Opinions to consider
Chapter 1
Mitchie stared aimlessly at the photo frame on her bedside table. Occupying the picture was the Grey brothers and herself, all smiling at the beach. You see her, Nate, Jason and Shane had been friends ever since she could remember, actually they were more than friends they were like family, brothers. Her and Shane were born on the same day and are usually inseparable, not a good inseparable, like quarrelling inseparable. They could barely go a day without giving some confirmation of their dislike for each other but they could get on just as well(to Nate and Jason's extreme pleasure).
'Mom' I groaned, internally cursing myself for agreeing to do this. 'sweetheart stop complaining. You'll have fun once you arrive' I seriously doubted that. Earlier that day my mother had asked me a question, I didn't know what she asked as my iPod had been to loud, so I had just nodded aimlessly. It was only about half an hour ago that I had found out what she had asked. I had agreed to go to a party at the Greys' house. But I didn't mind that it was the dress that I was being forced to wear, I hated dresses full stop but this one made me look like a little china doll, not to mention how short it was. It was weird compared to my usual jeans and vest. It was a light turquoise and It made my naturally olive skin stand out, not to my liking I may add. I sighed as I heard my mother call my name once again, I was sure this was tedious for her, I carefully stepped down the steps trying my hardest not to trip with the heals on. 'remind me why I'm doing this again?' I pleaded 'because its rude to object an invitation from practically family' she said finally and I sighed, torture was only next door. Literally, we walked a few meters up the road and tadaa, he presto, there was the Greys house.
Connie (Jason, Nate's and Shane's mum) opened the door embracing me and my mother in a tight bear-like hug, before releasing us and ushering us inside. 'Mitchie, the boys are upstairs' she said and I nodded thanking her and trudged upstairs. I was a little nervous of their reactions, they rarely saw me in anything other than jeans and a T-shirt, well except Shane who was in my gym class. I looked at the brass door knob and turned it, and pushing the door open a fraction 'guys?' I said cautiously. The door was flung open by an enthusiastic Nate who greeted me with a huge hug 'Mitchieee!' he called 'hey Nate' I said rolling my eyes, he was like an over protective little brother. He stepped back grinning and then looked at me utterly shocked 'Mitchie, ugh…eh..,' he struggled to form a coherent sentence instead just pointing at my face, I sighed 'don't remind me' I complained, Jason came up behind a still stunned, mouth hanged open Nate. He patted him on the back 'you look great Mitch' he complimented 'thanks Jase' I said giving him a hug. He smiled and gestured for me to sit down, the walk-in wardrobe door opened and Shane stepped out, he was texting and looking down. 'you know guys, Mitchie better hurry up otherwise we're gunna have fun without her' he said mumbling, I coughed 'um Shane? I'm right here?' I questioned and he slowly raised his head, in no hurry to stop what he was doing to say hello to me. 'well about ti-' he stopped when he saw me and his mouth dropped open, 'ghh…you….dress' he mumbled incoherently, I shook my head 'do I look that bad?' I said feeling self conscious 'no! you look great Mitchie!' Nate smiled at me hugging me round the waist over Jason's lap, ignoring his presence. 'ignore Shane' he stated and hugged me tighter 'thanks Nate, can always count on you' I said hugging him quickly round the shoulders before getting up, I heard a low gasp escape from the brothers as the got their first full look at me (I hadn't missed earlier that Jason had only looked at my face) I felt really uncomfortable and once again Nate pulled through, jumping up being the only one that wasn't staring at me 'c'mon lets go eat!' another thing about Nate he loves food, he linked his arm in mine and I whispered 'thanks' and he smiled. By the time we got to the stairs we had already planned a very grown up activity for the evening, hide and seek! I was on, so I started counting and I heard the bedroom door open and two people step out, Jason and Shane. I noticed them pause and then notice me counting 'yay!' Jason exclaimed, absent minded as he was. 'hide and seek!' and with that the ran off in different directions but I knew they had all ran down stairs. I knew their house like the back of my hand, and that the floor board creaked at the bottom of the stair three times, indicating the game was going to be on the ground floor, bring it on.
We had been running around like lunatics, Jason trying not to be seen as he tactfully changed hiding locations. Unfortunately I knew all of his Call of Duty tricks and they didn't quite work in real life either. 'Jason, I see you' I said and tapped him on the shoulder from behind 'awww' he moaned and then smiled 'so, who else have you found?' excitement colouring his tone, I looked down 'just you' I said and he laughed 'not got better at this over the years eh Mitch?' he said and I glared playfully at him.
We occupied ourselves for about an hour more before we walked back in as we were called for food, naturally Nate was the first to dive back into the house. He was like a bull charging for the red cloth.
My mum tutted as I sat down 'Mitchie…really?' I looked at her 'what?' I said, I had said thank you for the food and hadn't mocked Shane at all, actually we hadn't fought at all (we had done that this morning). 'your playing hide and seek? In a dress!' she said and I looked down, my mum had always wanted me to grow up to be a little more…how do I say this?….girly.
Don't get me wrong, she didn't want to change who I was but a mum couldn't help hoping. But really? What did she expect, I had no siblings and spent most of my time with the three goof balls sat around me, who practically were my siblings and only friends.
