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Chapter 3
The week just seemed to zoom by. Now, I was merely a night away from going to Camp Rock. The only bonus of this night was that I'd struck a dinner with Cassie – sort of like a date. Of course, I didn't dare say that, it would be rather awkward. I sighed, looking into the mirror one last time and brushing a hand over my more than perfect hair. I was dressed in a silver dress shirt, with black dress pants. I walked over to pick up my matching black blazer as I pulled it on. Walking over to the front door, I put on the matching black shoes, and looked at Nate and Jason nervously.
"How do I look?" I asked.
I saw them smirk, and chuckle. I shot them both menacing glares. "What? I look stupid don't I? Over did it?"
"No, you look fine. It's just that…" Nate paused briefly to exchange a knowing glance and smirk with Jason.
Jason chuckled and looked at me, "Well, you've never really been this nervous. Being 'Shane Gray' and all."
"And we're your brothers. We've been around for most of your life, Jason's been around for all of it," Nate said, matter-of-factly.
I rolled my eyes, "Well..this is my best friend, I don't want to screw up an outing with her."
Nate and Jason didn't even try to hold back their laughter at my comment. "What?" I snapped, irritated.
"Come on, Shane, an 'outing'?! You, Jason, and I all know it's a date – and if Cassie doesn't know…well. She's oblivious to her feelings as you are," said Nate, seriously.
I blushed, still trying to keep up an arrogant posture. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Aww, lookie Nate, our little Shane is blushing!" cooed Jason, as he jabbed his hand forward to pinch my cheeks.
I gritted my teeth, shoving his hands away, "Get your hands off of me, Jay. I'm going now," I said, turning to leave as my hand gripped the knob, turning it.
"Have fun on your date with Cassie, son," said my father's voice from the living room.
I let out a frustrated sigh, slamming the door shut behind me as I heard Jason and Nate practically rolling on the floor from laughter. I pressed the unlock button on my keys to my shiny black Lamborghini. I rarely took it out, but obviously my night out tonight was a major exception. I sighed, as I hopped in, started the car up, and backed out of the driveway while heading towards Cassie's apartment. Considering she didn't live too far, I got there in record time. I had decided to buy a bouquet of flowers for her. A few gorgeous red roses poked out of the bundles of leaves. Grabbing them from the passenger seat, I made my way over to her apartment. After ringing the bell, it was a split 2 seconds or so until the door swung open, only to expose an angel to my unsuspecting hazel eyes. I had expected her to look good, as she always does – but she just looked gorgeous.
"Hello, beautiful. Anxious to see me?" I teased, grinning as I pulled the bouquet into her view.
She blushed at my comment, only to gasp as her favourite flowers came into her view. I took her in, a tempting hot red dress that covered her respectively, and parted a bit underneath her knees. She wasn't wearing much make-up, just eyeliner. She wasn't even wearing lip gloss, which was good, I didn't kissing a girl wearing too much lip gloss, and I was dead intent on telling her how I felt tonight.
"Shane! Aw! Thank you," she said, taking the roses from my hands to smell them.
She smiled brightly at me, and hugged me tightly. We seemed to hold onto each other for a good five minutes before she finally let go. You know it's not normal when you start counting the seconds and minutes of everything that goes by. She set the flowers on the table and came back up to me.
"Let's get going," I murmured, taking her small hand in mine, only waiting for her to lock her door.
Soon enough, we were in my car, heading to a restaurant. Considering we were going to a camp, I guessed that it would be nice to eat at a classy place, as we wouldn't be for a while. I parked, and ran over to the passenger door, opening it for Cassie like a true gentleman. Nothing was going to wipe the silly grin from my face at this point. She grinned back at me as I offered her my hand to help her up out of the car. When she grasped my hand, I pulled her up and out of the vehicle gently, closing the door behind her. To my content, she linked arms with me as we walked into the restaurant. I got a lot of stares from people, and I heard whispering as to who Shane Gray had with him. I saw some girls throw angry glares towards Cassie, but I put an arm around her for comfort. I knew she was sensitive.
The dinner went by rather fast. It was just the casual fling between us, small jokes, harmless flirting. By then, a lot of fans had gathered around the restaurant, and I blamed cell phones for allowing people to blow our cover so quickly. The hotel staff were pleased with our visit, but requested that we leave early, so we did. I decided to stay at her apartment for a while before I headed home.
Flopping down on the oh-so-comfortable sofa, I sighed, lounging. "Sorry tonight was so boring and uneventful," I muttered. This was not how I had wanted it to go.
