A/N: Thank you so much for all the reviews! Sorry I really don't have time to comment on your reviews but I really love and appreciate all of them! I'm so busy with finals week coming up and requirements here and there. Don't worry, I might be able to overcome my writer's block and stress when April comes. Here's the next chapter and I hope you'll like it. Review please! LOL thanks! I hope you're still reading! :)
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Chapter 9
The latest gossip is always the talk of the school and of the entire town of Tree Oak especially when it involves relationships, love triangles and DRAMA. Headline of the Week: Shane Gray and Jade Roberts Confirmed! And I Mitchie Torres is the reason as to why they are breaking up. Because of the stunt that Jade made at the shoot a couple of press who frequently hangout at the set got a glimpse of our mini drama. I walked out, Shane followed me and Jade left at the set 'crying'. Stress on the quotation marks 'CRYING'. Such a drama queen.
Now with all these things, I guess being friends with Shane was a bad idea. And the prospect of us getting back together is a big NO now. I haven't talked to him since the shoot. I told Kiel that I was quitting and suggested to replace Sierra. Good thing he is my friend and he understood. Maybe staying away from him will make my life much easier as how I've always wanted it to be. I'm such a coward right? I know. Now that the shoot is over and Jade gone in my life, school will be back to the normal pacing but obviously with shooting glass shards toward my way from the Jade fans. Ugh! I hate my life… I really hate it because it hurts so much…
--
Sam picked Mitchie at her house right after Caitlyn drove away with Nate. Sam was really worried of his best friend. She hasn't really talked to him about all the things that she has been feeling towards the situation. He knew that time will come that Mitchie would open up to him. But he just wished that it would be soon because it's driving him crazy not knowing what to do around her. Because when it comes to Mitchie's love life, he's quite distant because he himself can't have the perfect relationship that he wants with the girl who is already with someone else.
Sam pulled up at his parking area and he and Mitchie walked towards TONHS. He walked with her to her locker and found Shane waiting there.
"Sam, let's get out of here…" Mitchie whispered as she slowed her pace.
"Mitch, sooner or later you have to face him." Sam whispered back.
"I choose later… comon' let's head to class right away. I actually was just going to drop these books but I can really just bring them to class." Mitchie said and she pulled Sam to their classroom.
Shane took a deep breath and slammed his locker door shut. It made all the kids stop whatever they were doing. And then resumed when Nate called "Okay! The scene is over! You can look away now!"
Caitlyn, Sierra (who by the way has a straight hair now due to the shoot) and Jason approached Nate and Shane.
"What's happening to you?" Nate asked his brother.
"What do you think Nate huh? She won't trust me! She won't even talk to me or even look at me!" Shane called.
"Shane, give her sometime." Caitlyn said. "She's really hurting. With all the bad things that is being talked about her… could you blame her? I mean, she saw you and Jade kiss… people think that she's the reason why you and Jade are breaking up even though it's the other way around."
"And since when did she care about what people think about her?" Shane asked her, with complete irritation. "She knows that none of those are true yet she believes them over me!"
Caitlyn was now angry. "She always has cared Shane! She has just been keeping it from you because she knows that you'd get worried! But you have no right to blame her for her actions! Mitchie has been insecure her life… What do you expect? That she would just get over that because you're there? Well, she tried Shane! And now, it's also your turn to try to understand her! Actually, with your attitude now, I should have just punched you instead of being calm about this entire thing. You are hurting my friend again and it's not cool!" Caitlyn went away fuming followed by Sierra who blew a goodbye kiss at Jason.
"Dude, I'm sorry but Caitlyn is right…" Nate told Shane. Then he went to catch up with the girls.
"Shane, give her sometime. She'll come around." Jason told him and patted his shoulders as he left for class.
Shane then took a deep breath and went for his own after the bell rang.
--
Mitchie and Caitlyn were on the same Computer class. But they were seating on the other ends of the classroom since they were alphabetically arranged. When the teacher went out, Caitlyn IMed Mitchie
Caitylovesnatey: hey mitch, you okay?
Mitchiemusic01: yeah. I am. Cool. New username.
Caitylovesnatey: I know, right?
Mitchiemusic01: you really love him huh?
Caitylovesnatey: yep. Of course. Like you are with Shane.
Mitchiemusic01: cait… it's over. Between us. I plan on moving on
Caitylovesnatey: are you serious? I am irritated with the guy since he hurt you again but I don't think that I will agree to what you are planning to do.
Mitchiemusic01: cait. It's complicated.
Caitylovesnatey: teacher is here. We'll talk later.
