Hey you guys! It's almost noon here in wonderful Minnesota...So needless to say, I'm bored, tired, hungry, and ready to go home! :)
So...I knew you guys would freak out at the knowledge that, OMG, SHANE IS GETTING MARRIED! :O That is why I had to put that in the sneak peek! And no...it's not Mitchie!...Or is it? Hmmmmm! ;)
Anyways! I'll let you read the first chapter of Part III, Tim McGraw! :)
One year.
It's been one whole year since my band and I had lost the Teen Choice Award for Breakout Artist of the Year.
A whole year since my beautiful baby sister, Danielle Erin "Dani" Torres was born.
A whole year since I had seen Shane Joseph Gray.
I was currently preparing to release my sophomore album and I seemed happier than ever. My life, to the rest of the world, was absolutely perfect and I was getting everything I wanted. I had a great family and wonderful friends who were supporting me with everything I was doing. I had made a ton of money from my music and a few television appearances and guest spots. Things seemed to be going great for me…but I was breaking inside.
I still loved Shane more than I ever thought I would…and he was off living his life with Emily. Whenever I went over to their apartment with Caitlyn, Shane would conveniently have "just stepped out" and "wouldn't be back for awhile." I knew he was avoiding me though, and for that reason, I tried my hardest to stay busy and not show him through anything that I was missing him as much as I really missed him. But we both knew how much we missed each other. We loved each other. There was nothing that was going to be able to change that.
"Mitchie! Want to go over to Nate's with me and catch up with them? You haven't seen them in, like…a month," Caitlyn said, poking her head into my bedroom. I sighed and stood up from my bed.
"I would love to. Call Nate and tell him that I'm coming with you so he can warn Shane," I said bitterly. Caitlyn knew how much I was hurting about the whole Shane thing, but she thought that it was a good thing that Shane was keeping his distance rather than break my heart while keeping me close.
"If you don't want to, then you don't have to," she said, pulling out her phone.
"I want to. I miss Nate and Jason," I said. She nodded and quickly dialed a number.
"Hey Nate," she said in her flirty voice she reserved for Nate only.
"Yeah, no. Mitchie and I were thinking about coming over to visit," she said.
"Okay, I'll wait," Caitlyn said. I knew Nate was telling him that I was coming over so that he should get out of there. We waited in silence for a few seconds before Caitlyn turned the phone on speaker.
"Take it off speaker!" I stage whispered so that Caitlyn would hear me but Nate probably wouldn't.
"Hey Shane. Mitchie's coming over, is that alright?" I heard Nate ask.
"Um…no. Emily is coming over, remember? I told you about this last night," Shane said.
"Well, take Emily out like you usually do," Nate said.
"No, why don't you and Jase just go over to their place?" Shane asked.
"Because they're in the middle of painting their house so they don't have furniture in their main rooms right now," Nate said. It was true. Caitlyn and I had finally decided to paint every single room in the house.
"Then tell Mitchie that she can't come over. Nate, this is my place just as much as it is yours. I want to stay, so just tell her that she can't come because she is the last person I want to see," Shane said. His words cut right through to me.
"You know what Nate. Just tell him never mind. I don't really want to go anywhere. I need to work on a song anyway," I said. Caitlyn's eyes widened.
"You had this on speaker Caitlyn?" I heard Nate ask, clearly frustrated.
"Sorry," Caitlyn said quietly.
"So Mitchie heard all of that?" I heard Shane's voice ask.
"Yeah…I heard it all," I said before standing up and brushing past Caitlyn and storming to the bathroom. I didn't really want to go to this room, but I just wanted to get away from Caitlyn. Unfortunately, a few seconds after I slammed the door, Caitlyn was pounding on the door and jiggling the handle, calling my name. I knew she thought I was going to cut myself or purge, but I didn't think that either of those things would do me any good. No amount of physical pain could take away the agony I was feeling side my heart right now.
"Go away Caitlyn," I said.
"No! Talk to me! Don't shut me out!" she called. I opened the door and glared at her.
