The Voice.

Summary: Story about Chad & Sophia. Because we all know Barbie needs to go, right? Begins in present time. Which means now. (:

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A\N: So I love this couple, thanks to a good friend of mine and because of One Tree Hill. Let's just get this out of the way. I don't like Peyton, I don't like Kenzie. Nuff said. Now I have no idea how Kenzie acts or anything, so don't yell at me if you like her or something. Okay. That's it.

And we're off..

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Also, I wrote this little story for my creative writing class and it's sort of based on Chad and Sophia and Kenzie and it ends, well, how I would like for it to end. haha. So I'll just let you read it now so you'll be less confused..? I guess. Whatever. Anyway, it's short, sort of, and the original story, the one that starts after this is going to be different.

Girl One

He was just a meaningless distraction to her. The two years they were together meant nothing. The five months of marriage meant nothing. The words whispered, the feather light caresses, the shoulder to cry on, nothing. There. Lying was easy.

One Boy

She was everything and he was a fool to do what he had done. It all seemed so unfixable now. The two years were filled with happiness and joy and any other synonym for it. And then he proposed, slightly anticipating her yes but dreading her no. But he watched her eyes soften as she walked into the dim-lit room and fill with tears as he lowered down on his knee and took hold of her hands, he asked her and with a trembling laugh, she uttered her answer and her soft, curved lips brushed against his cheek as her face was stained with tears of joy.

Their wedding was everything she had excitedly planned it to be and he watched her obvious delight, overjoyed, for all he wanted was to see her dimpled smile. And the months after that were pure bliss, euphoria. They were always going to be connected in some way, he knew it and so did she. They had an undeniable connection and just for one, gloomy, horrible night, he had made a mistake. And with the words he murmurred reluctantly, two hearts were forever shattered, never to be mended.

Feeling lonely is an emotion everyone would like to avoid, even if we never say it. So before he knew it he had proposed to someone else, his mind hardly forming coherent thoughts as she squealed and practically tackled him.

Girl Two

It was fine, really. She and the other woman were good friends and things were okay between the two, really, everything was fine. Why were people so curious? He loved her and that was it. The truth. But, she couldn't help but ask herself repeatedly, why weren't they married yet? Why are we still engaged? It's not as if he was waiting for her, they've both obviously moved on. But still, she was trapped inside his misery. And she was just beginning to realize that there was no way out but to say it's over. She was tired of waiting and she let him know that more than once but he just replied with a grim smile that everything was worth the wait. Chin resting in her palm, she sighed longingly as she watched him stare out the window dreamily, truly giving up on saying any comforting words.

Girl One

Lying was easy. Nothing would ever be fine between them again. Years have passed and she still felt the same. That connection would always be there, she sadly remembered. Just not for him. Even their audience applauded for them unashamedly as she prepared to say her worthless lines as she made her character come to life. Why can't this feeling go away? She wanted desperately for her to just forget everything that happened, that's what annulments were for, right? To forget everything, to admit you made a mistake legally. Of course you can't ever really forget, for the crack in her heart still remains and she will always feel the numbness.

One Boy

There was one chance to speak again, a chance to apologize and for everyone, but only her, especially her, to see the remorse and regret shining in his eyes. Yet all she said was you can't break something that's already been broken, And when he slowly trudged back home, she, his soon to be wife, greeted him with a small smile and with a kiss on the cheek she abruptly told him not to give up, for true love conquers all. And she left, suitcase trailing behind her.

A\N: So just ^this alone is the story I wrote for creative writing and when I presented it to the class, their faces were so confused when I referred to 'making her character come to life' lol they were like 'what in the world is wrong with this psycho..?' lmao (: but I'm sure, if you're a CS fan you understand this. Now when my friends begged me if they could read it, they did and then they begged me to continue it into an actual story so I caved, and this story, down thurr, would be the real one. And in the real one Kenzie never left. Okay. Sigh. Enjoy.

