Bad Company

Chapter 3; Part I.

"I just don't get it," the tall, dark-haired boy said, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "We had this date planned out all week, and you cancel last minute by sending some vague text about visiting someone in the hospital?"

Sonny sighed. "I told you, Cory. A friend of mine got into a car accident last night," she argued, trying desperately to defend her actions that morning. "What was I supposed to do?"

"I don't know!" Cory exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "You said it was only a broken leg—it's not like he had some life-threatening ailment or anything. Was it really worth ruining the entire day for both of us?"

Sonny's mouth gaped in disbelief. "The car was totaled. It could've been really serious!"

"Alright," Cory said, finally lowering his voice. "I know this 'friend' of yours is Chad Dylan Cooper. I mean, the story's been on the news all day. Just say it, okay? You two did have something going on after all."

"No!" Sonny replied, shock evident on her face. "How can you even say that, Cory? Chad is nothing to me. Nothing. I went with Nico and Zora to visit him and make sure he wasn't in a coma or paralyzed or maybe worse! I mean, we work in the same studio."

Through gritted teeth, the boy seethed in anger. "Sonny, when you go behind my back to see some other guy-"

"Cory, it wasn't even like that! Why are you trying to turn this into something that it isn't? The entire thing was completely innocent—I don't even understand why you're mad at me!"

The boy's usually warm brown eyes turned cold as he shook his head at his girlfriend. "Well, why don't I give you some time to think about it then?" he said angrily, storming out of the Munroe apartment and allowing the door to slam behind him.

Sonny's knees gave out from beneath her as she crashed down onto her emerald green sofa and burst into tears.

"Sonny, was that the door slamming?" her mom began, exiting the kitchen to see why Sonny and her boyfriend had been raising their voices towards one another. "Sweetie, what happened?" Connie Munroe asked her daughter, sinking down onto the couch at Sonny's side and wrapping her arms around the disheveled girl.

"Cory's mad at me," Sonny replied, wiping away her tears with a sniffle. "He's angry that I called off our date to go see Chad in the hospital."

Connie sighed. "Well, that wasn't very understanding of him. Chad's your friend, and you don't need to feel guilty about going to visit him. He was in a very serious car accident—of course you were worried about him."

"He didn't see it that way."

Sonny continued to cry, realizing she had just blown her three months of bliss with Cory. How had she managed to ruin such a perfect relationship in one morning? She had just wanted to make sure Chad was going to be okay—what was so wrong with caring about someone you see everyday? Cory was acting like she had been cheating on him. Despite what Cory believed, Sonny knew that she and Chad had never been anything more than friends, if that even.

And then Sonny's mind went to Chad. Truthfully, she had been thinking about him the entire day. It had come as a complete shock to find out he had been drinking heavily last night, and most likely it wasn't his first time doing so. The idea of Chad having some sort of drinking problem definitely explained his unusual behavior over the past few months, including his constant irritability and sudden lack of professionalism. She didn't want to believe that Chad was capable of abusing alcohol—he was only 17 after all—but all of the signs were there. And in the middle of all of this, Chad's parents were God knows where.

Sonny continued to cry in her mother's arms as she thought about everything that was going on with the drama snob, even though she knew she probably shouldn't have been wasting her time getting upset about it. The boy had brought this all on himself, after all; but somehow, Sonny couldn't let that fact stop her from worrying about him. Chad wasn't a horrible person—he had set her up an audition for a movie she wanted, kept her from humiliating herself by dressing up as Eric, and had even danced with her at the secret prom. Sonny knew that underneath his jerkish and rough exterior, there was a sensitive soul that cared about others.

"Sweetie, something tells me you're upset about a lot more than Cory right now," her mom said knowingly as she met her daughter's tearful gaze. "You've been acting really down all day."

Sonny took a few seconds to collect herself as her sobs began to die down.

"Mom, I think Chad's in trouble," she tearfully admitted. "The doctor said he had a high blood alcohol level when they brought him into the ER, and no one's been able to find his parents. Chad doesn't even seem to know where they're at!"

Connie bit her lip as she took in the information. "Do you know anything about his mom or dad? What kind of people they are?"

Sonny shrugged. "He used to talk about his mom once in awhile. He made it seem like she gushed over everything he did, but I've never seen her step foot in the studio. And he's never even spoke of his dad. But Chad has never even hinted that he doesn't get along with them."

