Alone at 18

Chapter 30: Preparation Hell

Mitchie's Point of View

I just finished my dance and I was holding the finished position. I was on the floor my legs slightly apart stretched out with a little bend. My head was bent down. I then looked up as Shane smiled at me huge. I loved his million dollar smile and smiled back at him. I stood up slightly shaky. At first I had been unbelievably nervous I didn't know if I had prepared a good enough piece I was hoping I did. I didn't worry though because as usual. I became lost in the song and let my body do the talking since dance was so full of expression, as writing was as well.

"Can you give us a minute" The tour manager asked and I nodded as him and the band manager left the room

"That was amazing" Shane said walking over wrapping his arm around me as I hugged back

"Really"

"Yes and no offence but that was the favourite dance of yours I have seen" he said and I smile

"I worked hard on it. I really want this and most of your songs are like a lyrical dance so I figured I might as well show them I can do that, technical or not" I said and he nodded

"Oh really say a song that is lyrical like" He said and I scrolled his iPod. "Although if I get to see you dance like that" He said

"Stop Shane I am the choreographer not the dancer, boo for you" I said giggling

"Awe" He said pouting and I kissed him then pressed play on the iPod as the song Turn Right came on.

"How would people dance to this I mean its more lyrics then anything" he asked

"Sit on a stool and sing along with it I'll show you" I said and he nodded sitting on a stool that was in the room. I restarted the song and started to dance.

I went to the far side of the room and did some turns then started walking slowly and doing some dance moves that fell with the music as he watched me amazingly. The first chorus came on.

So turn right Into my arms Turn right You won't be alone You might Fall of this track sometime Hope to see you on the finish line

I was close to him when he started the chorus. I turned right into him as he swung his arm around my waist, into his arms. I then turned around to his back and wrapped my arms around his neck drawing them across his collarbone at the line you won't be alone. I then turned back and took his hand. I slide down the side of the stool landing on the floor at fall of this track sometime. The last line I swung my leg around and stood up and took a few steps as he said finish line. He stopped singing and I turned around looking at him as he just stared

"That was amazing Mitch, did you just come up with that" He asked

"No I thought about it a while ago, I know it might not be on the set list it was just an idea I had, and of course the three of you would have to agree and there will be more dancers in the background doing circles and such if it was on the set list." I said and he smiled

"It was amazing I think all of us would" he smiles and I sit on his lap. I lean in to give him a kiss but stand up when I hear the doorknob open. He chuckles standing up wrapping his one arm around me and smiled.

"Well that was amazing" the tour manager said

"Really" I asked

"Yeah and thanks Shane it worked" his band manager said

"What worked" I asked confused

"Your dance to every rose has its thorn was amazing. We wanted to see what you could do with their songs so it worked and we were watching the turn right dance, well parts of it."

"How" I asked confused

"Two way mirror" he said and I nodded embarrassed

"We didn't do dances to songs like this before Michelle said there were too many words" the tour manager said

"There are a lot of words. If you cooperate the words with your actions and as a dancer focus on the tune behind the words it could work"

"Either way Mitchie, we would love for you to be our choreographer on the tour, and for the new videos as well" The band manager asked

"Wow really" I asked

"Really, we just need to go back into the room have you sign some papers then you can start choreography tomorrow when we e-mail the set list, or a meeting a think we have one with boys" They said

"Yeah at 5:30, we are discussing the set list we are making" Shane said and they nodded

"Alright lets' head into the room" he said as Shane locked hands with me. We shared a quick kiss then followed them into the conference room. I sat down smiling taking a sip of water.

"So…" Lisa asked

"I'm the choreographer" I said happily and her face didn't really smile at all and I just brushed it off too happy to care.

"Better than doing nothing" She said with no emotion and I nodded.

After signing everything I needed to sign, talking about everything a quick lunch then just talking which took forever we headed home. Well to their house anyway. Shane and I weren't looking for an apartment until next week. I was already tired, and it was the first day, can't wait for more, yay.

