Author's Note: I actually have an outline for this. Like. A real outline. I know. It shocked me too. But uh. Anyways. I really hope you enjoy, and a GIGANTIC thank you to Jamie, my amazing Beta. (:

And thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. I was really worried that I wouldn't pull off a Sonny/Alex, so really, thank you. (:

-x-

Two Years Later

Alex fidgeted with the end of her scarf, her bottom lip firmly between her teeth. It was a beautiful October day, the few golden and scarlet leaves on the ground made the small park look like a postcard. She briefly considered taking a picture with her phone, no matter how choppy it would be. A familiar English accent reminded her that taking a beautiful picture of a sad day would only make the day hurt more.

"Hey, Alex." Mason said cheerily. Alex looked up at her ex-boyfriend, a small smile on her lips. She hated today.

"Hey, you." She twisted in her seat to face Mason, giving him a one-armed hug.

"How've you been?" It felt so strange to talk to him like this. Just months ago, he wouldn't have had to ask. They would have spent every minute of every day together, totally inseparable. He never used to ask, he knew because he was there.

"I've been alright. I've missed you." After they'd been forced to break up, Alex realized she wasn't upset as much as she probably should have been. She missed Mason so much, but she felt like an idiot for not realizing how she missed him. Breaking up had hit Mason hard, and Alex was more than happy to give him space if he needed it. "But..." She just wasn't happy to give him this much space. "I have to tell you something." Mason frowned, but nodded.

"Alright." He said cautiously. Alex ran a hand through her hair and gave Mason a sad look. It seemed like she gave him more bad news than good news.

"I'm moving." He almost looked relieved and Alex's stomach sank. "To California." His face fell and he turned away from her, his eyes looking anywhere but her.

"Oh." His voice was so low that Alex wasn't even sure he'd said anything. A thick silence covered them and Alex really wished the rest of the world would quit looking so damn cheery while she sat here to be the bearer of bad news. She was really good at breaking this guy's heart.

"Mason, I..." She what? She was sorry? Sorry couldn't fix this, and Mason would just point out that it wasn't her fault. They'd all know they'd be forced to move sooner or later, but no one thought it would be to the other side of the country. "I'm sorry." But it was all she could say.

"It's not your fault." No, but she wished it was. She wished this was just one of her crazy schemes, that she could just wave her wand and everything would be better. "For your dad?" Alex nodded and he smiled sadly. "Then I'm glad you're going." Alex tired to smile back, she really did. Instead, she found herself tucked under Mason's arm and trying so hard not to let him see her cry.

-x-

Alex didn't bother to hold in her sigh as she nervously stepped into her bedroom. Her old, empty bedroom. It was so wrong to see it this way. She had so many rugs on the ground, she often forgot that her room had wooden flooring. Now the room was bare, the windows open to let it the crisp air and chase away the smell of her body spray, perfume, shampoo and laundry detergent. She sighed again, slightly sadder, twice as defeated. She sulked over to her closet and kneeled in the doorway, brushing away the dust and taking in a deep breath. She couldn't leave this here.

Her fingers slid across the floor until she touched the slightly discolored planks. She hesitated, but gently pried the boards up reached a hand in, thankful that she didn't feel any spiders or webs. She carefully pulled the intricate cherry wood music box out of the thin slot in the floor and smiled when she saw it. She slid the floorboards back into place and backed out of the closet. Her fingers glided over the lid, the built in picture frame making a bittersweet smile pull at her lips. She brushed the dirt off the glass and traced a finger along the perfectly pale face smiling up at her.

"Hey." Alex looked up from the box and smiled at Harper. She hadn't even heard her come upstairs.

"Hey." Alex replied, her voice low, eyes red. Harper joined her on the floor and nudged Alex with her shoulder.

"You okay?"

"How could I not be, when you're wearing a hat like that?" Alex poked the beanie baby on the brim of Harper's cowboy hat and chuckled.

"Hey, Speedy is happy to be seeing the outside world." Harper defended.

"Speedy?"

"Yeah? He's a cheetah? Duh." Alex snorted and set the box down to wrap both arms around one of Harper's. Harper smiled and leaned her head against Alex's.

"No, I'm not okay."

"You will be." Alex hummed in response, but said nothing more, content to just be with Harper. "You'll call every day, won't you?" Alex grinned and pulled back from her best friend with a smile.

"And text you every minute."

"Alex! Let's go!" Alex frowned at her mother's voice echoing through the apartment, but got up with a sigh. She'd been doing that a lot lately. She linked arms with Harper, music box securely in hand, and they reluctantly walked downstairs.

"I'll come and visit, you know." Alex said, a real smile on her face. Harper nodded and returned the smile, but didn't say anything. It wouldn't be the same. They ducked to avoid the pipe as they came into the basement that once served as a garage and, until recently, Harper's bedroom. It was as bitterly empty as the rest of the four story building, minus the new SUV they'd been able to afford after selling the sub station. After selling their home.

"I'm gonna miss you, Alex." Harper murmured. Alex bit her lip and set the box down to throw her arms around Harper. Hell, the other half of her. She squeezed her eyes shut hard and mentally scolded herself for hating this so much. She was being selfish.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come with us?" She already knew the answer, but she had to try.

"I can't, Lex." Alex laughed, maybe a little harder than the nickname called for, but she couldn't cry. Not in front of Harper. She had to be strong.

"I know." She hugged Harper tighter, so hard she was surprised the other girl could still breathe. "I had to try." Harper smiled and pulled away, Alex was glad. She didn't know how much longer she could last. Harper's eyes were red and Alex knew she looked as horrible as Harper did right now. She found it funny, almost, that they were trying so damn hard to keep themselves together for each other. Alex knew Harper was a mess, and vice verse. They both wanted to break down and cling on to each other with promises of never leaving. But instead, Alex gave her another bone crushing hug and clamored into the very back of the large SUV.

She tried so hard, she really did, but she couldn't hold back the most pitiful sob she'd ever heard as she waved to Harper through the back windshield.