I was in for a telling off and I looked desperately at Shane, we may argue but we had an understanding, he always got me out of sticky situations and visa versa. Just then he erupted into an uncontrollable laughing fit, and as soon as his brothers understood what was going on they joined in. completely diverting the subject of concentration and conversation. 'boys behave!' Connie exclaimed, after the boys had supposedly composed themselves I smiled gratefully while mouthing thank you at Shane who winked. 'now what was the reason for your sudden out burst?' Connie demanded. It went silent, Jason wasn't one to speak much and wasn't exactly witty but he had good excuses. 'well Nate said something similar to Mitch earlier on Call of Duty and he got his head bitten off' and he gave a chuckle. I found his hand under the table and squeezed it to let him know my gratitude, I never was a good liar. 'Mitchie its not very attractive for a girl to be playing games like Call of Duty' I smiled 'oh and don't forget Far Cry 2 and desert storm and halo and brothers in arms…' I trailed off I reverie and the boys burst out laughing, I faked a hurt look and they stopped, staring at me to see what I was going to say when I burst out laughing as well 'Mitchie you won't get a boyfriend acting like that!' my mum tried to break through and I stopped laughing as I was blushing and sank down in my seat. The boys carried on to stifle laughter all night, and after I thanked Connie for tea and offered to wash up I went into the kitchen to get started.
I had my back to the door and my hands in the sink. I heard the door open but I suspected it to be Connie or my mum with more plates. 'Never had a boyfriend huh?' I jumped, startled 'god guys! You nearly gave me a heart attack!' I protested pulling the washing up gloves off and turning round. 'you gunna answer?' Nate asked and I looked down 'nope, no boyfriends' I said popping the P. I looked up and saw them smiling 'what?' I protested. 'really? Jason pushed, he didn't do this often but he was hard to disappoint when he pleaded, and why didn't he believe me? Shane was the oldest, we share the same birthday (we were 16 now, he was about three hours older though and wouldn't let me forget it),Nate is the youngest(14) and Jase was the middle kid (15), but that didn't matter we all acted the same age…three. 'really, now stop interrogating me. You still bitter about loosing team death match Nate, Jason?' I said, I know this sounds weird but even though me and Shane don't get on we're always on a team, weird I know. 'its probably because I hang out with you guys all the time, you know I have not friends apart from you' I whined they knew that I had no friends and I was an outcast cause I didn't hand around with girls, tom-boy all the way. 'yeah your right, but you wouldn't swap us' Shane said knowingly, I nodded 'nope, never' I smiled and we charged into the other room after I had finished the washing up so I could help Jason do this mission on Far Cry.
They had walked home and sat on the sofa. 'you know you can have other friends sweetie' my mum said softly and I nodded 'I know, but I prefer having the guys' I said and my mum smiled 'it's strange how you an Shane don't get on at all but you wont let each other be hassled by someone else' I had forgot how observant my mother was and internally cursed myself for not thinking of a slyer way of getting of the subject we discussed earlier that evening.
We had gone to bed and now it was early morning when I heard a low knock on my window, the guys. When we were little we had constructed a tree house on a tree between our two houses and now that ment I got frequent knocks at my window as below my window there's a roof so you can easily jump from that tree to my window, yay.
I got up lazily quickly brushed my hair and didn't bother to get changed out of my pyjamas. I pulled back the curtains to all three sat there with grins on their faces. I hopped out the window and sat cross-legged with them. 'so what's so important that you had to wake me up at, like, half seven in the morning?' I questioned 'mum wanted to know If you and your mum wanted to go to the beach today' Nate said smiling and I presented a grin of my own 'that's great and I'm sure my mum will say yes, but why couldn't you have just knocked at the door at oh I don't know…THE MORNING!' I said jokingly Jason faked a hurt look 'it is morning Mitch' he said and I shook my head 'nope, night time in my book' I said matter of factly, 'and plus I don't think we could have waited any longer' Shane added the reasonable response 'you know it took three unrelated questions to get to that?' I said and Shane laughed 'you are always being the clever one!' he protested and I shook my head 'am not' I said 'are too' he retorted and we went on like that continuously before Jason had the guts to break in 'hey! Guys! Calm it! You were nearly having a civilized conversation!' he said desperate to get us out of this argument that practically started with a compliment, oops-my fault. 'fine' I grumbled and Shane's hands shot up in a triumphant stance 'yes! I win!' he said 'did not!' we started again, until I realized I didn't want my mum coming into my room and seeing me sat on the roof. 'fine, you win' I said and he smiled smugly 'about time, I was getting tired of loosing' he explained and Nate shook his head along with Jason. 'do you want me to go ask my mum?' I said 'about what?' Nate asked me back and I gave him a puzzled look 'about the beach! The reason you woke me up at this ridiculous hour!' I said and he nodded sudden recognition spread across his face. I told them to wait there and hopped back through my window and walked to my mums room.
I knocked quietly in case she was still asleep 'come in Mitchie' she called and I stepped through the door. She was sat up in bed with her arms folded across her chest. 'um mum?' I started and she raised an eyebrow 'yes?' she prompted me on, I felt a little uncomfortable and I didn't know why 'um Connie was wondering if we wanted to go to the beach with them?' I said and she nodded 'yeah that sounds like a great idea' she said and to my confussion I was still tense 'and how do you know this, I didn't hear the door go' she said, ah so now this was why I was uneasy 'um I talked to Nate and Jason and Shane' I said trying to sound like she had asked a stupid question but I was no good at lying 'oh when was that' I smiled I had an alaby 'only a few minutes ago' I said honestly 'ok' she said but I was on a roll 'texting' I said and she seemed shocked by my egerness to explain myself but I knew she wouldn't let this drop, she would double check with the guys, she didn't like not knowing what was going on and I guess I inherited that to.
