A/N Thank CrazieeBubbliee for kicking my ass(y) into shape(y) to write this chapter(y)! This shoutout(y) is for her(y), yay! HA! I'm in a really weird mood (I'm having the same problems Sonny was last chappie ;P) So I have no idea what this chapter will turn out like. Be warned!

Sooo, I'm glad y'all liked last chappie. I checked my email, and altogether, my whole time on fanfic, I have received... 123 story alerts, 135 story favourites and... are you ready for this? 713 reviews! Man, I am so blessed to have you guys! I've been treating you with fluffy chapters, but beware... it's gonna get outta hand again. As in... There is great angst to come. We haven't forgotten about Charles and Amy, have we?

Chapter 36

Things Get Started

SPOV

I managed to kick Chad out at a reasonable time last night, so I actually got a decent amount of sleep- something I haven't done in a long time. I wasn't sure whether it was from the fact that I'd gone to bed at a (almost) reasonable time, or that I'd sat so close to Chad his smell was stuck to my clothes, but I slept deeply without nightmares.

I got up in the on time in the morning, grimacing. I dug through my handbag, and smiled in relief when I found a loose packet of paracetemol. I popped the pill dry, that's how desperate I was. I was delighted to find a packet of pancakes in the cupboard- I was pretty sure they hadn't been there yesterday. Hm...

After a really nice breakfast, I went into my room to dig through my clothes for the day. I found an old t-shirt that Chad had bought me- yeah, I know really old. It was a faded purple that said 'Bad Girl' in black on it. Oh, Chad. You understand me so well... Despite how small it was, I couldn't resist wearing it. I found a black vest top to wear, and wore the t-shirt over it. I wore my favourite black jeans, feeling very pleased with myself. The day was off to a good start, I thought as I skipped- yes, skipped- down the stairs and out to my car. It still wouldn't start, but I checked the time and realized I had plenty of time. Grinning happily, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Chad.

"Hello, Sonshine." He greeted me, sounding a little wary. Ha. I think I freaked him out with my excessive mood swings.

"Hi, Chad. Could you do me a favour, O best friend of mine?" I grinned.

"Um... suuure...?"

"Can you give me a ride to work?" I pleaded.

"Sure thing, darlin'," He said, sounding much happier. I laughed a little at the Texas-ism of the statement. California hasn't killed the Texas in him, after all.

I said bye, and waited for him, sitting casually on the step of my apartment block, swinging my legs. I smirked when his shiny convertible pulled up.

"Gettin' in or what, Munroe?" He drawled. I snickered and got into the car.

"What up with the Texas, Texas?" I asked him. He looked confused for a second.

"Huh?" I rolled my eyes.

"You've suddenly regained a full Texas drawl, Goldie. Has the Cali left you, dear?" I smirked.

"I ain't got no- I mean, I have not a clue what you mean." He muttered.

"Awww, Chaddy, why'd you do that?" I whined. "I was enjoying the Texas-ness." I said, staring at him. He met my eyes, which may have been a bad thing, considering he was driving, but I don't think either of us cared.

"Anythin' for you, Sonshine," He muttered, returning to his drawl. I smirked, exultant. I started fiddling with his radio, finally stopping when Avril Lavigne 'What the Hell' came on. I cheered and started singing along. Chad shot me a wide eyed look.

"I thought you hated pop now?" I was insulted.

"Avril's not pop! She's... she's... Avril!" I said, insulted. I brightened again. "Anyhoo, as devoted to metal and cool stuff I am, sometimes I need a boy- or world-bashing pick-me-up!" I declared, satisfied with my point.

"Whatever you say, darlin'," He muttered... but I still caught him singing along near the end. I was too nice to comment though. I'd just save it to blackmail him later.

