"Bye Sierra," I said hugging her.
"Bye Mitchie… I had a great time," she said.
I smiled softly as I let her go. "Same here…Text me when you land ok?"
She rolled her eyes. "Ok…"
"I'm serious Si, you better text or else I'm going to call your mother," I said.
She laughed and nodded. "I promise…" we hugged one last time before we went different ways.
:):):):):):):):):):):)
School… 7:47 am
"See you later Steve," I said getting out of the car. Dang it… I meant to say dad, but hey…force of habits.
"See you later Mitchie…" I watched as the car drove away before heading towards the building.
"Mitchie!" I stopped mid-step and looked around.
"Hey Shane," I greeted spotting him walk towards me. He greeted me with a kiss.
"How's your morning going?" he asked as we continued our short journey to the building, fingers laced. Shane held the door for me…what a gentleman.
"Tiring…Si and I went over her stuff like 3 times making sure she got everything before driving her to the airport. Caught some sleep on the way here though," I said.
Shane laughed as we stopped at his locker. "That's good, eh?" I shrugged and he shut his locker, putting an arm around me. I noticed Tess leaning on the classroom door. She had on this evil type of smirk. She knows something… but what? But the main question is: what is she going to say… she looks like she has something to say…
"Mitchie…" Shane called. I stopped and turned to him. "Don't you want to stop at your locker?"
I blushed like an idiot and scurried to him. How can I pass my locker? Actually, how can I pass my locker and not notice Nate and Cait making out right there? I opened my locker and change the books around.
"You ok?" Cait asked.
I looked up and nodded. "Yeah I'm fine…" Shane shut the door for me. "Let's go…"
They shrugged and led the way. As I entered, Tess's smirk grew and she whispered, "Good luck…"
I furrowed my eyebrows. Good luck with what? I shook off the thought and proceeded to my…seat? Where the fuck is my desk? "Mitchie…" I looked at Shane. "You can have my desk."
Aww…isn't he so sweet? I like this Shane. "You sure?"
"Of course…" Shane got up and I sat in his seat. "Anything for the lady…" he whispered in my ear. I giggled softly.
"Oh Mitchie…" Tess called over. Dang it! She had to ruin the moment?
"Yeah?" Just leave me alone damn it!
"Where's your mom again?" she asked walking over to me. Oh shit…please no…please no…
"Africa…" Caitlyn nudged me. 'Why is Tess asking?' she mouthed. I shrugged and looked at Tess.
"Really? Cause that's not what I heard," Tess said crossing her arms.
Oh fuck… "What-what'd you hear?" I asked.
"Mitchie, where'd you move from again?" she asked innocently, ignoring the question. If she doesn't change her tone of voice, I'm a smack her!
I gulped down the huge lump in my throat. "Australia…"
"Then how come you don't have an Australian accent?" she asked.
"Tess…" Shane hissed.
"What? I'm just curious…what part of Australia are you from?" she asked. Keep asking those damn questions and watch what happens to your fake nose!
"Tess stop…" Shane ordered. "Why are you asking so many goddamn questions?"
Tess stared at him for a minute before making this clicking sound with her tongue. "Everybody…if I may have your attention please..." she climbed onto a desk chair. "I have an announcement to make," Tess said and clapped her hands together. Everyone quieted down and looked at her. She cleared her throat. "Mitchie Torres is a liar!" she pointed right at me.
"What?!" Connect 3, Caitlyn and I exclaimed.
"You heard me…Mitchie Torres is a liar. She's not from Australia! She's from some town in New Jersey! Her mother is not the editor of People Magazine. She's a cook, a caterer! And most importantly, Mitchie's mom is not in Africa…" Murmurs filled the room. "She's dead."
I brought my gaze to the table of the desk, trying to keep calm. Come on Mitchie… you've finally got over that fact. You finally starting to heal… you are NOT about to break down here…
"Mitchie…what is she talking about?" I looked at to Caitlyn. "You lied to me?"
I gulped. "I-"
"Admit it Mitchie… you're mom's dead and you're not from Australia," Tess interrupted.
