Chapter Four
A/N: This was originally two separate chapter ideas, but I combined them. I hope you enjoy! Review's could be my Christmas presents, since you're all in the Christmas mood… (:
[Sonny's POV]
Chad looked from me, to Portlyn, then back to me, and heaved a big breath. "I gotta go, a fan needs an autograph, and who could blame them?" Chad winked and pointed at Portlyn before grabbing my hand and hauling me away.
"You're related to all these people," I said, confused, as he hurriedly led me away. Why would a cousin want an autograph? Whatever; I was just glad to be away from all the Drama.
"Thank you, Sonny, for clearing that up," Chad rolled his eyes as we sat back down at the table. Mrs. Cooper and Cate were standing near the backdoor, chatting with a tall, strapping man with perfect blonde hair: He was obviously Mr. Cooper. I bit my lip, noticing how nonchalant and cocky Mr. Cooper looked- he actually resembled Chad's demeanor. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cooper looked highly distressed and Cate's face was turning red as she yelled words I couldn't hear.
I shrugged at Chad and picked up another Lobster Puff. "I can't believe Portlyn's here," I replied, watching the frustrated brunette storm over to a table, where a gorgeous tan woman with long, curly black hair was perched. Hello, Mrs. Portlyn. Chad's dad's secretary whom was allegedly having an affair with Mr. Cooper. When did Christmas become a soap opera?
"Yeah, why do you think I tried to get away?" Chad rolled his eyes. "She just wants to talk about 'relationships' and 'feelings'!" Chad said sarcastically, flailing his air quotes. He picked up his fork, about to spear a lobster puff, then he paused. He put it down, picked up his spoon, and checked out his reflection, a grin stretching across his face.
"Oh would you stop?" I cried, yanking the spoon from him, and in turn, earrings Looks from relatives in hearing distance.
Chad smirked. "Honey!" He chided me exuberantly, milking the audience's attention.
I narrowed my eyes at him and glared at the surrounding adults. "Go back to your puffs!" I hissed, sending another glare in Chad's direction. I was beginning to think pretending to be his girlfriend was going to be horrible. With 'horrible' on the mind, I noticed the bored children huddled in a group near the fireplace. Decked out in satin dresses and tailored suits, they looked adorable, neck down. But, their faces were creased with disappointment, much like how I was feeling.
Immediately, I stood up. "Wait, what are you doing?" Chad exclaimed as I surveyed the room. Bored grownups. Bored children. The lack of Christmas spirit. I can help, I thought with urgent excitement.
"Chad," I looked at him, eyes flickering with exhilaration. "Where's your kitchen?"
"It's down the hallway." Chad said flatly. Then he smiled. "Why, are you gonna go bake me a cake? I only eat vanilla." He added point-blank.
I looked at him. Was he for real? "As much as I'd love to slave over an oven for you," I rolled my eyes. "NO! I have an idea."
"You're ideas always end in disaster." Chad reminded me.
I snorted. "This one is a good one!" I reassured him, excusing myself and hurtling towards the group of children. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed three people watching my every move: Chad, Portlyn, and Chance.
"Hi guys!" I exclaimed with a smile as I joined the huddle. There were about twelve children- six girls in frilly dresses and Mary-Janes, six boys in little tuxes with cute ties and shiny shoes. "Who are you?" One girl, about eight, inquired.
"I'm Sonny," I introduced myself. "And I was wondering, are you guys having fun?"
"No!" A boy sulked. "This is a grown up party! Nothing for kids to do!" The children joined in with defiant murmurs.
"Well," I whispered. "How would you like to bake Christmas cookies?"
"Really?" A girl with an extremely high voice sounded suspicious.
"Yes! With sprinkles and chocolate chips and-" I started, but then stopped when I noticed the kid's eyes twinkling, smiles popping up like weeds in a garden.
"My parents haven't baked Christmas cookies yet," A tall-ish boy said wistfully. "They're always at work."
