Taken by the Ice King

Ep4: Daphne

Sonya pulls me through her house on the way to her room. When her family throws this party every year, the entire house is decorated in that theme as well. Iridescent icicles line the ceilings while white and blue streamers crisscross to create the feeling of being in a winter wonderland.

"Just wait till you see the courtyard! Don't worry, I got you a cloak so it won't be so cold!" I rolled my eyes as she pulled me into her room and shut the door. Of course, she would get me a coordinating cloak. Sonya could go to NYC and absolutely kill it in the fashion scene. A small selfish part of me is glad she has stuck around though. I wouldn't really have anyone to hang out with outside of work if she left.

"Sonya, isn't this a bit overboard? This seems like an awful lot for a party," I say as I sit on her bed. She is rummaging through her closet when she snaps her head up with her hair all disheveled and a sock has managed to perch on her shoulder. I try my best to stifle a laugh, but I'm unsuccessful.

"Daph, this is no laughing matter! The spirit of Christmas is a serious thing! To be able to create magic is a privilege that can't be taken lightly," she says with an uncharacteristically serious tone. I stare at her with an arched brow, knowing there is no way she is that serious about the spirit of Christmas. She loves Christmas sure, but that is a tad overboard even for her and she knows it. Her face cracks into a smile.

"Plus, it's fun to spend my dad's money," she throws her head back and cackles like a villain from a princess movie. I smile and watch her continue to rifle through her extensive closet. Sonya is just as wealthy as she is kind. Her dad developed some polymer used by the space program and, basically, his kids, his grandkids, great grandkids and so on never have to worry about money. Nobody in the family has to work, but they just feel like it. He owns several businesses as well that he runs with Sonya's mom and brother. Sonya has never been interested in the family businesses.

Even though they hire people like cooks, gardeners, decorators, and many other staff, it isn't uncommon to find them doing those things for themselves. The way that Sonya's dad, Mr. Fox, explained it to me is that the staff was there in case the family couldn't get to it due to prior commitments. Even though they had money, they were never flaunting it, never loud about it. They just live their lives to the fullest and help the community where they can.

I know Mrs. Fox has done so much work with the community center and food banks. She even created a smaller food bank for pet needs. I hate to admit it, but I wouldn't be doing as well as I am without them. Mr. Fox helped me with my first month's rent. I paid him back as soon as I could, but it would've taken me way longer to leave my dad's house. I couldn't take it anymore. It felt haunted, but no spirit was ever there. Just a constant feeling of unease and sadness.

"Okay! Here it is! Ready for some action tonight!" Sonya whips out my dress and my jaw falls open. I can't believe what I am looking at. Its a silver dress that ombres to a dark blue at the hemline, studded with corresponding colors crystals. The crystals have subtle swirling patterns like snow blowing in a snow storm. It's long-sleeved with semi-see-through material. Sonya knows I'm self-conscious about my body, so I'm glad she went with this option.

"Oh Sonya, I can't wear that. It's calling me poor just with me looking at it." I cover my hand with my mouth. This thing is probably worth at least 6 months of my rent. It sparkles like fresh fallen snow in the twilight.

"Oh shut up and let's put it on! Oh no wait! Let's do your hair and makeup first!" Sonya hung up my dress and placed me in front of her vanity. She talks a million miles a minute about how busy her dad and brother have been, how the decorators ordered the wrong things, and they had to start from scratch, how she made her own dress for tonight. As she babbles on, my worries fall away, the tension in my shoulders evaporates, and I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

Sonya is right. I need to let go and just enjoy the moment every once in a while. Sonya effortlessly tames my wild mane and gives me holly wood waves that cascade over one of my shoulders. Then she moves onto my makeup, giving me a light smoky/icy eyeshadow look with enough white highlighter that I'm sure the astronauts will be able to see me from space. She moves onto my lips, making them a frosted pink. Just as she is giving me the finishing touch of a highlighter on my collarbone, we hear someone clear their throat at her door before knocking.

"Come in! We're decent!" Sonya shouts. I roll my eyes yet again, but when my eyes finally face the door I can scarcely believe what I'm seeing. It's the man from the park, the one I sat on a bench with and smiled at, the one I've been looking for the past few months. His dark hair curls across his brow, his black suit tailored so perfectly around his taut muscles. He's tall, broad, and downright gorgeous. What is he doing in Sonya's house? Before I can ask either of them, he speaks.

"Sonya, Mom wants to know when you think you'll be ready. Guests will start to arrive soon." His voice dies off as our eyes meet. He recognizes me, his bright green eyes lock onto mine. His mouth opens slightly as if in surprise. Sonya snaps us out of our trance.

"Connor, when has anyone in this family ever known me to be on time? I will come down when we are good and ready. Now shoo. We will see you soon." She smiled at him before turning back to me. He gives me one last look before closing the door. Connor? Sonya's brother? You have got to be kidding me.

I've never met her older brother. He had just left for college when we became friends. Anytime he was home, he was always out helping his dad. Sonya's family isn't the kind to have a lot of pictures of their family hanging around and the ones I saw of him... Well, let's say puberty hit him like a freight train. I would've never guessed in a million years that the man in the park would be him.

"Hey queen, do you think you can curl my hair for me while I do my make-up? Two birds, one stone and all that?" Sonya says cheerfully, but when she sees my face she pauses.

"Are you okay? Why do you look sad?" She puts a hand on my arm. God, I love her so much. I can't tell her I have a crush on her brother. I can't make it weird.

"Nothing, just wishing my mom could see me looking this pretty." It's not a total lie. I do wish she could see who I grew up to be. Sonya pulls me into a hug that smells like peppermint cookies. Her perfume always coordinates with the occasion.

"I like to think she can. I'm sure she imagined you going to prom, getting married and all that. I like to think she comes around to check on you." My chest becomes tight. I don't know how Sonya always knows the right things to say but she does. She gives me one final squeeze then sits back.

"Okay, let's get ready and party!"