"Ohhh, man... Acting lesson time!" Chad announced. I looked up to see Marta and Tawni having some sort of Mexican stand-off in the middle of the parking lot. I rearranged my features into a smirk and crossed my arms. Chad scowled. He pulled into his space, his scowl slipping into a well-practiced pout. I chuckled internally. With the pout on, he looked less like a grumpy teenager than a sweet five year old throwing a temper tantrum. He looked as cute as a five-year-old, too...

Wait, did I just think that? ...Again?

Chad got out of the car, slamming his door. I grinned briefly.

"Don't linger, Munroe, I don't want to have to get a new car. If you're in it for too long you'll defile it with your comedy." He shuddered theatrically. I got out, slamming the door as well.

"Don't play with me, Cooper. I could slap you high, and you damn well know it." (Sorry- couldn't resist. I don't normally swear) He raised an eyebrow, whistling. I was aware of the fact Mall-Mart and Tawni had stopped glaring at each other and were gaping at me.

"Swearing, are we, Munroe? I knew my presence pushed you over the edge." He smirked. I rolled my eyes, flipping my hair.

"Yeah, push me over the edge- of insanity. Don't make me throttle you, Chad." I said, slipping from a smirk to a grin.

"Ohhh, I'm scared." He rolled his eyes, but he was grinning as well. I growled playfully.

"Should be. I'm in a bad mood; I might kick your butt." I said sarcastically.

"Suuure you would. You love me too much."

"Whatever stops the tears, Cooper." I smirked. The thing was, it was true. Just not in the way our 'fight' was implying.

"Ah, but I know you love me, Munroe. You're just too scared to admit it, babe."

"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself? And did you just call me babe?"

I had to admit, he was doing an impressive job.

"Why would I need to convince either of us? We both know it," He teased. "And yes, I did. Why? Does it bother you, Sonny?" He asked, stepping closer to me. His acting was getting a little too real for my tastes, and I found myself stumbling backwards.

"Yes, it does, actually. The last person to call me babe was my ex-boyfriend. So it bothers me, cos it was, y'know, my ex."

"Ohhh, so it brings back memories of someone else who realized you weren't good enough for them." He goaded. That stung- Chad knew the truth behind my ex-boyfriend. He was getting too caught up in his act. I flinched.

"No, Cooper, it bothers me, because I caught him cheating on me." I snapped, tears filling my eyes. "He called me babe. He called her babe, too." I said bitterly. I did not want to relive this. "I was in love with him, and he turned out to be nothing but lying, cheating, scum. So yeah, Chad, it bothers me to be called babe."

"Sonny, I'm so -"

"Sorry? Yeah, me too, Chad." He opened his mouth to say something else, but I continued before he could. "Thanks for the ride. I don't think I'll be needing a lift home."

"How're you getting home?"

"I think I'll walk," I shot at him, before turning and walking away stiffly.

CPOV

I was having way too much fun with our 'argument'.

"Does it bother you, Sonny?" I asked her, my feet carrying me closer to her without my command. My heart raced as I got closer to her- adrenaline, a buzz from our fight, I supposed. (Suuure...) It surprised me a little when her pupils dilated a bit and she backed away from me. The playfulness in her eyes was suddenly replaced by true anger.

"Yes, it does, actually. The last person to call me babe was my ex-boyfriend. So it bothers me, cos it was, y'know, my ex." Her tone was a warning, which I should've received, but whatever weird buzz I was on caused me not to pick up on it. Plus, I had an appearance to keep up; I noticed in a small part of my mind that Portlyn and Blondie were watching and listening.

"Ohhh, so it brings back memories of someone else who realized you weren't good enough for them." I said arrogantly. I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth; I knew how much pain the whole Josh thing had caused her. But it was too late now; the words were out.

