Sonny's P.O.V.
This could not be happening. No way. I was supposed to have a happy ending with him, a perfect life. It couldn't end this way!
Earlier that month…
"And that's a wrap!" Marshall shouted. We had just finished rehearsing our newest sketch, and it was late Thursday night. The studio was empty except for Marshall and the So Random cast.
The cast and I were exhausted. This was our trickiest sketch yet, and we had rehearsed for hours today, nervous for our live show tomorrow.
"Sonny!" Nico interrupted my thoughts. "We're gonna go see if the cafeteria is still open so we can grab a fro-yo. Even if it's closed, we are still going to grab a fro-yo. Wanna come?" I laughed. Typical Nico and Grady. Always after a fro-yo, even after hours in the dead of winter.
"Sure," I replied.
"Zora? Tawni?" Grady asked.
Zora nodded enthusiastically. "I'm in," she said. I looked at Tawni.
"Fine," she huffed. "But I am outta there if Murphy is standing guard," she stated, grabbing her Coco Mocoa Coco lipstick from her dressing room table on our way to the cafeteria.
When we reached the cafeteria, Nico and Grady high-fived and did a happy dance. The cafeteria was still open and there was only one other person in it. Chad. He was sitting alone at the Mackenzie Falls table, reading over a script, and looking as cute as ever.
Stop it Sonny, I scolded myself. You're on opposing shows and he doesn't even like you. My inner self huffed at this and I walked with my cast to go order fro-yos.
We were making so much noise that Chad looked up from his script.
"Sonny. Randoms," he said.
"Chad," we all said.
He looked all alone sitting there, while my cast and I were laughing and eating yogurt at our table, so I got up and went over to his table.
"So whatcha doing?" I asked him. He looked up in surprise.
"Memorizing lines," he said in his obnoxious duh voice. "This week is our Christmas episode. James is thankfully not starring in this one though. It's some random guy from an old movie." I nodded.
"I guess now I have to ask what you're doing, even though CDC doesn't really care what Randoms do all day." Ouch. That hurt.
"Chad!" I said, hitting him in the arm. "If you're not going to be nice, I'll go back to my friends," I said, putting a heavy emphasis on the friends.
"Fine," he said, looking down at his script.
"Fine," I said back, getting up.
"Good."
"Good," I said, ending our usual banter and sitting back down next to Tawni.
"Why do you talk to him again?" Tawni asks.
"It's polite," I say simply.
"Suuure." Zora says slowly. If only they knew the real reason. Ok, time to change the subject.
"So what are you're guys' holiday plans?" I asked.
"I'm visiting my Aunt in New York City and going to a Broadway show," Tawni says. "I'll make sure to bring you back something. Not you two," she said to Nico and Grady, whose faces lit up at the words New York City. "I hope I get discovered and become a star!" she commented, throwing her arms in the air and belting out her famous rendition on I'm a Little Teapot." I quickly shushed her, noticing that Chad and the cafeteria lady were staring.
"Marshall said Grady and I could stay in our apartment and come in the studio to just chill," Nico told us.
"Yeah," Grady added. "Our parents will both be away and we don't have the money to travel, so we're staying here."
"Dude. I just said that," Nico said.
"Well I used less words," Grady shot back.
Before it could become a full-blown fight, Zora told us where she was going.
"The ancient pyramids in Egypt. My mom and I are touring them seeing if we can find mummies." We all shuddered at her weirdness and the thought of mummies. "How about you, Sonny?" Zora asked me.
"I'm going back home to Wisconsin to visit my family and Lucy. I really miss them and I can't wait to smell the fresh Wisconsin air," I said dreamily.
"Ew," Tawni said. "Wisconsin smells like cow poop if that's what you meant by fresh."
"Tawni, how would you know?" Grady asked, and Tawni blushed.
"It was a stop for my plane on the way to Canada two summers ago, before Sonny was cast. I stepped off the plane to go to a café for my morning latte and I had to run back on the plane before I barfed. The stench was disgusting."
"Well I think it smells like home," I retorted. I stood up. "I am bushed, so I'm gonna head home. See you guys tomorrow," I said, throwing my half-full cup of yogurt away, despite Grady and Nico's protests.
I was only half-awake during the trip home, and as soon as I let myself into my apartment, I headed straight for my bed and flopped onto it still fully dressed. I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
I awoke to Justin Bieber's One Less Lonely Girl playing on the radio. I drowsily picked my head up to look at my clock. 10:00. Shoot. The live show started at 11, and I wasn't even at the studio.
I rushed into the studio at quarter past 10, having rushed though a shower and skipped breakfast just to get here before 10:30.
"Sonny! Thank goodness! Where have you been?" Marshall rushed towards me, looking nervous as usual.
"Stuck in traffic," lied easily. No need to tell him I overslept on show day.
"Tawni is waiting for you with your costumes," he said, rushing past me.
"Um, okay!" I called after his already retreating back. I quickly walked into my dressing room.
"Tawni! Wow," I told her.
"I know right? Don't I look pretty? Of course! I always look pretty," she answered herself in the mirror. She was wearing a bubble gum pink dress that was tight around the bodice then flowed easily into a balloon skirt and ended around mid-thigh. She matched this with silver hoops and pink pumps, and the hair and makeup people had done her blonde hair in tight spiral curls that flowed down her back.
"Your turn," she said, guiding me to my changing room. I groaned. This is the one sketch that I actually didn't love. It involved me dressing like a nerdy girl and being brought to a Christmas dance with Grady as my date. In the end of the sketch though, I got transformed into a beautiful teenager with a pretty outfit. And of course, Nico, Grady, and Tawni got to dress in normal outfits and I had to wear… this.
I walked out from behind the changing room curtain and ignored Tawni's burst of laughter.
My dress on the top was an ugly olive green color and was all loose and puffy. It was extremely unattractive and gave my body no shape. I had on black loafers and my hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail.
My dress underneath the olive green one was much more pretty and is what would "magically" appear when Zora, my fairy godmother, changed my appearance. It was an emerald green tight cocktail-like dress and I had green heels to quickly slip on during the "change" in the sketch, and I would let down my hair and the hair people would run onto stage (fog would prevent the audience from seeing me rip off my ugly dress, change my shoes, and the hair people mess with my hair) and brush out my hair, making it flow down past my shoulders in waves. The fog would disappear and I would be a beautiful girl that Grady had dreamed of taking to the dance.
"Here," Tawni said, trying not to laugh as she handed me my set of fake crooked teeth with braces attached, and my pair of big and ugly glasses that would change into pretty black cat eye glasses when the fog came. I sighed and put them on, making Tawni burst into another fit of laugher when I tried to talk, but to instead have the teeth slip.
"Ugh," I said, taking the false teeth out of my mouth. "I can't wait until the magical moment when Zora comes. Then I can take these things out for good and chuck them all the way to China." Tawni rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Just as long as it's you in that dress and not me. I can't bear to be not pretty!"
I shake my head, remembering the time she went without a mirror. Those were the good days.
