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Sonny.

xXx

I slept quietly, deeply, and undisturbed. No dreams came to me, so I breathed slowly in and out, not realizing I was enjoying every second of rest because the kids coming in later today. The recalling of the thought brought a picture to my mind, and then a scene played out. I pictured the kids; how desperate and lonely they would seem, but still beautiful and child-like.

Suddenly the undisturbed part of my sleep was false.

"Sonny!" I heard Chad's voice through the intercom. Knowing that he'd started a conversation through the connecting speakers, I didn't bother to get up so I could sleepily call back. "What?"

My voice was thick from sleep. I rubbed my eyes, realizing the room was still dark and not helpful to my attempts to wake up. No windows were in my room, and some days I was grateful for that, and sometimes not.

"Come on. You've gotten another four hours of sleep, and it's about noon. The kids are going to be here in three hours and I'm bored."

"It's only noon?" I called from my comfortable bed. "Three more hours? Who do you think you are, trying to wake me up three hours early?"

"Um, Chad Dylan Cooper. Now get up! I'm lonely."

"Ugh." I groaned, rolling over. "I'm such a sucker for loneliness. But I'm not leaving my comfy, warm, perfect bed. You're going to have to come up here and get me yourself."

"Fine."

"Ha." I lied. "Too late. I locked the door."

"Wow, Sonny. I can tell when you're lying even over the intercom."

"Grr, Chad! Don't come up here; leave me alone!"

"You're the one who suggested it." He said, and the flashing red light on the speaker disappeared and I knew he was probably racing up the steps.

Feeling so tired I could cry, I rolled over, burying myself in the sheets to hide myself from his wrath. Luckily I had brushed my teeth before coming back to bed, fantasizing that the kids would jump on me and smell my breath, get grossed out and run to tell Chad who would sure enough be disgusted. I don't know why, but my mind raced like that. Just to be sure, I put my hand up to my lips and let out a big breath. Taking it in with my nose, it smelled incredibly minty. I smiled, satisfied. Then reality hit me.

I just did a breath check for Chad Dylan Cooper.

Oh, my God. Mother, help me.

I just waited then for him to come bursting in through the door. I began to let my eyes close again before realizing that I wasn't tired anymore. I had gone to bed at about one last night, got up at eight, then went back to bed and slept till now. So, what is that, nine hours?

Curse lonely morning people like Cooper.

I clutched at the sheets, picturing them being ripped from my body. I began to take deep breaths, trying to look asleep-

Suddenly the door flew open and made a soft thud against the door stopper. The fact that in the movies it would have made a loud bang and here it made a soft thud made a giggle escape my lips. But then I clamped my lips shut.

"Oh, Sonny, Sonny, Sonny…" I heard him say, the door closing behind him. I heard the click of the door and his footsteps advancing my bed. "I didn't bring a razor like you did."

I mean, come on. You have to laugh at that. My shoulders shook and little bits of laughter could be heard from me. I sighed.

"Seriously. I want to go bowling!"

I shot up. "You didn't say that!"

"Well," He said, a little startled by my outburst. "I did now."

"Oh, well…" I said, "I still don't want to." and flopped back down on the bed.

"Come on. You've never even used the arcade or the movie theater or the pool or anything yet! It'll be fun."

I let a dramatic sigh escape my lips. "But this bed is so comfy."

He hesitated. "I just pictured myself pushing you onto the floor and asking you if it was comfy down there."

"That's not very gentleman-like." I snickered. "and this morning I pictured cutting all your hair off."

"Get up, Sonny."

"Don't rush me."

"But I'm bored."

"Chad Dylan Cooper can be patient."

"Sonny Monroe can get up after a billion hours of sleep."

"Nine, actually." I corrected.

"Oh, good. You can count. Get up!"

"Ugh! Okay, I'm up!"

There was a silence.

"No, you're not." He said flatly.

"Oh. I guess I sort of dreamed it then."

"Sonny!" He whined.

Then he came up and sat on my bed. I began to playfully kick him in the sides and he grabbed my feet beneath the sheets and held me still.

"Get up."

"I am in the process of doing that."

"Please?" I heard him say softly.

Startled at the change of tone, I rolled over and looked at him with a confused face.

He stared at me, his head tilted a little to one side, his eyes wide, his mouth pouting and his chin quivering. I stared back for a moment, letting my eyes glaze over and get a little lost.

Then I snorted and said, "You wish, Cooper. That little Mackenzie thing you do doesn't and will never work on me. But, for your attempts, I will get up."

"Finally."

