Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I'm back!! That's right, with the third and last story of the trilogy! I'm so excited about it, but honestly and truthfully, and I swear on my life, this chapter made me cry. No lies, I was listening to sad songs the whole time, and I think that's why.

Anyway, I hope you like it. Enjoy while it lasts, because, well, it IS the last.

Random Advice of the Day: If you see raccoons crossing the street in front of you, don't chase them. They are very angry animals.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, unfortunately. Although, this chapter. Phew, be prepared with tissues man.

His blue eyes took in the sight before him. Every blink tugged at his heart strings, and it felt like his world was crashing down on him. He tried to hold back tears with every item she placed neatly in her suitcase. His shoulder ached from leaning against the door frame for so long. His arms were crossed, protecting his heart. But from what? From breaking? It was too late for that.

Chad Dylan Cooper's heart had never been truly broken. It's been dented, played around with. But his heart never broke. He was stronger than that. Until he met Sonny. And now…his sapphire eyes stung with sharp tears. His throat was closing, and his heart beat faster and faster as she moved around her dressing room. Her suitcase was poised on the couch, filled with her things.

He hated that suitcase. It was encouraging her to leave him. It was just sitting there, wide open for her to put things in. It was helping her leave. And soon, both that stupid suitcase and his love would be in New Zealand, without him. That suitcase, carrying Sonny Munroe's beloved belongings, was going with her. And he wasn't.

Chad tore his eyes from the suitcase and they focused on the girl. Her brunette hair swung behind her and she moved from place to place, and her brown eyes scanned the room anxiously. Then she turned to Chad.

"Am I forgetting anything?" she wondered aloud, tapping her finger to her chin.

"Yes," Chad said, inching closer to her. Sonny glanced up and raised her eyebrows. "Me," he said.

Sonny sighed, taking her boyfriend's hands in hers. "Chad, you know I wish you could come," she said. "But I'll only be there for a few months, and I'll be coming back for Christmas, which is next month."

Chad's eyes were fixed on that stupid suitcase. "I'm sure I could fit in there if I curled up really tight," he said to himself.

"You know I'll miss you," she said as Chad turned back to face her. Her heart sank in her chest when she saw the look in his eyes. His eyes, as sparkly and wonderful they were, were just filled with sadness. She thought she saw tears appearing at the edges, but he blinked them back.

Suddenly, he pulled her in a sweet embrace. "Please, don't leave," he mumbled into her hair. This time, Sonny's eyes were filling with tears. She hugged him tight as he stroked her hair. At this moment, both Sonny and Chad realized that this was one of the last times they would be together like this for a month or two. That was when one single tear escaped Sonny's eye.

She sniffed and Chad rubbed her back. "I don't want you to go," he whispered in her ear. The touch of his lips to her skin sent tingles down her spine, and she knew she'd miss this with all of her heart.

"I don't want to go either," she said, pulling away and wiping her eyes. "But I have to, you know that."

"Why is that again?" Chad asked with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

"We need the money, Chad. My family needs it. So Random! was enough to get my mother and I through for a while, but this movie could maybe pay for a house, instead of a crappy apartment. And maybe I could send some to the rest of my family in Wisconsin." She began packing again, this time going through her drawers for any more clothes she thought she would need in New Zealand.

"I told you, I could pay for some of it," Chad said reassuringly.

Sonny shook her head. "This is my family, not yours. I could never ask you to do that. We've been over this."

Chad nodded sadly. They had been over it, many times. But Chad just couldn't give up. He tried everything to get Sonny to stay. He even spoke to the casting director of the movie, but they were set on Sonny. There was no getting out of it, and he knew that. He just had to accept that Sonny was leaving.

He glanced at the large black suitcase again. "Are you sure you'll only need one suitcase?" He sat down next to it and began absentmindedly playing with the zipper. He wondered what would happen if one of Sonny's suitcase mysteriously went missing. Would she have to stay because she didn't have enough room for her things?

"I have two more at home filled. This should be the last," she muttered, holding two bottles of lotion in her hands and trying to decide which one to take. Eventually she just threw both in.

Chad read the labels. "Pineapple and Coconut? Those are very tropical. You do realize you're going to New Zealand, right?"

Sonny laughed. "I've always wanted to go somewhere tropical, like the Bahamas or something. The smell of pineapples and coconuts brings me there, in my mind. It sounds stupid, I know."

"Just a bit," Chad joked. Sonny poked her tongue out at her boyfriend.