Connie nodded. "It's possible that since Chad is such a well-known celebrity, he's trying to keep up with appearances. It sounds like there's a problem at home. I'll talk to Debrah at work Monday morning. She deals with a lot of cases like these."

"I don't know, Mom," Sonny said with uncertainty. "I don't think that Chad would like it if it got out that his parents might be neglecting him. Getting DCFS involved would definitely start a lot of rumors."

"Honey, this will all be confidential," Connie assured her daughter, squeezing her shoulder. "Chad sounds like he's in need of as much support as he can get right now. If his parents aren't around to do it, then he needs to find help somewhere else until they are. Considering the circumstances, chances are that the hospital won't have any choice but to alert DCFS anyways."

II.

"I had a bad feeling when you left the studio Friday."

Chad's tired eyes opened as his producer placed a cluster of cheesy 'Get Well' balloons at his bedside and sunk down into the chair next to him. The older man shook his head at the boy as he studied him. "I hate to say I told you so-"

"Good. Then don't."

Gary studied Chad with sorrow in his eyes. "Chad, you have a problem. You have to admit it now—you almost killed yourself."

"Great. Every inch of my body hurts, and you come all the way over here to lecture me," the blonde-haired boy said, lying back and closing his eyes. "You can just go now. I already know that I've been fired."

He heard Gary heave a loud sigh. "But the thing is, you haven't."

Chad's eyes opened curiously. "Mr. Condor didn't-"

"Oh, he saw the news. Everyone in the country saw the news. The thing is that this whole incident has everyone buzzing about you. Teen who plays nice guy on screen is an apparent badass? I don't think Mr. Condor could be more delighted."

Chad sat quietly for a minute. "Then why are you so pissed?"

"Because Mr. Condor is too caught up in the aspect of his studio making more money to realize that one of his stars is on a downward spiral," Gary went on. "I know that we clash heads sometimes, but you're a good kid, Chad. I know you wouldn't want me going out and ruining your reputation as a jerk, but I've known you for four years now."

When Chad didn't say anything, his producer continued. "I've seen a huge change in you this year. You stopped hanging out with the your cast. You never come to the same parties you used to love attending. All of the mornings you've come in with a hangover haven't gone unnoticed. You need help, and you know it. You're a bright star; but at this rate, it's just a matter of time before you burn out."

His producer's accusations caused Chad's mouth to turn down into a scowl. "You think that you know me," he began, angrily, "but you have no clue what my life is like, okay? Just because I'm doing the same thing tons of kids my age are doing every weekend doesn't mean I have a problem. I'm at work every morning aren't I? I'm showing up, doing my job. If I really had a problem, I wouldn't even be able to function-"

"Somebody died last night, Chad! Don't you get it?" Gary exclaimed, slamming his fist down on Chad's bedside table. "You and you're friend got drunk, got into his car, and wrapped it around a tree. It could have been your death being mourned right now." Gary's eyes were burning with fury as he tried to get his point across. "Skyler and Portlyn and Ferguson are all worried to death about you, and this accident is your wake-up call to get some help."

The idea of Chad needing help from anyone only angered him more. Everyone was acting like he was some little boy who couldn't take care of himself, and Chad knew that wasn't the case at all. If they had any clue what life had been like for him over the past few years, they would know good and well he had been an adult for quite awhile now—he hadn't had any say in the matter.

"I am Chad Dylan Cooper: I don't need help. All I need is for everyone to get of my freakin' back."

"We're not doing this to annoy you, Chad. We're doing this because we care whether you live or die."

"Just get out," Chad finally said, waving his hand dismissively. "And I don't need your—or anyone else's—sympathy, so you all can just stop visiting."

"Chad-"

"Just leave already!" he finally screamed, his voice cracking as his face reddened.

Sighing, the older man stood up and slowly left the room, knowing good and well that this would not be the end of the young star's problems.

III.

The weekend went by excruciatingly slow for Sonny. Cory wasn't speaking to her, Chad wasn't allowing any more visitors at the hospital, and Nico and Zora were both off doing other things. Monday morning she caught herself watching reruns of Mackenzie Falls and wondering how Chad had managed to live a lie all of this time.

Then again, maybe Sonny had it all wrong. Maybe his parents really were on vacation, and Chad had forgotten where they were staying. Maybe this accident had been his first experience experimenting with alcohol. And perhaps, Chad Dylan Cooper really was an enviable A-list celebrity who had it all.