Caitylovesnatey signed out
--
Sierra and Jason had been one of the school's hottest couple now. Since their music video debut, news had been circling that they were dating. Well, they are but they don't plan on confirming it to anybody. Before, people thought Jason was just hanging out with Sierra because she was a geek and Jason needs her for grades so they didn't bother on gossiping it around but when she suddenly became the pretty swan from an ugly duckling, people saw that there was more to it than a mere academic connection. Now paparazzi are constantly bugging them and even paying their schoolmates for snapshots of them. Well, slick as they are no one ever got a picture of them having a PDA. Well, not unless they go to either the Gray's residence or Sierra's.
Sierra was meeting Jason by the parking lot since Jason wants to show his girlfriend that new car seat that he bought. But as much as he like to let her see them, something much important in Sierra's life appeared.
Jason faced a stunned Sierra. "Babe, what's wrong?" Jason asked Sierra who was totally speechless and looking behind his back. Jason followed her gaze and saw a boy behind her.
"So you're Jason huh?" the guy asked.
"Yeah. And who are you?" Jason demanded
"Someone special in Sierra's life." He said confidently.
Jason was getting annoyed and jealous now. He was clenching his fists now luckily Sierra came to her senses and stopped him before he do anything wrong. "Babe, calm down, it's okay, he's my brother…"
"What?!" Jason called. "Oh, dude… sorry… I didn't mean to be rude or anything…" Jason apologized quickly and dumbly took the boy's hand to shake them showing his diplomacy.
"Jase, stop it… you're breaking my brother's hand…" Sierra told him. Jason stopped shaking the guy's hand and looked at the two persons before him.
"Hey, big brother…" Sierra said and went to him to give him a big bear hug. "I missed you so much…" she whispered.
"I missed you too little sis…" the guys whispered back. Then he broke from Sierra's embrace and faced the man who made a big difference in his sister's life. "So, you must be my sister's boyfriend?"
"Yes, sir…" Jason said.
"Jase, this is my big brother Ben… Ben, this is Jason…" Sierra introduced. Ben is her half sibling with her mother's first husband. He's two years older than Sierra so he and Jason are on the same batch.
"You didn't tell me you have a brother…" Jason whispered to Sierra as soon as she stepped beside him. But as lowly as he said it to his girlfriend, Ben heard what he asked.
"Lil sis, you didn't even mention me to him?" Ben mocked.
"Ben…" Sierra sighed. "I'm sorry, you know mom…" Their mother hated her brother, well hate is a strong word, maybe disappointed. Ben left home when he was just Sierra's age.
"Yeah… I know I was just joking…" Ben said. "So, I guess I'll be seeing you later… I still have to process these papers…"
"You're going back to school?" Sierra asked excitedly.
Ben nodded and said, "Well, dad, my dad, told me to graduate high school so that I'll be able to get into college and take over his company someday…"
"That's cool Ben… But why here?"
"We moved back town. I still haven't talked to mom since, well, since I left to find my dad…"
Sierra nodded in understanding and said, "Well, I'm so happy to see you again. Promise me you'll stay this time?"
Ben nodded and pulled his sister back to a hug. "I promise…"
--
"Mitchie! Over here!" Caitlyn called. She was at a table outside the cafeteria. Alone. Well, she did it on purpose. She really wants to talk to Mitchie so that things between her and Shane could be sorted out. She may have freaked out on Shane earlier that day but Shane is also a good friend to her and even considers him a big brother, Mitchie may be her first priority but she must also keep it balanced, to also be there for Shane.
"What are you doing here?" Mitchie asked as she sat in front of her.
"Waiting for you. Now tell me… what is on your mind?"
"Cait, I've had enough. I can't just go back and pretend like nothing happened."
"Mitch, no one asks you to pretend. If you want go and punch him. But also hear him out. You said so yourself that you will try your very best to trust him again right?"
"I know. Maybe I was just so confident when I said that before all this Jade drama, thinking that Jade had matured and won't do anything to make my life a living hell. But when she didn't, I realized I am not that strong yet Cait. I am still a big coward. I felt the same hurt that I felt the last time and I don't want that again. I just can't."
Caitlyn understood her. "So what do you want to do now?"
"I don't know. But I'm sure that friendship won't even count as an option now." Mitchie said sadly. "But I'll take your advice. I'll talk to him. A closure might be good for me and for him."
Caitlyn can't believe that these were coming out of Mitchie's mouth now. She knew how much Mitchie loves Shane and that all she wanted was to be with him again. But what changed? What happened? Was she hanging out with Nate quite often that she hadn't notice these changes from her? I'm such a terrible best friend.