We got home and were all standing in the foyer well the six of us anyway. "Alright so downstairs in an hour to work on the set list" Nate said seeing it was 5:00. Really that late guess we could eat, long day.

"Yeah, Caitlyn you will be there so you can inform the lighting and production crew for our instruments and such. Lisa we will need you for picture ideas that will be taken during the concert so we can put them in our scrapbook along with the list for the fashion department and when or if we have to change" Shane said and everyone nodded

"Alright so an hour" Jason said

"We need Mitchie so she can get the list and the songs so she knows what dances will be done" Shane said

"This list is never finalized until probably tomorrow" Caitlyn said

"We are going to the stadium for the meeting so she can start choreography right after as we have other meetings to go to including the opening act dilemma we are currently in. Caitlyn so yes she will be in these meetings. She is part of this as much as you are" Shane said and he rolled her eyes

"What dilemma?" I asked

"We can't find an opening act yet as our first choice dropped out for something undisclosed. We have promos as the tickets have been on sale but we need a "Special quest" by the end of next week so its stress full as we have to get our songs and our moves down as well, so we have meeting between rehearsing and working on the stage getting ready so we can work on it like where we will move and everything" Nate said and I nodded

"Oh okay" I said

"We will worry about that later" Shane said "We will all meet downstairs in an hour and work on the set list, I'm going upstairs with Mitchie" He said grabbing his suitcases and headed upstairs. I grabbed mine and quickly followed. We both went into his room and I wrapped him in my arms as he let out a long breath

"Just beginning eh?" I asked and he nodded

"Yeah there is so much more to come, exhaustion and all" He said

"Well I have you to sleep next too I will have good sleeps" I said and he nodded

"Me too I always sleep well when I am beside you. We have an hour so shower, eat and meet up?" He asked

"I showered this morning, sleepy head" I said "and will tomorrow"

"But you danced" he said

"Fine, if it will make you happy I will shower now. Then get dressed and meet you downstairs for a quick dinner in 20 minutes" I asked

"Sounds good" he said kissing me as he went into his bathroom closing the door and blowing me a kiss. I rolled my eyes and got clothes going into my former room having a shower then getting dressed.

We both showered and got dressed. We met downstairs and had a cold supper the chefs and set out. We made sandwiches with the buns, meat, cheese and condiments they set out. Apparently they felt the rush of a tour coming up too. At least that is what Shane said. We also had chips and whatever we wanted to drink, so we all had some pop. After finishing dinner we went downstairs and met the other 4. We all sat on the floor, all of us with notepads and pens so we could make up the set list, we would all need a copy of.

It took up three hours to come up with one. It was 9:00 o'clock when we finally decided it was good and wrote a final copy on all of our notepads. There were tons of crumpled half completed lists on the floor. I didn't know making a set list included paper ball fights but it was really rather fun. We all said goodnight and headed up to our separate rooms, well except for me and Shane we went to the same one. We both curled up in bed and I was already tired we were up at 5:30 and he seemed tired as well. We were sitting in bed as I was looking over the set list. There were a lot of songs I had to choreograph. I loved the slow type songs they choose to do. Turn right, Black Keys, Sorry, Pushin' me away, a little bit longer and fly with me where the slow ones. I loved all of them and I was excited to create dances for them, lyrical was rather a little bit easier for me so I would start with them it wouldn't take me that long to get them together. I like all the songs they are going to be playing though; it would be amazing I was excited to see a fully put together concert.