Cassie came out, with the roses I'd brought her in a vase. She set it on the table, before coming over to me and sitting down on the sofa, beside my bunched up legs. I rested my head on my arm, staying up to look down towards her on my elbow. She rolled her eyes towards my laziness, and I chuckled and finally sat up next to her.
"No way, Shane. It was great, I really enjoyed it," she said, "Thank you."
She pressed a soft kiss to my cheek to show her gratitude. I blushed looking away before clearing my throat. "You're welcome Cas."
"Though I must admit, Shane. It was sort of like a date," she teased.
I laughed and looked over at her, wiggling my eyebrows around, playfully. "Ah – took you long enough to understand that, genius."
She laughed, nudging me. "Hey, pft. It's not my fault. I must have been so flabbergasted by those mad fan girls, Mr. Gray!"
I laughed along, "You have nothing on them," I said, honestly.
Her laughter broke into a sweet smile as she looked at me. I couldn't help but grin myself. "Thank's Shane. That's seriously sweet. I gotta find myself a boyfriend that treats me just as nice!" she said.
For a moment we stayed like that, neither of us budging as we bore into each other's eyes. I finally decided to make a move, as I gently kissed her on her lips. She, however, had other plans as she pulled away, hopping off the couch. I stopped midway, realizing I probably looked like an idiot, puckered up alone. Only Cassie could reject Shane Gray. Her expression softened.
"I'm sorry, Shane," she said, with a sigh. "I don't think we can do that."
I shook my head, "But…why Cassie?"
"I didn't mean to lead you on! God, I'm such a fool," she said, looking at me with a guilty expression. "I'm so sorry, Shane!"
I got up, facing her now. Pain was obviously reflecting in my hazel eyes. "Just answer my question, Cassie!" I hissed.
She looked at me stunned, and I could tell that I had hurt her with my snapping, but at that moment, I could care less if a cow came flying through her apartment window.
"We're best friends, Shane. I don't want to lose you over a relationship," she admitted. "I've known you for my whole entire life, and I know I sound incredibly selfish, but what would I ever do without you?"
I shook my head, "Cassie, listen to me. Can't you give us a chance? I promise, whatever happens, we'll always be best friends. I'm giving you my vow. I see the way you look at me, I know you like me too. You've got to Cassie."
She studied me silently for a moment before spoke – barely above a whisper. "Promise?"
I didn't know exactly what she meant, and she must have sensed that as she completed what she was trying to say in a clear sentence. "Do you promise that you won't end our friendship if we do ever break up?"
I nodded, without breaking eye contact at all. "I promise, Cassie. I swear to god, nothing will come between our friendship."
She gave me a small smile, and I made my move to engulf her in my arms, my forehead resting against hers. Of course, I had to shrink down quite a bit to allow us to have our foreheads touch. I gently rubbed my hand up and down her back in a comforting motion. "Everything's going to be fine, Cassie," I said, attempting to soothe her fright.
Thankfully, her smile changed from the fake, plastered one, into an honest one. How, might one ask, I could tell? I could read Cassie like an open book. I knew when the smile reached her eyes, and when it didn't.
I gently grabbed either side of her waist, holding her up so I could stand at my full height. I kissed her tenderly, pouring everything I felt for the small girl that was in my arms at the moment, into that one kiss. She was hesitant at first, not sure of what to do, but then her mouth actions mimicked mine as she kissed back just as dominantly. I knew it was her first kiss, and I was trying to make it the best ever. I didn't blame her for not really knowing what to do. With a final peck to her lips, I set her down, giving her a tight hug before releasing her. I laughed when I saw her face was a tomato red colour.
"That has got the be the best first kiss ever," she said.
I chuckled, amused. "You got it, baby. Plus, you're a lucky girl who got it from Shane Gray."
She nudged me gently, and I chuckled, kissing her forehead.
"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I said, confidently.
She smiled back at me and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her, returning the hug as well.
"Shane," she said, just as I turned to leave.
"Yes?" I said, puzzled by her calling me back.
"I'm sorry I freaked earlier. I promise I'll be in a…better mood tomorrow. I just need time for it to settle in," she said.
I nodded, "It's no problem. What you said was right, and what I promised was the truth. I promise we'll always be friends."
I put my hand in front of me, showing her my pinky. "Pinky promise," I winked, playfully, running up to her.
She giggled, linking pinky's with mine. I laughed, pressing one last kiss to her lips before leaving. Tomorrow would be a very hectic day, and I knew Nate and Jason were just standing on their toes at home wanting to know how our date went. I flashed Cassie one last smile as the elevator closed behind me, and I made my way home.