I swallowed a sob. Come on Mitchie, you're not gonna break down...not here… I didn't respond, just sat there playing with my sleeves and PRAYING that this is a nightmare. My eyes became blurry as memories that happened about 6 weeks ago came flooding back. The funeral, kids' sympathy…I wished that this is not happening. That Tess doesn't know…that she's not right there in a clear view, standing on a desk chair telling the whole class the truth.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tess turn to Ella. "Mitchie's probably adopted. Little orphan girl…Steve probably adopted her cause he felt bad for her…"
Tess faced Hannah. "Her mom died a brutal death…"
That's it… Now she's spreading lies. "ALRIGHT!" everyone stopped and looked at me as I stood. "I'LL ADMIT IT! JUST STOP STARTING LIES TESS!" I took a breath. "I did NOT live in Australia…My aunt is the one in Africa! And my mom doesn't work for a magazine!"
Breathing unevenly, I felt Shane place his hands on my shoulders and whisper words into my ear. I couldn't focus on what he was saying. I was too busy glaring at Tess. She opened her mouth, but I didn't want to hear anymore bullshit she can come up with. "Steve Torres really IS my dad! AND my mother DID NOT die of brutal death!"
"Oh really?" Now she's just pushing my buttons…
"What is going on here?" Brown entered the room, but nobody paid any attention to him.
"Yes!" Tears now fall freely against my will. "You can say shit about me, you can spread fucking untrue rumors about Steve…but talk about my mom and Clarissa and that's where I draw the line."
"Torres! Language!" Brown exclaimed and we all looked at him. "Now Tyler, take a seat…the right way! And that goes for all of you!"
Tess climbed off the seat and made her way to me instead of her usual seat, unlike everyone else. "You wanna know what I heard? About your mom? I heard that she was murdered…Jake thinks she died in a crash…" she took one step closer. "Hannah thinks you drove her crazy for the last 15 years, and she finally did something about it…"
I pushed Tess away from me. "Shut up…"
"So which one is true?" Tess asked.
"Shut up!"
Hannah came up to Tess. "Aww… she wants you to shut up… how rude orphan…"
"I'm not an orphan!" I was beyond furious.
"Girls!" Brown called.
Tess whispered something to Hannah that made her laugh.
I couldn't take it anymore so I just ran. I ignored Brown and Shane calling my name. I pushed open the doors and ran outside… ran to the only place I know no one else knows: the cabin. I opened the door and walked in. "Stupid Tess… she's such a bitch." Sniffle. "She's making up lies…" Sniffle. "She just makes me so mad!" I kicked the leg of the picnic table. Ow… ok never doing that again. "UGH!!!"
"Did you know the first sign of insanity is talking to yourself?" I jumped and turned to spot Shane. You'd think by now I'd be used to hearing his voice.
"What-what are you-you doing here?" I asked and sat down at the piano chair.
"Came after you of course… you're my girlfriend… I have to make sure you're alright," he said walking towards me and sitting down.
Hiccup. "Sh-sh-sh-shouldn't y-you be-be in class?"
Shane wiped away a tear. "Shouldn't you?"
I gave him a weak smile and rested my head on his shoulder. I sighed.
"What 'cha thinking about?" Shane asked as he ran his hand through my hair.
"Everything?" I said sadly. "My mom, Clarissa… Steve, Raul… school… what Tess just said… and Hannah and Caitlyn… oh God, Caitlyn is so upset with me... now everything is screwed up and I'll be known here as a liar and a motherless child and- I'm rambling…"
"Don't worry about it… you should be able to talk, not keep things hidden…" Shane said.
I sat up and faced him. "Why are you so nice?"
"Why are you?" he asked back.
I lightly pushed him. "I'm serious… you're… you're too good to me… you should be adding to whatever Tess and Hannah were saying. You should be calling me a liar…" I looked down.
"Hey, hey…" he lifted my chin, making me look at him. "I was the first one to know, remember?" Oh yeah… "And besides, they didn't really give you a chance to explain, right?"
"Yeah…" I mumbled.
"What'd I say about mumbling? No one can hear you," he said. I smiled softly. In the distance, the bell rang and Shane stood. "Why don't we get outta here?"
I frowned. "I-I-I don't think I can go back in there… at least not today… I just humiliated myself in front of the whole entire school…" I can't just walk into… what's that class… Acting 101! Wait… or is it English Lit?