As Sonny watched Chad's character, Mackenzie, rescue his nemesis and half-brother from being tossed over the waterfall in a barrel, she couldn't help but to feel that maybe the real Chad and the character he played on TV had more in common than she thought. Maybe his whole selfish demeanor was all an act. Maybe the real Chad Dylan Cooper was actually sweet and caring. Secretly, she'd always wanted to believe that Chad truly was a nice guy, but the more she was around him, the less likely it seemed.

"Hey, sweetie," Connie said as she entered the door, throwing a pile of mail on the desk before sitting down next to her. "I have some wonderful news about your friend."

Sonny's sad expression instantly brightened. "They tracked down his parents. Everything is going to be okay after all!"

"I'm sorry, Sonny," Connie said as she placed the palm of her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "As much as I wish that were true, no one's been able to get into contact with them. But the good news is that Chad's going to have somewhere to stay when he gets out of the hospital—a place where he will get all of the love and support he needs right now."

As good as this news should have seemed, Sonny just couldn't imagine Chad staying in some foster home with a bunch of people that he didn't know. Sonny knew that there was no way Chad would go along with any of this, and she was so wrapped up in her own worried thoughts that she had almost tuned out to what her mother was currently saying.

"-so he'll be staying with us."

"Wait...what?"

"I've arranged for Chad to stay with us until his parents return home. Isn't that great, Sonny?" Her mother's voice was full of hope and cheer, but Sonny was too busy staring into outer space, trying to absorb this piece of information. "Chad is staying...here?"

"Yes!"

"I don't..." Sonny began, pausing to sigh. "This is a really bad idea, mom," she finally admitted. "I'm talking a horrible idea."

Connie's excited smile instantly faded at her daughter's words. "Now Sonny Munroe, since when did I raise you to be so inhospitable? This boy is your friend, and you've been worrying yourself sick about him since this whole thing happened. I'm telling you that we've found a way to help him, and you're against it?" her mother said, shaking her head in disapproval. "We've taken in foster children before, Sonny," her mother reminded her. "You always welcomed them with open arms. How is this so different?"

"Mom, first off, that was back when we still lived in Wisconsin in a four bedroom house. Besides, this is not a friend—this is Chad Dylan Cooper! He's So Random!'s archenemy!" she said, emphasizing her statement by widening her eyes. "I know him pretty well, and I don't think he'd appreciate us meddling in his life. Chad staying with us in our cramped apartment? This is a recipe for disaster," Sonny pleaded. "And...and I don't deserve this! There's plenty of willing families that would love to take him in. Why does he have to move in with us?" Her voice was getting high and whiny now, and Sonny knew she sounded like a child. But the whole idea of them becoming a makeshift family for Chad was insane.

With crossed arms, Connie Munroe gave her daughter a glare of warning. "You may be on television now, Alison, but that is no reason to act like an ungrateful diva. You really want to send him away to live with complete strangers when we are more than capable of taking him in? There is enough room for Chad in our home, as well as our hearts. He's staying with us, and that's final."

IV.

Sonny went straight to her room after her argument with her mom, crashing onto her bed. "So much for my wonderful vacation," she muttered as she buried her face into her pillow. Tomorrow, Chad would be released from the hospital, and she and Connie would bring him back to their apartment to stay. There was no doubt in Sonny's mind that having Chad as a house guest was going to make her life a living hell. Just when she was sure things couldn't become any more complicated, her phone buzzed, alerting her of a text.

It was a message from Cory—a picture of a giant bouquet of roses and a message that read:

I was wrong, and I'm sorry. Start over fresh tomorrow night with dinner?XOXO

She smiled as she read his message, but then remembered what else would be taking place tomorrow. With a groan, Sonny buried her face back into her pillow. There was no way her boyfriend was going to go for this at all.

X

Thanks for your interest in this story so far. A few things to address here:

1. I realize that I'm making the Mackenzie Falls scenes completely ridiculous, but that is my intention (since the show is supposed to be completely ridiculous).

2. Yes, I know, a lot of original characters being thrown in. Don't get upset, there are only two reoccurring ones that will really matter, and they won't be thrown in too much. This fic will still be Chad and Sonny centric.

3. While this fic is a drama, I promise it won't always be this dramatic. This chapter was, because it was addressing a couple of serious issues—teen drinking and child neglect.

4. I had an image of Sonny's mom being preposterously hospitable, and was trying to get that idea across in this chapter.