Aww, I love you guys : )

An original song by me may be included…not sure.

Chapter 28- Happy New Year

New Years Eve; a night of parties, friends and family coming together, drink and that special kiss that kicks off the New Year with a bang.

Only her New Years Eve didn't seem to be going down like that.

They had said barely two words to each other since that amazing Boxing Day. Note the sarcasm. He hadn't even glanced in her direction since before he ran off up the stairs. She had quietly and quite fearfully climbed into the bed next to him that night hoping that maybe he'd pull her body to his in some kind of comfort for him more than anybody. But, nothing. Instead, he seemed to simply roll over and continued facing the wall for the rest of the night. She had eventually, drifted off into an extremely cold, lonely sleep hoping he just needed to cool off and by morning, he'd apologise and say how much he was desperately in love with her.

Again, no.

Instead, the cold, lonely night turned into a cold, lonely morning because as she woke, he was gone. She had quietly gone down stairs and there he was with a steaming mug of tea in front of him as he glared off into space. How she wished she could touch and kiss him…

Will had left that night. Packed his bags and ran after getting a severe shouting to from his dad as well as Mitchie's parents, Shane's mom and even Lily for making her big brother cry.

Christmas had not gone well and from the looks of things New Years wouldn't be any better.

Mitchie's eyes snapped open as a light burst through the door; her dulling eyes prayed that it was Shane only for them to get even duller at seeing Caitlyn instead of the tall, muscular built love of her life.

"Hey," Caitlyn whispered. Too afraid to speak any louder in case Mitchie couldn't stand the sound.

"Hi." Mitchie said her eyes flashing to the ceiling.

"The party's just starting. Your parents have just arrived." Caitlyn whispered again, taking a seat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

"Have they?" Mitchie asked uncaringly.

"They're talking to Shane…" Mitchie's ears twitched at the name. She sat up and wiped her eyes. "They asked about you and he…excused himself." Mitchie nodded sadly. "I think he wanted to know how you were though…" Caitlyn added trying to get a smile out of her sad friend.

"Yeah…" Mitchie said distantly. "Is everyone here?" she asked.

"Everyone who was invited. And an added few." The ends of Mitchie's lips twitched into what could be classed as a smile. Caitlyn smiled happily. It might have been small but, at least it was the beginning.

Mitchie crossed the room and checked herself in the full length mirror. She sighed as she twisted to the side and then to the front again. Any other night she would have said she looked vaguely pretty but, not tonight. She didn't feel the need to look pretty. She didn't even feel the need to wear the tight skinny jeans with the black cowboy boots along with the black corset that had the white lace flower design.

"Let's get this fun over with." Mitchie mumbled. Both young women left the bedroom and walked into the lounge where at least fifty people were dancing, talking and just standing around eating, drinking and the odd few were making out on the couches.

"Mitchie!" Mitchie jumped at the sound of her own name. She turned to the left and saw her mother rushing over.

"Hi mom." Mitchie said drearily.

"How are you holding up?" Connie asked in concern as she pulled away from the hug she had just put Mitchie through.

"I'm fine mom." Mitchie rolled her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

Mitchie sighed aggravated. People asking if she was ok were really starting to get on her nerves. There was only one person she wanted to ask her that and by the looks of things, that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

Mitchie ignored her mother and pulled Caitlyn off in the direction of the kitchen.

"Urghh…anyone else asks me how I am I'm going to shoot something!" she exclaimed. "I'm serious."

Caitlyn bit her lip as she glanced behind Mitchie's shoulder. Mitchie frowned and tilted her head to the side before completely spinning around. Her eyes locked on what Caitlyn was looking at. His eyes seemed to stare directly into hers for a mere second before he shook his head and turned; walking off in the other direction. Mitchie gulped. Couldn't he see that this was killing her as much as him?

"Urghh…I hate my life." Caitlyn chuckled light heartedly at her friend before pushing her towards the punch bowl. "It's not alcoholic right?"

Caitlyn shook her head. "Of course not! The guy's managers and stuff are here." Mitchie's mouth formed an 'o' as she poured herself a glass.

"When will he talk to me?" Mitchie asked turning to Caitlyn.

"Soon…" Mitchie sighed and hung her head slightly. That's exactly what she didn't want to hear.

"Dude would you please go talk to her? We know you want to." Nate sighed.

"I can't." Shane mumbled. He wanted to…he really did but, at the same time he knew that talking to her would still cause problems between the two as crazy as that sounds. He knew that no matter what their relationship would be changed and he didn't want that. It had happened way too many times now already.

"Then at least stop staring at her?" Jason asked turning to them for the first time.

"She's so…beautiful." He mumbled to himself; Jason and Nate heard though.

"Boys!" The three twisted their heads to see Piper making her way over.

"Hey Piper." They greeted.

"Great party!" she exclaimed. "I thought you'd be dancing with your girls by now!" she giggled. Shane sighed distractedly and glanced to where Mitchie was genuinely laughing with Caitlyn and Alexa.