Shane chuckled lightly. "No, I meant you wanna ditch school? You look like you could use it…"
I inhaled and exhaled. "I can use it…"
"Alright, let's go…" we exited the cabin and walked along the track towards the front of the school.
"Wait…" he looked at me. "What about my stuff?"
"Oh right…" we went back in and got my stuff.
"We can't just walk out of here," I said shutting my locker. "Can we?"
Shane laughed. "Uh yeah?" he put an arm around me and we walked out. Wow… umm that was easy… OMJ! This is the first time I'm cutting school! And with Shane! weird… Ugh, I think I'm bipolar…
"So where are we going?" I asked as we climbed into Shane's car. He's not driving…
"Don't worry… you know where," he told the driver. The guy nodded and pulled away from the school.
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
10:49 am…
The car slowed to a complete halt and Shane exited the car. Confused, I almost opened the door when Shane opened it for me. "W-where are we?" I asked taking his hand and getting out.
He just smiled and closed the door behind me. I turned. It's beautiful… "Come on…" he took my hand led me to the paved walk.
"Where are we?" I asked again.
"A park…" Shane said as we started to stroll.
"I get that…" I rolled my eyes. "Which one?"
Shane chuckled. "Griffith Park…"
I smiled and looked up at him for a brief moment before watching some little kids run past us. We walked for a while in silence, just enjoying each other's company. Shane saying something cute or funny here and there as we walked. I smiled at something Shane said, but frowned when I looked around and spotted a little girl about 4 hugging her mother tightly. "I sorry mommy," she said as we walked past.
"its ok sweetie… just don't run off like that ever again, you hear me?" the mother said. The tiny girl nodded and hugged her mother again.
I clung to Shane's side and hid my face in his shoulder. Shane sighed. "I come here a lot…when I have to think or when I have a lot on my mind…"
"Really?" I muffled.
"Yup… so if you ever needed to get away, just come here…it's a great place to think of…nothing," he said. We sat on a bench and I looked up at him. "This is where I go to cool down… the first couple of days you were here I came to this park a lot…"
My jaw dropped and I shoved him away playfully. "I'm hurting and you're making jokes…"
"That wasn't a joke," he said seriously. I looked down at my lap and played with my fingers.
"Sorry…" I muttered embarrassed.
Shane laughed. "Mitch, I'm kidding…"
My jaw dropped again then I pouted. "Meanie…" I said then got up, but he placed two arms around my waist and pulled me on top of him.
"Oh you know you love me…" he whispered in my ear. I froze… "Mitchie you ok?"
I opened my mouth but clamped it shut, choosing my words carefully. "L-l-love…i-is-is a… is a BIG word…"
"Umm…not really, it's four letters." Way to state the obvious. Love's not spelt: p-h-g-n-p-w-n-e-d-4-r-e-j-x-z-love…and the p-h-g-n-p-w-n-e-d-4-r-e-j-x-z is silent.
"I-I-I know…I know." Damn… what if he's in love with me?
"So…what's wrong?" he asked.
I sighed. "Umm… I don't know how to tell you this, but umm… I'm not really a fan of the word love…"
"Why? What's wrong with it?" he asked oblivious to his fingers twirling a strand of my hair.
I shrugged and played with his left hand that's entwined with mine. "Nothing… just… it doesn't have the same meaning as it used to…" I looked up at his puzzled expression. I giggled softly and got of his lap. "Ok…let's say…Caitlyn told Nate that she loves him," he nodded, "but…Nate's…ok it's not that he doesn't love her, but he doesn't feel THAT strongly but he tells Cait that he loves her too. Then two days later they break up and can't stand each other. Next thing you know Caitlyn's telling some other guy that she loves him…but seriously, does she?" I looked down at my hair and picked at it. "What does love even mean?" When I looked up, Shane was on his phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked walking towards him and sat on his lap.
"Looking up the meaning of love…" he said typing away.
"On what?" I amused.
"Dictionary dot com… duh," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Ok! Love: passionate affection for another person; personal attachment… like family or friend love."
"The only one I would express," I commented.
"Mmhmm… umm desire in a passionate way that two people express through actions…OO sounds dirty," Shane said. I laughed and pushed him away. "Come on… let's get lunch."
:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]
Lunch…
The waitress led us to a table outside and handed us our menus at the Home Restaurant. "I'll be right with you…" we smiled and she left.
"So… what are we doing after this?" I asked skimming the menu.
"Anything…" he answered.
I sighed, not making up my mind about what I want. I looked around the restaurant…it's so homey. Ha, ha… I guess that's how they came up with the name. my eyes widen at the sight of three people walking in. Three people I haven't seen since homeroom. "Umm… Shane?"
He looked up. "Yeah?"
"Uh…" I slid my eyes to the left. He just stared at me. "Look over there…" I hissed.
Shane turned his head and his eyes bugged out. "You wanna go?"
I shook my head. "If they don't see us then no…" Shane nodded and picked up his menu again.
"Guys look! Mitchie and Shane are here," Jason exclaimed.
Crap. They walked over. "Hey guys…" Jason greeted.
"Hey..." we responded.
"Mind if we join you?" Nate asked.
Shane and I looked at each other. He gave a curt nod that he meant for me to answer, but the trio just took that as a yes and sat with us at our booth. "Sure…take a… seat…" Shane deadpanned.
"Mitchie?" I looked at Caitlyn, "Why'd you run outta class like that? What was Tess talking about? What the FUCK happened?!"
I looked at Shane for help, but he just gave me a tight, half smile and a barely noticeable shrug. I bit my lip. "It's…complicated..?"
"Complicated?! Mitchie your mother's dead! That's not complicated," she said standing up.
"Caitlyn… calm down… I'm sure Mitchie has a good explanation as to why she lied," Shane piped in.
"Shut up Shane… Tell the truth Mitchie," Cait practically ordered. I didn't say anything. I knew Caitlyn's voice is just gonna keep rising and rising, so best to get it out now. "Mitchie…why'd you lie to me? To your best friend? Or…am I not good enough of a best friend to know? You told Shane…" I looked at him and he looked down. She scoffed and sat down. "I guess I'm not…"
"You are Caitlyn! You are!" I said.
"Then how come Shane was the first person you told?!" she snapped.
"Because…" Yeah why was Shane the first to know? But then if I didn't tell him, he wouldn't have been nice to me and I wouldn't be dating him… "It just slipped out."
She scoffed again. "Yeah… right…"
"I'm serious Caitlyn! Please believe me!" I exclaimed standing up.
She looked up at me through her eyelashes. "Yeah…believing you is the last thing I'll do Mitchie…or is Mitchie not even your real name."
"Caitlyn don't…" ugh! This is not how it's supposed to go.
"What Mitchie?" she asked bitterly, standing up again. "Shane's the first to know… Tess and her little demons were next… when were you gonna tell me?"
"I didn't know she knew, ok?" I said.
"Yeah right…" Cait said sarcastically.
"You know what? I'm tired of trying to convince you. I'm basically losing my voice saying words that have nothing to do with the truth… I'm done here…And you know what… in 2 weeks I'll be outta here… and for a second, I thought I wouldn't go back… now I can't wait to leave." I turned to leave the restaurant.
"Mitchie wait!" Shane called. I turned back around. "W-w-what do you mean 2 weeks?"
I looked at the Shane then the curious faces at the table. I sighed. Might as well tell them since it's nothings a secret anymore…"I made a deal with Steve and my aunt, Clarissa. If I didn't like it here, I could go back to New Jersey… but if I did, I could stay. They gave me 30 days…the same amount of days my aunt's in Africa, hence the reason I'm here…So yeah… now you know everything…nice meeting you guys…" I turned on my heel and walked out.
"Mitchie!!!" I felt a hand grab my forearm.
I turned around. "What Shane?"
"What about us?" That's right… if I leave…
I hugged Shane and broke down… for what the 3rd, 4th time? "I don't know Shane… I don't know…" I heard clicking…damn paparazzi.
'Shane! Shane! Over here!'
'Shane! Mr. Gray! What's wrong?'
'Shane! Shane! who is she?'
"Come on… let me take you home… we'll talk there," Shane whispered in my ear. I nodded against his chest and let him guide us to the car. He helped me in (the flashes doubling) and we sped off.
:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
Torres Residence…
As soon as the car came to a stop in my driveway, Raul came hurrying out of the house. "Mitchie! Mitchie! Aww… girl, what happened?" he asked as we got out of the car.
