Ok, I was really dead-set on keeping this story strictly from Sonny's POV, but unfortunately, this chapter wouldn't really make as much sense if I didn't add Chad's POV. So I'm not that great at writing his POV, but I'm giving it a shot. Just to let you know (but I'm sure you're all smart enough to figure it out [; ), the 5 little stars mean either a lapse in time or a switch in character perspective. Enjoy =)

By the way, to those who asked, I'm feeling much better now, thank you. =)

Chapter Five

Previously on WOC:

Chad would be invading my room like I'd invaded his. Only this time, there were worse items in my room that could easily expose all my secrets to him if he found the right one.

My laughter died abruptly as my face hardened to unresponsive, traumatized stone.

*****

My mind clouded. It felt like everything around me had come crashing down. Every little secret, so precisely kept, was falling, only to shatter like glass—

"Sonny! Sonny!" I could hear Chloe's voice, but it sounded so distant, so far away from my being so wrapped up in my own thoughts. Her fingers, violently shaking my shoulders, felt like feathers on my forearms.

But a sharp crack on my forehead brought me back to reality. I felt again, no longer numb from fear. My arm felt bruised, so pinched and shaken from Chloe's delicate—but surprisingly strong—fingers. I realized the sharp crack that landed on my forehead was from her phone smacking me, trying to bring me back. I rubbed the sore spot tenderly.

"Sorry, Sonny, I tried everything. I was running out of ways to be gentle with you." She giggled slightly but stopped when she saw my horrified expression hadn't changed.

"Sonny, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I didn't move.

"Look, if it's about your 'breaking the rules'," she said as she made air quotes, "believe me, they don't get that mad about it. They're all just drama snobs, trying to show off by acting furious, and—"

Upset with her for her non-stop talking, not allowing me to think, I snapped. "Chloe, I don't care about the silly rules! I don't even care about this stupid show! Do you think if I'd ever wanted to be a Mackenzie Falls robot I'd have auditioned? I'm only here because Marshall is! I would've never signed on if it wasn't for—" I stopped myself before I could say the name. Chad was not the reason I was here. I didn't even know why I was here! I barely knew Chloe before I signed on, so she wasn't the reason. I love Marshall, but he wasn't a main reason either. Why was I here?

I stopped contemplating when I caught a glimpse of Chloe's face. It was hurt, like a dog who'd just tried to show her owner a trick only to be yelled at.

Sighing, I looked into her brown eyes, about to apologize. She looked down, averting my gaze. I sighed again, my lungs aching.

"Chloe, I'm sorry, okay? I just…we never should have sent Chad for my phone. I can't tell you why, but there are…complications." I reached out to touch her shoulder, knowing there was too little room for her to move away from the gesture.

Finally she looked up and saw the apology written in my eyes for her to read. I smiled as she smiled back in forgiveness. She threw out her arms as far as they could go and embraced me.

*****

I drove at speeds of 80 mph just to get to her silly little apartment for her stupid little phone. Whoever kidnapped my precious product would pay if it was the last thing I did. I really wish I had caller I.D. for unknown numbers right about now.

Using the keys Sonny kept "hidden" in the plant outside her door—it's not exactly being "hidden" if it's just lying on top of the soil in plain view—I unlocked the door and rushed inside. Not only was this product thief making me do dumb errands, but he or she was making me miss rehearsal. And we were having loganberry smoothies today!

I stomped around her apartment, searching with eagle eyes for her phone. I was subconsciously surprised I knew this place so well after only being here once. Assuming she left her phone in the charger on the back corner table, I went there first, but none of the phones resting there I recognized. With only my feet knowing where to go, I checked the kitchen, went through the living room, ransacked the dining room, and even looked briefly in the bathrooms. Nothing.

I didn't dare go into her mother Connie's room, knowing I'd get in an immense amount of trouble if she noticed one little detail out of place. She was a sweet woman, but could turn on you in an instant if you did something wrong.

After what seemed like hours of endless searching, I was ready to give up. But then I saw a thin white door I never noticed before. And I knew immediately what it led to.

Did I dare? Would Sonny get upset like her mom if she noticed something out of place in her private room?

Standing there in the middle of the living room, fiddling with the end of my leather jacket, I approached the door and turned the handle like I was in a horror movie, expecting the killer to be on the other side. I shook off the nervousness. Chad Dylan Cooper wasn't afraid of a teenage girl's room. He'd been in thousands. And been kicked out of thousands by angry ex-girlfriends.