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Sophia.

She was forced against her will to go on a trip to Colorado by her best friends and co-stars, well one of them now, Hilarie Burton, Bethany, aka Joy and Emily, Sophia's friend since junior high.

She had been very moody lately and they wouldn't leave her alone about it so she finally broke down and told them she had seen a magazine article about Chad and, her ex-husband, and his fiancé, Kenzie or whatever, and seeing them together made something inside her snap.

So now she was in Colorado with her three very close friends because they thought that ever since she had that breakdown that she would be in a deep depression for weeks. She hasn't had such an emotional fit in so long .. It's been years and she's been perfectly fine, focusing on her work and friends and family. She hardly ever cried at anything anymore, for she's known a much greater pain. And even when she did have a flip-out , she would be mopey and silent for days. It's just ..a lot of things that even she saw daily would bring back memories. They were all good memories, for they never had any bad ones, they never really fought, except twice and most of it was harmless teasing.

Flashback -

| He smiled at me, amused as I stood still on the boardwalk , my arms crossed stubbornly.

"Come on, Soph!" He gestures to the setting sun, and he held his hand out, "Walk with me."

I slightly pouted "but the sand.."

He threw his head back as he laughed, "Just take off your shoes! Or I'll carry you if you want."

With a laugh, I started walking towards him after swiftly removing my shoes, grasping his hand. "I'm not as light as it looks."

He chuckled and they continued to slowly walk, hand in hand, making random conversation.

They were in Wilmington, North Carolina and had the weekend off.

Sophia, biting her lip, glanced at her boyfriend, her small hand still in his. "So, about this weekend.."

He looked at her, urging her to continue.

"Since we're off, I was thinking about going to visit my parents.."

He nodded. "Okay." and they resumed their walking, both staring at the long, beautiful beach stretched out before them.

Sophia decided to get it over with quickly. "So I was also thinking that maybe you can come," She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and seeing his face turn to look at her, she added, "I'd really love for you to meet my dad, he's so smart, so sophisticated, you'd love it! And my mom, she's so sweet! Oh, she would adore you! And you don't have to worry about any annoying siblings! Besides, it's only for a weekend and my-"

She kept rambling on and on and didn't notice when Chad had stopped, a smile on his face as he grabbed both her hands, interrupting, "I love you."

Sophia froze and looked into his eyes. "What?" She asked shakily.

"I have never felt this way about anyone before," He said, "I love you, Sophia. You're it for me. You're my girlfriend, but you're also my best friend. You make me happy, you make me laugh. And you just …caught me, you know?" He smiled softly at her, stepping closer and lacing their fingers together. "And I don't plan to change that."

Of course, Sophia being Sophia, already had tears welling up in her eyes and with his thumb, he brushed her cheek tenderly.

Sophia sniffed. "So I guess this means you're coming.." She said quietly.

He laughed lightly, looking down at her, his eyebrows raised as he dodged her question. "So I guess this means you love me too?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh, yes! Of course! I love you too!" She threw her arms around his neck, closing her eyes contentedly as his arms went around her. "So much." |

End of flashback .

"Sophia. Get. Up." Joy said, repeatedly hitting my head with a pillow.

"I'm up, I'm up!" I grumbled, springing up from the bed and with my pillow, I hit her back.

Usually I would be the first awake, I was always an early riser, and it annoyed my parents when I was growing up but it had definitely saved me from being late to school or work. Chad was an early bird too, he would always wake up in a great mood and once, when I questioned him why, because even though I woke up early, I was usually cranky, and he said he was always so cheery because he got to see me, or when we began living together he got to wake up next to me.

Shivering, I forced the thoughts away and entered the cabin's living room where Joy, Hilarie, and Emily were sitting, chatting idly.

Sophia, feeling sad again went to sit next to Hilarie and laid her head on her shoulder.

