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HEART WARS

chapter 3

this is an s.o.s

DAY THREE

Anakin had already familiarized himself with Shane's rather large apartment and so, when Mitchie told him to take her to Shane's room, the dog didn't even falter. She was still unsure of her exact surroundings. She found it harder to adapt to new surroundings due to the fact that she'd lost her sight rather recently.

Ani stopped and scratched on a door. Mitchie sighed, Shane must still be asleep, even though she'd told him that she'd come wake him at 7am. He had agreed last night and had said he'd set his alarm, but she was slowly learning that he wasn't always trustworthy.

While he'd spent the most of yesterday, a Sunday, apologizing to her and feeding her chocolate, she still felt uneasy on the topic of trust with him.

Hesitantly, she reached out and fumbled around for the doorknob. Finding the brass knob, she tried to turn it as softly as possible. A wave of darkness hit her and she found herself blinking.

She didn't even know where to begin searching for his bed.

Luckily, a loud groan filled her eyes and the rustling of moving sheets. Shane was dead ahead. She sighed in relief as Anakin moved forward, knowing where she wanted to go.

She stepped carefully, hoping she wouldn't trip on a shoe or any other item of discarded clothing. They always said that you never knew what you'd find in a boy's room…

"Ouch," she hissed as her knees came into contact with the side of Shane's bed. She flared her arms around and regained her balance, before she went crashing downward. She didn't think he'd appreciate a loud awakening. Straightening herself, she gently sat down on his bed, marveling at the softness, and hoped Shane would move again.

After a few minutes of nothing, she hesitantly reached out her hand, praying she wouldn't touch anywhere inappropriate. She breathed out in relief when she landed upon his bare arm. She ghosted her hand upward until she rested on his shoulder. She gently shook it.

"Shane, it's time to get up," she half-whispered and half-spoke.

The rock-star simply groaned and snuggled deeper into his sheets.

Mitchie tried again, this time her voice was stronger.

"Go away…" he moaned as he moved again. Mitchie was actually beginning to find this amusing. A smile graced her lips as she shook again, a little more violently.

"Shane, don't make me get Anakin to lick you awake," she joked, a small giggle escaping. "Because he will do with gusto…"

"Ughhh," he moaned again as he opened a sleepy eye. Mitchie's smile greeted his vision and he wondered if he was dreaming. He'd never woken up to such a beautiful sight before. His other coffee-coloured eye opened and Mitchie's full body came into view.

She was sitting on the edge of his bed, her hair draping over her shoulders and her one hand against his shoulder. He didn't want her to let go.

"I'm awake," he mumbled as he moved himself into a sitting position, using the headboard as a back support. "What time is it?" he asked, stifling a yawn.

"Umm, sometime between 7 and 7:30…" Did she have to have such a sweet voice? It was similar to music to his ears.

"Can I go back to sleep now?"

Mitchie laughed and shook her head, "Nooooo," she emphasized, "You've got to help me get clothes, feed Anakin and me before taking me school."

Shane groaned, leaning his head back against the headboard.

Today was going to be a long day…

"Now get up sleepy head," Mitchie said as she tugged on his shoulder. It was then that her grip slackened as he began to move off his bed. Unfortunately, this action caused her hand to slide down onto his chest. Both pair of eyes widened and Mitchie's cheeks began to burn.

She hadn't realized he slept shirtless.

While he was used to people, or more specifically women, touching his defined muscles, it was a new experience to have Mitchie's delicate fingers there. It almost made him blush. Yet, as much as he wanted to move her hand, he couldn't as he felt paralyzed.

Mitchie seemed to be in the same predicament.

Fortunately for them, Anakin's bark brought them from their stupor and Mitchie's hand retreated as though he was on fire, which he certainly felt like he was.

Today was going to be a very long day…

HEART WARS

Mitchie went to the Palm Wood's High School for the Disabled and it was actually resembled the centre of the same name. It was a few blocks away from the centre though, but he chuckled at the irony.

He glanced at the car's clock – it was 8:20am and he felt as though he'd already run a marathon. Would it this way every weekday morning? Stifling a groan, he picked his head up from the steering wheel and decided it'd be in his best interest to go home and sleep. He'd set his alarm for 1:30pm so that he'd be-able to pick up Mitchie in time. He wasn't about to forget about her again.