We fell asleep and the 6:00 alarm came way too soon. I groaned hitting snooze as I curled back into Shane. 10 minutes after it lit up again. I guess we really should get up. I sighed sitting up and turning it off. I looked over to see Shane asleep. We had been pretty lazy, staying in bed until 9:00 usually the last week or so but we both needed to get up. I decided to use these few quick minutes to get ready before he had too. I grabbed my make-up bag clothes and walked into his bathroom, laughing at his moisturising and hair products. Almost worse than me, but he did always look good and his skin was amazingly soft even with some scruff with I didn't mind at all. I brushed out my hair and tied it up in a loose pony tail since it was quite dishevelled and I know I didn't have much time since we would all be leaving around 7:00.

I quickly washed my face with my usual routine then dried it and applied certain make-up. Not a lot but just a bit and it made me look a lot more awake then I did 10 minutes ago. I put on a pair of American eagle sweats and a tank top. I walked into the room slipping a change of clothes in my bag, and an extra shirt on top of that. Most of my day was dancing. I would love it, but if we broke for lunch or dinner I didn't want to totally stink. I then slipped on a zip-up sweater and walked over to the bed.

"Shane, love we have to leave in 30 minutes" I said shaking him awake

"5 more minutes" he groaned

"Shane I am ready, come one get up, get ready we are getting coffee on the way"

"Fine" he groans and I giggle as he sits up

"Hey sleepy head" I said smiling kissing him quickly

"Morning" He mumbled walking into the bathroom. I had to laugh at him; even though I wasn't one either he had to be one of the hardest people to wake up in the morning.

"I'll be downstairs" I called and I left the room with my stuff and went downstairs meeting everyone at the bottom except Caitlyn and Lisa.

"Girls" I said giggling and everyone laughed

"We get up first, we do our thing, then they do theirs" Nate said and I nodded

"I do mine first, then Shane. He sometime takes longer" I said giggling and Jason smiled

"Like you said girls" Jason said and I couldn't help but giggle then give a little glare.

20 minutes later we were all in the one car heading towards the studio. The parents weren't all coming today with us. Some of them were coming after lunch for a bit more meetings but that was about all. Apparently I had an easy go as everyone else had meetings all I really had to do was dance, yay!

We stopped at a Starbucks which apparently they stopped at a lot because it was swarming with paparazzi. We went inside and got our drinks and we all got a bagel. We all got back into the car and headed towards the stadium. There were paparazzi outside of the stadium. We pulled down to the loading docks and we went inside closing the door behind us, so no one could get inside. It was a stadium that wasn't used much. They build the stage up in here and had it all booked for the month. Apparently bands did this a lot and everything. We went on tour of the back. I saw where I would be rehearsing, a room they turned in a dance studio. They showed us the three meeting rooms. They should us a room where we could eat lunch and stuff. They showed a room where Lisa could sit in quiet and plan out the photos and the times between songs, if they needed to change and such. They then showed us upstairs where crews were getting ready with a stage plan and going to start constructing it soon. We then went to the highest level and Caitlyn was in love with the sounds booth where she would be organizing it and helping the guys learn the lighting, who were on the tour with us. This was a big production and like Shane said, it would be hell.

We all sat and had our breakfast. The boys had a quick meeting with the band manager about some things I never really understood. We then all went in and worked the set list. They only changed 3 songs around. They approved of everything and it was good. I was quickly sent with my iPod with all songs in a playlist into the room to start choreography. I grabbed a few bottles of water. It was 10. Shane said he would get me around 1:30 and we head for lunch. I sighed turning on the music listening to it figuring out some dances. I worked on the turn right dance. I had the part for the girl dancing with Shane figured out. I had to figure out how to do the Jason and Nate part as they would be playing instruments and Shane would only need the microphone. I then had to do figure out the background part where the other dancers would be dancing. The dancers were all girls, and two guys. We could do some lifts but that would be in the faster dancers.

1:30 came around and I had Turn right pretty much done. After lunch I would work on sorry it would be a little difficult but I had until dinner and hopefully after. I had a week so I think I would be okay. Well until Monday when I would meet with the dancers. I and Shane went out to a bistro 10 minutes away for lunch as the others apparently ordered in. We got back to the stadium and hung out in the lunch room for 20 minutes. They then had to go to the meeting to discuss opening act's I really hoped they found one. I went back into the studio and Lisa and Caitlyn did whatever they had to.