We were in Connies car, it was a seven seater. The mums were in the front and then Jase and Shane in the middle and Nate and I at the back (it wasn't wise to sit Shane and I next to each other for a 2 ½ hour car journey, otherwise we would have sat next to each other). I was wearing a denim mini-skirt and a midnight-blue vest top with my converse (I went everywhere in my converse, and I do mean everywhere). I had my bikini underneath which was a navy blue with white polka-dots on it. 'so what are we going to do first when we get there?' my mum asked 'ICE-CREAM!' me and Nate shouted, Shane rolled his eyes, Jason laughed along with his mum and my mum just replied with 'of course, why did I even have to ask?' Nate snickered and me and Shane started having an argument who was the best swimmer, and we were still poking each other now. Unfortunatly I knew various pressure points but he refused to give up. My mum tutted at me and rolled her eyes and Connie was repeatidly telling Shane that was no way to treat a girl, but I was one of the guys, I didn't count. 'its ok Connie, I'm going to win, I always do' I said smirking at Shane 'ah, no, I won this morning!' he pointed out and I was glad my mum wasn't paying attention 'shut up, my mum doesn't know that you frequently knock at my window!' I whispered in his ear and he nodded. I got raised eyebrows from Nate and Jason so I sighed and whispered the same to them. oh there's something we forgot, what are the teams for the sand castle competition!' Connie asked enthusiastically all four of us rolled our eyes 'do you have to ask?' I said smiling at her 'I suppose not, its strange you and Shane are constantly arguing but when it come to competition you can co-operate perfectly. I recon if you really tried you could get along' she said sounding happy. Me and Shane shook our heads furiously 'nu-uh' I protested 'yeah we never agree!' Shane added 'but you just did?' Jason added confussed by this situation. I stopped poking Shane and turned to face the window with my arms crossed and didn't move until we got there.
'hey? Crumpy chops?' Jase asked and I turned I had been ignoring all of them until now 'what did I do?' he asked once he had my attention, I smirked 'hey I may not be nice all the time but I figured that if I just excluded Shane that would be mean so I didn't ignor just him, I ignored all of you…at your expense' I said proud at myself 'awww! Guys Mitchie cares!' he cooed while the other came over 'we came as soon as we could, is Mitchie ill?' Nate asked teasingly, I stuck my toung out at him and he chuckled. 'so what make you think she cares?' Shane asked 'she ignored us as well as you!' Jase explained but he said it wrong and the guys burst out laughing. We were still in the car park, we hadn't even got to the beach 'oh never mind' Jason said and turned, taking my hand in the process. The others stopped laughing and caught up 'hey! How come Jason gets to hold your hand!' Nate whined and I rolled my eyes 'you can have my other hand' I said and he smiled taking my left hand whilst Shane dawdled. I looked over my shoulder 'hurry up, I don't want to wait for our swimming competition!' I shouted and he looked up and jogged up behind me, draping his arm over Jase's shoulders. We proably looked like a happy family of siblings.
The beach was wonderful, the sand was soft and warm, the ocean such a light shade a blue it was almost white. I couldn't wait for our swimming competition. Jase and Nate didn't like smimming but me and Shane were constantly arguing who was better 'are you sure you wont catch a cold sweetie' my mum asked worridly 'yes mum, it wont take long for we to whip Shanes but' I said and took off my skirt and vest and ran down to the serf to meet Shane in my bikini.
'ready' I beamed and jumped into the water 'wait you got a head start!' he complained 'ok then we'll have the race back to shore' I said and he nodded. We went out unitl we saw the flags indicating not to go any further 'you ready' I asked smiling at him. We had been splashing and tugging each other under all the way here, and by each other I mean I always came out of it better and Shane was usually the one to suffer, usually. 'ready as I'll ever be' he smiled back smugly 'ready, steady, GO!' I shouted and with that I was speeding ahead.
I didn't want to leave him behind so I casualy swam on my back, slower than I had been previously. Then I caught sight of him, and smiled. Shane had a lot more extra weight, his muscle were way more prominent than mine and were most probably slowing him down. Once I was sure that he was close enough to shore I turned and swan as fast as I could to make it look like I had been waiting the whole time. He hadn't seen me but I wasn't going to lie if he asked.
I reached the shore Nate and Jase where there, 'you win again!' Nate said triumphantly and I nodded 'yep, when do I not?' I said teasingly 'I'm smaller though' I said and Jase nodded 'so technically he wins?' he said, poor Jason any type of comment after a conclushion has been made, make him doubt that conclusion. 'no, I still win' I walked to sit next to the guys while we waited for Shane.
