10. Cease Fires
Tawni parked her car and skipped merrily off into Condor Studios with her head held high, as if she was the queen of the world. She strolled into the building like a model; perfect, flawless, and poised. Tawni had that expression on her face that said 'nothing's gonna bring me down today', and truth be told, she wore it very well.
Portlyn walked in after her. She inwardly groaned at the blonde comedian she despised so much. Just the sight of Tawni drives Portlyn to the point of insanity. A smirk appeared on her lips as she thought of a simple way to annoy her enemy this morning. Portlyn purposely began to walk faster, enough to catch up to Tawni and 'brush' by her. Tawni stumbled and glared at Portlyn. She imitated the brunette soap star's move and also 'brushed' by her, knocking Portlyn on her butt.
"What's your deal, Hart?!" Portlyn asked, standing up and brushing the imaginary dirt off her skirt.
"My deal?! What about you?!" Tawni snapped back.
Before the girls could continue screaming at each other, Josh the mailman awkwardly (and fearfully) walked in between the two girls. Tawni and Portlyn stared lowly at him, their eyes deadly. Josh looked between the two girls and gulped, regretting what he was about to do.
"Tawni, here's your issue of Tween Weekly." He said before scurrying away.
"Look what you did, Hart, you scared the innocent mailman." Portlyn sneered.
"Your face probably did that to him." Tawni retorted. Before Portlyn could shoot something back, Tawni let out a high pitch scream that was piercing enough to shatter glass. Portlyn immediately covered her ears and winced as Tawni's scream fled throughout the whole entire studio.
"Why the heck are you screaming?!" Portlyn yelled, desperately wanting a mute button for Tawni.
"Because of this!" Tawni thrust the magazine into Portlyn's chest. Portlyn stared down at the front cover and smiled.
Our Hottest Power Couple!
Challison!
"Pfft, Challison? They couldn't think of a better couple name? This by far the saddest couple name I have ever heard." Portlyn laughed as she stared at the picture of Chad kissing Allison. Though, Tawni had to admit that it was a stupid couple name. (Which says something since Portlyn and Tawni don't agree on anything.) Challison just made her want to barf different shades of green and brown.
"Channy even sounds better." Tawni mumbled underneath her breath as she glared at the sweet picture. She didn't know what upset her stomach even more: the name Challison or the picture of Chad and Allison kissing on the front cover of her favorite magazine.
"What sounds better?" Portlyn asked. Tawni rolled her eyes and shook her head. Portlyn shrugged and continued to smile girlishly at the picture. "Aw, this is so cute! They look adorable together." She gushed out. "Ooh there's details about their date on page fourteen!" Tawni snatched the magazine back and flipped to the page that told about the Challison date.
Resources say that Chad Dylan Cooper, the heartthrob-slash-bad boy of Mackenzie Falls, took Allison Monroe, America's newest sweetheart and newbie on So Random, to a drive up in Northern California. (It must have been one heck of a drive for these two.) Apparently Cooper closed down one of the lake resorts there so he and his date would be all alone. He also took Monroe on a dream boat ride across the waters. Who knew that he had a romantic bone in his body?
Later on, the two sat down in front of the lake and had a sweet little picnic. They had their laughs, jokes, and fun. And I know what you're thinking—Chad Dylan Cooper laughing and joking with someone from So Random? Impossible right? But what else could Cooper do that would throw all of us off our feet?
He. Kissed. Allison Monroe.
Yes, you read right! Cooper actually placed his lips on Monroe's! Our resources say that he was really sweet to her, really nice to her, and wasn't faking anything at all. And we all know that the CDC we know doesn't do sweet or nice to his dates unless he's faking it. Looks like love is (finally) in the air for our Hollywood's Bad Boy. But how long will they last?
Check out the video of their date on TweenWeekly .com!
"There's a video too?!" Tawni yelled. She angrily threw the magazine in the air and began stomping all the way towards stage 2.
"Where are you going?" Portlyn called out. She picked up the tattered magazine and stared at the furious Tawni.
"I'm going to murder Chad Dylan Cooper for kissing my best friend!" Tawni yelled back. She jogged towards Mackenzie Falls with the look of determination and fury marked in her eyes.
"Oh no," Portlyn whispered. She grabbed her cell phone and began to write out a text message as fast as she could.
Chad entered his set with a wide smile as yesterday's date replayed over and over and over again in his mind. As he was about to pick up his script, his cell phone began to ring. Chad hastily picked it up, hoping that it was Allison, but instead he received a text message from Portlyn. Chad rolled is eyes and pressed read.
