Hey there! Yes, yes, I know, a very early update. I hope that's good.

I feel like story recommending! I've mentioned CrazieeBubbliee before - go check out her story Welcome To My World. Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

Shout-out to anonymous reviewer shhh (can't remember how many h's) who is awesome for a certain reason but considering her name I pressume she wants me to stay shut up about it. So yeah... good on you! :D

The first little bit is a bit of a rewind, so you can see it from Connie's POV and why she's so... freaked.

I don't own SWAC, if you haven't guessed. I also, I guess we discussed last time, do not own any of Avril Lavigne's songs, as another is mentioned here.

Mother-daughter fight warning. And, since I've never had a drastic mother-daughter fight (I know - crazy right?) bare with me...

Story Time! WHOOT!

Chapter 38-Busting Out and Sleeping Over

Connie's POV

After Sonny and Chad have finished playing the guitar (with me as their audience), they run downstairs, heading straight out for the horses. I swear, those two can't go one of Chad's visits without going on those horses… and it always ends in some sort of ridiculous play-fight.

I have to admit, the day I found out Sonny was dating Chad again I was a little worried. She'd broken up with him so many times, and the last time had been when he called that recount. Sonny was sure bothered by that, but when they made up again I was so glad for her. She really loved Chad. But I was a little worried – I didn't want my daughter getting her heart broken again.

Well, it sure hasn't happened yet. Okay, maybe once – back when it was Chad's father and Melanie's wedding. But Sonny assured me that it was partially her fault too, so I forgave Chad just like she did.

Then I found out he'd given her a promise ring. I was just relieved that he hadn't proposed… Sonny and I have talked about how she shouldn't get married too early. So when I heard her and Chad were, in a way, engaged, I was even more anxious of how quickly their relationship was going, even considering how long they'd known each other, which has only been about 3 and a half years. I didn't want Sonny giving up her life so quickly! But, then again, it is obvious to me that Sonny and Chad love each other a lot. I just hope I'm right here…

I head up to my room, unsure of what to do, when I notice Sonny and Chad outside, laughing, running about, Chad covered in mud and Sonny being chased by him, yelling for him to stop. Hmm… what's going on there?

"Get away from me, you creep!" I hear Sonny yell, and have to make sure I heard that right. Sonny was calling Chad a creep? Hmm… it must be one of those play fights… it must be…

Chad then grabs her, pulling her rather close, before smirking in a rude way that he used to do a while back but I haven't seen him use for some time now. Sonny starts to thump him on the chest, yelling at him and asking, telling, him to let go.

"Not gonna happen." I hear Chad say. Is he… is she… what are they doing?

They talk a little more – Sonny continues to beat Chad's chest, and Chad continues to resist. Honestly… if this is a silly little game, it seems to be getting out of hand…

The worse of it comes next.

Of what I can see, Chad pulls Sonny to the ground, before pinning her down, resting on her. Okay, now it really is getting out of hand. I have to go stop this…

Sonny's POV

Who knew an innocent little mud fight could lead to this?

Well, not me and Chad, that's for sure.

Mom drags me into the house, a scowl on her face, and I cower away, sitting on the breakfast table, hoping for no mother-daughter talks.

My wish doesn't come true though…

"Allison Munroe…" She says, "What were you doing with that boy?"

I shake my head. What the heck has got into my mother? "First of all – that boy is Chad Dylan Cooper, my boyfriend. Secondly, I don't understand why you're so mad about it. We were just messing about!"

"Oh, sure…" My Mom rolls her eyes, and I scowl at her. How could she not believe me on this? "You're almost nineteen now, Sonny. I very much doubt that Chad just wanted to mess about."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I yell, and she frowns at me.

"Sonny, boys can be dangerous when they get to this sort of age."

I grimace sadly, "Chad wouldn't do that to me… he said he loved me more than anything!"

