Chapter 13: Surprises!

The next couple weeks passed peacefully and soon it was time for finals. Mitchie didn't even have time to miss the boys as she was so busy studying that she would forget what day it was if it wasn't for her mother. Her mother kept her fed and on time to school and made sure she slept at least a little bit. The boys were a little worried that Mitchie was burning herself out but Caitlyn completely understood Mitchie's pain as she was gearing up for finals as well. Mitchie was nervous as her mother dropped her off for her last day of classes. She passed these tests and she would be free from high school. Mitchie's first test was English and it passed easily. Then science and social studies. At lunch Mitchie felt confident but she still had math and music theory. Choir didn't have a final and her French class had their final earlier in the week. She called Shane to let him know how it was going.

"Hey Mitch, how are the finals going?" he answered.

"Good, only two more left. I feel very confident of music theory but math has me a little concerned. It's my weakest class," Mitchie told him.

"I'm sure you'll do fine Mitch. You've been studying like crazy," Shane reminded her.

"I know, it's just nerves," Mitchie agreed. "I just want to be free of this place."

"I know you do. Think about it, soon Caitlyn will be there and Christmas is only two weeks away," Shane told her and she smiled.

"I know I can't wait to see you all and to relax," Mitchie replied.

"And you've definitely earned that. Maybe I'll set up a spa day for you, Caitlyn and your mom," Shane said and Mitchie frowned.

"Shane," she warned and Shane sighed.

"I know you don't like it when I spend money on you but I want to treat you for all the hard work I know you've put in," Shane explained and Mitchie smiled. Just when she thought he couldn't get any sweeter he did.

"Alright Shane, let me talk to mom after school and I'll let you know when would work for her," she told him and he silently cheered. He liked to do things for her and she didn't like it when he did. It was bound to be a battle for some time to come. The two chatted as Mitchie ate lunch and then Mitchie headed off to her last two finals. Almost done!

Mitchie grinned as she walked out of her high school after her last final. The cold didn't bother her as she walked out to where her mother was waiting for her in the catering truck. It finally sunk in as she opened the door. She was a high school graduate (well as soon as her test scores came back). "Hello my high school graduate," Connie greeted with a smile.

"Hi mom," Mitchie replied the enormous grin never leaving her face.

"How was your last day of school?" Connie inquired.

"It was school mom, tests and all that. I'm so glad it's over," Mitchie replied with a shrug.

"I'm sure you are. Would spending more time with a certain Popstar have something to do with that?" Connie said teasingly and Mitchie flushed.

"Mom," she whined then grinned. "Don't let Shane know that I want to spend more time with Jason, he'll be very upset," Mitchie joked and Connie laughed.

"Don't worry Mija, your secret is safe with me," she promised. The two made their way back to their house. Mitchie was surprised to see her father's truck in the driveway.

"What's Dad doing home?" Mitchie asked but her mother ignored her causing Mitchie to frown. What is going on? Mitchie climbed out and walked into the house. Her father was sitting at the table.

"Hi Daddy, what are you doing home?" she asked.

"I can't be home to see my wonderful graduate?" he asked and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"What are you up to?" she asked and he laughed.

"So suspicious," he teased.

"Dad," she whined.

"Alright, Alright. Should we tell her already?" he asked Connie who pretended to ponder.

"MOM!" Mitchie exclaimed and Connie grinned at her.

"Calm down Mija!" Connie scolded playfully. She then pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Mitchie. Mitchie read the paper it and realized that it was a plane ticket.

"Mom? What's going on?" she asked.

"We're sending you to LA, at least until Caitlyn is out of school next week," Connie replied and Mitchie gaped.

"REALLY!" she exclaimed and her parents chuckled.

"I know you were going to wait to go till after Christmas and new years but consider it a graduation present from us," Steve told her. Mitchie flung herself at her parents and hugged them tightly.

"I love you guys!" she said and her parents smiled.

"We love you too Mija. Have fun in LA and let us know when you'll be home," Connie told her and Mitchie nodded.

"Of course mom," she promised before she reached a realization. "I GOTTA PACK!" she yelled running up the stairs as her phone rang Nate's number. "Hey N!" she answered.

"So how's it feel to be done?" he asked and she giggled.

"So amazing you have no idea," she told him as she took her luggage out of the closet. "How are the album stuff going?"

"Good, we're going to be taking some photos of you girls with us when we come home for Christmas," Nate told her.

"Sounds good," she said although she was wondering if they could do that before they came home for Christmas. "So what do you want for your birthday?" she asked. Caitlyn had planned to spend his birthday there then come to Minnesota. Nate had told Mitchie to stay in Minnesota and that they'd do something when he got there but obviously that wasn't going to happen.

"You don't have to get me anything," he told her and she sighed.

"Stupid rock stars and their need to not give me ideas," she muttered and he laughed.

