Disclaimer: Don't own.
Harper grabbed the handle of her suitcase once again and took three steps forward in the line. Alex moaned in despair.
"Seriously...one spell won't hurt!"
"Alex, you said yourself you weren't sure what how to word it." Harper said in a low voice. "I don't want to take any chances, okay?" Alex threw her head back in a dramatic manner, palm against her forehead.
"This line is so huge." she whined. The people behind Harper rolled their eyes, clearly annoyed with this seventeen year olds tantrums.
Harper pushed her forward, giving a quick smile to the couple, "Alex," she hissed, "You know you don't have to be here. I'm not forcing you."
"But I want to say bye." Doing just that seemed like it was going to take another ten years. The line to the security check stretched out like a snake from one end of the building to the other.
She woke up at four o'clock in the morning, before finding out that her parent's couldn't bid farewell to Harper at the airport due to a morning rush. They rented a cab, despite Alex's less than grumpy complaints on just using magic. Waking up before sunrise on a Friday, travelling one hour in a smelly old cab, standing in multiple lines for hours, and finally bidding farewell to your best friends wasn't something Alex was fond of doing. The bright side to this tragic day was not attending school, which was one thing Alex was proudly good at.
Glancing over at her friend, who was slightly beaming at nothing in particular, it finally hit her that in one hour, she was going to be alone. Again.
A familiar sense of dread filled the pit of her stomach. And as Harper looked at her, her brows slightly furrowed, Alex fought back tears. God, Alex, control yourself. You were successful at it for the past 17 years, why now?
Her hand shot up to her short messy hair which she hadn't had the chance to brush in the morning, due to Harper and her fear of missing the flight. "You know, I should get going...I- uh, really, its been a long morning."
Harper laughed, "I understand. I'm actually surprised you even waited with me."
The wizard began backing away, wanting to get as far away from Harper as possible. Her back hit the black belt, causing her to stumble. "Yeah, me too."
"I'll call you when I get there, okay?"
Alex nodded frantically, bending over the belt. "Yeah, okay...bye." Harper seemed confused, and for a moment Alex felt truly bad for running off like that. But the moment she turned the corner, her friend called back. "Alex!"
Looking back at the girl wearing a short dress covered in pineapples along with a matching hat (which Alex was sure was going to cause her some problems at the security checkpoint), it never occurred to her how much she respected the former.
"I'm sorry," Harper said.
Before finally leaving, Alex dashed to give her one last hug.
SONNY MONROE LEAVES THE CAST OF SO RANDOM:
Earlier this week, Sonny Monroe, break out star of the comedy SO RANDOM, called it quits on the cast. "They're disrespectful, awful, I couldn't take it anymore." Monroe was spotted leaving the set in a rage of fury Thursday morning, tears on her face. When asked, she responded that her co-star, Tawni Hart, got into an argument that turned physical, hence the wounds that were riding up Monroe's arms. "I heard screaming, one girl was yelling awful words, it was unbelievable," a janitor stated. "These are girls setting up examples for the world, but in the end, they're nothing but fake-"
Sonny slapped the magazine down and threw it across the aisle seats. She was the only one in the small jet, but for some reason, the space around her seemed pact. She zipped open her jacket and shook it off.
"We are making a landing in ten minutes, please buckle up, thank you." the intercom said.
She couldn't help but sigh in annoyance. It felt weird being treated like that. But what was worse was the fact that the whole nation thought she was 'fake'. Sonny could only imagine what horrible rumors were going on about her. Possibly the best thing to do at the moment was enjoy the ride above the ground, where her career wasn't slowly falling apart.
Twenty minutes later, she grabbed her bags and walked through the tunnel. She made her way through the Gate with the flight attendant, who exchanged some words with her. The star appreciated the ladies attempt to not bring anything personal up. But in the end, as they stood in an elevator, the flight attendant leaned in, "So what did you guy's fight about?" Luckily, the doors opened to her level, leaving Sonny alone, again. She had no idea what was going to be on the other side of the door when it opened for her. Her agent promised that some man was awaiting her presence, who was supposedly going to be a guide through this whole disaster.
She did call her mom forty eight hours ago, but due to her busy schedule, she couldn't make it- leaving Sonny all alone...
A sudden brightness hit her eyes, causing her to wince in pain. Once in the open, she took in the atmosphere of the New York airport.
Except...she couldn't see it because of the dozen paparazzi men flashing gigantic cameras in her eye.
