The Road to Joy {Sunny}

[ARI CAIN]

Again, why had he chosen to do this? He didn’t actually have to spend time with her outside of school, and he was wasting a perfectly good Saturday by going to the mall with a girl that would give the local Holy Rollers a run for their money. But nope, here he was, on a Saturday fucking morning outside of Baum Academy. Granted he lived here, so it was normal to be hanging around campus—it was not normal for him to be outside of his room. Normally by now his roommate would have gone off somewhere, and Ari would have pulled his curtains closed tightly to make the room dark. Maybe throw on some Bright Eyes while filling the room with smoke as he lay in bed sipping a beer. Maybe rub one out to pass the time. But not out here. In the cold. In the sunshine. Waiting for Miss Thing to come out from the woodworks.

In fact, he wasn’t too sure what gave him the sudden courage to ask her out. It wasn’t actually a date, but he was pretty certain she’d come. After all, he promised her three questions. Three questions that she could ask—anything, and he’d answer them fully and honestly to the best of his ability. At least he knew how to bribe her now—just offer questions. Either way, today was going to be the day he got her out of those ridiculous clothes. Come to think of it, every time he had seen her she had been dressed like that.

Ari adjusted the bag that was slung over his shoulder while he yawned and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Saturday fucking morning. A perfect day to do fuck-all, and here he was waiting for Sunny to get her overdressed little ass out to the front of the school. Why he had even bothered with this idea was way, way beyond him. His actual plan was to get her to the mall and pick out her own clothes, something that she liked. Not something that her father picked out for her. Something that was entirely Sunny, and not…well…whatever her dad’s name was. If he liked her outfits so much, then he could wear them as far as Ari was concerned. He still stuck to the belief that Sunny’s dad was a sick pervert, and needed to stay out of his daughter’s wardrobe choices. Either way, he was taking her shopping.

On a goddamn Saturday morning.

Glancing down at his cellphone, before shoving it back into his pocket, he decided. Five more minutes. He would wait five more minutes for Cecilie Sorensen to show up, before he went back to enjoy his Saturday morning. The proper way. Maybe he could then contemplate what demon possessed him to ask her out in the first place. Then again—she probably didn’t know he intended to bring her to the mall. Hopefully she wouldn’t show up in pajamas or something.

OUTFIT

[CECILIE 'SUNNY' SORENSEN]

Sunny Sorensen --- ☀✿☀

She was only going because she had to do her project. She was not at all intrigued by Ari Cain, and his doom and gloom attitude on life. He was exactly the type of person someone sensitive and sweet like Sunny should go to great lengths to avoid. He was mean humored, vulgar, and smelled like cigarettes. Just a mean boy with intensely dark eyes, someone Sunny had to deal with. Yes, that was all.

But then why did Sunny Sorensen take so much care with her outfit today? Why did she stand before her closet, nibbling her lip red, trying to find a dress he couldn't tease too much? Something that would perhaps show off the slight figure she possessed? A cardigan that would not simply hang off her shoulders, but hugged her frame snugly. She nixed the idea of tights, and instead opted for a near sheer pair of stockings, smoothing the wrinkles carefully. Of course, she wore her mary jane's, as they were her most used shoes. And besides, many people found them to be quite chic. Finally Sunny combed out her long and thick dark hair, before pulling it out of her face with her head band. Yes, she looked alright, right? Much better than the seventeen outfits before. Yes, this was the right one, this was the one she was suppose to be wearing. Everything was fine, no reason to freak out.

Pulling her purse over her shoulder and grabbing the camera, Sunny hurried along, knowing full well that she was late. Indecision plagued the poor girl, who kept slowing down to consider returning to her room to change again.

But no! She looked fine. And Julian had always told her to never give into a bully, to always stand her ground. Of course, this sometimes conflicted with her Father's dainty darling teachings. Together it created a quasipacifist, who had a subtle wit and a good amount of poise. If Ari Cain thought he could get the better of her, than he had another thing coming, didn't he? Just because he thought he was the coolest thing since the ice cube, didn't mean he had any baring on her life. None, whatsoever, with the exception of this stupid project they had to do together.

She had wanted to change seventeen times this morning, and she hadn't added a little spray of her special occasion mango perfume for his benefit! It just smelled nice! She had just been curious by her own accord the night she had waited for her roommates to be asleep, before plugging in her head phones, and exploring.... strange places... on the internet. That adventure ended, but it had begun because SHE HAD WANTED TOO. It had nothing to do with smug Ari Cain.

