RECAP:

"Chad." Sonny whispered when Skylar was out of sight.

"Who does he think he is? He thinks he could just walk into our studios and pretend he's king around here? Well let me tell you something-"

Chad's rambles were silenced with Sonny's lips. He quickly shut up and enjoyed the kiss. He could feel her smiling through it.

"Now," She said, pulling back. "What were you saying?"

"I honestly can't remember." Chad said helplessly, memorized by the kiss. "Good." She said, standing on her tippy-toes to peck his lips. "Now let's go to lunch and tell everyone, before Skylar starts causing more drama." She grabbed his hand and they walked, Skylar forgotten for the moment.

"Why was Portlyn dressed like that today? She looked like you attacked her with makeup and clothes." Tawni bit her lip. "Uh, I kinda did." Nico gulped. "Huh?"

"Well, she thought you stood her up. So I kinda got the idea to show you what you missed out on." Tawni grinned sheepishly. "It almost worked, until she slipped on that stupid banana."

"Oh my God." Nico said. " That was for me? I don't like her like that. She looked too fake. I love her when she's herself."

"Well Nico, you have to tell her that. She's probably in her dressing room right now, mourning." Tawni put a hand on Nico's shoulder. "Good luck."

'Cuz my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just want to fix it somehow
But how many times will it take
Oh how many times will it take for me
To get it right
To get it right

~Lea Michele

"Sonny." Skylar whispered into Sonny's ear. She smiled slightly and closed her eyes. "Sonny, do you love me?"

"Yes." She breathed shakily. Her heart beat fast; the amount of passion she felt from his voice could only mean she loved him.

"I love you too." He wrapped his arm around her from behind, leaning in to smell the perfume radiating off her neck. She laughed and let her head fall back. He spun her around and twirled her so that she could face him.

She looked up at his eyes- they were such a deep green that she could melt in them. He looked at her with such intensity, they were so deeply connected with just eye contact. Smiling slightly, he leaned in, nuzzling his nose with hers. She giggled as he played with her hair.

"You don't even realize how much I love you." He whispered. "I don't think I can live without you anymore."

"Well, you don't have to." She whispered back to him, snaking her arms around his neck. "Forever and Always, right?"

"Right." He mumbled, and leaned down to kiss her.

She closed her eyes and waited for his lips, but they never came.

"Sonny? Sonny? SONNY!"

Sonny leaped up and saw Tawni's face in front of her. She rubbed her eyes and looked around her.

They were in the prop room.

It was just a dream.

Tawni stared down at her oddly. Her nail filer was in one hand, as if ready to attack Sonny with it if she didn't wake up.

"Tawni?" Sonny said groggily, rubbing her eyes. Her head was pounding, her heart was racing, and she couldn't understand why.

"You know Sonny, out of all people to fall asleep while writing sketches, I think you would be the last one." Tawni shook her head and went back to her chair. Her pink heels clicked noisily, only increasing the pounding in Sonny's head. She sat down and looked at Sonny pointedly. "Now, I just came back from telling Nico off about ditching Portlyn. And now I have to lecture you on when to sleep? Tawni Hart cannot keep thinking about other people! And when was the last time I looked in the mirror! Hmph! It must have been an hour ago. You see that, Sonny? An hour!Oh, kill me now!"

Nico ditching Portlyn? Writing sketches? Mirrors? Tawni's rambles were only making Sonny feel worse. Tawni's phone rang, and soon she was caught up in the conversation. Sonny was glad for the distraction.

Sonny got up and stretched; her body ached from her nap. She remembered that her and Chad decided to wait until tonight to tell everyone, so she came here to write sketches. And she probably fall asleep and-

Her dream.

Sonny froze halfway to the door as her dream came back to her. She had loved Skylar in her dream. She had wanted to kiss him. To hold him, to be with him forever. They had cuddled and said that they loved each other.

Sonny gulped as she walked down the hallway very slowly.

She had dreamed about loving Skylar.

While she was with Chad.

Leaning against a wall and closing her eyes, she rubbed her temples slowly. It was just a dream. Everybody has weird dreams. So what if she dreamed that she was in love withthe person Chad hated most? She gulped. This was not good.

But it wasn't like she had to tell Chad. I mean, it was her dream. Chad barely ever tells her what he dreams about.

Sonny froze.

What if he dreams about other girls?

She clenched her teeth, trying to calm the spurge of jealousy that suddenly raged through her. I mean, of course he dreamed about girls. But now, she should be the only girl he dreams of. Or was she a hypocrite by saying that?

Sonny was so confused she didn't even hear the footsteps coming toward her.

"Hey, gorgeous." Came a husky voice. Sonny's eyes snapped open.

Speak of the devil.

"Skylar." She said. "What are you doing here?"