"Oh, really?" Mom questions, and I nod, "Of course he did… and did you say it back?"

"I was the first to say it." I inform her, and at that moment, she turns very, very angry.

"Sonny, I don't want you to see Chad for a while."

"Why not?" I shout, my voice squeaking a bit.

"Because I'm worried about what he will do to you."

"Chad won't do anything to me." I say sternly, "He loves me – he's not gonna hurt me, I'm sure of it. He loves me so much… and I love him too."

"He's an actor, right?" She says, going off the subject, and I scowl.

"Yes. What the heck does that have to do with anything?"

Mom sighs, "That explains everything…"

I growl, my eyes narrowing, my breaths coming harshly, "What?" I shout, "Are you trying to imply that Chad is pretending he loves me?"

I get no response to my question. Instead, Mom looks at me, softly, sadly, before saying, "Sonny, go to your room. And don't talk to that boy. No text messages, no calls, nothing."

"Why the hell not?" I yell, as I get more and more furious. How could my mother, the one who was so trusting of Chad a few hours ago, who thought he was good for me… perfect for me even… how could she be like this? How could she be so hostile to the guy she knows I love?

"Just do as I say." She says. I scowl. I'm just so fuming, so cross, so furious… I feel like I can't control the words that next come out of my mouth. And I wish I could, because after they leave my mouth, they're never going back in.

"I hate you, Mom!" I scream, "I hate you! HATE! If you even think that you can keep me from Chad, the love of my life, ma'am, you are bloody-well mistaken!" (slaps self)

At that moment, Mom's mouth drops open. I see tears well up in her eyes, just like they are in mine, before she goes red in the face.

"You are grounded, Allison!" She yells, "You will not leave your room except for work, you will not visit Chad or any of your friends, you will stay away from Chad Dylan Cooper or I will be so furious with you…"

"I honestly don't care, mother!" I say, "I'll be fine in my room – it means I stay away from you!"

At that moment, tears stream faster and faster down my face, but I won't let my mother see me cry like that after all she just put me through… I won't. And that's why I run straight up to my room, slamming and locking the door behind me, before collapsing onto my bed, crying my eyes out, rethinking the whole last few minutes. What have I done…?

I spend hours up there – my Mom has taken away my laptop, my guitar, and everything else that gives me hope or entertainment. She even found the picture of me and Chad on our first date and took it from me, hiding it from me. She told me I needed time to think about my relationship with Chad; how fast it's going, if we're being too stupid or naive or anything of the like. I just roll my eyes and ignore her, even though I'm hurting inside. Whether it's the pain of being banned from Chad or the sour feeling that I've just had one of my first real fights with my Mom, I really don't know.

"You need to think more about this relationship…" She tells me, "Getting married at eighteen… in a Vegas chapel?"

"It's not true!" I groan at her, my face lying down on the tear-streaked pillow. "I'd have thought you'd believe me on that."

She doesn't say anything after that – just shuts the door behind her, with my iPod in her hand. Ugh… she's taken away almost everything I care about! I'll probably be confined to a diet of bread and water later, if she goes any further with my punishment.

After about five hours, I can't be asked anymore. I just have to get out of here! I notice the key for my bedroom window and smile in an almost evil way. I'm gonna break out of here!

I root around for my phone (which I find in my handbag – Mom didn't know and therefore couldn't take it from me) before checking it to see I have 5 messages and 3 missed calls from Chad. Oops… I bet the poor guy's panicking… but I'll have to worry about that later. First on my agenda is busting out of here!

I pack a bunch of clothes from my closet, my songbook and my phone into my rucksack that I also find in my closet from my school days. I then sneak into the bathroom where I stuff it with toothpaste, my toothbrush, some tissues, and my make-up bag, which is packed with mascara, eyeliner, blush and lipstick. I then go downstairs to get food, which is the trickiest part. I tell a curious Mom that I'm hungry and need a snack, and she believes it because I didn't come down for dinner, and only ate one of the four cold pizza slices she brought up to me at about eight o'clock.

