Well I couldn´t wait to update this I loved writing the last chap. This was a super duper long one and I decided to not write too much into the party because well there wasn´t much else that could happen lol. write in a review if u want me 2 write out the party. Own nothing. read on.

¨What did my mom need help with?¨ Shane asked once Mitchie had returned, sitting between Shane´s feet on the floor. ¨And, why are you sitting there?¨ He toyed with her hair and she shrugged.

¨She just needed help finding a measuring cup.¨ Mitchie told him looking at the television. He looked at Ella and Caitlyn who were also looking at the t.v. and shrugged.

¨Okay...¨ She laughed as he put his arms beneath hers and lifted her up so she was partly sitting on the couch and partly sitting on his lap. She leaned back into the couch and he began to tickle her so she squealed with laughter. Ella and Caitlyn made eye contact and immediately dove towards him, both of their hands relentlessly tickling his sides.

Shane laughed and laughed, calling to his band mates for help. Nate wrapped his arms around Caitlyn´s middle, tickling her but that didn´t stop her from tickling Shane. Jason leaned over and tickled Ella´s stomach.

¨THIS ISN´T FAIR!¨ Mitchie yelled through her laughter. Rich; down the other end of the couch scooched off the couch and entered the kitchen with Jen.

Somehow Mitchie and Shane had ended up the bottom of the pile, the other four on top, tickling and laughing. ¨TRUCE!¨ Shane and Mitchie practically screamed. Everyone slowly slid off the two of them, fixing shirts and holding their sides from laughing so hard.

Mitchie panted as she sat upright, leaning her head on Shane´s shoulder. Once she had caught her breath she turned to look at Shane, a smile painted on her face...WHACK! She smacked the side of his head. ¨Hey!! What was that for?¨ He asked rubbing his head.

¨You deserved it!¨ She laughed, leaning over and kissing the spot where she had smacked him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her over to him to finish watching the movie.

¨Lunch is ready!¨ Jen stood in the doorway of the kitchen. ¨Mac and cheese!¨ She smiled. The teenagers stood and hurried in to eat.

¨Hey once we finish why don´t we head over to the park, maybe go see some of the old crowd.¨ Nate proposed putting an enormous spoonful in his mouth, the noodles falling down his chin.

¨Nathan did you ever learn proper table manners?¨ Jen tossed a napkin at him. He grabbed at it and wiped off his mouth. Everyone laughed and nodded, agreeing with the idea.

Afterwards the six walked out into the warm summer air. Ella hopped on Jason´s back who spun in a circle and ran ahead. The other four ran ahead after them. Nate´s arm was resting comfortably on Caitlyn´s shoulders and Shane had slipped his fingers between Mitchie´s, using the other to point out parts of the neighborhood.

¨And that´s where I live.¨ Nate pointed to a quaint little blue house. The door suddenly opened and out came a young girl around four or five years old. ¨NATE!¨ The girl exclaimed running towards him. Nate lowered himself to her level and opened his arms, picking her up and spinning her around.

¨Hey Lizzie!¨ She wrapped her legs around him like a monkey, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. He moved her up a little higher and ruffled her hair. ¨Guys this is Lizzie, my niece.¨ She waved her hand at them all. ¨We´re gonna go for a walk, how about I come back in two hours to play, I´ll even bring someone new to play with as well!¨ She bobbed her head and ran back inside.

He stood back up and joined them while walking. ¨Nate, how come I didn´t know you had a niece?¨ Caitlyn asked him as they turned the corner. Nate looked to the ground and waited a second before responding.

¨Because my sister left Lizzie at our house two years ago. Said she was going out for an audition and didn´t come back.¨ He nodded his head and she covered her mouth then giving him a hug. He weakly smiled at her and shrugged.

¨Here we are!¨ Shane opened his arms to the enormous park. Ella pulled Jason over to the swing set and stood on one, swinging in circles. Caitlyn and Nate took off down the long path, talking as they went but Mitchie stopped dead in her tracks. Standing opposite she and Shane were the girls she had faced earlier that day.