After about three minutes of waiting he came out of the surf. He jogged up to us shaking his hair to dry it 'ugh, I lost again didn't I?' he asked and I nooded ''fraid so' I was smug but I tried my hardest to hide it. 'here Mitch' Jason said handing me my towel 'aw, thanks Jase' I said smiling at him as I wrapped the towel round my shoulder, Shane was just staring at me it was a bit uncomfortable, I smiled at him and he looked down 'your mum was freaking so I brought the towel to calm her down' he way be a bit absent minded but he was gold at heart, I smiled and huggeed him round the shoulders. 'what about me guys!' Shane protested 'what about sibling love!' he prompted when the others didn't say anything. Then Nate gave a puzzled look 'but we did bring Mitchie a towel, what other sibling do we have?' he asked innocently to get a playful punch from Shane aswell as me 'I was kidding!' Nate protested and we let him up from the barely started tiggling torture. 'c'mon then my mums gunna freak if we don't go back soon' I said reasonably and we all started mucking about as we made our way up the beach.
'you win Mitchie?' Connie asked and I nodded, embarrassed 'like always, Shane really, you shouldn't challenging Mitchie to the competition every year' she scolded him 'hey I don't mind' I butted in, it was my turn to get him out of a mum lecture. He smiled gratefully at me and then I locked eyes with Nate 'you thinking what I'm thinking?' I asked him and he nodded 'ICE-CREAM!' and we charge to the ice-cream van a few yards away.
'I can't belive we didn't remember soorner!' I protested 'I know, but we were a bit occupied by your swimming competition' Nate said and I shrugged. In my haste to get to the ice-cream van I had only put on my skirt but hey this was ice-cream we were talking about. 'um can I have a small lemon-curd with bunny ears' I said sweetly 'you Nate?' I asked, Nate wasn't trusted to hold the money we had been given. 'um, I think I'll have the same please' he said, not only did me and Nate share the same love for food but we also loved the same type of food and were constantly having the same things. I handed over the money and he handed us the ice-creams.
'hey gorgeous' I heard from behind, I look over my shoulder to see a group of jock-like boys staring at me, I rolled my eyes and went to walk. 'ignoring us? Don't ya think that's rude?' one asked. I felt one of them try to snake their arm around my waist and I slapped him so hard I left a skin burn (like a carpet burn but from another body of skin). This whole time Nate was glaring at them but I had mouthed to keep his mouth shut, they were taller than him and obviously wouldn't think twice about beating him to a pulp, but Nate was a little protective and with the glares he was giving, if looks could kill I'm almost certain half the beach would be 6 feet under.
Another noticed Nate glaring and went over to kick him discreatly in the shins but I pressure pointed him in the neck making him fall the the fall shuddering. The other boys were staring open mouthed 'now…'I said slowly 'you have two choises a) you can go now and be safely away from me or b) you can end up like you friend Mr. paralized over here' I said smirking and they ran of leaving their buddy here. The ice-cream man raised an eyebrow 'self defence?' I said sort of asking if it was a good enough answer he nodded smiling 'works for me, you certainly know how to look after yourself, he's not really paralyzed is he?' he said 'only temporarily' and I thanked him and walked back to our mums.
'have any trouble sweetheart? you were gone a while' again with the having to know everything. 'we did have some trouble' I said and my mum nodded wanting me to continue 'but it wasn't something Mitchie super powers couldn't fix!' Nate said childishly and asuming a super hero stance. My mum raised an eyebrow 'what he means is…' I started 'your pressure pointing came in handy' Shane finished for me, and I stuck my toung out at him 'Mitchie! you promised you would stop doing that after Shane got hurt!' my mother pestered 'yeah but these were strangers, jerks to be exact' I said my chin jutting up a fraction and I smoothly sat cross-legged on the picknick blanket and ate my ice-cream 'that's ok then' my mum said happily before continuing the converstation she must have started with connie previously.
We had our sand castel competition, obviously me and Shane were going to win. Hey we can work together when necessary. I did the logical part and Shane got the sand and water, then ploncked it on where I tell him to oh and of corse Shane has to do the decoration (well most of it, I make shell people die in the dungen of the castel). 'done!' we said happily as me and Shane sat behind our sand sculpture. I looked over to Nate and Jasons castel and snickered. 'hey Shane' I whispered unsuccessful in getting his attention so I poked him In the arm 'ow! What was that for!' he said 'ignoring me' I said simply 'you know I wouldn't do that on perpose' he said and I smiled 'I know but its nice to have a excuse' I smiled and pointed at our competition. A smug grim formed on Shanes face.'that's another year that we're gunna win then' he said proud 'yep, another one in the bag. How many times have we won now?' I asked honestly interested 'I don't know' Shane said and I knew that was going to pester him until he got the answer he was looking for.
Me and Shane had known each other and played with each other since birth and when Jason and Nate came along we did everything in our little group. But when I started school I felt really out of place an outcast. Connie was experiencing the same problem with Shane so ever since we have been in the same school and classes. When Jason and Nate were old enough to be in school with us we stayed in our little group once again, all through primary and secondry. Shane and I were 16 now, Jase was 15 and Nate was 14.
Even in secondary school we sat at lunch together. At the start of secondry I was teased real bad because I wasn't friends with girls and my best friend was a boy, yes Shane and I were best friends (along with Jase and Nate). I wasn't teased when they realized that I didn't particulary care. Shane hadn't been teased, just me, the tom-boy who didn't fit in. it was cool for a boy to have a girl as a best friend. I probably would have been fine in school as I was if I wasn't so…how to put this….violent. But as I said before I was constanly around boys the only girlyness I got was from Connie and my mum but I didn't like it so I took to the more interesting way of life. Most boys saw me as a laugh, a friend but would never come up to me to talk because of what the other boys would think but the Greys didn't care, they talked to me when they pleased, hence the intrusion at my window.
