Chapter 6: How to Save a Life

Chad's POV

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through

Today is soooo boring so far! UGH…nothing interesting is happening…just the same ol' same ol'. Music. From the So Random! studio? Interesting. I should go talk to her…

Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came

Sonny? Singing? She was with some guy who was joining her in the singing; he was probably from some musical or some show like American Idol or what not.... Wow. I've never noticed that she has a pretty voice. I slapped myself at the thought. But now she's talking. Oh. Commercial. The song was "How to Save a Life" by the Fray. The commercial was for a hotline for teen problems. Hmm…Of all people for a commercial like this, they choose a comedienne? Interesting.

I stood by the door waiting for the filming to be over. It took a while because first Sonny kept forgetting her lines and the words of the song, then she kept on laughing. Apparently the directors thought it was cute because they didn't seem to mind that she kept on messing up.

"Hi Sonny!" I said trying to hide my laughter.

"Hi…Chad?" she said to me, confused.

"Soo…interesting sketch you have there! I didn't know you could sing, and that's a compliment, because you sing good!"

"Um, thanks? Yeah, I only sing for talent shows and such, not really for the public, no more for a commercial…to be aired on TV…where a million people could see it…and well, its well, Cooper."

"I was only trying to be nice Sonny, didn't need an English lesson from you."

"Egotistical jerk maniac!"

"And I'm the crazy one?"

"I never called you crazy!"

"You just did!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Blah!"

"Blah?"

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Walking to the cafeteria, I saw Sonny again with that guy. I still didn't recognize him so I just casually walked to the frozen yogurt machine. Apparently she saw me because she excused herself from her conversation. Aww, how nice! And she came walking to me. I tried to keep my cool. It's all in the charm Chad, you know that!

"Chad," she said.

"Oh, hey Sonny! What are you doing here?" that was so fake.

"Using my rights as a citizen of America and eating because I have an appetite unlike some people." She replied sarcastically.

"Hmm, a history lesson this time, eh? Oh, Sonny, Sonny, when will you learn that you should be grateful the great Chad Dylan Cooper is talking to you?"

"When pigs fly."

I took a ham sandwich off the counter and said, "Here, piggy flying, now I want to talk to you."

"Clever. What do you want?"


Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defence
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you

"I would like to meet your friend," there. I said it. I sort of choked it out.

"You mean David? Oh, the Universal Studios manager called both of us and decided that we should do a commercial together. It was supposed to be him and Hannah Montana doing a new duet but I think she backed out, and he was supposed to leave the next day." She paused. "His manager extended his stay before he goes off on tour, and he got asked to do a commercial. Then I was asked, after they heard me sing in one of the sketches."

"Ahh, I see. So you two aren't like, hooked up or anything?"

"Oh, no, we're just friends. Actually I'm psyched to meet him because you know, I told you how I voted for him and everything," she giggled when she said this.

"So," I said, nervously, bouncing in my place, "Are you doing anything tonight?"

"Actually, we're all going that new talk show. I thought all the hot TV shows are invited…they're going to interview this season's American Idol Top thirteen. You're not going, Chad?"

I was going. I had totally forgotten about that. I remember someone mentioning it but it just left my mind. "Oh, yeah, that's right. Of course I'm going! Chad Dylan Cooper—" she cut me off

"…Never misses any premieres, parties, etcetera in Hollywood." She finished my sentence mockingly. "Am I right?"

"Yes, you are."

"I'm excited! There's going to be a red carpet! A party! I can meet the idols! Ooh, this is going to be fun! I better go find Tawni, so I would have something to wear!"

"Yeah," I said and she ran off, no more like skipped off.


Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

I started to walk back to my dressing room when I saw Sonny. Again! She was wearing a blue mini dress, high heels, and some sparkly make up.

"That was fast!" I said.

"Well, you know I AM Tawni Hart! I AM amazing!" Tawni said, to no one directly.

"I'll see you at the show Cooper,"

"Yeah, see you!"

Back at my dressing room I got my suit ready. Actually, it was no different from the one at Mackenzie Falls, but it still looked good on me. Of course it looked good on me! Hello? I'm Chad Dylan Cooper!


As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road

At the studio where the show we were watching was being filmed, I walked out of the limo and a million paparazzi were following me. I looked around for Sonny but instead caught myself being alongside Portlyn.

One reporter came up to me and said, "How are you and Portlyn doing? Are you still together? Are we going to see you two at the 'Night of Stars Ball' next week?"

"Oh you know, at the Falls, its complicated, we're not together anymore, but on the show we are. I just thought we needed a break. And yes I'm going, but I don't think we're going together. Arrangements and stuff." I smiled, but earned a glare from Portlyn.

I saw Sonny, and she and the other comedy people were with Santiago Heraldo. I waved to Sonny, who was talking with David and Santiago about their commercial together and she gave me the 'okay' signal to come over.

"Ahh, bad boy returns to talk to ex-diva and heartthrob baby-faced musician. Is this a competition between two heartthrobs?"

"I was just coming over to say hi," I shook David's hand and gave Sonny a pat on the back.

"Hi Chad, you know David right? We were just talking about our commercial. We're going to sing on the show! Isn't that exciting?"

Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

We all entered the building. I sat with the rest of the cast of Mackenzie Falls, and Sonny sat with her crew and David, along with some other musicians. I suddenly wished we could sit together here, but for publicity's sake I went along with the seating arrangements.

The host's name was Jerry Dalton. He introduced himself, told a few jokes and talked to the audience. I sat wondering why everything was so complicated. I also tried paying attention to the show.

"First up," Jerry announced are your Top Thirteen of American Idol Season Eight!" there was a lot of clapping and screaming from the audience. I looked over at Sonny, who was grinning wildly and shaking hands with the singers.

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

They talked for a while, and some of them sang something; and then Sonny came up on the stage with David. She was asked a lot of questions about So Random!; and David, about his music career. If there is one thing I noticed about Sonny, it's that she likes musicians. I watched them laugh at random jokes thrown out by Sonny, then I heard my name.

"…yeah, Chad and I are cool, I guess. I mean we get along…sometimes. It's just that, I don't know, we're complicated."

"So you two won't consider dating anytime soon?" Jerry winked, and laughter came from the audience.

"Not for a while, I would say."

"How about you, David, your career involves meeting lovely young women like Sonny. And you're a cutie in the music industry. Any dates coming soon?"

"No, I'm still waiting, I mean I still think I'm too young and everything" he smiled, and cooing came from the audience, along with some giggles.

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life

Next came their song. I watched as they sang together. Their voices together were amazing. I wanted to tell her, but I was afraid I would say something wrong again. I was so preoccupied with her voice, I didn't notice the performance was over, and everyone except me was clapping. I hoped she didn't notice, so I quickly joined in with the clapping.

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

After the show, I went to the party, looking for Sonny. I found her with Tawni eating some finger sandwiches.

"Hello ladies," I said, hoping to charm her

"Hi! How was I? Did I look nervous? I mean how was I?" apparently, I did charm her.

"So, Sonny," I said, she was eating and Tawni was staring me down, "Are you going to the ball next weekend?"

"Yeah! Totally! I'm going with David! And I think they're gonna let us sing! Tawni's going to find a date so we can double"

"Oh, ok"

"Oh my gosh, Chad, were you going to ask me? I'm sorry. I wish I could, I mean we danced after prom and all…"

"You danced after prom? Why didn't you tell me this?"

"Not the point, Tawni,"

"It's ok, I'm sorry, I asked too late, maybe next time?"

"Yeah,"


Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life

I wondered whether I was going to be too late next time.