"Sonny With a Real Chance"

By Tenshi Noyo Ryu Taiga


Chapter Five:

Sonny hailed a taxi as soon as she breathed in a mouthful of the LA air. It was still technically "winter" but in sunny California, unless you were by the mountains, it was hard to tell. She smiled at the driver and quickly told him to drop her off at Condor Studios. Sonny rolled her eyes at the man's gruff reply. She couldn't wait until she made enough money for a car. Sure, Sonny made plenty of money on So Random, but her mother was insistent that the money go toward college tuition and graduate school tuition. Sonny might not go to grad school, but if she did she would be able to afford it. Once those fees were saved up then, and only then, could Sonny use the money she was making to buy other things.

However, Sonny started smiling. Surely Twilight would pay her quite a sum for the movie. She gave a small squeal, ignoring the driver's odd look in the rear view mirror. She could probably buy a car by the end of it, maybe even get a new apartment!

When Sonny first arrived in LA at sixteen, she was accompanied by her mother, however eight months later, once Sonny turned seventeen, she and her mother discussed it and mutually decided that Sonny was mature enough and old enough to live on her own. Sonny's mother Connie missed their home in Wisconsin and, of course missed her husband and her son, Sonny's little brother. When Sonny got the opportunity to fulfill her dream, Sonny's family dropped everything to help. Sonny didn't want that for them anymore, so she insisted that her mother go back and give Sonny's love to her dad and brother.

This left Sonny living alone in a small two bedroom apartment. It wasn't run down or in a bad neighborhood or anything, but Sonny was sure that Tawni or Chad Dylan Cooper didn't live in apartments like hers. Nico and Grady probably had better pads, too. Not that Sonny was complaining, per se. Her apartment was certainly livable and she had no actual problems with it, but it was sort of embarrassing for an actress to be living in a run down two bedroom in the middle of the no-where area of LA. Weren't those supposed to be for struggling actors? Not ones with successful tv shows at any rate. She wanted to be able to have a luxurious apartment and she wanted to be able to invite her friends over. Sonny couldn't really do that now in fear of getting mocked. But do you know who she really wanted to invite over?

Sonny squealed again and started digging around in her purse for her cell phone. She just had to call James and tell him the good news! She couldn't tell him what movie she was in, but she could tell him that she was in a movie. She would just have to be vague…

"James? Hey, it's me… How are you?... You'll never guess what… I just got hired to do a movie!... haha! No, it's really good… I can't talk about it… Because I can't!... haha! No, I'm under contract. It's a secret. But I can tell you this, it's no Chad Dylan Cooper mail boy role! Hahaha!... Yeah, it's actually pretty short. I'll only be gone from February to May… I'll only be missing some episodes, but I think it's worth it. I just hope they'll be okay with it… Crap! I'm at the studio; I have to go now… Aw, you're so sweet. I miss you too. Bye," Sonny smiled as she swiveled the screen of her Sidekick and ended the call. She dropped it in her purse and pulled out her wallet to pay the driver. She was so lucky to have such a sweet and supportive boyfriend like James.

She walked inside the lot and headed toward the So Random set. Once inside the building, Sonny looked indecisively between two hallways. Should she go tell her cast mates first? Or tell Marshall? He helped her with her decision, even if it was the opposite one she ended up making… But her friends deserved to know first… On the other hand, they would react the worst… In the end, Sonny decided to take the coward's way out and went to Marshall instead of facing her friend's wrath immediately.

She delicately knocked on the door and walked in, "Hey, Marshall."

"Hello, Sonny," He looked up from his paperwork, "I can tell from your face you've made your decision."

"Yeah, I have. I love So Random, but it's time for me to spread my wings. This is a really good opportunity and I can really grow. I've decided to take the movie role."

Marshall nodded and opened his desk drawer to retrieve several papers, "I thought that's what you would choose. Congratulations, Sonny. I'm sure you'll be great. Here are some papers I need you to fill out. You'll be missing five episodes of So Random, correct?"

"Yes, sir" Sonny said nervously as she fingered the pen handed to her.

"Alright, please sign here," Marshall pointed, "Out of curiosity… You never mentioned what movie you'll be in."

Sonny smiled apologetically as Marshall scooped up the papers and returned them to his drawer, "I can't talk about it. Confidentiality clause."

