A/N: I started this fic a ridiculously long time ago - before I ever decided to actually post anything for Camp Rock. I figure it's time I finally post it. I'm not sure how long it'll be, but we're definitely looking at at least 5 chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or places you recognize from Camp Rock. Their characters may be tweaked a bit, but hopefully not too much.
Staying friends with an ex is probably one of the hardest things I've done. I dated Shane for nearly three years. Three freaking years. And one day, he just up and decides he doesn't love me any more. And here I am today, just over a year later, sitting in the second aisle, the close friends and family aisle, as he marries Tess. I know I should be over him, and a part of me really thought I was, but it still makes me a bit sad.
Flashback
"Oh! I'm so sorry," I say after running into someone in my haste to leave the studio for the day.
"It's all right Mitchie, I'm usually in a rush to get away from here too," I hear a voice I hadn't heard in four months say with a laugh. We had text messaged and emailed a few times - we had simply been too close to just cut out all connection - but seeing him was different.
"Hello Shane. How've you been?" I ask nervously.
"Wonderful. How about you?"
"I've been keeping busy," I answer. Really by busy I mean I've worked a lot of extra hours on my music and spent many nights in reading and having the occasional girls' night.
"Me too. You must have heard I was seeing Tess by now right?"
"Oh, no I can't say that I have."
"Hmm, I thought you would have heard."
"How long has that been going on then?" I ask in a fake cheerful voice that he can't seem to see through like he used to.
"About two months now."
"That's great. And are things serious with her?"
"Very," he says seriously.
"That's awesome Shane. Listen, I need to be going. I promised Caitlyn I'd help her make Jason dinner for their anniversary tonight."
"You don't want to be late for that," he smiles. He leans forward to hug me briefly before turning and walking the other way.
I quickly make my way back to my apartment, drop my things and proceed to cry. Shane's moved on, effectively crushing any hope I had of getting back together with him. Not only that but he's serious about her and only four months after we broke up! Well, he must have been seeing her since two months after we broke up.
My bad day had escalated upon hearing that Jason and Caitlyn had both known about the relationship from the beginning and found no need to tell me. Honestly, they were only hurting me more by not letting me know.
End Flashback
I watch as Tess walks - floats, really - down the aisle and Shane stares at her with never ending love in his eyes. I listen as they repeat their vows, promising to be together forever, no matter what. I watch as they slip rings on each other's fingers, jealousy flaring in me. I watch as they kiss as a now newlywed couple before taking off back down the aisle to head to the reception which I'm expected to be at. With a heavy sigh I get up and follow Caitlyn out and to the reception.
As the night went on I kept getting more and more angry with myself. It's been over a year since he left me. I should be over him. I shouldn't want to strangle Tess. I've spent the majority of the night discreetly glaring daggers wherever the couple migrated. The worse was when they came over to my table. I put on my fake cheery face and congratulated them on their marriage; told them how perfect they were for each other. Said all that happy crap you're supposed to tell a couple on their wedding day. I couldn't bring myself to mean any of it though.
I feel quite pathetic really. He's moved on so why can't I? How come when I tell someone it doesn't bother me my mind is screaming that I'm a liar? I've tried to consider other boys, really I have, they just weren't enough. All the guys my age are either in a relationship or completely not my type. I sigh as the whole reception gets up to dance, leaving me and my self pity to watch from the sidelines. Joy.
"Tough luck. You look like you could use a drink," says a familiar voice behind me before the empty chair next to me was being sat in.
"What is?" I ask, gratefully accepting the drink he was offering me.
"Shane and Tess. You having to see all this," he shrugs. "Take your pick."
"It doesn't bother me," I say turning to face him fully.
"I'm sure it doesn't," he says patronizingly, the way only he can.
"It doesn't!"
"Whatever you say."
"What are you doing here anyway?" I ask to change the subject.
"Attending one of my best friend's wedding," he responds with a raised eyebrow.
"No, Nate, here, at my table."
"I said, you looked like you could use a drink."
"Well you've given me one."
"Is this your subtle way of asking me to leave you alone?"
