Author's note: Have I told you guys how amazing you are?? I've received some of the nicest reviews I've ever received on this site, and it means a lot to me. The more people review, the faster I write obviously haha so keep it coming! And don't be afraid to tell me whatever you think about the chapter (likes or dislikes), suggestions for future chapters, etc; the long, novel-esque reviews are my favorite to read and make me so happy! Okay just a little note on the plot here: I know most of you are here to read about Shane/Mitchie and it'll come as promised, but as you can tell by the story so far it won't be easy. So be patient and let the story ride out, Mitchie might have to go through another person or two before she makes her way back to Shane. I hope you like it, and I won't keep rambling anymore.. Here you go!
Chapter Three
Mitchie thought she must've been daydreaming, hallucinating- anything to avoid letting the moment be real. She had never even begun to anticipate what would happen in this situation; in fact, she had dedicated extensive time to figuring out how to avoid such circumstances at all costs. She had changed her phone number, moved out of town as soon as possible, and she had made the most painful sacrifice of her teenage life: she had given up her all-expenses paid trip to Camp Rock the summer after she had broken up with Shane. She had been willing to do anything if it came with the promise of never seeing him again, but there was no escape plan this time.
"Shane," Mitchie sighed, and it was like sweet music to his ears. Shane was reminded of the last time the two had spoken, the way she breathed his name in the same manner, as if it were the only word she knew. His voice was caught in his throat, surprising everyone; it took a very strong force to leave Shane Gray speechless. He could only stare at her, eager to get a good look at her after all those years. She was a couple inches taller, five pounds lighter, and even more beautiful than the last time they were together. As the two looked at each other with the same look of shock and wonder it was clear that Shane's words were true: they did have history.
"What are you doing here, Shane?" Mitchie asked, unable to wait any longer for Shane to speak. She knew why he was on campus, of course, but why was he waiting outside of her class?
"We-we're taking a tour of the school before the benefit." Shane wanted to kick himself; he couldn't believe he had stammered in Mitchie's presence.
"That's great, but what are you doing here, talking to me?" Mitchie hadn't intended to sound mean-it wasn't in her nature-but Shane just seemed to draw the emotion right out of her.
"I…saw you and wanted to say 'hi,'" Shane offered.
"Well, you've said it. Hi, Shane." Mitchie let out a deep breath, wishing she had an easy escape from this awkward situation.
"We all wanted to say 'hi,'" Nate interjected, trying to relieve the immense tension. Mitchie decided to humor the boys for a minute, knowing they wouldn't leave her alone until they got what they had come for.
"Well, it's definitely been a long time," Mitchie admitted, offering a friendly hand to Nate. He nodded and accepted it, giving her a quick handshake.
"Remember me, Mitchie?" Jason asked, longing for his place in the reunion.
"Oh, Jason, how could I ever forget you?" Mitchie said with a hint of a smile.
"You look great!" As straightforward and unfiltered as ever, Jason scooped Mitchie into a hug, triggering a twinge of jealousy within Shane. Mitchie giggled and wrapped her arms around the waist of her old friend, thankful someone was able to avoid letting things grow any more awkward.
"That's gotta hurt," Nate whispered to Shane as they witnessed the embrace, pointing out how much warmer Mitchie's reaction to Jason had been. Shane was easily egged on, and his band mate knew exactly how to push his buttons. He loudly cleared his throat as a reminder that the hugging pair were not alone, and they got the hint.
"It's really good to see you, Jason," Mitchie said as they pulled apart. Although parts of her summer at Camp Rock were painful to reminisce, she couldn't deny she had made some great friends. She realized that some good could come to her out of this dreaded encounter: she could regain an old relationship or two. It was no secret that she still wasn't comfortable around Shane, but that didn't mean she felt the same way about his band mates.
"Well, guys, I really need to get going," Mitchie fibbed before an idea struck her, "hey, Jason, do you have your phone on you?" She remembered back to the time she had spent with Connect Three; Jason never went anywhere without his trusty Blackberry. He nodded excitedly and pulled form his pocket the latest version of the device, offering it to her. She accepted it and in return handed him her own cell phone. She shrugged and let out a small, nervous laugh as she compared the state of hers to his, noticing that it was nowhere near as nice, but he didn't pay it any mind; Jason was never one to give much concern to material things. They quickly entered their phone numbers into each other's phone and then traded back, all the while under Shane's watchful eye.
"I'll get in touch with you later," Jason said, pointing to Mitchie with his Blackberry, "we can catch up?"
"Sounds good. Bye Nate, Shane." It was hard to say whether the extra emphasis Mitchie put on Shane's name was real or just a figment of his imagination as she began to walk away. She looked over shoulder once, giving a bright smile and a little wave just long enough for Jason to snap a photo with his phone.
"What was that all about?" Shane demanded once Mitchie had traveled out of earshot.