"Hey you, what's wrong?" The warm, sweet southern voice traveled to her ears as she felt a hand softly brush her wild, tangly hair.

With a pathetic sniff, Sophia sat up and looked at Hilarie, whispering: "Nothing ..bad dream…"

Joy frowned and suddenly, jumping up from the couch: "No, no, you're not doing this!"

Startled, they looked to her with wide eyes and I asked: "Doing what?"

"Being a loser," Emily spoke for the first time. "That's not the Sophia Anna Bush we know. Or at least, I know." Emily walked over to Sophia, crouching down to her level and she grabbed her friends hand, her amber - ish brown eyes staring into Sophia's dark green orbs sincerely. "You are the most strongest, bravest person I know. Now, I know, it hurts, but it's been a long time, sweetie." Emily's usually monotonous voice turned soft and sweet. "We've helped you through this before." Emily glanced at Hilarie, who continued to stroke Sophia's hair and she looked to Joy, who had moved on the other side of Sophia. She turned back to her friend since sixth grade. "And we'll help you again."

Joy nodded, rubbing Sophia's arm soothingly. "Now, I was thinking that we should go skiing today or something and around lunch we'll go somewhere."

After a moment of silence, Sophia felt a surge of gratitude for her friends and she said, finally: "Okay."

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Chad.

"How much longer?" The high pitched, whiny voice asked for the millionth time that day.

He rolled his eyes inwardly, about to snap and his hands tightened around the steering wheel. "Kenzie, for the last time, we will get there when we get there so, please, just be quiet!"

He didn't mean to snap but she could be really annoying. She went quiet for a moment, hurt, and she said: "I'm sorry. I'm just …eager to be married I guess."

Remembering words that had been said by someone else a long time ago, he smiled and patted her knee. "It's okay. I am, too."

He continued to drive and she sat there, still quiet. He attempted to make conversation but she only murmured one word answers and he began to get annoyed again but this time at her lack of speaking. He didn't like it when girls were so quiet, so he turned on the radio and gave up.

They were on their way to Colorado, for they were getting married the next day. Chad wanted to wait a few more months but Kenzie, tired of waiting began to drop hints about how absolutely beautiful it was going to be in Colorado on whatever weekend but Chad purposely ignored her. The hints soon turned to complaints, and then demands, so Chad, extremely irritated, began calling people and they were set to wed this weekend at some fancy hotel that Kenzie had picked out. It was going to be really small, a gathering.

As Chad drove, his mind went back to the time when he first met Kenzie.

Flashback. (A\N: Sort of a flashback with a flashback)

| He was upset, very upset that day on the set of One Tree Hill, for earlier, he had been rehearsing a big scene with Sophia, one, much to their dismay, about trust.

After finishing up, Chad sat down on the couch in her trailer, petting their - her, he corrected himself - dog Patches.

She was leaning back against a counter, looking down at the script in front of her, seemingly cool and calm, which both surprised and hurt him.

Not knowing what to say or how to say it, Chad decided to say what was on his mind and what had always been on his heart.

"Soph.." He spoke, using his nickname for her.

Her eyes snapped up at the name he used, her facial expression looking as if she was saying "how dare you call me that!" which surprised him because he hardly ever saw her angry. His Sophia was always happy, always.

"What's wrong..?" He asked hesitantly, feeling very stupid as soon as the words left his lips. But, to his surprise again, all she said was "nothing."

He went quiet again and when she focused her attention back to the script, he said quietly: "You look mad.."

She replied quickly, not bothering to look up. "Well, I have to be for the beginning of this scene. I have to act hurt," She looked at him directly this time, "and that's the easy part."

He looked down, feeling ashamed, as if he were five and just got scolded by his mother.

Wanting to fix this problem, needing to start everything over, yearning to be back in the early days of marital bliss when she would wake him up with a sweet kiss on the nose and she would make him breakfast, or sometimes she would make him make her breakfast, but he never minded nor complained, he loved doing things for her, he frowned.