A voice came onto the intercom, calling all cast members to the set. I looked at my phone. Ten minutes until show time. Just enough time to grab a bagel or a piece of toast. I left Tawni at the entrance to the set and headed towards the cafeteria in search of breakfast before I had to be on stage.
On my way, I ran into someone.
"Watch it!" It was Chad and Portlyn.
"Watch it yourself Chad," I said, not in the mood to put up with his rudeness. Portlyn sensed the growing tension and hurried past us.
"Sonny," he said, snickering, looking down at my outfit.
"Chad." I brushed past him.
"One of the ugly stepsisters?" he asked, grabbing my arm and turning me towards him. I shrugged off his hand.
"No. I'm a beautiful princess," I said, my temper short. I heard him mumble something under his breath.
"What was that, Chad?" I asked, faking interest.
"Nothing," he said. His phone rang.
"Yo, CDC here." A voice spoke on the other line. "Oh, yeah I'm on my way, sir." He hung up and looked at me. "I gotta go film the number one tween TV show. Have fun filming your chuckle city show or whatever. Peace out, sucka!" he yelled at me as he hurried towards set. I rolled my eyes and looked at my phone. Darn, it was time for me to be on stage. I didn't have time for food anymore because of Chad. Grrrrrr.
Chad's P.O.V.
Chad, I cannot believe you just said that out loud. It was an automatic reflex. I usually think it instead of saying it out loud, but I slipped up. When Sonny said she was a beautiful princess, I thought I had thought, "Yes, you are. Stupid beautiful. Stupid cute." Apparently I had said it out loud, but thankfully low enough that Sonny could not hear me.
My new phone was nice. I could press a button and call myself, so when I need to escape from someone, I pretend someone important (other then myself) is on the line and I have to leave mid-conversation. I didn't really want to stop talking with Sonny, but it was five minutes to eleven, and that is when So Random was filming its weekly live show.
I never told anyone this, and I don't think anyone on the cast has noticed but I have come to everyone of Sonny's shows since I really got to know her during our interview experience with Tween Weekly TV. I always hide in the back row, with a hat and sunglass on. So far, no one in the audience has realized the amazing and gorgeous Chad Dylan Cooper sat among them, thank goodness. Normally, I would hate that no one notices me, but it would be awful for me to be caught at our rivalry's show.
This time would be different, though. The show was all sold out before I could get a ticket, which was really unusual, because Chad Dylan Cooper can get anything he wants if he wants it enough. I had to pay the ticket people extra money to get a seat, but it was in the first or second row, so I took precautions and grabbed the wig and fake facial hair from the outfit "Eric" wore on his appearance on So Random. I wore that and baggy jeans, skater shoes, and a skater cap.
I passed a window in an office and stopped to stare at myself. I looked good. Well, as good as to be expected for an outfit like this.
I pulled out my ticket as I stepped up to the entrance of the studio and quickly handed it to the man at the door.
"Enjoy the show," he said in a bored voice. I ignored him and went to find my seat, which was unfortunately front and center in the audience. I shrugged; there was nothing I could do about it now, and sat back to wait for the show to start.
Sonny's P.O.V.
I ran into the backstage entrance just as the doors were closing. Whew. I had made it in time. Zora rushed up to me. She looked very girly, in her lavender ball gown and wings.
"Where have you been?" she asked angrily. We had to cover for you, saying you were in the bathroom with an upset stomach. Marshall's having a heart attack."
"Maaaaaarshaaaaall!" Tawni sang. "She's here!" Marshall came over, wiping his brow.
"Thank goodness, Sonny. Places everyone! Cue music…. And go!" He hurried to his spot off stage as the curtain lifted and our sketch began.
The sketch started smoothly, in spite of our mess-ups in rehearsal yesterday. I was getting all my lines until I looked up and really looked at the audience instead of just glancing at them.
"Nobody loves me," I started. Then I forgot my next line. Grady glanced at me. His mouth formed the words I wish I was prettier and I repeated after him, but my voice was dull and I was mostly unaware of what I was saying. I didn't have the nerves to look back into the audience thoroughly again, but thoughts raced through my head.
Was that Eric? I thought he was just a made up person! How could he be here? Wait. Eric. Eric was made up, so he had to be played by Chad at the closing of one of our sketches. Chad. That wasn't Eric, that was Chad! But why was Chad at our show? He hates So Random. Or does he?
I snapped out of my reverie just in time for the best part of the sketch. I saw Zora wave her wand at me and fog filled the stage. I quickly ripped off my olive dress and threw it to the side of the stage, where Marshall stood. He tossed my green heels in my direction, which I swiftly switched them out with the loafers. The hair people brushed out my hair while I took out the teeth and replaced my nerdy glasses with the cat glasses. I shook myself once to get rid of my lingering Chad thoughts and nodded to Marshall who cued the stagehands to stop the fog, and Zora rushed off stage. I stepped out of the remaining cloud of fog and reached for Grady's offered arm.
"Wow," he said, just as practiced. "You look simply amazing. Shall we dance?"
Chad's P.O.V.
Wow. Sonny looked hot in her new outfit. I was so surprised when she stepped out of the fog looking like a real princess. I thought she was kidding when she told me she wasn't an ugly stepsister, but a beautiful princess. Her black cat glasses accented her tight-fitting cocktail dress perfectly and her high-heels lengthened her legs to the extreme. Her brown hair flowed effortlessly down her back and I couldn't help but stare.
Chad Dylan Cooper. Stop staring; this is Sonny we are talking about. The Sonny you argue with. The Sonny you bump into on purpose just to annoy her. The adorable, lovable, cute Sonny. Stupid adorable, lovable, and cute.
I focused on the sketch again, still staring in Sonny's direction, but not gawking.
Just then, Sonny lifted her head from Grady's shoulder where they were dancing on a dance floor and looked out into the audience to deliver a line.
"I know you are there. Show yourself." She locked eyes with me. Dang it. I knew there was only so much time before I was recognized. I made to stand up, thinking she was talking to me, only to freeze when I realized she was talking to Zora, her fairy godmother. The scene on stage froze, and Sonny walked towards her fairy godmother.
"This night is perfect," she said laughing. I could swear she was laughing at me for standing up.
"I know, child. That is my job," Zora said, exiting the stage.
"I need to use the bathroom," I mumbled to the people around me who were staring at me half-sitting, half-standing in my seat. I got up and left the set, not bothering to return now that my cover was blown.
Sonny's P.O.V.
I took a bow with my cast mates as the curtain call came to a close. I stood up, still gripping Zora and Nico's hand as I looked into the audience. Chad was gone.
I saw him start to stand up when I said my line about knowing Zora was hiding, and I knew he thought I was talking to him. I had to keep from laughing, and as it was, I laughed when I said my most serious line in the sketch about how my night with Grady was now perfect.
I followed Tawni back to our dressing room when we were done our traditional hurray-the-live-show-for-the-week-is-done lunch out in the café in Hollywood to change out of our costumes.
"Did you see anyone unusual in the audience today?" I asked Tawni.
