After the performance, wordlessly, we walked out to the lake.
It wasn't an awkward silence, but I have to admit it wasn't completely comfortable either.
I was still on a high from final jam, I had finally gotten up the nerve to sing 'this is me' and it was perfect, and then when Shane came up and sang with me, lets just say that was the icing on the cake.
Even though Peggy won in the end I am completely happy with my performance and I wouldn't change a thing.
"Mitchie." a voice, his voice, breaks the silence.
I turn to face him.
"You were amazing out there tonight."
"Than-"I started to speak but I am interrupted when he puts a finger to my lips to shut me up.
"Let me finish"
I nod my head and he carries on.
"Mitchie, you are the girl I've been looking for all summer, and I can't believe I never thought it would be you, but it is, you're perfect, beautiful, funny, smart, and talented, you're amazing."
I looked up into his eyes, I just about melted, they were so sincere.
He continues,
"You have helped me remember who I used to be, Shane Gray the normal guy who loves music not Shane Gray the rock star."
"Pop star" I whisper under my breath.
"I resent that" he smirks.
"Anyway I guess what I'm trying to say is-"he pauses,
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
That was not what I was expecting, oh my gosh, how do I react?
What do I say?
I take a deep breath.
"Shane."
Okay that's a good start.
"You are one of the coolest guys I've met."
"One of?" he laughs in mock offence.
"Let me finish okay?"
I carry on.
"As I was saying, you're kind, loyal, funny-"
"Don't forget drop dead gorgeous" he interrupted.
"And extremely modest," I laugh," And I saw right through that bad boy act the first time I saw you" I smirk.
He smiles at that.
"But"
His smile drops.
"I don't think this would work out, I mean you're a pop star, you live the high life, and I'm just an ordinary girl who's idea of a good time is popcorn and a dvd with some friends, I mean we'd never see each other."
I'm careful not to look into his eyes, knowing that I did my resolve would fall apart.
"Mitchie." He began, he sounded hurt.
"We can work this out I know we can" he pleads desperately.
Every single word like a knife in my chest.
"I'm sorry" I whisper, slowly looking up into his eyes.
"Goodbye Shane."
Just as I turn to go a tear rolls down his cheek and my heart just about breaks.
I turn and run.
I end up, panting, at Caitlin's cabin.
I barge on in, completely oblivious to the fact that maybe the door was closed for a reason.
"Caitlin!" I shout, trying to hold back the tears.
She looks up with a start and it's just then what I realize she is doing.
She relaxes as soon as she see's me
"It's alright Nate, it's just Mitchie" she laughs
I see Nate climb up from the side of the bed; they had obviously heard the door open but not knowing who it was decided it was best if Nate hid.
He gets up on the bed and kisses Caitlin.
And queue the waterworks.
"Mitchie!" Caitlin cries as she runs over,
"Mitchie what's wrong?"
I try to choke out something but it was near impossible in the state I was in, the only word I managed to utter was,
"Shane."
As soon as I had spoken Nate was off like a rocket.
"I've gotta find him!" he yelled just as the door slammed shut.
"Mitchie what happened?" she asks, her face stretched into an anxious frown.
"I couldn't do it" I gasp, trying to catch my breath
"Couldn't do what, Mitchie talk to me!"
Caitlin was sounding very alarmed and her voice was rising almost to a shriek.
"I couldn't-"
"-too hard" I whisper
"Mitchie, come on you have to talk to me!"
She was begging now' I had to try and string together some sentences.
"He – he wants me to be his girlfriend"
"Oh" her face softens immediately
"I'm so happy for you, it's just like me and Na-"
"I couldn't" I interrupt
"What?"
"I can't be his girlfriend"
She was stunned, obviously.
"Oh"
"That's all you've got too say?"
I don't know why I raised my voice; it's been a long day.
"Oh, right" she said, snapping back to reality.
"Honey are you okay, I thought you and Shane would be perfect for each other"
She strokes my hair sympathetically
"I know" I sniff,
"But it could never work, I'd never see him and I'd end up hating him for it."
"Yeah" she mumbles distractedly.
Crap, I forgot about her and Nate.
"Oh, but I'm sure you and Nate will be great, your perfect for each other."
"Mmm"
God I sure knew how to put my foot in my mouth.
I reach over and hug her.
"Hey, you know I'm being completely selfish, so you and Nate, huh?" I say, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Her whole face just lit up like a Christmas tree
"I know, he's so amazing" she gushes.
"When did it happen?"
"A couple of days ago actually, we were just sitting there talking, then he stopped and started staring at me." She finishes
"And?" I ask impatiently, wanting to know the details.
"And, I asked if I had food in my teeth." She said, with a completely serious expression on her face.
I burst out laughing,
My timing sucks.
I start laughing as soon as Shane knocks on the door.
I turn and see the smile completely wiped from his face, he turns and runs.
"Shane!" I shout
But he's already gone.