Thirty minutes later I was downstairs, looking in the cupboard for something to eat. I grabbed some cereal and downed it in five minutes. Chad waited in the arcade for me, and while I ate I tried to remember where exactly it was. Hey, this house is BIG.

So after that I found my way to the little familiar arcade on the upper floor. I climbed the spiral staircase that stood in the center of the whole house and my head came up to the next floor, meeting a perfect replica of the hottest arcade in Hollywood on Chad's third floor. The thought still has me going crazy.

I walked over to the corner of the arcade, seeing Chad sitting in a chair next to a computer that stood in front of two tan lanes, preparing the games. When he saw me a smile played on his lips.

"Happy?" I said, gesturing to myself.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't flatter yourself." He rolled his eyes, focusing on the computer.

I came and sat at the chair two seats down from him. Just the corner of this floor I would have been ecstatic to have in my old house. The bowling area was extravagant and very ostentatious. Two brownish lanes led me toward the end of the place where there were the classic paintings of the pins being knocked everywhere. Blue, red, and white stood out on the farthest wall with all the words like Strike or Spare written between the pins. Two black flat-screen TVs hung from the ceiling, and as I checked them out I saw that my name was on it. The computer Chad was working on connected to the TVs just like at a local bowling alley. I shook my head in disbelief, looking around behind me at all the other games he had like Pac Man, pinball with several different themes, and car racing games.

"Do you use all of these?" I asked.

He shrugged, his eyes never straying from the fancy touch keyboard on the screen of the computer. "I guess. But, you know, some I favor more than others."

I nodded despite the fact he wasn't looking at me.

There were shooting games, racing games, dancing games. I even saw some that were more specific, like boxing, baseball, tennis…it was insane.

"Wow." I whispered to myself. This is where I live. This is my home.

I almost fell over. Chad didn't notice.

"Ready?" He asked me with an excited grin. I smirked.

A quick tune played throughout the alley and lights flashed from the ceiling when he pressed a button to start the game. Shaking my head once more I looked at him.

"Oh, Chad." I smirked more pronouncedly. "I think the question is, are you ready?"

"Is that a challenge?" He looked me up and down as if I were no competition.

"Take it as you want." I shrugged. "But let me tell you, I'm very competitive."

"I hope your walk is as good as your talk."

That's when I pursed my lips and shook my head at him. "It usually isn't."

We both laughed.

This is…nice. Well, you know, it doesn't suck or anything. I'm spending quality time with Chad Dylan Cooper. The thought made me blush.

"What?" He asked, going to a closet and taking out two bowling balls and setting them into the receiver. ( A/N You know that thing that you put the bowling balls on? I have no idea what it's called!)

"Nothing." To my surprise, he didn't push it.

"Well," He said, clapping his hands together. "Ladies first."

I looked up at the TV. It said: Sonny. Hmm. Right on.

"Alright," I said, rubbing my hands together. "Bring it."

"You don't really have your own ball, so I gave you my mom's favorite."

I just ignored him, putting my fingers into the three holes correctly and holding below my chin for just a second. After I focused, I pushed forward with my back foot and brought my arm back. Then, the ball fell forward and I flung it form my hand, by right foot habitually coming back behind my left.

And then: Sonny gets a strike!

Huh. It talks.

I turned back to Chad.

"I only talk about how I walk."

xXx

"I'm scared." I said truthfully.

He bowling game was long over, and Chad had won by just twelve points. I had been upset he hadn't even let me win, but I just teased him about it as he teased me back. After that we played other games, but then I settled down and read a book, getting mentally ready for the kids.

Don't get me wrong. I love kids. I love their adorable, fun personalities and how each one are themselves. I love how independent they are yet friendly. And I wish I still was one.

But now, I was totally freaked out. And I didn't even know why.

"It's fine," Chad rolled his eyes. "Would you chill?"

"Well," I scoffed. "What if they hate me? What if they wish I was Danielle? What if-"

"Forget about the what-ifs, Sonny, okay? Whatever happens, happens."

"Do we have a plan? A routine? Schedule?"

"Nope. We're totally winging it."

"Sweet."

"Why are you so freaked? I pictured you to love kids."

"I do!"

"Then relax."

I took a few deep breaths. It worked.

"Okay?" He asked.

"As I'll ever be. Sorry."

"Hmm."

I looked at him as he looked at me. I noted the fact that his eyes were really dark blue. "What?"

"Nothing. Just try to have a good time, 'kay? The kids are great. None of them are really that bog of a deal."

"Okay…I'm excited now." I smiled.