"If by unusual you mean Chad Dylan Cooper dressed up as Eric, your made-up fan, then yes, I did see someone unusual in the audience today," Tawni said as she disappeared behind her changing room curtain, and appearing a minute later wearing her hot pink skinny jeans and neon v-neck tee with a fat beaded necklace.
"You saw him too?" I asked, now curious. "Do you know why he was there? Maybe spying on us for his show. Yeah, that's it. His show is so lame that they needed ideas from ours," I said, getting pumped up.
Tawni rolled her eyes, which was a really great achievement, considering she was applying mascara and Coco Mocoa Coco lipstick at the same time.
"Yes, I saw him. Yes, I know why he was there. No, he was not spying on us for Mackenzie Falls."
"Then why was he really there, if you're so smart and knowledgeable, oh great and pretty Tawni?" I asked her sarcastically. She giggled and stared at her reflection.
"You're right. I am smart and pretty aren't I?"
"Tawni? Back on the topic of stalker Chad," I said impatiently, while grabbing my sweats from the nearby chair and ducking into my changing room.
"Oh, yeah. So believe it or not, he really wasn't there to get ideas, as much as his show needs a good laugh in it."
I came out of the changing room carefully holding my dress. I saw a water bottle on my desk and started chugging it. I was really dehydrated. And hungry. "Then why was he in the audience?" I asked with my mouth full of water.
"To see you." I spit out the water I had in my mouth, spraying it all over Tawni. She screamed.
"Sonny! My make-up! My outfit! My prettiness!"
"Sorry, Tawni, but the matter at hand is much more important then your outfit or your prettiness," I said, tossing her some towels and a new pair of clothes. "Why would Chad want to see me?"
"Because he likes, you Sonny. Isn't it obvious? He comes to every one of our shows. He usually sits in the back of the audience wearing glasses and a dark wig, so I was surprised when he was front and center in the Eric costume."
"Wait. Chad likes me?"
"Yes, Sonny, isn't it obvious?" Tawni stated again.
"No. Well, maybe. Does anyone else in the cast know? Does Marshall know?" I asked.
"They don't know about Chad coming to our shows if that's what you mean. I have no idea if they know that Chad likes you, but it has been ob-"
"-vious, yes, Tawni, I know. It's obvious," I interrupted. Tawni nodded, satisfied.
"Anyway," she said, trying hard to change the subject away from the awkward topic of Chad Dylan Cooper and his feelings, "Aren't you excited to go home early today?"
"Yes," I replied. "My flight leaves in two hours, so I should probably go, but before I do…" I reached into my bag and pulled out a present.
"Oooh, for me?" Tawni squealed, ripping it open.
"Yes, for you," I smiled.
She tore off the remaining wrapping paper to reveal a pack of Coco Mocoa Coco Lipstick with a brand new hand mirror.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sonny!" Tawni said, coming over and squeezing me, a rarity for her.
"No problem Tawni. Happy Holidays."
"I got something for you too," she said, handing me a gift bag. I opened it. Inside was a strapless knee-length dress covered in baby blue sequins and a pair of blue pumps.
"Um, thank you?"
"It's for the New Year's party we have every year at the Condor Studios. Mr. Condor hosts it and it is the event of the year. All the So Random cast agrees to go in a matching color and this year, it was blue's turn. We go in order of the rainbow. And no offense, but you own nothing fit for this party, so I figured I would help you out."
"Oh, wow, thanks Tawni," I said, touched. "Now I really have to go. I am going to be late for my flight."
"Bye, Sonny!"
"Bye Tawni. Enjoy New York!"
I left Tawni sitting in front of her makeup table staring at her box of Coco Mocoa Coco lipstick. I ran into Zora, Grady, and Nico leaving at the same time I was, and I gave out my gifts for them.
Zora got a box of practical jokes that I made her swear to never use on me, and Nico and Grady got gift cards to various Hollywood restaurants.
Zora gave me her ancient cold cut catapult and Nico and Grady gave me their newest container or Girldozer. I had a sneaking suspicion these weren't really for me.
"Um, guys? These aren't just gifts that you wanted were they?" I asked.
"Why now that you mention it, Grady and I were looking for a new container of Girldozer; there are these girls at the mall that hang out in the same spot…" Nico said, grabbing the Girldozer from me.
"And I could always use my cold-cut catapult," said Zora, snatching it from me and running.
"Happy Holidays, Sonny," they called as the walked out the front door of the studio.
"You too," I said meekly.
I looked in the bottom of my bag and found two gifts someone had placed there. One was the one from the So Random cast that I was supposed to drop off at Mackenzie Falls; it was the entire season of our show, and we thought they would like to have it. The last one was for me.
It was wrapped in metallic blue wrapping paper and had white snowflakes on it. The gift tag said, "To Sonny, from a secret Santa". I didn't recognize the handwriting, so I had no idea who it came from.
I ripped away the paper to find a jewelry box. I was about to open the box when my phone beeped.
I took my phone out of my back pocket. An alarm text popped up onto the screen. Dang it, I was going to miss my plane if I didn't hurry. I tossed my phone and the jewelry box back into my bag and I got into my car.
I ran through the airport, stopping at the baggage counter. I practically threw my two luggage bags at the attendant to put on the plane, but she just smiled and said, "Late for your plane, dear?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am."
"Well which one are you flying on?" I gave her the name of the airlines and where the plane was flying.
"You're in luck," she said, patting my hand. "The flight was postponed by half an hour because it was late coming in."
"Thank goodness," I said. I thanked the helpful attendant and proceeded, much more slowly this time, to the security area of the airport.
I arrived at the terminal with a few minutes to spare, so I grabbed a latte and a pastry from a coffee shop near the terminal and sat down to wait for the people to call me onto the plane.
"All people riding the Holiday Flight to Wisconsin, please come to the terminal and board now." I sat up, threw away my trash, and quickly boarded the plane, wanting to get a good seat.
I shouldn't have worried, though. I ended up having the row all to myself, the plane was so empty.
After we were up in the air, I took out my phone and sent a quick text to my mom, who was already in Wisconsin (she had gone down there earlier this month to clean up our old apartment), to tell her my plane would be late and to not worry if she arrived at the airport and I wasn't there.
I was putting my phone into my bag when I remembered the jewelry box. I took it out, slowly, carefully, and I opened the lid. I gasped.
It was a silver bracelet, and on the inside of the bracelet the words My Sonshine were engraved in cursive. The outside of the bracelet had three diamonds that were separated by different dangly charms. The first charm was a movie reel. The second, a pig, and the third and final one was a cookie.
Well, this gift pretty much proof that Tawni or Zora was my secret Santa. I bet that Marshall wouldn't give me something like this, and neither would Grady or Nico. James. James would love to give me something like this to win me back, but if those were real diamonds, it wouldn't be from him. He doesn't have that kind of money, and he definitely would not spend that much on a girl. He goes through too many of them to spend money on any of them.
Maybe the charms would give me a clue. Hmmmmm…
Ok, so the first one was a movie reel. Um, movie, movie, movie… I went to the movies with all my cast members. James and I saw a movie once. I don't know about that one. Next charm. A pig. Well, Nico and Grady had a pig once. James acted like a pig during our dates. I had a pig in my sketch with Chad. Oh dear God. Chad. I hadn't even considered that.
