Ok, I've spent a lot of time contemplating this, and I think that (not including the Prologue as a chapter), this story will have ten chapters. I'm sad to end this FanFic so soon because I love it so much, but like I said earlier, new ideas are buzzing in my mind, just begging to be written. I also added Portlyn's point of view in here, but this will be the only time, so keep an eye out for that. So here you go, the second to last chapter of World of Chances. Enjoy =)

By the way, there probably will be a sequel to this. I don't know when, and I don't know what the name of it will be, and I don't even know the plot yet, but most likely there will be a sequel. =)

Chapter Nine

Previously on WOC:

She blabbered on and on about what she wants to wear tomorrow, what stores are the best, what she did on her 'snow day', etcetera, etcetera, but my frenzied thoughts all came to a halt when we passed a glittery pink store who's name caught my eye the second it came into view:

TawniToes.

*****

Without even a millisecond of thought put into the action, I burst free from Chloe's gentle grasp on my arm, pulling the zombie-like me through the unfamiliar building. But my mind was wiped clean at the mention of that name, old memories floating back to the surface. My eyes welled up with tears, recalling them, thinking about them as if they were only yesterday…

"Well, it doesn't matter who we play," I said, trying to explain the many possibilities of the Check It Out Girls to Tawni, "the point is, is that this could lead to something bigger, like Check It Out Girls t-shirts, backpacks, lunchboxes—"

"Actually, lunchboxes—"

"I know, they make you look boxy." I knew Tawni too well after the little conversation we'd just had, dismissing every idea I'd suggested to her as 'boxy'. I figured she was on another roll.

"No!" she said, appearing to be in a dream-like state. "It's always been a dream of mine to be on a lunchbox. And to have my own line of shoes, called 'TawniToes'!"

That was the day Tawni and I finally got along, finally took the next stage in our friendship. I had an inner battle with myself, determined not to let the tears flow just yet, as my high-heel-strapped foot stepped through the glossy pink door.

The interior was pretty much the same as the outside. Pink, of all different shades and hues, everywhere. Pink purses, tops, pants, scarves, even socks. All of the signs announcing the items had creative titles to them, like "TawniTops", "TawniTotes", and of course, "TawniToes".

I didn't see one inch of the place not covered in splashes of the girly color.

I stepped across the bubblegum tiled floor, half admiring the memories it brought, and half hunting with my eyes for something, or someone, familiar to me.

"Tawni?" I tried to call, but my voice was choked, afraid.

I cleared it as best I could and tried again, slightly louder, but still weak. "T-Tawni?"

I heard the easily identifiable, sharp clacks of a stiletto hitting the hard floor, growing louder as it stepped in my direction. I held my breath, the tension inside me becoming stronger, tightening my chest.

Suddenly, a blonde curl appeared from around the "TawniTanks" rack, then another, then another, before a full head of perfectly styled hair emerged, complete with an awestruck face. I gulped, not sure what to say.

"S-Sonny?" she whispered. I could tell it was hard for her to see me, even if it was only for a few days that we've been apart. Our departure had been so rough, as it had been with all of my ex-castmates, that it felt like day one of 'So Random!' again. I felt awkward and my throat felt clogged.

I nodded, momentarily the only thing I could do besides hold in the emotions bubbling up like lava in a volcano.

We spent the next minutes staring at each other, looking each other up and down, as if not believing the other was real. We stammered, we let out quick, strangled sounds like choking, and we were as still as the mannequins in the front windows.

But in a movement too quick to comprehend, our arms were around each other, crying, sobbing, and soon it felt like the last day of 'So Random!'. The tears flowed down our cheeks like flooding waterfalls, and we couldn't stop. We just couldn't stop. My breath came in ragged gasps, hers coming out in obnoxious wails. But neither pulled away from the other, and I felt home for the first time in what felt like forever, not only over the course of 3 painful days.

Barely clear cries of the occasional "Sonny!" and "Tawni!" flowed from our lips as soon as we got enough air to form the words. Knowing we were making a scene in a very public place, I unwillingly pulled away first, looking my blonde best friend directly in the eyes. We looked terrible, the tears washing away our makeup in the ugliest way, but we didn't care. All we could do was laugh and bawl at the same exact time.

