It Was Called Concern

The first time Chad ever cared about someone other than himself was when Sonny Monroe fell to the ground during a silly game of musical chairs. His concern was a little awkward, and it looked strange to people who care for others on a normal basis. He was worried about her. And Chad didn't know how to show that worry, even the one time he cared enough to want to help. He felt a little useless, too. What the heck do people do when they care?

Chad could act. He could make Mackenzie's worry and feelings very clear. But he couldn't show his own. A character in a show and his own real life are frighteningly different, he realized. And concern is scary. Very scary. Terrifying, really.

Chad has been afraid before. Even the great Chad Dylan Cooper has fears. He, however, is very good at hiding them. But for no reason, when it comes to Sonny Monroe, the new girl, hiding his emotions is impossible.

Like when she called him a chicken previously during that day. Since when does Chad Dylan Cooper react like that and get so angry and flustered? Since Sonny Monroe came, apparently.

Since when is Chad Dylan Cooper jealous? Since Sonny Monroe was asked out by James Conroy.

Since when is Chad Dylan Cooper genuinely happy? Since he went on a fake date with Sonny Monroe.

Since when does Chad Dylan Cooper compliment others sincerely? Since he gave Sonny Monroe props and said she had shiny hair.

Since when does Chad Dylan Cooper find it hot for a girl to trick him? Since Sonny Monroe beat him at his own game.

Since when does Chad Dylan Cooper say other movies are better than his own? Since he watched Camp Hiphop with Sonny Monroe.

Since when does Chad Dylan Cooper care about anything that has nothing to do with himself? Since Sonny Monroe "hurt" her leg. Since Sonny Monroe needed a Weird Beard. Since Sonny Monroe missed her prom. Since the off days when Sonny Monroe didn't smile. Since… Well, you get the picture.

There's a pattern. Chad doesn't see the pattern, but he will one day stop himself and ask, "Why'd I do that?" "Because Sonny Monroe asked…" And he will then look back on all of his Sonny Monroe experiences and say to himself, "Why does it always come back to her?" because it always does.

[*}

Chad was new to concern, but Sonny wasn't. Sonny cared for a lot of people. She cared when her friends got hurt. She cared when Sharona attacked Tawni in her blog. She cared when people couldn't find love. She cared for a lot for a lot of things. And Sonny knew she cared for Chad.

When he helped her, she liked it. When he invited her to his set when she fought with So Random!, she was beyond grateful. When he said, "We should hang out some time," her heart practically flew out of her chest. When he was her fake date she was more comfortable than she would have thought. When she was told she had pretty hair, she could only act like a school girl with her crush. Embarrassing, but she cared.

Sonny knew she liked Chad as at least a friend. So even if she wasn't Chad's girlfriend, even if she wasn't in love with him, even if they were only friends, Sonny still cared for the idiot. And Sonny still didn't like it when those she cared for got hurt.

[*}

Sonny heard the news around six o' clock on a Tuesday evening. She was in her dressing room, changing into her normal clothes after a sketch to get ready to go home. "Fairy Princess Make-up Time Adventure Story" had one of the strangest costumes she had worn yet. She was happy. Content. Today was a good day. She had a yummy lunch, Tawni was strangely nice, and the sketches were great. She didn't even get into a stupid fight with Chad. She hadn't even seen Chad.

At least she thought that was good. Until she heard the news. Chad Dylan Cooper was in the hospital. It was under tight security. It was a need-to-know thing, and if the fans found out everyone who was told was to get fired. Chad had connections. People would get fired. No matter where they worked. Sonny didn't know how to respond. "Why… why am I being told? Why am I in the need-to-know group?" She didn't even hear the explanation. She was already jumping to the worst possible conclusions. "What?" she asked.

Chad's manager, Ms. Lenore, looked at her, and mumbled, "That's why."

"Who else knows?" Sonny worried about Chad, "What happened? What do you mean 'that's why'?"

Ms. Lenore sighed. "Don't worry about the details," she told Sonny while handing her a slip of paper. "Here's the hospital information. Chad will tell you what he feels like. Oh, and don't treat him any differently than you normally do. That kid does not need any more attention…" she started trailing off in a mumble.

Sonny wasn't sure what was going on, but she smiled at the woman and thanked her. She headed off to the hospital immediately. Sonny was running out of the room and almost knocked Tawni down in her haste. "What was that for!?" Tawni huffed. She noticed Chad's manager. "And what's she doing here!?"

"Can't talk now, Tawni! See ya tomorrow!" Sonny ran off, waving slightly.

She ran to the passenger seat of her mom's car. "Mom! Thanks for picking me up! I'm sorry, but can you drive me here?" Sonny handed Mrs. Monroe the paper Chad's manager gave her.

"Woah, sweetie! What's the rush?" Mrs. Monroe smiled. She looked at the sheet and her smile faltered. "Oh, this is a hospital, isn't it? Sure, honey, I'll take you."

[*}

Being in the hospital sucked. Chad Dylan Cooper did not belong in the hospital. He should not be in a hideous hospital gown that he'd be wearing for another three days. Chad Dylan Cooper was irritated. Annoyed. Today was not a good day. The food was horrible, the nurses were huffy, and the IV was a pain in the butt. He couldn't even bug Sonny. He couldn't even see Sonny!

