A/N: So sorry for the super long period of no updating... I hope this makes up for it! Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Chapter 10

Classes were starting to go faster for Mitchie now as she grew accustomed to her new schedule. She found her mind wandering in her third class in anticipation for her free period. A glance out the window showed her that it was beautiful, sunny and warm outside, so she couldn't wait to sit in the courtyard to have some much needed alone time. Still, she didn't feel the need to hurry when class was over, and her stroll towards the courtyard was slow and leisurely. Perhaps that was her first mistake.

"Aha. I figured that I would be able to catch up with you after class," Shane's voice seemed to appear out of nowhere, and he popped up beside Mitchie, slowing his pace to match hers. Mitchie's strides quickened slightly but he kept up easily with her.

"What are you talking about, Shane?" She gave him a suspicious look, which he returned with a warm smile that unsettled Mitchie slightly.

"Are you going out to the courtyard? It's beautiful outside; we should go sit out there." Before Mitchie could even suggest otherwise, Shane had already steered her out into the courtyard.

"Don't you have to prep for your class or something?" Mitchie's question was a lame attempt to divert his attention away from her, but he was not so easily diverted.

"No, I'm pretty much set for the next couple of weeks. The class is going pretty well; Caitlyn is actually a wicked dancer, did you know that?" He continued to walk with her until they reached a stone bench in the sun. "Let's sit here."

"I'd actually prefer to sit on the grass," Mitchie walked away from him to sit down on the grass, where she spread her things out, hoping that he would get the hint. He didn't, and still sat down with her, just beyond where she had spread her books out.

"Sure, this is good too." Fighting the urge to frown, Mitchie realized that she probably wasn't going to get rid of Shane today.

"So what're you teaching them, then?" Her mind was spinning; Shane kept staring at her and it was hard for her to look away. The fact that he was so attractive was irritating her.

"Just some basic dance moves, I'm thinking of having them do a piece for the final concert. You know, show everyone what they've done since we've started this term." Shane smiled with mock arrogance. "I want everyone to see what an awesome instructor I am as well, naturally." When Mitchie didn't say anything and only stared at him with mild disgust, Shane raised his hands in the air. "Look, I was just joking. I may actually be starting to enjoy myself, but if you tell anyone, I'll just deny it and slander your name."

"Whatever," Mitchie responded, looking down at her books. Shane stayed quiet for several moments and when Mitchie looked up again he was sprawled out on the grass, hands tucked behind his head.

"So you must eat pretty well, huh?" Shane murmured after a few moments. Mitchie looked over at him in surprise, but his eyes were closed as he soaked up the sun's rays. "I mean, being the kid of a celebrity chef must mean that all the new menu items are tested on you, right?"

Mitchie was able to answer without it fully being a lie. "Yeah, I guess so." Her mother did make Mitchie and her dad try out all the new dishes, so that wasn't far from the truth.

"I mean," Shane continued, totally oblivious to Mitchie's discomfort, "you totally get what it's like when everyone treats you differently. Whether they actually want to know you or just get all the free stuff and the flashing cameras." Shane made a face and then shrugged at Mitchie. "Doesn't it just drive you crazy?"

Mitchie opened her mouth to reply but the ring of the bell cut her short. "Damn, I have to get going, or I'm going to be late." Mitchie gathered up her things quickly, missing Shane's questioning look.

"Where do you have to go?"

"Tess is practicing for the midsummer concert and I'm going to be late," Mitchie muttered without thinking. She finally looked up to see a huge grin on Shane's face. "What's so funny?" Mitchie said hesitantly.

"I can't believe Shane is here watching our rehearsal!" Ella gave Mitchie a hard jab in the ribs with her bony elbow. "He must totally dig her!"

"Of course he does, Ella," Tess seemed to appear out of nowhere, and Mitchie fought the urge to scream. Shane had followed her after hanging around all of last period, and was now seated against the wall in the little studio Tess was using for her practice.

"Tess, he's totally checking you out," Peggy whispered. Tess slapped a huge smile on her face and tossed her hair.

"Come on girls, from the top!" Tess pressed a button on a stereo beside her, and once again the little studio was filled with the pounding beat of a song. Shane gave Mitchie another mocking smile, and Mitchie swore that she would punch him for every time he did that again.

The rehearsal was tough; Tess was extremely demanding, though she seemed to force herself to be nicer as Shane was sitting and watching. Mitchie caught Peggy and Ella exchange some rather surprised looks with each other as Tess soothed them after the three had miss-stepped to the beat.

"She usually freaks," Ella explained calmly to Mitchie as they resumed the steps. "Normally she'd make us do it from the beginning too," Ella continued as if Tess' behavior was justified. Mitchie could only nod at Ella, catching Tess' sharp look in the mirror. The look didn't linger though, and Mitchie saw Tess look at Shane in the mirror. The blonde managed to catch his eye and she winked at him, offering a flirtatious smile also. Mitchie wanted to roll her eyes as she caught Shane return the wink with one of his own.

"I guess that wraps it up for the night, girls. I'm famished! Shane, did you want to come have dinner with us?" Tess concluded the practice after almost two hours and ignored the other girls; she only looked at Shane. The singer shook his head and gave a low laugh.

"I'd love to be entertained by you, but it'll have to be another night, Tess." Shane gave Tess a charming smile that Mitchie suspected was well-practiced.

Mitchie could almost feel the squeal that threatened to erupt from Tess. "I hope that's a promise, Shane," Tess said coyly. She finally turned to the girls. "Let's go then. Mitchie, you're coming too, right?"

Mitchie looked up, startled. "Oh no," she stammered, "my mom's waiting for me, I bet."

