Chapter 1: Meet Maria

10 years later…

Sonny woke up with a jolt to the ringing of the alarm on her phone. With a groan she realized that it was her turn to drop Bella at school. Sonny had had a long night. She yearned for a few more minutes of sleep but she knew Maria would burst in and holler for her to wake up if she delayed her appointments any more.

Sonny slipped into the bathroom to get ready. Her hair was, let's just say not on its best behavior. She had let her stylist talk her into a new do. Her hair now boasted pink highlights and was practically all over her face. With a sigh Sonny did her best to fix her tangled hair and make herself look presentable. Then she put on her tailor made midnight blue suit. She had a meeting with the Board today and Cassandra always said that you had to look dangerous to feel dangerous.

As she entered the kitchen, Sonny was greeted to half a dozen babbling voices all keen to get her attention. "Dear mother" said an angelic voice coming from an equally angelic face." I believe you must pick me up a tinge later as we are meeting with the drama mistress this afternoon.". " Four suit you Bella?" asked Sonny "And what's with the accent?" "Just practicing for a play of epic proportions." Was the reply in the characteristic drawl of the replier.

"I don't care about your play darling but your breakfast is getting cold" came an authoritative voice. "Put it back in the toaster Maria "yelled Bella. " That wouldn't work since its pancakes. Man I hate cooking "sighed Maria. "Those who have to eat your scandalous meals agree" said Shane with a lazy grin on his face. "Idiot" said Maria jabbing him with her elbow." Lay the table".

"Long night, Sonny?" asked Rodrick kindly." Ignore their bickering, but personally I agree with Shane. "He continued.

"Yeah, I got back pretty late, Mike was tough" said Sonny.

Who is Mike you ask? You'll learn in good time dear reader.

"Wanna ride to the association Sonny "asked Shane. "Why are you jobless again?" was Sonny's joking answer. "Ah you know what it is." He said with the air of a philosopher. "Actually, I think I can manage. And I demand you narrate your play to me on the way young lady" said Sonny.

"You shouldn't worry mum" said Bella casually "I'm a born actress." That's true enough thought Sonny.

"Here's your plate darling" said Maria as she passed Sonny a plate with pancakes with maple syrup dripping from the edges and a small bowl of chocolate syrup on the side.

"You know me so well girl" said Sonny with a smile. "Don't mention it luv." Said Maria returning the smile. Then she barked" Lawson yours got burned". "Thank you" said Shane faking sincerity. He whispered to Rodrick "How do you live with this, man?." "Practice, I guess "came the reply." I heard that "said Maria viciously. "Sorry for the snapping."

"I wouldn't like you any other way Maria" said Bella affectionately.

Sonny fondly remembered how big a role her friend had played in her daughter's life. Tawni might have held her up against he who must not be named at LA and So Random was practically her second family but when she came back to Wisconsin Sonny had felt utterly broken. Maria was the glue that had held her together and brought her where she was now.

Maria Darlington (that's her name before marriage. We'll come back to that later)

Maria was bold, vicious, smart and I'm not exaggerating, drop dead gorgeous. She might be rude and aloof but she spoke her mind bluntly. Some might call her inconsiderate but she was just one hundred percent honest. However she also knew the importance of holding her tongue when it really mattered. Maria also always kept her promises. She would die rather than break someone's trust. But even then Maria never trusted anyone outside her close knit circle of friends.

Maria was in short a survivor. She was battle hardened and independent. Maria and nearly her entire family except her younger brother had struggled with addiction. However Maria broke the dreadful habit with Sonny's help. Sonny had represented a light in the darkness to Maria. She had given her hope, faith and happiness. Sonny taught her that it wasn't a crime to dream and that anyone who dared to believe was richly repaid. Sonny was quite young when she realized Maria's problem. She refused to acknowledge it as a flaw rather she treated it as a conditional issue that could be easily overturned.

Sonny gave Maria a reason to live. She helped curb Maria's self-hate and kept her from going too far. All the scars on Maria's arms represented her triumph over the darkness that had momentarily shook her world. Sonny and Maria had thus developed an unbreakable bond that had undergone many tests.

Sonny was necessarily a very nice person. She always played by the rules but occasionally did dare to risk it all. Maria was undoubtedly the one person for whom Sonny would even break the law without hesitating for even a fraction of a nanosecond. Sonny followed her instincts when it came to Maria, Maria was her exception.

