Oh darling, longest chapter I've ever written. But it has a lot going on.
Sequel? No sequel?
I'm the writer. There's going to be a sequel.
Read. Review. Don't review, just read. Doesn't matter. I love you all the same!
Shane didn't hear back from her. He almost felt like giving up. Friday was fast approaching and he remembered her date with Chase was still in full motion. Chase would rub it in his face when he got the chance. Like it was all a game. His parents were staying home more than usual so he couldn't go out and find himself a distraction.
He wanted to go up to her at school but every chance he got she looked the other way or jumped into her classroom like she was on fire. Shane didn't know what was going on with her and it worried him.
He tried getting her attention at her house, finally growing enough courage to go over. He knocked on her door and her father answered.
"Hello, Shane. How are you?" Steve answered with a small smile.
"Hey, Mr. T, is Mitchie home?"
"She's not. Do you want me to tell her you came by?"
"Yeah, and can you tell her to call me? And that I'm sorry."
Steve looked at the distraught boy who he watched growing up by the side of his daughter. He smiled, knowing that the connection he saw between the two was finally growing on Shane.
Shane heard the roar of her red truck in the driveway he almost leaped out of his skin as he raced downstairs. But he heard the front door close, knowing Chase was already there, he lost the battle.
He slumped up the stairs and decided to be there for Mitchie, when Chase fucked her over, he'd be there as a crying shoulder. It's better if he had her some way than in no way at all.
Friday came and Shane was dreading it. Chase was fumbling with his cell phone all day. He was making sure everything was set; Shane almost believed that his cousin had good intention. But he knew him too well. He wasn't the lovey dovey type. He had something up his sleeve.
Mitchie was a lot calmer than she had been all week. Caitlyn finally stopped bothering her, telling her that it was her own bed she's going to have to lay in it. She did some shopping with the money she had saved up from all the food money she didn't spend while her dad was away. Chase said to dress semi-formal. So she wore a red, thin strap, hi-low dress, with a thin black belt. She tied up her black and white wedge booties and ran her fingers through the set curls to make them seem loose. She applied her usual make up, adding eye shadow and a light tint of blush. She set her bracelets on her wrist and set her mothers diamond earrings in place. She grabbed her white clutch and walked downstairs.
Chase said he'd be over at seven, she looked over at her clock and he was already ten minutes late. She hated when people weren't punctual. When she was left to her own thoughts, she became her own enemy. She started to believe that Chase was playing a horrible trick, making her believe that a guy like him would actually want to go out with a girl like her.
It was twenty passed seven and she almost gave up, the house was silent. Her dad had gone out with Kevin, a while ago, leaving her the house to herself so she can get ready in peace. Her dad trusted Mitchie's choices, but she knew somewhere he was very hesitant about letting her go out with an older guy.
Mitchie sighed, getting up from the couch ready to wipe off the make up she spent thirty minutes on and take a bath. But the door bell rang. She looked at the door wide-eyed, filled with excitement. She shook her head and her face from any emotion before answering the door.
He stood there holding a bouquet of beautiful, full bloomed sunflowers. The sight almost made her gasp and forget about him being late.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, the florist had the wrong order and I had to wait for her to arrange it. Please forgive me?" Chase rambled, as Mitchie took the flowers. She looked up at Chase and smiled softly.
"I hate tardiness but these are beautiful. I'll let you have a one time pass." She said moving the flowers to the side so she could step forward and kiss his cheek.
"Thank you." She said smiling.
Chase grinned at her as she stepped inside quickly to put the flowers near the door before closing the door behind her.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
Chase opened the door for her and closed it, quickly running to his side before flashing his cousin a grateful smile.
Shane stared at the two from his bedroom window. When he saw his cousin shoot him a smile, he looked away. His heart tearing at the sight. Shane over heard his cousin talk to the florist about checking if his order of white roses were ready, but Shane knew Mitchie didn't like roses.
"Sunflowers." Shane said as he leaned against the wall.
