I own nothing, except my imagination...

Cooties and Weddings

5 years old Shane Grey hummed jingle bells as he walked along the pathway. It was six in the evening, but the sun was still shining brightly, indicating that fall was still afar. He reached the park and looked around, and his melodious voice humming jingle bells came to an abrupt stop as he saw a girl sitting on a swing, crying.

Upon nearing her, the girl turned out to be none other that Mitchie Torres, his best friend. Mitchie was approximately a year younger that him, since she had just entered her fifth year and Shane was about to enter his sixth.

Mitchie and Shane were 'meant to be', as often described by Shane's mother. They were born in the same hospital, same room, and were even alotted the same crib in the newborns section. She said when Mitchie opened her eyes for the first time, the first thing she saw was Shane's face, and then she raised up her hand to touch him, and accidentally knocked out the coconut flavoured pacifier from his mouth, to which Shane started to bawl.

But Mitchie laughed at the sight of Shane crying, and to this day, whenever Shane was around, all Mitchie did was to smile and laugh. When Mitchie hurt her arm, her mother was horrified to find her coming back home, giggling with Shane and saying, "Oh, hey Mom! I think I broke my arm"

Mitchie and Shane were perfect for each other. Sometimes, Steve Torres would joke around Shane, saying that, "Careful with the hammer, son. I don't want to see my future son-in-law hopping around on one foot on his wedding day, right?"

So a very puzzled Shane sat on a swing and out his hand on Mitchie's shoulder. What had happened? Why has she crying?

Mitchie raised her head, looked at him, and launched herself in his arms. He petted her, and whispered sweet things in her ear.

She finally subsided, and Shane, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Mitch, what's wrong?"

"Oh Shane," she said, "Today when I came to the park, Sander was riding the swing. I asked him if I could have my turn, to which he said that I couldn't because I'm ugly and stupid. Then Barron joined him and said that I should be more like Tess, and wear pretty pink dresses. I said that I'm wearing a dress to, but then Tess came and said that my dress is green and that nobody likes green and nobody will marry me because I'm nothing. She then pushed me and took the swing"

Shane looked horrified. How could someone do this to Mitchie? She was so sweet and was nice to everyone. He suddenly decided that he was gonna kill Barron and Sander.

"Mitch," he said, "Tess is wrong. Any guy would be lucky to have you. You are smart, sweet, charming, and the best girl ever. Here,"

Then Shane pulled out a plastic power rangers ring from his finger and kneeled down and said, "Mitchie Torres, will you marry me?"

Mitchie looked in Shane's eyes with fresh tears and said, "But you don't love me,"

"Yes I do. I love you, Mitchie," said Shane.

Mitchie nodded numbly, and watched as Shane slipped the ring in her finger, got up, and wiped her tears. He then took Mitchie's face in his hands, and kissed her.

The kiss was long and slow. After 3 seconds of having Shane's lips on hers, Mitchie wrapped her tiny and petite hands around Shane's neck and pulled him closer. Shane put his arms around her waist, and, if possible, pulled her even closer.

"Shane," said Mitchie, pulling away, "What about our parents? I mean, we are too young to get married,"

"We could keep this a secret until we grow up, you know," offered Shane.

"Yeah. Lets do this," said Mitchie.

Then, the two walked home. Both were neighbours, so when they reached their destinations, Shane kissed Mitchie again, and said, "Goodbye Mitch. I guess I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Goodbye Shane," said Mitchie, before running into her house.

xXx

"Mitchie! Dinner's ready!,"

"Coming mom!,"

Soon, the whole Torres family was seated around the dinner table. Mitchie's parents were in an animated conversation about a new client that Connie had through her catering business. Mitchie was lost in her thoughts.

Does Shane really love me? She thought as she played with broccoli, Or is he being a good best friend? And then an awful thought struck her. What if Shane said he loves her just because he felt sorry for her? Mitchie inwardly shuddered at that thought. Shane would never do that.

What about the kiss then? Surely Shane must have some feelings for her if he kissed her, right? Nobody kisses someone else unless they-

"Mitchie!,"

Mitchie's head snapped up. "What?" she asked.

"Honey, are you alright?," asked her mother.

"Yes. I'm fine. Why?"

"No. It's just that you've been very quiet during dinner, which is unusual. And your mother has made chicken, which is something you love," explained her father.

"Oh. Sorry mom, dad. I'm probably just tired,"

"Are you sure honey? Do you want me to run a temperature check on you?" asked her mom, looking anxious.