"Not at all," I say sarcastically. I didn't have any particular problem with him, he just… irked me sometimes, like now, when I wanted to be alone.
"Good," he grins. "Would you care to dance then?" Before I can answer he's taking the drink from my hand and pulling me reluctantly out of my chair.
"What are you doing Nate?" I ask once we're moving along the floor.
"Dancing."
"Didn't you bring a date or something?"
"Nope," he says sounding pleased with himself.
"Could you next time?" I mutter.
"Nope!" he sounds even more pleased now if it's possible.
"And why not? Can't even get a girl to give you the time of day?"
"Plenty of girls give me the time of day. Honestly Mitchie, I'm famous. Hottest boy band five years running ring a bell? I just don't give them the time of day."
"Well are you gay then?" I ask bluntly.
"Nope."
"Then give someone the time of day so you can have a date next time and I can wallow in my self pity."
"I thought it didn't bother you?"
"It doesn't bother me!"
"There isn't someone to give the time of day to anyways," he shrugs. "The time of night however," he says with a grin, "I can think of someone."
"Good, it's night time now, go find her."
"I have."
"What?"
"Well I'm obviously giving you my time aren't I?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. "You need some cheering up and I'm going to give it to you."
"I don't need any cheering up."
"I still don't believe that. Come on Mitchie. Let loose and allow yourself to have some fun with me."
"Why don't you go hang out with Jason and Caitlyn if you're looking for fun. They're your friends any ways."
"Nah, they're in their own little world right now and you're already much better company."
"You're opinion of good company is pathetic."
"You're opinion of yourself is pathetic then."
As soon as the song came to an end I excused myself from him and quickly found my way into the bathroom. Couldn't he take a hint? I wasn't interested in giving him any of my time. All he was good for was the drink he supplied me with, but he took that from me before I could even finish the thing. I stay in the bathroom until someone knocks, waiting to use it. With a sigh I head back out to the party.
"Oh Mitchie dear!" mom calls excitedly, because yes, she is here too. I groan as I see she's talking to Nate.
"Hello mom, Nate."
"Mitchie, Nate here was just telling me that you were going to go to dinner with him tomorrow night."
"He told you what?" I asked, looking to Nate to see him smirking at me.
"Yes, yes. I'm so happy you're finally going to go on dates again dear. I had been worried about you for awhile. I knew Shane and Tess's relationship and sudden wedding bothered you."
"It doesn't bother me!" I nearly shout.
"Whatever you say dear. Why not go dance a few more times with Nate here? He's quite the gentleman you know?"
I smile and nod at my mom before being escorted away by Nate. As soon as we're out of her sight I drop the smile and glare at Nate.
"Why did you tell her that?" I demand.
"You're mom was worried about you Mitchie," he smiles amused as he quotes her. "She's happy you're finally going on dates again."
"I'm not going on a date. Especially not with you," she adds on.
Nate chuckles. "Your mom's so excited though. You wouldn't want to let her down now would you?"
I groan as I realize he's right. She'd be so disappointed and would question me constantly on why I didn't go. I looked up to Nate's smirking face and realized he knew that when he told her. He just cornered me in to going to dinner with him.
"You're pathetic," I say viciously.
"Oh?" he raises an eyebrow.
"Do you get all your dates by force?"
"I'm not forcing you to do anything," he says innocently.
"Only go on a date with you to avoid my mother's nagging," I retort hearing the bitterness seep into my tone.
"So you're going on the date now?"
"Yes," I grit out.
"Oh come on Mitchie, you act like I'm trying to get you to do something tedious. It's dinner. It'll be fun. I'll eat. You'll eat. We'll talk. Then you're free of me."
"The dinner's fine," I grumble. "It's the company that concerns me."
"Really Mitchie, if I didn't know you better I'd think you meant that!"
"Oh, but you don't know me at all Nate," I smirk.
He doesn't respond, just smiles and continues to dance.
"So I'll pick you up at half past six then?" he asks as the song ends. I grumble again but agree and try to slip out if his arms, only to fail as he tightens his grip. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my drink," I say twisting out of his arms quickly.
A/N: So, that's my first chapter. I hope you like the start.