Chase looked over at him and mouthed a quick 'what?'
"Sunflowers are her favorite flower. She hates roses." Shane said walking passed him into the kitchen.
"Uh, I'm sorry can I change my order to sunflowers? Yeah. I'm sorry. That's fine. Twenty minutes? Uh. No that's fine. Thank you." Chase said hanging up the call. He slipped his phone back into his jeans before fixing his button up shirt. He reached for his blazer.
"Thanks Shane." Chase said as he quickly disappeared outside.
Shane didn't even move from his place. He let his body lay in his bed and he focused his hard eyes on his ceiling. It angered him that Chase was taking Mitchie out. He'd be lying if he said he thought about taking Mitchie out because he never did. He was always trying to run away from any mix feelings he thought he had from his neighbor. Growing up Mitchie was the only girl for him, but when he hit high school and all of Chase's old buddies wanted to hang out with him. He let his own popularity come before his heart.
Mitchie sat nervously in front of Chase. He dragged them to a fancy restaurant. Something Mitchie wasn't used to. This isn't her first date but its her first real 'grown up' date. She didn't even know half the things on the menu.
"So how was your day?" Chase asked with a smile.
Mitchie looked up from the menu and smiled at him, "it was good. Schools not really exciting."
"Your almost graduating, that's pretty exciting." Chase said as he took a sip of the water.
"Kind of. I'm still not sure where I'm going."
"Have you been accepted anywhere?"
"I have but I don't know if I wanna move far away from my dad. I'm the only thing he has left." Mitchie said as the waiter came and took their order.
She ordered a plate she could understand which happened to be pasta. He ordered the same thing with a glass of wine. Mitchie opted for more water with a slice of lemon.
Dinner went smoothly, talking about Mitchie's plans for the future. Mitchie tried to get him to open up about his plans now that he dropped out of school but he avoided it like it was his job. Mitchie felt like a horse after she ate half her plate. She couldn't eat any more, or she was going to explode. Chase saw this and finished quickly, paying for dinner before standing offering his hand to her. Mitchie smiled thankfully and let him lead her out of the restaurant. They waited outside for his car to come meet them out front. Mitchie shivered as the nights chill breeze blew against her naked arms.
"Are you cold?" Chase said noticing her chilled skin.
Mitchie nodded as she laughed pathetically. Chase shrugged off his blazer and wrapped it around her slim shoulders and hugged her closer to his body. His car pulled up in front of him as he opened the door for her, she stepped in. Her clutch vibrated against her palm as she ignored it.
They drove in a peaceful silence. She had no idea where they were going but she trusted him. He took a left on a dirt road, far away from the city. Almost like an abandon trail of some sort.
"Where are we going?" Mitchie questioned looking around for some kind of sign of civilization.
"You don't know where we're going?" Chase asked seriously.
"No?"
"This place is very well known, I'm surprised you've never been."
Mitchie felt sort of embarrassed, if Chase noticed her sudden mood change, he didn't comment on it.
They got to the top of the hill and Mitchie finally saw what was so grand about this place, and she felt kind of lame for not knowing about this place. It over looked the whole city, the lights seems so small but shined so brightly Mitchie was in awe. Chase parked his car and got out motioning Mitchie to do the same.
He laid back on the hood of his car and helped Mitchie up. They just stared out, Chase letting Mitchie adjust to the sight.
"Its beautiful."
"Yeah you are."
Mithie almost fell off the car as she looked to the side of her. She could have sworn she heard Shane say it, deep down wishing it was him beside her. But the same dark eyes staring at her in the car two weeks ago weren't the same ones staring at her now.
She smiled at him, noticing him inch towards her face. She held in her breath, closing her eyes at the same moment he was. His hand cupped her cheek as he pressed his lips against her full ones. The kiss was soft, slow almost as if it were unreal. She kissed him back with a little more force than she intended, but he took it as a sign to deepen the kiss. She got lost in the kiss, letting his tongue roam her mouth, but the whole time she was imaging Shane. The other Gray.