"I'll think about it M, how does that sound?" he asked and she agreed as she started to pack her things. She had a red eye flight to catch so she was multitasking. She wanted to surprise the boys by showing up. She was sure that Denise probably knew about it and obviously hadn't said anything to the boys and Mitchie wanted to keep it that way. She chatted with Nate as she packed and soon hung up with him and finished her packing. She told Caitlyn she was going to LA and they changed their plans accordingly. Caitlyn was excited that Mitchie would be in LA for Nate's birthday as she knew Nate was a little sad his "twin" wouldn't be there for his birthday. She talked to Shane late into the night and only hung up when her dad told her it was time to go. Mitchie told him she loved him and then hung up and went to get on a plane to go see him. She smiled as she settled down on the flight trying to get some sleep. Here I come LA.

Mitchie smiled as the taxi pulled up in front of the Gray house. She was so excited to see Shane and the others. She got out of the taxi as the man grabbed her suitcase from the trunk. "You sure this is where you want to be Miss?" he asked looking up at the gate in front of them and she nodded.

"Definitely, this is it," she told him taking her suitcase and handing him the fare with a generous tip. He was nice and he obviously cared about his customers earning the tip. "Thank you so much," she said and he smiled at her.

"You are very welcome. Enjoy your stay in LA," he said and she nodded heading to the gate com. She heard him say something about wishing more young people were as polite as she was and smiled again. She pushed the buzzer and soon Denise's tired voice came over the intercom.

"Hello?" she said and Mitchie felt bad for waking her up. It was still very early in LA.

"Denise? It's Mitchie, can you let me in?" she asked and she heard a gasp.

"Mitchie? What are you doing here?" Denise asked and Mitchie chuckled. Although she did wonder why her mother didn't tell Denise she was coming.

"Let me in and I'll tell you," Mitchie joked. The gate buzzed and opened. Mitchie made her way up the driveway and Denise was standing in the doorway in her robe a smile on her face. "Hi Denise."

"Mitchie, it's so good to see you again. I thought we weren't going to see you till Christmas," Denise said and Mitchie nodded.

"You weren't. My parents surprised me with a trip to LA for my graduation present," Mitchie explained. Denise nodded and gave her a hug.

"Everyone's still in bed considering how early it is. Why don't you go up to Shane's room?" Mitchie nodded. She was tired too it was 6am after all. Mitchie dragged her stuff upstairs. She quietly opened the door and set her stuff next to the closet. Mitchie took her shoes off and her jacket and climbed into Shane's bed happy she wore sweats for the plane ride. Mitchie smiled at how cute Shane looked. He was faced down with his head buried in the pillow. Mitchie pushed his mop of hair away from his face and Shane stirred. His eyes opened blearily.

"Good morning Popstar!" she said cheerfully. Shane blinked at her for a minute trying to figure out if he was still dreaming or not.

"Mitchie?" he asked and she giggled.

"Who else calls you Popstar?" she joked. Shane frowned.

"Not to sound unhappy about this but what are you doing here?" he asked and Mitchie smiled.

"My parents surprised me with a trip out here for my graduation present. I would have thought they would have at least told your mom about this," Mitchie explained.

"We had no idea," Shane informed her before grinning and pulling her to him and then pinning her to the bed. "Hi."

"Hi yourself," Mitchie replied. Shane leaned down and kissed her thoroughly.

"I missed you."

"But it's only been two weeks," Mitchie replied teasingly. Shane gave her a knowing look. "I missed you too," she admitted. Shane climbed off of her and she snuggled into this chest. "Go back to sleep it's only 6," she whispered and then yawned.

"Sleep well my love."

MITCHIE and Shane were awoken by an excited Jason jumping on them. "MITCHIE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" he yelled excitedly.

"Sleeping," Mitchie grumbled. Jason frowned at this.

"You came all the way to LA to sleep? Couldn't you do that in Minnesota?" he asked and Mitchie ignored him and tried to fall back asleep.

"Jason, get off of them!" Nate exclaimed as he entered the room. "Mom told you to leave them alone," he reminded Jason. Jason climbed off the bed.

"But Mitchie is here and I didn't get to say hello," Jason complained.

"You can do it when Mitchie wakes up. Now go downstairs," Nate ordered and Jason left the room dejected.

"Thanks Nate," Shane muttered.

"Yeah, yeah you owe me one," Nate said before leaving the room.

"Sleepy time," Mitchie mumbled before falling back to sleep and Shane chuckled and kissed her head before joining her.

A couple hours later the couple woke up and went downstairs. "Finally! I thought you two had died up there!" Jason exclaimed dramatically. Mitchie chuckled and gave him a hug.

"Nope, just needed to catch up on my sleep since I didn't sleep much last night," she told him.

"And why would that be?" Nate asked with a smirk. Mitchie walked over and hugged him before smacking him on the head.

"Don't go there Nathaniel," she warned before sitting next to him. "I took a red eye flight meaning I talked to Shane until it was time to go and then had to sit next to a guy who didn't sleep and couldn't sit still. Then I had to take a cab over here and just when I was getting some restful sleep, someone woke me up," Mitchie said with a glance at Jason who smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry Mitchie," he said and she smiled back.

"It's ok Jase, you couldn't have known about my terrible flight," she responded as Shane handed her an apple.

"So how long are you here for?" Nate asked.

"Haven't decided yet, depends on what Cait wants to do," she told him. "We'll definitely be here through Saturday though, I can't miss my twin's birthday," Mitchie told him and he grinned and grabbed her in a hug.

