7.38 PM, APT B4
"Oh, Sonny!" Sonny Munroe's voice sounded peculiar to say the least. It was deeper than usual, yet still obviously belonging to her. Atop her head she wore the cut end of a mop; its golden yellow strips of yarn spilling down overtop her face. "Have I ever told you that you're the most beautiful girl in the world?"
There was a rustling of noise as the figure ducked out of view.
A few moments later a head popped up. Again, it appeared to be Sonny Munroe. Only this one looked the same. Dark hair, pale skin, shining smile – almost completely the same, just about six years younger. Her lips were smudged with bright red lipstick, obviously something she had stolen from her mother's collection. Unaware of how to properly apply the colored wand, she looked more like a clown than a regal beauty queen. However, it didn't seem to stop the grin that was spread from ear to ear upon her dazzling face.
"Oh Chad Dylan Cooper," she tittered, waving her hand dismissively. Her wrists were covered in gold, beaded bracelets. They jangled as she moved each delicate finger. "You have, but go ahead – say it again."
Ducking from view once more, there was another whooshing of sound – the sound of hands smacking against lips as they erased all traces of scarlet hue, the sound of a makeshift wig being piled on top of a head, and the girlish grunts as jewelry that was too tight were pulled from the arms.
"You," Sonny spoke again in her low voice, eyes peering up into the camera. In her Chad costume, she brushed a few pieces of the mop's dying strands out of her face. "Sonny Munroe. Are the most beautiful girl in the whole world. The whole universe even!"
Again, the changing of costumes – in fact, it continued four more times, back and forth banter of beauty and wit until at last Sonny reappeared once more, the wig spilling over her nose as she gazed longingly at the empty space beside her.
"I love you Sonny Munroe," she whispered, hands clutching dramatically at her chest as she presented her invisible partner with a single rose. "Will you marry me?"
The camera turned off, static fizzling across the screen – lines bubbling like a carbonated soft drink. This time, a few seconds later, when the image returned – Sonny stood alone as herself. Donning a long white dress with frills, two sizes too big, she held a bouquet of plastic lilies with a beaming childish smile as she spoke the tape's final words. "I, Sonny, take thee Chad." Sighing blissfully, she held the clumped gathering of flowers against her nose and inhaled deeply – exhaling as though they held a sweetness she never could've fathomed before. "And we'll live happy – ever – after."
The television shut off with a crack – like thunder against the window panes. Sonny stood, morosely staring ahead at nothing in particular. "I was like ten or eleven when I made this," she muttered through flushed cheeks. Her heart felt like it was literally trying to wrench its way out of her chest. "It used to just be kind of embarrassing," she noted. "And then, I actually met you – worked a building away from you." She studied Chad's face for some sort of reaction – the maniacal laughter she knew was soon to come. "You have no idea what kind of panic I went through, worrying that you would find this one day."
"Ice cream" Madeline announced, bustling into the tiny living room with two full bowls in her hands. The tips of her fingers were blue, most likely from the frigid temperature of the treat she was holding.
Chad accepted his, still rather catatonic but at least sitting up at this point. Feigning a grin, Sonny grabbed the second bowl, thanking Madeline quietly before she disappeared back into the oblivious darkness of the kitchen.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Sonny's legs trembled from underneath of her as Chad continued to watch the now unmoving television screen – shoveling the icy contents of his bowl into his mouth quickly, barely bothering to swallow in between bites. "Mock me? Tease me? Laugh at me? Tell me," she demanded. "What're you thinking?"
Chad hesitated, half the bowl gone before he finally met her gaze. "You really think my hair looks like that?" he asked incredulously. Absently his fingers brushed against his scalp as though worried his fine, yellow locks had been traded in for yarn and string while he hadn't been paying attention.
Sonny felt a tiny tug of relief. It might not have been forgiveness, but it was definitely something. "I was working on a budget. Next time I'll just spring for the deluxe wigs – what do you say?"
Chad nodded quietly, returning to his rather unresponsive state. Gulping down the remainder of the frozen flavored milk, he set the bowl aside – features fraught with a visible tension. Sonny bit her lower lip nervously, suddenly finding herself looking away – though unsure of why.
"Chad, please say something," she beseeched, her brow knitting itself into an apprehensive crease.
At last, breaking the silence – Chad rose to his feet. Sonny nearly had to reach out and grab him, his feet were so shaky. "I'm going to bed," he announced coldly, not even bothering to look her in the eye.
Sonny's chest deflated as her heart sank down towards her toes. This was her most embarrassing video. Not to mention it was all the more embarrassing that she was showing it to Chad – the object of her childhood affection. "No!" she cried out suddenly, latching on to his arms. "Wait."
She'd said she was sorry. She'd apologized in every way possible. She'd practically thrown herself at his mercy with this video. He could've easily run to his computer and blogged about the whole thing the minute she'd finished showing it to him but she'd known he wouldn't. She'd known he would forgive her after seeing it.
Or at least she'd hoped.
"Goodnight, Sonny." There was no emotion in his voice as he tried to turn away from her. Without thinking, she blocked him – her chest against his as she thrust herself against his set path – a human barricade.
"Wait," she said again, her voice as young as in the video – frail and innocent. And then, as though her arms and hands had taken over her without so much as a though – she cradled his face with the rough side of her palms. Oh God! What was she doing?
She'd needed the help from a pig the last time a moment like this had arose. A pig! But this time there were no nerves, no doubt. This was right and this was happening.
Pressing her lips gently against his, she could feel the shock of the kiss spread along the contour of his mouth – yet she held him there. "Now tell me," she exhaled tenderly as she pulled away with caution. "What are you thinking?"
Chad's pupils were round and dancing about with awe. She'd kissed him. Sonny Munroe had kissed him. He stood frozen in place as he began to speak. "I'm thinking," he started with an unnerved breath before unexpectedly breaking free of her grasp – his hands clamping against his mouth as the once cold ice cream began to burn its way back up his throat. His stomach clenched as a wave of both confusion – had she really just done that – and nausea pounded throughout his motionless body. Darting down the hallway with the loudest of footsteps, his voice still carrying with the echoes of the walls as he called after her. "I'm thinking I'm going to be sick."