She began to feel the regret. And she pushed back. Chase kissed her jaw, down her neck, sucking and biting as he searched for her weak spot. Mitchie used both her palms to push against his chest but he only wrapped his arms around her waist tighter. He shifted his weight on his side, forcing her down on the car.
Feeling her lungs burn from the lack of air she huffed, Chase taking it as a good sign letting on of his hands roam her smooth legs.
"Wait, Chase." Mitchie said trying to move away from his embrace. Her heart pounding against her chest making it hard for her to concentrate.
"Shh, Mitch, its fine. No ones here. You can be as loud as you want." Chase said before kissing her chest. He pushed his blazer of her shoulders, slowly taking her dress straps with it.
Mitchie panicked, finding strength to pish him off her. Shocked, he almost completely fell of the car but he used his hands to hold on.
"What the hell?" Chase said angrily.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you that hard, I'm just not ready Chase." Mitchie said like it was no big deal.
She expected him to apologize for his behavior too but he just glared at the ground. He scoffed and nodded, getting off the car and standing up to compose himself.
"Let's get you home." He said in a cold tone.
Mitchie was taken back from his sudden mood change. She almost felt betrayed.
The ride back into town was awkward. Mitchie tried to talk to Chase but he either ignored her or gave her short answers. She gave up. When he pulled up the Gray's home. He didn't even bother walking him home. She handed him his blazer and went to hug him goodbye. He half assed hugged her back and muttered a night before walking up the walk way before disappearing inside.
Mitchie felt torn before walking herself to her own house. Her dad was in the living room waiting for her return.
"Hey honey, how was your date?"
"Fine." Mitchie said stopping shortly in front of the living room. She hid her sad expression and slapped on a believable smile.
"Any chance of a second date?" Her father asked.
"I don't think so." Mitchie said with a cold tone.
"Oh, want to talk about it?"
"Not really, I'm tired. I'm just going to go to bed. Goodnight daddy."
"Night pumpkin."
Mitchie went over to hug and kiss her dad before ascending up the stairs, quickly closing the door to her room before letting her tears fall down her face freely. She decided not to call Sierra. Her body shook as her sobs got worse.
The next morning Mitchie woke up, with her face sore from last nights tears. She quickly showered and got ready. Dressing in flared jeans and a loose tank top. She slipped her black flip flops and let her wet hair dry naturally.
Her dad was at his shop for his weekend inventory. Every first weekend of a new month, he went into the shop to check his orders. She walked outside, cutting through the grass and boldly knocked on the door.
A shirtless Shane answered the door, his sweats hanging lowly on his hips. His hair a tangled mess and his face scrunched up like he had woken up.
"Mitchie?" Shane questioned, "what are you doing here?"
"I uhm, came to talk to Chase. Is he here?" Mitchie asked bouncing from one foot to the other. Shane smiled sadly at her before nodding slowly. He stayed up late last night wondering what had happened on his cousins date with the girl of his dreams. When Shane asked Chase how it went he muttered a fine before closing the door of the guest room in his face. This morning he woke up to his mom cooking and Chase wasn't down stairs kissing ass so something had happened.
"He's still sleeping but moms making breakfast, your welcomed to eat while you wait."
Mitchie smiled widely at the mention of Denise. It had been a while since she's talked to her and had her cooking.
"Sure, thanks." Mitchie said following him, making sure not to stare too much at his toned upper body.
"Hey honey, who was at the door?" Denise asked as she turned around. Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets as she saw Mitchie standing there.
"Oh my goodness, Mitchie! What a pleasant surprise. How are you sweets?" Denise said wrapping her arms around the small girl.
"I'm alright." Mitchie answered still in the embrace.
Denise let her go and stood in arms reach from the not so little girl who she watch grow up.
"My, you're looking more and more like your mom. You're beautiful." Denise said hugging her again.
Mitchie smiled sadly at her comment and allowed her to hug her as much as she wanted. Her dad hugged her a lot but she missed her mothers hugs. Denise and Teresa were best friends and Denise was practically her second mom.
