A/N I've been working on this story for a while actually. It's AU, in which Sonny comes to Hollywood as an unknown to try and make it as an actress. I tried to make it like Sonny with a chance in the real world so the characters drink, swear, have sex (but don't expect anything to explicit). Because Sonny waited to finish high school this time everyone is a little older (Chad is at least in his twenties). And lastly this story is very very very CHANNY. That's what started it off in the first place. Anyway, enjoy. :)

Allison Munroe has a dream. She wants to be a star and wear glamorous clothes and live in a big house and have such stupendously large amounts of money her mother doesn't have to cry over the bills no more.

It's a dream so big and bright it's lasted her years and kept her going all her life. Anything from not understanding long division to overhearing a teacher call her "the poor fatherless girl" could be left behind by simply closing her eyes and escaping to the world where she was known and loved by everyone from coast to coast.

Her dream has always been the biggest motivating factor of her life so why is it now of all times- when her suitcase is packed and on top of her bed lies a one way ticket to Los Angeles- that she feels scared and reluctant to go live it.

After all it had only been two days since she had left the familiar routine of high school behind forever and now she is leaving her home, her entire world, behind her to chase some wish upon a star.

For a second it's all too much and she just wants to go downstairs and curl up with her mother one the couch where they can watch crappy dramas and make fun of them while at the same time being hopelessly addicted and she can just forget about the outside world and the scary future.

But she takes a deep breath and focuses on the oxygen moving in and out of her lungs. This is no time to panic. It's too late to stop now. She's already said goodbye to her friends, quit her jobs, sold her car- severed her ties to Appelton, Wisconsin. She runs one last gaze over her room, which is looking unfamiliar and bare with all her possessions packed up and her heart sinks down to her knees and rises into her throat simultaneously.

This is it, she thinks. Then she tucks her ticket carefully into her bag, grabs her suitcase and heads out, patting the doorframe in a silent goodbye as she leaves. She squares her shoulders and screws her courage to her sticking point because everything else has been done and it's time for the two goodbyes she's been putting off for as long as possible. Her two biggest and most important goodbyes.

Her mother cries and Sonny knew she would do this and it should annoy her but she's too busy crying. While she tries to get the tears under control her mother whips out the camera and Sonny is confused because why is she trying to record such a sad moment and why did she have to do now they both look all pink and snivelly? Nonetheless her mother is fiddling determinedly with the camera and muttering about her little girl so Sonny poses with a big smile just so she doesn't start crying again.

"You are so beautiful Sonny." Her mother says, contemplating the photo. She looks about ready to burst into tears again and Sonny quickly heads it off with another round of hugging.

"Don't be so miserable mom. It's not like I'm dying. I'm not even leaving the country. I'll write you and we can skype and email. Really you'll be seeing so much me you'll get sick off me." She places a gentle kiss on her mother's forehead.

"Good Luck Sonny."

And with that she's gone. Well, not really. Her mother is still in the house, probably going off to make herself some coffee or something. But Sonny is out of the house and moving towards the battered pickup truck parked in the driveway. Lucy is giving her a ride to the airport.

She slings her suitcase carelessly into the boot and slides into the front seat next to her best friend. Lucy stops drumming her fingers on the steering wheel and flashes Sonny a nervous smile. "You ready Hun?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." She smiles back at her, a smile intended to comfort and reassure Lucy (and maybe herself a little bit as well) "Come on Driver, onwards!"

It doesn't feel like goodbye. As they drive through the countryside the two of them fall into the same familiar pattern, talking and laughing like old times. The radio is turned up to full bore and they sing along at the top of their lungs as the wind from the open windows whips their hair around. It's all so familiar that Sonny's almost shocked when they pull up at the airport instead of the mall or one of their usual haunts.

Lucy walks her inside. It's all bustle and hustle in here. They check in her luggage and scan her ticket and then the two of them play around in the departure lounge generally misbehaving and having fun. The time seems to fly and it's all too soon she's standing at the gate and it's time to leave.

Lucy cries then Sonny cries (again) and they're hugging and crying and saying things but none of them are sure what they are because they indecipherable between tears. Somehow Sonny found the strength and enunciation to grab her friend's shoulders and say clearly, if in a ridiculous accent, "You are awesome."

"No you are awesome-er." Lucy finishes. They share one last hug and then Lucy is gone and Sonny is all alone. She's not so scared anymore though. Strangely, saying her goodbyes, while hard, has not left a scared lonely little girl behind as she feared, but has paradoxily filled her with courage instead. Knowing that the two most important people to Sonny love her and believe in her gives her the strength she's needs to get on that plane and go chase her dream.

So she does.

So far so great, she thinks as she watches everything she ever know disappear below her and all that's left is the sky.