When she gained some strength back, Tawni managed to comment, "Sonny, I can't believe you're here. Sorry for that little…episode, but I just can't believe it."

"Me either, Tawn. I mean…how have you been? It feels like eternity since I've seen or heard about you. And everyone else. Where is everyone else, anyway?" I asked, my neck stretching, searching for them anxiously.

She laughed without humor. "What, you thought they'd all be working here? Even the boys? Yeah, right." She laughed harshly again. "Nico and Grady, believe it or not, got their own show, 'The Granico Show'. Haven't you seen it on TV? It's like 'So Random!', but obviously different without Zora, you, or me there." She frowned.

I shrugged, looking down. "I've…had a lot on my mind. I haven't really been in tune with the gossip of things lately." I shrugged again, feigning innocence. Then I remembered something. "Wait, what's Zora doing, then?"

Slowly, a hard smile crept across Tawni's face as a light brown-headed bomb of energy jumped out from behind the rack Tawni did.

"SONNY!" Zora screeched, throwing herself at me.

I caught her just in time, picking her up and hugging her as tightly as my arms could manage. I was smiling hugely, Zora's energy easy to pick up on.

Putting her down laughing, I noted, "Wow, Zora. I never expected you to be working at a fashion store, especially with all this pink!" I laughed lightheartedly, something I haven't done in a long time, I realized.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Yeah," she said, "I guess it is a bit much. But I just couldn't say goodbye to everyone at 'So Random!' just yet. And even though I am Zora Lancaster, no other comedy shows are really out there, and nobody else in the right mind would hire an 11-year-old to do full work. It's tough for the little guys out there." Zora threw a wink my way.

"Plus," she added, "Nico and Grady are apparently too 'big' to take me, now." Her easy happiness faltered instantly, and she pouted, obviously still hurt by the other two people she felt were like her family. There was nothing more heartbreaking than the sight of an upset child.

I should've known the boys would let fame go to their head. They were always intimidated and beaten out by Chad Dylan Cooper most of the time, after all. What better way to rub 'So Random!'s ending in his face than by becoming more famous than him? I shook my head in disappointment.

Tawni sighed next to Zora, placing a hand upon her shoulder. "It's a shame 'So Random!' had to end in order for me to pursue my 'TawniToes' dream. I don't think I could've handled a busy show and a busy fashion line at the same time. But I'd still take 'So Random!' any day." I could see the shine in her eyes threatening more tears.

I was about to cry again, too, when a gasp from my ex-castmates and a tap on my shoulder shook me of the urge. Nervous as to what they were staring at with such uttermost disgust, I turned on my heel in slow-mo, before seeing Chloe smiling awkwardly at me. Her chocolate—or were they more of a cinnamon, now that I really see them?—eyes were flickering from me to Tawni and Zora nervously, looking at me for leverage.

I cleared my throat, feeling as awkward as Chloe looked. "Um, Tawni, Zora, this is Chloe, the only normal person on 'Mackenzie Falls'." I gestured back and forth with my hand halfheartedly, preparing for the outburst that I knew was about to come.

Zora started first, eyes bugging out of her tiny skull. "Sonny! How dare you hang around with a dreaded 'Mackenzie Falls' robot! I can't believe you! How could you do this to us?" It looked as if she was panting.

Tawni was just nodding her head severely in agreement, glaring daggers at Chloe.

After such a great reunion, I was terrified to end on the same bad note as before. But I couldn't let my closest friends stand there and insult my new friend, and this had to be said, whether they could handle it or not.

Staring them directly in the eyes, I reminded them back. "Tawni, Zora," I began, gulping, knowing I was walking directly into the fire of crossing the line for the last time, "you do remember…I'm…I'm…one of…'them', too, now."

I knew it. I knew I should've kept my mouth closed. They were never going to look at the funny, optimistic, bubbly Sonny Monroe they once loved and spent every day with the same way again. They'd now see me as one of them, as a 'Mackenzie Falls' robot, the enemy. Whether 'So Random!' was canceled or not, the feud between the two shows was still strong, stamped onto every cast member like a birthmark. I was never going to be forgiven for saying yes when asked to be one of them, and I certainly wasn't going to be left defending 'them' without a bloodbath.

But the fight never came. All I saw flashing through Zora's and Tawni's eyes was disgust, deceit, and betrayal.