"I warned you you'd be hungry," She says to me sternly, and I secretly roll my eyes. "Nothing unhealthy, though." She instructs me, and I nod, a false smile on my face.

I put an apple, a tangerine, potato chips and a chocolate bar (I'm not gonna listen to the healthy rule that much) into the bag with the various other bits and bobs, just in case I need a snack on my travels, along with the contents of my purse, which sits neatly on the kitchen table.

I then go back upstairs, to where the key to the window sits on the windowpane, and slowly, and quietly, open the window (I would leave out the door, but Mom would definitely hear that way, especially since she's awake right now. Plus, I just wanna see what it's like to exit a house through a window!) and crawl out, clinging firmly to my rucksack.

I jump skilfully onto the ledge outside my window, before stepping onto the shed beside it, shaking a little since I'm somewhat afraid of the potential nine foot drop if I get my footing wrong. I then step lower onto the fridge near to the shed, which is only slightly shorter, before jumping delicately onto the trash can next to the fridge (and missing). With a not at all graceful trip and a simple mis-footing, I land on the vaguely muddy ground, before getting up and dusting myself off triumphantly.

I suddenly hear my Mom move about inside the house, and hide behind the shed. My Mom always comes outside every night to check the horses are okay before going to bed, so just a few more minutes and I'll hopefully be safe from Mom catching me. I sigh in relief when I remember I put my "Do Not Disturb" sign outside of my room. Mom always understands that that sign means I really can't talk, or in this case, don't want to.

A few minutes pass, and Mom contently walks back to the house, and I take a deep breath of relief, before sneaking out from my hiding spot and down the driveway to freedom.

I've walked about 5 blocks from my house before I realize I have nowhere to stay overnight. I may have $50 in my purse, along with a credit card, but if Mom realizes I spent any of that money she'll also suss that I went out and then I'd be dead. So, where could I go? Tawni's, Zora's, Grady's, Nico's? I think it's obvious.

I need to see Chad.

I find his number in my phone, wanting to ask him if I could stay the night, but knowing he'd want to know what happened, I wasn't sure if it would be a great idea for me to be crying about how messed up my life is when there's a three (four in three days) year-old kid in the house. (A/N: Yeah… if I said Abby was already four… I lied) So I decide to ask him to meet me at the studio, and then maybe take it from there. Who knows? Maybe I'll just head straight back home after I've talked to Chad – maybe that's all I need to calm down.

Hey, Chad, I type into my cell phone, Can you meet me at the studio, please? I'll be there. Sorry if I woke you up but I really need to talk to you. OK, see you later. Sonny x

I add the kiss on the end, and a sad smile creeps up on my lips. I then look around for any signs of where I am (I don't know the way to the studio unless I'm in my car – useless, right?) and when I get that sign, I follow it, walking slowly, jumping at every sound, looking around every turn, wishing the world wasn't so scary when you're alone. Wishing I had Chad with me…

I arrive at Condor Studios, politely asking the security guard if he can let me in.

"It's an, um, emergency," I explain to him, "I, uh, left my script here! And I need it; Tawni said I needed it for this rehearsal thing tomorrow… I have to practice my lines ready for then! Please?"

After a few minutes, he gives up with trying to stop me from constantly begging (I think it's the threat that I'd start to cry soon that sold it) and lets me in.

I head straight to Chad's dressing room and turn the lights on when I realize he isn't here yet (Chad wouldn't just be sat here in the dark), so I collapse onto the couch in the room, sighing like one of those sad lovers in the movies, especially when I see the sight on Chad's side table. A picture… of us… the exact same picture Mom took off me earlier. Our second-first date, on the top of that building, smiling, laughing, eating sushi… and it makes my heart ache. How could our relationship have taken such a turn for the worse? In fact, taken so many turns for the worse? We've had so many problems, issues; it's hard to believe we're still together. But we are. We love each other; we're always there for each other. Chad would never be one of those guys – try to get what he wanted and after he'd got it, run off. That's not my Chad. That's not us.

