Disclaimer: Don't own SWAC

Sonny

xXx

"Allison Monroe," She laughed. "What are you doing?"

I pulled out a random rubber band. "Shh, Mommy! No whining. I'm making you look pretty."

"Is that so?" She asked with a smile for her six year old daughter.

"Yep! I got your make up bag right here and I'm gonna make you look hot!"

She gasped then laughed. "Excuse me, honey, but when do you say hot?"

"Since Lucy's brother said it once."

"Hmm…" She chuckled, smoothing my hair.

"No, no, no!" I smiled, pushing her hand away. "You are the one getting puuuurtied up!"

I got out something red and opened the lid. I pulled out a brush from the bag like I'd seen her do before and I rubbed it into the smooth pinkish color. Then I brushed it on her forehead.

"Sonny!"

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Don't wipe it off. It really brings out your…toe nails."

"What?" She began to crack up.

"Don't move." I mumbled, carefully pulling out some black, furry stick. "And don't worry; this won't hurt a bit…"

"I'm kind of scared." She objected.

"Fine." I sighed. "I'll use something else."

I brushed her hair and put on what she said was mascara, foundation, eye liner, blush, lip stick and then I put my flower clip in her hair. Getting out her mirror, I put it in front of her face.

"Oh, Mommy!" I gasped, putting a hand to my chest. "You look soooo pretty!"

"Oh." She sighed. "This is going to be fun getting off my face."

xXx

I sat on the familiar bed, thinking. Plenty of tears rolled down my cheeks as I frowned. My bangs and my shirt were stained with saltwater and I rubbed my neck nervously. My leg occasionally twitched. I blinked over and over again.

My mother. My poor, cheated mother. We had it so good. And all I did was gone and ruin it all. I had to be a selfish girl who only thought of what she wanted despite the fact she had not in any way brought me up that way. I just had to leave her, to disobey her. She only wanted the best for me. She always put me first. She always made sure I was comfortable, safe, and content. And now I had turned her away. Denied all of her niceness and just put it on the shelf.

What if I fail in this business of entertainment? Mom would have died for nothing. She would have tried to stop me from making a mistake and dying for nothing. Her life was worth so much more than this nothing, she was my everything. I loved her like my best friend, and my mother. So this dream of mine better work out. I better become successful. I promised myself at this moment that my face would be on billboards, the cover of all the magazines, on the television. I swore to myself now that I would be so successful Danielle would kick me out because of all my fans trying to mob me.

I clutched my cell phone in both hands, surprised it hasn't broken into pieces. It was also wet because of the waterfall of my tears. Who was I to be so stupid? Lucy's cell phone number hadn't blurred from the screen. It waited impatiently to be dialed as I bounced my knee up and down, unsure. Could I face her now? Was I ready? Was I even half way there to, what you would say, better?

The answer you could find by watching the liquid fall onto the bed sheets.

No. I wasn't even close to being ready. For anything.

For forgetting. For holding on. For show business. For Danielle. For this new life…for Chad.

I shook my head to rid the thoughts of my tour earlier that day and how much I enjoyed it. I growled at myself to stop thinking about him.

This is what matters now. My mom. And what she deserves.

Without thinking twice about it, I pushed the send button on my phone and pressed it to my ear.

Then, as soon as I did it, I stopped it.

I wasn't ready to even wing it with Lucy.

So I had just dropped the phone onto the bed, standing up and trying to wipe all the tears from my face.

I was weak. I was stupid. I was young. I was too naïve for any of this.

My last days in Wisconsin I had been too arrogant. Too confident. I was never like that. I had thought I could do it. My mother always told me I was strong, a fighter. Or my favorite: A tough cookie. I smiled, remembering the last time she said that to me.

We were at the ledges, all the rocks and nature my favorite place to be. I loved taking trips here with Mom- she would pack a few snacks and water bottles and we would hike through the sight and trying our hardest to get lost. We were on a huge rock, staring at the sunset right over the dark green leaves of the tall trees.

"Look, honey," She had said to me, pointing. "Isn't it so beautiful?"

I couldn't help but look away from the sunset to see her smiling face.
"Yes, Mom." I said. "It's gorgeous."

"We should do this more often."

I laughed. "We do this all the time."

She put a finger to her chin. "Oh." She removed it, smiling at me. "Right."

I smiled again and we started back down the narrow walkway made of Mother Nature's gray sticks and stones.

I had tripped, falling and rolling all the way down the hill.

Dozens of scrapes and scratches were evident on my bare skin, and I gasped a little from shock. But I'd had worse. Mom ran down the hill urgently, and when she got to me she said, "Sonny! Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I answered in a huff. "I'm fine." I stood up and smoothed out my outfit.

My mother nodded and playfully punched me on the shoulder and said, "You're a tough cookie."

"Don't I know it." I smiled, gave her a big hug, and we headed back to the car to go home.