The place was so boring! Mackenzie Falls must have fallen apart without him. And where were all the mirrors…? Chad huffed and rolled his eyes. It was soooo- wait, what was that noise? Chad listened and he heard a rapid pounding in the hallway. The sound was faint, but getting louder. Then as the mysterious sound got to its loudest, Chad's door burst open.

"Chad! Are you okay!? What happened!? Are you dying!?" She ran to the side of his bed.

Woah, wait up! What is Monroe doing here!? Chad eyes bugged out. "Sonny!?"

"Oh, Chad, why didn't you tell me you only had three days left to live!?" Sonny sobbed, off in Worse-case-scenario Land.

"I'm dying!?" Chad sat up in his cot. He shook his head. That didn't sound right. "Wait, what?"

Sonny stopped crying. "Huh? Oh thank God!" Sonny breathed out in relief. "I-I must have let my imagination run away with me."

Sonny sat down on a chair by his bed. She was looking down, and he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He was beginning to think something was wrong. "Hey. Hey, Sonny." She didn't respond. "Sonny! You okay?" Funny how Chad was the one in the hospital bed, yet he was worried about her. Sonny shook her head, as if freeing herself from a trance.

She reached over and pulled him into a giant, heartfelt hug. Woah. That was…woah.

"I'm glad you're okay," she murmured into his shoulder. Chad could have sworn his heart melted. Sonny pulled away- what? No! Chad liked that!- smiling. "So, Chad," she said, grinning, "Why are you in here?"

Chad groaned, looking skyward. "Don't even ask!"

"Why not!? I came all this way to visit you, Chad! The least you owe me is an explanation!" Sonny exclaimed, her voice more cheerful than indignant.

"No way! No way! I am NOT telling you!" Chad's face heated up. He saw Sonny giving him one her many cute- stupid cute- expressions, "Ahhh! Don't use that face!"

Sonny giggled. "How come you won't tell me? Is it that embarrassing?"

Chad's face got redder and his voice got higher, "Chad Dylan Cooper doesn't get embarrassed!"

"I'll hug you again if you tell me!"

"What makes you think that'll get me to tell you!?" She called him out on that!?

"You liked it! You know what!? I should hug you more often!" Sonny decided. "Now tell me!"

"No!"

[*}

Mrs. Monroe turned to Ms. Lenore. "Oh my gosh, Stella. That is some of the most shameless flirting I've seen." They chuckled. "I can't believe my daughter is like this."

"I don't know, Connie. You should hear the things Chad says to her!" They were laughing hysterically to themselves in the door frame.

"Really? She's threatening him with hugs!" Connie was proud of her girl. The two giggled in a school girl fashion. They listened in on the conversation a little more.

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

Connie raised an eyebrow. "They're back to this again?"

Stella shrugged. "Apparently. I think it's one of their things. They show affection through repeating the same word over and over." The two couldn't keep down their giggles.

"Wait, wait!" Connie breathed in between laughs, putting her hand out. "I think they just agreed that Sonny was going to hug Chad every time she sees him."

"No, really!?" The two women were enjoying themselves immensely. "Oh my- Connie, she's tickling him!"

"What!? And they say they're not perfect for each other!? Stella! Why are we not getting this on video!?"

"Chad, that's so cute!" They heard Sonny squee.

"I'm not cute, Sonny! I'm cool! Awesome! Not cute! You're cute! Not me!"

"You think I'm cute, Chad!?" Sonny squealed.

Connie sighed. "Yep. We definitely should have brought a camera."

Stella frowned. "Such a waste." And then they broke out into another chortle fit.

"Hey, Stella."

"Yeah, Connie?"

"How did Chad hurt himself again?"

Stellla shook her head. "Okay, before we start, let me just say Chad is a moron. The idiot was using a pretty sharp knife to cut an apple for starters. Then he saw a spider coming down from the ceiling and he screamed. He tried stabbing the spider with his knife! He ended up stabbing himself! Oh, it was horrible. He lost a ton of blood. He was pretty calm, though. He called 911 right away." Stella didn't know whether to be regretful or amused. "You know what he said before he left? He said, and I quote, 'That spider is dead.' He said that."

"And my daughter likes him?" Connie wanted to laugh, but she also was appalled at how her daughter was going to date someone who did that.

"There's no way he wanted anyone to find out. No one besides us and his parents know he's even here. That idiot has a bigger head than George Lopez!"

"A spider!? You're in her because of a spider!?"

"Shut it, Monroe! If you tell anyone, I swear, I'll-!"

Connie snickered. "He sounds embarrassed. Maybe his ego being deflated a bit."

"And that's part of the reason Sonny's here," Stella smirked.

"They still haven't noticed us yet… I think it's time we broke them up for a bit."

Stella frowned. "I suppose. Chad needs his sleep anyway… Same time again tomorrow?"

Connie smiled. "Totally."

So far this is a one-shot, but if my lovely readers want, I'll add more. Tell me what you think.