The rest of the week continued like this. We got home every night around 10:30 and we all went upstairs and probably all asleep by 11 at the latest. We would then get up around 6:00 and it would start all over again. We were clearly all exhausted enjoying the hell of preparation week but it would be worth it. We were getting used to being tired.

It is Saturday night and we are just getting into the door around 9:30. We got out early today. The guys were all frustrated because they still haven't found an opening act. My body was in pain and screaming for me to stop. I had almost all the dances figured out, well most of them. There were two I didn't know yet. I had moves I just had to put them together, extra time for me during breaks next week. I had to have them done for Wednesday as next Friday Saturday at latest the dancers needed to know them.

Tomorrow was Sunday and we actually weren't working that day. Thank god for one day off in this hell like month. Shane and I had planned on sleeping in then in the afternoon we arranged a seeing for an apartment. It was a gated complex. There were like one story houses, they were smaller though. They were within this community on the other side, which was good though, it was private. They looked really nice so we were looking at them tomorrow. We were both kind of hoping we would like it enough to just rent it then and be done with it. We really didn't want to look too much. Apparently People they knew lived in them and they were nice. His parents said that if we liked it enough get it, so we didn't have to worry and we both discussed that.

I just finished a shower and drying my hair. I slipped on sweat pants and a tank top and crawled into Shane's bed. My eyes closed as I knew sleep wouldn't take long to consume me.

"Hey love, you sleepy eh?" he said and I opened my eyes nodding and turned to face him as he was now lying in bed.

"Yeah very, I don't know how you guys always do it" I say and he chuckles

"Yeah it's sometimes very difficult" He said and I nod

"I agree" I say kissing him curling up into his chest as he wraps his arms around me

"Let's sleep then, we can rest tomorrow before and after we see the apartment then start the second week"

"You will find someone Shane I promise" I said and he nodded kissing my cheek

"Thanks sweetheart I know we will" He said as I closed my eyes and listening to his heartbeat. Sleep soon consumed us as our hearts both beat in sync. Peaceful sleep was finally achieved for the first time since last Saturday, I knew I would survive barely past this month, let me hope they meant it when they said it was worth it.

It is now 4:30 on Sunday and we just arrived back in the house. We are sitting in the game's room having some alone time cuddling on the couch talking. We slept in until 11:00 and we ate lunch here then headed towards the apartment. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was at the far side near the back of the community. The little complex had its own lusciously green park along with a courtyard and just it was gorgeous. It had four pools. Each apartment was designated to one. There were 20 apartments and we noticed mostly celebrity children or celebrities themselves lived in them, or had them as summer or winter homes. There were 5 apartments to a pool, a lot cleaner than regular apartment pools.

The apartments were allowed to be decorated anyway you want as long as you would for sure stay for a long time and not just a year. We knew we would have it for more than that so we are already thinking about it. The inside was gorgeous. You walked into an open concept living and dining room. There was a small closet by the door. There was always a small room which held a washer and dryer. That was definitely a bonus. Off to the right was a small hallway. It held 2 bedrooms and a fairly large bathroom. It was good for that. We wanted a two bedroom. One where we would sleep and one where we could make into an office, if we had to work or just wanted to be on our computers or anything really. You then walked through the long living and dining room to see a small okay sized kitchen. It would come with an over and stove, built in fridge and freezer and a microwave as well. There was a big bay window in the living room. You could see the park from this one as well and some of the courtyard. If we got one of these apartments I would want it to be this one.

On the couch we were talking about it. We got the number of the rental office and if we decided we were the only one who viewed it today and if we decided we wanted it we would just have to call and they would set up a time for us to go in and sign papers.