Get out of there now! Hart is going to kill u! She's on her way!
Chad didn't ask why once he heard Tawni's heels. He stealthily slipped out of the set and quietly made his way into the hallways of Condor Studios. Chad felt a shiver run up his spine as he could clearly hear Tawni shouting death threats at him all over stage 2 for kissing her best friend. Chad rolled his eyes but then frowned once he realized that Tawni knew that he kissed Allison.
"Wait how she knew that I kissed—"
"Chad!" Chad turned to see Allison running towards him. "Oh, I'm so glad I found you." She panted. "We have a problem." She muttered.
"What's up?" Chad asked worriedly. Allison handed Chad the Tween Weekly magazine slowly. Chad's eyes widened in both shock and anger. "Oh God, no," he said. He looked up at Allison with his mouth hung open. "We need to do something about this. Your friends are going to hate me more than they already do." He said.
"Yes, yes we will!" Tawni's voice rang.
"Tawni—" Allison started.
"Oh, don't Tawni me! You actually went on a date with him?! What part of 'he's a jerk who's using you for publicity' do you not understand?! Look, he probably told the paparazzi where you guys would be and made sure that you two kissed so that you two will make the front cover! He probably just wants to clean up his stupid act by dating the nice new girl." Tawni spat. Chad looked at Tawni incredulously.
"I would never do that to Allison! You're just jealous because she's happy and you're not!" Chad shot back.
"I am not jealous and I am happy! I'm just trying to protect my friend from you!" Tawni said, poking her finger harshly on Chad's chest.
"She doesn't need protecting, Hart, since I'm not a dangerous person. I changed, I really did." Chad said sincerely.
"Yeah right—"
"Tawni!" Allison interrupted before her friend could yell any further. Tawni somewhat relaxed once she met eyes with her sweet best friend. Her electric blue eyes stared intently into Allison's cinnamon ones, which for some reason always calmed her down. "Whatever Chad was before, he has truly changed. I promise you." Allison said earnestly, desperately wanting Tawni to admit that she agreed. Allison grabbed hold of Chad's hand and weakly smiled at her. "And I really, really like him."
Tawni frowned and folded her arms across her chest. She stared down at her feet, trying not to give them a chance. She told herself to not let the guilt inside her control her answer. Tawni took a deep breath and rubbed her temples. She looked at Allison and Chad before her eyes lowered down into their intertwined hands.
"Fine," Tawni said resentfully. Allison's eyes lit up.
"So you mean you're okay with us dating?" Allison asked excitedly.
"No, but I will consider it if Mr. Snobby Loser Drama Pants proves that he did change."
Allison's smile tugged down, but she wasn't completely hopeless now. "Well that's good because Chad really did change." She said, her smile returning quickly. Tawni rolled her eyes and grabbed Allison's arm, dragging her back to their set.
"Come on, we have rehearsal." She muttered.
"Okay, bye, Chad!" Allison smiled, waving goodbye to him. Chad smiled back and waved before shooting an annoyed glance towards Tawni's way. As he was about to walk back into his show, Portlyn appeared at the corner of the hallway, a huge smirk on her lips as she stared smugly at her co-star.
"So I heard that you were 'sweet' and 'nice' on your date with Allison." She laughed. Chad couldn't help but smile and nod his head. He was done with faking his feelings about the skit-playing girl, especially with Portlyn. "Ha, sorry that people found out about 'Challison' this way." Chad gave Portlyn a crazy look as the two walked towards stage 2.
"What the heck is a Challison?" he asked.
"It's your couple name!" Portlyn announced, trying to contain the laughter that's building up inside of her. Chad made a disgusted face and shook his head. He couldn't even think of words to say as 'Challison' kept on repeating in his head. Portlyn laughed at Chad's distressed face. "Well at least Hart is letting you convince her that you really do have feelings for Allison." She said, trying to take Chad's mind off the horrible couple name.
"Yeah, at least doesn't mean that it'll work right. It just means that I have to be nice to them too." Chad said.
"But since you love Allison, that's not a problem." Portlyn shrugged.
"Yeah—wait, love?"
"Yes, love." Chad opened his mouth to speak, but Portlyn held a hand up to stop him. "And before you say 'Chad Dylan Cooper doesn't do love', I know you that you are in love with little Miss Allison Monroe." Chad frowned and folded his arms across his chest.
"I only really, really like her, Portlyn. Love is too much of a strong word." He mumbled.
"And that's why you guys are going to have a strong relationship! Chad, you should know by now then to deny your feelings when it comes to me. I know that you love her. You just won't admit it yet." Chad rolled his eyes and began to walk faster, wanting to escape the annoying rambling from Portlyn Murray.