The girl put her sunglasses on her head and walked over to them, the other four right behind her. ¨Shane! Oh my gosh hey!¨ Shane´s face lit up as he saw her and gave her a hug. Mitchie couldn´t believe it! In her opinion the girl held on a little tighter and a little longer than necessary but said nothing.

As he stepped back, Mitchie moved her hand towards his but he didn´t take it. ¨Mitch, this is Jessica. I´ve known her since we were little kids! And this is Riley, Nina, Andi, and, Emily...¨ Each girl smiled radiantly at her and waved as though they hadn´t rudely insulted her less than six hours ago.

¨And this is my beautiful girlfriend Mitchie.¨ He kissed her cheek. ¨Hi, nice to meet you.¨ She forced a smile. He smiled and put his arm around her waist. Jessica smiled and turned her head slightly at the same time. Shane pulled her over to the gazebo where they all sat down.

¨I´ve missed you Shane how come you haven´t been back in like forever??¨ Jessica leaned over, her hand brushing his knee. He laughed and shrugged.

¨Well you know Connect 3´s taking off and it´s getting harder to come back but it feels great being here for now. I´m turning 21 tomorrow and we´re having a concert here in fact.¨ She laughed and tossed her blonde hair, sitting back.

¨Hinting for me to get you a present?¨ She smiled a little flirtatiously. Shane laughed and waved a hand.

¨Well if you insist!¨ The two laughed and talked, Mitchie growing a little bored as they exchanged little inside jokes. After what seemed like hours Shane stood up and took Mitchie´s hand. ¨Well it´s been great seeing you Jess, we´ve got to catch up later!¨ They walked down the stairs and onto a winding path to catch up with everybody else.

¨Oh I left my bag!¨ Mitchie exclaimed running back to the gazebo. The girls were still sitting there talking and looked up as she entered, leaning over to get the bag. ¨I totally didn´t realize who you were today, that top really is cute.¨ Mitchie stood up so fast, she was sure she heard something crack in her back.

¨Oh please, now that you know I´m dating Shane you´re just gonna suck up. I´ve met mannequins that are realer than you.¨ She snatched her purse off the seat and turned on her heel to leave.

¨Fine. If you don´t want me to be nice then there you go, you so don´t deserve Shane. I´m gonna make him see that.¨ Mitchie ran quickly from the gazebo and back into Shane´s arms.

¨Are you okay?¨ Shane looked at her bewildered. She nodded hurriedly.

¨Yeah, I just uhm saw a bee.¨ She didn´t want to make a big deal and ruin Shane´s hometown trip. He picked her up into his arms and kissed her happily.

¨Well then let´s get away from here!¨ She grinned and he ran towards the now abandoned swing set. He set her down and began to push her higher and higher, her laugh ringing out.

She jumped off, her hair flying behind her and landed safely on the ground, Shane standing behind the swings, his arms hanging limply at his sides. ¨HOLY CRAP MITCHIE!¨ She laughed and planted a kiss on his lips. ¨I´m fine! You always overreact, Shaney.¨ She took his hand and led him over to where everyone else was sitting on benches.

¨It´s so nice here.¨ Caitlyn said leaning back into Nate. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed the top of her head.

¨Yeah and every one´s soo nice here!¨ Ella exclaimed and everyone nodded in agreement.

¨Guess who we ran into?¨ Shane asked them excitedly, running his hands up and down Mitchie´s arms. The other four looked at them quizzically, of course only Nate would recognize her anyway.

¨Jessica! Remember I told you guys about her?¨ He asked Jason and Nate. Nate nodded.

¨I remember her! She was always so...nice!¨ Nate struggled to find an adjective to describe her but clearly Shane didn´t notice the hesitation, though Mitchie caught it.

¨Yeah and Andi, Emily and all them...¨ He smiled even more but Nate and Jason turned to look at him.

¨Emily? Like the Emily?¨ Jason asked him quizzically. Shane looked at Mitchie.

¨Y-yeah, Emily.¨Shane replied and Mitchie turned to looked at him.

¨Who is she?¨ And Shane avoided her gaze pointedly. ¨Shane?¨ She pushed.

¨My ex-girlfriend.¨ and she stepped back. ¨Oh, was she that pretty red head?¨ Her disposition changed and Shane looked at the ground and moved his hand towards hers.