Suddenly, the door flew open and an exasperated So Random! cast stormed in.

"Sonny!" they exclaimed in excitement. A chorus of, "We were so worried that we'd missed you," and "Is it true? Are you really leaving?" rang throughout the group.

Tawni's eyes narrowed her eyes at Chad. She wasn't too fond of him after he'd created a new nickname for her: 'Barbie.'

Sonny answered their questions one at a time, and soon everyone was hugging Sonny.

"Guys, I can't breathe!" she choked out. Everyone took a step back and apologized.

"I just can't believe it," Grady said. "Of all the people to leave, we though it'd be Tawni."

"Hey!" Tawni said, offended.

Nico said, "Well, Sonny, the show really is gonna stink now that you're leaving."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure the replacement will be great," Sonny said to add some optimism to the conversation. "Don't worry about me, guys. I'll be coming back during the holidays. It'll be great."

Even though Sonny tried to act excited about filming a movie in New Zealand, she was still heartbroken about leaving her best friends and Chad behind. She'd be on her own for months, except her mom, of course. Although the movie would help financially and would boost her career (which was also the last thing on her mind), a part of her still wanted to stay and forget all about the stupid movie.

Sonny zipped up her suitcase and set it on the floor. "Well, I guess this is it. I'm leaving tonight. This is the last time I'll see you guys in a while, I guess."

That was when the tears she had tried holding back finally escaping and poured down her face like a waterfall.

She looked through the blur of her tears at each of their faces.

Nico, so cheerful and sweet. She'd miss his sense of humour and his elaborate ways to get girls.

Grady, so kind and considerate. She'd miss his warm heart the most.

Zora, so crazy and wonderful. She'd miss her intensity and creepiness.

And Tawni, so conceited but thoughtful at the same time. She really did care for Tawni, and she'd miss the way she flipped her hair and the smell of her Cocoa Mocho Cocoa lipstick (which she would secretly steal sometimes, but shhh!)

Sonny ran up and hugged each and every one of them, crying the whole time, and as she left her dressing room for the last time, she said, "I love you guys. So much."

Then the door closed behind her.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Chad carried that damned suitcase through the airport doors, scrunching his nose at the smell of excruciating body odour and floor wax. Sonny led the way, holding two travel bags, and Sonny's mother followed behind, towing the two other suitcases. (Chad had tried to convince her to let him carry them, but she insisted).

"Flight Two-Oh-Six to New Zealand, Gate C, will depart in ten minutes. Passengers are asked to be on the plane in five. Thank-you," the nasally voice over the intercom announced.

"Well, that's us," Sonny's mother said. "Gate C is right over there." She glanced between Chad and Sonny, then said, "I'll meet you there, hun."

Sonny nodded sadly, and as soon as she was gone, Chad and Sonny collided. His face nuzzled into her neck and he kissed it softly. She felt a tear run down her neck where his face was, and it sunk into the fabric of her shirt.

Chad Dylan Cooper was crying. "Don't leave me, please, Sonny. I can't do this without you. I need you," he whispered.

Sonny's stomach twisted and she choked back more tears. She just wanted to run out of the airport and never look back, but she knew she couldn't.

They pulled apart and looked into each other's eyes. His were like melting sapphire, flowing down his cheeks. He touched her cheek with his hand and leaned down to kiss her, knowing it was the last for a long, long time.

Her lips were so soft and warm, and he pulled her closer. Her tears fell down her cheeks and wet their lips.

"Flight Two-Oh-Six will be leaving shortly. Passengers are asked to board immediately. Thank-you."

The two broke apart, gazing into each other's eyes one last time.

"I love you," he said softly, wiping a tear from her eye gently.

"I love you too, so much," she replied, pulling him into an embrace.

It was time to go, and she knew it. Reluctantly, she left his arms and stepped away, towards Gate C.

Chad couldn't stand this. She was walking away, and he wouldn't see her again for what seemed like an eternity. At the last second, he took her hand. She looked back, shook her head, and gently pulled it away.

"Goodbye, Chad," she said. She silently mouthed the words "I love you" again, and walked through the doors of Gate C.

And with those last few steps she took, Chad's world crashed. Everything he loved, everything he truly and deeply cared for, had left on a plane to fly half-way around the world.

"Come back," he pleaded to himself. "Please." But the doors shut and were locked tight, and it was too late.

Sonny Munroe was gone.

"I'm leavin', never lookin' back again."

-Jesse McCartney