Sorry for the wait guysss!!!! Its junior year starting and I got SATs and all that junk... But i will be more frequent in updating!!! Chapter 10 was the last written chapter of my story because i write 10 preview chapters of a story before uploading. So from now on when I'm done with a chap, you get a post. If that means once a month (probably not PROMISE!!!) or three times a day so be it =)
Funeral time =( Hope you think of Chad's dad of as much of a jerk as I do...
Apologies for a not very well edited chapter....
Chapter 11: Going Home
Today was the day they left for the funeral. Sonny was running around back and forth, from her room to Chad's fiddling with tickets and checking luggage. She just re-entered Chad's room again and saw him sitting on bed, with his laptop on his lap trying to write his speech and about to drink some coffee.
"Where did you get that?" Sonny hissed.
Chad shrunk back against pillow and shrugged guiltily, "Psh- what, this? Psh- Psh- Tawni..." he admitted sheepishly.
"Tawni..." Sonny growled, "she should know better. Chad, you should know better! No caffeine, you know that." she walked over to Chad and plucked the cup out of his hands. "I, on the other hand, can." She mumbled, draining the cup in one long sip.
"Son-ny..." Chad whined, "You're fussing again!"
She smiled slyly, "I'm your girlfriend," her eyes lit up at the thought, "and given your present situation, I'm allowed to fuss."
Chad smiled sheepishly, he still wasn't ready to be totally committed to a relationship, his heart still stung about his mom, but he looked at the smiling brunette and knew that his feelings were real.
They got to the lobby and waved goodbye to everyone. Chad looked a little sad when he turned to Portlyn. "Are you sure you can't come, Port. You know Mom thought the best thing I gained out of Mackenzie Falls was you."
"I know, Chad." she said, hugging him. "But nobody's home and I don't want to intrude on you right now, so don't even offer. Tawni and Sonny'll help you." she finished gesturing to the two.
Tawni smiled and put her arm around Chad's shoulder, while Sonny intertwined their fingers. He looked at both of them, and then back at Portlyn. "Bye, Port."
One by one Chad hugged Jessica, Portlyn and Zora and got a pat on the back from Nico, Grady and Hayden. Each of them offered something to say before they all set off to the airport.
Tawni giggled as they sat into the taxi, "You know, you guys spend almost as much time here as you did on the vacation..." she looked at the two of them sitting in the backseat.
Chad had to smile a little at that, but Sonny sat back against her chair and looked out the window. She hadn't minded Portlyn and Jessica so much, but she knew she'd have to get used to Chad hugging a lot of people at the funeral. She sighed, she was never the jealous girlfriend before, but she had doubts that Chad only returned the feelings because she held his hand through this ordeal. And really, anyone else could do that.
Chad looked over at her and got lost in his own thoughts. He was a lucky guy to have someone like Sonny. He felt a little insecure about not living up to his role of being her boyfriend lately, so he tried to make up for it.
"Hey, Sonny." he said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "I got you something for the plane ride." He reached into his carry-on and pulled out a blue bundle wrapped in ribbon. He laughed as her eyes lit up.
"A Blarmy! The blanket with arms!" she sqealed.
Tawni tuned in the front seat to look back, "Ooh, let me see!"
Sonny's eyes widened as she shook her head and moved the Blarmy as far away from her as she could. "No way! You're so not throwing up on this one."
"I still use that one," she said, before responding to Sonny and Chad's horrified looks, "I'm just kidding, jeez! Tough crowd..." she huffed and sat up straight, furiously texting Hayden.
They got off the plane and checked in their luggage. The lady behind the counter was the same one that Chad had run away from the other day. "Hide me!" he squeaked, ducking behind Sonny. It was too late.
"Chad Dylan Cooper! What a surprise! Again... Really, my son is a huge fan and insists I get your autograph." she said, a little angry.
Chad tried to play dumb. "Of course!" he said, grimacing while signing a picture, "I don't mind at all!" he smiled through his teeth.
They arrived at their gate and decided to get something to eat before getting on the plane. Sonny volunteered. "I'll get it. Tawni, something low-fat with a fancy name? Chad some cookies?" They both nodded and she set off, clutching her new blarmy and smiling.
Tawni put her arm around Chad. "I never got to talk to you much. How are you feeling."
Chad looked up at her, "Much better. I'm glad you came, we've been friends since acting preschool and I know she loved you like a daughter."
"I always used to come over to talk to her when my lovely mom was jetting off across the world, even through my pre-teen problems!" she added giggling.