He was dressed in his Mackenzie Falls uniform, looking gorgeous. But of course, Sonny wasn't supposed to think that about him. His hair was shaggy but nice, and his green eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Nothing." He replied, putting his hands in his pockets. "Just came here to see you."

"Skylar..."

"Look, I know I've been really mean to you lately. But it's not because I don't like you." Sonny's eyebrows raised. "Okay, I see how you can be confused. But you're always around Chad. It's him that I'm angry at. You're just always there to see it." He scratched his head awkwardly. "I wanted to come and tell you that."

Sonny sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. It wasn't supposed to be this complicated. Skylar was supposed to be gone, and her and Chad were supposed to be happy. They were, but Skylar kept on getting in the way. Chad was always tense.

"Skylar, I just want everything to be normal. I don't want anyone to be fighting. So Back. Off. Of. Chad." Sonny hissed.

Skylar's eyes darkened a shade. "I came here to apologize. I'm sorry for what I did to you. I'm NOT sorry for what I did to Chad." He came a little closer to Sonny, and she backed away.

"What did Chad ever do to you?" Sonny exclaimed. Skylar's eyes flashed with pain, but it was gone the second it came. He clenched his jaw. "It's always about him. Everything is always about Chad." He rolled his eyes. "He's just a pretty boy with a lot of makeup."

"No he's not!" Sonny fumed, crossing her arms. "You're just Jealous!"

"Ofwhat?"He shouted back. They were nose to nose now, both of them fuming.

Sonny opened her mouth to shout back, but nothing came out. She was frozen. Skylar looked so angry, and she knew that it wasn't because of what she said. There was something deeper than that, something he wasn't telling anybody. She wasn't an expert or anything, but she knew that it was killing him. Before she could ask what was really wrong, he spoke up.

"You know, you still owe me that date."

Just when she was about to actually care about him, he goes in and says something like that. Sonny knew that a big monster was building up inside of her. She was so sick of this.

"Would you shut up about that?" His chuckled, his shiny teeth flashing.

"No, not really."

It was overwhelming how fast their moods changed. One minute they were ready to rip each other's heads off, then the next he was playful and cocky. Sonny was just plain annoyed.

"Look, I'll make you a deal." She whispered. She looked around her, making sure that no-one was watching. Skylar's eyebrows lifted. "You wanna kiss me?" He asked her, edging closer.

"What?" She said quickly, looking back to him. "No-just, no. Gosh. Listen, if I go on that date with you, will you leave us alone?"

"Us?"

"Me and Chad."

"Chad and I." He corrected her. She clenched her jaw, ready to rip his head off. He raised his arms in defense. "Hey, it's simple grammar."

Sonny rolled her eyes. "Yes or No?"

"To what?"

"THE DATE!"

"Geez Sonny, you don't have to keep reminding me about that. But, since you're begging," He made a tired gesture. "I guess I'll go."

"Good. Pick me up tonight at seven, don't be late. Oh, and don't expect this to be a real date. The only reason I'm going with you is so you'll leave Chad alone."

Skylar chuckled. "I'd like to see Chad's face when he finds out about this." Sonny's eyes widened. "Chad will notfind out about this." She said slowly.

Sonny closed her eyes and mumbled "Oh gosh, what am I doing?"

"Hey, I can hear you." Skylar said. "And I don't mind. Our little secret makes this date-" He bent his face down to hers. "Sexy."

"You pig!" Sonny said, huffing and backing away. "Look, pick me up at seven and that's that!"

"Don't fall in love with me!" Skylar called out as she disappeared behind the corner.

"YOU WISH!" She yelled back. Skylar chuckled, and continued his walk down the hall.

Nico knocked lightly on Portlyn's door, his heart beating rapidly. In all truth, he didn't know what the hell he was doing here. He didn't know how to face Portlyn, to tell her how he felt, to make sure she knew how beautiful she really was. He was sick to his stomach thinking of all that she went through.

Was he really that much of a jerk to her?

He took a deep breath, silently thanking Tawni for coming to him when she did. It wasn't night time yet, so Portlyn would probably still be in her dressing room.

The door swung open, and there he saw a teary-eyed Portlyn. Her makeup was smudged and her hair was a mess. She wore an over-sized Rolling Stones T-Shirt and baggy sweats.

"Nico?" She whispered, blinking her eyes rapidly to hide her tears. Oh God, what was he doing here? I look awful! she thought.

"Hey." He whispered back, mesmerized by her looks. He had never,not once, seen her like this. But to him, she was never more beautiful. "T-Tawni came, she told me everything. Portlyn," He sighed, scratching his head. "Can we talk?"

She looked up at him, then took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "I don't think that's the best idea."