"Well how would you like to surprise everybody here with plates of delicious cookies?" I said happily. The kids' faces had lit up, and I could practically feel the Christmas spirit entering them. When I was younger, nothing felt better then sliding a tray of sumptuous chocolate chunk cookies out of the oven, and giggling with relatives as we decorated them with sprinkles, icing, and gumdrops; fighting over who's cookies would be saved preciously for Santa Claus.
"Let's do it!" The kids cried.
"What's goin' on here?" A blasé voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw Chance looking down at me with a lazy grin. I bit back a groan.
"We're going to go bake Christmas Cookies," I replied, then started to lead the kids away, but he pursued.
"Can I help?" He said, still sounding carefree.
"Well," I wondered how to put this carefully. "It's kinda gonna be a surprise for everyone- so, sorry. But you can have the first cookie!" I flashed a winning smile, and sure enough, it worked.
"Cool." Chance answered. "But could I just tell Chad I'm helping you?"
I crinkled my eyebrows. "Why?"
Chance chuckled. "To get him worked up."
I grinned back. "Sure, go ahead." I said goodbye and snuck the children out of the gallant room. The parents were too busy chattering with each other to notice the disappearance of their children. A shame, really.
After a bit of searching, I finally found the kitchen- gleaming white and glistening with modern appliances. A woman in a chef's uniform was cleaning the counter, and looked shocked when she saw a teenage girl with a herd of children flocking around her.
"Can I help you?" Her nametag said Ruth.
"Well, perhaps." I grinned. "We want to bake cookies. Do you know where supplies are?"
Ruth gave me a tentative smile. "Sure, Hun." She preceded to whip out a blender, bowls, cups, boxes, everything we'd need.
The children ooh'd and ah'd as I thanked Ruth and told her she could take a break. "I haven't had a break in ten years!" She whooped, running out of the kitchen with gulping laughs.
The kids looked at me expectantly, and I took charge. "Two of you, get the wet ingredients together. Next two, the dry ingredients. Then two of you will mix separate batters, because we'll need a lot of cookies. Some of you can organize our ingredients- the crazier and Christmasier the better!" The kids erupted with cheers and scurried around. Glops of batter dripping into bowls, sprinkles falling like snow, the blender whizzing, the trill of the laughter. As I helped everyone with their duties, I felt the familiar rush of Christmas spirit.
Ha, Mom! I thought triumphantly. Who needs Wisconsin? The Christmas Spirit is everywhere, you just have to find it.
"So you ARE baking me a cake!" As I slid the first four trays into the oven, Chad leaned against the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" I huffed. The kids were oblivious- humming carols and mixing more batter.
"Well, Chance said he was spending quality time with you, and I felt I should observe the situation," Chad explained, eyes darting across the room. "Where is he?"
I rose an eyebrow and crossed my arms. "Chance isn't here. But you are, and I could use an extra set of arms."
Chad wrinkled his nose. "Chad Dylan Cooper doesn't-" He was interrupted when a cute little boy wobbled over to him, holding a heavy bag of flour.
"Chad!" He sounded delighted.
"Hi Davey." Chad said in a strained voice, taking the weighty bag from the boy. "You're gonna help?" Davey cried. He turned to his cousins. "Guys! CHAD is HELPING!"
"Yay!" The kids swarmed him, hugging his legs. I laughed and felt a genuine smile and a rush of affection go through me.
"Well, now I can't say no." Chad said gruffly, attempting to walk over to me. "Guys, you gotta get off. These are personally tailored pants." Sure enough, the kids bolted off his pants and scurried back to their stations. Chad dropped the bag of flour on the counter and rose his eyebrows at me. "Do the adults know you're cooking? Where's The Cook?"
"No, it's a surprise. And Ruth," I added pointedly. "Is taking a break." I lowered my voice. "Chad, look how happy they are. They were utterly miserable before!" I made a big smile and gave him a thumbs up.
Chad looked at me steadily then muttered something that sounded like "Stupid cute,". But that couldn't be it.
"Sorry, what?" I poked him. I could've sworn he blushed, but he just answered "Nothing. Let's get baking."
--
Soon enough, the kids, Chad, and I were looking proudly at racks and racks of cookies, decorated extravagantly.
