A/N: Mitchie's song lyrics in bold, and Mitchie's dream in italics. I'm glad everyone likes this story so far. I hope the plot doesn't move along too quickly but I'm not gonna drag this story out like I usually do, because I still have to end my other story, which is waaaayyy too long (haha, you all know, the LOONG one). Anyway, ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't own Camp Rock.
Things not what they used to be, missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can't be real, cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me to the point of agony
Growing darkness taking dawn, I was me, but now she's gone
Do you know what it's like
To feel so in the dark?
To dream about a life,
Where you're the shining star
Even though it seems
Like it's too far away
I have to believe in myself
It's the only way
-
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me
I stopped singing, tears rolling down my cheeks. I'd forgotten how wonderful it felt to sing, to feel free again. I sobbed as I stood, grabbing my songbook, and running out of the door. The pain was overwhelming me again. I shouldn't have sang; it brought back too many memories.
"Mitchie... wait, Mitchie, what's wrong?" I heard Caitlyn ask as I brushed past her, but I didn't stop. I didn't want people to see me cry; I didn't want people to know about what happened for fear they'd only become my friends out of pity for me. I ran blindly, unsure of where I was going. I only knew I wanted to get away. I'd promised myself I wouldn't sing since my mother had died, but I'd broken that just now. I collapsed on the ground, sobbing, trying to regain my composure.
Shane's POV
I stormed around the cafeteria. How dare that girl talk to me like that! She had NO right whatsoever to speak to me so rudely, or call me bipolar. Really, me, bipolar? Ha. The nerve of some people! Ugh, I was really sick of people. Especially most of my fans, who only liked me for my looks. At least so far I'd managed to escape the fan girls notice. But I guess I'd spoken too soon, because suddenly I was being chased by a whole crowd of screaming girls. I ran, hoping to maybe outrun them, but as I rounded the corner, I tripped, falling conveniently behind some of the bushes in front of the Mess Hall. I stayed quiet, knowing the bushes themselves were far too skinny to hide me, but hoping that by some miracle the fans wouldn't look my way.
Do you know what it's like
To feel so in the dark?
I started at first, raising my head in confusion. I'd just heard the most beautiful, amazing voice singing, washing away all my irritated thoughts of the girl I'd run into earlier and bringing... a peaceful feeling. It was obviously coming from the Mess Hall, and I wanted to at least peek into the window, but then I risked getting noticed by the fan girls. No, I'd stay quiet for now, and when they'd left I'd find out who was singing. Her voice...
This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
"I think he went that way!" One of the girls yelled, pointing in the opposite direction of where I was crouching, and I sighed in relief as the other girls followed her and raced away. Releasing my breath, I slid up with my back against the wall, quietly so as not to startle whoever was singing. As carefully as possible, I opened the door and walked in only to find... an empty room.
"Who was in here?" I asked, mostly to myself, wishing some miracle would happen and the girl would respond, as I walked over to the piano, staring down at it. The girl's voice... it was simply amazing. It was pure, strong, and the most angelic sound I'd ever heard. It was real; not some stupid song that the label wanted you to play. "I know you're here somewhere." Giving up, I sighed in frustration, swinging open the door. I just had to find that girl with the voice if it was the last thing I ever did.
Slowly the tears had stopped running, and I'd managed to calm myself somewhat. Now I sat quietly with my back pressed against a tree, breathing softly.
"Mitchie, are you okay?" I turned to see Caitlyn standing above me, looking down at me with a worried expression.
"Yeah." I responded stiffly, standing up.
"But you just ran by me..." Caitlyn stared at me suspiciously, but then I could see she decided to let it drop. For now. "Why don't we just go and get some lunch?" She asked instead. I nodded.
"Sure. Whatever you'd like." She didn't realize what I meant was, whatever distracts you from trying to find out why I was crying. She smiled and took my hand. I stiffened, immediately wanting to pull it away, but I noticed her watching my expression and forced myself to relax. We made our way to the cafeteria, where they were all ready serving lunch. Once we'd helped ourselves, Caitlyn lead me over to a table.
"This is Lola, Barron, and Sander," Caitlyn introduced me, and I forced myself to smile and shake their hands before placing my tray on the table and sitting down next to Caitlyn.
"So, Mitchie, what cabin are you staying in?" Lola asked, and I paused, trying to remember.
"Umm, Cabin Vibe." I replied after a moment, hoping I was right. Lola nodded.
"Hey, I'm staying there!" Caitlyn said, giving me a bright smile. I inwardly groaned. Great, just what I needed. I mean, Caitlyn was really nice and all - gosh, did I just say that? I meant evil and brutal -, but she was a little nosy (if you haven't noticed all ready), and I wasn't one to spill my personal life. But I think both of those things are very obvious.
"Oh look, it's the clutz girl, sitting with the other bunch of losers." Tess spat as she walked by. "So, Caitlyn, are your parents still working on that cruise ship?" She tossed her hair, her expression and tone making it no secret that she was implying she thought that Caitlyn, along with her parents, were completely lame.
"No, actually," Caitlyn began, but I cut her off. Why? Yeah, I'm not sure. Somehow, I know I'm going to regret this later, but I continued anyway.