With quick, tapping, steps, Sunny reached him, smoothing her dress. What a strange place to want to meet. "God morgen, Ari. How are you- That does not count as one of my questions. I get three good ones, with good answers, yes?" She was already so wary of him, she held the camera up with some caution. "Are you ready to begin?"

[ARI CAIN]

Well, it took her long enough, but she showed up. Good on that, at least. He straightened up when he saw her and readjusted his bag. “No, that doesn’t count on your questions.” He said flatly. Though he was tired, and irritable, he wasn’t as irritable as he had expected. This surprised him; the fact that the sight of Sunny didn’t actually piss him off more. He wasn’t as disappointed as he thought he would be, and he wasn’t as eager to go back to his room as he thought. In fact, he was a little relieved when she showed up in that horrible outfit, and raised the camera at him. “We’re going to the mall. C’mon.” He glanced at the camera for a moment, then started to walk down the sidewalk. She could follow, unless she didn’t like the idea of going to the mall. He could lead a horse to water, but he couldn’t make it drink.

“Ask whenever you want.” He shrugged his shoulders, keeping his eyes forward as he lead her to the mall. Saturdays could be busy at Grimm Avenue Mall, but Saturday mornings were a lot quieter. The smart shoppers would come in in the morning, before the crowds hit. Before all the kids, and the mallrats got to the area. Sure, there were a few students around, a few people. But nothing like the overwhelming masses that Ari was not too fond of. He kept his stride fast, just so she wouldn’t ask questions on the way there. If she started asking why they were going to the mall, then Ari would have to answer. It was better off getting her to the mall, and giving her no other choice than letting her hole up in her dorm because she was going to stick to the daddy ideal.

Once in front of the mall, he suddenly whirled on her and dipped down. Fast, Ari Cain had to be fast. Fast while he grabbed those stupid stockings and gave them a harsh tug, satisfied when he got a rip on them. Quickly, he jumped to his feet, and yanked on the strap of her purse, followed by yanking the headband out of her hair. He sidestepped her, and shoved the headband and purse into his bag, and turn the bag to his hip so he would be able to stop her from accessing it.

“Let’s go.” He suddenly grabbed the girl’s wrist, and tugged her into the mall, dipping into the first store he saw. Which had a row of tights on the wall. Not just any tights, no. But fishnets. Black, colored. Striped stockings in multiple colors. He grabbed a pair of black and white striped ones off the wall, considering the black and purple, before holding them up to Sunny. “Gotta replace those. It’s a shame you wore ripped stockings to come out with me. But I’ll forgive you. Do you like these?”

OUTFIT

[CECILIE 'SUNNY' SORENSEN]

Sunny Sorensen --- ☀✿☀

The mall? The mall! Sunny stared at him for only a moment with wide eyes, before following after him quickly. The mall? Alone? With a boy? Her Father would be furious! And Julian would certainly have given a disapproving frown. Though apprehensive, she would be misleading to say that Sunny was dismayed. Curiosity was always her greatest of sins, and perhaps the only one the unoffending teenager really had.

Instead of starting with the questions, Sunny merely followed quietly, fidgeting with her camera. What did he plan to do at the mall? Oh, she hoped he wasn't wanting to buy drugs or something. She had heard rumors that he carried a flask full of brown liquor with him everywhere, even to class, though she had never seen him act drunkenly. And those were only rumors. He did have the faint smell of cigarettes, though not so much that it was displeasing, especially mixed in with his deodorant- Goodness he walked quickly. Didn't he know that it was unseemly to go walk so impatiently? Though, perhaps he had something planned that was on a schedule. Maybe they were late for something.

Finally he stopped in a store, and Sunny had a moment to appreciate the mall around them. Oh, well, this was nice. And not too crowded. Was that on purpose? Did he suggest they do this so early so that he wouldn't be seen with someone like her? Was she uncool. That wasn't something she had really ever considered before...

Before she could make too much ado about the situation, Ari turned on her. With a startled squeal, Sunny tried backing away as he tore her stockings! The brute! Horrified, Sunny's cheeks went red. But not only embarrassment was in those wide brown eyes. She was furious! What would have possessed him to do such a terrible thing? And then he stole her headband and purse! What was he doing!? Startled by his actions, Sunny took a few steps back, accessing the damage on her tights. "Hvorfor gjorde du det? Du er et fjols dreng!" She whined in her native tongue, not caring that he didn't understand. He would understand her eyes beginning to brim with tears. It was totally uncalled for, what he just did!

