A/N So, my lovely readers, it's time for an update of Don't I Know You? Are you excited? Seeing as I have barely any ideas, I'm not too sure how this chapter'll turn out :L. Oh, who read my new one-shot Atrophy? If you haven't read it, please check it out! Shoutout to HopelesslyChanny for threatening James and Charles, AND favouriting and reviewing every single one of my one-shots! You're amazing!

Oh, and reading over the last chapter (after it was published!) I realized I made a small mistake, and accidentally cut out that the Randoms LEFT THE ROOM, just before Chad's phone rang. Sorry! It was really early/late (depending on your view) when I was finishing it! Aaah! Don't kill me! *hides*

Disclaimer: Now, let's remember that, to my dismay, I don't own SWAC. I get it okay? Stop making me say it! *cries*

Chapter 27

Face the Music

SPOV

I wasn't that upset at Tawni over James. I realized she couldn't help it if he'd tried to play both of us. I wasn't upset at James either.

Oh, no. I was furious at him.

When I started the seemingly long drive home, my sorrow at being played died down into a simmering anger. I've been lying awake in bed for nearly two hours, fuming.

I rolled over, irritated at the fact that I wasn't asleep yet. I'd been really late home from work (I'd spent a little bit of time screaming, crying, being comforted...) And Mom had been mad, and we'd fought over it a bit. I didn't want to sleep in tomorrow and prove her right.

I leaned out of bed to look at the clock. I groaned when I saw it was just after midnight. I hid my head under my pillow, fighting the urge to scream away my annoyance. Soon, I had to come out before I had a claustrophobia fit. I muttered, trying to get comfortable. Finally, my eyelids started to droop...

Just then, someone knocked on my (ahem, forth story) window.

CDC~SM~CDC~SM~CDC

CPOV

I bit my lip as I walked towards the front door of my house. There was only one car out front; Charles. Nessa's and Mom's were both gone. I swallowed. This doesn't look good.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"I'm home!" I yelled; voice fading as a hard-eyed Charles came down the stares.

"Close the door quietly, Chad." I fought back the urge to swallow loudly. I refused to show him I was scared.

It's worse when I'm scared.

I shut the door like he asked. It took all my will to be able to turn my back to him, even for a few seconds. Don't be an idiot. Be a man! The cocky, CDC side tried to urge me. But I'm not the 'CDC' I'm Chad. Just Chad.

And I can't help myself. I'm terrified.

I looked at Charles. Nothing about his posture was threatening. His expression was curious, and almost... friendly.

Like that hunter dude in Twilight. (Sorry if you don't like Twilight!)

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I looked at Charles for a second. His eyes were impassive. I took the risk and flipped my phone out.

From: Hayles

To: Broseph (SLOD reference xD)

Charles is home. He's not plastered. But he's looking for you.

I don't like this. I'm going to stay at Jen's. See you in the morning x

To: Hayles

From: Broseph

Stay safe, kiddo xx

I snapped my phone shut, and looked up at Charles. He'd come closer. I took a step back.

"Who was it, Chad?" He asked evenly. Sweat broke out on my forehead.

"It was... was Hayley, Charles."

"It's Dad to you, Chad." His voice was still soft, but I could definitely hear a threatening edge to it now.

I took another step back. My back was now to the wall. My heart was thudding against my chest.

"So, Chad. How is your friend Sonny?"

I shuddered at his creepy tone.

"She's fine, thank you." I managed, despite my fear.

"That's good, that's good. I do hope we'll be seeing her again soon." He smiled. I was suddenly worried for my best friend.

"Now, Chad, do you know where Hayley is?" He asked.

"She's at a friend's for the night, Ch-... Dad." I fought the word out. It felt like broken glass against my throat.

"Oh, that's too bad." It took me a second to register what he was thinking. When I did, I growled.

"Oh, heck no! You're not dragging my baby sister into this, Charlie!" I yelled.

Fear flooded my stomach as soon as the words were out. His eyes flashed. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but I swear, for a second, they gleamed red. I recoiled. He stalked towards me slowly.