"No, Cooper, it bothers me, because I caught him cheating on me. He called me babe. He called her babe, too. I was in love with him," The fact that she had loved him gave me a strange feeling. Anger, but something more...? "And he turned out to be nothing but lying, cheating, scum. So yeah, Chad, it bothers me to be called babe." Being her best friend, I could read her expression, and simply put it said 'Back off, drop it, or drop dead,' I also saw, with alarm, the tears coming to her eyes, and the flush in her cheeks. I had humiliated her, intentionally or otherwise. I hated seeing her in pain; and on another, more petty note, I didn't want her to stop speaking to me again.

"Sonny, I'm so-" To my surprise- she'd been surprising me a lot today- she cut me off.

"Sorry? Yeah, me too, Chad," I was shocked and shaken by how bitter she sounded. I wanted to apologise further, but she spoke too quickly to allow it. "Thanks for the ride. I don't think I'll be needing a lift home." I was proud of her as she held her chin up stiffly, completely dignified as she walked away, her back ramrod straight.

But that didn't stop me feeling regret.

How did I manage to mess up so much?

TPOV

I glared at Mall-Mart. She just insulted my Cocoa Mocha Cocoa! What was she playing at?

"You take that back!" I yelled. She glared back at me silently.

Just then, Pooper's admittedly cool car pulled in to the lot. The car windows were tinted, but he was the only one with the money to afford that kind of machine. I shifted my glare to his stupid fancy car.

He slammed the door, giving out a death look. Haha, what's got your panties in a twist, Cooper? I thought to myself.

"Don't linger, Munroe, I don't want to have to get a new car. If you're in it for too long you'll defile it with your comedy." He said in disgust, and my eyes widened. She was in his car? Was her car broken? It must have been, for her to have to get Pooper to give her a ride... I suddenly remembered the ski-board or whatever she'd used to get to work yesterday.

Allie got out of her side of the car, slamming it twice as hard as he had. She looked peeved.

"Don't play with me, Cooper," She glowered at him. "I could slap you high, and you damn well know it." Allie muttered blackly. Whoa... this is the angriest I've ever seen her- Allison never swore. Pooper seemed to pick up on this fact too, although for some reason it seemed to amuse him.

"Swearing, are we, Munroe? I knew my presence pushed you over the edge." I scowled at his stupid big-headedness.

"Yeah, push me over the edge- of insanity. Don't make me throttle you, Chad." My frown deepened. Was it just me, or was there something off in the way they were arguing? It was more like banter. Or even... No, Allie would never do that.

She'd never flirt with Pooper. I should have believed it, but instead of glaring, Allie was smiling. She even flipped her hair.

"Ohhh, I'm scared." Chad said. Things just got stranger and stranger here- because Chad was smiling too.

"Should be. I'm in a bad mood; I might kick your butt." She threatened him, but there was definitely no edge to their arguing. Allie's eyes sparkled.

"Suuure you would. You love me too much." Okay, everyone, try not to panic. Chad was flirting in return. He usually flirted, but from the way Allie was talking... it was like she was encouraging him.

"Whatever stops the tears, Cooper." I smirked at that. Ah, at least she didn't acknowledge it. That may have given me a heart attack.

"Ah, but I know you love me, Munroe. You're just too scared to admit it, babe." Oh, he was so flirting with her. I should let Tween Weekly know... And I may have, except that it wasn't one-sided.

"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?" Allie deadpanned. I applauded her mentally. "And did you just call me babe?" That was her afterthought?

"Why would I need to convince either of us? We both know it," Chad said cockily. "And yes, I did. Why? Does it bother you, Sonny?" He raised an eyebrow, stepping towards her. I was freaked out by how intense he was, and I wasn't surprised when Allie moved away from him. She was flirting lightly, and he was practically being... seductive.

"Yes, it does, actually. The last person to call me babe was my ex-boyfriend. So it bothers me, cos it was, y'know, my ex." Allie said, her eyes flashing. Ohhh! Way to rain on his parade. I grinned.

That's when things got ugly.

Allie's story quickly unravelled, and she sounded so... sad. She'd had her heart broken- I was shocked when she admitted to have been in love. Cooper was heartless until her little speech- and then even he was moved to be sympathetic. But she left him in the dust. I watched her back as she stormed off, then went up to the idiot.

