Hi again everyone! Two apologies: 1) I'm so sorry this story has been on hiatus for so long. Basically two years of writers block on almost everything I've tried to put on paper. 2) I've read over past chapters and I noticed an egregious number of grammar/spelling errors. Please forgive my lack of proof reading before uploading these chapters.
There will probably be one more chapter after this. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy!
"I thought you said they weren't following us anymore?" Nicholas raged at Connie.
"I said the car that was following us stopped. They probably had another one ready to go," Connie crossed her arms. She was tired, injured, in pain, and stuck with her ex-husband. Connie did not like the word hate, but if she had to choose one person to hate, it would be him. And when she remembered that she owed her whole life to him, for having a hand in creating their daughter, her whole body ached.
"We should have just stuck to the plan. You should have just let us take you to the hospital where the police could have intercepted them! Now you've put our daughter at risk once again."
Tawni tried her best to keep Zora away from the argument, but the two could not help but watch. The only one who could avoid from becoming engaged was Chad as he covertly snuck towards the closet and sat down in the dark next to the pile of clothing.
"Hey," he whispered. "You all right?"
"They're arguing again, over me, aren't they?" Sonny forced his response.
"Not over you, just over the situation," Chad stretched the truth.
"I wish you would let me put an end to the situation," Sonny declared weakly. "It could be so fast – I'm sure they would do it quickly. Heck, I barely even remember getting hit by the car, it happened so quickly."
"Don't lie to me, Sonny, the doctors said you were not unconscious until you hit the ground – after flying through the air. I know you felt the pain before and after. I wish you would stop suggesting yourself as a sacrifice. It wouldn't make things better for anyone. Wait…nope, not one person."
"Chad, stop," Sonny giggled. "So, this thing, between us. Is it real?"
"You tell me. Because what I feel is real, and I think you know that. But this is a weird time for you, and I don't want to force you into feeling something because you're emotionally vulnerable."
"Chad, you've been nothing but evil these last couple of months, and I really thought it was because you hated me," Sonny glared at the ground, only her head peeking out from the pile of clothing. "But when we kissed, everything just felt so right and normal again. I'd really like to explore this…"
"But…" Chad led on.
"But I'm not in the right state of mind to make such decisions right now. I'm sorry."
"So do you want to go back to how we were before?"
"No," Sonny shook her head.
"Do you want to be how we were when we were alone?"
"No." Sonny was finding it hard to meet Chad's gaze in the nearly pitch black lighting, regardless of how hard she tried. Chad noticed her struggle and pulled her free from the clothing pile temporarily. His arms wrapped around her body, laying his hands on her upper back. Sonny eventually reciprocated and the two stood in the embrace for several minutes, time lost within that closet.
XXX
"You don't get it, Connie, you're just so stubborn all of the time!" Nicholas' voice carried through the closet door, shocking Sonny back into reality.
"Stop it, you two. This isn't what she needs right now," Tawni finally had her fill and reacted with equal anger.
XXX
"Everyone's so angry over me," Sonny tried to pull away, but found resistance on Chad's arms.
"You could never cause anyone anger, Sonny. Not with how perfect you are."
"I'm not perfect, Chad, if I was, this wouldn't be happening. Clearly I have some imperfection that has angered your fans enough to seek revenge. Just more anger layered on anger."
"Maybe you're right," Chad's tone lightened, pulling Sonny back slightly, but still held onto her with his hands. "Maybe everyone here really is angry at you, about you, for you. I know I have enough anger inside of me from the one note I read after the attack to let loose on everyone upstairs right now. But there is another world out there, Sonny. Billions of people who feel the opposite of this dirty, filthy hate and anger. People who love and cherish you. People who would travel from all parts of the world to show you that. I want to prove this to you, but I need you trust me. Just for a little while. Okay?"
Sonny paused. Trust Chad Dylan Cooper. Sure she kissed him, admitted she may have feelings for him, but trust? That was asking so much of her. "I'll try," Sonny barely whimpered the words. Chad reinstated his strong grasp around her before his phone vibrated once again in his pocket.
"Then it's time, Sonny, let me prove to you, to your friends, and to your family, that Hate is not your story – beginning, middle, or end."