"Why not?" Nico asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She shook her head. "Look, it's obvious what you're going to say, so why not just save your breath?" She said sadly. She tried closing the door, but Nico's foot stopped it at the last moment. "Portlyn, please."

She bit her lip, and opened the door again. "What?"

"Look, I know you think I'm being a jerk. But I have to explain what happened. It's not what you think."

"Not what I think?" Portlyn said angrily. "You stood me up, Nico. Even if you were mad at me, that NO excuse for doing that. It was really jerky of you." She huffed. "And to think I did all of this for you. You don't deserve any of it. So just leave." On the outside she was angry, but that was only because if she cried, they'd look like angry tears. In truth, she was dying on the inside. She was just seconds from sobbing, and Nico HAD to leave before she exploded.

Nico's eyes flashed with pain, and she instantly regretted her rage. But it was too late for that.

"Look, it was all a misunderstanding." He tried to reason with her. She rolled her eyes and walked back into her dressing room. "No, Nico. If you're just going to lie to me, then go. I'm not in the mood for this."

Nico sighed, frustrated. It could take hours trying to get her to listen. But he didn't have hours. He needed her, right then and there. "Portlyn, i'm going to talk, and you're going to listen." He said seriously. She clenched her jaw and stopped walking, her back facing him. He came into the dressing room and closed the door behind him.

"I didn't stand you up. My phone is broken. See?" He said, taking it out of his pocket. The crushed piece of metal looked so out of place with all Portlyn's designer things.

Portlyn didn't turn. She stayed frozen in her spot, breathing slowly. She was contemplating whether to kick him out or listen. But in the end, she didn't want to stay up all night wondering what he would have said. So she stayed there, listening to the words of the only man who truly owned her heart.

Nico placed his phone on the coffee table and put his hands in his pockets. "That girl I saw at lunch today." He began. "It wasn't the girl I feel in love with." He traced his finger along the side of the couch absentmindedly. "THAT was not what I fell in love with."

Portlyn's eyes fell to the floor as she sighed loudly. "I wouldn't know what you fell in love with. You never talk to me."

"You didn't want to tell anyone about us!" He yelled. Portlyn flinched. "It was like you were embarrassed to be dating me!"

"What?" She gasped, whirling around. Her eyes went up to his face, and she saw all the hurt, all the loneliness he was trying to hide. "I wasnever embarrassed being with you, Nico." Portlyn came closer. "I- i just-"

"No, I can't do this anymore." Nico interrupted her, backing away. "I can't keep up with you, Port. You either love me or you don't. No more games."

"Games?" She asked, infuriated. Her fists balled up and she clenched her jaw. "After that scene in the cafeteria, you have the nerve to say i'm playing gameswithyou?"She fumed. He just stood there, staring at her. "You don't know how much I went through to realize that I liked you, Nico. And that-that girl you saw today, that was not me." Portlyn laughed dryly. "Oh, that was not me. That was what I thought you wanted. But nooooo. You are just never pleased with me!"

"Portlyn-" Nico began, coming closer to her. Her eyes shone with tears she was trying not to let fall.

"No!" She said. "See this?" She picked up a strand of her disheveled hair. "This hair was PERFECT this morning. But you just have to barge in here and act like I don't care! I care Nico!"

"I know." He whispered softly. She was taken aback by his calming tone after her furious rage. She blinked once, and a tear slipped off. Nico gently wiped it away with his finger, his eyes never leaving hers. "Why didn't you care before? Portlyn, what was holding you back?"

"I-I didn't want us to be like all other Hollywood couples." She sniffled. "Everyone either breaks up, gets separated, or divorced. I just figured that if we keep this our little secret, nobody could mess this up for us."

"No one can mess this up for us." He said to her, grabbing her face with his hands. She appeared so tiny, so petite next to his strong figure. But her eyes, her big hazel eyes, were what made him melt.

"But I'm not scared anymore." She whispered. Her lips curved up a little. "We can do this. We're strong enough." Nico's eyes shone with this statement. His heart filled and he gently caressed her cheek. "We are." He agreed.

They both smiled and kissed- not one of those strong and passionate ones, but a soft, sweet, loving kiss. It was all that they needed to express how much they missed each other.

It was just enough.

Sonny Monroe sat in her dressing room with her head in her hands. She couldn't believe what she had just agreed to.

A date, while she was dating Chad.

She felt like such an ass.

She sighed and leaned back onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Well, it couldn't be THAT bad. I mean, sure, Skylar was Chad's worst enemy, but it would help everyone. Skylar would leave Chad alone. Chad would be happy.And that was all that mattered.

Sonny heard a door opened, but she ignored it. She figured it was Tawni coming in to check herself in the mirror.

"Sonny?" Chad's voice said. Sonny's head popped up, and she spotted him. His head poked into the doorway, his eyes squinting. Once he saw her, thought, they brightened up. He swung the door open and stood there, crossing his arms.

