A/N: This rather long chapter is dedicated to my friend ilOv3bOn3s who just uploaded her first fic. If you're a NCIS fan you should check it out (even if you're not you should check it out it's amazing) it's called "When I'm Gone".
Mitchie's Prov
I had successfully gone through yesterday without Matt asking about Dylan after the dressing room incident and without my mum getting me a hideous white dress. Which explained the smile on my face as I got into homeroom the next day, well if I was being honest that was only a small part of why I was smiling the other reason had brown hair and eyes and a smile that made my knees go weak.
"Hey girlies." I smiled widely as I approached my two best friends.
"Hey Mitchie." Ella beamed.
"Hey stranger." Caitlyn smiled. "So, did you lose your cell phone?"
I looked at her confusedly, "No." I said slowly tapping the pocket it was in.
"Well why didn't we get a call when you got home Saturday night?" Caitlyn smiled teasingly.
I laughed slightly, "Sorry, I didn't get back till late and I needed plenty of sleep for yesterday, so I just died when I got back." I explained apologetically.
"Ah." Ella sighed knowingly. "The search for the white dress." She made a face at the end.
Ella and Caitlyn were also going through the nightmare that was the debutante ball, so they understood.
"I guess we can forgive you." Caitlyn giggled. "So, how was the date?" She smiled.
"Is he a good kisser?" Ella laughed.
"The date was amazing! And yes he's a really good kisser." I giggled at the end like some over-crazed fan-girl that got to kiss her idol.
During homeroom and the rest of my classes I was made to go in to way more detail of our every movement and action during the date so Dr Phil and Oprah could analysis everything that happened.
************************************************************
The day went in quickly and I couldn't hide the wide smile that took over my face when the final bell rang.
I was about to run out of the room but I hesitated and waited for Caitlyn and Ella. However my impatience shone through.
"Go on." Caitlyn laughed. "Go see him."
"Yeah, we'll see you in the theatre in a bit." Ella smiled.
"Thank you." I said running out of the classroom towards the caretaker's office.
I met him as he was coming out of the office.
"Hi." I smiled brightly at him.
His head shot up instantly and just as quick his flawless smile appeared. "Hey. I didn't think I was going to see you until after the Drama club."
"Well, I'm sure Miss Johnson won't mind me being a tiny bit late."
"Don't be late because of me." He smiled sweetly taken my hand. "I'll walk you to the theatre, and then we can catch up afterwards."
It was amazing how well after two weeks Shane knew his way about the school and how only after two days we looked and acted as if we've being going out longer, proof that we were supposed to be.
"What are you gonna be up to when I'm in here?" I smiled gesturing to the theatre.
"I have to vacuum the English and Art rooms." He sighed.
"The cleaning will be over soon." I reassured him rubbing his cheek.
"I know." He said closing his eyes slightly as he leaned into my touch. "At the same time I don't want it to be over, it's nice getting to see you every day."
"Shane, we've only been dating since Saturday." I giggled.
"I know." He smiled opening his eyes. "Doesn't mean I haven't been looking at you since I got here though." He said teasingly moving his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
I felt myself blush before I tried to hit him, but my hand collided with air as he danced out of the way.
"I'll see you out front at five." He laughed before turning and walking back the way we came.
I watched after him and waited until his laughing faded before I walked into the theatre and took a seat beside Ella trying not to draw attention to myself.
***************************************************************************
I smiled and felt my pace pick up when I seen him leaning against the wall outside the glass entrance door.
"Look at her go." Ella laughed behind me.
I felt myself blush slightly, "I'll call you guys later." I said over my shoulder.
Both smiled and waved before making their way out the side entrance. I was glad my friends understood that I was just really excited about the beginning of my new relationship and not ditching them on purpose.
"Hi." I smiled as I pushed the glass door opened.
"Hey." He smiled widely making my knees feel like jelly. "How was the Drama club?"
"Not bad, we're putting on "High School Musical" as our end of year show." I smiled.
"Nice, are you going up for Gabriella?"
I laughed in surprise, "You know the character's names?"
He nodded as he cheeks went red, "Jason, had a thing for it when it came out he would not shut up about it."
"Sure." I smiled slyly. "Or you were a secret fan?"
He rolled his eyes slightly, "You're right." He said sarcastically before letting out a high pitched girly scream, "I just looove Troy Bolton, don't you? He's such a hottie." He said impersonating a girl's voice.
I laughed uncontrollably at him.
"O.k." I tried to inhale deeply to calm myself after a few minutes. "I get it, you weren't a huge secret fan."