But when I opened the door, I knew I was silly for being even a tiny bit afraid. Innocent little Sonny, I thought, chuckling softly at the girly décor.

It was a very light purple, with flowers lining the walls all around. There was a small twin bed pushed into the right corner, with a computer, desk, and window with lacy white curtains next to it. A couple of purple bean bag chairs sat motionless in the corner, sunken in and stained with what appeared to be the remnants of wild slumber parties past. It looked like a five year old girl's room.

But even so, it was still adorable. I could almost see Sonny sitting in the chair right in front of me; it just fit her so perfectly. Her personality shined through every grain of wood in the headboard, through every stitch in the beanbag chairs. I smiled, a genuine sort of thing. Stupid cute.

But as I took a more careful look around the room, reminded of what I was there for, I noticed a small, ruby-red velvet book with a flower embroidered onto it. Intrigued, I picked it up and flipped to the front page. It read:

"Property of: Sonny Monroe

Age: 9

Town: Middleton, Wisconsin"

The clumsy scrawl of a little girl enveloped the page. I grinned at it, a familiar warmth taking over me. I hated it, but I felt this warmth every time I was near Sonny, or even heard her name. It was an indescribable feeling that I both liked and loathed at the same time. But I would refuse, until the day I died, to call it love.

Before I could turn to the next page, I realized again what I was looking for, and how late it was getting. I always exploded at my costars for being late—what would they think if I became the victim of my own scolding? My eyes locked on the cow print iPhone resting on her desk, my hands snatching it up before I had time to think about it. Before I knew it I was out the door and in my car, flying down the freeway, so rushed it looked like I was in a video game.

But when I looked down at the phone next to me, there was another item on the seat as well, something I did not go to her apartment for.

It was Sonny's little velvet book.

*****

I tried my best to return to normal for Chloe, but it was a hard effort. A smile was always plastered on my face, so fake it wasn't fooling anyone. My eyes, no matter how chocolaty and warm, were boiling with worry. And worst of all, it felt like a huge part of me was missing, like something had gone wrong. And I knew all too well that something probably did.

Throughout the day, the little leather book in my jacket pocket felt like a two ton weight, pulling me downward into an unforgiving sea of guilt. I didn't even bother to change into the Mackenzie Falls uniform I brought, knowing I wouldn't have a good place to hide the book after I put it on.

At some point, it finally became too much that I felt like I was walking with a limp, it was getting so heavy. I'd never stolen anything in my life, until now. The pressure was raining down on my parade like a hurricane.

I broke free from my new castmates' presence and rushed down the hall, adrenaline working my legs, too fast for Chloe to stop me. I came to a halt right outside the dreaded door that read 'Chad Dylan Cooper'. It was only my first day, and already I had a memory that would haunt me for a lifetime just by passing that room every week. Cautiously, I turned the knob.

Once again I was struck with awe by the amazing paradise Chad called his dressing room. Momentarily forgetting what I came here to do, I decided to take a look around again. A pool table, a small kitchen, a revolving closet—he really did have it all.

But the metal churning of a turning doorknob froze me like ice, the horrified expression falling back into place. My right arm sprang into action, though, rushing the leather book back into my pocket.

"Hey, who's in my--! Oh, Monroe, it's you." His angry tone changed to soft, gentle words at the mention of my name. This one time, I was glad for his unspoken apology.

"Um, yeah, it's me." I twirled my hair nervously, refusing to meet his blue eyes.

"What are you doing in here?" his soft voice had a slight edge of anger to it and seemed almost confused. I internally cringed.

Thinking up a lie quickly, I responded, "Oh, um, I…I was looking for you. It's almost time for rehearsal and I couldn't find you. I assumed you were in here. I was wrong."

"Oh." His voice was almost a whisper. "But wait, someone texted me you needed your phone. Here." He stuck out his palm, which was filled with a small cow print phone.

Reaching out my hand slowly to take it, our hands brushed as my fingers curled around the object in his palm. A warm tingle went up my spine and butterflies filled my stomach as I tried not to shudder and give myself away. I could have sworn I saw Chad close his eyes, as if he were enjoying the same spark as I was.

I felt the awkward tension growing. I hated feeling awkward around him. It was just too weird.

"Thanks. So…" I said slowly, "now that I've found you, I'll just…go."

He nodded.

But just as I was leaving, I noticed a small edge of red rectangle peeking out from his front pocket.