"Hey, I was right about you having a thing for her in the first place! I know I'm right when I say that you love her!" Portlyn called out before Chad reached out of earshot from her. Portlyn rolled her eyes and followed behind him.
Chad shouldn't deny anything or question his cast mate. Portlyn Murray is always right.
Sonny and Tawni entered the room after long hours of rehearsing. Sonny seated herself on the couch while Tawni towered over her, a frustrated look on her face. "What changed your mind?" she asked. Sonny stared at her confusedly. Tawni rolled her eyes and plopped down besides her best friend, giving her a look. "Come on, tell me. Why did you date Chad even if all of us—all of your friends—told you not to?" Sonny frowned. Tawni actually sounded hurt, betrayed, even sad.
"Tawni, I'm sorry that you don't like him, but I just…really do." Tawni sighed and looked down at her feet. "I know you're disappointed in me but…if you just give Chad a chance…he can be really sweet." Tawni scoffed and sunk into the chair. "I know that's hard to believe, but really, just give him a chance now and he'll prove it. I know he will."
"I want to doubt it but…I guess I just have to give that jerk a…chance." Tawni forced out. "But if he hurts you then I will literally brutally murder him this time!" she warned. Sonny laughed and hugged Tawni tightly. Usually Tawni would push away and pretend to gag, but this time, Tawni returned the hug and smiled. "Okay, enough with the gushy stuff. I want some food." She laughed, standing up. Sonny smiled and the two girls walked out to the commissary.
"Ugh, we have crud for lunch again." Tawni said as they walked up to the lunch line. "Looks like I have to work my Tawni prettiness on Brenda again." She said in a sing-song voice. Sonny laughed again. Today, she didn't bother to tell Tawni that her prettiness never works on Brenda. "Hey, Brenda!" she said, handing the lunch lady her tray.
Brenda grunted in response. Before she placed a serving of mystery glop on Tawni's plate, she stared at Sonny. She frowned and dropped the serving spoon into the rest of the glop. Brenda grabbed two silver trays and placed them on Tawni and Sonny's trays with an indignant look on her face. The two girls looked at Brenda, astonished.
"Yes, I knew that my prettiness would work someday!" Tawni cheered.
"Actually this was a gift from Mr. Cooper for the whole cast of So Random today." Brenda mumbled. "Apparently he doesn't want his little girlfriend to get 'food poisoning' from the regular food around here." Sonny smiled and glanced at the Mackenzie Falls's table where she met eyes with Chad. She mouthed a thank you to him and Chad replied back with a wink and a smirk.
"Come on, Sonny, before my food gets cold!" Tawni said, dragging her friend towards their table. Sonny smiled at their cast mates who were all eating their edible food hungrily.
"I guess you guys owe a certain someone a thank you." Sonny said.
"Sonny, this is Chip Drama Pants you just told me to thank. I don't think so. All he has ever done was given us good food. It's not really something special." Nico said with his mouth full.
"Yeah, it's not worth it." Grady said, his mouth full as well. "Hmm, this is so good!"
"But I won't eavesdrop on him in the vents as my thank you." Zora said.
"Um, thank you, Zora. I think." Sonny laughed.
"So I heard you Randoms got a new lunch special." Chad said, strolling in. He sat himself down on the seat besides Sonny and smirked at his rival show.
"No one offered you to sit down." Tawni said. Sonny sent her a warning look and a subtle kick underneath the table. Tawni bit her lip from screaming ow. She glared at Sonny then Chad and sighed. "But you can…if you wanna." She mumbled.
"Well I don't mind if I do." Chad replied smoothly, wrapping an arm around Sonny's shoulders. This time, it was Tawni who kicked Chad underneath the table. "Ow!" Chad yelped, grabbing his leg. "What was that for?" he asked, glowering at Tawni while he rubbed his leg.
"What? I didn't do anything." Tawni said innocently.
The rest of her cast mates but Sonny snickered quietly as they ate their food. Sonny closed her eyes and sighed.
"Come on, Chad, let's go over to my dressing room." She said, taking his hand and leading her away to stage 3.
"Fine," he muttered, sending one quick glare over to the rest of So Random before following his girlfriend out.
Sonny closed the door behind her and stared at Chad with an upset look on her face. "Chad, we seriously need to end this feud between your show and mine." Chad walked over to her and hugged her waist tightly.
"And we will once your show apologizes to my show." He said, placing a kiss on her head.