"'I'm fine mom,"

"But-"

"Connie, sweetheart. Let her be. It's normal for an energetic five year old like Mitchie to get tired for once. Mitchie, sweetie, why don't you go to bed? We'll save the desert for you, okay?" said her dad.

"Sure. Thanks dad,"

"Mija, do you want me to call Shane?" asked her mom, still not convinced.

"No!," cried Mitchie, immediately turning red, "I mean, Shane's probably eating dinner right now, and he said something about catching a game with his dad after dinner. I don't think it's a good idea to disturb him. I'll just go to bed, okay?"

"Okay," said her mom, finally giving in.

"Goodnight mum! Goodnight dad!,"

"Goodnight Mitchie!,"

"Sweet dreams hon!,"

As Mitchie lay on her bed, she couldn't help but think Is Shane really in love me? Or more importantly, am I in love with him?

xXx

The next day at school, Shane sat on a seat farthest away from Mitchie. He couldn't believe at what he had done. How could I do that? He thought to himself, as his mind tried to focus on spelling the word 'firetruck' correctly. I totally lost it, and proposed to Mitchie. And she agreed, and now we're engaged. And I confessed my love for her. She probably thinks that I'm a loser now.

He glanced up from his notebook and looked over at Mitchie, who looked absolutely adorable in her pale blue dress. It was the very same dress Shane had picked out for her when they went shopping with their parents for Shane's birthday presents.

He remembered how Mitchie felt so left out, that he said that he wanted to have a frilly dress as his final present. Everybody had looked at him as if he were nuts, including Mitchie, but afterwards, he pretended to try it on and said that it was to small for him, and declared that now that it had been bought, it must not be thrown away.

He then recommended how Mitchie should have it. After that, Mitchie absolutely loved him, and his Mother gave him a physical check, just to make sure that he's all male. To this day, Shane's mother bans him from all girly things, because she does not want Shane's horrifying fifth birthday's shopping spree all over again.

Shane didn't even realize that he'd been looking over at Mitchie all this time now. Too bad he didn't notice someone else staring at him all through the study session.

xXx

It was lunch time. Everyone was outside, playing and having fun. But Mitchie was in no mood to play. Her best friend had avoided her all day. She sighed and looked outside and saw Shane laughing and having fun with Andy.

As she sat on her desk, she noticed something protruding from bag. She took it out, and it said :

Mitchie,

Meet me behind the water fauntain at lunch

She sighed again. The mysterious person had spelt the word 'fountain' wrong. She slowly got up and walked across the play area, and then to the water fountain. She saw a blond girl standing behind it.

"What do you want, Tess?"

"Geez. Can't you read? I wrote behind the fountain. Not in front of it,"

Mitchie made her way to behind the fountain.

"You know what Mitchie? You are fifteen minutes late,"

"So?"

"So? So try to come on time the next time,"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to stay away from Shane,"

"What?"

"I don't like the way you're so clingy on him. Let the guy breathe for god's sake,"

"It doesn't matter. Shane's been avoiding me,"

"So he's finally realized what a loser you are. About time he did,"

"That's not true. Maybe he wants to have some guy time,"

"Yeah right. So just because Shane wants to have some guy time he decides to ignore you completely and not even meet your eye. Admit it loser, he hates you,"

"That's not true,"

"Yes it is. Shane has realized that spending time with you is like doing math-boring and tricky. Boring because you're a loser, and tricky because you're a crybaby and he has to choose his words carefully all the time,"

Mitchie was in tears by now.

"Mitchie. Listen to me. I don't care whether Shane is avoiding you or not. Actually, I do, but still. It's you I'm concerned with. Shane is mine. I love him. And if you get anywhere near him, I'll make sure you pay for it with your life,"

And with that, Tess left. Mitchie, not having any idea on what to do, broke down completely.

xXx

Shane was worried. Lunch was about to end, but there was no sign of Mitchie. He had finally decided to apologize to her for his rude behaviour, and he knew he couldn't do it until he found her.

Where is she? He thought as he checked the play area for a hundredth time. He walked to her desk, and saw a piece of paper on her desk. It was a note, saying that someone wanted to meet Mitchie behind the water fountain.

He chuckled as he noticed the word fountain was spelt wrong. Looks like someone is not paying attention in spelling class he thought as he ran towards the water fountain.

However, when Shane reached the water fountain, his smile faded as he saw a girl hunched up and sobbing.

Instinct and the pale blue dress told him it was Mitchie, and when she looked up and locked her eyes with his, he ran over to her and took her in his arms.

Mitchie clung on to him with her dear life, forgetting all about Shane's behaviour earlier that day. Shane, in turn, rubbed her lower back and whispered sweet things to her.