¨She´s nowhere near as beautiful as you Mitchie.¨ She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms instead. ¨Can we go home?¨ She asked standing up between Ella and Caitlyn. They linked their arms with hers and walked ahead of the guys who were giving Shane the cold shoulder.

Nate sped up his pace and took Caitlyn´s hand. ¨Will you come over so we can see Lizzie for a little while?¨ Caitlyn looked at Mitchie. ¨Go! Have fun!¨ She grinned. Caitlyn and Nate turned onto his lawn and into the house.

¨Mitchie?¨ Shane stepped up where Caitlyn had been walking. Ella glared at him but Mitchie nodded her head and looked at Shane.

¨I´m sorry I completely over reacted.¨ Mitchie said after a moments silence. Shane looked at her; amazed.

¨You´re apologizing?¨ He laughed. ¨Mitchie, I should have told you Emily was my ex, I shouldn´t have even brought her up. Have you noticed how weird our relationship is?¨

She snorted, and though she covered her mouth she couldn´t stop laughing. ¨We are weird.¨ She agreed giving him a kiss. They walked in and began to help Jen with supper. ¨Shane could you go see if your father could come down and help?¨ He nodded and ran upstairs.

¨Okay party´s tomorrow night, right after the concert. Do you think you could distract him for a couple of hours?¨ Mitchie nodded and began to mix the sauce.

¨Dad´s not upstairs.¨ Shane came into the kitchen, pointing his thumb at the doorway.

¨Oh that´s right he went out, well you kids go have fun!¨ Jen pushed them out.

Mitchie took Shane´s hand, ¨So what do you want to do until dinner?¨ Shane asked, his thumb rubbing circles on her hand. They ended up walking around the town for an hour.

The entire night Mitchie couldn´t sleep. She kept thinking about the awful things Jessica had said to her. She roamed around the house and knocked on the door she was sure was Shane´s room. Nate opened the door, his curly hair going everywhere. He rubbed his eyes and tried to figure out who it was.

¨Mitchie?¨ He yawned and scratched his head. Mitchie nodded.

¨I was looking for Shane´s room.¨ She told him, leaning against the door frame. He yawned again and pointed to the right.

¨In there. But Mitchie?¨ She stopped mid step, looking at him quizzically. ¨What did you really think of Jess?¨ Mitchie looked at him long and hard.

¨Can I come in?¨ He nodded and showed her in. She sat at the desk and spun in the chair. ¨I think she´s the most awful, cruel, and terrible girl I´ve ever met!¨ She finished sadly.

Nate stood up and pat her shoulder comfortingly. ¨What happened?¨

She sniffed and shrugged. ¨I don´t know what it is that I did to her but she started completely insulting me and being just an absolute jerk!¨ She put her face in her hands.

¨She´s been in love with Shane since fifth grade. Something tells me she´ll stop at nothing to try and take him back.¨

Mitchie moaned.¨Great! Something to look forward to.¨ Nate stood up and reached out his hand.

¨Come on I´ll walk you back.¨ They walked to her room and she closed the door as Nate walked away. She tried to sleep but her dreams were filled with visions of Jessica taking Shane from her.

The next morning they all left at around ten to set up for the concert that night. There were cords running off the makeshift stage that one had to practically jump around on one foot so as to not trip. The day passed in a blur. Shane stealing kisses from Mitchie after every couple of hours.

That night they all drove home to change and get a few refreshments. Shane was wearing jet black jeans and a silver button up shirt and a black vest. Nate was wearing white pants and a purple shirt. And finally Jason had put on some red jeans and layered black and white shirts.

Caitlyn and Ella had just tossed on t-shirts and jeans, with lots of accessories but Mitchie was wearing the beautiful white tank top Shane had sent her from Paris when he was there last summer. She put on her white washed jeans and put red heart earrings in.

She joined everyone in the entrance hall and Shane smiled as she walked in, moving towards her. ¨And how is that you expect me to not want to kiss you?¨ He growled into her ear.

¨Because your mother is in the room!¨ Jen announced as she walked in. Shane moved away from Mitchie where he had put one hand next to her head as she was standing against the wall.

