i love having snow days cause it means i get to type!! WOOO! another chapter has arrived. =] thanks for all who are interested in this story! it keeps me writing. =] enjoy!

Chapter Seven: The Unthinkable

6:50pm

The noise level increased tremendously in the past half hour or so. Even in the dressing rooms the screaming girls could be heard plain as day. Anxiety and excitement hung in the air.

Nate played a melody on his guitar, humming along to the soft chords. Jason continued to tune his own guitar. Shane was quieter than usual. At this time he would usually be bouncing around the room, ready to get on stage.

"Boys were meeting in the pit in fifteen minutes," the concert manager stated. "Demi is just about ready to go on and we need everyone."

The boys nodded. This was the worst part of the whole. Don't get them wrong; they loved listening to Demi and Taylor sing but they were so anxious to get on stage themselves. It was rather hard for them to sit another two hours waiting to play.

Upon leaving the dressing room the noise and screams intensified. The vibe of the arena pulsed through Shane; he let the cheers and chants of 'Connect 3' wash over him. The brothers met up with the whole cast and crew of the concert in the pit.

The boy's father cleared his throat and began to speak. "Alright everyone, it's come time for another concert. Let us pray for a moment; Dear God, Give everyone the strength and ability to perform to their upmost potential tonight. Pray that no one gets injured and that we have a success. In your name we pray."

"Amen," chorused around the huge circle.

"Girls, boys," he said, looking from Demi and Taylor to his sons, "kick some ass tonight and give these screaming girls what they came here to see! Rock it on three; one, two, three!"

"ROCK IT!" shouted the entire cast and crew members.

Taylor and Demi went off in the direction of the stage, preparing to start the concert off. The boys lingered for awhile but were eventually shuttled off to make up.


8:53pm

"This is beyond boring," complained Mitchie.

Lola danced next to her. "Get up you lazy ass," she demanded, pulling Mitchie to her feet. "You need to just forget about your classical music mantra and live in the fun happy music of this century!"

Caitlyn nodded on Mitchie's other side. "I'm pretty sure that she is going to be done soon. And then you get to see your boy toy."

She groaned. "Stop calling him that."

"I will if you dance!" CC said, moving Mitchie's arms to the beat.

"I hate you."

The singer on stage finally ended her song. "Thanks everyone! You've been amazing! Are you ready for the main act?!" she paused so fans could scream. "I don't think that was loud enough! Don't you want them to hear you!? Now give it up for these three super cute, super talented boys! Connect 3!"


8:58pm

"Boys, assemble!" the director commanded once everyone was done primping.

Jason, Nate, and Shane, with guitars and microphones in hand, stood on three separate platforms under the stage that would rise to the top.

Above them, Demi finished her last song and said, "Thanks everyone! You've been amazing! Are you ready for the main act?!" she paused so fans could scream. "I don't think that was loud enough! Don't you want them to hear you!? Now give it up for these three super cute, super talented boys! Connect 3!"

As Demi announced the boys, the three slowly began their ascent to the deafening roars of the fans above. Shane's adrenaline pumped harder than ever. Lights flickered in every direction, illuminating parts of the jumping crowd.

Shane's breath caught in his throat. Mitchie locked eyes with him for the briefest of seconds and he felt all thoughts leave his mind.


9:01pm

Mitchie knew he saw her just by the way he stopped dead in his tracks – like he saw a ghost of some sort. Thankfully he recovered as quickly as he stopped. All the lights went out suddenly, leaving the whole arena in darkness. A huge flash of light – like fire – spread across the stage and the boys instantly launched into play a song. Mitchie recognized it from earlier when she listened to the album, 'Play My Music' that's what it was.

Every single person in the room sang along to every word. Once the song finished Shane yelled to the crowd, "What's going on Jersey!? How's our hometown loving the concert so far?!"

"That Demi girl was pretty good right?!" Jason asked the crowd.

"We're going to play another song that you all know very well. Feel free to sing along," Nate said.

The brothers huddled together in the middle making this big show of discussing what song they were going to sing next. Mitchie couldn't lie; it was entertaining and adorable at the same time.

She took a moment to look around at all the other girls in the arena. Many held signs that claimed their true love for their favorite brother. Some girls even had pictures of their faces on hand-made t-shirts. Mitchie didn't know if she should feel weird or disgusted with the girls that boasted signs of 'Future Mrs. Shane Gray'. She decided to forget about all the starry eyed fans and keep her eyes on Shane.

The opening chords of 'Year 3000' echoed through the arena. Mitchie swears every single girl screamed through the entire song. Not knowing any of the words gave Mitchie the freedom to stare at Shane. His presence on the stage demanded attention, and his ability to lull girls into a stupor was even more powerful than his presence.