'hey! Mitchie!' Shane was waving his hand in front of my face 'oh sorry' I said and he bumped my shoulder and I bumped him back. We went on nudging each other until we got tired and just slumped on each other. 'tired' Shane moaned and I nodded 'you guys doen yet?' I groaned 'Yep, ages ago' nate said slyly 'we just wanted to see how long it would take you two to get on decent term, and it looks like exhuastion let you get to that' he said 'we were getting on before you know' I said and he shook his head 'you had to then' he stated, for a 14 year old he was pretty damm smart, and protective, that was Nate all over.
My mum came over smiling. 'aww you two look so cute. Connie do you have your camera?' she called and me and Shane instantly moved apart 'NO PICTURES!' we both shouted in unison when Connie came over with her camera 'did you miss it?' she asked and my mum nodded 'why can't you guys just get along?' Jason asked being his simple minded self. We shrugged in unison 'see you think the same!' Nate pointed out 'that's the problem' I said and Shane nodded 'we are both stubern and argumentative…' he began the list 'hey speak for yourself! I'm not stubborn' I said and he laughed 'yes you are' he said and tackled me in a bear hug. 'fine. FINE! I give' I said and he smiled triumphant 'twice in one day, I'm proud of myself or maybe I'm dreaming…' he said absently 'oh so you dream about her?' Nate said making him blush and I gave him a warning glance, he winked at me and dropped the matter. Shane tried to avoid my gaze after that and wouldn't have any niceness between us.
'aw c'mon Shane, please?' I pleaded and he knew I didn't like to plead, or to show weakness. I gave him my puppy dog stare. 'ugh, stop that! And no!' he said. I was trying to convine him to let me sit in the middle on the way back but he wasn't having any of it. We were walking back to the car park, all four of us with our tops draped over our shoulders, swimming costumes on. 'race' Jason said 'what?' Shane said 'race, race first to the car gets the middle seat' he said simply and I thanked god this was something I could win at. 'ok' I said cheerily, although me and Shane have been friend forever he had never seen me run.'why are you so happy?' he said 'you saying that your presense should make me sad instead of happy?' I said confussed and he seemed to like my answer. 'ok then GO!' he shouted, catching me off guard. 'hey you got a head start!' I shouted as I ran after him. He was fast but I was faster like, wind fast. I smiled and front flipped as I pased him and he stopped jaw hanging open. 'what?' I said my voice steady as I stood by the car 'you never told me that you did gymnastics' he said sounding honestly sad and hurt I hadn't told him, but that's understandable I told Shane everything. I put my arm around hi waist 'hey I'm sorry don't be upset' I said and he smiled as I pleaded again and he put his arm around my waist 'ok sorry, reflex reaction' he said 'sorry slipped my mind, I only did it for a week' I said and he looked me in the eyes 'a week?' he said he knew I couldn't lie, you could tell in my eyes, hence him looking directly at them. I blushed and nodded. He broke into a smile, I was an easy blusher and it never failed to make him smile, he found my embarassment funny.
Soon the others came into view he dropped his hand from my waist and removed mine on his. Instead holding my hand. I looked questionly at him but he wouldn't look at me, he was smiling though. 'your getting along again!' Connie cooed and I smiled 'we do it acationally' I smiled back 'CAMERA!' my mum said and the flash went just after me had ducked 'not this time mum' I said and smiled innocently 'I take it Shane won?' Nate said, and I scowled in confussion 'no I did' I said and he looked at Shanes face 'but hes not in a hissy fit?' Nate said 'yeah he always gets angry when he looses' Jason added 'ah but I'm used to loosing to Mitchie aren't I?' he said rhetorically and Nate nodded 'ok I give' and accepted that me and Shane could get on. 'hey Shane you can have my seat' Jason said, always the piece maker 'really?' Shane said as his brother nodded 'thanks Jase' he said 'stealing from Mitchie now?' Nate asked and I turned to him 'what'd he steal' I demanded as Nate threw his hands up in defence 'yeah what did I steal?' Shane asked 'oh just her nicknames, only Mitchie calles Jason, Jase' he said and I shrugged 'that's not stealing' I said and Shane smiled 'you just want Mitchie to hate me' Shane smugly added 'it would make things more interesting' he added, Nate may be sweet to me but that in no way means he doesn't give his brothers hell, especially Shane. I didn't undertsand but Shane did 'hey what are you not telling me?' I demanded 'oh well Shan-' Nate started jumping at the opportunity to satisfy my wishes. '-SHUT UP NATE!' Shane protested and Nate cowered back at the orphority present in Shane's voice. I gave an angry humph turned away from them and folded my arms. 'ok we just finished paying the parking ticket, everyone in' Connie started but then realized me not facing them 'what did you boys do to Mitchie?' she said sounding astonished 'Why do you asume we did something?' Shane said and that hurt a little, like he didn't care. Oh come on Mitchie get a grip he acted like that when he was angry and you weren't exactly on good terms anyway. 'No its ok, just me' I said quietly, despite my best efforts to sound my usual confident self. I was shocked that I sounded so weak and so did everyone else apparently as no one said anything. I looked in the cars rear-view mirrows and saw my mum mouth to Connie don't worry and Connie give the boys a glare, but Jase was the only one who saw it, Shane and Nate just stared at the floor.
