I walked downstairs, energized. I was extremely happy this morning…I think it's because I got to kiss Chad on my own will. Although, it might be because of his facial expression when I had left to go to bed. Or that I got to sleep easily and soundlessly. I can't decide which. Anyway, I went to the kitchen and saw Mom in there at the stove, making pancakes again.

She turned and smiled. "Well I'm not paralyzed But I seem to be struck by you I wanna make you move Because you're just standing still If your body matches What your eyes can do You'll probably move right through Me on my way to you, me on my way to you…" She was singing. I laughed; she has been obsessed with that song for days. She started bobbing a bit to the music, looking like a cool mom instead of a mom that could embarrass you in two seconds.

I stood next to her and bumped her hip, eating a chocolate chip out of the batter. "Morning." I greeted smiling.

She looked at me. "Why are you so cheerful? You're not a morning person usually."

"Because I had a good day yesterday. I'll go wake up Chad." I left the kitchen and jogged up the stairs, going to the male guest room. I knocked on the door. "Chad?" Knock, knock. "You awake."

I heard mumbling- I bet he was protesting into his pillow: $30 says I'm right. I cautiously opened the door and walked in when I saw nothing was going to scream or pop out at me. I went over to the bed and sat on the edge. Chad had his face buried into the pillow, face first.

I chuckled. "Well, I win. $30, alright!" I pumped my fist in the air picking up his wallet from the nightstand. I opened it and suddenly there was a hand clasping my wrist. I shrieked, shocked but I also laughed.

I dropped the wallet as Chad pulled me down onto the bed, peeking at me through his messy, bed-head hair. I laughed at him, pointing.

"Why are you going into my wallet?" He muttered, still half-asleep.

I raised an eyebrow. "I bet that you were mumbling into the pillow and I was right- I should get a reward, you know."

"I can think of a reward…" Chad started to lean toward me.

I raised my eyebrows, acting innocent, and turned my head as I grabbed the wallet off the ground. I stood, opening it. "Great; so $30?" I took out a 20 and a 10 before setting the wallet on the bed and going over to the door. "Breakfast is ready- we need to leave in 20 minutes so hurry up." I said over my shoulder before closing the door.

I took a deep breath and leaned against the door to calm myself. Then, I looked at the money in my hand, chuckling, and going downstairs. I sat down on the counter.

"Hey," Mom lightly scolded. "I put food on the counter- get your butt off."

"Food doesn't go onto the counter, it goes on a plate THEN the counter. I live here too, I should be able to do what I want."

"Yeah, well, when you get your own place, go right ahead but this is my house-"

"Actually, it's mine since I chose it and pay for it. You're paying rent." She narrowed her eyes at me. "Just kidding." I put my hands up as a "I surrender" move. She went back to setting the table. I licked my lips. "I'm actually not hungry. I think I'll just go to set."

She turned to me. "What? No, Sonny, you are eating."

"Mom, I have to fight after this, I don't want chocolate in my stomach during that time."

"What do you mean fight?" She leaned against the counter. She looked behind me and nodded her head. I looked over my shoulder to see Chad coming down the stairs in the casual clothes that were in the closet. He looked good.

"Sonny and I have hand-to-hand combat practice for the movie." He explained, leaning on the counter as well only closer to me. Was he TRYING to torture me?!

"Oh," She looked from him to me. "Don't hurt 'em."

"I won't. Don't worry, after Sonny and I finish the fighting, she won't be hurt at all." Chad assured her.

She wiped her hands on a towel. "Actually, I was talking to Sonny, Chad."

I turned my head toward him slowly, smirking. I made a "Ha" type noise in my throat and he chuckled.

"Yeah, there's no way she can beat me up." Chad was overly confident, as usual.

"Chad, either way, I have to beat you up. The book/movie says I do and I actually can- I'm stronger than I look."

"Nu-uh!"

"Uh-huh!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Uh-huh!" I started to laugh, smiling.

Chad smiled too. "Nu-uh-!"

"Enough!" Mom yelled at us, exasperated. "It's too early." She looked at me. "Come home for lunch?"

"Actually, I'm going to be busy all day."

Chad made his way to the table and grabbed a plateful of pancakes, coming back to eat where he had been previously standing.

