The Ashes of a Once Perfect Romance

Chapter 2

I'm sitting in my penthouse apartment in Los Angeles lost in thought as the TV is playing in the other room, even though I am totally oblivious to it and the noise it is contributing to. I am Shane Gray and I am the lead vocals in Connect 3. I am sure you heard of them so no need to explain, only that my two best friends and brothers- Nate and Jason- are in the band, as well.

I am sitting on my bed, leaning against the head board, my hand behind my bed, probably with a weird smile upon my face at the moment. I am in a pair of plaid pajamas pants and shirtless but I didn't care. The curtains were closed as I didn't want much light but the light illuminated from the TV across the penthouse and that light illuminated around my room, as the door was fully open.

I am thinking about her, the love of my life, Olivia or Liv Montez, you might know her- but then again you might not. She became my fiancée about a week or so ago in Santa Monica and it spread like a wild fire, but I was so happy, I didn't mind. My life- for me- was perfect. A fiancée, a penthouse, and people who cared about me for me and amazing fans that support my career I couldn't be any happier.

I am thinking about how and when I fell in love with Liv, it was simple, surprising, yet so right in almost every way I would never take it back. It was 5 years, 2 months, 4 days and about 4 hours and 2 minutes when I ask her to be my girlfriend since she won me over the day before. There was this other girl… I forget her name… But she's nothing to me now. Liv was an amazing singer with a still blossoming career. I loved that she shared the passion with me and we both liked the same type of music.

Liv is just the one. I felt it even before we started going out. The way she would smile when we would hang out- even with other people around. The way she would make me laugh even sometimes blush but it would be subtle so it wasn't very obvious. Sometimes we would end up alone and well flirting was everywhere from slight giggles, holding hands, even the odd kiss on the cheek. I fell for her every day more and more until I could stand it anymore. She was nothing like the girl that I was dating then. She was the one for me and I was determined to make her mine.

I ended it with the one I had currently been dating then and the next day I asked Liv out to the ice cream parlor. I was beyond excited to ask her thankfully she said yes we have been together ever since. We have all our friends from Camp Rock. Nate and Jason, of course, Caitlyn and Tess hang out with Liv and we stay in touch with others like Barron and Sander. We see each other for a week or so every year. But I am talking about Liv.

Liv is about 5"6'. She has slightly tanned skin but that could be due to the fact we were in Santa Monica. Even though she had slightly lighter skin she was still gorgeous. She had amazing long dark brown hair that fell down straight along her back. I loved playing with her hair and she let me. Her eyes were amazingly hypnotizing. There were big but not disproportionate to the rest of her face. They weren't dark brown like her hair but yet a lighter brown that was almost a milk chocolate color. I have never seen such beautiful eyes it was another feature that just made me fall harder than ever.

The way she would smile with her white teeth showing her eyes sparkling was a ways you would know she was truly happy and with me that is what I usually saw. The way she would give slightly evil smirk was, just, well, sexy. I don't know why but it was definitely nice to see her do so. I just it's hard to not love everything about her.

I'm just so amazed that we were going to be married in about six months or so. She's the girl for me. She is my first and only true love. I smiled to myself getting lost in thought again I loved her and that was what mattered, oh, and the fact she loved me back.

We were so happy together and sometimes, we were inseparable but we didn't care. We did do our own things but when we could, we would be together and soon she was moving into this penthouse, mine, which will soon be ours, and that made me smile even more.

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I slipped on a t-shirt hearing the bell ringing, slowly spreading to each corner of the house, knowing it was my love coming over for dinner. I smiled opening the door just as the shirt fell down around my toned chest. She was standing their brightly with a smile on her face her hair tied up and her eyes sparkling. I place a soft kiss on her lips which she returned then I took her hand and lead her into the apartment. I took her jacket and kiss her one more time pulling away my lips gently resting still upon hers.

"Hey babe" I said softly again her lips.

"Hey love." Her angelic voice spoke against my lips her breath tickling my lips as I placed one more kiss upon her then I wrapped my arms around her in a hug my head near her hair as I took in her scent.

We soon separated and I held her one hand as we walked over to the kitchen. We got a glass of wine and a little bit of pasta I had cooked for us. We brought the plates and glasses over to the coffee table in front of the already playing TV and sat down.

"Thank you." She said smiling taking a sip of wine

"You're welcome babe." I smiled kissing her cheek

We finished dinner and I placed the dishes into the kitchen collecting a soft blanket so we could cuddle for a bit on the sofa. I sat on the couch my leg curled on along the couch. She sat on my lap leading her head rest against my chest and her legs comfortable upon mine as I wrapped my arms protectively around her.

She snuggled closer into my body as we both got warmer as I placed the soft blanket over us. Every time we had the opportunity even if it was just an hour or two we would cuddle. We don't know why, but it always made us happy. We both felt safe when were wrapped up in each other's arms another way we knew this was meant to last. I placed some soft kisses upon her neck and she placed some on my chin.

We then heard the theme of Hot Tunes and we both turned our attention towards the TV. We always watched Hot Tunes together, and battled rumors together but we knew that this wasn't going to be a rumor… I kind of knew it. We smiled as the host started talking with are undivided attention.

"Well, good evening! I'm Mandy Connor. I've got some great news for all those awesome Connect 3 and Olivia Ray Montez fans out there. We have just recently spotted our favorite couple- Liv and Shane- out and about in Santa Monica. And our spies tell us that there was a glittering ring on Liv's left hand ring finger! Our favorite couple, after five long and impatiently waited years, is finally getting married to the girl he treasures! From all the people who have been crossing their fingers for the last four years, we wish both of you our congratulations!"