Feeling an overwhelming wave of sadness, he stood up slowly and said abruptly: "I love you, Sophia.."

He didn't know what else to say and as he took a step toward her, she stepped back, her eyes wide and frightened.

He felt horrible for the pain he had caused and he just wanted to hug her and wish it all away. "I always will," He continued, "I made a mistake and though you'll probably never forgive me," He stared deep into her eyes, "just know, you'll always be my number one."

She was silent and he took the chance to take another step forward and wrap his arms around her. She stood, unmoving as he brought her heard toward him and rested his chin on the top of her head.

After a long interval of him just holding her, she still stood, not moving, barely even breathing.

Finally, she moved out of his arms and looked up at him. "I forgive you.."

He smiled, relieved and went to hug her again but she took another step back. "You should go…"

Befuddled, he looked at her, regret in his eyes. Needing to do whatever she wanted, he stepped toward the door, his hand on the handle and he turned toward her, looking into her now tear - filled green eyes. He hated to see her cry, hated anything that made her cry and at that moment he hated himself, for he was the reason she cried herself to sleep every night, the reason her heart ached with pain and longing.

"I know I hurt you" He said quietly, "but isn't that what people say? That the person you love the most is the person you hate the most? I wish it wasn't like that, I hate seeing you like this. But," He looked at her sincerely, that look he always gave her, as if she were the only thing left that was important, the center of his world. "I know it's uncomfortable and everything and you don't ever want to see me again, just know that I'll be here. I'll show you that I'm sorry and I'll do anything to make you happy again."

He watched the million different emotions go across her face and was surprised -once again- when he saw anger, for it was rare to him -to anybody- for Sophia to be angry.

Having a strong urge to just yell out her sudden anger, Sophia narrowed her eyes and said, to the person that she cared so much for and wanted to know why she wasn't good enough for him, she silently vowed and promised herself she would never feel this way again, if this feeling ever goes away, she thought. "Listen Lucas, I'm not really in the mood to hear mushy gushy lies, okay? Someone close to me one said that in the end it all hurts just the same. At least Brooke's emotions are actually real and better than Lucas's feel-sorry-for-me-I'm-pitiful-and-undecided lines. Now, I would really appreciate it if you left." Her eyes strayed to the door, now silently gesturing, and she turned around, for she couldn't bear to see his face anymore.

After a few seconds of nothing but unsteady breathing, she heard the door open and close and she threw her head back in exhaustion and annoyance.

Now he was sitting here, twenty minutes later, waiting to do a scene with Hilarie. He was still angry for what he had done and what he had caused, of course but he couldn't help but be somewhat angry at Sophia for being so cold to him, but couldn't blame her.

Sighing deeply, he put his head in his hands.

"Hi," said a chirpy voice.

He looked up, startled and saw a pale blonde sitting next to him. She looked vaguely familiar. "Hi," He said quietly.

"I'm Kenzie, one of the extras."

"Oh, I'm -"

"Chad. I know." She smiled at him. "So, you look like crap."

His eyes widened at her bluntness and he half smiled at a memory, his anger for her (meaning Sophia) evaporating and his features turned soft.

"See? Being frank sometimes makes people smile." She joked. "No, I meant to say 'you look like crap and you need someone to talk to."

She raised her eyebrows and he looked at her with a small smile.

"You know, it's easier to vent to strangers.."

Contemplating for a moment, he stood up with the desire to clear his head. "Wanna go for a walk?" |

End of flashback.

Chad sighed, looking to Kenzie, who was sleeping. He momentarily got lost in a world and for a while, as he continued to silently drive, she was someone else.

A\N: Ah, I have to stop there! Mondays are so busy for me! But if I get decent reviews, the next chapter will be up quickly. And btw, the next one also starts with another flashback. Yes, there will be lots of lovely memories. Sort of. (: review!