best friend was moving thousands of miles away to Utah. And he told me the day before my wedding. "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow, Will. I have to be there for the first orientation class tomorrow night."
I was so stunned I could only nod. He was moving away and would miss my wedding, the most important event in my life and one I was counting on sharing with my best friend. I didn't - no couldn't - say anything. I was so mad that I wanted to cry.
"Will, I know it's horrible timing, but this is a really big opportunity for me. I didn't officially make the decision until a couple of weeks ago when I realized I really need to do something with my life."
"What about us opening up a coffee shop together? What happened to that idea, Sonny?"
"Will, you and James can follow that dream of yours together."
"I thought it was our dream," I said softly.
"I know. It is. It was. I mean, Will, I need this for me, okay? I need to find myself. I can't just stay here where I'm not happy or fulfilled."
"I guess I didn't realize that you weren't happy."
"Will, I just...you have found your partner in James. You need to focus on building a life together. I need to go and focus on me and what I want. And maybe someday I'll find a partner and get married, too."
Wanting Sonny to stay in Salem for me was kind of selfish when he had always wanted to travel the world and explore. Now was his chance to do that. Despite the tears falling from my eyes, I was happy for him. "I know that you need to do what's best for you."
"And I think this is it, Will."
"Well, good for you," I forced a smile and proceeded to wipe my cheeks with my sweatshirt sleeve.
"I'm so sorry, Will, that I can't be there with you tomorrow. But I just can't pass this opportunity up."
"I understand, Sonny." At least I was trying to understand why my very best friend would choose to leave town the day before I was to get married. "I know you have to do this. And I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Will, that means so much."
We stood there in silence, neither of us knowing what to say next. I glanced at my watch and realized I only had a few hours before my rehearsal dinner.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared to say good-bye to Sonny. "Um, I have to go, Sonny, I have to get ready for the rehearsal dinner."
"Oh that's right, Will! I'm sorry. Go, get ready...I need to finish packing anyway."
I just nodded. "Okay, so please call, email, message me when you get settled. I'd love to hear from you, Sonny. To know that you're doing well."
"Sure, Will."
And then I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around him in an intense hug. I tried to hold back my tears; I wanted to be supportive and strong. He held me back so tightly. At one point we breathed in together and I heard Sonny whisper, "Will..."
So I pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "Yes?" A part of me wanted him to say that he had changed his mind - that he couldn't leave after all - that our friendship meant too much for him to move so far away.
"Congratulations to you and James. You are good for each other, and I hope you have an amazing wedding."
"Thank you," I whispered back still trying to maintain my composure. "Good luck, Sonny," I said to him before I ran out the door, leaving my best friend behind. I finally got into my car, and then I let myself break down. I sobbed until I was numb.
Checking my watch again, I saw that I had even less time to get ready for tonight, and after my recent crying episode, I'd have to do some extra work to make myself presentable.
I started my car and headed home unsure when - or if - I'd ever see my best friend, Sonny, again.
To Be Continued...OXO