He smiled victoriously.
"So, how was your afternoon?" I asked.
"Boring I forgot my iPod." He made a face before continuing. "And there was a lot of gum on the carpets and I had to scrape it off. So if you could please for the next three weeks refrain from eating chewing gum in rooms with carpets." He laughed slightly at the end.
"O.k., I promise." I giggled.
He smiled as something came to him. "Speaking of promises. You promised to tell me why you needed a dress." He looked at me intently.
"Ah that." I sighed screwing my face up a little before wandering over to take a seat on the wall.
"Is it that bad?" He giggled sitting beside me.
"For me it is." I said glumly. "Do you know what a debutante ball is?"
His confused expression was answer enough.
"It's when young girls that have reached a mature age are introduced into society." I rhymed off the meaning that had been branded into my brain.
"Sounds like fun." He laughed sarcastically.
I gave him a quick glare.
"Sorry." He apologised. "So, what all happens?"
"Well in the beginning each girl is introduced then their escort walks them down a run way sort of thing before they go to their seats, there's a big meal then there's the deb's first dance." I felt myself shutter at the word dance.
Shane's Prov
Escort? Like a date? Was she going to ask me? Were we that serious that she would consider me? Or had she asked someone else? Could I deal with that?
I looked up at her she had finished speaking, and she obviously wanted me to say something, guess it's now or never to get those answers I thought to myself.
Mitchie's Prov
"Escort?" Shane asked taken a lot of interest in the word I used.
"Yeah, you know like a date sort of thing…" I trailed off as I realised what he was getting at and felt the breath getting stuck in my throat. "You want to be my escort." I spat out when the air in my throat allowed me to.
"Unless you don't want me to." He looked as hurt as his tone was. "I don't want to rush you into anything if you want to take this relationship slowly."
"No." I objected quickly, rush shmush, I really liked Shane and who else would make the worst night of my life fun. "I'd love you to be my escort."
That smiled brightened his face again only this time it was wider I was glad I was sitting down otherwise I would have another bruise. "Great, when is it? Where is it? Wow, I'll have to get a tux."
I laughed at his reaction, "Calm down Shane. It's next month we have plenty of time for you to get organised."
"Good." He smiled as he blew out a huge breath.
Then something so obvious I wanted to hit myself came to me, Matt would be at the ball and he and Shane in one room wasn't good I dreaded to think what would happen when Matt learned that Shane would be escorting me in that one room.
"Matt." I choked out.
"What about…" But before Shane could finish a look of realisation swept across him. "He'll be at the ball."
I nodded once; my throat felt like it had closed up.
"Don't worry, Mitchie." Shane said quickly when he noticed the horror struck look that was on my face. "We'll sort something out; we have plenty of time to talk it out with him."
There wasn't enough time in the world to talk to Matt about this but I just nodded instead of voicing my concerns.
"We'll work it out." He said soothingly one last time before looking at his watch. "I should be getting home."
"Yeah, me too." I said standing up and offering him my hand to help him up.
He took it and held onto it as he walked me back to my car.
"I'll call you tonight." I tried to smile as I slid into the driver's seat but he seen right through it.
"Mitchie, please don't worry about it." He smiled. "Everything will be fine, I'll not bother coming if you're going to worry about it so much."
"No." I objected. "I'll talk to Matt, everything will be fine, I really want you there." I smiled up at him near the end.
"I really want to be there." He smiled widely before bending down and kissing me lightly on the lips. "I'll talk to you later." He smiled as he closed the door.
I gave him a smile and a wave before I reversed out of my parking space after that kiss I was starting to believe anything was possible, even telling Matt that Shane was going to be my escort.
***************************************************
When I got home the nerves returned when I seen Matt's car in the driveway. I switched the engine off and had every intention of getting out of the car but my body didn't respond and I was thankful it didn't. I remained in the car, for what seemed seconds just staring out the window seeing nothing, it was only till my dad knocked on the window that I realised it wasn't seconds but half an hour that past since I pulled into the driveway.
"What are you doing sitting in the car?" My dad asked as I opened the door.
"Nothing, I was just..." But I didn't need to continue he was already five steps ahead of me obviously my story wasn't one of interest.
When I walked in behind him, the smell of seafood and chicken caught my attention. I went into the kitchen to investigate. My family, especially my mum weren't big on cooking, so I was shocked to find her taken things out of the oven, while two other figures blotted out by the sun behind them were laughing as they stirred separate pots on the cooker.
It was like walking into the twilight zone, not that I was complaining the scene in front of me was exactly how I believed normal families should be.