Well now that Chad is an option, however unlikely, I remember that I was in a movie of his. There was a pig in the sketch we did together, and I saved him from choking on a cookie, hence the cookie charm. Oh man, this was from Chad! He had enough money for it, Tawni claims that he likes me, and all the charms fit to things related to him. Could Tawni be right? Could Chad really like me, Sonny Monroe from Wisconsin?
My heart sped up. Relax Sonny. Relax. Chad is a jerk. You don't want him to like you and you don't like him. But I could not lie convincingly to myself. I did like Chad, and it was because of his jerk-like qualities. I did want him to like me. And the bracelet was just so pretty. I put it on and admired it on my slender wrist.
Just then, my phone beeped. I pulled it out and saw a reply text from my mother.
Mom: All right, but Sonny, be careful, and don't talk to anybody on the plane.
Me: I know Mom, and I will be at the airport in about another two hours.
Mom: I miss you honey, and I can't wait to see you. I have to go bake the pie. I love you.
Me: I love you too, Mom. Save an apple pie for me.
Apple pie was my favorite and I knew that Lucy would fight me for it like always. Just like the good old days when I hadn't been discovered by Marshall yet. Lucy and I would always bicker over the last piece of apple pie, and my mom would solve it by cutting it in half and we would laugh and playfully argue over whose piece was slightly bigger.
My memories were interrupted by the flight attendant coming over.
"Would you like something to drink, hon?" I lifted my wrist to tighten my ponytail.
"Yes, please. I would love a Sprite."
"All right, one Sprite coming up. And by the way, you are one lucky girl. Whoever gave you that charm bracelet much love you very much."
"Um, yeah, I guess he does," I said awkwardly. Speaking of Chad, I decided to put him on the spot for appearing at my show today. I pulled out my phone again and sent him a quick text.
Me: so how'd u like our show?
I got a reply a few minutes later.
Chad: idk what you're talking about, Sonny
Me: Yes u do, Chad. Or should I say ERIC!
Chad: So u did see me.
Me: U were kinda hard NOT see, I would know that costume anywhere
Chad: Darn. Well, u caught me. I was spying on u for Mackenzie Falls. We wanted to see u guys in action to see what made u so likeable to young viewers.
I snorted. So I was right. Or he was lying, which would be just like him. I decided to make him squirm.
Me: So u admit to us having a better show than u.
Chad: I never said that.
Me: But u implied it. And stop trying to change the subject. What were u doing at all our other shows?
Chad: What r u talking about?
Me: Tawni told me how u have been coming to all of our shows.
Chad: Na-uh
Me: Yep. U sit in the back row in a wig and glasses.
Chad: I really need to find a better disguise.
Me: Well if it makes u feel any better, nobody but Tawni noticed u.
Chad: Oh.
Me: Thanks by the way
Chad: You're welcome. Wait, for what? For being the best actor of our generation? I already know everyone is thankful for me. U don't need to tell me, Sonny.
Me: No, Chad. Not for that. Why would I thank u for something you're not?
Chad: Ouch, Sonny, that hurt. Why are u thanking Chad Dylan Cooper, the BEST actor of the generation?
Me: Once again, you are not the best actor of our generation. And I'm thanking u for the beautiful bracelet.
Chad: What are u talking about?
Me: I think u know exactly what I'm talking about.
Success. He did not reply for the rest of the plane ride.
Chad's P.O.V.
I couldn't talk. How could she have found out about the bracelet? No, scratch that, how could she have the bracelet? It was lying in my dressing room on the foosball table, waiting to be hidden. I was never planning to give it to her until I knew she liked me. I was going to give it to her next year, when hopefully, she would like me and I would have the guts to ask her out. She wasn't supposed to know about it, much less have it!
I know Sonny would never snoop in anything of anyone else's, she is too nice. Tawni, on the other hand…
I stormed out of the set where we were holding rehearsal and barged into Tawni's dressing room without knocking.
"Tawni!" I yelled. She came out from behind her changing room curtain wearing a neon orange cocktail dress with super high heels.
"Chad! I was changing! Knock first! And just so you know, Sonny is not here."
"I know. And what are you wearing?" Her outfit had temporarily distracted me from my fit of rage.
"I'm going on a date tonight with a teen gladiator. At a club," she replied warily. "And what do you want if it's not Sonny?"
"You. Snooped. In Chad Dylan Cooper's dressing room."
"I did not!"
"When were you last in there?"
"This morning after the show. I was going to talk to you about appearing front and center at our show. And Tawni Hart does not snoop!"
"Well then how do you explain how my package for Sonny mysteriously ended up in her hands?"
"Oh good, she got it. Did she like it? What did she say? What did she spill to you about her feelings? Did she tell you she likes you?" Tawni started babbling.
"Ha! You did give it to her! What? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, er nothing. And I did not give it to her, I slipped it into her bag before she left for Wisconsin."
"Tawni. I am going to kill you. Really, I am."
"Chad, calm down. It wasn't like you had the guts to give it to her yourself. I just sped up your relationship." I growled at her and stalked back to my dressing room to glare at nothing in peace.
Sonny's P.O.V.
I walked into Wisconsin's airport with a smile on my face. I was home.
"Sonny!" I put my arms out just in time to catch Lucy. She threw her arms around me. "I have missed you so much! It's been so quiet without you here, I can't wait to argue over pie, open presents, and sing Christmas carols to the neighbors with you!"
"I've missed you too, Lucy! I can't wait to celebrate the holidays here!" I let go of my friend and turned to face the rest of my welcoming committee.
"Mom!"
"Sonny! How have you been? I hope you are doing well in your studies. How's Tawni? And Marshall?" Oh boy, moms can be exhausting.
"I am doing fine in school, Mom. Marshall and the cast are good, too." With that, Mom took my hand and led me from the airport.
It was the day after Christmas, and I had been in Wisconsin for a week and a half. Today was Boxing Day, which in our house was taken literally. Lucy, my older brother Derek, our twin cousins Taylor and Aden, and I wrap ourselves in pillows, put bubble wrap on our fists and go outside in the front yard where we fight each other while our families cheer us on from the sidelines and neighbors come and watch from the safety of the street.
"Sonny! Lucy! Come on!" Derek called to us from down the stairs.
"Chill, Derek! It's cold outside! We have to put on more layers," Lucy yelled back at him. It was true. Right now, the temperature in Arcadia, Wisconsin was 15 degrees Fahrenheit. We had on pillows on our front and back, fluffy snow boots, three shirts, a pair of snow pants (there was two feet of snow on the ground if you couldn't tell), and a puffy winter coat. Gloves replaced the bubble wrap this year, and ski masks covered our faces.
"Ready?" I asked Lucy.
"Ready," she confirmed, and we marched down the stairs to the fight awaiting us.
It was now the day I had to go home, the day before New Year's Eve. My mom was staying behind in Wisconsin until the weather warmed up and she could prepare the house for the warmer weather and put away the snow shovels and everything else needed to survive winter in Wisconsin. Derek had left for college two days ago, and our extended family had gone home. Lucy's family had gone to their house a few miles away from ours but Lucy was coming with me to the airport, and then catching a cab back to her house.