With a sigh at the memory, he pushed his foot onto the gas pedal and the luxury car moved forward effortlessly.

Oh, he had to go buy dog food too.

He still wished he hadn't been roped into this responsibility but what his manager had said two days ago… it had gotten him thinking.

Maybe… just maybe, he had become a little self-centered.

Perhaps he could start to lose the arrogance?

Well, he could try?

The only problem was that he had no idea where to begin as he couldn't identify the source of his so called 'problem'.

He wasn't even sure when he'd supposedly become a self-centered 'jerk' as everyone seemed to call him. How could solve something you didn't know the source of?

Shane shook his head. This was going to give him headache. And he was extremely tired. He'd get the dog food when he had to pick up Mitchie later. Anakin could wait until then.

At a nearby robot, he stopped and ran a hand through his shaggy locks. He'd have them cut sometime soon. They always said that a change was as good as a holiday right?

He'd make an appointment with the hairdresser when he got back to his place, then he'd go and sleep.

Sleep sounded heavenly to his tired eyes and stiff muscles. He wasn't supposed to be up for at least another three hours.

A familiar sight caught his eye – it was the beach. He could just see the blue hued water through a break in the buildings. It was where he'd gone the day before yesterday, after speaking to his manager.

He had found an empty section and then just sat there for the following three hours, listening to the waves crashing against the shore and listening to his own, conflicting thoughts. That's why he'd been so late to collect Mitchie. He hadn't even realized how late it'd been when he'd eventually gotten up. Although, his stiff muscles should've given him some indication that he hadn't moved for more than two hours.

He wasn't going to lie to himself, he found Mitchie attractive.

Everything about her was so happy, so optimistic and pure… and just so…

… Untouchable…

For one, she was blind, he would feel as though he was taking advantage of her and secondly, she was only sixteen. He was twenty-one. Oh, she was also still in high school while he was a bad-boy rock-star.

He felt as though he'd taint her.

Ugh. He really needed to stop thinking.

Why couldn't your brain have an 'off' button or something?

Shane was relieved when his apartment block came into view. His bed was calling him.

After Mitchie had woken him up, not only did he have to be domestic and actually make breakfast that didn't involve toasting anything, he had to find her school uniform in her maze of clothes. Then, he had to unpack her many items onto the free shelves in the guest bedroom. As he hadn't gotten round to it the past two days…

Even her underwear.

It'd been most awkward to say the least.

Luckily, Mitchie hadn't been able to see his blush.

After that task he had to pack her some form of lunch. Why couldn't he have just given her money of some sorts, he wasn't sure. But she'd insisted and he'd found himself powerless to say no.

Ah, she was already influencing him too much, he thought as he entered into the elevator. He pushed the button for the 14th floor and waited patiently for the elevator to move upward. It seemed the music speakers were broken and for that, he was grateful. He hated elevator music.

The soft ping came before the doors opened and he strode out of the confined space. There were only two apartments on the 14th floor but he'd never taken the time to get to know his neighbor. Heck, he didn't even know their gender.

A familiar smell greeted him as he walked towards his door. He frowned as it intensified the closer he came to his apartment doors. It was exotic, with a hint of cinnamon to it. Closing his eyes, he inhaled the smell again and frowned. Why couldn't he place the perfume?

It certainly didn't belong to Mitchie as she'd smelt more… romantic, more neutral than the exotic scent.

It didn't help that his door was unlocked.

Should he call the police? He asked himself as he hesitated at his door. It could be a thief inside, stealing his and Mitchie's things in broad daylight. Or, in his sleepy stupor, he could've forgotten to lock the door.

Somehow the later seemed more logical.

"Aww Shaney! You're back at last!"

His eyes widened – "Ashley?"

The confident brunette strode towards him as he closed the door behind him. He stared in disbelief. He hadn't seen the actress for three months now and they'd had a fling before she'd left to go film her new movie in Europe. He didn't know she was back; she hadn't even spoken to him during her absence either! He had found out via a magazine that she'd even left for Europe!

"Is this the time to come home from a party?" she flirted as she caressed his cheek, "Especially when you forget to lock the door?" She giggled. It wasn't even close to Mitchie's sweet little melody. Ashley's was more… sultry and fake, like a bad rhythm.

"And you went to a party in your pj's?" she raised an eyebrow skeptically as she eyed his body through the sleeveless v-neck shirt he'd thrown on. It didn't help that he wore a pair of loose-fitting tracksuit pants either.