"Why did you turn it onto speaker?" I demanded. She looked down at her hands.
"He's never said no before…so I didn't think he would say no this time," she admitted. I sighed and shook my head.
"Just go Caitlyn. I'm not going to do anything. I just need to write, okay?" I asked. She nodded and pulled me into a hug.
"I'm so sorry you had to hear that," she said quietly.
"I know Caitlyn. I know. Give Nate and Jason my love, okay?" I asked. She nodded and pulled away from me. She gave me a half-hearted smile and made her way downstairs and out the door. I walked back to my bedroom and grabbed my guitar. I sat on my bed and noticed my phone blinking, alerting me to a missed call or text message.
I wordlessly grabbed it and saw that I had a missed text message from Shane. I closed my eyes and hesitantly hit the read button. I opened my eyes and saw his message staring at me in black and white text.
"Mitchie, I'm sorry. I'm just not ready to see you again. We said goodbye a year ago, let's just keep things how they are," I read aloud. Feeling my heart break at the simple and stiff text message, I closed my eyes as memories of Shane and I rushed back to me. I opened my eyes and quickly grabbed my song book.
"Hey there everybody! I'm here with the lovely Mitchie Torres!" the interviewer in front of me, Josh Parvarni, said to the live audience. Waving to the audience in front of me, I gave them a small wave. I was doing this interview and live performance in order to promote my new album which would be dropping in a few weeks.
"So Mitchie, how are you?" Josh asked me. I smiled.
"I'm good. I'm very good," I said.
"What have you been up to lately?" he asked.
"Well, as you all know, I've been doing a lot of promoting for my new album," I said. I paused as the audience began cheering at the mention of the new album. "I've also been keeping my life as stress free as I possibly can. But yeah, I've been doing a lot of promoting lately because my sister and I are planning on taking some time off soon so we can go home and be with our family. Our baby sister is turning one in a couple few weeks and we have every intention of being home for that."
"That's wonderful Mitchie. I'm glad, and I'm sure everybody is glad to know that you're still taking time to see your family," Josh said.
"Well, yeah. I mean, without them I wouldn't even be here," I said.
"How is your family doing?" he asked.
"Good. Everybody is doing really well. My mom and dad have their hands full with the baby, Caitlyn and I are busy and my brother is doing well too," I said, trying to not put too much attention on anybody in particular.
"So, Mitchie. There is a rumor bubbling around Hollywood that you're going to be starring in a new movie. Any truth to this?" he asked.
"This is news to me! I haven't had any offers to do any movies, especially since everybody knows I'm going to be taking this break soon, but I would love to do movies. I've been on a few television shows and I have loved working on those. I came into this business to sing, but I've found a love of acting as well," I said. The crowd cheered and I gave them a small smile. I liked knowing that the fans were okay with me pursuing other things rather than just singing.
"So…any new guys in your life right now?" Josh asked. I rolled my eyes playfully.
"How did I know that question was going to come up?" I asked.
"Because this is Hollywood! Everybody wants to know who you are dating!" Josh replied just as playfully.
"I'm not dating anybody," I said honestly.
"Really? Nobody at all?" he asked. I shook my head.
"Nope. I don't have time to date! Before I became famous, I had time to date! Now I have so many things taking up my time, it would have to be somebody I already see a lot, and I don't really see a lot of guy friends," I said.
"What about the Connect 3 boys?" Josh asked. I scoffed, which caused the audience to let out a low "Ooo."
"What was the scoff for?" Josh asked, a sneaky smile playing on his face.
"Which one would I date? They're all taken!" I exclaimed.
"Not Jason," Josh countered.
"I couldn't date Jason! He doesn't like me like that! We see each other as siblings! I have his back, he's got mine. He's like my brother!" I exclaimed. The audience laughed.
"Well, what about Nate?" he asked.
"Nate is dating my best friend and sister, so I don't think I would ever date him, even if they split up, which I don't see happening," I said.
"How serious are they? Rumors have been buzzing that they're engaged," Josh pried.
"Well they're not engaged…but in order to find out how serious they are, you'll have to ask them," I said cryptically.