"I will miss you so much," she cried, as we hugged each other at security.
"I promise to send you emails and call as soon as I can!"
"Bye, Sonny," she said, as my flight was called.
"Bye, Luce," I said, trying not to cry as I gathered up my carry-on and walked onto the plane that would take me to L.A.
I texted Tawni as my plane touched down in L.A.
Me: I'm home, Tawni!
Tawni: Oh, joy. I got home a few days ago and it is so boring here!
Me: Don't worry, the party is tomorrow, right?
Tawni: Yeah. Do u need a ride from the airport?
Me: No I brought my car. Are u feeling ok?
Tawni: Yes, why?
Me: You're being nice. Did u destroy something of mine?
Tawni: Psh, nah.
Me: U know I'll find out sooner or later, right Tawni?
Tawni: Yeah, you'll find out soon.
Me: Oh dear, now I'm scared. Bye, Tawni.
Tawni: See you soon Sonny.
What? See her soon? What's that supposed to mean? I am now scared to be back in L.A.
I dragged my luggage up into the elevator that would take me to my apartment, waving to the doorman on my way up.
"Good luck," he said, waving back.
"What?"
"You'll see," he said, turning to open the door for a women with a stroller. This day kept getting stranger and stranger. But little did I know, it was about to get even stranger.
I took out the key to my apartment and fit it in the lock, but it would not turn. I took it out and fiddled with the knob. Odd, it was unlocked. I could have sworn I locked it before I left. Who knows who could have come into the apartment while I was gone. My apartment could have been burglarized!
I was now scared out of my mind when I threw open the door and dragged my luggage into the living room, afraid of what I would find.
I screamed. My apartment was a mess. There were take-out containers all over the floor and blankets were strewn haphazardly across the couch. It smelled good though, like flowers.
A person walked out of the bathroom, in black sweats. I screamed again, and the figure screamed too.
"Aaaaahhhh! Oh, Sonny, you scared the heck outta me!"
"Tawni?"
"What?" she pouted, going over to the couch.
"What are you doing in my apartment? And how did you get into it?"
"The doorman let me in. He recognized me from last time I came and he knew I knew you, so he unlocked your door for me." So I had locked the door before I left.
"But what are you doing here?" Her peppy face sank into another pout.
"My aunt had an emergency so I had to come back from New York City early. My mom is away on a cruise until New Year's, so I was locked out and had no where to go. I came here instead, and I've been here with nothing to do for a week!" she cried.
"Aw, Tawni, it's okay. I'm back now, and you can stay until your mom comes home."
"Thanks, Sonny." She smiled at me.
"Help me unpack and then we can go do something," I said.
"Fine."
Ten minutes later, we were headed out into L.A. for lunch and some air hockey and skeeball.
"Thanks for lunch, Tawni," I said as we walked towards the studio. She had treated me to lunch at the arcade, saying it was the least she could do.
"No problem. I hate to say this, but I had fun."
"Me too," I said, and held the door open.
It had been my idea to go to the studio and hang at the Prop House and see if Nico and Grady were there, maybe think up some sketches while we were at it.
"Nico? Grady? You here?" I called.
"Listen," Tawni told me. The sounds of two guys playing a gaming system got louder as Tawni and I walked towards the Prop House.
"Hey, Sonny!" Grady called, while shooting some enemy from the Gaming Chair.
"Tawni! Back so soon! I hope you got gifts!" Nico exclaimed from the couch as he blew up Grady.
"Dude. I was on level six! Couldn't you let me at least get to level nine?" Grady asked Nico.
"Nah, it would ruin my fun," Nico replied.
"Tawni and I are going to the set to come up with some ideas for new sketches. You guys gonna come?" I asked.
"In a minute, Sonny. I have to blow up Nico once and for all." Tawni and I left, shaking our heads as the gun shots got quieter, then died all together.
"Watch it!" someone shouted as Tawni and I bumped into them.
"Watch it yourself, Chad," Tawni said haughtily.
"Oh, it's you two," he said sulkily.
"I'll see you on set, Sonny," Tawni told me, flouncing off happily, leaving Chad and me to talk.
"I'll catch you later, then," Chad said, trying to hurry past me.
"Na-uh, not so fast, Chad. We need to talk."
"No we don't. It was a mistake. I didn't give you that bracelet, it was all Tawni," Chad told me, looking past me. I knew he wished he could leave.
"What?" I asked, sadly. "You really didn't give me that bracelet?"
"No, no, no. It's not like that," he said quickly.
"Well then, what is it like, Chad?" I said, angry at him for not just coming out and saying he liked me.
"I don't know, but you weren't supposed to get that bracelet."
"Why, Chad? What did I do to you? Am I really that horrible and unlikable?".
Chad's P.O.V.
Dang it. Now I hurt her feelings. I was trying to keep my pride, but it wasn't easy. She made it so difficult to not just come out and tell her how much I liked her. What was I going to tell her? That I didn't like her? No, Chad Dylan Cooper cannot lie to Sonny. She's too nice. Which makes me wanna be nice to her in return. So I could not stop the next words that came out of my mouth.
"No, Sonny, and I'll prove it to you. Be my date for the New Year's Eve party tomorrow night." Argh, darn Chad Dylan Cooper's big mouth. I cannot believe I just said that.
Sonny's P.O.V.
Wait, what? Did Chad just ask me out? Whoa.
"Um, sure. Pick me up at this address at seven," I said, quickly, blushing. I scribbled down my address onto a piece of paper and handed it to him. Then I did what any girl would do. I ran away without looking back.
"So? What happened? Did you guys confess your undying love for each other?" Tawni asked as she bounced up to me as soon as she saw me come into the set.
"No," I said, blushing again. "But he did ask me to be his date to tomorrow's party."
"Ah! No way! I am so glad I am staying with you, you have to be presentable for you date!" Tawni squealed.
"Tawni, chill. I guilted him into it."
"That's just what he wants you to think. He likes you, Sonny, wake up and smell the Coco Mocoa Coco lipstick!"
"It's wake up and smell the roses, Tawni," I said patiently.
"Whatever. Now lets go back to your apartment. I have to get you ready!"
"But the party isn't until tomorrow."
"I know."
When we got back home, Tawni went to work on me. She sent me to the shower and when I came back with a robe, she directed me to a chair. She put my wet hair into curlers and put toe separators on my feet.
After an hour, my toes were a blue-periwinkle color with white stars and my fingers were painted to match. My hair was set in curlers and my face had been plucked and rubbed raw.
"Are you done yet?" I asked, trying to resist the urge to rub at my itchy face.
"Yep! And you look gorgeous! But I'm still prettier," Tawni told me.
"Gee, thanks," I said sarcastically.
"Now we just have to find you a dress," she said. " Change into some sweats or something. Put on some flip flops, and don't smudge your nails!"
"What? I have curlers in my hair! I can't go out like this!"
"Sure you can, people go out like that all the time in L.A." I couldn't argue with that. So I did what she asked and we were out the door in minutes.
