The next day Chad made his way down the hall. He had a most determined demeanor.
He had a new determination. He wasn't going anywhere. If there was anything Sonny Monroe had taught him it was stick-to-it-ness!
He knew more than anyone that he was a changed man. It didn't matter if Sonny didn't see it at the time, he was determined to prove it to her.

He came up to the prop house door and froze. Not five steps away and he would be inside.
He felt a lump build in his throat and wanted more than anything to bolt out of there, but Sonny was worth it.
Nothing could hurt him more than the hurt he was already feeling. What could really make it worse.
In the midst of these thoughts, he heard her soft laugh. A smile came across his face.
He longed to be with this girl every moment of the day and his desire to be near her once again drove him to take those last few steps.

As he entered he was able to see her smiling profile, but at one more step he froze.
Sitting next to her on the couch was a man, probably in his early 20's, with his arm propped up on the couch
and they both seemed to be highly entertaining themselves. He felt his heart freeze in his chest.

Suddenly his thoughts came back into focus and he ducked behind the door.

"Well..." He heard the stranger say. "Call me when you think your ready."

He could almost see Sonny's adorable smile as she said "You'll be the first to hear."

There was a pause.

"Well until then."

"Until then" Sonny agreed.

Chad heard foot steps coming toward the door and quickly but quietly darted back down the hallway.

Sonny sat in her dressing room brushing through her hair. It wasn't long before her solitude was broken.

Tawni came slowly into the room and had a look of confusion and annoyance on her face.

"Sonny, did you see this?"

Sonny made her way over. "What?" She grabbed the Tween Weekly Magazine she was holding.

"Article 3"

Sonny looked down and read 'So Random' so tired of Sonny Monroe' Sonny shoved it back at her.

"I don't care"

"THese reviews are terrible! What are they thinking!" Tawni ranted.

"Listen to this one- Sonny Monroe's present performances on 'So Ransom' have many people asking questions: Has she lost her spark, or just her desire?'- What's up with that?"

Sonny continued to brush through her hair without an answer.

Tawni paused and suddenly felt a little sick to her stomach "Sonny?"

Sonny turned to her and her eyes dropped. "Tawni... I think we need to talk"

Tawni sat there... In disbelief of what she had just heard.

After a few minutes she said the only thing she could "You've got to tell Chad"

Sonny's eyes grew even sadder. "I know... but it has to be at the right time, nothing is exactly settled yet."

Tawni nodded in agreement but still didn't speak.

Sonny took a breath. "I guess we better get ready for the show"

Tawni nodded and both girls went back to their dressing tables.