"How-" Shane started.
"Internet… oh sweetie… what happened?" Raul asked truly concerned.
I didn't say anything, just went inside and flopped on the couch. "Long day…" Shane said sitting near my head and started stroking my hair.
"It's only 1 something…" Raul informed us.
I sighed and sat up. "I know… but I don't feel like talking about it right now." Raul nodded. "We're gonna be in my studio… that ok?"
Raul nodded. "You kids want anything before you go down there?" we shook our heads. Besides, I'm too hurt to eat. "Well if you're hungry just holler." We nodded understandingly and walked out of the living room.
"You didn't tell me you had your own studio…" Shane said.
"Oh? Sorry… just there was a lot going on today and-"
"It's cool Mitchie…" I smiled softly. "Wow…"
I blushed. "Uh yeah… Steve gave it to me last night... and I thought Caitlyn would come over and work over the songs a bit more… but…"
"I get it…" he said and looked around. "Nice… suits you." I blushed again. "Got any tracks laid out?"
I bit the inside of my cheek. "An old one… the other songs not yet cause Cait's helping me with them… but umm a few I had on CDs and just transferred them to the laptop."
He looked around then me and smirked. "Wanna play one?"
"Uh…" This day cant practically be any more worse… so, eh why not? "Sure…" I walked through the door that led to the microphones and stuff. "Can you hear me?" I asked slipping on the big purple headphones.
Shane gave me a thumbs up. "Good to go…"
I smiled. "So uh… which one?" I asked watching him on my laptop. He held up a finger, signaling me to wait a minute while he looked.
Music filled my headphones and I knew immediately which one it was. Flipping through my songbook, I found the song. The music stopped and I looked up at him. "That ok?"
I nodded and he played back.
-=-
'Knew where I was going
When you left the room
You're the kind of guy
That makes me wanna
Follow through to you
I've been trying to leave here
For the longest time
The second that I saw you
I just knew I found my right guy
I like it, I like it, I like it
I like it, I like it, I like it
I wanna crash, I wanna fall
I wanna be somewhere in the middle
Somewhere in the middle of something
It's better than nothing
I just need a little
I just need a little
And I don't wanna be nowhere
Something's making me go there
Somewhere in the middle with you
I like it, I like it, I like it
And I like it, I like it, I like it
Losing my direction
That's the way it should be
Feeling a connection
When you're standing next to me
I wanna be rolling
I just wanna be rolling with you
All of the things you say
(I like it, I like it)
You're taking me far away
(And I like it)
I wanna crash
(Crash)
I wanna fall
(Fall)
I wanna be somewhere in the middle
Somewhere in the middle of something
(Something)
Better than nothing
(Nothing)
I just need a little
I just need a little
And I don't wanna be nowhere
But something's making me go there
Somewhere in the middle with you
Maybe you'll save me
You're gonna take me
From this crazy I've been painting
'Cause I just need a little
I just need a little
Somewhere in the middle with you
Crash
(Crash)
I wanna fall
(Fall)
I wanna be somewhere in the middle
Somewhere in the middle of something
(Something)
It's better than nothing
(Nothing)
I just need a little
I just need a little
And I don't wanna be nowhere
(Nowhere)
But something's making me go there
Somewhere in the middle with you
Crash, fall
I like it, I like it
Somewhere in the middle with you
(Crash, fall)
I like it, I like it
Somewhere in the middle with you
(you)
Middle with you'
-=-
I pulled the headphones off when he gave me a thumbs up. "Come back here…" he said.
I smiled and walked back to where he was. As soon as he saw me, he pulled me into a kiss. We parted, only our foreheads touching. "Wow… what was that for?"
"For being awesome…" he gave me a quick peck. "Who played the drums?"
I giggled. "My aunt Clarissa…"
"No…"
"Of course not… my music teacher back home… I wanted to sing the song for Clarissa's wedding and he helped me with the music…" I explained.
"Your aunt's married?" he asked as we parted.
"Yup… her husband's in the army…or is it the navy… something like that," I said. "I wrote this like 2 years ago…"
Shane let the song playback. "Do you miss being home?"