I sobbed loudly as I recalled that day which seemed like years ago, but was really only several weeks ago. It was only six o'clock, and Danielle had yet to come home from work. I waited desperately for her return, not wanting to be alone with Chad anymore. I was done with the flirtatious arguments. Wait, flirtatious? No! Oh, whatever. I need to settle this with my mother.

I was weak. I was stupid. I was young. I was naïve. But I have to do this.

I marched back to my cell phone and redialed.

Ring…

A trickle of unease started on my neck and made its way downward and set to my best friend of whom I thought of as a sister. I hadn't talked to her on over a week, and that was crazy. I promised I would call her twice every day! I'm horrible. Ugh. Don't I know it.

Ring…

I prayed and crossed my fingers so she won't pick up.

"Hello?"

Nothing came out of my mouth when I parted my lips, the breath hitching in my throat.

"Sonny?" Lucy asked, confused. "You there?"

My whole body was frozen.

Why am I stressing out? For some reason I feel as though I should be avoiding her. She was the ultimate connection. Seeing or hearing Lucy would make me remember her house, and a few houses down was my old house, and that would trigger the memory of my terrific mother.

"Lucy." I whispered, hoping she would hear. I put the phone on speaker and threw it on the bed.

"Oh." She sighed a grateful sigh. "It is so good to hear your voice."

"Me, too." My voice cracked.

"Sonny." She said again. "I am so sorry. I've been watching the house and making sure that nothing else will go wrong. Everything has been going well over here. Practically the whole town came to my house looking for you, and they told me to tell you that they are so sorry."

"Well," I sniffled. "Tell them I said thank you."

"I will."

There was a moment's silence.

"I've got the same room as you."

"Really?" She asked, surprised.

"Yep. It actually came out of a magazine or something."

"No way!" She exclaims, surprised. I'll have to ask my mom about that."

"Okay-" We cut each other off.

"Go ahead." We said simultaneously.

I remembered the last time we did this. Then, we both burst out laughing.

After a huge fit of laughter I heard her quiet on the other line. I did so too.

"Oh, Luce." I wiped my eyes that were now filled with tears of happiness. "I miss you so much."

"Aw, Sonny!" She squealed. "Me, too. I miss you a ton. It's so boring over here without you. Anthony is being so dumb. He mooned me yesterday."

My nose scrunched up. "Oh, geez. I'm so sorry."

"You should be! I almost couldn't keep my lunch down!"

I laughed loudly then quieted, realizing I could have bothered Chad if he was in his room both times I lost it hysterically.

"Okay, I need to stop laughing so loud. He's going to come in and kick my butt." I giggled.

"Oh. My. Gosh."

Did that seriously come out of my mouth?!

"No, no, Luce! It's not what you think." I bit my lip worriedly.

"Oh em gee you're staying with a guy? Your boyfriend? Who is it?"

"He is most definitely not my boyfriend." I rejected the fact immediately.

Suddenly the atmosphere around became more dull. Less happy.

Am I seriously getting metaphorical about Chad?

"Aaaaaaaw." Luce whined.

"Yeah." I didn't like lying to my best friend. In fact- I've never done it before. But how could I get around telling her about Chad Dylan Cooper?

"So…" She trailed off. "Who are you staying with? Are you safe?"

"I can assure you, Lucy. I'm safe. I'm staying with someone I met at the studios. A..." How do I describe him? "An acquaintance."

What should have come out of my mouth: The enemy.

"Okay. If that's all you can tell me."

This is why I love her. She understands all the time!

"Thanks."

"Yep."

"But I didn't call to gossip."

Lucy sighs into the phone. "I know."

I took a deep breath. "I need your help scheduling a funeral for my mother."

"Already done."

I was shocked. "What?"

"It's done. It's also in two weeks. I was going to call to tell you."

I couldn't suppress the betrayal I felt when she said this. Lucy scheduled it already? It's not even her mother! I sighed, sitting back onto the bed, a tad aggravated.

"Where?" I ask bluntly, trying my best to hide it.

"Heartland Church."

"Okay." I sighed, trying to stay a little disconnected from the conversation so I wouldn't become too upset and start hyperventilating. "Could you get anything you have of her out? Any pictures, letters, anything."

"Got it."

"I've got a lot. Some are still at the house. If you want you can prepare a speech. Invite everyone she knows. People from work, church, the neighborhood."

"Okay." She agreed. "I'll ask around."

"And Lucy?" I said, my voice cracking as more tears streamed down my face.

"Sonny?"

"Thank you."

"Of course."

I shook my head. "Lucy." I sighed.

"Yes?"

I smiled at the phone, wishing I could see her face. "I love you, chic."

"Love you too, girl."

"Call whenever you get the chance. I'll arrange a flight back to Wisconsin as soon as I can."

"Perfect. You call me, too."

"Got it."

"Once again," Lucy said. "Love ya."

"Me, too."

There was a hesitation before I heard the line go dead.

I flung my head into one of my pillows and screamed.

xXx

"I'm home!" Danielle called as loud as she could. I heard her in my room, glad I wasn't in a different room.