And I knew from that moment on, holding back tears from falling on Chloe's outfit as she hauled me out of there, that I'd lost them.

*****

Trevor's family was kind enough to let me stay the night while I called every family member in Hollywood to go find my car and bring it to me. I mean, how could they say no to Chad Dylan Cooper?

Sure, Chad Dylan Cooper was in, but it felt like Chad was disembodied. I felt like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—I was two people. The sarcastic, cruel, self-centered 'jerkthrob', as Sonny called me, and then the sweet, caring, considerate guy Sonny seemed to like.

But no matter what, both sides had something to do with Sonny.

Sonny. How could I have been so shallow and snapped at her like that when all she was trying to do was help? All she was trying to do was get us out of the cold, dark studio, and I nearly denied the ride because I didn't care too much for the driver?

I'd have to try not to let Chad Dylan Cooper sneak out when I was with Sonny. All he did was aggravate her. And I hated that. I couldn't bear to see her upset or angry, no matter how simple the cause of it was. And I was almost always the cause.

When morning came and my mom finally had my car towed to Trevor's house, I hopped in and sped back towards the place where it came from.

Throwing the car into idle, I ran out and back into the studio, knowing yesterday Sonny's diary fell out of my pocket in here. Sure, I was quick enough to stick it back in my pocket without her seeming to notice, but obviously it wasn't secure enough, and I felt the slightly heavy object tumble out. I couldn't go back for it, though, without Sonny suspecting something.

I searched every inch of the studio, whose lights were remarkably back on. Every inch, every centimeter of the studio I checked. Every room, every corner, every closet. No ruby-red velvet book turned up.

Mentally cursing in agitation, I looked up to see great legs and a short, midnight blue 'Mackenzie Falls' uniform staring me in the face.

*****

Other than 'Mackenzie Falls', I really had nothing significant in my life. No movie deals screaming my name, no guest-star appearances begging for me, unlike Chad. Sure, I had my family, but they were just too filled with drama right now, obsessing over my older sister's wedding, who was a total diva.

Ha, the irony that I'd come to a place of drama just to get away from a house of drama.

The 'Mackenzie Falls' studio was the place I came to think, to sit and ponder about life and what I was doing with it. It was my place of serenity, considering it was completely deserted after working hours and on weekends. It also helped that every cast member had a key to the studio to be used whenever.

I came here today, to think about my castmates, particularly Chad, and that new girl, Sonny Monroe. I mentally spat her name. Oh, so that little farm girl from Wisconsin thinks she can just waltz right in and steal my major crush of over three years? I think not. I may look like an innocent little kitten on the outside, just learning how to use her claws, but on the inside, I was a full-grown tigress, especially when it came to love. Nearly every boyfriend I'd had had been stolen away by someone supposedly better. So like I said before, other than 'Mackenzie Falls', I really had nothing going for me yet.

So who should walk in during my thinking? Chad Dylan Cooper, the exact name I've been dreaming of for what felt like forever. Thinking it was fate, I nearly ran up to him and hugged him with all my strength. But no, of course, he was here for his precious little Sonny. How did I know this? A small red book lay still on the cold ground, with the letters 'Sonny Monroe's Diary' scrawled across the side. I stuffed the book into the back pocket of my skirt, and tiptoed up to Chad like I had no idea why he was here, a plan forming in my mind for revenge. He looked like an idiot, sprawled out on the ground, patting it frantically, like someone who'd just lost their glasses and can't see.

"Hey, Chad," I said innocently. "What'cha doin'?" I smiled warmly.

He looked up slowly, his eyes appearing startled. "Um, hey, Portlyn. N-nothing, I just lost something. Did you happen to see a little red book anywhere?"

I shrugged, playing the innocent role pretty well so far. "Nope, haven't seen anything like it."

He was looking at me odd, speculating me. "Why are you here, Portlyn?"

I shrugged once again, dragging the toe of my shoes across the carpet in circles. "I came here to think. My house is pretty crazy right now, and my room is too loud to think even a complete thought."

"Oh." His tone was dismissive, and when he turned away, halfheartedly searching for Sonny's little book, my face fell. Inside I was grinning, though, my plan against the little farm girl growing bigger by the second.

So, Sonny's first award show was coming up. I was going to make sure it will definitely be one she won't forget.