She could have sworn Shane's gaze landed on her more than once during the song, yet again she imagining the whole thing.

"Shane is so good!" exclaimed Caitlyn. "And lord, Nate is even more adorable in his rocker outfit. And that guitar, WOO!"

"I know. He's amazing," said Mitchie breathlessly.

"We're going to slow it down a little bit for this one," Nate said placing his guitar on a stand behind him.

He jogged up a ramp to where a white grand piano stood magnificently on a high-rise.

Shane walked down the runway to the very end. "Let me introduce you to our pianist, my little brother, Nate!"

The crowd went crazy as Nate's fingers plucked out the first couple notes of 'When You Look Me in the Eyes'. Jason and Shane joined with their guitars and voices after Nate sang the first couple verses by himself.

Their voices, along with Shane's constant glance to Mitchie, made chills travel up and down her spine. She felt as if he was singing to her and only her. Mitchie wished she had the guts to do what the brothers did so well – perform and entertain.

Her biggest fear – beyond anything – was performing in front of any amount of people given the fact that they sang in front of thousands upon thousands every night. She loved singing, as much as any other singer – there was no doubt about that. The thought of her energy, her voice, her pride relying on the sole cheers of the crowd scared her to death. She sang for her own pleasure. Singing to herself didn't require the approval of anyone else. She could love it or hate it, just her. No one ever heard her sing; except for Caitlyn and Lola, they were the only two to ever hear her sing. Well, now Shane had heard her too. Other than that, no one else has ever heard her.

Singing to Shane last night took a lot of nerve and power from deep inside herself. Shane, of all people. He is a top recording artist with near perfect vocals. And there she was, some small city girl thinking she could sing.

Hearing him say that she was the voice he had heard that day at school made her confidence soar. After giving him a hard time about sneaking around and listening to her sing, she felt she could sing to millions. If Shane Gray approved did anything else matter?

"Mo! Mitchie!" Caitlyn shouted, shaking the brunette out of her thoughts.

"What?"

"That man wants to talk to you," she pointed to the end of the row where a short bald man waiting impatiently.

"Why?" she asked, worry etched in her words.

"Just go!" CC pushed.

Carefully moving passed Lola, Evan, and Tanya, Mitchie came face to face with the little man.

"Are you Mitchie Jordan?" he asked sourly.

"Yes," she answered uncertainly.

"Follow me," he said abruptly.

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Mr. Shane Gray has requested it."

Shane? Shane wants to see her – now? But he's on stage at the moment singing his heart out to thousands of little girls. Why would he possibly want to see her?

Mitchie really wanted to watch the rest of the performance, but the little man looked on the verge of killing someone if she didn't obey. She reluctantly agreed to follow.


9:48pm

"We're going to slow it down again for you," Shane yelled to the crowd.

"This next song is really amazing," Jason shouted.

"I think you're going to love it," Shane agreed. "But Jason and I are going to have to leave for a few moments."

"Nate is going to entertain while were absent!" Jason said.

"Nate!" Shane screamed as he ran off the stage to the waiting deck, Jason on his heels.

The two brothers were met with curious stares of the crew – not everyone had been informed of their plan. Shane searched the room. His mother smiled knowingly. "She's in the dressing room."

"Have you told her?"
"I thought I would let you do that. She's amazing by the way, real sweet girl."

Shane hugged her. "Thank you. I love you." He took off at a dead sprint with his mother yelling after him, "Five minute!" Jason followed right behind him.

"Dude, you haven't told her yet?" Jason asked, completely perplexed.

"Not really."

"She is totally going to kill you."

"Wait out here," Shane instructed. "I'll let you in when I told her everything. Knock on the door if it's getting close to time."

"Good luck brother."

Shane thanked him. He was going to need it.


9:56pm

A soft knock at the door startled Mitchie. She had been admiring the boys' pictures. "Come in," she said awkwardly, still entranced by a picture of Shane.

"Hey," Shane's voice sounded softly from the door.

Every fiber in her body hummed. Mitchie turned around; Shane stood only a few feet away from her looking absolutely adorable in his post-concert state. She fought every urge in her body to run and tackle him.

Thankfully Shane did that for her.

He crossed the room, enveloping her in his strong arms. Mitchie melted into his touch – not even minding that he was completely slick from sweat. His fingers lost themselves in her long gorgeous hair.

"Thank you so much for coming."

"Thank you so much for inviting me. I never knew I would actually enjoy a concert like this. Plus you're brilliant."

Mitchie swore she saw a faint blush spread across his face – could have been the make up.

"How come you wanted to see me?" she asked.

"Well, you see, I have this idea."

"What kind of idea?" she wondered nervously.

"A really good idea actually."

"Am I going to hate you?"

"I really hope not."