"I really like it Mitchie, I mean I know we only saw it, but it will save us time and I don't know we can keep looking if you want to. Just if we wait too long then decide on this one there is a really good chance it won't be available or any in the complex will be available.

"I really like it to Shane. It seems perfect for what we want it for. We can stay there on vacations and such if we are in LA for them with your parents. I mean I love the apartment, and if you agree I think we should take it" I said

"Really" he asked

"Yes I mean I know we are doing it fast, but we have a lot of other things to do this month, we won't have time to keep looking. There is guaranteed privacy which is good. The other tenants like that as well I don't know if you could get any better" I said

"Mitchie we have done many things fast. It is just the way we are doing it. It is working for us and I love the apartment, and we can make it our very own. I think we should get it since we both want to. That is one less thing to worry about when we get back, we will need to stay there the month before the other part of the tour I think it's perfect"

"I think it is too so we should call and get our appointment to sign papers."

"Alright" he smiled hugging me as I hug him back

"I can pay for the first month if you want to write the check for the last, I have some money saved up and some of my inheritance"

"Definitely not we had a deal remember" he said and I sighed

"Alright fine just call" I said teasing him

"Alright, we have to get ready for dinner with everyone any way." He said as I nodded sitting with him still as he pulls out his phone calling the rental office asking for Angela, the girl that helped us today.

We talked to her and decided on Tuesday night around 6:30 when we are usually on dinner break will be when we meet with her to sign papers. We are currently just about finishing dinner. We talked with everyone and we are having a very nice evening. It had been a busy week and we all enjoyed our rather relaxing day. All the guys were nervous about this week. I could tell but we didn't bring it up, we would let them figure it out, it was stress full but we know they would find someone. After dinner we all just watched movies in the living room. It was about 9:30 when we all returned to our rooms for the night. Shane and I just made out a little bit it was nice, we hadn't for a while we wanted a little bit of make out time before the tour I mean the bus would be crowded. We then peacefully fell asleep, again never a bad sleep within his arms.

Shane's Point of View

It is now finally Wednesday and if you say I and the boys are having no luck finding an opening act that is now an understatement. It is near impossible and so stress full. We need to find out by Friday you might as well kiss this tour good bye. When we weren't in meeting suggesting or meeting artists we were in a room near Mitchie's dance room singing and trying to perfect our songs for this tour. The only positive and best part of the week so far was Mitchie and I got our apartment.

It is just after dinner so we have a few more hours and we are right now singing. We can't really focus on anything else. I went out for dinner with Mitchie and she helped me relax but now back with the boys it was insane. You could feel the panic rising. We didn't know what we were going to do.

I was stuck on ideas and Jason and Nate were as well. We named everyone we could think of and the managers were trying to think of ideas for artists that would be appropriate for the age group we sing for, that was another problem. There were just so many artists that could fit what we were looking for. That was the biggest problem. There were a lot of great bands starting out but they weren't close to our kind of music or the audience we have.

We sang our set though and were told to go home and we would tackle it again tomorrow. We were all exhausted heading home leaving at 10:30 instead of 10:00 like usual. I was listening to my iPod when a song I had came on. I think I found someone who could be our opening act. I had to talk to the artist first but a smile came to my lips, it might work.

We all got home and I was now in bed holding Mitchie stroking her hair. "Have you found anyone" She asked

"No, I mean I have an idea. I need to talk to the artist and even if they agreed it's going to be a hard sell to the group" he said

"Who is it" She asked

"She hasn't recorded anything, or might not ever. She had an a amazing voice and could make it big if she wanted too, just we are really desperate and she doesn't have a band just we are running out of options" I said nervous

"Who is it Shane" she asked

"I was thinking maybe you" I said quietly and her eyes went wide looking at me

"Me Shane I can't even sing that well, are you insane. I don't have a band and Acoustic would sounds pathetic. I mean please tell me you are kidding" She said and I shook my head

"I am dead serious. I heard Today is a fairy tale and just your other songs. Mitchie they are amazing and I know you don't have a band but you have tracks for your song. We can play the tacks and you can sing. I mean I know it is a long shot but it might be our only chance. You will do amazing and we can still look, we just need it for our first few concerts, but it might end up being the whole tour"

"Shane the result of what happened when I sang publicly last time tore me away from doing so again."

