Chad looked at his watch. It was already 4:37. Where are they?
Just then, the So Random cast walked out of the building. "Sorry we're late." Nico said. "Tawni was busy debating whether to use her Coco Moco Coco or Bedazzle Pink lip gloss." He rolled his eyes.
"What? I did say I wanted to look very, very pretty today." Tawni did a twirl.
"Chop, chop. Let's go. We have places to go." Chad said, pointing inside his limo where the chauffer was holding the door open. Each of them got in and Chad went in last.
"So, what's the plan?" Grady asked.
"Well, we split up each taking a club to scope and ask around in. If we're lucky, we might find Sonny." Zora commanded, earning a nod from everyone. "Okay. I'll take the first one."
After spending some time roving the streets for any club or bar that they may see Sonny be performing at, each one of them got off at specific venues and promised to keep in touch through text messages. At the last stop, Chad went down and told his driver to go on ahead and wait for his call to pick them up. He tugged at his leather jacket and crossed his arms to fight off the cold that stung him as soon as he got off. "Hopefully, this is the right one." He uttered before entering the vicinity. He got into this quaint little bistro that was holding an open mic night and a "special guest" according to the sign outside near the entrance.
He didn't see any sign of Sonny yet. It's quite early so he figured things wouldn't be that easy. He ordered a glass of iced tea and waited and even asked a few waiters if they knew who would be performing that night but most of them were either clueless or tight lipped. He sighed and waited, checking his phone once in a while for texts that came from any of the Randoms. He couldn't wait any longer and he sent them a group text.
To: Nico Harris, Grady Mitchell, Tawni Hart, Zora Lancaster
From: Chad Dylan Cooper
Hey guys. Any luck on your end? Reply ASAP.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Grady Mitchell
No luck, man. I'll ask around some more.
Grady was the only one who replied back. Maybe they're busy or they're still investigating. Time passed and it was almost 6:30. One of the guys, most likely the host or owner went up on stage and started talking and asking how everyone was. "How's everyone?" he chuckled. Chad noticed that he seemed pretty excited about something and he wanted to announce to everyone that Chad didn't notice his phone vibrating. Chad's attention was fully directed at him when his phone started vibrating again and again which was where he soon shifted his attention to, ignoring the man's words. "We know you ladies and gents have been excited."
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Tawni Hart
Cooper! Where are you! What club or bar are you at? TEXT ASAP."
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Nico Harris
Dude! You won't believe what I found out! I think I know where Sonny's at! I was flirting with this girl when she told me that her friend worked at a bistro downtown and she said that they were going to have a celebrity performer tonight at where she worked. I'll ask what that place is! Text you in a few.
"I hope you guys are ready for an epic performance tonight." The host said but he was still being ignored by the pre-occupied Chad Dylan Cooper.
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Grady Mitchell
Chad! I think I got something but I'm not sure. There's this bistro downtown that you have got to check out! She might be there!
"What in the world? My inbox is getting flooded." Chad muttered, opening another text, this time from Zora.
"We hope you guys would love her as much as we do here."
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Zora Lancaster
CDC, I can't be 100 percent sure so maybe it's a 98 percent but my investigation led me to a bistro. I asked around and they all said that there was a celebrity but someone booked her first. Keep your eyes peeled. You are downtown, aren't you?
"What are they talking about? Where is this place?" Chad was getting frantic, not realizing everything that he was reading. Sonny's so close. Where could she be?
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Nico Harris
It's the Spotlight Shack! The waitress' friend works at the Spotlight Shack! Get over there!
"Please give our special guest a warm welcome!" the host spoke again and the crowd clapped and cheered.
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Grady Mitchell
Chad, check out the Spotlight Shack. I think she might be there. I've heard people here whispering about it and stuff.
A few piano keys being pressed could be heard in the background.
To: Chad Dylan Cooper
From: Zora Lancaster
SPOTLIGHT SHACK. I REPEAT. SPOTLIGHT SHACK. RUN ON OVER THERE, YOU CRAZY.
Chad was frantic and was about to dash out of the building when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. All of a sudden, he saw the sign on the wall that he didn't even notice when he came in.
"Spotlight Shack" he whispered inaudibly and at that instant, the music started playing behind him.
The day I first met you
You told me you'd never fall in love
But now that I get you
I know fear is what it really was
Now here we are, so close, yet so far
How did I pass the test.
When will you realize
Baby I'm not like the rest
Chad's eyes widened, him being unable to believe that he was hearing her. He turned around agonizingly slow as if trying to calm himself and trying to let it all sink in and be real. The moment he fully faced the stage, he saw her. Her hair had been dyed another color, something he found extremely cute as it was a habit of hers. He couldn't stop staring at her. She was still so beautiful. She had changed so much but still seemed the same Sonny he fell in love with years before.