"I don't wanna be mean, but I'm pretty sure that it's your friends who need to do the apologizing." Chad raised an eyebrow at her. Sonny couldn't tell if he was angry or just plain confused. (She was hoping for confused.) "I mean, uh, well if you and your friends say you're sorry for all the things you've done to my friends then maybe Tawni and the rest will accept us dating." Sonny said, smiling.
"Well…you have a point, but I don't think that Portlyn will apologize to Hart." Chad said. "I don't even think I could do it." He muttered underneath his breath.
"I think we can get her to." Sonny said enthusiastically.
"No," Portlyn said flatly.
"Aw, come on, Portlyn, please?" Sonny begged.
"No," she said strictly. "I will never ever, not even in a billion years, ever apologize to Tawni Hart." She said.
"Come on, Port," Chad said, but he was feeling just as frustrated as his friend was.
"Yeah, I'll apologize—a day after never!"
"Why not?" Sonny whined.
Portlyn frowned and rolled her eyes. "Because I hate her!" she exclaimed. Sonny frowned and stared down at her shoes. Portlyn sighed and nudged her. "Look, I know that she's your friend…somehow, but I just hate her. It's that simple." She said, shrugging. Sonny sighed disappointedly, causing guilt to build up on Portlyn's back. "Plus, why do I need to apologize to her?"
"Well, if we say we're…sorry…to the Randoms, they'll actually let Sonny and me date." Chad said, giving Portlyn a look. Portlyn frowned and groaned.
"Why do they have to be so…ugh! Fine, I'll do it!" she said, defeated.
"Yes!" Sonny cheered. "C'mon, guys!" she said, leading the way to the prop room.
Once they got there, the cast of So Random were all eyeing the three, confusion and hatred mixed into their eyes. "What're you doing?" Zora asked suspiciously.
"And what are the drama snobs doing in here?" Tawni added.
Portlyn opened her mouth to retort, but Chad sent her a deathly look. Portlyn indignantly ignored Tawni and glared at her shoes. "We're here to…apologize." Chad forced out. He cleared his throat and stared genuinely at So Random. He felt like choking as the next words came out of his mouth. Who knew that apologizing was so hard? "I'm…sorry for everything I've done to you guys for the passed couple years." He managed to say, though his voice sounded like a tortured squeak. He nudged Portlyn to speak up.
"And I'm…" Portlyn took a deep breath. She glowered at Tawni whom was smirking victoriously at her. "I'm…" Portlyn continued. She didn't know if she could do it or not. She bit her lip, telling herself that this was for Chad and Allison, over and over. "I'm sorry!" she yelled.
"Ha, yes! Wait, can you say that again, I need to record it." Tawni said, bringing out her camera phone.
"Tawni," Sonny said in a stern voice.
Tawni rolled her eyes and put her phone away. "Well, apology accepted. I can't believe you got the Jerkthrob and the Ice Princess to actually say sorry." Tawni said, smiling at her best friend. She glanced at Chad before giving him a look. "Maybe you really did change…miraculously."
"So are we cool?" Chad asked hopefully.
Tawni looked over at the rest of her co-stars and smiled at Chad. "Yeah, I guess."
"Good, now excuse me while I puke. Ugh," Portlyn shivered, running out of stage 3.
Chad laughed and placed a chaste kiss on Sonny's lips. "Well I better get back to shooting scenes. See ya around." He winked before walking away.
"Ew," Tawni gagged. "Don't do that with me around." She said.
"Or with us!" Nico, Grady, and Zora piped up, disgusted as well.
Chad rolled his eyes and followed Portlyn out. Sonny smiled and sat down on the couch besides the boys. Her smile soon turned into a frown as her head began to throb again. "Ow," she whined, rubbing it.
"What's wrong?" Nico asked.
"Ugh, nothing, my head just hurts again." She said. Sonny sighed and stared at her reflection from the computer/TV in front of her. She stared at her pink lips and blinked. "That's weird." She said.
"What?" Tawni asked.
"I've only kissed Chad twice and…it feels too familiar." She said.
"What do you mean?"
"It's like…I kissed him a hundred times, a million times…way more than two times."
A/N: Hey, guys! Thanks for the sweet reviews you were oh so kind enough to drop by :) You guys rock! Oh and I finally FINALLY got Demi's Here We Go Again CD (I know, it took me forever!) and I do agree with all the rest of you! It's amazing! I awwwed at that video where Demi cried at her Florida concert while she sang Don't Forget because it just hit her that she has the number one album. I apologize again if I have grammar or spelling mistakes. I don't have a beta, but I seriously need one. Oh, and the next chapters will mostly have flashbacks. Looks like somebody is starting to remember ;)