"Gee, you handled that really well."

"Tactful, Blondie." Oh-kay, what? One, he's blonde, and two, he was the one who just bluntly hurt my best friend!

"Pot, kettle, black." I said dismissively. I whacked him. "How could you be so thoughtless?" I exclaimed. I expected him to argue, to defend himself.

But he didn't.

His eyes dropped to the ground, and he actually looked ashamed.

"I don't know." He mumbled. I was speechless. He actually met my eyes for a half-second, a weak half smile on his face. For once he didn't look all arrogant and taunting. He looked... regretful.

"Tell her sorry for me, would you?" He asked. I was so stunned, I nodded. And Tawni Hart is no one's messenger. Except maybe Nico's... wait, that's off topic.

He looked towards set two sadly for a minute, and then walked away.

"She's such a little slag," (Forgive me, please? ) Marta sneered.

"Ex-cuse me?" I snapped. Marta looked at me coldly.

"You heard me! Didn't you hear her, throwing herself at him? Pathetic," I was shocked. How could someone be so callous?

"I think you've got the wrong picture, Mall-Mart," I sighed, earning an annoyed look. "You see, it was Chad who was- and has been- flirting with Allie. And he was the one to call her babe, step way too close to her, and cut her down. So, I do not see how Allie's at fault here." I said coolly. Obviously she didn't have a reply for that, cos all she did was throw me a disgusted look and walk off, shaking her hips. Why, I didn't know- it wasn't like there was anyone around for her to show off to. And she called Allie that? Idiot.

Shaking my head, I walked off to my dressing room.

CPOV

Rehearsal was unbearable. Marta kept making snide remarks about Sonny and Hayley both, and my concentration was shattered by guilt. Thankfully, though, my acting seemed to be to Kat's satisfaction. At the end of rehearsal, I walked out, finding myself at the secret room quickly. I opened the door, knowing being in here would relax me. So, I was surprised to see Sonny curled up on the couch- I'd thought she'd only just be finishing rehearsal. She stared blankly up at the ceiling, her mind obviously far away.

I sat down on the other end of the couch quietly, not wanting to push myself too near to her, especially if she was mad at me. However, she crawled across the cushions, and hugged herself into my side. I put my arm around her automatically.

"Hey," I said cautiously.

"Hi," She mumbled tonelessly.

I hesitated, then decided to go ahead and ask...

"As much as I enjoy this," I gestured to her leaning against me, "Aren't you... mad at me?"

She sighed heavily. "No. I'm not mad at you." She said simply.

"Not that I'm not thrilled at that but... why not? You sure didn't seem in a good mood earlier."

"It wasn't your fault." She muttered glumly. I could have disagreed. "It wasn't. You aren't the evil cheating ex-boyfriend. And you also weren't actually the one to bring him up- I was." I stroked her hair. How, how did I deserve such a nice... pretty... forgiving best friend?

"But I made it worse for you." I contradicted. "I made it out that you deserved it, almost." Her eyes drifted shut, and she leaned into me more.

"Nah, you didn't. You were acting. You didn't mean it." She said quietly. She had abandoned her hoodie sometime during the day, and I suddenly noticed her shirt.

"Didn't I buy you that?" I asked, feeling a powerful wave of nostalgia. I laughed as she looked down to see what I was talking about.

"Oh! Yeah." She mumbled, blushing for some reason. "I found it in my wardrobe... I had no idea I still had it." I grinned, happy that she had something from our past, other than photos and memories.

"I wouldn't have expected you to... Didn't I get you that for your... thirteenth birthday?" My voice faded out a bit at the number. That obviously wasn't something either of us was eager to remember.

"...Yep." She said, her voice surprisingly normal.