--
Shane was able to caught up with Mitchie after her last period. Well, Mitchie really doesn't have any good excuse for leaving early now since she's grabbing a ride with Sam who is still at practice.
"What do you want Shane?" Mitchie asked irritated.
"Please. Let's talk."
"There is nothing we can talk about okay? I get it. You and Jade. Jade and you. And no Mitchie in the picture. So if I were you follow her to California and fix things with her." Mitchie told him coldly. What were you trying to pull these past few weeks Shane? One heartbreak wasn't enough for you? She thought.
"Mitch. It's not that way okay? She attacked me, like before. There never has been a Jade and Shane. It was always Mitchie and Shane."
"How can I believe you now Shane? Huh? Tell me! You kissed her…"
"I didn't okay? She did…" Shane said trying to convince her that he was sincere.
"Yeah. Tell that to your paparazzi." Mitchie said softly as she turned her heel away from him. But Shane stopped her.
"Why do you care of what people think about you? You know the truth Mitch. Isn't that enough?"
"No. Because right this moment, I don't know what the truth is anymore…" Mitchie then turned now and quickly ran away from Shane before he could catch up with her.
And now, you did it again Shane… Shane thought.
Mitchie ran away from him as fast as she could.
--
The next day, Mitchie drove to school with Nate and Caitlyn since Sam woke up late. Shane was also in the car. But the car ride was a very silent ride. Mitchie and Shane who were sitting together behind the passenger seat were so cold and distant with each other.
Caitlyn and Nate just shrugged the thought of reconciling them because they know, one or the other they'll find a way to talk or maybe destiny will even do it for them. They're meant to be right?
Nate pulled up at the parking lot and he and Caitlyn entered the hallowed halls of Tree Oak High. Mitchie and Shane were a few paces behind them so Shane was able to stop Mitchie.
"What now Shane?" Mitchie called to him "It's still early in the morning and I'm not on the mood to argue with you…"
"I don't want to argue either… please forgive me Mitch." He said and pulled her to him. Their faces are now a few inches away from each other. "I'm sorry for what I said yesterday and for what Jade did to us…"
"Shane…" Mitchie sighed. "I can't do this right now…"
"Mitch, you have to believe me… there is no Jade in my life! There is only one girl in my life and it is you…" Shane said.
"You know for some unidentified reason… I believe you." Mitchie smiled and so did Shane "but… Shane, being with you changes me to the person that I am not. I have to pretend all the time… pretend that I don't get hurt by what people say about me… pretend to be strong that we can pass through this… but I can't do it anymore Shane…"
"Mitch, I don't ask you to pretend…"
"I know… but it's my nature to do so and I hate it… I don't blame you but this is just how things are… If you are in my life, I will continue to be that person… and I don't want to reach to the point that I have to blame you for what turned out in my life…" Mitchie explained softly.
"So, what now? We can't even be friends?"
"I'm afraid not…" Mitchie replied sadly. Then she walked away from him and to the halls of TONHS slowly letting tears fall from her eyes leaving Shane crying to himself outside the building.
--
Classes were cancelled that day since the basketball playoffs of the season are starting and TONHS are preparing for a pep rally and welcome assembly for the basketball players. But the students were still not allowed to leave the campus since they are all required to attend the big celebration.
The gang except Sam and Mitchie were hanging out by a bench near the parking lot. Sam was at the court with his basketball buddies preparing for the celebration while Mitchie is off to the Physics laboratory to get some materials for the project that she's going to make as an individual for the upcoming Physics exhibit.
"Sierra, I heard your brother is here…" Nate told Sierra who was sitting beside Caitlyn and Jason on the bench. Nate was on his car's bumper beside Shane facing the three people on the bench.
"Yeah. He just came back. Good thing he did because I really missed him." Sierra said.
"So, what's the story? I mean I haven't heard you talking about him." Caitlyn asked.
"Well, he's my step brother actually. When he was 16 years old, he decided to leave home and find his biological father. Well, he loves my dad but he always say that he's incomplete so he really has to do it. My dad was on his side while my mom took it the hard way. I on the other hand, I don't know, I guess for a while I hated him for leaving but dad made me realize that he has to do it." Sierra explained.
"Wow. That's huge." Nate said.
"Yeah. It is." Shane added. He was still trying to process the fact that Mitchie won't even let him be her friend. But he was still not giving up on her.
Then a boy of Jason's height approached them and said hi, "Hey guys…"
The gang except Jason and Sierra got surprised on who said hi to them.