"Don't you look beautiful."

She blushed, sitting up. "Was that in one of your Mackenzie Falls scripts?" She teased him. He rolled his eyes and came over to her, sitting on the couch next to her. "No, actually. I'm just naturally good at making you blush."

Sonny laughed, and Chad pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. "You ready for today?" He whispered to her softly. She bit her lip and sighed. "I hope. We can't keep our relationship a secret any longer."

"We won't have to." He said, pulling her up and cradling her in his arms. "This is what I've always wanted."

"Me too." Sonny whispered, feeling his breath on her face. It was dizzying her, his essence made her go crazy.

"This is the first relationship I've been in that I know it's not for publicity. We can trust each other."

Liar. Liar. Liar.Sonny's conscience said to her.

"Yes." She whispered.

In her heart, she felt like she was doing the right thing. It wasn't like she was going to fall for Skylar. They were going out once,andonlyonce.

Sonny and Chad left and walked to the commissary, both of them secretly nervous. When they got in, they saw the So Random and Mackenzie Falls cast sitting in a big table, lounging around, or filling up some fro yo cups. Sonny spotted Skylar in the back, pouring a fro yo cup. She ignored this and turned back to Chad. "Let's do this." He whispered.

"Guys." Sonny called out, making everyone look at her. She stared at her friends, the people she had come to love, and smiled. "We have something to tell you."

"The thing is-" Chad began, only to get interrupted.

"We know, we know." Tawni said, waving them off. Nico chucked and put his arm around Portlyn. She smiled at him and resumed talking to Tawni.

When had that happened?Sonny thought.

"But, guys-" Chad began again, only to get interrupted once more.

"You two are dating!" Grady said, coming up to them with a half eaten fro yo in his hand. "It's kind of obvious!" He pointed to their interlocked hands. Sonny blushed and laughed.

"I mean seriously, even Grady knew." Zora said. Chad sighed and looked at Sonny."It looks like we can't keep a secret." He said to her.

"No, we can't." Sonny replied, laughing. For actors, they were really bad at acting in real life.

Sonny and Chad went over to the table and sat down next to their friends.

"Well, well, well." Skylar said, coming up to them. "Look what we have here."

Chad tensed up and gave him a cold stare. "Buzz off, Skylar."

Sonny looked up at Skylar and saw that he was looking at her, and only her. "Now, your girlfriend wouldn't want that, would she?"

"Shut up." Sonny said to him, her teeth clenched. Didn't they have a deal?

"What?" Chad asked, looking at Sonny. She didn't look at him, keeping her eyes locked on Skylar. Skylar winked at her and continued.

"You know Sonny, about our date-"

"THERE IS NO DATE!" Chad yelled, jumping up. Sonny jumped three feet in the air at his outburst, as did everyone else. The room fell silent as the two guys stared at each other.

No, no, no. Sonny thought. This is not supposed to be happening.

Skylar clenched his jaw and stared Chad down. The air in the room was tense, everyone was dead silent, waiting to see what would happen.

Nobody moved.

Skylar put his frozen yogurt on the table, sliding it over to Sonny. It stopped about two feet away from her, close enough so that she could tell what flavor it was. "Sunshine." Skylar whispered to her. "Your favorite flavor."

He turned back to Chad. "A little present for your new-found relationship. Let's see if this lasts until tomorrow."

Chad looked as is he was ready to lunge at him. Sonny quickly stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder as they watched Skylar walk out of the room.

"JERK!" Tawni exclaimed. "I mean seriously, after all my hard work getting all these couples together, you'd think he'd respect that!"

Everybody laughed hesitantly at this and went back to their conversations, trying not to get in the middle of more drama. Sonny was still looking at Chad, and Chad was still staring at the door, as if he was going to burn it. It hurt her to know that this one person could cause Chad so much pain. She wanted to stop it. But suddenly, the date didn't seem like a good idea.

"Sonny." Chad whispered, turning to her. Their eyes locked, and everybody else in the room vanished. It was just them.

"Please tell me you won't give in to him. Or talk to him. He's only trying to tear us apart." His eyes pleaded with her. She bit her lip and nodded.

They hugged, and Sonny closed her eyes. Deep down inside, she was calling herself all the horrible names she could think of.

Because she was going behind Chad's back and doing the one thing he DIDN'T want her to do.

She was doing the one thing she would always regret.

Lie.

What have I done?

I wish I could run. Away from this ship goin' under

Just tryin' to help,

hurt everyone else

Now I feel the weight of the world is-

On my shoulders.

~Lea Michele

Sonny and Skylar's date coming up!

YAY!

soory for not updating, i had lots of schoolwork :O

send me ur ideas and ill add them in! (:

luv you guys

:3