A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews & alerts! I really can't believe people still read this story! It makes me very happy because it's just so surreal. I wrote this out of fun and random thoughts, so it's just nice to be able to still continue this story despite SWAC ending a while ago. I promise it's almost done! Sorry it took a while to update (but hey at least it's not five years!). Well, this story was really supposed to end with this chapter but I came up with a better idea than I originally intended so expect maybe one or two more chapters? I don't really know what I'm rambling about. Sorry if some things might not make sense - if you just keep reading the chapter it'll clarify (hopefully). Again, thank you so much for your support! I love you all!
chapter twenty:
A Familiar Deviation
Chad entered the Mackenzie Falls set for the last scene he'd ever film for the series. It was a bittersweet moment because the show had a good run, but it was also a relief because he could finally be free from Mackenzie. Chad was ready to move on. After everything that happened with Sonny, he was ready to step away from Hollywood - the place that caused him so much grief.
Crew members bustled about getting the set ready as Chad stood in the middle of it all. He just wanted to get the scene over with and have a new start. He should've filmed the scene yesterday, but the thought of doing a Stella scene without Sonny was too much for an already overwhelming day. It was like the world was telling Chad to replace Sonny and despite all the pain, Chad didn't think he was ready let her go. Whoever this new girl was, she wasn't his Sonny Munroe. How could he ad-lib an important scene with a stranger? Chad just couldn't grasp the producers' plans and just hoped their decisions wouldn't ruin the series (despite wanting to leave, he still cared about ending the show with a bang).
The cameras started rolling and bright lights blinded Chad as he stood in the park scene where Mackenzie fell in love with Stella. Prior to filming he was directed to just do whatever he felt like. He didn't know if it was joke but the look on David's face told him the instructions were legitimate - David was the director after all. Chad sighed. This was probably the strangest shoot he ever had. He decided to lean against the brick wall where Mackenzie found Stella singing. It was the moment Mackenzie fell for Stella; it was also the moment Chad realized he fell in love with Sonny; the moment Chad wanted a real relationship.
Chad fought the tears back. Everyone was forcing him to remember Sonny, when he was trying to let her go. Being in this scene made him feel so vulnerable. Sure, the scene brought them together, but did Channy really need to start as a showmance? Over the years Chad couldn't help but think that their relationship was probably never meant to last if it started out so rocky.
That's when he heard footsteps approach him.
"Mackenzie?"
Chad recognized that voice from anywhere. And he couldn't believe it. He wanted to immediately turn around and see her, but his body couldn't move. Was it really her? Was he getting his hopes up? Would he finally see Sonny after all these years? Despite being extremely nervous of what he'd find, Chad took the risk to turn.
Chad was speechless. He felt his heart twist in confusion as he met eyes with a girl who was like Sonny, but wasn't. She bore curious green eyes and long golden locks instead of Sonny's token brown eyes and brunette hair. Still, the girl's aura felt exactly like Sonny's. And then she smiled: Sonny's smile.
"It's me, Stella. Do you remember me?"
Chad was speechless. He didn't know what to say or think.
The girl stepped back, "Maybe if I sing a little, you'll remember."
She started humming a melody. Chad recognized it immediately, it was the melody Stella sang in that scene long ago. Chad was mesmerized by the girl's mannerisms. Was it really Sonny? But all of Chad's doubt faded when the girl started to sing. Sure, the girl had a different style, but her voice was definitely like Sonny Munroe's. Chad felt time tick again and before he knew it, he was singing the chorus with her.
The girl grinned, "You remember?"
"I do." Chad smiled. "I was waiting for you to come back."
Before Chad knew it, the scene was declared finished and a swarm of people ran to hug him. Portlyn mentioned how his feelings looked so pure and real, she must've forgotten that there was absolutely no script. Many people kept insisting that the scene was the perfect ending to Mackenzie Falls and that they were so excited to show it to the world. However, Chad couldn't care less about the show at the moment - he needed to find that girl. He had to confirm it was really Sonny. Chad pushed his way through the crowd until he saw her blonde curls.
"Hey!" Chad called out as he made his way over.
Her green eyes shined as they met Chad's. The way Sonny's eyes used to light up. Chad felt his heart quicken, this girl could really be her.
"Son-" Chad started to call out until he was pushed to the side by the producer, Russel River.
"Jade, great job out there! I knew you'd be perfect!" Russel congratulated.
"Jade?" Chad whispered to himself as he approached the pair.
Jade laughed, "Stop it! It was really not that great!"
"Are you kidding me?" Russel gushed, "Your mannerisms, your voice, your song - it was just like how I'd imagine Stella."
"You mean, Sonny." Chad stated as he felt his disappointment turn to anger. "It was how you'd imagine Sonny."
"Chad -" Russel warned sternly.
"Sorry, I got to go." Chad said as he walked out of the studio.
Was the world really this cruel? Why did he always lift up his hopes? Sonny never contacted him in five years. What are the odds that she'd just magically walk back into his life? Chad couldn't take it anymore. As he got in his car all he could think about were memories with a certain brunette. They barely had a chance to actually date, yet why did she leave such a big impact on him?
When Chad stopped driving he scolded himself. He drove himself to Greystone Park. The park where he and Sonny had a date/after work hangout/whatever that experience was. Still, he found himself walking through the park and recounting memories - both good and bad. After a long night, he finally stopped wandering around the park to sit still on a bench.
"I'm really trying to push myself to the limit aren't I?" Chad wondered out loud.
"I hope you're not. You were never one to handle stress well."
The voice startled Chad, but he knew not get his hopes up again no matter how much something reminded him of Sonny. He looked up to meet Jade's green eyes. Chad knew he wouldn't find Sonny. Maybe he was finally starting to move on.
"Quite a scene you made." Jade stated as she folded her arms. "Haven't stopped being a drama queen, huh?"
Who was this girl who came out of nowhere? This random girl who was apparently picking an argument with him. "I am not a drama queen." Chad argued.
Jade smirked, "Are you, Chad? Are you really?"
"Sonny?" Chad choked as he stood up. Maybe the world didn't give up on Channy, because at the moment, Chad knew with certainty that before him was his long lost Sonny Munroe. "It really is you."
"I'm Jade now. Sonny Munroe died a long ago."
A/N: Don't forget to review! Actually, at this point I'm just glad you got here! YAY!
Random Notes:
I go through periods where I write and then I stop writing (if you haven't noticed yet). BUT I've actually been writing daily for a few weeks now because I got an awesome new program called Scrivener! If you are into writing your own stuff, I HIGHLY recommend getting it! It'll change your world! Actually, if you're even just writing a research paper try Scrivener out!
Also, another reason I kind of take long to write this story is because I'm focusing on original work right now (a fantasy novel called Charismata). It's very exciting because I've had this story brewing in my mind for over a decade and I'm finally seeing it be put together. My writing life feels so exciting right now! :) If you'd like to find updates on my works or want to know what I'm working on, please find me on twitter signedanonymous 3 I love all of you and your inputs on things you'd like to read would be a huge help!