"Hey!" Sierra called happily and went to her brother to give him a hug. "Guys, meet my brother, Ben… Ben, these are my other friends, Caitlyn, Nate and Shane…"
"Oh, so you are the 2/3s of Connect 3…" Ben said and shook their hands. Shane and Nate gladly accepted his shake. Caitlyn also shook his hand. "nice to meet you guys…"
"It's nice to meet you too…" Caitlyn said. "wait, so you also know Mitchie and Sam?"
Ben nervously smiled as soon as he heard Mitchie's name. "Yeah. They're really good friends of Sierra so I know them."
Sierra herself was nervous herself. Ben and Mitchie had a past. Okay, so much for a bad timing! Mitchie was approaching the gang but not looking since she was carrying heavy books and a bag full of materials. Good thing Sam was behind her and was able to help her.
They approached the gang. Shane was quiet as soon as he realized that Mitchie was approaching.
"There they are!" Caitlyn called. "Mitchie! Sam!" she waved.
The two made their way quickly to the gang and stopped for a while as soon as they realized who was the additional person.
"Ben?" Sam asked. Then Ben turned around and smiled at them. "It's you!" Sam called and went to give him a manly hug.
"Hey Sam…" Ben said. Since Max died, Sam made Ben his other guy best friend. He was really crushed when he left but they had set their differences over a telephone call.
"When did you came back?" Sam asked.
"Just recently…" Ben replied. He suddenly became the shy guy since he can't deny the fact that Mitchie was trying to kill him with her looks.
Then Sam realized Ben's tension and turned to face Mitchie. He then step aside as Ben started to make his way to Mitchie.
"Ben, don't…" Mitchie told him. "Don't ever go near me…"
"Mitch…"
"Why are you here? When are you leaving?"
"I am not leaving anymore…"
Mitchie can't believe this. She just suffered from heartbreak and now another guy from her past tries to haunt back the old scars that she tried to mend. The other friends were now standing up trying to comprehend what was happening. Shane was looking in Mitchie's eyes and realized what was happening. They had something… She loved Ben…
"Sam, give me your keys… I have to put these things inside your car for a while…" Mitchie said.
Sam nodded and went with her.
Sierra stopped her brother from following Mitchie. So he just turned his heel around and left without a word leaving the gang confused and silent.
--
The gang sat at the cafeteria without Sam and Ben. Ben was part of the team before and one of the best players so when the coach found out that he returned, he wanted him to play again. But he doesn't want to since he wanted to focus on his studies and he had something to do with his spare time. But since his coach was still persistent, he couldn't help but agree to at least help him on the sidelines.
"Sierr, why didn't you tell me you're brother is back?" Mitchie quickly asked Sierra out of no where. She was seated beside her friend.
"Mitch, I was in shock too okay? And I wanted to tell you but I didn't have the chance." Sierra explained. They were actually talking in whispers but it was quite audible to Caitlyn, Shane, Nate and Jason.
Mitchie took a deep breath again. She didn't even bother that Shane was on her table and the fact that she told him to stay away. Now that Ben is back, more things had been added to the chaotic mind of hers. Then as if on cue to add up things on her mind, Georgie went pass through their table.
"Oh, look who's here…" Georgie started to say in a girlie type of way. "Isn't it Miss Mitchie Bitchie?"
"What do you want now Georgie?" Mitchie shot at her.
"Oh nothing, well, I was just going to congratulate you. Now that Ben is back, you have more guys to fuck off with. Isn't that more sluttier? Ooh… cool! Mitchie Bitchie Sluttie!" Georgie called and went away laughing with her friends.
"Now that's it!" Mitchie called as she started to stand up but Sierra and Caitlyn stopped her.
"Mitch, calm down okay? She's not worth it." Sierra told her.
"Sierra's right Mitch. Her nose is hard, you'll just hurt your knuckle." Caitlyn said with a chuckle. Mitchie smiled at her and Sierra, she knew that her friends just wants what's best for her. "So what's with you and Ben?"
Mitchie looked at Caitlyn. Uh-oh, Shane's here… Well, so what? We're over right? Then she looked at Shane who wasn't looking at her. He was focused on the pudding that he was eating but still listening to their conversation.
"Ben?" Mitchie asked then she looked at Sierra asking for help. But she looked at Caitlyn and she knew that she has to tell her best friend even if Shane's around. "Well, he and I kind of had a thing before. But there's nothing now…" Mitchie said saying the last part out loud to make sure that Shane hears it. Why am I making sure that he hears that I am over the guy? I mean we're over!