"Hi sweetie." My mum smiled widely, not like her normal reaction when I was wearing jeans.
"Hi mum. What's going on?" I asked gesturing to the scene I just came across.
My voice obviously got the attention of the other two figures in the room as both turned away from what they were doing to look at me.
Matt was one of them, but the other face was one I didn't recognise right away. Until his piercing blue eyes and shaggy brown hair made me gasp quietly.
"Matt brought Dylan home for dinner so I thought a little homemade meal would be nice." My mum's smile had a hint of something behind it then when she was sure Dylan couldn't see she winked at me. Crap, Matt got to her. "Dylan's an amazing cook, his parents sent him to Italy over the summer to a cooking school." My mum bragged.
"Uh huh." I said dismissively. "So, what you making?"
"We're making stuffed clams, crab cakes, apple chicken quesadilla, Buffalo wings, asparagus risotto just a little buffet, something different." She smiled before looking back at the oven and grabbing another tray out of it.
A buffet, a dinner that could last hours and I wouldn't be able to move out of the room with the food because we'd all have to share it, I rolled my eyes the lengths my mum would go to, to get me together with a rich person.
"Well, don't just stand there Mitch, give us a hand." Matt smiled.
"She doesn't have to, Matt." Dylan spoke up quickly before looking at me. "We're pretty much done." He smiled; his smile would have probably dazzled me if I hadn't known Shane's smile was a lot more dazzling. But his smile was also hopeful which made me wonder, had Matt got him here under false pretences?
"Good." I sighed making both boys giggle. "I should go clean up before dinner." I said exiting the room quickly, pulling out my phone as I ran upstairs.
"Caitlyn?" I said instantly when the phone stopped ringing.
"Mitchie?" She sounded out of breath. "I hope you're happy you made me run upstairs to answer..."
"Yeah, Caity I owe you my life. Hold on, please." I interrupted her then put her on hold and called Ella then I hit another button so we were having a three way call.
"Hi." Ella sang into the phone when she answered.
"Hi." Caitlyn and I chorused.
"Oh three way call, what's up?" Ella asked.
"Can you's come over for dinner?" I asked urgently.
"I can't sorry, Mitch. My dad just got home from his business trip in Aspen." Caitlyn said apologetically.
"I would if I could Mitch but the step witch is back my dad wants us to have a family dinner." Ella sighed.
"Great." I frowned.
"Why what's up?" Ella asked.
"Matt invited Dylan home for dinner and now my mum's met him...well you know what she's like." I had explained about the Dylan issue at school so my friend's understood immediately.
"I'm sorry; I'm leaving you to deal with that by yourself."Caitlyn apologised.
"Me too." Ella put in.
"Its o.k. don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll survive one dinner." I tried to sound more upbeat now.
"You will but will Matt when you're through with him?" Caitlyn laughed.
I laughed with them, "We'll see how well he can grovel."
"See ya Mitch." Caitlyn giggled.
"Call us when it's over." Ella added before both lines went dead.
I sighed heavily as I threw my phone onto my bed before beginning to look for a new top; the school day had taken its toile on this one.
I settled for my white Rolling Stones t-shirt, I wasn't a huge fan but I loved the logo, and made my way downstairs where everyone including my dad who had been absent earlier was sitting down at the table.
I smiled a little as I watched disapproval wash across my mum's face when she seen what I was wearing as I took my seat, which was conveniently between Matt and Dylan.
I shot Matt an accusing glance as I helped myself to some of the food set out in the middle of the table, but he just smiled sheepishly before talking.
"So, Mitch, what show are you's putting on at the end of term?" Matt asked.
"High School Musical." I answered eyeing him suspiciously since when did he care what the drama club was doing?
"Dylan, isn't that the movie your little sister loves?" Matt asked conversationally.
Ah that's why he cares.
"Yeah." Dylan smiled. "She loves Gabriella, I guess that parts gonna be yours."
"Of course." My mum beamed. "Michelle always gets the lead parts."
"Yeah, Matt is always bragging about how good a singer you are." Dylan smiled directly at me.
"Really?" I grinned at Matt.
"I'm not always saying that." Matt mumbled.
"Aw its sweet I like knowing my brother's proud of me." I teased making my mum and Dylan laugh my dad was too evoked in eaten and reading his paper to notice the conversation taken place.
"Maybe I'll bring my sister to see you in it." Dylan smiled after a while.
"That sounds delightful." My mum beamed "Our families could go together."
I frowned at the Buffalo wing in my hand; she hadn't been this enthusiastic about one of my shows before.