We arrived at home late. We had shopped in several different stores, Tawni pulling everything blue and fancy off the racks. She had proclaimed every store incapable of fitting her needs, and exclaimed loudly that she would just have to use my dress she gave me for a Christmas present until a store manager came over and asked her if she wanted to have a seamstress come to my house and personally alter the dress to match my nails.
"Finally!" she had said, exasperated. We then went out to dinner at a fancy club, my hair earning only a few stares that were mostly from tourists.
The next morning, Tawni woke me up at seven.
"I am getting up this early for you," she said tiredly as she pulled on some comfortable Juicy sweats and made me do the same. We got into a limo and arrived at a favorite spa of Tawni's.
The workers were really nice. They gave us some light green robes to change into and sent us to a steam room. When we came out, they led us into massage chairs and gave each of us a Frappacino and Danish. I got a massage and facial while Tawni got her nails done.
Eventually, it was noon and time to go home for the seamstress to alter the dress.
"Show me your nails," she demanded as soon as she walked in. I gave her my hand and she immediately whipped out her cell phone and started barking orders into it.
A few minutes later she hung up and faced Tawni.
"Get me her dress!"
"Right away!" Tawni said happily. She brought out my dress and the doorbell rang. The seamstress opened it and ushered in the crew she had just phoned. She tossed my baby blue sequined dress at them.
"You know what to do," she told them seriously, while yanking my hand and shoving it in their faces. "It must match the nails," she demanded.
By three o'clock, the workers were done and out of the apartment. Tawni let me watch TV and relax with the promise she would start working on me at five.
Tawni was true to her word. At five o'clock sharp, she dragged me into my big bathroom and sat me in front of the mirror. She put one of those hair salon bibs on my and immediately went to work on my hair.
She started by taking out the curlers that had been in for over a full 24 hours. She pulled something out of the many bags she brought from home and started working it through my hair. A few seconds later, a sweet scent permeated my nostrils.
"Smells good," I commented.
"Shh! No talking while I'm concentrating!" Tawni demanded. She put another two products into my hair and then went to work on my face. She put a mud mask on it after touching up my plucked eyebrows and went back to my hair.
She placed a sparkly blue butterfly clip into my hair, pulling back the left side of my now curly hair and putting it in the clip. She took out hairspray and gingerly sprayed my hair, letting it flow down my back in wavy curls.
Tawni then removed the mask and washed my face with a cleanser. She put very dark mascara on my lashes and swiped some periwinkle eye shadow on, followed by some glitter. My lips were last, coated with a simple clear coat of gloss, making my lips look full and shimmery.
Tawni told me to close my eyes and pull my dress on. She helped me with the zipper and turned me to face the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. She had not allowed me to see the improved dress, so it would be a full surprise when I opened my eyes.
And a surprise it was. The seamstress had replaced all of the baby blue sequins with sequins that were not quite periwinkle, but not a full purple or blue either. She had loosened and shortened the bottom of the dress so it was just above mid-thigh and it puffed out in slight ruffles from the waist down. The top of the dress was tight-fitting and had only one shoulder.
"I love it," I breathed.
"Good," Tawni said happily. "Now put on your shoes while I go get ready."
Tawni had gone out and bought me shoes as soon as the seamstress had left. They were a light blue color that matched the periwinkle-blue color of my nails and my dress. I slid them on and admired the rest of me in the mirror. The mascara and eye shadow brought out my dark eyes and my hair flowed effortlessly down my back. The butterfly clip was in the perfect place. I looked beautiful. Now all I needed was for Chad to think the same thing.
Tawni came back in the bathroom a few minutes later. She, amazingly enough, had had enough time to straighten her blonde hair to perfection and put on dark blue make-up that matched her long navy blue dress that had a Greek toga style to it. She had paired the dress with long white boots and had added a white bead necklace to complete the outfit.
She held out her hand, and in it was my charm bracelet from Chad.
"Thanks, Tawni," I whispered softly, sliding it on my arm. I also put on the silver hoop earrings she had placed on the counter.
"You look very good, obviously because of me. Let's hope Chad thinks the same. And now would be the time to find out," she said, right as the doorbell rang. She ran to open it.
"Wow, Tawni," a deep voice said. A teen gladiator maybe? She was dating one a while ago, I wouldn't be surprised if she charmed him into taking her tonight.
"You look…nice," said another voice. Chad. Oh my gosh. I started hyperventilating. Chad was here. In my apartment. Waiting to take me to a party. What if he didn't like me outfit? What if Tawni was wrong and he only asked me out because of guilt? Get a grip, Sonny Monroe. He asked you because he likes you. Now go out there and show him how gorgeous you look. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the living room.
Chad's P.O.V.
Wow. Sonny looked amazing. She was wearing a very short dress and heels that accented her legs. Her make-up and hair were done to perfection. Tawni must have gotten to her. I snuck a quick glance at the peppy blonde who was standing with her current teen gladiator date. She winked when she saw me glance her way, so she must have gotten to Sonny. I was glad she had.
"Sonny," I said briskly, trying my hardest to avoid staring at her.
"Chad," she said, blushing when my no-staring tactics failed.
"Shall we go then?" Tawni asked, pulling her date towards the door.
"I guess we should," I replied, being the rare gentleman and offering my arm to the still-blushing Sonny.
"You look really pretty tonight, Sonny," I whispered as we got out of my limo and walked towards the sound of a pulsing beat from behind the studio's doors.
"Thanks," she whispered back. "You look pretty good yourself."
"Chad Dylan Cooper always looks good," I told her.
"Sure thing." Sonny rolled her eyes.
Sonny's P.O.V.
We met up with Nico and Grady and Zora at the entrance.
"Zora! Welcome back," I told her. She had gotten tan.
"Thanks," she said. "Whoa," she commented when she saw my arm intertwined with Chad's.
"Don't ask," I said.
"Wasn't planning on it," she replied, stepping through the doors.
"So, um, you wanna dance?" Chad asked. Weird. He looked nervous. I thought "CDC" never got nervous.
"Sure." I smiled at him, trying to ease his nervousness. I put down my purse in a booth in the room reserved for the party and headed onto the dance floor with Chad.
Dancing with him was nice and surprisingly sweet. He knew how to dance, and it was a lot of fun dancing with my cast and their dates.
It was nearing ten and Chad and I were dancing to a slow song. He leaned in closer.
"You know I really meant it when I said you weren't horrible, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I was pulling your leg, Chad. It's called acting."
"I knew that," he said.
"Sure, whatever you say." And the next thing I know, we were leaning in towards each other. Our lips touched. The kiss was sweet and nice.
Tawni had to ruin it though. "I knew it! I knew it!" she chanted and sang as she danced around us. I glared at her, and she scampered off to dance with her date.
"Wow," I said.
"Yeah," Chad said, looking down at his shoes. What happened after that would change my life forever.
The lights turned on and the music shut off. Chad and I stopped dancing and he put his arm around my waist. Tawni and the other cats members came and stood around us as we looked for the disturbance. Oh dear. Mr. Condor was standing at the entrance with his hand on the light switch.