"Mitchie, please tell me what's wrong,"

"Sh-Shane, I-,"

As if on cue, the loud shrill bell boomed across the kindergarten, indicating that lunch was over, and it was time to head to art class.

"Don't worry about the class Mitch. Just tell me what's wrong,"

"O-Okay. You see, I was lonely and decided to sit on my desk, and found a note there. It said that someone wants to meet me here. And when I came here, I found Tess waiting for me, and she told me to stay away you, because she loves you and does not want me around. Then I told her that this was not needed as you were avoiding me,"

Shane winced at that. Suddenly, the fact that he still had to apologize came back to his mind.

"And then," continued Mitchie, "Tess said that it's about time you did because you have realized what a loser I am and you really don't want to hang out with me because I am boring and a crybaby, so you have to stick with me, just in case I start crying again,"

Apology forgotten, Shane was furious. Tess had now officially ruined his relationship with Mitchie. Now, not only did Mitchie think he was a loser, she also hated him for no apparent reason, all because of Tess.

"Mitchie," pleaded Shane, "Please listen to me. First of all, stop crying,"

Mitchie sniffled and wiped her tears. Shane resisted the urge to do that himself. He didn't want Mitchie to hate him even more, if possible.

"Second of all," he continued, "You and Tess have got it all wrong. You both think that I'm tired of you, Mitch, and you both also think that I think that you're a loser. But actually Mitch, I was too embarrassed to even look at you after last night,"

"What do you mean, Shane?"

"I mean that last night, I confessed my love for you, and even asked you to marry me. I know you hate me for that, but-,"

"Wait a minute. Hate you? Shane, I think you need to know that there is no possible way that I can hate you,"

"Really?"

"Of course. Shane, I love you too. I was just sad because you were avoiding me and Tess said that-,"

"Can we please forget what Tess said? She's just jealous, because she claims to be in love with me. And what I want to focus on right now is the fact that the girl I love loves me back,"

Mitchie blushed.

"And now that I think about it, Mitch, I think we need to talk to our parents about this,"

"Why?"

"So that I can take you out on dates, and do this,"

And with that, Shane took Mitchie's face in his hands and kissed her. Mitchie kissed him back, and soon, the two of them were making out.

"Ahem,"

The two sprang apart, and looked behind them to see Ms. Dee, their class teacher.

"I was wondering where you two were," she said, "And when I come to look for you, I see you two making out. Usually, when some one's missing, either they are in the wrong class, or sleeping. But this is not quite what I was expecting. Care to explain?"

"Um," began Shane, "It's hard to understand (they are too young to know the term 'complicated') But in short, I am in love with Mitchie and I have proposed to her. We are getting married,"

"Hm. Hm," said Dee, unconvinced.

"Principle's office?" asked Shane.

"Right this way,"

xXx

Both Shane and Mitchie's parents are called. They are taken home. The Torres and Grey family are sitting in the Torres living room. Shane and Mitchie are sitting across from them looking down, not meeting any one's eyes.

"Um," asked Mitchie, "Are we in trouble?"

"Yes you are young lady," said Steve.

Mitchie flinched under his tone.

"Steve," said Paul Grey, "Don't be so hard on her,"

"Don't be hard on her? What are you saying Paul? Your son and my daughter ditched class to make out,"

Mitchie turned red. Even Shane's face turned a light shade of pink.

"Shane," said Denise Grey, "Would you like to explain?"

"Yes mom,"

Shane sighed before speaking, "To tell you the truth, yes we were caught making out. But we did not ditch class to do so. I found Mitchie crying yesterday in the park, and she told me that two bas-I mean two boys made fun of her, and a girl told her that she is ugly and no one will marry her. And that sparked something inside me,"

Shane paused for a breath and continued, "Suddenly, Mitchie wasn't the same girl anymore. Suddenly she was prettier than usual, she was cuter, her voice was even more musical to my ears, and, she-she just seemed different, okay? And then I knew that I was, I mean, I am in love with her,"

"And Shane is not the only one in love here," piped in Mitchie, "I am in love with him too. And then, Shane proposed to me, and I said yes, because I'm in love with him. But today in lunch, a girl told me that Shane feels sorry for me, and hates me. And that made me cry,"

"And that's how I found her," continued Shane, "Crying behind the water fountain. Then I comforted her, and when all misunderstandings were solved between us, we sealed our love with a kiss. It's not our fault Ms. Dee doesn't believe us,"

The whole room was shocked. Not at their story, but at the fact that for a five year old boy, Shane knew and understood the meaning for a big word like 'misunderstandings'.