Chad led Sonny out of the closet where he received shocked looks from the Monroe's. Chad raised a hand to halt the barrage of oncoming accusations from the two adults who still had pent up, undirected rage. Chad, holding Sonny's hand, walked to the phone on his desk, pressed four odd numbers, and began speaking. His voice was instantly projected all throughout the house.
"Alliance of Chad Dylan Cooper Fans, this is me, Chad Dylan Cooper. I'm coming upstairs and I'm bringing them with me – all of them. The Randoms, the parents, and Sonny Monroe," Chad announced.
"What are you doing?" Connie almost lunged at Chad but was quickly restricted by Nicholas.
"Sonny, I'll release her if you don't tell us what is happening," Nicholas threatened. Sonny looked up at them with a panicked face. She had not a clue what was running through Chad's head – but then again, did she really ever know?
"Trust me!" Chad ordered in a hushed whisper as he pushed a hair from Sonny's face. "Trust me."
"But if I'm going to bring them up to you, you must exit my house and stand on the lawn across street from my house. This is not going down on my property – far too messy. You have five minutes or the deal is off. Thank you, I look forward to meeting my fans soon."
"Explanation time, now," Mr. Monroe ordered, hovering above Chad, declaring his dominance.
"I'm very sorry sir, but there's no time," Chad ran to his computer and furiously began typing into the social networking sites. He then worked at sending several mass texts through his cell phone. "Come on," he grabbed Sonny's hand and began to run towards the doorway.
"No," Connie blocked their pathway as Nicholas pulled Sonny from Chad. "We're not letting you do this to us, Chad. And I'm especially not letting you surrender my daughter to make your life easier."
"Trust me," Chad whined.
"No. It's going to take more than that this time, Chad. We're not your posse that will just break on your very word."
"Then trust me," Sonny pulled from her father's grasp. "I can't say even I'm prepared to trust Chad fully, but I can say this. If he is lying, and only wants to dump me off on them, then that will be the last point of injury for me. If he betrays me, if he betrays us, I'll be done – with everything. And at that point, I would walk willingly into their hands."
"No," Chad's voice faltered, running to Sonny. "If you think you're at any risk of that happening, then I won't take you upstairs." Chad had completely forgotten about the present company, now all he had was Sonny in his brain cells. "If you're even considering it, I won't take you upstairs."
"Then don't fail me, and it won't happen," Sonny advised.
"I won't," Chad promised, trying to dig through her eyes to send his message of truth.
"Okay, then we're going. Or at least I am," Sonny affirmed, looking around for her family's support and following. She was relieved when she found little abrasion and what appeared to be a willingness to go with them.
Suddenly, a muffled noise overcame the house from the outside. Sonny knew it could not be Chad's fan alliance, as they did not possibly have that many people originally. But perhaps that many people really did exist who hated her that much.
"Come on, we have to go now," Chad urged. He quickly spoke Sonny's birthday and the door popped open. Connie and Nicholas looked between one another at the specific number sequence, but everything was moving too quickly for them to say anything.
Chad and Sonny led the pack, running up the stairway. Inside Chad's house was eerily quiet. Muddy, greasy footprints were scattered around Chad's tiled flooring – remnants from the uninvited guests.
"We can do this," Chad promised, squeezing Sonny's hand. Sonny nodded back, knowing her next few steps would end it all one way or another. And although she could not predict which result would come of it, she was content with either.
Chad flew open the doorway to over three thousand people who cheered with a boom when the two appeared in the doorway. Sonny was dumbfounded. As she looked around, she could not help but notice the So Random t-shirts, her face on over half of the shirts, her picture photoshopped with Chad's picture on a quarter of the others, and a very few number of only Chad's picture, but somehow personally altered to include Sonny's name. Signs were thrown in the air, reading "We Love You Sonny" "Sonny, Will You Marry Me?"
Quotes like: "'I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him' – Booker T. Washington"
"' Hate is the consequence of fear; we fear something before we hate it' – Cyril Connolly"
"'Always remember others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself' – Richard Nixon"
"'There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder' – Charles Morgan"
"' Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that' – Michael Leunig" and
"'Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence' – Eric Fromm" filled the aired on neon poster boards.