"Are you sure? It doesn't look like that?" Nate asked tactlessly.
Caitlyn stomped on his foot and he let out a squeak. "What was that for?" he called to Caitlyn and met a glare at her and realized the wrong question that he just blurted out. "Oops… sorry… you don't have to answer that…" Nate said and slowly looked at Shane and back to Mitchie.
"No Nate, it's okay. And besides, I can answer you straight to the point, I am over him." Mitchie said slowly making everyone digest what she is saying, actually especially Shane. And she actually saw a smile on Shane's face. And why did that made me smile too? Gosh Mitchie! You're so into him still! "The thing is, he just came out of the blue and caught me off guard. And we still left things unclosed so there might be some tiny hatred there. But maybe when we get the chance to talk, it'll be good…" I hope so! I mean, it's not that I don't want to talk to him it's just, Ben was my first crush and infatuation! While, Shane is like my first TRUE LOVE… there's a difference… Shane and I had much more than what I had with Ben.
Sierra glared at me. And I looked at her sensing her stare. "What?" I asked her.
"Mitch, seriously? Caitlyn can even tell that you're lying let alone not telling her the entire truth!" Sierra said.
"Sierr, I'm over your brother okay?" Mitchie said.
"Fine." She said raising her hands "If you say so…"
Actually, I really am lying… I mean, it's still hard for me to face Ben. He was the first one before Shane who created drama on my life. At first he saw me as his younger sister's best friend. When I grew a few inches and he started to notice me, I fell for him. And I think he did too. But when I needed him the most, like during Max's funeral, he fled and didn't even say goodbye. Everyone thought we were cute together. My mother and father also liked him. Sam and Max approved of him. But just in a snap, he broke my heart to a million pieces. Well, we really weren't official, but there was something there.
"Cait, am I lying?" Mitchie asked.
"Yeah you are. You are doing that nose mannerism you have when you lie." Caitlyn replied.
"Ugh! I thought I am sincere! But I am! I am over him, it's just I can't face him right now! I don't even know what to say and…" Mitchie called and stood up and got tensed when she heard his voice.
"Don't turn around…" he said behind me. "Or else you'll face me…"
Mitchie closed her eyes and sat down. Ben and Sam joined them and as if on cue, Mitchie and Shane both stood up at the same time. And said, "I've got to go…"
Mitchie looked at Shane and Shane looked at her.
"Awkward." Nate said. And Caitlyn stomped on his foot again. "Gosh Cait! You have to stop doing that…"
"You are such a baby!" Caitlyn said. And kiss his cheek. "Sorry…"
"Apology accepted." Nate said as he pecked her lips. Sam groaned.
Mitchie then rolled her eyes at them and so did Shane and they go away on separate ways.
--
Okay. Way to add some drama and gossip on my life BEN! Why did you have to come back and stir up things? And what is up with me and still into Shane? Yeah yeah yeah… I already admitted that Shane's my true love. But if that is the case, why am I not with him? And why am I asking you this? I mean, I am the problem why we are not together right? Ugh! I hate my life and my stupid chaotic mind… I am so inconsistent and I am just hoping that you won't hate my ramblings and pathetic excuses.
Now that Jade is out of the picture, Ben is on it. I hope there wouldn't be another one or I think I'll breakdown! At least, my two best friends are happy. Caitlyn and Nate are happy together even though Sam is hurting, I know he'll get over Caitlyn. Ben likes Jason for Sierra and they are totally in love. While I, Mitchie Torres, am not in a relationship and not even near it. Why is it not that easy for me to trust again? Oh I know! The first one, left me… and the other one, cheated on me! Yeah… and I really don't want that again! That is why! But still I am unhappy… ugh! Life is mean…
--
PREVIEW:
Now is another day but not any other ordinary day since something special is going to happen. Yep! Well, at least for me and Sierra, it is something special. I mean, it's the Physics exhibit! Hooray! Please… can I see some smile there?
--
"But Mitch, you don't have car…" Sierra started but Shane interrupted.
"I have… Well, if you want to… I mean I can just shut up for the entire ride…" Shane said sadly.
"Are you sure?" Mitchie asked cautiously. It's really awkward now.
"Of course… We're still groupmates right?"
--
"Thanks. I never thought you'd remember." Mitchie told him after finishing a bunch.
"I never forgot anything about you Mitch." Ben said. "So, um I hope that we could talk Mitch…"
Mitchie nodded. "We could talk right now."
More drama! Tune in for the next chapter of What High School is Like!
