Okay so, like, looking into the mirror is such a tired cliche at this point. I guess it's supposed to be some kind of symbolistic thing about introspection. What? I know big words. I have the best words.
Anyway, why talk about mirrors and symbolism when I've got another me to worry about? Oh, didn't I mention? Well maybe I should start at the beginning.
It all started when I went to the pool by myself. I know, I know, buddy system and all that. Whatever. It turns out that the school had a secret heated pool, or so the rumors went, and I wanted to check it out because I was seriously missing the water, especially because it was so cold out. Adagio had just gotten her hair done for the holidays and Aria was...well...Aria. The point is that I found that super secret second pool secluded off in the boiler room. How did I end up in the boiler room? Honestly, I couldn't tell you. Must've taken a wrong turn somewhere.
So what do you do when confronted by a mysterious underground, undisclosed feature? Well I did a cannonball. It was the weirdest sensation, because I jumped in and landed back on dry land. Er, ground. Floor. Oh, and there was another me.
And don't get me wrong, she looks perfect, because duh. But I think the mirror me is a little slow. In the brain. Like, not very smart.
So now I'm face to face with myself trying hard not to fall off on a tangent about introspection and symbolism when she finally speaks up. The other me. Oh, this is going to get confusing. Let's call her Sonotme. Because as much as she looks like me, trust me, she is so not me.
Sonotme said, “Wait, it's the week before the holidays and we're going swimming? Have we even gotten anything for Adagio and Aria? We'd need like five of us to handle the holiday shopping crowd! What do you think would happen if I jumped in the pool? Would I poof or would there be another me. You. Us. Should I get another one of us?”
I shook my still-dry head. “I think one of me is enough. Aria would probably say one of me is already too many.”
Sonotme laughed. “Yeah, she totally would. Say that. About you. Me. Us.”
“Me, not you.” I corrected her.
“Yeah, I totally have this feeling of not being you. Well, not in the looks department, but…” Before she could say anything, Pinkie showed up. Her hands went to her mouth and her eyes went wide and round.
“You guys found the super secret mirror pool?” She gasped. “And you've made a copy of yourself already? Which is the original Sonata?”
“I am.” We both said.
“Oh no no no no no! This is very bad. I've got to make you watch paint dry. Wait, or was it grass grow? Whatever it is, it's got to be totally boring so that only the real Sonata would care enough to endure it!”
“That sounds totally bogus.” I said.
“What if she just cut her hair and moved?” Sonotme asked.
I stamped my foot. “I'm the original. You're the copy. You cut your hair and move!”
“I'm going to get Sunset!” Pinkie said, hurriedly rushing to the door.
“I'm going to get Adagio.” I announced, following the pink girl.
“I'm going to get gifts.” Sonotme announced. I turned around to tell her to stay put. Then she looked down and noticed she only had a swimsuit on. “Do you have, like, a towel or something?”
“It's my towel! Just go to my locker and grab my skirt,” I ordered and walked out, wrapping the towel around my waist. I'd show her who owned what!
In hindsight, I should have taken the skirt.
“Sonata, why are you running around the school in a swimsuit and towel?” Adagio asked, her hand covering her face the way she does when she's annoyed. To be fair, I hadn't expected her to be in the library.
“I jumped in a secret pool and now another me is wearing my skirt and looking for gifts.” I announced.
Adagio’s hand came down very slowly. A look crossed her face, eyes wide, mouth open, brows raised and forehead wrinkled. “There's two of you?”
Sunset chimed in as she walked up. “Yes, apparently. Pinkie just filled me in. I don't think we'll need the dry paint test. Any Sonata going around the school in a towel instead of looking for gifts is probably the real Sonata.”
Adagio's face returned to normal. “Are you sure? Maybe we should see what the other Sonata gets as gifts.”
“Could Sonata get you anything you really wanted at a store?” Sunset asked.
Adagio shrugged. “I guess this is probably the real Sonata. What do we do with the other one?”
“Cut her hair and kick her out?” I suggested. Neither Sunset nor Adagio looked happy with that.
Sunset spoke first. “Let's find her. There's a spell that will return her to the pool. Gently. No hair-cutting involved.”
“Oh, don't forget to get my skirt back! It's my favorite!” I exclaimed.
“You have others like it.” Adagio pointed out.
“Yes, but that one is mine.” I reminded her.
Adagio's facial expression fell flat. “Yeah, that's my Sonata. We are never telling Aria about this. It would only horrify her.”
I nodded. “Agreed.”
The three of us headed out to find Sonotme at the mall. Well, I did get my backup skirt from my backpack. I had it in case of taco spillage. If she grabbed my wallet out of my locker, she had another thing of mine to give back before she went into the pool again! The gifts were already wrapped, with strict 'do not open until Xmas’ labels on them. There was even one for me!
Sunset and Adagio managed to talk Sonotme into going back to the pool, but they didn't tell her about the spell. I almost let it slip, but Adagio gave me the Don't-tell-her-that face.
“Okay, here goes nothing!” Sunset said as we stood by the pool. Before I could remind her about the skirt and wallet, Sonotme was gone in a flash of blue light. The pool glowed for a moment and then went still again. Luckily, my skirt and wallet were on the ground where Sonotme had been standing.
“That was short-lived.” I said, looking out over the pool again. My reflection stared back at me, in sync with my movements.
“Thankfully.” Adagio said. “They should board this place up. Who knows who will find this pool next and send copies of themselves all over campus!”
“I'll talk to Applejack. She could have this bricked up quicker than a … squirrel with ants in its pants. Yeah, okay, I'll leave the country-isms to her.” Sunset turned to leave.
“Come on Sonata!” Adagio ordered as she walked away. Before I turned to leave, I could swear my reflection winked.
It hadn't turned out so bad, I guess. Sonotme had gotten me a taco shell maker. Adagio got a karaoke machine. Aria got a mirror. I tried not to think about what the other me was thinking when she bought a mirror as a gift, but Aria seemed to enjoy it. It was a happy holiday, and I hadn't had to worry about gifts! Although, the money spent, on the other hand...