"Should I call the butler to wheel these in?" Chad asked me, flour covering his 'personally tailored pants'.
I snorted again. "Don't be a wimp. We got this, right guys?" The kids clapped their hands and cheered. They assembled themselves in a line, and I handed everyone a big bowl. They looked very fancy and expensive, but whatever. They were just sitting there on the counter, practically asking to be used.
"Those were imported from London," Chad spoke up, but I brushed him off. I helped everyone fill their bowl with cookies, and there was only one cookie left that wouldn't fit. I told the kids to file out into the ballroom, and snapped the cookie in half. Gooey chocolate strands, red and green sprinkles…absolutely tantalizing.
"Merry early Christmas," I handed half to Chad and grinned. He smiled back and we gobbled down the cookie before taking off after the kids.
We ran into the ballroom, and I thought my face would break in happiness. Every kid had approached a table, holding out the bowls. Every adult looked surprised and affectionate, laughing and eating cookies, pulling their children into the conversations at last. "I gotta give you props, Sonny- you really brightened everyone up," Chad said softly as we walked slowly across the room.
"Sonny! Chad!" Cate breezed over to us, and yanked our chins down so she could kiss each of us on the cheek. "Your little elves are handing out Christmas cookies! It's absolutely darling!" She squealed. "Everyone is just teeming with happiness! Thank you." She beamed at us. Chad and I glanced at each other and grinned.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper strutted over too.
"Hello, son." Mr. Cooper nodded at Chad who nodded in return. Mrs. Cooper looked disapprovingly at me. "Honey, this is Sandy Malone, Chad's girlfriend from Wisconsin. She's on a comedy." Her nose was severely wrinkled.
"Mrs. Cooper, unless you have brain damage, I'd like to hope you're simply pretending to forget my name is Sonny Munroe, instead of just being an idiot." I flashed a grin at the woman, who's lips pushed into a thin, haughty line. Chad tried to hide a laugh, but a snort came out. Cate smiled, too.
Mr. Cooper gave me a once over. "Sonny. I'm charmed." He shook my hand and I took in his tanned face, sparkly blue eyes, and blonde locks. Defiantly a Cooper.
"We were just talking about Chad's latest accomplishments, and would you look at this, Charles?" Mrs. Cooper ignored me and smiled at her husband. "He organized all the children to bake cookies! Isn't it wonderful?"
"Well, actually-" Chad began, looking at me, and I let out a breath. I had thought for a second that Chad would take credit for my plan.
"That's my boy!" Mr. Cooper shook Chad's shoulders, and his grin sank. "A natural born leader."
Chad paused for a second, then his signature cocky grin returned. He adjusted his collar and said, "Obviously. Chad Dylan Cooper can do anything!" His parents chimed in and led him away. Cate looked disappointed but followed. Portlyn and her mother joined the Happy Family (much to Mrs. Cooper's dismay) but it was obvious she approved of Portlyn by the way she smiled at her. Portlyn hugged onto Chad's arm as he told some story, his face shrouded by egotistical self-centeredness.
I bent my head down, alone on the floor, happiness all around me. I should've been happy, but I felt like a train had just ran over my heart. Obviously Chad didn't change, I told myself, mentally slapping my face. Look at him. Such a jerk. See, Sonny? This is why you hate him. You just really, really hate him…
"This must be fate." Suddenly Chance was right in front of me. I looked back, not in the mood. "The dance floor. You're here. I'm here. You look like you could use a rebound…" He pointed at Chad and Portlyn.
I sighed. "No thanks Chance!" I called, turning on my heel and starting to leave. "Tell Chad I hope he enjoys the party." I walked briskly out of the ballroom, and glimpsed the staircase. With another sigh, I trudged up it and found my room.
I unpacked, shoving all my stuff in the red closet with drawers. The room was too chilly, too un-me. The wide bed had iron posts, white pillows, and a black and red comforter. Everything was red, white, and black. There was a iron fireplace, unlit, and I couldn't find any matches. My clock informed me it was practically six P.M. The day had flown by. But now, there was nothing to do. And I was alone.