I then get a little seed of doubt though as I look at the clock next to the photo. Where is he? I walked here – it shouldn't have taken him longer to get here than me… right? Am I just being insecure? Maybe, maybe not… no. It's definitely a yes - I am being insecure. Chad wouldn't leave me hanging if I needed his help – he just wouldn't. Like I said – we love each other too much to do that.

"Sonny?"

I jump at the mention of my name, before turning to the door and smiling a little when I see a blonde-haired, blue-eyed guy looking at me with concerned eyes.

Chad. He's here.

I'm abruptly hit by a ton of emotions – pain, sadness, love, joy, anger, worry – and feel my eyes brim with tears. Chad frowns when he sees me do so, and I unexpectedly (even to myself) run into his arms, hugging him tight and burying my face into his shirt.

"Sonny?" He asks me tenderly, and I feel bad because his tone sounds pretty anxious, "Tell me, what's wrong?"

I find it hard to explain what's happening, why I'm so sad, why I've called him here, and it all comes out in a blur of sobs and squeaks. "My Mom… she was so angry… we had a fight… she grounded me, and I snuck out! I'm so mad, but… I don't know what to do!"

"There, there, shush…" Chad murmurs into my hair, and, seeing it's upsetting him too, I try to calm down, "It's gonna be okay…"

I decide it's time to drop the bombshell, "I told her I hated her." I explain sadly, and at the instant I feel Chad tense up, "She was so mad at me… I've never told my Mom I hated her! Never!"

"It's okay." Chad comforts me, stroking my hair with one hand and holding my back with the other, massaging it gently. "You'll be fine, don't worry… everything's gonna be okay." He then starts to sway softly, and I have no choice but to join him as he starts to hum my favourite Avril Lavigne song, "Darlin'", to me. He then un-wraps his arms from around me, before dragging me over to the couch I was sat on before. He sits, looking at me with concerned, but loving, eyes. He takes both of my hands ands lifts them a little, swaying them. But he never takes his gaze off of me. Then he sighs, opening his mouth to say something.

"Sonny, tell me what happened. You need to tell me the whole story." (And now we're where we left off! ;))

I drift my gaze away from him, looking down into my lap, where mud still sits on my knees from when I jumped off the shed.

"It's a long one…" I say, and he rolls his eyes softly.

"Do you really think I care how long it is, Sonny?" He asks, and I my head to look at him again. "Please… Sonny, just tell me the story. Then I can help you."

So, I tell Chad the whole story as he asks; the fight, the grounding, the breakout, how I'm hurting inside because of all the rumours and fights and the fact that even my own mother doesn't believe me. Every now and again I see a tear in his eye, or a sad look, but he shakes it off to replace it with a sad, understanding, listening one. He doesn't want me to feel for him – he'd much rather I was happy than himself. At the end, he pauses for a minute, processing all the information into his head, before looking at me deeply again.

"Sonny…" He says, "…I'm so sorry about what happened."

"Don't be," I say, trying to sound strong, but the words come out more of a sad cry, and I have to look away to stop the tears from flowing. I decide to try to keep up my failing strong act and look back up, putting on a smile. "It wasn't your fault."

"No…" He agrees, glaring sinisterly into thin air as if he's giving someone a death glare, "It wasn't. It's the paparazzi's fault." He then groans, rubbing his eye as if to get rid of something very annoying, possibly an itch, or, knowing Chad, a tear. "Why can't they leave us alone?"

"I know, right?" I say, before huffing, wiping my eyes carefully so as not to ruin my mascara, before looking up at Chad. "I'm really sorry I had to bring you here to tell you…"

"It's fine." He says, putting his hand up in a sign for me to shut up and not worry about it, "Don't stress. I couldn't sleep anyway – I was too worried about you."

