AN: This what a bag of goldfish and a can of cherry coke make.

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The Sun

Chapter 1 - The Amazing Shane Gray

Mitchie's POV

I was sitting on my bed, trying to think up some new lyrics for the song I was writing. It wasn't going too well. On the outside I looked focused, but on the inside I was a total mess.

All I could think about was her. Her brown eyes. Her wavy hair. She was invading my mind.

I don't like her that way! I yelled to myself. It was the truth...I don't like her, not that way. Not more then I should. Not more then a friend should. And if I was a good friend, I'd keep it that way.

"Are you okay?" My body and mind froze. It was her. She was in the room with me. I don't remember hearing her come in.

I slowly looked up. She was watching me. She was standing in the middle of the cabin, and she was watching me.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, trying to sound calm. I know I wasn't, and I know it didn't come out right.

"I was looking for you at the pajama jam. I couldn't find you so I came to look in here. I figured you might be upset about something?" She walked towards me and noticed when I tensed up. She stopped and stared at me, concern was all I saw in her eyes.

"I'm fine. Really...nothing's wrong." It's hard not to tell her the truth. Not to be able to tell your best friend what's up with you. It's even harder when you want to. It's even harder when it's about them.

"That's a lie, and you know it." She replied with hurt in her voice. "You know you can tell me anything, Mitchie. No one wants a repeat of what happened last summer."

I looked down at my notebook. She was right. She was always right. I hated it. I hated these feelings I had for her. I hated these thoughts I had about her. I hated it.

"I told you...nothing's wrong. I'm fine." I answered very slowly, just like you'd talk to a toddler or someone who didn't know too much english.

"Okay." She quietly spoke taking another step closer to me. I glanced up to see her take another, and another.

I stood up. I couldn't take any more of this. I couldn't be this close to her. I just can't handle the pain.

I walked past her and out the door, my eyes on the ground in front of me. I heard her yell something behind me, but I didn't pay any attention to it.

I kept walking along the trail. I had no idea where I was going. I had no idea where I was until I found a sign that said the lake was to my left. I followed that trail, and after a few minutes of walking I found it, along with a very lonely popstar.

Shane Gray sat at the edge of the dock. No guitar, no fans, no Nate or Jason. Just Shane.

He noticed me and smiled. Sure, we had our problems and the whole break up thing. But we're still friends. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true. No hard feelings. Just us and our friendship.

I walked over to him and sat down. He was still watching me, a small smile on his face.

"I know that look." He said, turning to look over at the setting sun.

"What look?" I asked as innocent as possible. I couldn't help but think about how the sun reminded me of Caitlyn. It was bright, and warm. It showed up every day whether you wanted it to or not. God, I've got to stop thinking about her.

"The one that's screaming for help." He quietly replied, his gentle smile still on his lips. His eyes were squinting against the sun that left a faint glow on his tan skin. I wanted to think he looked handsome. I wanted to think he looked hot, but something in me couldn't do it. I'd never been so scared in my life.

"And what's the amazing Shane Gray going to do about it?" I asked, trying desperatly to sound flirty. It must have worked because he smiled and glanced over at me with that seductive glint in his eyes.

"It's not my problem, it's yours. So spill. And don't worry, I've got plenty of time." He returned his gaze to the sun.

I reached out and cupped his cheeks, confusion taking over his features. I pulled his lips against mine, almost too hard. On the inside I was begging for me to enjoy this. But all I felt was his rough lips against mine. No sparks. Nothing.

I carefully pulled back from him and bit my bottom lip. He had this stupid grin on his face. It quickly vanished when I he saw how upset I looked.

I could feel a tear rolling down my cheek. I'm so weak it's not even funny.

"I...uh..." Shane tried to find the right words to say.

"Shane." I mumured while looking into his eyes.

"Yeah?" He asked taking my hand in his.

"Did you like that?" I asked, my voice shaking. A second tear escaped me.

"Of course! Don't worry, you're a really a good kisser." He gave me a small smile.

"No, Shane, this isn't about that." I replied while looking down at our linked hands. "The problem is you liked it...but I didn't."

"I can't say I'm following you on this one." He honestly replied.

"Shane...I really want to like kissing you." I took a deep breath in. "But I don't."

"I'm still not sure what you're trying to say, but just keep going." He told me while looking back over at the sun. It was almost gone.

"I just...I have these...thoughts...about a really close friend, and I don't want them. What do I do to make them go away?" I looked at the lake. The last glimpse of sun was shining against the water's surface.

"Mitchie...I'm not a rocket scientist, but I can put together a puzzle. And I've seen Jason put together harder ones then this." He replied while frowning down at the water.

"It's not what you're thinking." I quickly replied, panic setting in. He wasn't suppose to know what I was talking about. What if he wasn't okay with it? What if he got mad?

"It's a girl...right?" He carefully asked as the sun slipped behind the trees.

"I...maybe." I was going to give a big excuse, some twisted lie...but my mind went blank.

"Who is it?" He asked as the moon claimed the sky. His face emotionless.

"Caitlyn." I blurted out. I mentally kicked myself.

He gave out a small laugh. "I always knew there was this weird thing between you guys."

"She doesn't know, and I plan to keep it that way!" I pointed my finger at him.

He smiled up at me.

"Don't worry. My lips are sealed." He chuckled while moving to stand. He held out his hand and helped me up.

"Thank you so much." I smiled while pulling him into a warm hug.

"Just tell me...was my kissing really so bad it made you cry?" He asked with a smile. I let out a laugh.

"I dunno, maybe you should go around and kiss a bunch of different girls. If they run off screaming, you'll know it's you." I smiled.

"Yeah?" He joked as we began to walk back towards the cabins.

And back to the cabins meant back to Caitlyn. I tried to block it out, but just like the sun, she showed up whether I wanted her to or not.

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TO BE CONTINUED