I shrugged and tilted my head side to side. "Sometimes… like I miss my mom's restaurant, my cozy house… my mom, Clarissa and Sierra, but other than that no…"
"Are you seriously going back there?" he asked after a moment of silence.
I shrugged again and flopped onto a dark pink beanbag. "If nothing gets better, then yeah…"
"Well-"
"Shane, we're having a good time…can we not talk about it right now," Shane nodded. I smiled and got up. "Come on… I'm getting kinda hungry…"
Shane laughed and stopped the recording from playing again. "Same here… and hey, when we're done, you can sing some more of your old songs…" he said as we walked out.
I scrunched up my nose, giving him a disgusted face. "Who said I wanna play more songs?" Shane laughed soundlessly and pushed me ahead lightly.
:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]:]
4:13pm…
After we ate, we went back to the studio and Shane MADE me (well more like begged and pleaded 'til I couldn't stand it anymore) play some more songs. Of course none of them are new… like I said before; Cait's helping me with them. Then around 2:45 Nate called Shane reminding him to be at the studio.
So that's where we are standing in front of: Hollywood Records. We exited the car and laced fingers.
"Ready?" he whispered.
I just nodded and walked in with him. "Ah Shane Gray…" they guy at the front desk said.
"Hey…am I late?" Shane asked.
"No… the rest of the band has yet to arrive…but you can go on up," the guy said. Shane flashed his famous grin and we walked out to the elevator.
The bell dinged its famous ding and we walked out still hand in hand. "Ah Mr. Gray… what a pleasure to meet you," some dude greeted.
"Pleasure too… and please call me Shane…" the guy smiled. "And this is my girlfriend, Mitchie Torres…"
"Hello…" I said shyly. Wow that seems weird… my girlfriend… that's a first.
"Hi… umm the rest of the band is already in the studio…if you just follow me," the dude said. We followed yet-to-be-named down the hall into the last door. "He's here…"
"Ah Shane… welcome… and who is this?" an older man said.
"This is my girlfriend-"
"Mitchie Torres?" a voice said in disbelief. I looked behind the man at Caitlyn. "What are you doing here?"
"I can ask you the same question…" I said.
"Nate invited me to check it out…" she answered without an emotion.
"Shane did too…" We stared at each other. I broke our stare and looked up at Shane. "Uh I think I'm a go… Raul said something about Steve and something else…"
"Steve? Steve Torres?" the man asked.
I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah he's my umm dad…"
"Oh…"
I looked back at Shane. "Umm… just call me when you're done here…nice meeting you." I turned to leave.
"Likewise Ms. Torres," the man said.
"Mitchie wait!" I stopped and faced Shane. "Why you going?" he asked.
I sighed. "It's your first day recording… I don't want it to go bad if me and Cait start bickering… so it's best if one of us leaves and since I'm the last one here, I'll go."
"You sure?" I nodded. "I'll call you as soon as it's over…"
I smiled. "Promise?"
"Promise…" Shane kissed me briefly before we turned different directions.
"Mitchie!" I sighed again. Who now? Oh Caitlyn… "I'm still a little frustrated with this whole… 'what's-the-truth' thing…" Is this her way of apologizing? "But you don't have to go just cause I'm here…"
I gave her a small smile. "Thanks, but uh… I'd rather be home… got a lot of stuff to do…"
"Like what?" I know she's trying so hard not to argue with me.
"Probably locking myself in my recording studio…" she looked at me confused. "Steve showed me my studio last night and I was going to invite you over to check it out, but then this happened and that happened…"
Caitlyn bit her lip. If there's one thing I learned about Caitlyn is she loves a good recording studio. "H-how good it is?"
"You know the one the boys are recording in today?" she nodded. "Like that except the room is slightly smaller and more to my liking…"
"Y-y-you think I could check it out?" she asked.
She doesn't seem THAT upset anymore… I shrugged. "Forgive me?"
Cait grinned. "Let me get my laptop!" she ran out as I called the car. Maybe things will look up and I'll stay…
Heyyy... so apologies are made... this chapter was ehh... i liked the idea but when i wrote it...i was like weird!
Not as i planned, but it'll do...
so yeah.... but the upside to this, (well it's not really) Mitchie's secret's out! didnt xpect tht 1ne did ya? :P
Love the reviews and keep them coming please....
Please review!