I grin, prior to remembering that I still have the problem with my mother and at that moment my lower lip quivers. Chad takes note of it straight away, and frowns sympathetically, before hugging me gently, briefly. He then shuffles away from the hug, smiling knowingly.

"Look, here's what we're gonna do," He says, "You and me, we're gonna go back to your house, talk to your Mom, clear the air, and then we'll deal with the press, 'kay?"

I smile, "Great to know you have a plan, honey," I say, keeping up the strong act, "But… I don't really wanna go back home yet…"

Chad looks disappointed, before hanging his head in misery "Oh…" He mutters. He then lifts his head, taking a deep breath, "So… where are you gonna stay? I mean, if you're not gonna go home…"

"Yeah…" I wince a little, "I was gonna ask, uh…" I put on a desperate, pleading face and say in a childish voice, "Can I… stay with you?"

Chad's eyes open wide, first with surprise, then with fear, then anger, and then he just replaces it with a smile, almost as if he'd never felt those previous emotions. "Why, Sonshine," He utters in a mockingly-posh voice, "I didn't think you'd ever ask."

I laugh, copying his tone as the tension dies down between us, "Shall we go, Mr Cooper?"

"We shall, Miss Munroe." He winks as I link my arm through his, and I feel a little more comfortable in his arms. Even if it means that I run the risk of being accused of more things by the paparazzi and possibly making my mother mad at me forever. I shrug off the thought and just decide to spend time with Chad, and enjoy it. I've always loved time alone with Chad, and I guess now I don't really have a choice. I feel a tear roll down my cheek as I pray that my Mom will forgive me… because I don't hate her. Not really.

Chad's POV

After Sonny tells me the story of how her Mom and her had a fall-out, she's walked about 3 miles, she's woken me up to talk about it, to hide… well, what was I supposed to do but invite her into my house, take her in? She is my girlfriend, and I'm not gonna just abandon her. She's been there for all my bad times, and now it's my turn.

The whole ride home we're trying to keep up conversation, just to keep us both awake, but I don't want to talk in case I bring up something that, considering her state, may set her of crying.

"So," She says, breaking the dreary silence, "Abby's birthday on Friday."

I grin. My little sister… four years old. Who could've thought it? I'll probably send her to a pre-school soon, just so we don't need to keep Josh home to watch her, or so we don't have to pay Mary anymore… just to get her out of the house, I guess.

"It's gonna be great." I say, my voice slightly groggy because of the situation, "I need to go shopping for her prezzie soon though – Mom always did the shopping for birthdays. And Dad did it last year – that was after Mom…" My voice fades away, "…you know."

"I know." Sonny whispers.

"But, hey…" I say, "It's my turn now! All I gotta do is find her the perfect present…"

"I could help." Sonny blurts out, "Tomorrow, maybe. We could go to some toy stores… I know all of what Abby likes, so I'd be a great help, if you want."

I glare at her, smirking. "If…" I say, pointing my finger to her, "and only if… we go straight back to your house and talk to your Mom afterwards."

Sonny groans, "Deal."

I smile, "Awesome."

We don't talk after that – too tired. Plus, I've brought up Sonny's Mom. Probably not good to continue or she could cry, or scream, or both. I've never seen Sonny have a PMS-y attack, but… ugh… it could happen today. (Random reference – some will get it, some will not)

It's two in the morning by the time we get back, and I'm so exhausted I could've slept in the car on the way home. But I didn't – if I had of there probably would've been a crash… not good. So, I just about manage to stagger into the house, moving like a zombie (hope I don't look like one for m'lady). I make the bed in her room that she stayed in all that time ago, before inviting her in the room. It's still painted the colors it was back that – it's kind of like a shrine to our healthy, happy relationship. Or not, as the case might be right now.