"Well Caitlyn's saying hi to everyone." Nate stated. "Coz I didn't want to." He added.

"And Alexa…ran off ages ago." Jason said.

"And Mitchie?" Piper turned to Shane. He blinked and turned his head.

"Well…she's…just talking to her friends…yeh."

Piper's forehead furrowed in confusion but she shook it off. "Oh…well I'm going to go say hello to…well, everyone else. See you guys a bit later." She turned on her heel and ran off.

"Anyone else as bored as I am?" Nate asked a few minutes later.

"Probably." Shane nodded. His eyes snapped to Mitchie again. He could tell how much he had hurt her…but he was hurting too.

As quietly as she could she slid into the cars passenger seat. He was already in the driver's seat ready to leave. As soon as the door closed he revved the engine and sped out of the driveway.

Mitchie bit her lip as they continued to drive along the highway in silence. One word from him would suffice her for now. Just one word to show her he wasn't actually…dead inside. But, she got nothing. She knew if she didn't get one word out of him during the car journey she wouldn't get one when they reached the apartment.

Taking a gulp and deep breath she turned slightly in her seat. "Shane…" She whispered into the deathly silent. His eyes seemed to glance in her direction for half a second before they were on the road again. His right hand moved forward and he switched the radio on. Mitchie's eyes widened and she gulped the tears away. She watched as he moved his hand away and gripped the steering wheel tighter. She could have sworn she saw his eyes glisten.

"Shane?!" Shane shook his head and turned to the voice that was calling him. He nodded and walked over. "We need to make a 'speech'." Nate air quoted. Shane raised an eyebrow before nodding his head slightly. Nate shrugged and they walked over to where Jason was. "Attention! Can we have your attention?"

The music stopped and each and every head turned to the three young men standing in the middle of the room. Alexa and Caitlyn dragged Mitchie to the front of the crowd.

"Umm…we've been told to make a speech." Nate stated nervously. Mitchie smiled a small smile at him. He was always nervous when it came to these things however; in a show he had no nerves what so ever. It's what made him Nate. "Shane." He quickly handed centre stage to the man who would do it justice. Shane pulled his already perfectly tucked in shirt down and cleared his throat.

"Hi." He stated not sure what to say at all. "Well, I guess this is a thank you speech?" he asked in the direction where Piper was standing. She nodded. "Oh ok then. Thanks for coming!" He raised his coke glass and then drank it. The room filled with laughter. Mitchie shook her head. "Oh…not enough?" he asked pointedly to Piper again. She too shook her head. "Oh ok then. Umm…Jason? Take it over."

Alexa slapped a hand to her forehead. "Idiot." She mumbled. Caitlyn and Mitchie giggled.

"Hello!" Jason's overly excited voice shouted. Everyone laughed as a few returned the hello. "Thanks for coming as Shane said. But, also thanks for simply sticking by us. We couldn't have done it without you, any of you." Mitchie's head rose. He was looking in the girl's direction. She smiled realising he was talking to them but, it included everyone else too. "Without you, this year wouldn't have been…good. In fact, it would have been completely boring. The fact you've been there through the hard times and the bad is amazing so, thanks again. Oh and another thing," he added. "If there's something stopping you from saying something to another person don't let it. Coz, you could end up ruining everything. Things should never be left unsaid because if they are…life…can't continue." Mitchie looked down at her feet. The people around them didn't seem to understand but, she did. Shane did. Jason was telling them to stop being stubborn and talk to each other. Only, Mitchie didn't feel like she was being stubborn instead, she was afraid of what might pursue. "Thanks again!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs as the three Connect Three boys walked away from where they were standing. Nate went to Caitlyn who wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. Jason did the same to Alexa. Mitchie looked at him trying to force him to look at her too. And he did. For a millisecond before he turned away and walked to the balcony. Mitchie sighed sadly.

Two nights and two days he hadn't said a word. To anyone. Mitchie bit her lip as she walked into their bedroom. He was lying on top of the bed covers in just his boxer shorts. Mitchie blushed as she walked straight towards the bathroom. Once there, she gripped the edge of the sink and stared directly at the mirror.

"He didn't even look at you Mitch." She mumbled to her reflection. "How do I get him to talk to me?" she sighed as she glared at herself. "You're an idiot."

Turning on the cold water tap she cupped her hands and flung the chilling water over her face. She sighed as she turned on the cold tap this time and picked up her purple tooth brush. After brushing her teeth she stripped from her clothes and groaned realising she had left her pyjamas on the bed. There was no point in simply wearing just her underwear anymore. She almost froze the previous night when she had done so. Shane was usually there wrapping his arm around her as he soon as he felt the bed begin to shake with her shudders. Not now though.