Maria was a natural brunette like Sonny but had dyed it so many different colors over the years so that very few people knew what she looked like without the makeover. At present Maria was sporting a dark auburn shade. She was going to switch back to a black hair look at the end of the month. She was dressed in pale blue jeans and an off the shoulder white top. Around her neck was a pretty necklace with a charm saying "Queen" on it.

[Since SWAC is a show, in my fantasy Maria is played by the SELENA GOMEZ]

Maria had left to Harvard University the same year Sonny had started in So Random. She was perhaps a couple years older than Sonny but the friendship had flourished. She studied Math and physics as her major subjects with special interest in software technology. She had returned with a very good job as a data scientist. She had achieved the highest score in her scholarship exam and had set a record. She even broke the curve amazing all the people who had doubted her. All the people who had branded her based on her looks and unimpressive history with drinks and drugs were spellbound by her unexpected success. Maria now stood as a strong and sober woman who wasn't to be crossed.

Besides excelling in academics she was also street smart. She wasn't always the one who followed the rules but put her foot down whenever she believed anything with passion. She might be lethargic in certain situations and not too generous with manners but her heart was in the right place. Maria could twist her words and chose to show authority and demanded her interests. She had perhaps in her a tinge of Alex Russo (Yes it was on purpose).

Maria could be downright rude to people she disliked and wasn't known to be too rational. Her beliefs sometimes clouded her better judgment and made her act blindly. She was undeniably proud and never hesitated to try to get what she wanted. She always came round in the end even if Sonny sometimes had to trick her to get the job done the way it was supposed to be.

Shane, despite being the one who often teased and laughed at Maria was the first to defend her from others. His excuse was simple: He was allowed to dis Maria but no one else was.

In fact, when Greta one of Sonny's interns at the Association (More on the association in the next chapter) complained about Maria's shoddy treatment of her best friend, Shane justified Maria's actions first by pointing out that the receiver was just as rude and then proceeded to say that half of the spoilt, superficial girls from the other side of town might act all refined and sophisticated but none would stick around during a problem. Maria on the other hand would stand up for anyone who deserved it.

Being sympathetic in selected moments might not be the best way to behave but then Maria was not very nice. She said it herself: Sonny was the sweet, good angel. Maria was the hard cored lioness who kept everyone on their toes.

(As for Maria's love life that's another chapter)

Back to breakfast, everyone had partaken of Maria's well, tolerable pancakes and had set about their business. Sonny listened to Bella detail her school play on the car ride and bid adieu to her daughter with a smile.

She then drove to the Association for another day.

Somewhere in LA

Joe of Jonas was sitting with his brothers eating a scrumptious breakfast. The band had just perfected their latest single the night before and were having a sort of celebratory breakfast with Stella and Macy.

After the meal Joe wandered to his studio and looked at the pictures on his piano. There was one with his family in their New Jersey home. There was a photo recently taken of the band and a picture of the band with its best friends. There was also a small replica of a group picture that hung framed in the opposite wall. A picture of him and Stella from bygone days still stood proudly almost hidden by the other pictures at the back.

At the extreme end was a picture of him with a pretty brunette and small blonde haired girl with wide blue eyes of which one was sparkly. Joe smiled.

At CDC's residence.

Chad Dylan Cooper had woken up hours ago. He had worked out in his gym for two hours and had spent a further two hours getting ready. While it was impossible for him to cut off his natural tendencies of wanting to look gorgeous he did so halfheartedly. Pamela had his whole life taped out. Wake up, make yourself look beautiful, eat according to a strict diet, smile to the right people, act self-centered and act so well that the director sheds tears of joy.

Chad was an incredible actor. He was a brilliant impersonator. And his former claims of being the greatest actor of his generation were perhaps not as farfetched as they seemed.

After all thought Chad I act every waking moment of each day. I act like I don't know or care about her. I act like I'm Happy. Like this is enough for me. Like I have forgotten her when she is the one who keeps me going. It's just one more month. I'll survive.

Chad had a few more minutes till his rigorous schedule began. He grabbed his phone and scrolled through all his downloaded music to reach the playlist of his favorite artist.

Eddard Granger was easily his favorite singer. She was an anonymous artist who had taken the musical world by storm. Her entry was unobtrusive but she had slowly risen to stardom and had her own queendom.

No one knew who she was, what she looked like or what her real name was. Her music had created a positive impact on plenty and had won her innumerable awards.

Chad's phone sung with feeling:

So I take your photo out of my frame

Bang it on the wall even though it's lame

Cuz Baby if this is what the call fame, Then….

Somehow the melody reminded him of her.

Note: Thank you so much for reading. Please Review.

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