"I want to know who did it, and I want to know now!" What is he talking about? Someone was brave enough to ask. "Someone has robbed my vault! Who did it? Whoever it was will be thrown into jail! I want to know who it was! Coward, come forward!" he yelled. Boy, he was mad.
Dakota, in her little pink princess dress, stepped into the room and stood next to her father.
"I will find the culprit, Daddy," she said sweetly.
"Of course you will, angel," he told her. He looked out at all the party-goers.
"Enjoy the party while you can. Because when I find who did this, they will be punished." I gulped. I feel really bad for whoever did it. Mr. Condor turned off the lights and signaled the DJ to turn the music back on, but it didn't last. About ten minutes later, Dakota' shrill voice rang out among the noise of the party.
"I found the money, Daddy!" Oh gosh, she was standing near the booth where I set my stuff. I hope it wasn't Chad or someone else I knew. Wait. She was holding up my purse! She opened it and pulled out a wad of cash. How did that get there? I have never had that much money in my life, much less at one time!
Mr. Condor came over. "Whose bag is this?" I asked furiously. I meekly held up my hand.
"It is mine. But I swear that money wasn't there before!"
"I don't want to hear excuses, Miss Monroe. That money came out of my vault. I would know it anywhere."
"Sonny didn't do it!" Chad came to my rescue. Ah, I am liking that boy more and more.
"Yeah, she was with me the whole afternoon!" Tawni added. Thank you, Tawni.
"Then how do you explain this money in her bag? That is very noble of you for defending you friend here, Miss Hart and Mr. Cooper, but she is the one to blame. Miss Monroe, I am going to take pity on you, since you are obviously young and confused. I am not going to send you to jail. But you are FIRED!" He yelled the last word.
Everyone was staring at me. Mr. Condor grabbed the money from my purse and threw my purse at me as he marched out the door. Dakota followed behind him, and she stuck out her tongue at me as she passed.
Evil. She had done this! She had framed me because she had seen me with Chad, her little celebrity crush. Tears welled up in my eyes, and started pouring down my cheeks as I raced out of the studio.
"Sonny!" Chad called, grabbing my forearm. I shrugged him off, tears still streaming down my cheeks.
"Just let me go home," I cried. He nodded, and helped me to his limo, and gave the driver instructions to drive me home and make sure I got into my apartment okay.
The next morning when I woke up, I was very confused. I was on my bed in my party outfit and when I got up and looked in the mirror I had red indentations across my face from where I fell asleep on my arm. My eyes were still red from all my crying. I had cried until I could not longer produce a single tear, which was around three in the morning. I glanced over at my clock. It was almost noon.
I stumbled my way into the shower and just stood there, hot water pouring down my bare back, loosening all my muscles and washing the stress from the previous night down the drain.
Eventually I got out and dressed in trashy sweats. I tossed my wrinkled dress and heels into the back of my closet and put my dripping hair into a ponytail.
After I made myself an omelet and sat down in front of the TV, I noticed that both my cell phone and the phone in my apartment had several missed calls and voice messages. My cell phone had missed calls from all my classmates and Marshall. I only had two voice messages on it.
"Hey, Sonny!" It was my cast mates. "We feel really awful, we know it was Dakota that set you up and we are trying to find a way to prove she did it and get you back on the show." Tawni's voice came up alone. "The Check It Out Girls won't be the same anymore, and I can't believe I'm saying this but I need you back on the show! I need you to keep me company!" Nico and Grady's voices came next. "Sonny, we miss you already and cannot stand to go into rehearsal today. We even made Marshall cancel rehearsal to help us get evidence that Dakota put that money in your purse. We can't wait for you to come back!" Lastly, Zora left a short message. "Hey, Sonny, we all feel really awful, and I always knew that girl was eeeeeeviiiiil! I need you back, because I need someone to take me to the animal crematorium and to test my new catapult on!" Everyone came on again. "Bye, Sonny, we cannot wait to get you back, please come visit us as soon as you can!" The message ended and the last one started.
"Sonny, I feel really awful about this, and we need you on So Random. I am working with everyone to get you rehired and back on the show. Until then, I wish you the best!" It was Marshall.
I was crying again by the time his message stopped. I was afraid to press the button to hear the one message on my apartment phone, but with a shaking finger, I managed.
"Son, it's Chad. I am really, really sorry about what Condor did to you and I am going to take it up with him as soon as I can. Anyway, I had a really great time last night, no joke. I hope you did too. Yeah, so, bye." I started to cry all over again.
I managed to calm myself down enough to make a few calls. The first one was to Chad. He didn't pick up though, he was probably in rehearsal, so I left a message.
"Hey, Chad, it's Sonny. Please don't get in trouble because of me, I'll be fine. And yeah, I did have a good time last night I didn't have time to thank you, but it was surprisingly sweet. Don't worry about me, I'm just taking a break for a little while, but anyways, thanks again, and stay out of trouble. Bye." The next call was to Tawni's cell phone. She didn't answer either. I left another message.
"Tawni? It's Sonny. I just wanted to let you know that I'm fine, so can you pass it along to Zora, Nico, Grady, and Marshall? And tell them I miss them already too, and I appreciate everything you guys are doing for me. I'm going to take a break for a little while, so don't be surprised if you guys try and come visit and I'm not here. I'm really hoping I can come back to the show soon, though. I'll hopefully see you soon, Tawni. Bye." My last call was to my mom.
"Mom? It's me. I just wanted to call you and tell you I'm coming home."
"What? Why?" I started to bawl. "Sonny? What is it honey? Is everything okay?"
"No, Mom," I sobbed into the phone. "I got fired! I'll tell you everything when I get there, but can you come pick me up at the airport in a few hours?"
"Of course, my little Sonshine. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom." I got up and packed my bags.
I had been in Wisconsin for two weeks. I was over the fact that I had been cruelly fired because of a crime I didn't commit and that an evil little girl of a studio owner had wrongly accused me because of jealousy. I had told my mom the sad story as soon as we were in the car on the way home, and she had not said anything, just helped me out of the car, sat me in front of the fireplace, and handed me a cup of hot milk. And that was all it took. I was over it.
She had called Derek at college and told him what had happened, and he was home visiting for the weekend. We were outside shooting hoops with the basketball hoop on the garage door. Lucy was visiting and she was on the sidelines, watching since she wasn't very athletic. It was then that I got the call.
"Hello?"
"Yes, Miss Monroe? It's Mr. Condor." Why was he calling? Lucy and Derek made motions to me, asking who it was. Mr. Condor, I mouthed. They looked as confused as I was.
"Hi, Mr. Condor," I said, faking cheerful.
"You are probably wondering why I am calling you." Well, duh. "I was given a peculiar videotape this morning from your fellow cast mates. It was a security video of my office, Sonny. And do you know what is showed?"
"No, sir."
"It did not show you taking the money out of my vault, but my own daughter." Oh my god, my friends had done it! "I apologize for the inconvenience and I hope you will come back to So Random."
"So I'm rehired?" I asked. Derek and Lucy's heads snapped up. What?!, they mouthed.