"Oh!" the men surrounded her, asking all sorts of questions.
"Sonny Monroe, what exactly happened-"
"Where do you plan to go from here?"
"Are you dating anyone currently-"
"What...?" her mind couldn't comprehend everything all at once. The flashes drew nearer to her face. Any moment now and she'd be blinded to death.
"Outta her way, you freaks!" Someone's masculine voice sounded in the air. A man, seeming a few years older, scowled down at her. Before she could say anything, he gripped her hand and pulled her through the mass of paparazzi. Despite being clear on their unwelcomed presence, the men continued to follow the star through the long halls of the airport. Many civilians stopped and watch the scene past them. The strange man's grip on her only tightened.
"I-I'm sorry, but who are you?" she raised her voice.
"My name is Stanley. I'm the guy whose job it is to protect you."
"You're my bodyguard?"
He turned his head slightly at her, "I prefer not to be called that." Stanley suddenly yanked her into a sub-train tunnel. The camera men stopped, puzzled, realizing they couldn't board the vehicle. Only then did she realize she was smiling, glad to have them off her back. "Hold on to the pole."
The doors closed and the train began to move...fast. Her body propelled toward the window, but a strong arm caught her. "Careful."
She turned red in embarrassment, "Thanks..." Only then did she take in his full appearance.
Stanley was really tall. That was the first thing Sonny noticed. His hair was blonde and unkempt, and his eyes were a gorgeous blue. He was wearing all black, just how she imagined a body guard to be like. "One thing, Stanley," she began, gaining her posture, "I don't really need a guard...I don't get how-"
"Well, I'm not just here to do that, I'm also the guide." Her mouth formed a small 'oh'. "I have everything planned out for you."
Sonny narrowed her eyes, "Planned out?"
His body leaned against the medal pole, arms crossed. "What? You expect to enter New York City and just do as you please? Ha."
Sonny pouted. "For this whole stunt to play out perfectly, you're going to have to follow my orders as planned." he continued.
"Orders?" she repeated.
He shrugged, grabbing onto the pole as the train stopped, "Yeah, for example, we are heading straight to the luggages once this train stops. Then we're going to the hotel that they reserved for you. You have an interview at 5 with the Broadway institute down by the bay, and tonight, you're going to make a public appearance announcing your arrival. The speech is also prepared for you."
Sonny struggled for words at first, "S-speech?"
"But that's just today." he pulled out a small book, "You are pretty much booked for the rest of the month."
"But I don't want to do this!" She knew she sounded like a child, "I was told that I can do anything I want! I have unlimited airfare!"
Stanley crossed his arms one more time, smirking, "You really are delusional."
She gaped at him, "Excuse me?" Her voice was really high, earning a confused look from the man standing next to her.
"You need to pull your head out of the gutter. Come on." he grabbed her arm, yet again, and pulled her through open doors. The airport gigantic, filled with hundreds of people and their luggage. Across the building, Sonny could make out a cafeteria, and on cue her stomach growled. "This way." Stanley led her to the luggage department with force.
This guy needed to let her go. Sooner or later there was going to be a bruise from the way he was gripping her. "Slow down!'
"Um, no. We're already behind schedule."
Sonny shook her head and yanked her arm out of his grip, "I'm sorry, but I am eighteen years old and I refuse to be your puppet!"
He had an amused expression on his face when he took a step towards her, "What does being eighteen have to do with anything?"
"B-Because, that means I am a legal adult...a-and I can make my own decisions." His intimidating gaze on her was making it really hard to speak.
"Do you want to get fired permanently and ruin your career?"
She scoffed, "My career couldn't get any worse than this, can it?"
He only stared at her, pondering something.
"...What I'm trying to say is...is that I will do what I want because the industry owes me big time!"
He crossed his arms, "Oh, really? Like what, Sonny?"
If she really let this Stanley control her for the next month, Sonny could only imagine her days consisting of interviews and other publicity stuff that will surely force her to say anything but the truth. Living that type of life was not how Sonny was raised. That's why this whole stunt made her uneasy, but the only reason why she was at the New York Airport was due to the fact that her agent said she'd be free to do anything. And now this stranger was ruining everything and...- it just made Sonny want to scream in frustration.
But she kept her cool down. Because she was a good role model, someone who was able to control anger. "Stanley, look over there!" she screamed off in the distance, finger pointing behind him. He turned around in confusion.