I took off the flashy dress- more like threw it into a pile near the window, and I chucked the heels along with it. I changed into my favorite, extremely soft green sweatpants and a matching moss green tee shirt- pajamas at dinnertime. With my third sigh of the evening, I lied back on the bed and flipped open my phone, deciding to check Twitter updates. I was curious on how my friends' vacations were going.
HeartsForHart: Just had a delish dinner- I love France! It's as gorgeous at me!
I chuckled. That was Tawni, always adding her prettiness into everything.
TheRealNico: Grady just fell all the way down the Black Diamond slopes. Thank God Zora taped it for YouTube! I love this place!
GradyWantsCheese: Ouch, who knew snow hurt? Ordering lots of room service! Love the Alps!
Zora*: New video on my YouTube- Grady took a snow bath today. LOL. Drinking cocoa and enjoying the holidays!
I giggled. Looks like they were having a fabulous time at the ski resort. Am I having a fabulous time? I wondered. I had been, back in the kitchen, baking the cookies with the kids and Chad. But Chad had turned back to his cocky 'Chad Dylan Cooper' self, and I was back to my upset state.
A knock on the door shook me out of my sulking. I leapt up and threw open the door and saw three children standing there, looking concerned, Davey leading the girls.
"We saw you leave the party and we're worried!" Davey explained, walking into my room and sitting on my bed. He had cute dimples and a rosy face; an adorable little boy.
"Yeah, Chad sent us to see where you went," A little blonde girl with braids climbed onto my leg and wrapped herself around it as I watched them parade in.
"Did he." I muttered. "Yup!" She was unfazed. "So what should be tell him?"
I thought about it for a second, then replied. "Tell him I tried to get as far away from him as I possibly could. Tell him he's the biggest egotistical jerk I know and that I really, really hate him. Oh, and that Chance is better looking than him," I smirked. "And that I hope he knows he's acting exactly like his parents, and that is NOT a compliment." I finished.
The kids were quiet. "Um, could you write that down?" Davey said uncertainly.
"Sure." I found some embellished stationary with some crest on it, lying on my dresser. Then I quickly scrawled out my message and folded it up, handing it to Davey. "Give this to him, and only him." I warned. If anyone else saw it, they might wonder why Chad's girlfriend was telling him off.
"Mkay!" Davey grinned and the three children scurried off. I clicked on the TV, content, and watched SpongeBob as I sat on my rather uncomfortable bed.
About twenty minutes later, Davey returned, alone this time, out of breath and clutching the paper.
"He wrote back," He panted, handing me the paper. I was kind of nervous, what if Chad was cursing me off or something?
It said,
"Wow. Thanks."
And that was it. I started to feel bad. "Um, thanks' Davey. You can go now." He didn't pursue, just flounced off.
--
At last, it was about ten thirty. I was bored out of my skull. Out my window, I watched everyone leave, and heard Chad and Cate go back to their rooms. "I can finally hit the hay," I sighed happily, hopping into bed.
I fluffed up the pillows and lied on my right side. After a second, I fluffed them again and turned to the left. A few seconds clicked by. "This is endless!" I whispered. I felt like the lady from the Princess and the Pea- this bed was horrible!
"I can't take this!" I huffed, standing up and glaring at the bed. My thoughts drifted back to the two chairs in Chad's room- big, wide, with cushions that I had dyed to sit on. Maybe I could take my chance.
I crept quietly down the hallway, spooked by the eerie quietness. At last, I saw Chad's door. Heart beating crazily, I slowly opened it. Not a creek, not a peep, nothing. Letting out a breath, I tiptoed into his room and saw he had a fire crackling, and warmth hit me and I smiled. Chad was sound asleep, curled up in his bed- it looked comfortable, not like the sack of rocks I had. He didn't snore or anything, he looked peaceful, and about ten years old. I smiled, he was really cute.
And a jerk. I reminded myself, but I let myself fall into one of the chairs. Heaven. I curled up, my head on my hands, knees up to my chin, but it was better than my room. The crackling of the fire, and I had to admit- Chad's presence, too, was comforting. I promptly fell asleep, leaving the fire to spit it's flames into the night.
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Long chapter! :D review!