"I'm Mitchie Torres." For some reason, I just wanted to prove to Tess that Caitlyn and I weren't pathetic losers. Now, I realize I should have kept my mouth shut.
"Yeah, whatever." Tess rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"Oh, hey, is your dad Nikki Torres, the composer?" The dark haired girl behind Tess asked, looking excited. I felt a pain in my chest at the mention of my father.
"No." I replied, somewhat tight-lipped. Tess laughed and began to move on.
"Come on Peggy, we shouldn't waste our time on such peasants. We've got better things to do."
"But my mom," I didn't even realize what I'd said until I shot to my feet and faced Tess. I moaned inwardly, fidgeting. I'd just opened a can of worms, no matter what my reply was.
"Your mom...?" Tess asked, motioning with her hands for me to hurry up. I gulped, forcing a huge lump down my throat.
"Uhh, yeah, my mom is the president of Hot Tunes... in China." As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I felt guilt rain down on me. I'd betrayed my mom in another way just now.
"Really? That is so cool!" The dark haired girl, Peggy, exclaimed, looking interested. Tess glanced at her in annoyance before returning her cold gaze to me.
"Yeah. Totally. I was in like, three music videos last summer, but I was in the back so you could hardly see me." I smiled at their approval, but my expression turned serious when that little voice inside my head began telling me how what I had done was possibly the worst thing I could have done and reminding me of what I had said. Tess gave me a huge smile before continuing on her way, Peggy and the other girl fast in tow.
"Wow, that is so cool Mitchie, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Caitlyn asked, nudging me when I sat back down. I glanced uncomfortably at her, shifting slightly away. Gosh, was I ever going to get a break?
"I, uh, didn't think it was important," I lied -again- and everyone at the table stared at me in disbelief.
"Not important? Girl, that is way cool." I gave a weak smile, feeling sick.
"I'm not really hungry, I'm just going to go and lie down for a little while, okay?" I stood up quickly, picking up my tray.
"Are you okay?" Caitlyn asked, giving me the same, concerned yet suspicious look she had earlier.
"Yeah, just a headache." Another lie! Now I really wanted to go puke. I'd never realized how true the saying 'one lie leads to another' was, until just now. Before they could question me further, I walked away, avoiding their confused glances.
I made my way to Cabin Vibe, and lay down on the bed, trying to stop my thoughts that were weighing down on me. I couldn't believe I had said my mom was the president of Hot Tunes... China! What an idiot I was! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I groaned, flipping onto my stomach, and buried my face into my pillow, wishing I could just disappear. My first day here, and I had pretty much all ready screwed my whole summer up. Way to go, Mitchie.
"Honey, my sweet Mitchie." My mom sighed, pulling me into a hug. I fought back tears, allowing her to wrap her arms around me, holding me tightly.
"I lied, mom." I broke down. What could I say; I couldn't keep things from my mom. I could feel my mom groan beside me.
"Oh honey, you don't have to lie to fit in. Just be yourself, and people will love you for you. You're an amazingly talented, sweet, good-hearted person, and that's all that matters. Never forget that." She said softly, rubbing my back.
"It's not like that around here. And, I didn't think when I said what I did. It just came out of my mouth, and now... and the worst part about it, was I lied about you." She leaned her head against my shoulder, holding me until my tears subsided, muttering my name under her breath. My heart had just stopped racing when I felt her grip loosen, and I looked up to see her fading away, a sad smile still on her lips.
"No, Mom!" I cried, chasing after her. Before I could reach her, she'd disappeared. "Mom!" I screamed, trying to grab at her but my hands slipping through thin air. I collapsed to the ground, in tears, but the floor beneath me opened, and the darkness swallowed me.
I yawned, rolling over onto my back and blinking groggily. Someone was leaning over me, giggling. Once my eyes focused, I realized it was Caitlyn.
"Ugh. It's too early, go away." I moaned, picking up my pillow and placing it over my face, hoping she'd go away. Instead, she peeled the pillow off of my face.
"Wake up, sleepyhead." She said, poking my side. "Time to rise and shine!" I forced myself to my feet, avoiding her gaze, and made my way to the bathroom to get ready. "See you in a few minutes!" Caitlyn yelled, and I heard the cabin door slam. Ugh. Maybe now that she was gone, I'd be able to go back to bed and get some peace and quiet. However, I still brushed my hair, and my teeth, and so forth. When I was finally ready I pushed open the door and, trying to rid myself of this tiredness, jumped down the steps.
"Hey, were you okay last night?" Caitlyn asked. She must have been waiting for me, because she was standing right next to the steps, leaning against the post. I frowned.
"What do you mean?" Oh, Caitlyn, why must you have such keen eyes and ears? Or is it that I'm just bad at keeping secrets? Or a little bit of both?
"You were crying in your sleep, and kept muttering, 'no' over and over again. Oh, and one time you screamed, 'Mom'."
"Uhh, just a bad dream." I replied, somewhat truthfully. "Umm, my mom wasn't umm, the president of Hot Tunes China... and she sent me away, and then I came back a year later, and she didn't remember me...yeah, I know, it was a silly dream." I gave another fake laugh before pushing past her and hoping she wouldn't follow me. Somehow, I knew my summer was going to be filled with unwanted drama. Should be fun.