"Oh, I used to come over to play basketball with your dad and your brothers, don't forget. Because my dad is so caring..." he added rolling his eyes sadly.
"Everyone in Hollywood has to have one messed up parent, right?"
Chad looked at Sonny who was coming back with food, "Not everyone." he replied.
They all ate in silence until it was time to board the plane. They sat down, this time without fiddling, sleeping or checking any fan mail. They heard the announcement to prepare for takeoff and Chad cautiously looked at Sonny. She caught his eye and smiled, before answering as if she could read his mind, "I'll be fine Chad. Blarmy and I will get through this." she extended her hand and he took it.
SWACSWACSWAC
LAX was insane. The whole place had become a madhouse. Reporters were buzzing around asking Chad question after question. He looked a little overwhelmed at first, but he had taken his time at the island and he was ready to face people now. He inhaled deeply and turned to Santiago Geraldo.
"How you doing today, Chad?"
"Better, but not great," he responded wondering what a crappy question that was. Did they expect him to be jumping for joy?
"I see, shoved any dogs recently?"
Chad couldn't take this guy anymore, so he turned to the next reporter.
"Bad things happen in threes, Chad, and with your loss and your breakup with Ashley Tisdale, what do you think will happen next?"
Chad's head was spinning, "I was never dating Ashley Tisdale!" God, what was wrong with these reporters? He turned to the last one blocking the exit.
"Quick question, Chad! Are you dating So Random!'s Sonny Munroe?"
"Yes, and I was never dating Ashley Tisdale." he huffed.
The reporter looked at him strangely before resuming, "What is your current relationship with Ms. Tawni Hart?"
"She's one of my best friends, and she's dating my other friend Hayden."
"I see," said the reporter suspiciously, "And you feel that you can be in a relationship so soon after your mothers death?"
Chad was appalled, this reporter was demanding, but at least she was sane, "Sonny and I were friends for a while and she helped me get through this." he answered before pushing out the door.
"Sonny, where are you staying?" Chad asked. "You can stay in my other guest room, Tawni's taking the first."
Sonny shook her head, my mom and I live close enough, don't worry I'll be with you all day, though."
SWACSWACSWAC
Sonny was texting Chad while getting ready for the funeral. Her plain black dress, black tights and matching shoes were fitting. She had curled her hair and pinned it back on both sides. She grabbed the black clutch she borrowed from her mom and surveyed their text conversation before firing "I'm on my way" and rushing out the door.
Hey Chad, hows the speech coming? Go 4 it, if they laugh I'll kick them. I'm wearing Tawni's heelsOuch... But I think I got it now, its not a big problem now Then what is?Dad's coming. H8 him!!! Strong word, Chad! It's your dadI've told you about him I'll be with you through this, don't worryI know... On my way
Not that great, everything I wanna say is 2 personal...
Charles Cooper walked inside his room. Chad guessed that was where he had the developed the bad habit of entering rooms unexpectedly and uninvitedly. Chad turned around and glared at his father.
"A blue tie? Switch it out for the red one I bought you on Christmas. You may not wear blue, unless it somehow matches your girlfriend's outfit... oh wait, it can't! This is a funeral." Charles said sarcastically. Chad also noticed where his sarcasm came from.
"It was mom's favorite color, she always liked it when I wore blue. And how would you know I had a girlfriend? We're not close, I always told mom that stuff." Chad glared back.
"Since, as you so kindly put it, we're not close, I take the liberty of reading some magazines." He smirked while Chad remembered the interview at LAX. Man, the press works fast.
Charles continued, "Did you finish your speech? I hope you included how much of an effort I've made since your mother died."
Chad snorted, "Sure thing, Dad"
Charles narrowed his eyes, "I don't appreciate your sarcasm Chad Dylan. Just wear your red tie and come downstairs."
SWACSWACSWAC
Tawni huffed as she ran downstairs. She was dressed similar to Sonny except she was wearing a black flowered headband. She checked the mirror. "I feel sad... and pretty!" she assured continuing down the Coopers grand staircase.
She stopped at the second floor and knocked on Chad's door. She entered upon the muffled "Come in."
She walked inside and gave him a hug. It was going to be a tough day for him. "Here let me stash the blue tie in my purse. You can change it in the limo." she offered sympathetically.
"Thanks a ton, Tawn...you're a lifesaver." he said sitting down to pull on his shoes.
Tawni sat down next to him and put her hand on his shoulder, "I'm always here for ya Blondy." She grabbed his hand and they continued down the staircase.
The fine, fine details of this chapter= problems!!! it seems like a filler... but beware