We were in the car me and Shane in the middle, Nate and Jase in the back. I had stared out the window ever since we started moving. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I knew it was Shane. I knew each of their grips, Jase-gentle, Nate-hesitant and Shane-firm but also hesitant. I heard him unbuckle his seat belt and slide into the middle seat only to rebuckle himself there. He drapped his arm over my shoulders and pulled me towards him. You see I didn't really have anything to be upset about but Shane knew how to make me feel better. I guess I was upset that I didn't know what was going on (got that off my mother) and felt alone. But Shane had just fixed that. I looked at him and smiled. I was tired and yawned 'sleepy are we?' he asked, it was the first time anyone had spoke since we had got into the car, and so it caught attention. My mum looked happy that we weren't taring each others throats out, Connie smiled in the wing-mirrow. Nate smiled smug while Jase looked generally pleased but also a little cofussed. 'no' I said 'and you say you're not stubborn' he stiffled laughter, every time I blincked it was like my eye lids had stuck together and it took all my effort to open them again. 'I'll wake you when we get there' Shane whispered in my ear and I just nodded before falling asleep on his shoulder.
I woke up in my living room, the clock on the matelpiece informed me that it was almost half five. 'hello sleepy bones' my mum chimed as she came into the room with a bowl and drying towel in hand. 'why didn't Shane wake me?' I said annoyed, I didn't like beging told something and then it being done differently. 'you were so tired and he did try to wake you but without shouting in your ear you wouldn't have woken up anyway. So he put you on the sofa and said for you to call for him when you were awake' I nodded, it was a rational exucse but still. I nodded and got up a little disorientated though. I walked up the steps and into my bedroom, and had to search frantically for my phone. 'ahh, there you are' I said smiling in my bedside-table draw. treehouse - Mitchie I texted and put my phone back in my draw and quickly changed into my jeans. I jumped from the window onto the tree house and leaned againsted the outer wall waiting for the brothers. I got boured of that and turned to sit inside and there they were all three of them sat down, goofy grins plastered on their faces. 'and why didn't you tell me you were inside?' I said raising ann eyebrow 'Shane thought it would be funny' Jason answered and I turned my gaze onto Shane 'that's two strikes' I stated and he looked confussed 'what are you talking about?' he said and I smirked 'three strikes and your out, I.E. I get to beat you up' I said and he shook his head 'I guessed that I mean what did I get the first strike for?' he said sounding as if he hadn't done anything wrong. 'why didn't you wake me up!' I said letting my anger out, again I was an over reacter. 'because I didn't want you to be tired and grumpy from sleep deprivation but I don't think we avoided that' he said and I sighed and went to sit inbetween Nate and Jason 'so your not sitting with me either?' he said, our conversation has consisted with practically only questions so far. 'no, but its my usual spot' I explained confussed, we had a standard place to sit Nate, Me, Jase and Shane but he seemed upset that I didn't sit next to him, but I really didn't want Shane to sulk he wouldn't talk to me for days 'fine, budge up' I said to Shane and he gave me a big, beaming grin as I budged in between him and Jase, 'you know your such a baby' I grumbled 'and do you know that when you r asleep you don't actually have that scowel plastered on your face? He retorted ignoring my dig. I rolled my eyes and dropped my scowel 'what you thinking about?' Nate asked and I blushed 'c'mon we wont laugh, promise' Jase added 'algebra' I said quetly 'Mitchie!' they all whinned 'I can't help it' my excuses wouldn't cut it, my brain just didn't like being bored. We talked about stuff for a while and then decided it wasn't best to get excited with a game of it or 40-40, because well the boys didn't calm down and Connie wouldn't like having a house full of three very hyper boys.
I went to climb back through my window when Shane grabbed my arm, 'you want to do this this summer?' he asked and I took the leaflet out of his hand, it was a leaflet for camp rock, a music camp. 'As long as I don't have to perform' I said still reading the activities part of the leaflet. 'aw c'mon Mitchie your great at music' he protested 'how would you know, you haven't heard me sing since I was eleven' I reminded him 'but you do guitar and piano' he reminded me back 'and so do you! it's a yes but I just gotta get my mum to say yes aswell' I thought about what my mum would say, this was going to take some persuasion 'ok see you tomorrow' I said and gave him a quick hug and waved to Nate and Jase who were already through their window.
'Mitchie! Stop pestering me!' I had been asking my mum to answer me all morning and now it was nearly twelve, I was getting impatient. 'I don't know if we can afford it sweetie' my mum said 'are you sure you want to go?' my head snapped up 'YES!' she stepped back a bit 'I was only asking' she clarified and I sighed. I had an idea, if Connie let the guys go then I would be able to go, it always has been like that if one parent does it so does the other. I ran up stairs 'whats the matter?' my mother asked as I bolted into my bedroom. I unlocked my window and hopped out onto the roof below, the boys better not be asleep.