"Yes, and I hope you will consider coming back."
"I'm sorry Mr. Condor, but I kind of already have something else planned. When you fired me, I thought it was the end of the world, because acting was my life. So I came home to Wisconsin and I found a job." Lucy and my brother looked at me like I was crazy.
"I see. Well, if you change your mind, Sonny, the position will always be open."
"Thank you Mr. Condor, I will let you know if I change my mind.
"Goodbye, Miss Monroe." He hung up. I slowly released the phone, looking at it like it was not even there.
"What is wrong with you?" Lucy demanded, storming over. "You just turned down your dream!"
"It was my dream, Luce, but now I'm not so sure. I mean, I just got that job in the store downtown, and I get a good amount of money from that."
"Sis, you are one crazy girl. Turning down that job? Not the smartest thing you could have done."
Once they told my mother what had happened, she was on my case too, and after two days of pestering, I gave in.
"All right! Enough, already, I'll take back the job, happy?" My family and Lucy cheered.
I called back Mr. Condor and told him I would take the job, then I immediately called my cast and told them I was coming back. I remembered to thank them profusely for their part in getting me back as well.
I went to sleep with a happy smile on my face, knowing I could go back to L.A, and when I woke up the next morning, I was even happier. It had snowed last night, and there was snow and ice everywhere. I loved the snow, but I couldn't go outside to play so I used up my spare time by telling everyone I knew about getting back my old job. Well, apparently not everyone…
Chad's P.O.V.
When I heard though the grapevine that Sonny had gotten rehired but had not accepted the job, I became very upset. Didn't the night at the party mean anything to her? I was going to talk to her about it, and hopefully change her mind.
I asked Portlyn about where Sonny was, because she had not picked up the phone at her apartment, she told me she was now living at her old house in Wisconsin with her mom. I told Portlyn I was going after Sonny to change her mind about not accepting her old job.
"Good luck," she told me. I heard the weather is awful down there." I dismissed this with a wave of my hand.
"I'll be fine," I told her. Boy, was I wrong.
"Ahhhhh!" I yelled as my car slid across the extremely icy and deserted road. I had gotten off the plane at the Wisconsin airport and had rented a car. I then programmed Sonny's address I had gotten from Marshall into the car's GPS and had started down the road when I realized I had no idea how to drive on icy roads since I had lived in California my whole life and had not once experienced snow, much less ice. I gave up and simply took my hands off the wheel, going that would make the car go straight and stop sliding across the ice. This is the stupidest thing you have ever done, Chad Dylan Cooper, I thought as the car slid off the road and tumbled down a hill covered in snow. Then everything went black.
Sonny's P.O.V.
My phone rang at two in the morning the day after I finally accepted the job.
"Hello?" I said groggily into the receiver.
"Yes, who is speaking?" asked a polite female voice.
"Sonny Monroe," I said warily.
"Yes, this is Nurse Katlyn from Wisconsin State Hospital, and your number was first on the patient's contact list." My heart rate sped up? Who was she talking about?
"What patient?" I asked, scared of the answer.
"His identification says Chad Dylan Cooper." Oh god, what was Chad doing here?
"I'll be right there," I said, hanging up and racing into my mother's room.
"Honey?" My mom sat upright in bed when I shook her.
"Mom? Chad is in Wisconsin and he apparently landed himself in the hospital. I'm going to see him," I told her hurriedly pulling on a jacket and snow boots over my pj's.
"Ok," she said groggily. "Wake up your brother and have him drive you I his Jeep. It had four-wheel drive, so you can drive on the ice. Be careful, and call when you can."
"Thanks, Mom!" I called as I ran to wake up Derek.
Needless to say he was not happy to be woken up so early, but he drove me nonetheless.
"I'm looking for Chad Dylan Cooper?" I asked the nurse at the reception desk.
"Yes, he is intensive care on level three," she said helpfully. I ran to the elevator, Derek close behind me.
I arrived at the door to his unit, where a nurse let me in.
"What is wrong with him?" I asked as I sat down in a chair next to his hospital bed. I have never seen Chad look this bad. His face was bruised and bloody with several stitches over it. His head was bandaged, his arm was in a sling, and his leg was in a plaster cast. I took a bruised hand in mine.
"He has a severe concussion, a broken leg, a fractured wrist, and needed 103 stitches to stitch all the cuts on his body shut."
I turned green, and Derek squeezed my hand. The door flew open and Tawni, Marshall and Portlyn raced in.
"We took a rush flight," they said. Then they all gasped as they took in Chad, damaged and bloody. Marshall and Derek excused themselves, and Portlyn left after seeing all the blood, so it was only Tawni and I as well as the nurse with him when he woke up.
"Careful not to overwhelm him," she said quietly as his eyelids fluttered. He will be very confused and will only remember key points in his life. He may not remember his own name.
"Chad?" I asked quietly. He opened his eyes all the way.
"What is your name, hon?" the nurse asked him. He answered correctly, as well as the questions about his birthday and address. Then he got asked what day it was.
"I don't know," he said worriedly. "June 11th," he finally said matter-of-factly. It was January 17. The nurse looked alarmed.
"The date is the most important thing to this test," she whispered to us. "Okay, now Sonny, are you his girlfriend?" she asked me.
"You could say that," I answered.
"Okay, Chad. Who is your girlfriend?"
He locked eyes with me, and I thought he would say my name. But that is not what came out of his mouth.
"I don't have one. But I wish that hot blonde was."
I gasped, tears forming in my eyes. I pushed past the nurse and the very startled Tawni and stopped by Chad's bedside.
"Who am I, Chad? What is my name?" I demanded.
"I don't know you," he said, his eyes questioning my sanity.
"Are you sure? Chad, we went on several dates. Remember James? The fake dates? The real one to the party where I got fired?"
He shook his head. "There were no fake dates. James was only guest-staring on my show. And I would never go on a real date with you. I would go with that cute blonde over there. Can you introduce me?" That was enough. I turned to run out of the room and I ran smack into Tawni's arms. She led me to the waiting area, holding me while I cried…
Back to the present…
I sat in the waiting room chair, it had been a full 24 hours since Chad told me he no longer loved me, much less knew me. I decided it was all a mistake, he was loopy from all the medication, so with Derek's arm supporting me, I went back into Chad's room.
He was still hooked up to all these tubes and IV lines, and still looked banged up, but I went right up to him and looked him in the eye, Derek's arm still around me.
"Don't you remember me?" I asked.
"We have never met," he told me, looking confused. "Why would I remember you if I don't even know you."
"But you loved me," I cried. "I could see it in you eyes every time you looked at me, I realize that now. I realize you had always loved me, which was why you were so much nicer to me then anyone else on So Random."
"I could never love you," he whispered. I had my answer, and with Derek's arm holding me so I would not fall, I ran from the room, from the hospital, from the town with the hospital, and never returned.
(A/N- so there it is, my first SWAC fanfic- I hope you liked it please review!
And this was for my bestie ada (imalittleteapot-girl), she loves sonny with a chance, so I made her one as a surprise- I hope you liked it ada!)