She threw her clothes into the wash basin and opened the door. Her eyes adjusted to the dark room and saw he had slipped under the covers now but was still lying on his back, his arms behind his head and his eyes staring directly at the ceiling above him. She briskly walked into the already chilly room and reached for her pyjamas. She sat down on the bed and reached behind her back to unclasp her bra. She flung that to the side knowing she would clean up tomorrow anyway. She then placed the pyjama shirt over her head; that happened to be Shane's before pulling the pants on.

She sighed quietly once more before rolling onto her back and sliding beneath the covers; her eyes glancing to Shane as she did so. His eyes, as she knew they would be were still stuck on the ceiling.

Little did she know though, they had been on her the whole time.

"Wanna dance?" Caitlyn offered. Mitchie shook her head.

"I think I'm going to get some air." She stated before walking away over to the balcony. She hoped that by now Shane would have left and to her surprise he actually had. Slowly and quietly she walked over to the railing of the balcony.

The stars seemed to be shining ever more brightly on this night. She glanced up and saw that there was but one cloud in the sky covering a small constellation of stars. Smiling slightly her small hands gripped the railing and she leant over it. Wind blew into her face as she looked down upon the ground. There was a small group of people on the ground below dancing to soft music. She frowned realising she didn't even know the time. For all she knew it could have been nearing midnight.

She leant back and faced ahead of her before glancing at the silver watch on her left wrist. 11.36pm.

She sighed. Who would she kiss at midnight? Her parents seemed to be the only ones she could at this moment in time.

A quiet humming sound stopped her thoughts. She turned and there he was. Leaning against the door frame with his hands shoved into his jeans pockets.

"Hmmm…"

He continued humming quietly as he looked at the floor.

"Sometimes we can be a little clichéd," his eyes flashed to hers and he smiled slightly.

"An example of that is right now."

He stopped leaning against the door and stood up straight.

"I know that I'm a fool,

To even think for a second,

That you, oh you,

Couldn't be trusted…"

He took a small step forward.

"I know that I'm a fool,

To ignore you and,

What hurts more,

Is I made you believe that I didn't love you.

That's not the case…

Coz baby, my feelings grow,

Stronger every day,

To know I hurt you,

Kills inside,

Just know this,

You're the reason I wake up each morning,

You're the one who saves me,

I need you to know,

No matter what,

I love you,

Oh yeh I do…

Hmmm…"

She gulped as his cold hand came into contact with her cheek. "I'm a fool." He whispered his eyes closing almost as if he was in unbearable pain.

"Me too." she whispered back. "So, how long did it take you to write?" she asked laughing slightly.

"No time actually. Just made it up on the spot." He laughed his hand still placed against her cheek.

"I thought so."

"I'm so sorry."

Mitchie smiled and stepped away from him. Happiness swept though her. She placed her hands back on the railing. He walked behind her and crossed his arms over her chest. "A new year, a new start." She stated. "I think…we should forget all the bad stuff that happened this year and just…begin a new."

"That'll be hard." He mumbled, his lips grazing her cheek gently.

"I know but, we've been hurt too many times. I just want a year of…not so bad dramatics."

"That'll never happen." He rolled his eyes. "If I'm me…"

"I happen to love that you're you." She tilted her head to look at him. "It'll only ever be you." She stated seriously. He nodded.

"I know and it works both ways."

"I know." She chuckled. "Gosh we are pathetic aren't we? We can never do anything without being all…lovey dovey."

"I happen to love lovey dovey." She giggled as his lips caressed the skin on her neck. "I've missed you." He mumbled.

"I've missed you too." she turned in his arms. "Let's make a deal. Whenever one of us is upset or anything, we talk about it yeh? Even if we hate each other. I can't go through another week without hearing your voice or feeling your touch." He smiled.

"Me either. Come on, let's go inside. It's freezing out here." She nodded and happily allowed him to take her hand and pull her back inside the cramped apartment. "Dance with me?" she nodded again and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. They swayed softly to the music that was playing in the background.

"Sing to me?" she whispered placing her head in the nape of his neck. He smirked and kissing her head.

"Hopeless, head over heels in the moment, I never thought that I'd get hit by this love bug again." he quietly sung along to the music.

They continued dancing with everyone watching but, they never noticed.

"10!"

Mitchie raised her head.

"9! 8! 7!"

Shane's arms brought her closer.

"6! 5! 4! 3!"

She tilted her head to the side slightly as she gently bit her lip.

"2!"

He leant his head forwards.

"1! Happy New Year!" the crowd around them screamed. But, their eyes were only locked on each other. He smiled as his eyes glinted before his lips descended onto her own.

"Happy New Year." She whispered as they pulled apart. He put his forehead against hers.

"Happy New Year." He replied. "I love you."

Ok…I hated the ending. What did you guys think?

I think the next chapter will be partly New Years Day so we get to see what gifts everyone got each other then, it will skip to Valentine's Day or maybe even Shane's birthday.

Review please?

And yes…the 'song' was mine.