Don't wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you're scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake
There's just one night to live
And there's no time to wait (to wait)
So let me give your heart a break, your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break, your heart a break
Oh yeah, yeah
He was stunned by her. She seemed to draw him in even just through her beautiful voice. He studied her carefully. Her hair had become a lighter shade of brown, blonde like even under the light. She'd grown it longer until her beautiful curls at the end dropped to her chest. She was wearing a black, leather jacket and jeans while sitting on a high stool with her legs crossed. She seemed so full emotion as she sang every note of the song. Chad couldn't help but wonder as he soon listened to the lyrics she was singing. Wait, could this be for me? Could she still be missing me and feeling something for me? He walked back to his seat and just gazed at her. A million thoughts ran through his mind but he opted to listen to her a little more before shredding each thought and analyzing each bit. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sonny.
On Sunday, you went home alone,
There were tears in your eyes,
I called your cell phone, my love,
But you did not reply
The world is ours if we want it,
We can take it, if you just take my hand,
There's no turning back now
Baby, try to understand
Don't wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you're scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake
There's just one night to live
And there's no time to wait (to wait)
So let me give your heart a break, your heart a break,
Let me give your heart a break , your heart a break
There's just so much you can take, give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break, your heart a break
Oh yeah, yeah
He slumped into his seat, opening his eyes as he fumbled with his fingers. This was the girl he'd been in love with for almost six years. He couldn't believe that she was right here in front of him. To him, it also seemed like she hadn't stopped thinking about him too. The song she was singing seemed as if it was about their relationship or that it was directed towards him. He didn't know for sure, but he had to have something to hold on to even if it was a long shot and even if he sounded like a complete, self-centered jerk when you come to think about it. He continued to watch her even as a waiter came by and refilled his glass with iced tea. He just couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He wanted to go up to her and say everything that he felt but this felt nice. He just wanted to watch her sing her heart out like she did five years ago at The Patio except he wasn't there personally to witness her performance. His heart cringed at the thought once again. I'm sorry.
When your lips are on my lips
Then our hearts beat as one,
But you slip out of my finger tips
Every time you run
Woah oh oh
Don't wanna break your heart,
Wanna give your heart a break,
I know you're scared it's wrong, Like you might make a mistake
There's just one night to live,
And there's no time to wait (to wait)
So let me give your heart a break
Cause you've been hurt before
I can see it in your eyes,
You try to smile it away,
Some things you can't disguise,
Don't wanna break your heart,
Baby I can ease the ache (the ache)
So let me give your heart a break, your heart a break,
Let me give your heart a break, your heart a break,
There's just so much you can take,
Give your heart a break,
Let me give your heart a break, your heart a break
Oh yeah, yeah
The day I first met you
You told me you never fall in love
After her performance, she took a deep breath and smiled warmly, standing up to bow and thank her welcoming audience. "Thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed it." Sonny smiled brighter as she bowed again with her accompanist.
Chad just smiled and stood along with the rest to give her a standing ovation. He couldn't believe that she sounded so much better and more real than the Sonny on his CD back at his dressing room, all scratched up because of the multiple times it has been played over and over. He took a step closer, his hands still applauding as loud as they could even as he took another step. And another. And another. Until he was a few tables away from the stage, from her, when a guy came up and hugged her tightly in front of the crowd, leaving them cheering even louder. Chad's wide smile slowly disappeared and his hands slowly clapped to a halt. He felt like such a fool and he felt so stupid for even considering that it was for him. He walked back to his table, put a few bills on the table top to cover for his few drinks and walked past everyone else before looking back at the stage where Sonny stood there and waved and thanked them repeatedly for the support. He felt a pang in his chest and turned away, walking out of the door. He pulled out his vibrating phone that he didn't notice at all and read that there had been seven missed calls and another incoming one from Tawni.
"He-hey, Tawni. What's up?" Chad stuttered and tried to say as cheerily as he could.
"What do you mean 'hey'? We've all been trying to call you! We met up and we're just waiting for you." Tawni explained.
"Oh, right. I'll get them to come get us." He said calmly, or he hoped it was calm.
"Chad, are you okay?" Tawni asked, a mist of concern hinting in her voice.
"Me? Pffft. Of course I am! I'm Chad Dylan Cooper!" He laughed and said with conviction.
"Are you sure?" she urged on.
"Of course. I'll hang up now so that I can call my driver to come get us. See you in a few." He chuckled, trying his best to sound okay and pressed the end call button before clasping it tightly in his hand. I am okay. I am okay.
He started to chant in a whisper what he was chanting in his head. "I am okay. I am okay." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, a tear sneaking into his eye and rolling down his cheek which left a wet trail that stung as it was hit by the cold air.
He lied.
He wasn't okay.