I got bored of waiting it was my turn to wake them up. I jumped onto the treehouse platform and the jumped into their roof underneath their window (our houses have the same layout but its flipped). I knocked on their window to be greeted by and alert Jase. He oped the window and smiled at me 'morning Mitch what can we do for ya?' he asked and I smiled back warmly 'is Shane awake?' I asked and he nodded 'do you want me to tell him to meet you at the tree house in about half an hour? cause he' having breakfast at the moment' I nodded 'thanks Jase' I said and made my way back to my window to find my mum standing in the door way 'and where have you been?' my mother asked with the look on her face that makes you think uh-oh-shes-gunna-eat-me-! 'um just taking a morning strole?' I replied, she shook her head 'you know you and the guys aren't three anymore, when will you four grown up?' she asked and I shook my head 'life's no fun if you grow up' I stated and she nodded 'I see your point, do you do this often?' she asked pointing to the window and I looked down 'occasionally, best way to communicate' I said. We had a mini-argument about the rudeness of this window calling but I wasn't punished so I guess I got away with
it.
I went and had a quick breakfast, and went out on the tree house, Shane wasn't there yet so I had nothing to do but fiddle. 'hey' Shane swung into the tree house and sat next to me. 'hey, I have a problem' I said and looked up at him, he looked concerned 'its nothing big, its just my mum won't give me an answer about the camp. I think she thinks I'll be left out with no friends but if your mum talks about it to her then maybe I'll be able to go' I explained the situation and Shane looked blankly at the sides of the tree house. See to a normal person you would think he's not listening but I know that he' just thinking. 'today's Sunday right?' he asked and I nodded 'you guys going shopping as well?' he asked 'I think so' I said 'well we'll meet each other in the supermarket wont we!' he said and I nodded 'good point, I knew there was something in that skull of yours' I said smiling. He stuck his toung out at me and we were ready to commence our plan.
We got out of the car and picked up a trolley. We had successfully managed to get our mum's to go shopping at the same time and now, the plan was in motion. I looked around the car park trying to find the guys, I was tapped on the shoulder and turned to see Nate smiling, they didn't know about the camp but that didn't mean that Shane wouldn't use them as messengers 'Shane said that were here, what ever that means. Will you tell us what's going on?' Nate said and I tapped the side of my nose 'it's a surprise well if our plan works, now you got to make sure our mums don't run into each other until Shane gives your mum the leaflet and I give my mum the leaflet. Ok? So I'll just keep checking up on you' I smiled they nodded and we parted way before either of our mums saw us talking. 'you ok sweetie, you look a little tense?' she could see through me so easily 'no it's the bad weather' I said, I was used to hot, scorching weather and the rain and cold breezes really didn't rum well with me. My mum rolled her eyes and we walked into the shop.
'oh mum, look I found a leaflet for that camp I was talking about' I said showing her the green leaflet. I texted behind my back and sent it to Shane (yes all the Grey brothers have a speed dial on my phone). 'oh yes' she said scanning it quickly, I felt my phone vibrate and took it out yeah I've shown my mum the leaflet too, we're in isle 6. Meet you there? - Shane I smiled and texted back saying that we were on our way. 'hey mum look special offers in isle 6 we should go there now' I said and she looked up from the leaflet. 'hmm' she agreed and I pushed the trolley towards the frozen food isle. 'wait up Mitchie' my mum said a little too loudly and Connie turned around 'Mitchie!' I smiled and then looked desperately at Shane my mum was supposed to over hear Connie talking about it to Shane not notice us before hand. 'hey' I said 'where's you mum?' she asked and I looked over my shoulder 'just there' I said 'we were debating whever to send me of to this music camp this summer, but she's scared I'll feel alone' I said and she nodded and then ruffled in her pockets 'this camp' she handed me the leaflet 'yeah!' I said enthusiastically looking down I couldn't lie. 'hey don't we get a hello?' Jase said but obviously I had already seen them, this was their way of discreetly getting me out of lying 'oh sorry, hey guys' I tackled them round the shoulder and then stepped back 'Jase!' I grumbled 'what? What'd I do?' he said looking around himself 'you're taller than me' I said pouting 'its bad enough Shane's taller than me but not you to!' I protested and they laughed. My mum caught up with us then and it went smoothly after that. The kids were sent of to do the shopping while the mums discussed this camp. 'do you have a clue where everything is?' Shane was having trouble 'ugh give it to me' I said and did two lots of shopping I just needed them for the stuff I couldn't reach. 'are we nearly done' Nate whined and I felt like a mum 'nearly, just need to get some fruit and then we're done' I stated and went towards the fruit and veg isle 'what? fruit?' an astonished Jason exclaimed and I rolled my eyes 'c'mon' I may like food but I also like good food. We got the fruit and went to find our parents 'done' I announced and they both looked stunned that we had actually got somewhere. Me and Shane had a trolley each. I had Nate hanging onto the side of the trolley and Shane had Jase. 'guys it wasn't nice to let Mitchie do it all' Connie scolded them 'oh no they helped me' I said and I felt their gazes on me, and I jabbed Shane in the side he had to go along with it 'oh yeah' he said more convincingly than I had. After that we ate at McDonalds and then went home with me texting the guys all the way home. Neither of our mums had said anything about camp so we were on edge.