"Training, filming some scenes for the movie, recording the music, interview about the movie, interview about the charity, and then I have to film this week's episode of So Random! so… I won't be home until midnight or whatever. I think I'll stay at the studio." I turned to Chad. "Want to visit Michael before we go to work or no?"

He shrugged, swallowing, being polite for not showing his chewed up food. "I think he's being let go in two days; he's fine."

"You just don't want to turn your attention to someone other than yourself." I smiled as he blushed a bit at being caught in the act of being selfish.

"Why do you want to visit him anyway? After the way he talked about you?"

"Because it's the right thing to do." I explained.

"Next week, we're heading home." Mom brought up suddenly.

We both looked at her. "What?" I took a pancake off Chad's plate and bit into it right before he took it out of my hands. I smiled as I chewed. I'm not sure but I think I saw him smile too.

"Next week…you and I are going back to Wisconsin."

"For good? Please, not for good." I jumped off the counter, ready to beg.

She shook her head. "No, not for good. Next week is the Anniversary." She hinted.

My hands dropped to my sides as I licked my lips and nodded. "Mm-hmm. Yeah, okay; next week- got it." I looked at the clock. "Time for work."

Chad and I left the house.

~!!~

The drive to the studio was mostly silent, save the music blasting. had was behind me in his car, following me to the studio.

My phone rang and I slipped the Bluetooth onto my ear, turning my phone on. "Go for Rey." That was my standard greeting except for when So Random! People call me- minus Tawni.

"Sonny," Chad voice rang through. I turned the radio down.

"What's wrong?" I asked warily.

He paused. "Why do you think something's wrong?"

"Because you wouldn't call me unless something's wrong since you're driving behind me." I peeked in my rearview mirror.

"Okay, fine, I'm just curious…"

"Because…?" I pressed.

"What's the anniversary of next week?"

I licked my lips. "Um…You know how my dad wasn't at my house?"

There was a silence for a moment. "Oh- yeah." I'm guessing he was nodding, forgetting he was on the phone.

"Well, he died some-odd years ago. Next week is the Anniversary of that day. My mom and I are going to visit his grave when we leave. Visit his family too."

I looked in the rearview mirror to see Chad shaking his head to himself. Faintly, but I could still tell. "Sonny…I'm so-"

"Save it. I've had enough pity." I scolded, voice hoarse.

"It's not pity, it's empathy. I know how you feel."

"What are you talking about? You have your father…" I wiped my hair out of my face, making a left turn, Chad, once again, following.

"No, that's it- I don't. He's my stepfather. The man you've met- even when we were little- he's not my real dad."

"It looks like he could be." I muttered, not realizing Chad heard.

"I know. My REAL dad, wasn't really…my mom's husband."

I gasped, eyes wide. "So…your mom had an affair with Satan?" I shook my head. "Chad, lying isn't going to do you good."

"That's just it- I'm. Not. Lying. My mom had an affair, yes, but, no, not with SATAN." I chuckled at the distaste in his voice. "My fake-father still doesn't know. I mean, I am related to him just- in a different way."

"Your mom slept with his brother." I guessed.

"Yeah."

We pulled into the parking lot. I took a spot, Chad near me, and shut my car off, getting out.

"Look, Chad, I have reason not to believe you."

"Why's that?"

"Gee, I don't know… "Join Mackenzie Falls, we're like a real family!"" I copied with fake enthusiasm.

"Sonny, I'm not lying about this. I've never told anyone, let alone my own mother that I knew. You can't tell anyone."

I sighed, turning my phone off and putting it in my purse. Chad caught up to me, walking beside me.

"Please?"

I stopped and stared at him. "Wow, Chad Dylan Cooper said Please! It's the apocalypse!" I joked. "Like I would tell anyone." I began walking again.

Chad kept pace. "Thanks." He mumbled. "And I'm SO going to kick your ass."

I smirked. "We'll see."

Chad put a hand on my arm and we halted. "Wanna make a bet?"

I smiled, "Sure."

"Okay, I win- I get my $30 back and something else that I want at the time. You win- you get whatever you want."

"Can I keep the money?"

Chad continued walking.

"Wha-? Chad, come on! At least let me keep the money too!" I chased after him as he laughed, running into the studio.