"...I don't see anything...H-HEY!"
Sonny didn't know what got to her. But at the moment, as her feet carried her farther and farther away from the blonde (who disgustingly reminded her of a certain Cooper), she felt free. Like a lion finally out of its cage. Okay, maybe lion wasn't the greatest description of the bubbly tv star, possibly more like a...stallion. Yeah, stallion seemed to suite her-
"OW!"
"Ooh-" bags in the air, legs tangled, knees giving in, the two came tumbling down on one another. "Oh my god." Sonny took in a deep breath, making sure her limbs were still intact.
"Get offa me-" The fellow victim placed both her hands on the stars shoulder and shoved her off. Alex Russo sat upright and rubbed her sore shoulder.
"Sonny Monroe!" a distant voice yelled. Sonny hissed lightly under her breath and moved around frantically for her bag and purse.
"Aw, shoot, my stuff is everywhere!" Alex yelled, now on her knees.
"Monroe!"
Now on full panic, Sonny dived for the nearest items and scooted them into her arms. "Hey! That's mine!"
This can't be happening right now! Her eyes darted towards any safe hiding spot.
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
That'll have to do for now.
"Come!" Sonny grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her up, making a mad dash towards the door. Thankfully it wasn't locked.
"What the hell are you-"
"Shh!" Shoving Alex through the door and jumping in herself, she could here Stanley's voice drawing nearer.
"Motherf-" Alex gasped, "OW!"
It was only then did Sonny realize that 'Authorized Personnel Only' was...a janitors closet. That, and the fact that she shoved the poor girl into a pile of buckets and brooms and was now lying on the ground, rubbing her head in pain. Oh, and it was pitch black.
Sonny dropped the items and bags to the ground and knelt before the girl, "I am truly sorry. Are you okay?" Her hand reached the other girl's shoulder, but Alex shrugged it off.
"Can you explain to me why exactly I'm in a fucking closet with you? And, ugh, I think I'm bleeding!"
Sonny's heart raced, now worried for her. "Oh, no! Uh-"
"Is there a light in here? Goddamit..." Alex continued to mutter.
"Yeah, I think I saw a switch-"
"Ow! My foot!"
Sonny squeaked in surprise, "Sorry!" Her hand swapped the air for a few minutes, searching for the long switch.
"Hurry up!"
"I'm trying!" Click. She sighed at the sudden brightness of the bulb. She lowered her gaze at the girl before her, and was suddenly struck dumb..
Cheesiness aside, Sonny was pretty sure she had just laid eyes on the prettiest girl ever. Maybe that would have been an over statement, but as Alex sat there, cupping her forehead with her hand, another resting on the opposite shoulder, short, dark brown hair falling across her head, Sonny could care less. Although what really shook Sonny to her core was those dark eyes, glaring at her with such passion. No matter how deep she looked, there was nothing but pain and anger written across her face. Yet, she saw no hatred.
And that was what encouraged her to speak up after a few minutes, "You're not bleeding." Sonny's voice was small but far from weak.
"What?" Sonny also noted a tinge of sadness resting within her eyes. There were bags underneath them, making it really obvious the girl had recently been crying. It made her heart go out to the distressed one, despite knowing her for...three minutes.
"Your head...it's just swollen. You're not bleeding." Sonny found herself kneeling before Alex.
The wizard in hiding removed her palm from her forehead, "Oh."
They sat there for several minutes, neither exchanging words. It was a comfortable silence, and Sonny found herself examining the girl further on.
Finally Alex spoke up, "Are you going to explain to me why you shoved me into this closet?"
"Oh, right," the tv star found herself blushing, "Well, I was running from this guy and I bumped into you, and seeing that our stuff were all mixed together, I brought you with me."
Alex nodded in understanding, "Who were you running from?"
"Oh, that doesn't matter." she stood up suddenly and leaned against the closed door, "In fact, I think the coast is clear..." Her eyes wandered back to the girl who only blankly gazed up at her, "We should also tend to your wounds."
"I'll be fine."
Sonny frowned, "You should get some ice as soon as possible-"
"I have a cold bottle- right there by your feet, yeah." Sonny knelt down, holding the cold ice water bottle in her hands. The girl glanced at her, weirdly.
"I can do it myself..."
"Just move your hand." Alex rolled her eyes and dropped her arm, revealing a large red bump on her forehead. Sonny grimaced, "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."