Tess nodded. "You know, one of these nights she should hook us all up at one of the finer restaurants around here. You'd come too, right Shane?"

Mitchie tried not to pale too much at the suggestion, but Shane came to the rescue, strangely.

"I'd rather not have the paparazzi around; you know they troll those restaurants." He gave Mitchie a funny look and she tried to avoid eye contact. Tess shrugged, thankfully missing that exchange. The pretty blonde was trying to agree with Shane almost too much.

"You're totally right, Shane. I totally forgot how much I hate the paparazzi. We're way better off somewhere else. But, another time! We'll make plans, right?"

"Sure thing, Tess," Shane said patiently, flashing another practiced smile.

Mitchie edged towards the door, eager to leave and get the hell out. "I'll see you all tomorrow! Thanks for the practice, Tess!" Only Ella and Peggy turned to say bye, and Mitchie took the cue to leave.

"You sure do walk fast," Shane panted, coming up beside Mitchie just as she stepped out onto the sidewalk.

"What are you doing?" Mitchie hissed at him, looking around quickly. The last thing she wanted to see was the flash of a camera.

"Oh relax, Mitch," Shane shrugged dismissively."

"Mitchie," she corrected him quickly.

"Okay fine. Relax, Mitchie. A ton of other celebrities have come and gone in this city. They don't care about me anymore, seriously. I've been a good boy so they have nothing juicy to report. There's another star out there somewhere flashing her privates and that sells more. Trust me." Shane shoved his hands in his pockets and walked along beside Mitchie, who had her head down. "So where are we going?"

"We?" Mitchie stopped in her tracks and gave Shane an exasperated look. "I'm going home so I can eat. Shouldn't you return to your dorm or something?"

"Naw. Come on, I know a good pizza joint around here." Shane grabbed Mitchie's wrist and led her down the street quickly. She didn't even have the energy or the wits about her to object.

"You don't have to look around like that you know; you're only going to draw attention to us, and if I didn't know better I think that's what you're trying to avoid," Shane spoke casually as he sprawled out on one side of the parlor booth. He stared at Mitchie as the corners of his lips tugged upward, threatening to smile. The brunette across from him looked nervous and apprehensive as she kept looking around the pizza parlor.

"I just don't want to see the flash of cameras, okay?" Mitchie mumbled quietly.

Shane shrugged at her. "You're still not used to it yet? I bet you get photographed all the time with your mom given what she does, and who she feeds." Shane watched Mitchie frown and look down at the table.

"It's not that," she stammered, looking around yet again. Shane watched her fidget with the straw of her soda and he shrugged at her.

"You'll be fine here. No one will be looking for me, or you, or your mom, seriously."

Mitchie seemed to relax slightly, but only just that. She still sat across from Shane, her shoulders rigid and her back straight.

"Just eat something, and I'm sure it'll calm you down. The pizza here is fantastic." Shane looked away from Mitchie only to smile at a server to get her attention.

"I'm sure you saw her ogling you during her practice tonight," Mitchie said between laughs. An hour had already passed in the parlor and both Shane and Mitchie were doubled-up laughing. Their conversation seemed endless, though Shane knew that was too good to be true. They had started talking just after they ordered their food, and continued to converse even as the food came and went. He was having a really good time with this girl, and found it easy to talk to her; it was easy to joke around and he was even getting used to the faces she'd make to the things he'd say.

"I admit that she's cute, and I was perhaps tempted to lead her on a bit," Shane said, chuckling. Mitchie shook her head, tried to give Shane a disgusted look, and suppressed a laugh with no success. A silence followed, giving the two teens time to sober up from their laughing. He fiddled with the fork on his plate, while she look down and tapped on the table with her fingers.

"So why did you decide to come back to teach at the academy?" Mitchie asked the question carefully, as if afraid of what Shane would say.

Shane sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He slouched slightly in the booth and gave Mitchie a wry smile. "I didn't really have a choice to come back. The guys told me that I had to."

Mitchie nodded and said nothing. Shane noted that she took a long drink from her glass, as if that would buy her time for a reply. When she still refused to say anything, Shane continued to speak in order to fill the silence before it grew awkward.

"I don't really mind it, I suppose," Shane said quietly, staring intently at Mitchie. He noticed that whenever she caught his eye, she would look away again. He found it mildly surprising that even though she broke eye contact, not once did he notice her cheeks turn pink. He wasn't sure if he was offended by that, or even more intrigued by it. "Don't get me wrong, I fought and screamed about it just like you'd think I would, given what the tabloids say about me." Shane managed a wry grin while Mitchie smiled slightly at his admittance.

"Well, at least you're honest about it," she quipped lightly with a low laugh.

"I know, right?" Shane smiled at her, and once again she avoided his eyes. "It's been pretty interesting so far. I've met some really cool people, I guess." Mitchie nodded, tracing the patterns of the table with her fingers. Again, the pair lapsed into silence, though it was less awkward than expected. When the server came to take away their plates, Shane pushed himself back against the booth seat.

"I should probably head home," Mitchie said, fishing out some money. She placed it on the table and pushed it towards Shane. He thought about arguing it, but decided not to push his luck. The last thing he wanted her to think was that it was a date.

"Yeah, I should probably get back to the dorms. I had a good time. You make some pretty funny conversation," Shane gave Mitchie a grin, which she returned.

"I guess I'll see you around, Shane."

"You mean tomorrow, Mitchie. Good night."

"You too."

Shane watched her walk out of the parlor, and she gave him a quick wave as she passed him in the window. He relaxed back into the booth seat with a smile on his face, though it was interrupted by the vibration of his cell phone. He only had to glance at the number on his display before he answered it.

"I'm actually having a great time here, guys..."