"I like what you've done with it." I laughed, noticing the black top underneath, making it look like one of those weird too short loose tops some girls wear. Sonny had too much self respect to wear it without another t-shirt underneath, obviously. But it looked good on her- the black and purple flattered her face.

...Of course, I'd notice that in every girl. Uh huh.

"I'm glad. I'm glad you're not mad at me." I said.

"Well, I'd be seriously worried if you weren't glad that I wasn't mad!" She teased. Good, she was teasing, that meant she wasn't that sad, either. She wasn't going back to mourn over the Josh incident too much.

She turned so that her back was against my side. Even if it was more comfortable, I suspected she was hiding her face.

"Could the casts of So Random! and Mackenzie Falls please report to Mr Condor's office, I repeat, could the casts of So Random! and Mackenzie Falls please report to Mr Condor's office..."

The intercom buzzed suddenly. I stood up, and held out a hand, which she took. I helped her up gently, not letting go of her cold hand once she was standing. Usually, I'd think nothing of it but... I'd seen Tawni's face. She'd thought I was playing with Sonny. And if someone as self-absorbed as Tawni would think there was something other than total hatred between us, what did it look like to Zora? Nico and Grady? Mr Pike? My cast? Kat? Either of our parents...

I shook the thoughts out of my head. As Sonny and I had thought when we were nine or ten and the whole 'boy-girl' thing had started, what did it matter what others thought, as long as we both knew where our 'ship stood?

With that thought, I dragged her along with me out the door to Condor's office.

She unsubtly untangled her fingers from mine as we walked. I tried not to be hurt, reminding myself we couldn't be seen holding hands, platonic or otherwise. She was deep in thought.

About a minute away from Condor's office, she stopped suddenly.

"What?" I asked, noticing the worried look on her face.

"We need to split up." Sonny said. I was confused.

"What?"

"Chad, what are they going to do if we just happen to be walking side-by-side, together?" She snapped impatiently. I pursed my lips; she had a point.

That didn't mean I had to like it.

"M'kay. You go on; I'll come in another way, okay?" Of course, I made it easier for her than for myself. She looked at me for a second, scrutinising. She gripped my hand again suddenly. I jumped slightly; her hands were, as always- as I'd noticed they had been since she'd arrived here in LA- very, very cold.

"You're my best friend, you know that?" She murmured, squeezing my fingers. A huge smile flitted across my face, and I would've hugged her if we hadn't been so short on time.

"Now, go!" She said, pulling her hand free and shoving me slightly. I watched her move out of sight, then sighed and doubled back. I was going to be late, I could tell.

A few minutes later, I arrived at Condor's door. No one else was around; I guessed I was the last to arrive.

I walked in the door. The silence as the door clicked shut made me cringe.

"Nice to see you've finally arrived, Mr Cooper," Mr Condor snapped sourly. I grimaced. The seating arrangement was the same as usual, and my lateness meant that I didn't have a seat.

"You!" Mr Condor snapped at Sonny. "Stand. Usual arrangement." Due to the Texan relatives I'd been talking to; my mom's siblings and their families had been visiting, which was the reason my accent had been pronounced this morning- I had a huge dose of Texas gentlemanly manners in me. I scowled and said,

"Let her sit." The whole room stared at me in surprise.

"What?" I asked sourly. "I wasn't raised to be an ass you know." And with that, I walked across the room and sat on the floor beside Sonny's chair. Everyone continued to stare at me for a bit, then Condor started screaming at us to pay attention.

"RIGHT, so... In a week and a half, your bonding trip will begin." He announced. All of us suddenly got very quiet; I had a suspicion people had forgotten about the trip. Only Sonny and I had any reason to remember; I grimaced at the memory of my utter stupidity caused by a dream/nightmare. Wait, definitely nightmare...

"You will be travelling to the first destination on a bus," Several people in my cast looked disgusted. "And from that point forth, you will be travelling in a car with your buddy. You can take turns driving." He said bluntly. Well; this might actually be fun. Days spent on a road trip with my best friend...