"Chad, what is happening, here?" Sonny could barely feel anything below her waist. Half of her concentration was simply on standing. Chad realized this and laced his one arm through hers to keep her supported.
"Why, Miss Monroe, please, let me show you," Chad pulled a microphone from the inside of the doorway and began to quiet the crowd. The Alliance was in a heated debate with the larger group at the outskirts of the crowd, but eventually, Chad quieted everyone down. "Can we make a pathway, please," Chad requested so he would get a better view of the Alliance. The crowd split in two, giving a direct path towards the handful across the street. Chad led Sonny down the porch steps and through the gap.
Sonny's heart raced, thoughts of Chad's betrayal still trickling in. Nicholas felt light-headed and grasped to Connie for support. She willingly aided him, but could barely speak, think, or move at the same moment. Was Chad only throwing her a going away "party?" Would this be the last time they saw their daughter?
"Let's stop here," Chad suggested to Sonny, only halfway down the path. "Hello, everyone, and thank you for gathering at my abode." Sonny snickered internally – her peripheral nervous system too numb to react externally – at how well he could evolve from terrified, action-ready Chad to crowd-pleasing Chad Dylan Cooper. "This all started with this group across the street here, so why don't we give them the opening floor."
"Chad, what is going on here?" Mr. Franklin looked around at the infinite number of Sonny-supporting opponents on Chad's lawn. "I'm glad you at least have your head on straight. Just bring her a little closer, and we'll take care of her. Off your property – just like you asked."
"Okay, slow down," Chad halted, his voice running across the loudspeakers throughout his yard. "First of all, who even are you people?"
"We're your fan club, Chad," Mr. Franklin spoke proudly.
"No, you're not!" Chad exclaimed. "I had my people do their research. None of you are even currently registered in my official fan club. You don't work for me, you're not in my club, so who are you?"
"We didn't enter your fan club, because we didn't want to be lumped with the hormonal fourteen-year-old adolescent females who only claim to be fans because their biological clocks are beginning to suggest qualified mating partners. We respect your art and your talent. We see what you do is real. We owe you everything you have given up so that we may be entertained for an hour each week. The least we could do is keep your problems out of your hair."
"And who said I had a problem in the first place?" Chad challenged.
"You did! You tweet all the time about how the Randoms drive you crazy and how you haven't been able to concentrate since the newest pest joined the crew. We've seen the videos, the pictures, and all the blog posts about the ongoing rivalry."
"I never tweeted a thing about Sonny being a distraction or a pest."
"I quote," Mr. Franklin pulled an index card from his back pocket, "Friday, September 10th, 2010 3:15 PM: 'Funny how the Randoms think they have a chance of winning tomorrow – you know where to vote for your favorite!' Friday, September 10th, 2010 3:20 PM: 'I wish I could just get rid of the new intruder! Driving me up the wall!' Two tweets, one right after the other, clearly hinting at the same directive."
"That was the weekend before the Tween Choice Awards. But that second one was not relevant, related, or a metaphor for Sonny. I had a mouse in my dressing room. Every time I would see it, I would try to jump up the wall to the ceiling where I thought I might be safe! You would know that if you were part of my official fan club and received the private blog post that night, titled 'Trials and Tribulations of Mouse Invaders.'"
"Wait, are you saying that you're angry with us for trying to help you. For all we've done for you in your name to better your life?"
"I didn't ask you to!" Chad cut him off. "I never gave anyone permission to use my name in hatred. Not once did I ask someone to hurt this beautiful human being. You think I make art? She's the one who has the ability to make people laugh. At Mackenzie Falls, if every person in America is crying at the end of an episode, we call it a good day. But Sonny," Chad turned to capture her eyes again, "Sonny makes people laugh, and smile, and feel joy. Now that's art."
"This is why she's not good for you, Chad. She's a distraction. Let us rid you of her," Mr. Franklin stepped forward, holding the hilt of a large hunting knife.