Shane saw the exchange between the two and smiled at himself. Mitchie will always be the only girl both her parents approve of.
"Are you staying for breakfast?" Denise said turning her back to flip the pancakes and bacon.
"Yes." Mitchie said sitting on the stool next to Shane. She accidentally bumped his elbow which he retaliated. She smiled smugly at him before nudging him again. They playfully fought as Mitchie answered all Denise's questions. Shane let her win and she silently hurrahed. Shane laughed as his mother placed his plate in front of him. Then watched in delight as Mitchie took hers and looked for her special ingredient.
"It's in the fridge." Shane said without looking at her as he drenched his pancakes in syrup.
Mitchie looked over at him, appalled that he remembered what she needed. He looked at her with a goofy smile and she threw him a big smile and wink.
He almost choked as he caught the wink. She walked over to the fridge and took out the can of whipped cream.
She sprayed some on her stack before looking at him with a questionable stare. Both teens forgot about Denise and she knew she was given the silent treatment, looking back and seeing them almost naturally flirt. She smiled warmly, knowing that those two still had some hope.
Shane opened his mouth and Mitchie sprayed a shot of cream in his mouth. She laughed as his puffed out cheeks. They ate in silent while Denise continued to finish the last of the mix. Kevin popped out of his study to eat his own plate, saying hello to Mitchie after recovering the shock of her sitting in the stool that once was named hers.
It was like old times. They ate in silence, Mitchie and Shane started a game of footies. Shane was winning but the game ended and the atmosphere changed as soon as they heard a slight cough come from behind them. Mitchie dropped her fork and looked back at Chase's cold glare.
Shane noticed and almost wanted to speak up. But he heard Mitchie shuffle next to him and got up.
"Chase can we talk?" Mitchie asked in a timid voice.
"Sure. We'll be out back."
"Okay." Denise said cheerily, oblivious to the sudden mood change. She was still happy that Mitchie was around. Shane forced himself to stay in his seat and not eavesdrop.
"Chase, about last night. I'm sorry." Mitchie apologized even though she should not be the only one apologizing.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah."
"That's it?!" Mitchie stared at him with a hard glare.
"What else do you want me to say?" Chase said.
"Uhm, how about 'I'm sorry'." Mitchie spat sarcastically.
"Why should I be sorry?"
"Oh, I don't know for acting like such an asshole because I wasn't ready to give myself to you!"
"Quit being immature and grow up."
Mitchie just stared at him, her mouth agape and her eyes wide.
"So that's it. You just wanted to get in my pants, you never cared."
"I cared, I cared more than the dumbass inside who had a chance with you since you guys were twelve or some shit." Chase said as he stood straight looking into her eyes.
She didn't see the same guy she did a few weeks ago. No this guy was different. Someone she didn't recognize.
"Caring for someone doesn't mean you can get mad at them for not sleeping with you! Shane would never do that!"
"Sleeping with you would have been a bonus."
Mitchie couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow, I'm going back to California. When I came here and saw you, I thought you were hot. Yeah, I had some feelings for you but when I saw Shane get all red in the face because I got your attention." Chase explained with an emotionless face.
"Who the fuck are you?!" Mitchie yelled, "where's the guy I thought exisited two weeks ago?"
"I'm still the same guy. This is me Mitchie. Your not ready for a guy like me. But why don't you try to be honest with yourself. You're in love with my dumbass of a cousin. You were just leading me on."
Mitchie shook her head as a few tears ran down her face.
"You never like me. You never gave me all of you, part of you wanted him since the beginning." Chase continued.
"You're just a tease."
Mithie's hand stung. Chase's head snapped to the side as his left cheek burned and turned red.
"Go to fucking hell." Mitchie spat as she walked past him, inside the house. Her tears blurred her vision as she walked right into Shane's bare chest. He held her as she charged into him. He felt moisture into his chest as her shoulders shook.
