Hey guys! Anyone going back to school tomorrow? Anyone already there? I hate this time of year. Anyway, story time!

Chapter 5-Tough Times

Chad's POV

We eat pizza in kind of silence-Sonny found our CD player and has one of her Selena Gomez CD's on. The song Stop and Erase is on, and I see Sonny look at me as the lyrics, "I'm gonna wipe that smile of your know-it-all face" and laughs, before singing along a little.

"Miss Munroe, didn't you know it's rude to sing with your mouth full?" I tease, and she rolls her eyes.

The lyrics, "All the lies and teasing" come on and I see her smile. She carries on humming along, before saying, "This is our couple song."

"I thought our couple song was Love Story." I say, referring to one of our first dates.

"That was before you became a jerk again!" Sonny retorts and I sigh, taking a bite out of my pizza.

"And you guys used to date?" Josh asks, "No wonder she didn't want to stay, Chad." He finishes his last slice with a smirk and I see Sonny turn to me with -amazingly- sympathy.

"Taught him everything he knows." I say, and she grins.

"I can tell." She says.

Josh starts to get up, leaving his plate on the table. "I'm going back on the Xbox," He says, and I stop him.

"Wait, we were gonna have some fun together."

"Seriously, Chad?" He says, "I'm going upstairs."

"C'mon," I say, "For Sonny."

He turns around, "Well, since you put it like that…no. I have better things to do then hang out with you, Abby and your annoying ex."

I follow him out into the landing; Sonny, looking hurt, follows, holding Abby, whose face is covered in tomato sauce and cheese.

"Josh, c'mon," I say, "Mom wouldn't want you to treat Sonny like this."

"How do you know what Mom would want?" He yells, turning back to face me.

"Because I'm older," I say, "I knew her longer."

"And…?"

"Just, forget it! Come on!"

"No!" He yells, "And don't use the stupid "Mom guilt" thing, it won't work. Or the Dad thing, you know he was an idiot."

"Don't say that!" I yell, "Dad was a great man."

"Oh yeah?" He says, coming close to my face, "Why'd he leave us then?"

My heart brakes at this question, "He…he had to." I say through clenched teeth.

"He had to leave his working 17 year old to take care of his little brother and sister for who knows how long? Yeah, right."

He runs up the stairs, leaving me almost crying. That's right-Chad Dylan Cooper does cry…what? I'm human. I collapse on the couch, head in hands, sighing.

"Chad?" I hear a voice say, and raise my head to see Sonny, confused, yet caring, as usual. "What was that?"

"You really don't want to know, Sonny," I say with a chuckle.

"I do," She says, "I really do. We may not be dating anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't want to help."

I smile at this before sighing, "It's a long story…"

"I've got time." She says, sitting on the couch next to me and putting Abby in her baby-carrier in front of us.

I sigh, "Remember my Mom?" I say, and she smiles.

"Your Mom is amazing, Chad," She says.

"Was," I say, and Sonny freezes.

"What?"

"My Mom died a week after we broke up." I say, and Sonny looks like she'll cry.

"Chad, I'm so sorry, I didn't know…"

"Sonny, it's OK." I say. "It was just a little hard. Me and Josh took it real hard."

"Oh my gosh," She says, "Is this why you've been so hard on the Randoms recently?" She asks, and I nod. "Oh, Chad, I'm so sorry. If I'd known, I'd have never called you a jerk…"

"Sonny, its fine," I say, "If anything, you were right. I was being a jerk, handling it the way I never should have. I guess I was so upset, the break-up, Mom dying…" I almost feel a tear, but I choke it back. "I guess I took my anger out on you guys because I felt jealous that you guys seemed to have a great life...without me."

"Chad, I really am sorry," Sonny says, and I laugh.

"Sonny, you're apologising too much. It's fine, don't worry." I sigh, and continue with my story. "I guess Josh didn't really have "Randoms" to pick on, so he took it out on me and my Dad."

"Speaking of which," Sonny asks, "Where is your Dad?"

"Who knows?" I sigh, "A few weeks after Mom died, Dad left, telling us he was going on a quick business trip. 6 months on, he hasn't come back. He could be dead for all I know."

"Oh, Chad," She says, hugging me, and I feel better for a little bit.

"I guess it's Josh I really feel bad for," I say, and she smiles.

"Chad, I really didn't know your life was like this…"

"It's OK, Sonny," I say, "I never really gave you reason to. And, if anything, I should be the one apologising. I shouldn't have really treated you and your cast like that. I'm sorry."

She smiles, "So, you take care of two kids, all on your own?"

"No," I say, "Mary helps me."

"Wow," She breathes, "It's amazing what you do for your family, Chad."

"Thanks," I say, "It's my job, I guess."

She smiles, and lays back a little, getting comfy. I leisurely wrap my arms around her, but she moves away.

"Um, I'm gonna go to my room," She says nervously, heading up the stairs.

"No, of course!" I say, "Go ahead! I'll be up later."

She sighs, "See you tomorrow, Chad."

"Sweet dreams, Sonny," I say, and she speeds up the stairs. I don't care. I'll get her back…someday. It's the only reason I invited her here, maybe I could finally win her back! I smile to myself, and get comfy. Abby suddenly starts to doze off, so I take her up to her cot before heading to Sonny's room to see if she's OK. The door's locked though, so I can't get in.

"Sonny?" I say, "You OK in there?"

"Yeah," I hear her say and I smile, leaving her alone. I yawn and decide it's time I got to bed as well-work tomorrow.

:( Poor Chad :(

Thanks for reading! Please review! :D

This chapter is dedicated to TwilightPercyJacksonSWAC :) luv ya! ;)