"Son," said Steve, "What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm trying to say is that," said Shane, standing up and walking over to Steve, "Is that, I'm in love with your daughter. I have known Mitchie since her birth, and been there for her through everything, including the time when Connie would change her diapers. I know that I love her, and I also know she loves my back. Mr. Torres? I would like to have your permission to marry Mitchie,"

All the adults were shocked, but focused more on holding back their laughter.

Steve stole one glance towards Mitchie, who had tears in her eyes. He then looked at Paul, who was thinking the same thing as him.

"Son," said Steve, "You have my permission. When would you like to get married?"

"Next Friday sir," said Shane without missing a beat, "It's my birthday, and frankly, I wouldn't want any other present than our wedding,"

Mitchie got up and stood next to Shane, and took his hand.

"Well," said Denise, "Don't we get to see a kiss?"

"Mrs. Gray," whined Mitchie.

But Shane turned around, and looked at Mitchie in her eyes. Then they both leaned in and kissed.

Connie and Denise 'awwed'.

"What about the ring? Did Shane give you a ring?" asked Paul.

"Yes. Yes he did," said Mitchie, and slowly extended her hand so everyone could see.

Denise laughed at the power rangers logo, but subsided when she earned a glare from Shane.

Soon, It was dinner time, and Connie proposed they all eat together, which they did. The wedding was brought up again, and details were discussed.

Later that night, when Mitchie went to bed, she stared at her ceiling, thinking. I can't wait for next Friday.

Little did she know, her 'fiance' was thinking the same.

xXx

It was Friday. Shane Grey looked down the isle and sighed. His bride would be walking down this isle any second from now. He looked around himself. They were having the wedding in the Grey backyard. The reception was at Torres backyard.

He was wearing a tux, which was a 'hand me down' by Jason. His eyes flicked towards Jason who was glaring at him. Probably because Jason had a huge argument the previous night with his parents on how he, being seven years old, couldn't have a girlfriend and Shane, being five, could get married.

To Jason's left sat a two year old Nate, who was looking adorable in his tux coat and a diaper that looked like tux pants. He seemed to have lost his pacifier, so he contented himself by sucking his thumb.

Then he saw his mom, looking at him, and covering her mouth to hold the laughter in. She was in charge of the video camera. His Dad was standing behind him, since he was a pastor.

Suddenly, the music began to play. His eyes quickly flicked towards Connie, who was sitting patiently in the chair, and having a silent conversation with Denise.

Then he looked in the front and saw Steve holding Mitchie's hand and leading her down the isle. She looked beautiful in her white gown. Steve led her to him and then let her go. He took a seat next to Connie.

The weeding began, and went on smoothly until Paul said, "If there's anyone who objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace,"

"Stop the wedding!,"

Everyone turned around to see Tess standing there.

"Tess?" said Mitchie.

"I said stop," said Tess, walking towards the couple.

"But Tess, why?" asked Mitchie.

"Because Ilove Shane. You don't. Shane pities you. Shane, honey, I've seen the way you look at me. Tell everyone you love me, not her," cried Tess.

"Tess," said Shane, "I love Mitchie. I have loved her since I first saw her. I love everything about her. I'm sorry, but my heart belongs to Mitchie, not you,"

Tess began to sniff, and then finally began to bawl. Connie had to take her aside and soothe her. She then called Tess' mom.

She returned just in time to hear Paul say, "You may now kiss the bride,"

Shane unveiled Mitchie's face and kissed her with all the passion he had.

When they broke off, they went to the Torres backyard, for their reception.

While everyone was enjoying, Shane pulled Mitchie aside and they walked outside.

"I know where we are going for our honeymoon," said Shane.

"Really? Where?" asked Mitchie.

"Wonder-world Water Park,"

"Oooohhh...I love that place. The swirly slide is my favourite,"

"Mine too,"

"Shane?"

"Hm?"

"Now that you're my husband, we can do whatever we want, right?"

"Of course,"

"Can you do something for me?"

"Anything,"

"Kiss me,"

Then Shane pulled Mitchie to himself and kissed her. They kept on kissing until Connie came out and told them it was time for bed. They reluctantly broke off, and promised to see each other the next day.

As Mitchie lay in the bed, she began to replay the day's events. I can't believe I'm married now. But this is probably for the best. I won't find anyone better than Shane, ever.

She then closed her eyes and slept, dreaming about Shane through the night.

Whew! Finally it's done.

Thank You so much, for taking time to read this.

EnchantixTracy