I smile huge as Liv squeals a little turning in my arms capturing my lips in a soft sweet kiss. I placed my hand upon her cheek gladly kissing back. We soon turned are heads back to the TV for the end of Hot Tunes. Little known that I was about to be well bewildered as the reporter said one last thing.

"But, there's another girl that we want to talk about… Somebody who's name is not Olivia." "Mitchie Torres. Shane Gray's ex girlfriend. I wanted them to marry, way back then. You remember, the girl with the amazing voice? You may even still have your albums somewhere- This Is Me, Perfect Ain't The Word, La La Land and the unfinished and soon to be released album, Just In Love. Have you ever wondered where she is hiding after all those years?"

I stopped breathing. I swear I did, for a second until Liv's hair tickles my harm as he head titled back a little as she let out a soft laugh. I was slightly confused until she spoke.

"That's pathetic after almost 5 and a half years, she is actually releasing another album, really? Barely anyone knows her; she was pathetic then and always will be. What a loser." Her angelic voice almost sounded evil but whatever, she was partially true.

"Yeah" My mouth dryly agreed. "I guess."

"Babe I am going to go sleepover at Tess's and talk about the wedding but how about tomorrow I come over… And I can sleep over here with you." She said sexily, sitting up her legs still around mine.

"Sounds great, babe" I said gently placing a kiss on her lips as she gently kissed back.

We then untangled ourselves and I walked her to the door. She gathered her belongings, and gave me one more soft kiss and then I let her out the door and closed it locking it as I wasn't expecting anyone else.

I walked over about to turn the TV off when I saw it was on record. Liv must have recorded our engagement announcement even though I would always remember it. I rewind and press play and apparently she didn't stop it as the anchor Mandy said those words again my heart once again stopped until I remembered to breathe. "Mitchie Torres". Those were the words playing over and over in my head.

"Mitchie…" My dry lips spoke again my heart beating fast trying to keep up with it. I was getting a headache while the name repeated in my head, as if it was brainwashing me. They were poisonous words… poisonous ones.

I turned off the TV walking to the kitchen getting a class of water gulping it down with shaky hands being as steady as I could. I know why it had an affect me, but, why did it have this much of an affect on me after five long years? Was something changing- was there a shift in the planets or something- because this was cruel and unbearable. I was cruel. This can't come back, this can't come back! I'm in love with Liv!

I set the glass of water down, walking to my room and then flopping down onto my stomach on my bed, my eyes closed and I roll now onto my back, eyes still closed, trying to calm my fast beating heart which slowed down to the normal rate soon enough as my mind wandered off to the world which Mitchie Torres was once a part of, of my life.

I haven't thought about her in years, she was barely even present anymore. I don't even really remember her. I hadn't until her name had been mentioned. It was weird how her name, two uttered words, could bring back so much.

Mitchie was the other girl I mentioned when I was gushing about Liv. I met her at Camp Rock; we became friends, close friends. You could say we fell in love, we did have a romance. Yes, it was awkward- but it was love. She was the first girl I ever said it too and I meant it with everything. I became friends with some of the friends I still have today.

Mitchie was on her way to making it big. She was becoming an amazing singer. She was what reminded me of the kind of music I liked. She brought me one of my hit songs to this day-Gotta Find You. When I met Liv everything changed, though. Mitchie got extremely jealous that I was hanging out with Liv but we were just friends.

Mitchie had accused Liv of trying to get what she had but it just wasn't like Liv. I then fell for Liv hard. She had an amazing voice as well, long brown hair and got along with all of my friends, it was like it was meant to be. When I realized I was falling for Liv I broke it off with Mitchie and the day after me and Liv started going out and here we are now.

Hearing Mitchie's name sent me onto an emotional rollercoaster I didn't understand. There was no way I had feelings for her but there was some sort of pit in my stomach. It wasn't love, though. It was almost guilt. But why? I mean why would I remember someone who caused hurt and pain?

Wait, she didn't cause pain or hurt, I hurt her as I fell in love with Liv. It's not like Liv could control that she just had qualities I looked for then it kind of hit me like a tidal wave. They always say that you forget your love but… I forgot mine. Why did I forget Mitchie for years?

A picture of Mitchie floated into my brain. She had hot tears streaming down her face, her muddy brown eyes blood shot. She was mumbling something that Liv was stealing her life by acting like her. It wasn't true- Liv was different. Liv wasn't like that, she wouldn't ruin it, I fell for her and Mitchie had to understand that that happens. I can't believe I forgot her until her name was mentioned and if I forgot her why is so much back.

The picture kept getting larger the more I kept my eyes open. I tried to get rid of the picture, trying to put the memories of me and Liv together to make it all go away. It had to disappear. Mitchie probably hated me and I was not going to worry why I forgot her because what I had was the most important thing now. For some reason, something in my chest was trying to fight its way out.

I closed my eyes but ripped them open again ignoring that ever growing picture. What was wrong with me? Two words have taking over my body. It's not like they were powerful, but I think they are trying to tell me, but what? What are two words I have forgotten for five years supposed to tell me? What are they trying to tell me? That she's coming back? Because that is highly unlikely.

A/N: Alright, well Shane has some issues he just might have to deal with. What do you all think of Liv? Well, I'm not too fond of her. He probably has issues, and he thinks that he loves Liv… But well, he doesn't. And you might discover some things about Liv, too. She's not really as nice as she seems. Well… You want to find out about this stuff? Well, you're just going to have to keep reading! Read, Review and enjoy. Sorry for Errors…

~Kim and Lyra