"Also, the karaoke will be taking place during the trip." I gave a half-smile. That was something I'd forgotten about. "In the last few destinations, you will be singing. It's not so much a karaoke as a singing contest; you can sing multiple pieces if you want, or form groups to sing together. But," What now? "Miss Munroe and Mr Cooper are still required to sing together." I tried to look annoyed. I wasn't sure whether I achieved it or not. Many people just rolled their eyes.

"So, next Friday, you will all meet in the parking lot at seven am. Anyone who's late will be Brenda's new food taster when they return from the trip." He glowered at us, making it obvious he meant the Randoms' and Sonny's food rather than ours.

"And finally, some of the extras from the Mackenzie Falls cast will be joining the trip. As they aren't really part of the feud though, it's just a vacation for them- but they will be asked if you're all getting along behind the scenes, and not just when you're with the group." He glared at us again, and a few people did indeed look shifty. I snickered.

"What was that, Mr Cooper?" Condor stared at me. I had to admit, I was a bit intimidated.

"Nothin', Mr Condor, sir. Nothin' at all." I got another few odd looks and my politeness and sudden- to them- Texan drawl.

"Okay so that's... everything I suppose." Mr Condor said, looking almost thoughtful for a minute. Nah, that couldn't have been right- I was pretty sure he paid people to think for him; literally.

Everyone started talking among themselves, and my phone buzzed suddenly.

From: Sonshine

To: Chad

Go along with it, m'kay?

I glanced up at her, confused, but she was looking up at the ceiling, the perfect image of pure boredom. As everyone started to get up, she turned towards me.

"Chad?" She said, not bothering to whisper. A few people tensed, although no one turned around.

"What is it, Sonny?" I asked, turning to her. I put annoyance into my voice. No way was I making it anything like this morning.

"As much as I really, really hate you, touring the states is something I've always wanted to do." I didn't actually know that... hm.

"Your point, Munroe?" I asked, kinda rudely. She hesitated a little, acting.

"Can we call a truce?" She asked simply, staring at me. I stared back at her, raising an eyebrow.

"What would this entail?" I heard a shocked Marta-gasp. Obviously, she didn't want me and Sonny to stop treating each other like 'dirt'.

"Don't worry, Cooper, you don't have to suffer a personality change and be pleasant." She griped. "But can we at least be civil? I want to actually enjoy this trip, not spend it fighting the urge to rip your head off." She pointed out, folding her arms. I made it look like I was thinking it over- but really, I was marvelling at the genius of her plan. This was a way for us to get along in front of people!
"...Fine." I agreed, making my voice grudging. She smiled.

"Fine."

"Good."

"Good."

"So are we good?" I asked, grinning very slightly.

"I think, we potentially could be," Sonny smirked. She nodded politely at me, then turned and walked out. After staring from me to her retreating back incredulously for a second, her cast followed. My cast were immediately all over me.

"Why'd you agree?" Marta asked, horrified. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Because if I'm being honest, she's right," I paused, letting that sink in. "Anyway, I actually don't want my head ripped off by her. It would be such an anti-climatic ending." I said lightly. Most of them looked shocked, but Chastity, who was at the back, smiled.

"And... that's all I've got to say. Peace out, suckers!" I said, before walking out of the room, leaving a slightly nonplussed cast behind me.

A/N Whoa! That was a mammoth chapter. Maybe not to you, but I've been staring at a computer screen for hours. Do you want to know the time? It's 4:09 AM. Yep, really. Me thinky this is getting unhealthy! I should really sleep and then post the chapters at a normal time. My eyes are square.

Anyhoo, I hope you likey the chappie! It was kinda fun to write, haha. So... tell me yo' thoughts... review! Because as we all know...

*bored readers roll their eyes and chant along*

REVIEWS ARE LOVE!

Haha, I have successfully brainwashed you all... sweet!

Hannah x