And then he had the nerve to blame it on her. Full of reproach, Sunny's bottom lip trembled, until he held up a new pair of stockings. She had seen many like it before, as they were fashionable nowadays, but she had never owned a pair herself. Her Father had always found them distasteful.

"Kun én slags pige, bærer tøj som at Cecilie. Den type pige, du er ikke."

Shaking off the echo of her Father's voice, Cecilie's eyes returned to anger. "You will be giving me back my things this instant, ryk! You are not having the right to destroy or take them! Skam dig!" Her eyes looked around, a little wide eyed at the selection of cloths around them. Clothes that guys like Ari liked girls to wear, clothes that girls like Sunny didn't own. "Why are you having done what you did? She demanded, her English's foundation crumbling a little in her heated anger.

[ARI CAIN]

Ari just stared at Sunny as she expressed her distaste in her native tongue. Part of him wondered if she called him foul names, but that was quickly dismissed. Even under the cover of another language, Sunny was too much of a goody-goody to cuss him out in a different language. "Raise your camera, that counts as a question." The corner of his mouth tilted upwards, before he lowered the stockings her was holding up. "I did that because I'm sick of you looking like Daddy's Princess. You don't like those clothes, you like them because you're told to like them. Am I right?" A thick, dark eyebrow lifted up over his glasses. "If you don't like these clothes, we can try a different store. But you're walking out of here in jeans or shorts."

He crossed his arms, still holding the stockings in his hands. Honestly. Girls should be dropping at his feet--he was having her pick out her own clothes and he wasn't even going to let her pay for them. It was coming from his own stash of cash, and she should be grateful. Not...throwing a temper tantrum. Or at least a Sunny-style tantrum...if it could even be called that. "I'll ask you again, do you like these or not?" From his crossed arms, he waggled the cardboard folded stockings, before nodding his head at the rest on the wall. "Pick something out, we can't have you walking around in ripped tights. That's just so unbecomming, honestly." He shook his head, and placed the stockings in his hand back on the wall, before glancing over the rest of the store.

Not bad. A little more urban with a touch of punk. Maybe he should have broken her into it a little easier instead of throwing her to the sharks.

Nah.

She'd be just fine. He turned his almost black eyes back onto her, looking her up and down. "I can't even figure out your size in that outfit. Are you big in the hips, or smaller?" His fingers cupped his chin as he slowly walked around Sunny, "Do you have an ass, or not? It depends on what size you'll need. Might want to answer it, before I figure it out on my own." Adding to his words, he flipped the back of her dress. Not enough to reveal, but just enough that she knew he touched her. That he was taunting her. Teasing her.

Now, Ari wasn't intentionally trying to be cruel. It just happened. And with a girl like Sunny, it was just that much easier. Had she burst into tears, would he have felt bad about what he said? It was hard to gauge--he made people cry on a pretty regular basis, and never felt worse off on it. Then again, he hadn't actually invested any of his time on them. Taking away his precious Saturday morning to spend on this Mother Theresa wannabe was a special gift, and was unheard of coming from Ari Cain. "I'm all out of tissues, so chin up and find something you like. Two outfits from this store, then we'll go to the next one." He rounded back around to her side, and looked at her sideways. It didn't end here. She could easily go through two outfits, then divert back to these. He was going to build up her wardrobe slowly but surely. At least she'd then be able to choose if she wanted to look like a ridiculous porcelain doll that got tossed in the trash when they were outgrown...or if she wanted to actually have a bit of personality.

OUTFIT

[CECILIE 'SUNNY' SORENSEN]

Sunny Sorensen --- ☀✿☀

Sunny Sorensen didn't get angry. Once she had snuck an extra bit of whip cream when her Father had told her no. Instead of being angry and rebuffing her, he seemed pleased! Told her he was afraid she was about to sprout angel wings and fly away from him! But Ari Cain was so positively infuriating, she could even hit him! And be nearly remorseless, he deserves it so. She had never met anyone so anger inducing! So very... bull headed! How dare he!? And then he had the nerve to bring up the darn project! "I do not care about the project right now, ARI!" She snapped, furious.

He looked at her as if she should be GRATEFUL that he just assaulted her person! Why... why... She had have to mind to tell Julian and let him show Ari what was what! Maybe that would teach him not to make fun of her clothes or that she speaks so politely! "You may not tell me what to do, Ari, you are no boss of me! And, for the recording, I have a large amount of mind to ask for a new partn-" And there he went, looking at clothes, not a care in the world.

