Chapter Three

Time kept moving. Mitchie however, felt as though she were on the outside looking in. She saw the world keep living, growing. And it seemed she was at a stand still, not ready to let go, not ready to move on, not without Shane.

While getting ready for their next show Mitchie wasn't quite with the program. Keeping to herself not interacting much. Depression weighing down on her.

"Mitchie…?" a voice cautiously called.

"Hmmm?" she looked up into Ronnie's wide smile.

"Uh… Err.. Uhm.."

"What is it Ronnie?" She smiled sheepishly.

"I know, I've asked you a million times. But, please, just this once, will you go get a bite to eat with me?"

"Ronnie, I don't know."

"Hey, its cool. I understand." He still looked hopeful as he walked away.

Mitchie groaned and plopped her head to her make up table.

"Mitch were on in ten!" Jason skidded inside her dressing room.

"Okay, be right out," She smiled.

This Charade was getting old.

"That's how you know, that's how you know- that's how you know he's your love!" Mitchie finished the song with a sad forced smile at the crowd. It was important to keep her energy up so that the audience would enjoy the show. The concerts took so much of her energy lately. To smile, to sing and dance, to get the fans hyped. If she wasn't so saddened by Shane's absence she may even enjoy herself, feel gratified. Instead she felt drained and unhappy.

"Thank you everyone!! Goodnight!!" she smiled and walked off the stage with Nate and Jason.

"Oh Mitchie," Nate said with a sly look.

"What?" She asked warily recognizing the mischief in his eyes.

"There's a surprise for you on the bus."

"Nate. I hate surprises. Please just tell me."

"Not a chance."

"ARGH!" she grumbled walking to the tour bus.

When she entered she was instantly assaulted by small body engulfing her into a bear hug which landed them on the floor.

"Mitchieeee" an enthused familiar voice squealed.

"Caitlyn!" Mitchie cried with a burst of happiness, "What are you doing here?!"

"Well, I heard you guys were coming to MY town and I called Nate. He said we should surprise you because you've been depressed. So, here I am." She smiled.

"Oh Cait!" Mitchie beamed. "How long are you staying??"

"As long as you want me, my parents are off on another cruise and well, frankly I love my gramps and grams but I'd much rather hang with you!" She laughed throwing an arm over her best friend.

"Awesome!!"

"Yep, so how about you and me do a little catching up?"

"Ok Let's sit down." Mitchie gestured to the built in couch and table and things.

"Man these tour buses aren't as glamorous as I'd hoped." Caitlyn stated receiving a light punch in the arm from Mitchie, "Whaat?" She cried and Mitchie just laughed as they settled down to catch up.

After hours of catching up, Nate and Jason fell asleep in their bunks, while Mitchie and Caitlyn lounged comfortably on the couch.

"Now that we've talked about everything under the sun, I really want to ask you." Caitlyn hesitated.

"What is it Cait?"

"Well, Nate and Jason are worried about how you're taking the whole, Shane being in a comma situation."

Mitchie sighed softly, happy that her friends cared, but sad because she didn't want them to worry.

"Honestly. Not well." she laughed grimly.

"I could have told you that. But what I really want to know Mitchie, is what's going on inside your head. We're best friends Mitch, let me in." Caitlyn stared sincerely into Mitchie's eyes.

"It's not that easy to talk about Cait. I want to, but I'm not sure what to say." She looked down.

"Just say anything. Give me a clue on how I can help, Hun. I can't stand not being able to ease whatever pain you're in."

Tears welled in Mitchie's eyes. There were no words to describe her pain. A constant gnawing in her gut. An empty hole in her heart. An ache whenever she thought of her helpless boyfriend, strapped to an IV.

"Mitchie it's okay," Caitlyn cooed taking Mitchie in her arms as she began to sob herself to sleep.

Mitchie opened her eyes and found she was in her old room. At her house? Wasn't she just on the tour bus with Caitlyn? Puzzled she got out of bed and walked down stairs where she could smell breakfast.

"Momma?" She called walking closer to the kitchen and caught her back as she saw who was cooking breakfast, "Shane?"

"Hey babe," he said turning, his long hair framing his smiling face, "Morning."

"What are you doing here?"

He gave her a confused look, "Cooking you breakfast. Sit down."

She sat across her kitchen table as he did and stared at him, "Shane, I love you." She choked. She knew what was coming.

"Mitch, I know. And I love you too. That's why you have to keep going-" He sniffed, "Uh-oh eggs are burning, let me get that." He smiled getting.

"Wait Shane don't," She pleaded helplessly feeling a shapr pain in her head, "What do you mean keep going?"

"Hang on let me get this."

She let tears fall and looked up to see that the kitchen was gone. Shane was gone. She was alone in the dark. She felt crushed as the emptiness consumed her.

"Hey wake up. Mitchie you have to wake up" She heard Caitlyn shake her.

Not now she thought. I will later.

"Mitchie?!"

"Mitchie please?"

"Should we call a doctor?"

She could her the concerned voices but didn't care. She would stay asleep as long as she could until she could conjure Shane again.