Hello everyone! :) Here's the next update. I hope you like it, and please review. Enjoy!
Chad's Point of View
"No, mom, I don't want to go to Grandma's tonight--- because she pinches my cheeks!--- I know I haven't seen her in a while but--- ugh, fine, I'll go, but if one of her boney little fingers even gets close to my cheeks…" I begin to say, and then I stop abruptly. I notice that I'm on the set of So Random!, but I that isn't why. I stop because a very cute girl with bright brown eyes and freckles is casually leaning against the snack table, smiling a brilliantly white smile while watching the Randoms rehearse. I fix my tie and smirk.
"Mom," I say into the phone. "I have to go. I'll see you tonight."
I press the end button on my cell phone and immediately turn on the charm. As I saunter over, her gaze doesn't stray from the people on set, and I wonder why she hasn't noticed me yet. I'm Chad Dylan Cooper.
I stand next to her and cross my arms, taking in her ripped jean shorts, her long legs and her slender frame. I take a breath and turn to her.
"Hello there," I say softly, hoping I have the usual sparkle in my eye like I have when I talk to Son—other girls.
The new girl turns to face me, and I almost take a step back. She looks so familiar. Her deep brown eyes scan me, up and down, and she grins, causing dimples in her freckled cheeks.
"Well, what do you know," she says with a slight southern accent that warms me all over, in more ways than one. "It's Chad Dylan Cooper."
The way she says my name makes me smile even bigger. "Yes, it is," I say charmingly. "And you are…?"
She blushes and glances at the set, and then back at me, her eyes glittering. I recognize the glitter somewhere…
"I'm Ryder," she says. She holds out her hand in a friendly gesture and I take it, the softness of her skin caressing mine.
I lean back against the table and exhale. "So, Ryder, what show are you guest starring on this week? I haven't seen you around before." And if I had…
She laughs, and the way she does it catches my attention, because it seems to be a laugh that I've known for a while, echoing at the back of my mind. I run my hand through my hair, trying to figure out where I've heard it.
"Oh, I'm not guest starring on any fancy television shows," she giggles.
"Oh, you're a regular? Is there a new show on the lot that I don't know about? Because if there is, I'll be very ups---"
"No," she cuts me off, playfully hitting my arm. I like her already. "I'm just visiting my cousin, Sonny. She's over there." She points ahead of her towards the stage, where Sonny and Tawni are wearing matching floral buttoned shirts and a beige skirt, chewing gum obnoxiously. I stare wide-eyed.
Oh, so that's why she seems so familiar.
Sonny's Point of View
As I rehearse my lines for the new Check It Out Girls sketch, and hear laughter emanating from across the set. As Tawni says her line, I glance over and see my cousin Ryder chatting and giggling with an annoyingly recognizable blonde actor. I grit my teeth and growl.
"Sonny? Sonny?" Tawni prompts. She's tapping my shoulder.
Without looking, I hold out my hand and say, "I'll be right back, Tawn."
I violently slam my script on the prop table and charge over to my cousin and the obnoxious blonde. How dare he try to charm my cousin! I can recognize that look anywhere. He saw her, coolly sauntered over, flashed his dazzling smile, and won her over- I know that's how it happened because it happens to me every day, and every day I go drive home, confused as ever. I refuse to let that happen to Ryder.
But I can't tell her that's what he's doing. I know her—she'll never believe me. I need to stop this.
Just as my determination hit its peak, I arrived in front of the chuckling pair. I glower at Chad.
"Sonny," he greets, kinder than usual. I expect that; he's definitely turned on the charm. I narrow my eyes.
"Don't be all buddy-buddy with me, mister," I scold, pointing a manicured finger at his surprised face.
He places a hand over his heart. "Why, Sonny, what are you trying to say?"
I look at Ryder, who has her eyebrows raised and her hands crossed over her chest.
"You're trying to dazzle her!" I accuse, glaring back towards him. He sighs and shakes his head.
"Am I Sonny? Am I really?" he asks, taking a step closer. I continue to glare, but my breath is catching in my throat. How can he try to amaze both me and my cousin at the same time? He's biting off more than he can chew, though, because I won't fall for it.
"Don't even try," I say with force, poking his chest. He backs away. "Ryder is a very nice girl," I continue. "Not to mention she's my cousin. And she's visiting me, so I want to make her stay a pleasant one. So stay away from her, because I don't trust you, whatever you're trying to do."
"But Sonny—" Ryder tries to say. I cut her off.
"Stay out of this, Ry, I can handle him," I say. "Go away, Chad. Leave us alone."
Chad shrugs, and I catch the subtle wink he shoots Ryder's way.
"Whatever you say, Sonny," he says, turning to leave.
As he walks away, Ryder touches my shoulder. I break my fiery gaze and look at her.
"Sonny," she says, "Why'd you do that?"
Her big brown eyes look sadly into mine, and suddenly I feel really guilty. By trying to protect, did I actually hurt her?
"Because I know how he is, Ryder," I explain. "I don't trust him. He's a player and a fake, and I don't want him near you."
"Don't you think I can make those decisions myself, Son? I mean, I came here to have fun. Chad seems like a nice guy."
"He's an actor," I say. "You can never trust actors."
"So how do I know if I can trust you?" she shoots back. "You're an actor." I step away, unsure of why she's getting so upset.
"Besides," she adds. "He already asked me out, and I said yes. So let me have my fun here, Sonny. You can trust me."
And with that, Ryder grabs a bagel and stalks off. I breathe a sigh.
I was too late.