She's as tired as I am though, although she still looks beautiful as ever, collapsing onto the bed in a heap. She sure looks tired, but her eyes are lost, sad, more like she's mentally tired rather than physically tired. I let her get under the covers before kissing her lightly on the head.

"Night-night, Sonshine," I whisper, and she smiles. Usually she would say "read me a bedtime story?" or something of the like in a babyish voice, but she just seems so worn out that I decide not to wait for it.

I walk out the room, checking that Josh and Abby are still asleep before heading to bed myself. Pretty much the second my head touches the pillow, I'm out like a light.

It doesn't last long though. I wake up what feels like an hour later, to see Sonny shaking me calmly, repeating my name quietly, with a pillow clutched in her arms.

"Yes, Sonshine?" I mumble, my voice unsteady and sore.

"I can't sleep." She says. I frown, giving her an anxious look. "Can I… sleep with you?"

I blink, "What are you implying, Munroe?" I smirk, winking at her, and she rolls her eyes, flicking me with the pillow she brought in from her room.

"Nothing, jerk." She smirks back, "I just… think I'd be more comfortable with you. Nothing but a friendly little motion. Besides, your bed is big enough…"

I chuckle, "I know what you mean, Sonny." I say, "C'mon. Hop on in."

I move over, making space for Sonny on the right side of the bed, and she snuggles up next me, dropping the pillow next to mine. We're facing each other, both smiling, and I put my arm over her body comfortingly. Sonny's face looks happy, smiley, along with the slightly tired aspect, before her smile drops, and she instead looks suddenly insecure.

"…Ch-Chad?" She says softly.

"Yeah, Sonny?" I reply, and she shuffles about, like she's trying to plan what to say so she doesn't upset me.

"Did you… I mean, can you… I mean… remember when I said I loved you more than anything?"

I grin, "How could I forget?"

"And… remember how you said the same thing back?"

"Yup."

She frowns, a small tear in her chocolate-brown eyes. "Did you… really mean it?"

I laugh, "Of course I did! What gave you the impression that I didn't?"

"Well…" Sonny cringes, "…Mom."

I blink, "Wh-Why would you believe your Mom over me? Especially when you don't believe her about anything else?"

"I…" Sonny sighs, "I don't know."

I look away, hurt. How could she think that I didn't mean that I truly loved her? Listen to her mother over me? "Well… I don't know what to say then."

"Chad, I'm really sorry…"

"No," I say, "Don't bother." I then turn over, facing away from Sonny. She can't take away the hurt from that. "Goodnight, Sonny." I say sternly, before closing my eyes to sleep.

Those scenes from the last day replay in my head through my sleep, though, and I still can't believe Sonny would believe something like that. She knows I love her… right? She knows I'm not that kind of guy who only wants one thing… right? Or maybe not.

I wake up a little while later, Sonny's words troubling me, and notice Sonny is just getting up to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" I ask, with no real emotion. I guess I'm still tired. Sonny jumps, turning back to see me, and she sighs quietly.

"Somewhere." She says, "It's obvious you don't want me here either, after my betrayal."

"Whoa, whoa…" I say, leaning up in the bed, "Betrayal?"

"I guess." Sonny shrugs. I laugh.

"Hold up, honey," I say, "You may have said something that hurt me a little, but… that doesn't mean I hate you all of a sudden… what I'm saying is, Sonny, it's okay. Stay – it's fine."

Sonny grins, climbing back into bed with me, and I kiss her gently, before wrapping my arms around her. "I really do love you." I whisper into her ear, and I feel her mouth form a grin.

"I know." She whispers. It isn't long before we fall asleep in each others arms.

Yeah... that last 'fight' came from nowhere, I swear. I just wanted to make it a little longer without continuing into next chapter's region.

Anyone else heard? Demi's new single is gonna be released sometime next week! WHOOT! :D

So... review? That would be nice of you, dearies ;)

See ya! xXxXx