Title: Pool Party, or Scars and Secrets

Author: Starsgirls

Fandom: Sonny with a chance

Characters: Zora and Mandy (The girl on the show before Sonny)

Genre: Friendship

Summary: Zora reveals a secret and gains a new friend in the process

Disclaimer: I don't own SWAC, Zora, Another Cinderella Story, or Sleeping Beauty. Aurora, however is character of my own creation.

ZPOV

It was only a short drive back to Aurora's and my apartment. She moved out here about a year ago when she got a job as a special effects make up artist for one of the big movie studios. When I became part of the So Random! cast, my mom decided it would be better for me to live with Aurora rather than move the whole family (mom, dad, and three younger brothers) to LA. Despite the ten year age difference, Rory (my nickname for her) and I get along pretty well. But looking at the two of us, you would never know. I am the tomboy troublemaker with weird hobbies and an odd sense of humor. Rory, on the other hand, is a total girly girl. Blond hair, blue eyes, wears pink all the time, completely opposite of me.

Once the car is parked, Rory and I get out to go inside. "Hey, Zora?" Rory asks.

I look up at her. "Yeah?"

"What do you want for supper? We could get pizza or something. If you want."

"Sounds good to me." After about seven minutes of 'discussing' my sister and I decided on a white pizza with chicken, mushrooms, garlic, and feta cheese. It was the kind we used to order all the time back home in Portland.

The pizza was going to take about half an hour to get here. While Rory started to put together a salad, I went to our room to change. Standing in front of the mirror, I pulled my shirt over my head to take it off. I winced slightly as the fabric caught on the rough patches on my arm. Five years, and you still don't get used to the feel. Pulling on a plaid tank top and blue shorts, I shoved my other clothes into the hamper and wandered back into the kitchen.

Rory turned when she saw me enter the room. She didn't say anything, but the slight shudder she was trying to supress told me everything I needed to know.

"You should be used to it by now. You see it all the time." I point out.

By it, I mean the long, intricate scar on my right arm, from the shoulder almost to my wrist. That, and a similar one down the side of my torso, spilling over onto my stomach. And it wasn't just the scars. The skin around both of them was twisted and puckered, and sort of discolored. Yes, it was disgusting, but Aurora shouldn't be so rude about it.

"I'm not disgusted, Zora. You should know that. Like you said, I see it all the time. It's more guilt that anything else."

Oh, boy. Here we go.

Rory turns away from the sink. "You're the one who's disgusted by it. You wear long sleeves or sweatshirts all the time, try to hide it, I'll bet you're not even going to go to that pool party next week."

"The pool party? How'd you even hear about that?" I ask, frowning.

"Some lady I work with, her kid's going. But that's beside the point. You're not going are you?"

"That thing? My only day off, you think I'd spend it there?"

Rory looks at me calmly. "You want to go," she answers. She spins back around, picks up a knife and starts cutting up vegetables. Clearly this conversation is over.

I roll my eyes and walk away. Yes, she's right. But she doesn't get it. Back home, everyone knew what happened, and after a while, no really cared. Sure, you get a few weird looks every now and then. Sure, some little kids are afraid of you. But here in LA, no one knows the story. And in world were looks matter (especially when you're an actress) hiding any physical imperfection becomes important. especially one this big. My sister Aurora, with her perfect hair and perfect body, will never understand.

The pizza arrives, and we eat it on the couch in front of the TV. Another Cinderella Story is on. One of Rory's favorites. It's okay. Too much of a stupid love story for me. I outgrew Disney romance at an early age. Not so with Rory. She still watches all of the classics. She's named after Sleeping Beauty for crying out loud!

After the movie is over, I decide to just go to bed. Rory is still on the couch, texting somebody on her new phone. A guy probably. I can see the light from the bedroom.

I climb onto the top of the bunck bed that the two of us share, falling asleep almost immediately. I'm still upset about the whole pool party ordeal. I hope my castmates just forget about it tomorrow. Probably not though.

A/N: Well, what do you think? R&R. Reviews are very much appreciated. Thanks