"I'll talk to my mum about it." Dylan smiled.
Ah no you won't I wanted to object but I held my tongue.
"That sounds great, doesn't it Mitch?" Matt smiled at me.
I gave him a quick glare before putting the widest fake smile on my face, "Sure, does." I said with fake enthusiasm. To my parents and Dylan it would sound like I was up for it but Matt knew me well enough and rolled his eyes at me.
"Give him a break. He's nice." Matt whispered under his breath to me.
I shook my head subtly from side to side.
*************************************************************
Dinner took forever to get through, my hands inched towards my phone every so often to play my ring tone and pretend I had a call so I could leave but the ear bashing I would receive later for it wasn't worth it.
Dylan was polite enough during the whole meal, asking me questions about myself he seemed genuinely interested in my life and everyone in it, which made it suck more that later I'd have to deflate his little balloon of hope.
"I have to get back to work." My dad said getting up from his seat.
"It was a pleasure." Dylan said standing and extending his hand to my dad who was already half way to the door.
My dad looked at Dylan's hand for a second I thought I seen his eyes roll slightly at the gesture but it was so quick that I couldn't be sure, then he took Dylan's hand shook it once and left.
"Well, I should get this cleaned up." My mum said looking at the mess. "Matthew, give me a hand please."
I frowned a little as Matt gave me a small sly smile as he collected the plates and followed my mum out. Leaving us alone, subtle…NOT!
Dylan and I were silent for a minute it wasn't comfortable it was just awkward. I was on the verge of excusing myself before Dylan spoke.
"You didn't know I was coming tonight."
It was supposed to be a question but he said it as a statement.
"No." I said almost apologetically.
"It's o.k. I knew that already it was clear in the kitchen you weren't expecting me. Also I knew you wouldn't agree to something so…formal."
"What's that supposed to mean exactly?" He was right, of course, but I couldn't help but to take offence at his tone.
"I didn't mean to offend you." He said quickly. "I just meant you're a simple girl."
They way he lingered on the word "simple" made my stomach do summersaults.
He smiled as he read whatever expression was present on my face, "Isn't that what Shane said you were?"
When he said Shane's name my heart crawled up into my throat and I suddenly became rigid. How did he know about Shane and me? Were we not as careful in the mall as I thought we were? Oh no, was he going to tell Matt?
"You can't tell Matt." I choked out.
Just then Matt walked through the two-way doors from the kitchen, to collect more of the empty trays in the centre of the table.
"Can't tell me what?" Matt asked staring only at me.
"I…" I stuttered. Oh god what was I going to say? I racked my brain trying to find something.
"Mitchie just agreed to go out on with me." Dylan cut in quickly, smiling at me then at Matt. "She didn't want you to know how good of a match maker you are thought it would go to your head." Dylan joked.
"I knew you'd like him Mitch." Matt smiled triumphantly. I just nodded keeping my eyes on Dylan, what was he up to? Was he that desperate to date me that he was going to black mail me into it?
"I'll let you's be to make plans." He said almost skipping with happiness out of the room.
"What are you doing?" I almost screeched at him.
"Helping you." Dylan answered confusedly.
"Oh right." I said sarcastically. "So, what part of me dating you is supposed to help me?"
"I'm not asking you to date me; I'm asking you to pretend to date me." He answered quietly looking at the table.
"Pretend?" It was my turn to be confused.
"I've being seeing someone, someone my family wouldn't really approve of; you of all people should know how that feels." He said looking at me now but still talking in whisper. "We could be each others' cover stories."
It was all starting to make sense to me I'd be able to tell Matt and my parents I was seeing Dylan when I'd be on dates with Shane, it was cowardly but this meant I would have more time to prepare, when you're as close as Matt and myself it's hard when you're breaking an unspoken rule.
"Deal." I smiled widely.
"When should we have our first fake date?" Dylan smiled.
"I dunno I'll talk to Shane later then we can decide and I'll text you, give me your number." I thought my face was about to split because of my smile as I handed him my phone.
He typed it in as I put mine into his phone and we exchanged phones once again before he left.
I avoided the kitchen when Dylan left so I didn't have to answer a million questions from my mum and Matt and made my way upstairs to phone Shane.
Once I closed the door of my bedroom it took a millisecond to get my phone out and begin searching my contact list for Shane's number.
The number rang out three times without even going to voice mail after the fourth time I just called it quits and crossed my fingers that he would call me. He still hadn't called when I was getting ready for bed so I gave up on waiting and reassured myself I would see him tomorrow.