"No!" Chad freaked, pushing Sonny into the arms of the crowd around them. She fell into the arms of two teenage girls and a father who stood next to his little girl. "I swear, you come another step closer and this will be the last time any of you see me ever again. Come another step closer and I swear I will quit forever." Mr. Franklin froze, held up his hands and took a single step back. "Now," Chad reached into the crowd and helped Sonny back into the clearing, "before I go crazy, it's time to let the other group here have its turn."
Sonny looked up in the sky as a private plane circled around above them with a banner reading: "We Love You Sonny Monroe."
A man wearing a turquoise collared shirt stepped forward, shaking hands with Chad and giving Sonny a slight hug. Chad surrendered the microphone, allowing him to speak.
"Hi, Sonny, you probably don't know me, because unlike Mr. Cooper, So Random has not established an official fan club for you just yet, but we like to think of ourselves as a precursor group, leading to such a club for you. My name is Jonathan – and I guess you could call me part of the team leadership. Chad called us up recently and explained to us what was happening. We knew something was wrong after your accident, we hope our gifts helped in some little way, but we had no idea it was a malicious attack to take your life. Chad asked if we could all come to show you, that while a small group of people feel one way, your die-hard fans, the ones who really care about you, are here to protect you. We're not going to let them hurt you ever again."
"They're all here, for me?" Sonny could hardly believe the astounding number of fans.
"I've been in contact with nearly three times as many, but unfortunately, because this all had to happen so last minute, they couldn't all come. I'm sorry," Chad apologized. Sonny was awestruck as she looked around at her fans.
"Oh yeah?" Mr. Franklin spat towards Jonathan. "Just try to stop us. Just because Mr. Cooper is temporarily blinded by her poison, we'll still work night and day to remove her from his life. This world would be a better place without her, her ugly face, her grinding laugh, and her pathetic jokes. No matter how you try, you won't – you can't stop us, Sonny Monroe."
"Maybe not, but we can," the whole Los Angeles Police Department popped out from the middle of the crowd. The chief leading the group. Each wore a So Random pin next to his or her badge. "It just so happens my daughter is a very large So Random fan, and we even have a few members in the club who are also on the force. And let me tell you, each and every one of you are under arrest for harassment, stalking, domestic terrorism, forgery, and my favorite which is sure to put you away for a very long time – attempted murder."
Mr. Franklin and the rest of the Alliance attempted to flee the scene, but several college students caught them within moments and had them pinned to the ground until each member could be detained.
"Wait," Chad held the cop up before Mr. Franklin was taken away. Chad stopped talking in the microphone, this was between him and Mike. "I don't even know what to say. You thought you were doing this for me, you thought this is what I wanted – can I even really be mad at that?" He was steaming, everything about this man causing him anger and pain. "But for you to think that I would ever want someone's life harmed to fit my personal agenda – that is disgusting. It makes me sick. I've had to watch over Sonny the last couple of days and see the destruction you made by what you put her through. You want to talk about a distraction? You're the biggest one of all. Personally, I can forgive you for trying to help me through misguided perceptions. I can never, however, forgive you trying to kill the most precious life on this planet."
Chad began to walk off but not without signaling for the police officer to hold on a moment.
"Do you trust me?" Chad took Sonny into his arms. Sonny gave a strong nod. Ensuring Mike Franklin was watching, Chad leaned down and trapped Sonny's mouth with his, and experienced the joy of Sonny returning with a stable demeanor – as though no one had ever touched her.
"Enjoy prison," Chad muttered as the police car drove off, Mr. Franklin throwing a fit in the back seat.
"Sonny?" a weak voice crept from within the crowd, ushered out with the aid of Nico and Grady.
"Lindsay?" Sonny jumped back. It was like seeing a ghost. Sonny had helped her and always had updated information on Lindsay's well-being, but Sonny had not seen her former assistant since the girl was beaten up…outside Mr. Franklin's apartment. "Lindsay, you're here!"
"I'm so sorry, Sonny," Lindsay hugged Sonny gently. "This was all my fault, and I feel horrible."
"Lindsay, if I may," Chad intercepted. "This was no more your fault for your part than it was mine for posting those stupid tweets."
