Dedication: PurpleAngel87 (for challenging me to write this!)
For: My 101 Prompts Challenge
Prompt: Strangers
Pairing: NateMitchie
Link to the Prompts Forum: .net/forum/One_Hundred_and_One/57794/

I hardly ever write Nitchie so I hope I do okay!

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It's on the last day of Camp that he really sees Mitchie Torres.

She is with Shane and they are laughing about something Nate can't hear. He doesn't know why but he feels a pang in his chest. He turns away and looks around for Jason because Jason is always a distraction.

"Hey." He greets his band mate, who he's always thought as a somewhat insane older brother.

"Hi Nate!" Jason hugs him and Nate can't help but smile. Jason is always good at cheering people up, even if he doesn't know they need it.

"You ready for the end of Camp?" Nate asks, and he sees a flicker of sadness pass Jason's eyes. Nate almost feels guilty for causing it because Jason is normally so bubbly and hyper.

"What are you guys talking about?" A new voice asks, and Nate curses under his breath. It's Shane, and if Shane was there it also meant he'd bought his new girlfriend with him. Mitchie. He wants to say (or think, considering that's what he's doing) the name with distaste but he finds himself unable to do so.

"Hey Shane." Jason greets, then spots Mitchie and says hi to her too, swooping both of them into a hug. Nate casually steps sideways to avoid being taken in and is glad when Jason thinks nothing of it.

"Hi guys." Nate adds, not trusting himself to say Mitchie's name aloud without it coming out breathlessly. He's liked her ever since he set eyes on her at Beach Jam, but he saw the way Shane looked at her too. The Guy Code immediately stated that Shane got her because he saw her first. Nate immediately wanted to slap himself for talking about Mitchie like an object.

"Hi Nate, Jason." Mitchie says, smiling. Nate has to grit his teeth to stop himself kissing her right there. Nate had never wanted anything more than Mitchie Torres in his life. Trust Shane to go after the same girl. Mitchie wasn't even Shane's type - she was sweet, kind and gentle. Shane was a bitter twisted mess. Or he used to be. Before Mitchie changed him.

They are practically strangers – he's never had a proper conversation with her, let alone been in the same room with her alone. He doesn't want to think what would happen if they were left alone though – Nate has always had self control but he's not sure what would happen if Mitchie was left with him.

"So, are you guys ready to leave?" Shane asks, nodding behind him at the limo waiting for the band. Nate sighs, not wanting to go back to his busy schedules and tour dates. Jason starts speaking to Shane and Nate ignores them both, setting his eyes on Mitchie. She looks sad and Nate knows it's because Shane is leaving soon and they only just got together properly.

"So, how was your summer here?" Nate asks her, knowing it would be rude just to ignore her. Like he ever could anyway.

"It was good. I'm going to miss everyone so much." She looks like she's going to add 'especially Shane' to the end of her sentence but she doesn't. Nate's glad about that.

"Me too. I'd much rather be here than on tour. Don't tell Shane I said that though." Nate's tone is joking but he's serious. He loves the feeling he gets here, like everyone is equal.

"We should keep in contact. Shane said something about me staying with you for a few weeks on tour." Mitchie says, smiling.

"Yeah, I'd like that." Nate replies. And he really, really would.

They stare at each other silently for a few moments before Shane breaks the moment.

"Nate, come on, the limo is waiting!" He calls, and Nate feels Jason grab his arm and drag him away. He smiles at Mitchie but his eyes don't light up.

"Bye, Mitchie." He whispers. She doesn't hear him.

Once more, Shane gets the girl.