"That was a fluke Mitchie. You were born to perform dancing or singing. I know it is nerve racking trust me I know. We will all be there for you cheering you on. You might not even have to just if it happens to be I was hoping you would be an option I may suggest" I asked

"Shane that is amazing that you want me too. Thousands will be watching though and I am the girlfriend. I might not even have a voice and they will say I am using you for fame."

"You aren't though and we all know that, even they do, that would've came out if they thought that already and you do have an amazing voice."

"I only have 4 songs though with tracks Shane. The managers won't go for it, you shouldn't waste your time on me" She said

"Mitchie listen to me. You are an amazing singer and the managers would have to approve of you first off anyway. Look I don't even know if it could happen. You might be the last chance at this tour. I know you will be nervous. But this could be our last chance. I'm not going to force you though" I said

"Shane I love that I could help. Just dancing and being an opening act. That would be brutal. I mean singing would be amazing I see how you feel when you perform and it was amazing doing it in the orphanage. I just don't know if I could really do it for a job, almost every night"

"I know I'm sorry. You do have an amazing voice though, I love it" I said

"Thank you" She said sighing "You can suggest me. If they want me to sing I will but you can't persuade them they have to believe I can do it, but you have to support me and the whole band has to agree on it"

"Okay thank you Mitchie" I said kissing her

"You're welcome you better appreciate I do a lot for you" She said kissing me teasingly

"I know I love you for that and many more things" I hug her tight

"Let's get some sleep and I am not in the room when you suggest it" She said as a stipulation

"Deal" I said and held her tight as I soon felt her breath even out her chest rising and falling in sync. I smiled thinking she might actually be able to help the tour. She would need two more tracks for a 6 song set. I was starting to get nervous about suggesting her but this was all I could think of, if someone came up with a better idea before I suggest her then okay but if not do we really have another choice?

It is 9:00am and Jason, Nate and I are waiting in the room for the manager. They come in and sit down saying they couldn't think or find anyone. I realized Mitchie will probably be our only chance but could we really pull this off.

"Have any of you boys thought of anyone?" the tour manager asked

"Absolutely nothing" Jason said sighing

"I am lost. I searched the internet, new bands being released there was no-one available or appropriate. We might not have a tour at all" he said and I sighed

"It will be a huge risk. I have one idea though. She hasn't recorded nor have a band yet May not ever. She can sing though and has tracks to four songs she has written. She can probably make 2 more but it is a really big risk."

"Who is it" our band manager asked as Jason and Nate looked at us

"We would have to hear them sing though and see if it could be managed" the tour manager said "So her name" He asked

"Mitchie" I said and everyone's eyes shot up to mine instantly. I saw fear in all their eyes like I was being ridiculous. Jason and Nate's eyes were wide and mouth a gape. There was full looks of confusion on my managers face. They asked and that was all I had. I took a deep breath as I saw our tour manger take a breath. This might not have been a good idea after all.

A/N: Mitchie was his idea for an opening act. Did anyone actually see that coming? I mean I did but did any of you guys. It might be a couple of days before I update again. I am not feeling great and have a cold but I wanted to get this one up. It is another longer chapter. The next chapter will be final preparations we will find out if Mitchie will be singing and dancing still. Everything is finally coming together. After next chapter we are into the tour part of the story. Let me know what you thought about this chapter. They also got an apartment. How will the managers and Nate and Jason respond find out in the next chapter, a little cliff hanger to keep the interest don't you think? Read and Review please. Enjoy!

~Kim