MINI RECAP

When Mitchie's casket has been buried, we all walk slowly towards the black cars that wait to take us to our homes.

A YEAR AND A HALF LATER

Caitlin's POV

"OMG!" I cried. "Shane really has a girlfriend?" Nate laughed as I jumped up and down excitedly. "Yes, her name is Katy Gomez." "Well, she'll be good for him! He's been so depressed since Mitchie died, I seriously thought he would kill himself!" Nate nodded. "I did, too. Then he met Katy, and everything changed. He says there's no one else like her in the whole world. She's all he ever talks about." "Have you met her?" I inquire curiously. "We're meeting her tomorrow. Also, she apparently has quite a singing voice." "Does he always go for singers, or is that just me?" Nate laughs. "No, you're right. Only singers." I giggle. "I guess it's a good thing I don't sing then, huh?" "Mmm, and why's that?" he asks. "'Cuz then you wouldn't have had your chance at getting me!" I laugh, and Nate rolls her eyes. "I would have gotten my chance either way," he says. "Sure, sure," I say, and start to walk away. Nate grabs my hand and forces me backwards; I fall over the arm of the couch and Nate follows me – he stars tickling me. "No – Nate – stop!" I shriek between giggles. The front door opens. "Oh, wow – PDA!" says Jason. "Get a room!" cries Shane. I decide to pester him about Katy. "Shane and Katy, sittin' in a tree, K – I – S – S – I – N – G!" I sing. "Real mature, Caitlin." "Thank you, thank you very much," I say theatrically, bowing repeatedly. Nate and Jason laugh, while Shane glares at me. "So, tell me about this Katy," I command, while seating myself on Nate's lap. Shane smiles excitedly. "She's amazing! There's no one else like her in the entire world! And she has the most beautiful voice – like an angel! I'm going to marry her someday, just wait and see. We'll be the happiest couple the world has ever known!" he cries animatedly. My heart swells. He used to say that about Mitchie all the time, before she killed herself. Before he broke her heart. I can only hope that this Katy will fare better than Mitchie ever did.

THE NEXT DAY

Caitlin's POV

Shane is taking us to the local recording studio to meet Katy – she is recording her first album there. We walk in and wait for Katy to come out of the studio to see us. A minute later, she opens the door – and I am staring at Mitchie Torres. I rub my eyes and realize that this girl has differences – her hair is darker, for one – much darker. She has blues instead of the chocolate brown Mitchie had; she's slightly taller as well. However, these are minute differences – she could have been Mitchie's twin. She hugs Shane, and he introduces each of us. "This is Nate and Jason, my band – mates, and this is Caitlin, Nate's girlfriend." She acknowledges each of us with a smile and a slight nod. We do the same when Shane introduces her. "And this is Katy. Obviously." We all laugh. "Shane, honey, I have to finish recording," says Katy. "Alright, sweetheart." They kiss and she goes back into the studio. Shane turns on the speaker so we can hear her sing. She steps up to the microphone and opens her mouth. Mitchie's voice sounds in my ears. Katy stops singing and Shane turns off the speaker. He turns to us. "Isn't she amazing?" I nod, dazed. We leave. Later, I talk to Nate about Katy, how she reminded me so much of Mitchie – he noticed it, too. "Do you think he's only dating her because she's so much like Mitchie?" Nate nods. "It's possible. I don't know for sure. What if he is? What can we do about it?" I sigh. "Nothing, I suppose." Nate nods again. "We'll just have to see how it plays out." Unfortunately, when you play with love, no one wins.