A/N- Well, I'm starting a new multi-chapter because I got so much positive feedback for "You Opened Up My Eyes". I know it starts out pretty depressing, but I assure you a happy ending. I hope the melancholy mood doesn't turn you guys off! Also, there are two songs that kind of inspired this fic: "About You Now" by the Sugababes (acoustic version) and "Yesterday" by the Beatles. Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Sonny Monroe stood silently in the hallway, watching her boyfriend staring mindlessly at the television screen, a dead, almost zombie-like look marring his usually flawless face. She felt a pang of guilt surge through her as she considered the reason why Chad seemed to be feeling out of sorts lately. It was her fault. It was all her fault. She had diminished the spirit of Chad Dylan Cooper.

She gave a heavy sigh, leaning back against the wall and slumping down to the floor in a heap. She could no longer hold back the tears that had been screaming to be released ever since she realized why Chad had been less than lively lately.

Just over six months ago, Sonny left So Random! Twenty-one was simply too old to continue performing on a children's comedy show, so after both Tawni and Grady had said their farewells, Sonny and Nico soon followed suit. Zora stayed behind, the soul veteran in an entirely new cast. With her days as a Random numbered, Sonny made plans to return to Wisconsin. She missed her home terribly, and no longer wished to stay in Hollywood where she would no doubt turn into a washed up former child star.

It was with a heavy heart that Sonny expressed her desire to return to her native state to her best friends and her boyfriend, to whom talking to hurt even more. After several tear-filled arguments, Chad decided, rather resolutely, that he would also leave Los Angeles and move to Wisconsin with Sonny.

"Chad, no, I can't let you give up your entire life for me!" Sonny pleaded with him as he packed his suitcases. "Your career, your family, your home is here! You can't do this!"

Chad dropped the shirt he was holding and walked over to Sonny. Gently cupping her face in his hands and kissing her forehead, he said, "You are my life, Sonny. I would much rather give up my fame then be forced to give you up. I'll find a new job. And as for family and a home, that's wherever you are. I couldn't live without you."

Sonny opened her mouth to rebuttal, but was silenced by Chad's lips crashing down upon hers. After that night, Sonny no longer made any attempts to persuade him to stay behind, and soon the two boarded their plane, destined for Wisconsin.

It was certainly odd for Sonny to be back in her small hometown after becoming accustomed to the hectic frenzy of Hollywood, but she was thrilled to be home. Chad on the other hand was having difficulty adjusting to this new quieter life.

He would never mention it to her, and though he tried to hide it, Sonny could tell he was missing his former life. He tried to feign happiness, but she could see right through his fake smiles and forced cheer. He may have been the greatest actor of their generation, but Sonny knew him well enough to tell the difference between acting and sincerity.

Of course, Chad was not always depressed. On the contrary, most of the time Chad loved spending his days taking classes with Sonny at the local University, or making dinner and renting a movie at their apartment. Chad was in love with her, and wouldn't want to be anywhere without her, but naturally he would miss his home. If he was ever alone his mind would always drift back to his family's stately mansion he had left behind in California. If he was flipping through television channels, and it happened to land on one of those celebrity gossip shows, Chad would remember the best friends he no longer saw. It was then that the homesick feeling would creep up on him. Sonny knew this, and so tried to keep him occupied. There was always a moment like this, however, where Chad would sneak off to be alone, and the sadness would take over.

Sonny, sitting on the floor in the dark hallway, swallowed hard and wiped her eyes dry. Taking a deep breath and forcing a smile on her face, she walked into the living room and sat down on the couch next to Chad, placing her head on his shoulder.

"I love you so much," She whispered, interlinking his hand with her own.

"I love you too." Chad snapped out of his trance and looked down at his girlfriend, life returning to his face, and very gently kissed her on the lips. "Let's go for a walk."

"A walk?" Sonny questioned, looking out the window at the falling snow dusting the ground (another thing Chad was having a hard time adjusting to). "In this weather?"

"Yeah, why not?" He looked at her eagerly.

Sonny was skeptical for a moment, and then smiled. "Alright, let's go."

They bundled up in their winter jackets, gloves, and hats and set out into the snow. Chad, holding Sonny's hand tightly, led her to the park around the corner from their apartment. Even in the winter, the park was almost always crowded. It was home to an outdoor ice rink, one of Sonny's favorite wintertime places growing up. Sonny gazed admirably at a father teaching his small daughter how to skate by supporting herself with milk crates, remembering how her own father had taught her the same way. Chad caught her staring.

"Do you want to ice skate?"

Sonny obliged, and soon, after renting their skates, were zooming around ice laughing and smiling, as if neither one of them had been depressed just a half an hour previously. After an hour or so of Sonny showing up Chad with her superior skating skills, the two retired, returning their skates and continuing their stroll around the park. Their moods had been considerably lifting by the activity.

As they passed a park bench, Chad beckoned for Sonny to sit down with him. He took her hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Sonny, I love you so much."

"I love you too," She said smiling, as he leaned in to kiss her. As he pulled away, Sonny could tell by his face that something was making him nervous.

"So much that I never want to be without you. So, I was just wondering," He released her hands, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a small black box. "Would you marry me?" He flipped open the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring, encrusted with sapphires.

Sonny gasped; it was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. Her hand was shaking as she reached over to lightly touch it. She could not believe she was about to become engaged to Chad Dylan Cooper.

And then she remembered how miserable Chad was here in Wisconsin. She could not subject him to a life where he would never be happy. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She was breaking her own heart just thinking about it, and before she could stop herself, Sonny had shook her head no.

"I. . . I can't. I'm so sorry, Chad."

Chad could not believe his ears. Sonny, the love of his life, the one he was convinced he was meant to be with for the rest of his life, had just denied his marriage proposal. Sonny's tears were now flowing freely. Chad had dropped the small box he was holding, and was currently gaping at her. "What? Why?" It more more like a plead than a question.

Sonny took a deep, shaky breath and ran a hand over her face, wishing she didn't have to say the words that she was thinking, but it was inevitable. "I think you should go back to Los Angeles."

Chad's face fell from shock to sadness. He looked at her for a moment before speaking. "Oh. Well, if that's how you feel, then maybe I should go." He spoke the words in an eerily calm manner. Then, very robot-like, he bent over to scoop up the ring he had dropped, turned around, and walked away, leaving a sobbing Sonny on the park bench.