"Hey dude, hands off my girlfriend, you have your own," Shane joked.

"I'm so excited you'll be here M," Nate said giving his brother a glare as he released Mitchie.

"Me too, you still have to tell me what you want though," she reminded him and he shrugged.

"I already got the greatest gift. All of us are going to be together for my birthday," Nate said and Mitchie huffed.

"I really hate it when you people do that to me. Why can't you just tell me what you want?" she asked. She had gotten the same response when she'd asked them about Christmas gifts. She was really starting to hate that line.

"Because we already can get whatever we want, except for your time that is," Shane reminded her. Mitchie glared at him and he held his hands up in surrender. "I'm just telling you how it is."

"And I'm telling you that you're annoying," Mitchie returned. The other two were snickering at the couples bickering. Mitchie's phone began to ring interrupting the argument. "Hey Cait," Mitchie answered. "Yes I'm here safe and sound. Sure, we can do that. Yeah Mom told me it was up to me when I wanted to go home and I'm saying it's up to you. Well we would be missing out on a spa day but other than that not so much. Alright then it's settled. Mmhmm. I'll tell him that. Love ya too Cait good luck on your test today," Mitchie said before hanging up. "Cait says hello and that she wants you to call her this afternoon Nate," Mitchie said and Nate nodded.

"So what's the plan for today Mini-manager?" Shane asked and his brother glared at him but answered his question.

"Today's a day off. Mom called Chris after Mitchie showed up and asked if we could have the day off cause she knew we'd all want to hang with Mitchie," Nate explained.

"Oh good, then we can go get your present for your birthday," Mitchie said and Shane nodded.

"I'm down with that, you in Jase?" Shane asked.

"Sure, I still haven't gotten Nate's present yet," Jason shared.

"That makes three of us," Shane agreed.

"Four, Cait still hasn't gotten Nate's gift either. If he wouldn't be so stubborn maybe we'd have his gifts already." Nate grinned.

"But that's why you love me right?"

"NO!"

A few hours later Mitchie still didn't have a gift for Nate. Jason and Shane had pitched in together to get him a gift and a call from Cait shared that she was working on something for Nate but Mitchie still didn't know what to get him. "What do you get for someone who has everything?" she asked Shane who was trying to help her while Jason distracted Nate (meaning he took him to a pet shop).

"Get him something that would only be important to the two of you," Shane offered. It wasn't a specific idea but it sparked something in Mitchie.

"That's It!" she exclaimed before dragging Shane into a store. "I know exactly what to get him now!" Shane chuckled.

"It only took you like three hours to figure it out," he teased. She growled at him.

"Don't push it Popstar!" she warned him as she found a place to pick up Nate's gift. "I know where you sleep," she warned. Although Shane knew Mitchie would never do anything to hurt him he shuddered thinking about all the non-lethal things she could do to him in his sleep.

"Sorry Mitch," he quickly apologized and she laughed at him.

"Such a wimp," she teased looking at the selections.

"No I'm smart enough to know not to piss off my girlfriend," Shane countered.

"Well there is that," she conceded.

"Yeah there is that," he said rolling his eyes.

The rest of the week was spent on tour prep. On Friday they would be doing a photo shoot for the album art and so Mitchie had decided to change up her look. Shane had arranged to have a stylist come in to help Mitchie prep for tour. (Caitlyn would be doing the same in early January just before the tour). The stylist started with hair and would work her way to makeup for the tour and then wardrobe. She dyed her hair a little darker and styled it with swoop bangs and some layers (A/N:Demi's hair during the Here We Go Again Album). The stylist had been very shocked that Mitchie's hair had some wave to it. "I almost always straighten it cause the curls never do what I want," Mitchie informed her.

"I can teach you how to tame the curls into waves easily," Jessica the stylist said and Mitchie grinned.

"Sure," she agreed. Soon Mitchie had a brand new style. The clothes were of a rocker chick style and were still Mitchie but with a new flare. ("You can't go onstage without some bling and flare" Jessica had told her.) Makeup was a little heavier for onstage. (Apparently the lights could be killer on your appearance.) Mitchie was exhausted by the end of the day and flopped onto the couch where the boys were chilling. "New wardrobe, check, New Haircut, check, hot guy, double check," Mitchie said with a smile at Shane.

"How sweet M," Nate replied with a smirk.

"Wasn't talking about you N," she snapped back playfully.

"Ouch you just got burned Nate," Jason teased.

"Thanks for the update Jase," Nate said scowling and Mitchie giggled at him.

"Don't be mad at Jase cause I owned you," Mitchie scolded him.

"Owned me? Please," Nate replied rolling his eyes.

"Oh she did," Shane interjected with a grin and Nate scowled again.

"Remind me again why I hang out with you people again?" he asked and they all laughed.

"Cause you love us Natey boy, cause you love us!" Mitchie replied and hugged him.

"I need to get new friends."

A/N: And that's a wrap. Sorry you guys had to wait so long. RL took priority and now that I have a new job I'm going to try and focus on this. Hopefully I can get a lot of work done on it!