He saw his cousin come in a few seconds later with a hand print on his face. He looked at the two and rolled his eyes.
"Kids." He muttered before going to the stairs.
"What did you say?" Shane asked as his blood began to boil.
"You won. You have her all to yourself. You always had. You're just too fucking dumb to realize it. She's still a virgin, so you got yourself a good one." Chase smirked as he turned his back, continuing to climb the stairs.
"Shane no!" Mitchie yelled quickly, trying to reach for Shane but he slipped through her grasp.
She gasped loudly as she closed her eyes when the sound of fist and jaw made contact. She opened her eyes and saw Shane and Chase fight as the tumbled down the few stairs Chase managed to climb. Mitchie reached forward and tried to pry Shane from Chase.
Kevin and Denise heard the commotion and rushed to the noise.
"What the hell is going on?!" Kevin's voice echoed through the house.
"Shane, Chase! Stop fighting now!" Denise said as the two boys continued to ignore them. Mitchie huffed as Shane wiggled out of her grasped and took a hit in his gut. He let out a loud cry as he doubled over in pain. Chase's fit collided in his eye before he was torn away by Kevin. Chase had a bloody lip and bruised cheek bone. Shane's stomach was bright red and had a black eye already forming. Mitchie stood next to the boys crying softly. Denise went to gather her in her arms as Mitchie softly apologized over and over before wiggling out of Denise's arms. She ran through the house and slammed the front door behind her.
Denise and Kevin didn't ask what happened because they guessed it. Both boys had feeling for the girl next door and all is far in love and war.
Mitchie climbed the stairs up to you her room and she threw herself onto her bed. Hugging the closest pillow to her chest as she cried herself to exhaustion. Her body gave in and soon she lulled to sleep.
She woke up a few hours later when she heard the door open. She blinked open her sore eyes but didn't move a muscle. Mitchie assumed it was her dad checking up on her.
"Mitch?"
Mitchie tensed at the sound of his voice.
"Shane?" Her sore throat made it impossible for her to sound normal.
"Hey, your dad called my mom and asked to check on you. I guess he's staying later than usual."
Mitchie sat up as she felt her bed dip. She hugged her legs to her chest as she prayed her tears wouldn't fall.
Shane noticed her distraught face. As he sighed. Shane hated his cousin right now. He scooted up and leaned his back on her bed post as he opened his arms. She chuckled sadly as she climbed on his lap and let him craddle her. She buried her face in the crook of his neck as he rubbed her back. After a few minutes she composed herself.
Mitchie pulled back to look at his face. His hair looked messy, but what stood out with the dark ring around his eye. She winced as he groaned when her fingers brushed against the bruised skin.
She kissed his temple lightly. Almost as a thank you.
"I'm sorry." Mitchie said as she looked at him.
"S'okay." Shane smirked.
Mitchie laughed as she brushed his hair out of his eyes.
Shane looked at Mitchie as he held her. He felt her bones through her skin, it wasn't till then he realized how skinny she was. Shane wasn't picky about girls weight but he proffered a bit of meat on his girls. He decided to make a mental note to ask her about it later. He focused his eyes on her face. He noticed how beautiful she really was even if she lacked make up. He knew she wore a little, but she looked either way. Her hair was longer, thicker but still the same waves. He ran his fingers gently through them as he looked at her. His eyes traveled from her eyes to her nose to her cheeks finally to her full plump lips. He licked his lips in nervousness.
Mitchie felt his body stiffen beneath her. She looked at him and notice that his eyes were darting from her eyes to her lips.
They connected eye contact before Mitchie placed her lips on top of his. She placed both palms on his face and he hugged her waist.
The kiss seemed to last shortly, disappointing both of them but they wanted to know how the other felt.
Shane smiled at Mitchie as she blushed and bit her lip. He kissed her forehead and hugged her. Mitchie blew out a content sigh as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"That seemed," Mitchie started.
"Natural." Shane ended.
"Like it was meant to be." She offered with a shy smile.
Five seconds later they both started to chuckle.