"And I don't blame either of you," Sonny shook her head. "We can't live our lives expecting evilness from every person – that's how the evil wins. When it does come around, we might be able to do a little better in recognizing it, but you both are too good to cause such a problem knowingly or ignore obvious signs. We can assign fault all day long – I would take on most of it, but what you guys did here today, how can this now overcome evil?"
"And she still thinks it's her fault," Lindsay turned to Chad, the two of them covered in the same guilty expression. "Thank you so much for everything, Sonny." The two girls hugged and Lindsay turned away to leave Sonny alone forever.
"Lindsay, wait," Sonny stepped towards her. "Please don't go. We can get you a job at Condor Studios, we can still be friends…I really want to still be friends."
"I'm going to jail, Sonny. My trial begins next week. My lawyer thinks I can get less time by not pleading guilty, but not even he has hope of me not going to jail. Don't worry about me, Sonny. I'll be all right."
"Actually, Miss Blain," Chad broke in. "I spoke with the District Attorney and he decided if we were able to reel in the main offenders, he wouldn't need to prosecute."
"It's settled then!" Sonny spoke before Lindsay could back out again. "You'll come work at Condor Studios, we'll be friends forever, and we'll have our happy ending. Because…it's over," the realization hit Sonny like a block of ice. Her arms felt numb and before she knew it, she was falling down to the cement.
"Whoa!" Chad dove to catch her, resting her head in his lap as soon as he set her safely on the ground.
"Sonny!" Connie and Nicholas darted forward as the crowd gathered around
"It's all right, I have her," Nicholas lifted his semi-conscious daughter and carried her back inside Chad's mansion. The deadly silent sea of people parted as Nicholas carried their idol across the lawn.
"Daddy, I want to go home," Sonny whispered. Seconds before she had been filled with happiness, but now that the excitement was gone, and she was once again without an army of fan surrounding her, Sonny went numb with the realization of what the days to come would look like.
Nicholas set her down on Chad's big leather sofa and softly stroked her dark brown hair, "Don't worry, kid, we're going to get you back to the apartment in no time."
Sonny lost eye contact with her father as a tear blurred her vision. Everything had worked out so perfectly, but not even her father could understand what she really needed. Hollywood was no longer her home, and even though she could pull out her smile when needed, and though she truly knew it was over, the perfection of the West had been forever marred and she doubted anyone would ever understand the scars she felt inside. She longed for the serenity of the Midwest where the most exciting thing in the mail was the Cheese of the Month delivery. But every feeling was hidden deep inside as Sonny pushed them deeper and deeper, covering them with a sense of happiness and safety. She buried everything until Sonny refused to admit to herself, that she wished the Alliance had not been arrested, so that she had a reason to escape.
"Sonny?" Chad popped back in with a paramedic at his side. "My friend, Eric, is going to take a quick look at you. He's always been there whenever I've had an accident on stage. He's the best."
The paramedic cautiously surveyed Sonny's vitals multiple times before allowing her to return to the safety of her apartment with both her parents, her friends, and Chad at her side. Sonny noticed the caution tape blocking off Mike Franklin's apartment, but she did not bother to internalize its significance.
"Let me start up some macaroni and cheese, and I'll make all of you hot cocoa, and how about a movie or something?" Connie frantically dug through her kitchen, trying find whatever comfort food was in reach.
"I think I'm going to get some sleep," Sonny stepped away from the arms of her heroes. "But I wanted to thank you all before I go. Mom, Dad, you two ignored your own differences and I don't think I would be here if you hadn't. Tawni, you were so brave and so quick to act. It seemed as if you had done all of this before. I'm so impressed and so proud to call you my friend. Zora, I'm almost embarrassed that you had to do so much for me. Please forgive me for ever putting you in so much danger. You were always there for me whenever and wherever I needed you. I see you as a little sister, and I can only hope you might see me as your big sis. And Chad..." Sonny faded off. What would she say to him? Had she not already said everything?
"Please, Sonny," Chad interceded. "I don't deserve any gratitude. I only hope that what happened over the past few days was enough to make up for the year of torture I've put you through." The two maintained eye contact for nearly an eternity.
"I'll make it up to you," she finally whispered, and scurried off to her bed.