A/N: Wow, I think this is the first time I've ever used a prologue in one of my stories. But I desperately wanted to get this out, because I've been promising it for days. I'll have the next chapter up soon, so don't fret about the prologue being fairly short in length.

Sorry about the delay on Optimism. It got put on hold for a little bit, but it's not on hiatus. I'm working on this fic simultaneously.

Where the heck have I been anyway?

I had to take a summer writer's workshop for school, due to my frantic hurry to finish up as many credits as possible and get my Creative Writing degree. It was an amazing experience.

While I was there, a book agent told me he'd love to see a query letter for my book. I don't know if that means anything to you all, but to put it in perspective, that would be like if a Hollywood agent said he'd love to see you audition for Camp Rock 3. Pretty big stuff!

So as you can imagine, I put the editing of my book into overdrive and have been focusing on that for a while. Fear not though, I know my fans on here are just as important, so I will continue to write as often as possible.

The other reason for my absence was that I got into another Sonny taping last week. (The whole thing this time!) Follow me on Twitter at MiaTurner if you want any details about that.

Okay, so enough rambling, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sonny With a Chance.

Prologue

He was laughing.

No, he was cracking up.

There stood Sonny Munroe. A bucket of leftover mystery meat on her head.

And Chad Dylan Cooper was laughing.

And it wasn't just him, either. It was in front of the whole commissary.

Tears stung her eyes. She knew the cast of Mackenzie Falls had been planning a prank on the So Random cast since that morning. But she didn't imagine that Chad, the guy who had just a week ago asked her out, who made a billboard for her, no less, would be laughing about it.

He must have sensed her discomfort, for his laughter soon faded, along with his smile.

"Come on baby, it's all in good fun." He reached out to take her hand, but Sonny just yanked it back violently, still looking at him with those disbelieving eyes. Chad made a face, the awkward silence getting to him. "Oh come on, Sonny. That gunk'll wash out of your hair easy. And it's not like that's your favorite outfit. At least... I hope it's not," he said with a chuckle, lifting the corner of her vest with two fingers to imply disgust.

Sonny closed her eyes and clenched her fists as Portlyn laughed from across the room, causing the rest of the Mackenzie Falls crew to join in.

She knew he was putting on a show. She knew he was acting like a big dope for the simple fact that he was in front of his friends.

But it still destroyed her inside.

A single tear fell down Sonny's face before she turned on her heel, running out of the commissary as fast as she could.

Tawni stood up to follow, stopping by Chad on her way out.

"One day, Chad," she growled at him, "you're going to mess with the wrong person. And I hope it comes back to bite you in the butt. Hard."

Chad laughed as though he didn't care while Tawni ran after Sonny and his castmates began to reset the bucket for when Nico and Grady came in later.

Inside, he was screaming.

He'd ruined everything again. He loved Sonny so much and yet somehow, when all eyes were on him, the pressure was on, and he couldn't help doing something stupid.

He smirked again, however, when he thought of how he would fix it. It would take something epic... It always did... A MackFalls boxset, a billboard... But he'd do it. And Sonny would easily take him back.

Pssh, what did Tawni know, anyway?

'Messing with the wrong person'. What total and utter crap, what a ridiculous notion, what-

SPLAT.

Chad cringed in fear as he turned his head to see the unlucky recipient of the second bucket of mystery meat...

Dakota Condor.