"Danielle!" I sighed in relief, running out of my room and down the stairs. I waited at the bottom step and put my hand on the railing, embarrassed about my instincts.

"Why, hello, Sonny." She smiled at me while taking off her shoes. "Where's Chad?"

"I'm not sure." I said honestly, watching as she put her shoes, coat, and purse in the closet on the other wall.

"Let's find out." She said, and pushed the button on the speaker thingy. "Chad Dylan Cooper!"

After a moment a red light appeared.

"Hey, Mom." I heard his voice. "When did you get home?"

"Just now." She answered, pushing the button again. "Come upstairs and hang out with Sonny like you should have been! She's been probably bored to death for the past six hours."

"Oh, Danielle." I smiled. "Trust me. He showed me the whole house and was with me until about an hour ago."

"She speaks the truth." Chad said, apparently hearing me.

"Okay, but still, come down to the kitchen. I've ordered Chinese for us because I'm tired and don't feel like cooking."

I laughed.

"Coming." He said.

Danielle took her finger off the button and turned toward me. "He was in the relaxation room."

That's where we were together just an hour ago. I wonder what he was doing there?

"Oh." I nodded. "Nice choice, Chinese."

"Glad you like it. It's my favorite."

"Mmm." I nodded, and we both laughed, her leading to the kitchen.

"So," I began, taking a deep breath and wringing my hands together. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Me, too." She said. "But you first."

"Um…" I rubbed my neck. "I-I…Uh, I feel sort of selfish asking of you a favor so soon, but I really-"

"Sonny, Sonny!" She smiled at me encouragingly. "It's totally fine."

"Okay," My voice trembled with nerves. "Um…I was wondering if we could fly up to Wisconsin for my mother's funeral."

She nodded understandingly. "That's what I was going to talk to you about, too. That's absolutely fine."

"My best friend already has the date. It's in two weeks, and I sort of want to be there three days early so I could set up, and, you know…get people together."

"That's perfect, dear. We'll go shopping for some nice clothes, too."

I smiled. "Thank you, so much, Danielle."

"Absolutely, hon."

I ran up to her and gave her a huge hug. When her arms wrapped around my shoulders, I imagined my mother's arms around me, holding me tight, saying everything would be alright. But she was gone.

Suddenly another pair of arms wrapped around us. Danielle laughed.

"Sorry," Chad said. "I felt left out."

"Don't be." I murmured, not caring who he was, I wrapped one arm around him too. Danielle did the same.

The doorbell rang.

"Who's up for some Chinese?" Chad asked, letting go. I caught his eyes back on me for a moment, having some emotion in them I couldn't make out. Was it pity?

But he was already gone.

When I looked back at my guardian, she was eyeing us suspiciously. She looked back at me with a small smirk on her face and said slowly, "I'll go get some plates."

I smiled sheepishly at her and she turned away.

For some reason the reaction I had gotten from her had me feeling defensive. What was so suspicious about Chad's and my behavior toward one another?

Nothing.

...Right?

So when Chad brought back all the food and placed it onto the table I couldn't help but flat out stare at him in confusion. His blonde locks swayed slightly as he organized. His eyes were content, comfortable. A small smile was on his lips…one I'd never really seen before.

This was the first time we were having dinner together- as a family.

My stomach tightened; a lump formed in my throat. This was my new family now.

Was it so horrible to like them?

Chad handed me a plate and I gratefully took it, thanking him quietly as to not to disturb the silence too much. He took the seat at the end of the table. I was grateful for this too- it didn't seem like he was picking me over his mom or vice-versa . We all sat dependently at our own sides of the table and no one felt left out. Even me. The sore thumb. The newbie.

They were already treating me like family- well, Danielle was. Chad…Chad treated me like all the other girl he treated: so according to Zora. He was a flirt- a heartbreaker. He caught me staring at him and I looked back down at my plate, grabbing my fork and stabbing a piece of chicken. I smiled at them.

Danielle started to make an easygoing conversation and everything went smoothly.

I was sure of this- Chad was a definite flirt. A confident heartthrob whom- may I be so flattered to admit- wanted to win me over as though I were any other girl.

But I wouldn't fall. I wouldn't trip over his stupid foot labeled charm. I would stand tall but still make sure I knew where I was going.

I had to keep my distance from this family. I couldn't get too close to anyone in Hollywood; anyone involved in my new life. Getting too close would evolve into a serious problem: in the end, everyone would leave. So I had to be somewhat distant of my whole life. I had to be a little secluded. Seldom would I think like this; I was always the positive and outgoing girl who loved to meet new people.

But the only person whom I really opened up to, whom I really loved: My mother.

And she was gone.

And if I let anyone- especially Chad- into my life, letting him see the real me, opening up to him…I would be even more broken than I am now if anything were to screw it all up.

I knew one thing for sure- my love would never be free for anyone else to have.

In the more literal sense of those words- I'll try my best not to fall for Hollywood's Heartthrob- Chad Dylan Cooper.

So the chapters have been pretty lame lately, so I'm moving forward more with the story now.