She applied the end of the bottle lightly against the girls skin. Alex winced at first, then eased against the coolness. "Yeah, I know."
Sonny chuckled, but Alex was far from amused. "You owe me big time."
The star of 'So Random' had a sudden urge to pull back the girl's hair covering her eye, though she knew that would be too awkward. "Yeah...I know."
Her eyes began to flicker around the closet, avoiding Sonny's alluring gaze. "Uh- You know, I-I don't let random people tend to my wounds...so, consider yourself lucky."
"Who say's I was enjoying this?" Two could play at this game.
Alex swallowed hard. "That stupid smile on your face."
Sonny quickly pulled herself together, coughing awkwardly, "Well, hey...at least I know how to smile!" It was meant as a joke, but seeing the expression on Alex's face, the girl must have taken it the wrong way.
"What-?! I was pushed in a closet by some chick and now I look like a have a pimple the size of a golf ball! You expect me to smile?"
"Oh no- I didn't mean it like-"
"My day has already been fucked up as it is..." Alex muttered. Her eyes lowered to the hem of her shirt where her fingers were playing at it, absentmindedly.
The atmosphere in the closet drastically darkened. Sonny lowered her hand and placed the bottle on the ground. She rested her butt on the ground, back leaning against a rack, "Do you want to talk about it?"
There was something about this stranger...
"Heh. I don't even know your name."
Her heart felt comfortable, peaceful than it had been in weeks. The girl's voice brought an unusual warmth to Sonny.
"Sonny."
Their eyes locked briefly, a sense of understanding passed between them.
"Alex." Her eyes were blinking rather quickly, trying to rid of the moisture gathering at her eyes. "God, this is embarrassing."
Personally, Sonny found it ridiculously adorable. Her day was turning rather well with each second she spent sitting in the closet with Alex. "Oh no!"
Alex jumped slightly, "What?"
"Did you have a flight to catch? Someone to pick up? Oh god, I'm so sorry!"
"Well, obviously if I've been sitting here for the past ten minutes talking to some stranger there's nothing waiting for me." Alex said.
Sonny relaxed and grinned, "Right. You know we should organize our bags..."
"Ugh. Just stuff anything that doesn't look like yours in that brown bag. My head hearts too much to move." Sonny was more welcome to do so. "And remind me next time to get a bag with a zipper..."
"Next time?" Oh, stupid Sonny! Of course she didn't literally mean 'next time'! You really think you're going to see her again?!
"I should get going," Alex stated, now lifting her upper body, "My mom will freak out."
"Yeah. Of course," she extended her hand to Alex, who first eyed it suspiciously. "And your head looks perfectly fine."
"Please." They were both standing before each other now. Sonny mentally noted that the girl was slightly taller. "Well, this was rather...fun."
"And awkward." Sonny laughed. "I'm sorry for everything."
"I guess its alright, just pay attention next time you're running through crowds of people in an airport." For the first time since their unusual encounter, Alex smiled. It wasn't a breathtaking or one in a million smile, but it was enough to make Sonny's heart melt.
"Will do."
She gently handed Alex's brown bag back and smiled widely. Sonny hoped she didn't seem stupid, many people tell her that her smile was huge and freaky. Alex stepped around Sonny and opened the door. Before she could make her final leave, Alex turned back, "Good luck with whoever was chasing you."
Despite knowing Alex for this short amount of time, knowing that Sonny might never see her again saddened her. Sonny couldn't pinpoint why she was so drawn. "M-Milkshakes!"
"Huh?" Alex looked over her shoulder, a baffled expression on her face.
"Milkshakes. When I feel down I have a lot of milkshakes." Alex continued to stare at her blankly. "They help a lot. Trust me."
"Okay." Alex smiled awkwardly, "Thank you...?"
"B-bye." As the girl disappeared within the moving crowds of the airport, Sonny smaked herself against her forehead. She just had to say that, didn't she? Now Alex probably thought she was some weird girl with a knack to run away from men and bump into girls and drag them into closets and drink milkshakes when-
Oh, wait a minute. She was Sonny Monroe...
That girl had no idea who she was?
AND CUT. Yay I finally got the confrontation done. I had so many other ways that they could have met, but I found this case more funny and interesting. And that Stanley guy popped out of nowhere...but I think I'll find some good use with him later on.
Thank you for reading, I hope you review!
I should be doing my homework,
Dumbadosis.