It only incensed her further! "My HIPS are in no way being your concern!" A few people were looking, but at the moment she had no cares for such mundane like composure. "And neither is ANY part of my body, thank YOU very much! And if come anywhere near checking, I'll be striking you right here in front of everyone!" Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were alight with a completely foreign feeling of anger. "You are the rudest, crudest, most... gris ledes dreng I have ever met! And I am not having a cry at all, I am... am..." She was lost, unsure of what even to call this fury she had. "Mad!"

With that out, she seemed to calm down. The realization that she had never had a real reason to be angry before this moment stumped her. The few on lookers dispersed when it became clear that Sunny was not going to slap him, and she avoided their eyes with some flusteredness as she examined her ruined stockings. It irked her to even think about how he got so good at that, thus bringing a pink flush to her cheeks. It was different than the red that had previously occupied her face. There wasn't anger in this, but bewildered embarrassment at her own thoughts. In a significantly calmer voice, she stated with clear enunciation. "I don't have enough money for so many outfits, and I do not know you well enough to accept such gifts."

[ARI CAIN]

Ari hadn't expected Sunny to completely blow up the way she had. Sweet Sunny, mild mannered Sunny, polite Sunny. His brows shot up towards his browline, and he blinked his nearly black eyes at her. For once, an expression took over his face. One of surprise, nevertheless. As quickly as the expression had come onto his face, it fell back into a mask of placidness, listening to each heavily accented word that came out of her mouth. The way that her anger caused the red flush in her cheeks, the way her eyebrows set and the way her mouth turned with the words, even the way that her always smiling eyes seemed to suddenly look so severe. It excited him, as obscene as that sounded. He would never admit it outloud, but perhaps he had underestimated Sunny Sorensen.

"Again with the words that I don't understand. Speak English when you chew me out, maybe then I wouldn't constantly be upsetting you." A total lie, and it was apparent in the way that the corner of his mouth twitched upwards, and the way his words dripped an uncharacteristic cheerfulness. His own personal brand of sarcasm. However, when she calmed--he did too. A tension he didn't know he had eased out of his shoulders and his neck, and he relaxed into his usual careless slouch.

"Consider it a forward payment, Sunshine. You're gonna know me pretty well by the end of the project. Given the nature of the assignment of course. Or if your pretty little head prefers, you can think of it as a benefit for being stuck with a grouch." His eyes rolled behind his glasses, before he sighed and placed his hands on his hips for the moment. Looking the part of an exasperated father. "Seriously, any normal girl would be pleased as punch that someone else was paying for whatever addition to their wardrobe they want. This could be....fun," The word fell from his mouth awkwardly, like he wasn't used to it, "If you let it be. Or it can be a completely horrible form of torture. It's all on you, Sunshine." He then crossed his arms over his chest, and raised a single brow in a challange to her.

His tone had somehow softened a little bit, almost coaxing. He rationalized it as wanting to get this over and done with so he could go back to his dreary room instead of standing in this place, arguing with Mother Teresa. A different sort of color came onto Sunny's face, and this actually caused a slight smile. The biggest smile that he had actually managed around Sunny, which to an unknowing eye didn't look like much more than a smirk. He liked that color on her cheeks too, and was storing that information away for later on how to make those colors appear on her skin again.

"Last chance before you have to walk home in torn stockings without your purse or headband." For a moment, he held his hand out to her, before letting it drop back down to his side. Had he really thought, that even for a second she would willingly touch him? Perhaps it was a tad creepy, but he wanted to see if her pulse had sped up under his fingertips. Control, boy. Control. He stepped next to her, and points out the store over the racks and displays, "Shorts and jeans are over there. Skirts right next to it. Dresses over here, and tops opposite to the dresses. The dressing rooms are in the back, so you pick out all the things you like and then try them on to see which you like the best." His fingertips shoved into his pockets with his thumbs hanging out, doing his best to not stare at Sunny. He wasn't ready to see if that lovely color had faded from her face.

However, it was then that an idea struck him. Internally he smiled, and let his eyes slide to the side, looking at her from the corner of his glasses. "For every outfit you pick, that's a bonus question that you can ask that I'll seriously answer. Currently, you have two questions." Here was a good question: Why the hell did he suddenly want to share more about himself with her?

OUTFIT