"I understand. Good luck," Marshall shook her hand and watched her leave his office.


SWARC SWARC SWARC SWARC


"Oh my God!" Zora yelled as she entered the So Random prop room, also known as the cast's headquarters.

"What's wrong?" Nico asked, looking up from his intense game of food Scrabble with Grady.

"You'll never guess what I just heard. I was going to see Marshall about the new skit when I overheard him talking with Sonny. Sonny just got signed on to do a movie and will be missing five episodes from So Random!" Zora shrieked, practically in hysterics.

Nico's jaw dropped open, "What?"

"Hamburger!" Grady yelled out. Zora and Nico turned to look at him as though he were crazy, "What?"

"First off, did you hear what Zora just said? Sonny's going to miss five episodes of So Random because she's going to go make a movie. Second, hamburger is one word," Nico replied before focusing back on Zora, "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I heard it with my own ears," she replied matter of factly before walking into her sarcophagus and closing herself in.

"I can't believe Sonny's leaving the show," Nico said in thought.

"I can't believe hamburger is only one word," Grady replied.


SWARC SWARC SWARC SWARC


Grady and Nico raced to the cafeteria. Both of them slipped trying to take the turn in, but quickly regained footing. Nico spotted Tawni first and so he led the way.

"You'll never guess what we just heard!" Nico rushed out, collapsing from exhaustion. He had run all the way across the lot to tell her the news, "Sonny is going to be missing five episodes of So Random."

"What? Why? Doesn't she know how important she is to the show? Without her, I wouldn't look as beautiful because the audience wouldn't have her to compare me to," Tawni smiled smugly.

"Riiight," Nico drawled, "She's leaving because Sonny will be playing in a movie!"

"Sonny landed a movie role!?" Tawni shrieked loudly causing everyone to look at her, "I can't believe it! How did little miss nobody from Wyoming land a movie role when I, Tawni Hart, haven't!"

"I thought she was from Wisconsin?" Grady asked in confusion.

"She is," Nico replied.

Suddenly a voice interrupted, "I couldn't help but overhear that Sonny landed a movie role."

"What do you want, Chad?" Grady asked.

"Yeah, what do you want?" Tawni mimicked.

Chad raised his arms in universal surrender, "I was just wondering what would happen to So Random once Sonny left. How many fans would you lose? Next thing you know the whole show will be cancelled and then you'll be forced to sit at home, alone, eating bon-bons while watching Mackenzie Falls on your tv."

The group's eyes widened in horror, "We can't let Sonny leave!" Tawni cried out as the whole group, including Chad for some reason, raced out of the cafeteria and ran toward Sonny's dressing room.

"Sonny!" the So Random crew cried out as they all burst through the door, scaring Sonny into screaming.

"What's this about you leaving So Random to film a movie?" Tawni asked as she put on a nonchalant attitude.

"How did you hear about that?" Sonny asked.

"That doesn't matter!" Nico interjected, "Is it true?"

Sonny cried out, "What does it matter? Is that what you're here for?"

"We're here because we're worried about the show and Chad's here because… why are you here, Chad?" Tawni asked looking at the blond oddly.

"Me? Oh, don't mind me. I'm just here for the show," Chad smiled as he sat down and ignored the incredulous looks he received.

"Look, guys. I'll only be missing four episodes. Five tops. The end of this season and the beginning of next season. That's it." Sonny smiled in a way that she hoped placated her angry friends.

"So, that's what? February to…" Nico asked.

"May. Four months, that's all," Sonny grinned as they all seemed to calm down.

"I guess four months is okay," Tawni grudgingly allowed.

Chad finally participated in the conversation, "So what movie is this anyway? What will you be playing?"

Everyone turned to look at her in question. Sonny smiled nervously as well as apologetically, "Part of my contract is that I can't discuss the film without the director's permission and that of the studio. They're really protective of it and they don't want any leaks or publicity until after the shooting."

"What?! A secret from Chad Dylan Cooper?" Chad asked indignantly, "I will find out!" He quickly stalked out of the room while pulling out his cell phone, presumably to use his contacts to try and find out what movie she was working on. Meanwhile, Sonny gave a nervous smile as her friends started to close in on her. She eyed the door like trapped prey, but knew she would never make it. She'd just have to sit out the grilling.