"Uh no… I-

She didn't let him finish as she assaulted his lips without permission.

Shane's eyes bulged wide as the brunette's hands dug into his shaggy locks, but he didn't return her gesture. A few months back, he would've welcomed her lips and would've returned the favor with as much fervor. But not now, not after she'd just left him hanging.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, obviously annoyed by his lack of enthusiasm.

"Ummm yes?" he spoke in disbelief. Did she really think it'd be that easy? "If I can recall, you were the one who just left me."

Ashley pouted, her thin lips becoming thinner as she pushed them together. "I did tell you, you were just too drunk to take it all in." She folded her arms as she tilted her head to the side.

"I think I would've remembered something like that, intoxicated or not," he growled as he took a step backwards, creating as much space as possible between himself and Ashley. She seemed to notice this.

"Fine," she snapped, indignantly raising her chin, "And here I thought I'd give you a nice surprise but I'm leaving!"

He didn't even bother to say anything as she stormed out.

"Careful, don't let the door hit you on your way out!" he said as she slammed it shut.

He really needed to go sleep now…

HEART WARS

Mitchie was impressed.

Shane was actually on time.

"Here, let me take your bag," he offered as he guided her to the car. She had to admit, she thought he'd be late or forget again, but he'd pleasantly surprised her. Anakin woofed in agreement to her thoughts and she grinned. He always knew when to pick out her emotions.

She could hear a few surprised gasps and whispers at Shane's appearance beside her due to her heightened sense of hearing, but she ignored them and widened her smile. She was one of the few blind children in her school and some of the other kids did tease her a little so to be seen with a rock-star was kind of like slapping them in the face.

She saw Shane open the car door for her and she carefully climbed her way inside. Anakin was soon behind her and within moments, Shane was in the car too.

"You bought dog food, didn't you?" she spoke as she caught a whiff of the pellets.

"How can you even smell that? It's in the trunk," Shane replied with amazement in his voice. The food hadn't been anywhere near the interior of his car.

"Heightened sense of smell my dear pop-star," she teased him as she fumbled around for the radio. She found what she assumed to be the 'on' button and pushed it, smiling when a song came to life. "Oh, I'm good."

"Hey, that was pure luck," Shane growled, "And I'm not a pop-star. I don't sing to fake guitars and to lyrics I don't even write."

Wow, someone was in a bad mood…

"Are you okay?" she asked him, furrowing her brow.

"Yeah," he sarcastically sounded, "I'm just peachy." Mitchie decided not to ask further as she turned her face in the other direction, towards her window. Even though she couldn't see anything, it was better than facing his bad mood. She could feel the irritation radiating off his skin. Something must've happened between the time he dropped her off this morning and now.

Even Anakin kept quiet as the radio played in the background and that was a first for the dog.

'And in the latest celeb news, it seems that internationally-known singer Shane Gray has a new girl on the scene. He was seen at local ice-cream parlor on Saturday with an unknown female and a Labrador. The dark haired girl slightly resembles his ex, Ashley Lawn, who recently returned to America after three months of shooting a movie in Europe. Wonder what the actress has to say about Shane's new-

He hastily turned the radio off.

This was why he hardly ever had it on in the first place these days.

So people had already seen him with Mitchie. He should've expected that. Nothing was ever a secret in celeb-land. He just didn't like how the reporter had made him seem like the bad guy. It was Ashley who'd left him! He wasn't cheating on her or anything. They weren't even in a relationship. It'd been purely for the fun of it and he knew it'd all been a game to Ashley.

Or he knew that now at least.

If she'd really cared for him, she would've told him about the Europe thing and she would've kept in contact.

"It won't be long till they find out who I am," Mitchie remarked into the silence.

"No, it won't," he nodded, "But who cares. Let the public think what they want."

"Even if they think we're dating?" she challenged.

Shane's grip on the steering wheel tightened, "I honestly couldn't care at the moment. We aren't dating and as long as we know that, it's good enough. And it's only for two months."

He failed to notice Mitchie's heartbroken frown.

Another chapter been and gone =) YAY! Aww, poor Mitchie! And sorry, I just had to add Ashley again... I really don't know why! No wait, she has a purpose =)

Can I pretty please have 5 reviews for this chappie? I'll give you Smitchie fluff in return =P

Lorey

Xoxo