"A picture? You know, for when she calls me." Jason held out his phone for all to see, displaying Mitchie's number and photo in his contacts list.
"Why are you so sure she'll even want to talk to you, Jason? She as only being nice." Shane was applying his age-old tactic to the moment, trying to bring others down to the low level at which he seemed to be stuck.
"What would you even know about being nice, Shane? Maybe if you had treated Mitchie better you could be the one with her number," Jason retorted.
"Whoa, guys, let's not go there right now," Nate stepped in to mediate once again, "fighting when we should be rehearsing is a bad idea." Shane let out a huff and decided to let the matter go for now, stomping off in the direction of the car. The rest of the band shook their heads and followed after him, wondering what plan he was currently formulating.
Meanwhile, Mitchie was taking long, quick strides across campus, unaware of the battle she had sparked between the members of Connect Three. She had noticed the fire in Shane's eyes as she interacted with Jason-it was certain no one missed that-but she had paid it no attention. Her mind was reeling from everything that had just happened, the way Shane had sprung himself on her with no reason, and she was being hit with emotions she had forgotten existed. Something was telling her not to discount Jason, either; the sweet way he had spoken to her after all those years was playing a part in the strange feelings she was experiencing. She finally reached her dorm room, shoving her key in the lock in a hurried attempt to gain entry. What she needed right then was an afternoon of peace and quiet to clear her mind, but it became clear that wasn't going to be possible.
"Mitch!" The door swung open to reveal Travis sitting on Mitchie's bed, awaiting her arrival.
"What are you doing in here?" Mitchie asked as she dropped her books where she stood, too tired to put them in their proper place.
"Well, nice to see you, too! Cassie let me in, but I can leave if you want," Travis explained, referring to Mitchie's rarely-present room mate. He had a look of disappointment on his face, hurt that she didn't share his enthusiasm.
"No, no, no, stop it, Travis. It's just been a weird day. Please, don't leave."
"Alright, if you insist. Come here, sit with me and me all about it; I was wondering why you were ten minutes late." Travis patted the space between him on the bed, feeling satisfied as Mitchie flopped down beside him.
"I walked out of math, and he was outside waiting for me…Shane was standing there, in the flesh, with no warning! I can't believe he'd dare to surprise me like that." Mitchie shook her head at the thought: it was such a Shane thing to do.
"Shane Gray? I knew those rumors were true! So, what happened? What did you say?" Travis was wide-eyed, enthralled in the story.
"He said 'hi,' I said 'hi,' and that was pretty much it."
"Then what the hell were you doing the other nine minutes? Come on, Mitch, don't leave me hanging here." Before Mitchie could dignify Travis' outburst with a response her cell phone chimed, indicating she had received a text message. She flipped it open and read the screen with hungry eyes.
Dinner sometime so we can catch up? I'm free tonight if you are. -Jason
"You're going to ignore me to read your texts? Gimme." Travis snatched the phone from Mitchie's hands and read the message, "Jason? I don't think I know anyone named-Oh, my God, Mitch! Jason from Connect Three?" Mitchie nodded meekly.
"That is a terrible idea; you know that, right?" Travis continued, wagging a finger at Mitchie as he returned her phone.
"Why would you say that? He's an old friend," Mitchie tried to justify the text, all the while trying to figure out how to response.
"He is best friends and band mates with your ex-boyfriend; do you really want to be responsible for coming in between either of those things?" Travis waited for Mitchie to reply, but she needed to answer Jason. She clicked away on her phone's keypad and then examined the message, ensuring it sounded okay.
Dinner tonight sounds great. Pick me up at 7?
"It's not fair to put that kind of spin on it, Travis. This isn't the huge deal you're making it out to be, anyway. Jason deserves to talk to me, and Shane doesn't." Mitchie was getting agitated; she felt far too old to be told who she should or shouldn't associate with.
'Mitch, I'm just trying to look out for you-"
"Well, lay off a little!" Mitchie hissed, "I know the situation well enough to make my own decision about the whole thing. Besides, it's not like this is a date." It appeared she had finally gotten her point across, and Travis was ready to admit his defeat.
"Alright, alright! I know you've got it under control; you know these guys best. Just let me know if I ever need to smack a rock star or two around!" Travis drew a laugh out of Mitchie as he balled his hands into fists, punching the air as if Shane or Jason were standing in front of him. The sound of a new text message suddenly echoed through the room, and both pairs of eyes gravitated to the phone. Mitchie flipped it open and scanned the screen with surprise, all of a sudden forced to eat the words she had uttered about the get-together.
Alright, it's a date, just let me know where I can pick you up.
There it was, just as Travis had anticipated: Jason was calling his night with Mitchie a date. She knew she should be concerned, or at the very lease nervous, but that wasn't the case; all she felt was an odd rush of excitement.