I knew I couldn't fight him. He'd somehow twist it back on me.

So, in the fight-or-flight situation, I couldn't fight, so just as Charles got close, I ducked to the side and ran.

I wasn't fast enough. His arm braced on the wall in front of me. Not to be defeated quickly, I ducked underneath. I didn't know where to go, but my feet kept moving. Adrenaline was flowing.

"No, Charles!" I yelled, then threw myself up the stairs.

I was relying on me being younger and faster, but Charles is fast for his age. I stole a glance over my shoulder, and he was closer behind me than I thought he could be. I ranched up my speed and got to my room. I threw my weight against the door just as he caught up. I locked the door just as he started slamming his fists against it.

"CHAD DYLAN COOPER! LET ME IN!" He yelled. I shuddered and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah right," I muttered. I made sure the lock was secure, then grabbed a backpack and threw a random outfit in. My mom always puts outfits together so that they match. And I've spent enough years being dragged shopping with my sisters (and Sonny, when I was younger) that I vaguely knew how to match things myself. I hunted around for my favourite Converse and threw them in. I raced across to my en suite bathroom and grabbed a toothbrush, toothpaste and a towel. I skidded back into my room and tucked a pillow under my arm before turning to face the door. I winced as I heard Charles banging on the door.

I couldn't face him tonight, and I couldn't go out that door, obviously. That left me with only one option.

I took a deep breath and turned to face the window.

CDC~SM~CDC~SM~CDC

Let me tell you, making a break for it out a third storey window, holding a backpack and a pillow, and trying to be quiet enough that the enraged monster outside your door doesn't hear you; well... it's easier said than done.

And it's not that easy to say, anyway.

I gritted my teeth and secured the straps of my backpack, trying to find some way to balance the pillow as I hooked one leg out the open window. The cool night air blew in on my face, clearing my head a little.

I could dimly make out the braches of the huge tree. I gripped the top of the window frame, grimacing as the pillow loosened underneath my arm, and threatened to fall out.

I had a sudden idea. Pillows were soft, right? So it wouldn't do my beloved cushion any harm if I just... dropped...

I heard a light thump as my pillow hit the ground. Much better. Now I had less of a risk of falling three storeys and breaking my neck!

Charles yelled through the door.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THERE?" I closed my eyes, willing him to go away. I knew it didn't work when he hit the door again.

"Keeping away from YOU!" I yelled back. That made him angrier. His hits on the door increased in tempo.

"Let me in you little brat!" He screamed. Not bloody likely I thought. (Sorry...)

With a wave of intuition, I realized waiting around was deadly. The longer I stared at the ground, the more afraid to go I'd get. The longer I hung out in my room, the more suspicious Charles would get. With this new knowledge, I closed my eyes tight for a second, then manoeuvred my other leg out the window. I held on to the side of the window with my other hand. Charles screamed wordlessly through the door, and the fear of him temporarily taking over the fear of falling and dying, I ignored the danger and swung myself out window.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I landed on the thick, strong branch of the tree outside my window.

"Whoa!" I mumbled as I slipped, grabbing the bark in front of me and righting myself. I waited while my breath and heartbeat slowed, then started to climb carefully down the tree. I could hear Charles cussing, but I could also tell he hadn't worked out I was gone yet.

Finally, I felt my feet touch firm ground. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I took a few deep breaths, picked up my pillow, and then walked around the back of my house, and out on the street.

A few streets later, I realized that I could easily be recognised. I was still in my Mack Falls uniform, and I didn't have sunglasses or anything. I stopped, then remembered the clothes in my bag. Smiling slightly, I unzipped it and pulled the baggy hoodie over my head.

Much better. Grinning, I started the long walk to my destination.

After what felt like miles of walking, I checked the time. It was quarter to midnight! What?

I looked around myself, and realized I was nearly there. Smiling in relief, I started to run. I walked into someone.

