Listen To Your Heart

Redemption

Prom day: 10:00 a.m

Chad literally looked everywhere. Yet, Lonnie was nowhere to be found. She had been avoiding him for weeks and today was his last chance to ask her a very important question. If only he could find her.

He searched in the library, gym, cafeteria, commons, kitchen, and her dorm to no avail. It's like she disappeared off the face of the earth.

Chad sat down on a bench in the commons, frustrated. He hummed to himself "Sing Sweet Nightingale", a lullaby his mother sang to him as a young boy, that always calmed him down. But he stopped when he realized he wasn't the only one singing. He looked around and saw other students passing by, but none of them were singing. He turned his attention to the music room. Since there was no school today, he knew that Doug and his merry band of geeks didn't have practice. So who could possibly be in there?

He got up and slowly opened the door, not wanting to disturb who was singing. He saw a little girl, playing the piano and singing. She couldn't be more than six. What was she doing at a high school, by herself. Just as he was about to ask, another person walked in from the other door. It was none other than Lonnie!

"Great job, Lin Lin!" Lonnie said as she walked in. "You're gonna nail your performance at your talent show tomorrow. I'm so proud. Baba's outside waiting for you. Good luck little sis!" The little girl grabbed her belongings and ran outside to her father. Lonnie chuckled and sat down at the piano. Chad smiled. Lonnie and Lin Lin. How cute.

Lonnie looked around, as if to make sure she was completely alone. Chad quickly hid, not wanting her to think he was spying on her. When she thought she was all alone, Lonnie started to play the piano. Her fingers danced in the piano so gracefully, and Chad's jaw hung in awe. He'd never heard someone play the piano so beautifully. Next thing he knew, she started singing "So This Is Love", a song his mom sang to his dad. He'd heard them sing it a million times, but Lonnie's version was in a class all its own.

"So this is love, hmm,
So this is love,
So this is what makes life divine

I'm all aglow, hmm
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine

My heart has wings, hmm
And I can fly
I'll touch every star in the sky,
So this is the miracle
That I've been dreaming of
So this is love
So this is.......Love..."

Chad applauded her and she quickly turned around. "Chad? How long have you been standing there?"

Chad looked around embarrassed of being caught. Lonnie noticed him blush. Since when does Chad Charming blush? Chad was surprised she want mad, just genuinely shocked and curious.

"Um...long enough to hear you sing. You were amazing. And you're piano playing, gorgeous." Chad smiled, hoping that this would be his opportunity.

Now it was Lonnie's turn to blush. "Thanks." Now her face turned hard. "Now if you'll excuse me..." Chad made a dash for the exit and blocked her way. Lonnie tried the other door, which was locked. Her only other means of escape had a blonde 16 year old old blocking it. "Chad, move."

"And if I don't?" He tried. Lonnie was really mad now.

"Chad! I don't have time for your games!"

"Look, I know I'm not your favorite person right now-"

"You think."

"Please, just listen. I'm sorry and I wanted to ask-"

"You're sorry?" Lonnie scoffed. "Yeah, right. Look what happened, happened. It's in the past , but I can't forgive you,okay? What you did, you can't just apologize for it. Have you even apologized to all those girls?"

"Well, no but-"

"No buts. You know you're a jerk! You can't feel complete in your twisted mind until you've gotten with all the girls, even if it means taking their first kiss, cheating off of them, lying to them. Where does it end?"

Chad was confused. "Who's first kiss did I take?"Lonnie just looked at the floor. "Oh. Lonnie I'm so sorry. I had no idea-"

"Save it! I don't need your apology. I don't have time for this. I've got to get ready for pr

"You're going to prom?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"You've got a date?"

Lonnie was so done with him. "Are you trying to ask me out to prom?" Chad get gulped. "I can't believe you! After everything, you still won't give up!"

"Look, Lonnie I just-"

"If you must know, yes I'm going to prom. And I already have date. Christopher asked me out, and he's much more of a gentleman than you'll ever be!" Christopher was the son of Anna and Kristof . Lonnie pushed Chad out of the way and left the music room in a huff, close to tears, and made her way to her dorm.

Chad just stood there in silence, heartbroken at Lonnie's words. Now he knew how he made other girls feel. Lonnie was right, he was a huge jerk. She had reason to be suspicious about him. Well to prove to her that he really wanted to change, he was gonna right his wrongs.

He left the music room and made his way to the girl dorms, mentally preparing himself for the storm that was about to come.
********************************************
"You're sorry?" Evie was confused. "Wow, I don't know what to say."

"How about you forgive me?"Chad said, hopeful.

Evie thought for a moment. "I think you're genuinely sorry, so I forgive you."

Chad perked up. "Really? You're the first girl to forgive me. I apologized to every single girl I ever played, and you're the only one that has accepted my apology." He hung his head in his hands.

Evie sat down next to him. "You really like her, huh?"

Chad looked up. "Who?"

Evie laughed. "The girl you're trying to impress."

Chad scoffed. "Please, there is no one in trying to impress. Why would you think that? "

Evie smirked, knowingly." Because you wouldn't just go on an apologizing spree all of a sudden. You also look really desperate."

Chad laughed. "I don't exactly look my coolest, do I?" Evie giggled. "You're right. This isn't just some girl. When I kissed her, I felt something I never did before. I don't know what to do."

"Well you're off to a good start," Evie said. "Even if it wasn't for a girl, what you're doing is very noble and princely. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," Chad said. "I've got to get going. There's a lot I have to do for tonight and it's already noon." He went to the door. "Evie? Why did you forgive me so easily?"

Evie looked up. "Because I know people can change. Especially in the name of love. Who is she,by the way?"

Chad flushed. "That's not important."

Evie paused. "Wait! Did you say you kissed her? Chad is this about Lonn-"

"Ok, bye! Thanks a lot Evie!" Chad rushed out of her room wanting to avoid her question. Evie sat on her bed, with a huge smile on her face. Chad SO likes Lonnie. And now it's her duty as a loyal friend to both of them(considering her and Chad wee on good terms now) to help them get together.
******************************************
Chad had picked up his suit and was just hanging around his room, thinking of ways to apologize to Lonnie, and make her see that his feelings are real. He spotted his guitar his parents gave him for his 16th birthday across the room, and had an idea. It had been collecting dust, since he was too preoccupied with tourney to learn to play. He looked at the clock. 12:35. Well, desperate times call for desperate measures and today was as good as any to learn to play.

Hopefully his plan will work.