¨Gee thanks for reminding me mom.¨ He tried to smile. She pat his head and then pat Mitchie´s head.

¨Come on let´s go!¨ They all piled into the car. As they pulled up, people crowded around and the guys ran onto the stage picking up their instruments.

¨One Two Three Four!¨ Jason yelled strumming his guitar.

¨Okay now girls I need your help, I´m gonna go pick up the cake and drop it off at the party hall, Jason and Nate know and their gonna drive over with Shane´s dad with you two girls, Mitchie it´ll be your job to distract him okay? We´ll call you when everything´s all set!¨ The four women went their separate ways.

Mitchie stood in the front row, jumping up and down with the crazed fans. ¨Hey. Mitchie.¨ Jessica was standing in front of her as she head back behind the stage.

¨Hey.¨ Mitchie crossed her arms. ¨What do you want Jessica?¨ She tucked her hair behind her ear and the blonde girl tossed her hair and laughed.

¨What do I want? Oh come on Mitchie, it´s simple. I want Shane. He may have dated Emily, and a few of my other friends but I was always there for him. That girl who was always there to help him up when he was down and clearly his standards are down. Well I´m gonna remind him how to raise himself back up. Bye Mitchie.¨

In a few short steps Jessica was standing in the middle of the stage, her hand on Shane´s microphone. Shane didn´t notice for a second but the smile stayed on his face but was no longer a smile, more confusion than anything else.

¨What are you doing Jess?¨ But she just smiled and leaned towards him. Mitchie was watching with a look of horror falling upon her face. Every one seemed to be frozen, Nate and Jason had dropped their guitars so that they were merely dangling off of their shoulder straps.

The entire crowd watched as Jessica put a hand behind his head and pulled her lips onto his. After a few seconds she pulled away, a satisfied smirk on her face. Shane stepped back, ¨I have to...Mitchie!¨ He ran off stage and locked his lips onto hers.

Once they had stopped Mitchie smiled and asked quietly, ¨What was that for?¨ But he held her in his arms.

¨To tell myself what a kiss is supposed to feel like.¨ She laughed and kissed him again.

¨Hello!! Shane?¨ Nate and Jason called from the stage. ¨Shows over!¨ He called with a grin.

¨You are making such a mistake!¨ Jessica stormed out.

¨I like mistakes.¨ Shane whispered and Mitchie kissed him again.

¨I like being one.¨

Up on stage Nate and Jason shrugged and waved goodbye, sneaking off with Caitlyn and Ella to set up.¨Come on...¨ Shane whispered taking Mitchie´s hand. They walked quietly behind the weeping willow over to the smaller gazebo on the other side of the park. Mitchie was hoping to talk to him or something to distract him for a while.

Once they were standing inside, Shane´s lips attacked hers. Mitchie gasped and arched into him as they soundlessly fell onto the gazebo bench. Shane pulled away for a second. breathing heavily, his body towering over hers. ¨Wait, everybody else, waiting.¨ He put his hands on either side of her face.

¨Taken, care of.¨ She breathed back. He smiled and dipped back down, kissing her more slowly, laying over her. Their two hearts beating together. Suddenly something else pulsated between them. Shane moved away.

¨Uh Mitchie?¨ He sat back. She opened her cell phone.

¨Oh, okay. Come on Shane let´s go!¨ Shane stood leaning against the beam of the gazebo.

¨And where is it that we´re going?¨ He asked as she pulled him across the park and into a limo. She laughed and pat his knee reassuringly. After a short while the limo pulled in front of the Linden Function Hall. ¨What are we doing here?¨ She stood up and took his hand and led him inside.

¨SURPRISE!¨ Shane stepped backwards;¨What!?¨

Mitchie kissed his cheek.¨Happy birthday sweetie.¨ As they walked in, everyone was standing, holding a gift, or a drink or dancing.

¨Shane, say hello to your very first alcoholic beverage.¨ Jason laughed handing him something. Shane took a big gulp and spit it back out, sputtering it everywhere.

¨Happens to the best of us.¨ Richard laughed as he sipped his beer.