"Hey, what it! Darn kids..." The man mumbled, shuffling off. I rolled my eyes, then looked up, realizing I was there. As I approached the door of the building, however, I realized it was way too late to go in the conventional way. I groaned, realizing this meant more climbing. Thankfully, there was fire escape that'd take me right where I wanted to go, so I didn't have to turn Spiderman and crawl up the wall. I made my way around and quickly crawled up the fire escape. (A/N I don't actually know what a fire escape is like. Is it like a ladder or something? But I know that in some stories people use them to sneak in and out when they're grounded and stuff, so I'm going by that and not going into too much detail)

Soon, I was at the right part. I grinned and leaned forward.

CDC~SM~CDC~SM~CDC

SPOV

I debated whether or not it was a good idea to randomly open my window... but I threw caution to the winds and opened it anyway. Cold air blew in and cooled my warm face. But my attention was on the person at my window.

"CHAD! What the heck?" I whisper-shouted, not wanting to wake my mother.

"Pl-please let me in!" Chad stuttered, shivering. I was too stunned to do anything but move aside. He tumbled in, landing with a thump, a pillow clutched in his arms.

The whole situation was too ridiculous...

I burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay, what's the story?" I giggled, at his upside down face. He rolled into a sitting position, wincing. He was still shivering.

"Ch-Ch-Charles." He managed. My giggled stopped abruptly. I sat down beside him.

"What did he do?" I demanded. He met my eyes. He was desperate, and scared.

"He- he was being horrible. He lost his temper and started telling me about how I was a brat. I couldn't stay, Son. Not tonight." I ignored the feeling of him not telling the whole truth.

I felt a great swell of sympathy as I stared into his haggard eyes. I thought of the comfort he gave earlier.

"Okay," I said simply.

"What?"

"Okay, you can stay here tonight." I said. His face lit up, though his eyes were a little wary.

"Really?" He asked.

"Really." I murmured, patting down his hair, which was sticking up.

"Chad, did you walk here?" I asked, horrified.

"Um... Maybe?" He said, staring at the floor.

"Chad..." I groaned. That thought scared me.

I strode quietly out of the room

"Wait!" He called. I turned and placed a finger on my lips, suggesting he be quiet. He understood. I continued, and grabbed a sleeping bag from the linen closet.

I threw it in my door. "Here!" I whispered, then walked stealthily into the kitchen.

I poured some water in the kettle and waited for it to boil, grateful, as always, that my mother is a fairly heavy sleeper. Once it was boiled, I put a few spoonfuls of cocoa powder in a mug and added the water, stirring.

I smiled as I made my way back into my room, seeing my best friend sprawled out on the floor, trying to undo the cord on the sleeping bag's bag. (Lol)

"There you go," I murmured, handing him the hot chocolate. "That'll warm you up a bit."

"Thank you so much, Sonny," He murmured. I stepped over his legs carefully, and crawled over and pulled the sleeping bag out of his grip. I pulled it out of the bag and shoved him out of the way so I could spread it out on the floor.

"Thanks." He muttered, smiling sheepishly.

"I take it you brought pyjamas, Goldie?" I asked. His expression froze. I groaned.

"Of course not." I muttered. "Well, sorry, hun, I can't help you there... did you bring spare clothes?" I asked. He nodded.

"Then you're sleeping in those ones, okay?" I said, not giving him much opportunity to reply as I crawled back into bed.

"Night, Son."

"Nighty night, Chad." I murmured, letting my eyes slip closed.

I woke up after a few hours, seeing Chad tossing around, mumbling in his sleep. I blinked. Nightmares?

"No- no... Not Sonny..." He mumbled, rolling over. His face was so distressed I wanted to wake him, but I knew better. Instead I slid out of bed, dragging my duvet and pillows with me. I curled up against his side and rubbed his arm. Gradually, he stopped tossing and his mumbling faded.

"Don't... go..." Was the last thing I was aware of him saying.

"I won't," I promised him. And with that, I drifted back to sleep.

A/N Sorry it was a bit short! I hope you all liked it :) especially the little bit of Channy at the end :D

So, tell me... loved it? Hated it? Mildly enjoyed it? Tell me your thoughts... Review! Cos as we all know, REVIEWS ARE LOVED!

Nangelgirl x