Once we had got home everything was almost normal, that meant something was wrong, really wrong. It wasn't wrong in a way that made me think there was an assassin behind the sofa but wrong as In I didn't know something everyone else knows 'mum whatever your gunna say just say it' I said exasperated 'well sweetie-'
'-your going to camp rock!' my mum said excitedly, I understood and thanked her again and again. Nate and Jason didn't know what was going on but just did what I did 'thanks mum!' we all said in unison. We ran up to our room to get our stuff ready 'so this is what you and Mitchie were planning' Nate said happy finally in on the whole charade. 'yep' I said and Jason came over 'you know you should really tell her' he said and I just shook my head 'it would ruin everything' I said 'I'd want our friendship to stay intact' I said 'yeah but it isn't healthy you doing what your doing' Nate butted in 'I'm fine' I clarified and went to find my guitar in the loft but the guys followed 'whose cabin are you gunna go in?' Nate pushed, that was a point. Mum had said they only had two cabins left and they were small so that meant two beds. So who was Mitchie gunna go with? 'well let Mitchie decide' I said and they nodded 'and don't freak me out again' I said and Nate looked confused 'what?' he said and I sighed, I was having to constantly prove myself 'you nearly told her and after you nearly did I got really mean towards her, what do you think the strop in the car was for?' I said, then he suddenly realized what linked all the events 'sorry man, but you know when she asks for something I sort of reflexively try to give her what's she's asked for' he defended 'yeah I know Nate' I said letting him of 'now Shane don't take this the wrong way, but how long have you liked Mitchie?' as he said that a lump formed in my thought, every day it got a little harder, I swear that karma does not (in any way) work. I swallowed 'six years'.
'really mum!' I almost screamed but settled for an excited squeal. I ran up to her and hugged her round the neck 'yes, as long as you do something for me' she clarified 'yes, anything' I said with a huge grin plastered securely on my face. 'you have to sing at least once, we will get the girl out of you eventually but this is a good place to start' I dropped my smile 'mum? Really?' I moaned but she just nodded and crossed her arms I.E. final. 'fine!' I said throwing my hands up in defence and went up to my room to pack. I went up stairs to find the boys at on my bed. I ran straight to Shane and wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug 'were going!' I said and pulled away Shane also looked ecstatic his eyes were glistening! I went over to the others and gave them a quick hug to 'ready?' Shane asked and I shook my head 'I haven't even packed and my mum said I can only go if I sing' I said looking down 'awww Mitchie I'm sure your not that bad' Jase said and I scoffed 'I don't even know' I said and they stared 'you don't sing? I thought that was what girls do!' Nate said and Shane glared at him 'well if you call singing shouting down the microphone to people of CoD then I do sing but otherwise no' I clarified 'Shane are you taking your guitar?' I asked and he nodded 'ok then so am I' I dashed into my walk in wardrobe and found my guitar and ran back into the other room 'found it' and I sat on the floor in front of the boys. 'hey I can hear my mum coming hide in the wardrobe or out in the tree house'. Shane dashed for the wardrobe but the others dragged him out the window as I waved to them. I sat on my bed and looked normal.
'someone's a little ecstatic' Nate said to me as we jumped into the tree house, and I looked down 'was it something to do with that hug you got from Mitchie?' he pushed 'drop it Nate' I said bitterly 'ooh touchy' he said and I shrugged 'how do you know Mitch doesn't like you, eh Shane?' Jason added tying to lighten the mood 'nu-uh, she just wants friends' I said because it was honestly true, how many times had she said that we were like brothers to her? A gazillion. 'she seemed eager to give you a better hug than we got' he said absently 'I've know her longer' I explained and he nodded 'all of 365 days' Nate pointed out 'and 730 day more than you' I bragged 'she likes me better' he said 'fine lets ask her' Jason solved. And I nodded that worked for me.
'ok are you sure?' mum had been pestering me if I really wanted to go, baring in mind that I was an easy subject to bullying. 'mum look, I have Nate and Shane and Jase! And if that isn't enough to frighten them off I'll add a little Mitchie' I said cracking my knuckles 'I suppose you can look after yourself now make sure you guys are packed by morning 7am you have to be up' and with that she swiftly left the room before I got a chance to scream 'WHAT!'
'I guess Mitchie found out the time we're leaving' I said and they other laughed 'you think we should go see her?' Nate asked and I looked at him like he was crazy 'not if you want to live' I said seriously and we hopped back in our room.
I packed quickly after that but I couldn't close my case. I sat down on it and jumped up and down on my bum, hoping for it to fit a little better, but every time I went to zip it up the shift in weight make it un-closable again. 'need some help?' I turned to see the guys perched just outside my window 'please' I said and Shane came over to zip it up. 'you only have one case?' he asked and I gave him a sceptical look 'yeah… and my guitar, why?' I said and Jase snickered 'we have like three bags each' my jaw dropped 'how much stuff do you have we're only going for a week and a half!' I protested and Shane patted me on the shoulder 'calm it' and I nodded and breathed in and out evenly, I had a tendency to freak out and get violent like throwing things violent, as Shane found out in our first year in Ks3. 'oh we have a question for you Mitchie' Nate said smiling 'oh yeah what's that?' I said looking at Shane 'who do you like best out of us?' Jase asked, it amused me that Shane hadn't said a word yet apart from the calm it and the case question but nothing on this newly presented enquiry. 'I can't chose can I?' I said rhetorically. And just then Shane got a phone call, the phone call that changed everything.