"Oh, geez." He chuckled.

We were standing outside and then a bus came and stopped at the curb.

It read: Hollywood Orphanage.

"Ready?"

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"Then, me too."

"Alright then."

And he walked forward. I lagged behind, unsure of where to be. The doors opened, and I gasped at what I saw.

Nine kids jumped off of the bus, some squealing and some smiling and some laughing. Chad brought his arms out and all the kids ran to him.

"CHAD!" They screamed, running into him.

"Hi, guys!" He said.

I seriously got out my phone and took a picture of the scene. Chad Dylan Cooper was hugging orphans. How come this kind of thing isn't in Tween Weekly?

"Chad, Chad, Chad!" They said excitedly. I was just glad they were happy to see him and not just the house. I went back inside as Chad had directed me to, and I waited by the door and watched as all the kids came up.

Chad held one in his arms when the door opened and I smiled at the kids.

I think the oldest was about thirteen years of age, and the rest beneath that. I watched with sad eyes as these kids who didn't have parents came into the mansion, looking jubilant as ever. They never had anyone. They lived in an orphanage. My head went unconsciously to my heart. I had seventeen beautiful years with my mother, and I smiled, knowing I lived it to its fullest. Sadness hit me as they all laughed and said hello to Chad again.

"Alright, guys." He said. "I'd like you to meet my friend, Sonny."

There were nine of them, definitely. I think two were about thirteen, three were nine or ten, two were six and one was four- the one in Chad's arms. They were so adorable.

"Hi." I waved from my spot. I felt awkward, like and eleventh wheel, and the thought made me giggle.

To my utter shock and happiness, some squealed my name and ran to hug my legs.

"Whoa!" I laughed. The older kids came over to me politely and waved.

They all started talking to me at once.

"Okay, okay! Let's do one at a time. Let's start with you."

"Hi!" A young girl with medium length blonde hair smiled at me. "I'm Scarlett, but I like to be called Scar." Her eyes were a light shade of green. "I'm nine years old and this is my best friend!"

"Very nice to meet you, Scar." I laughed. She beamed at me.

A girl about the same age is Scarlett spoke up in a quieter, shy tone. "I'm Isobel, sar's best friend. I'm nine, too, and Chad says the reason we became close friends is because we're opposites."

"Is it because she's loud and you're quiet?" I guessed.

"How'd you know?" She smiled.

"Lucy guess. Charmed, Isobel." I smiled and she blushed like a maniac.

"My name is Abby!" The one from Chad's arms said. She waved her arms around toward me.

Chad looked at me with raised eyebrows when I rushed to reach her arms. She giggled when I took her from Chad and she automatically hugged me. "Chaddy is the best and I wuv seeing him!"

"That's great, Abby. Me too!" I said, and gave her back to Chad. She pouted but obeyed.

I looked toward the boy in front of me. "Hello," He waved on the short distance and I waved too. "I'm Ryan, and I'm ten."

"Nice to meet you, Ryan." I said.

"You, too." I was surprised at his manners.

"Hmm," I nodded at him and looked at the other boy next to him.

"Hey," He did a little half nod things all guys do. "I'm Ray, and I'm six."

"What up, Ray?" I did the nod thing to, and we bumped fists. His skin was a dark brown shade. I giggled and Chad laughed, watching the whole scene.

"Hi!" A young girl with red hair got my attention. "I'm Lucy,"

"Really?" I asked, amazed.

"Yes, and I'm six- the same exact age as Ryan!"

"I have a best friend named Lucy." I told her.

"Cool! Maybe we could be best friends too!"

"Maybe!" I laughed, and slapped the hand she put up for me in a high five.

Abby began to wiggle in Chad's arms. "Could you put me by Jayden, Chaddy?"

I watched the scene thoughtfully. Chad put the girl to the floor and Abby ran to the thirteen year old girl. The teenager smiled and put her arm around her.

"Hi," She smiled politely at me. I noted that her hand was in the boy's next to her. "I'm Jayden, and I'm thirteen years old."

Thirteen and still living in an orphanage. It made me want to cry.

But I nodded and said, "Hello, Jayden." She smiled.

I looked to the boy who was Jayden's same age. "Hello, I'm Alex- thirteen, too."

"Why, hello, Alex." I smiled, and stood straight up and looked at all of their expectant faces.

"Well," I smiled, clapping my hands together. "Who wants to have some fun at the Cooper Estate?"

They all squealed and yelled.

Chad came to stand by me and gave me a look that had me smiling.

It told me: Good job.

But it was going to be a long weekend.