"Well, what about Shane?" Josh asked.
"What about him?" I asked.
"Well he's a good looking boy who you've got a history with. Would you ever consider dating him again?" Josh asked.
"You know, I just…Shane and I are just better off as friends," I answered.
"But would you ever consider going out with him again?" Josh asked.
"No," I said straight out.
"Why not?" Josh asked.
"Well, it's no secret why we split up and I just…don't think that I would be able to get back into a relationship with him after everything we've said and done to each other. And I think that every girl should pay attention to this. If your ex boyfriend cheated on you, and then he wants you back, don't do it! Don't do it unless he proves to you that he really is sorry and you know in every fiber of your being that he will not hurt you in such a way again," I said. The audience began cheering at my advice.
"So, you won't get back with Shane because you still don't know if he would cheat on you again?" Josh asked.
"It really shouldn't even be on the table for discussion because he is dating Emily Fletcher," I said.
"Fair enough Mitchie. Fair enough. Well, a little birdy told me that you have a new song for us," he said. I smiled and nodded.
"Yes I do," I said. I looked and saw the band getting ready to play the song. Caitlyn winked at me and resumed setting up.
"Alright then, when we come back, Mitchie Torres gives us a performance of her new song Tim McGraw!" Josh said. Once the crew let us know that we were good, I stood up and hugged Josh. He had been my good friend for awhile now and I was glad to debut this meaningful song on his talk show.
"So, is the song about Shane?" he asked.
"What song isn't about Shane?" I joked. He laughed lightly and walked over with me to the stage.
"You know, it was low pulling the whole 'What about Connect 3?' question on me," I said.
"I couldn't help it! I wanted to see you squirm a little bit!" Josh joked. I laughed at his explanation, but let it slide.
"Well, we'd better get ready. Knock their socks off Torres," Josh said, hugging me tightly. He quickly ran over to his spot and waited for the countdown. Soon enough, the camera man pointed to him and Josh quickly smiled.
"Ladies and gentlemen…Mitchie Torres," he said, pointing over to me. The camera panned over to me and my band immediately began playing the slow ballad.
"He said the way my brown eyes shined
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night.
I said 'thats a lie'.
Just a boy in a Chevy truck,
That had a tendency of gettin' stuck
On back roads at night.
And I was right there beside him
All summer long.
And then the time that we woke up to find
That summer'd gone
But when you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think my favorite song.
The one we danced to all night long.
The moon like a spotlight on the lake.
When you think happiness,
I hope you think that little black dress.
Think of my head on your chest,
And my old faded blue jeans.
When you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think of me."
I felt my heart clench as I tapped my foot to the beat. Silently, I began praying that Shane was watching and liked the song. I looked right into the camera and took in a breath.
"September saw a month of tears,
And thankin' God that you weren't here
To see me like that.
But in a box, beneath my bed,
There's a letter that you never read,
From three summers back.
It's hard not to find it all a little bittersweet,
And looking back on all of that it's nice to beleive
When you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think my favorite song.
The one we danced to all night long.
The moon like a spotlight on the lake.
When you think happiness,
I hope you think that little black dress.
Think of my head on your chest,
And my old faded blue jeans.
When you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think of me."
I let out a shaky breath as I tried to relax my nerves. I suddenly began wondering if choosing this particular song for this wasn't such a good idea. Brown had asked me when I first told him I wanted to do this song if I was sure, but I had been adamant about doing this song. He knew better. Brown always knows better.
"And I'm back for the first time since then,
I'm standin' on your street,
And there's a letter left on your doorstep,
And the first thing that you'll read is
When you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think my favorite song.
Someday you'll turn your radio on;
I hope it takes you back to that place.
When you think happiness,
I hope you think that little black dress.
And think of my head on your chest,
And my old faded blue jeans.
When you think Tim McGraw,
I hope you think of me,
Oh, think of me,
Mmmmm.
He said the way my brown eyes shined,
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night.
I said 'thats a lie.'"
I smiled as the crowd cheered. Caitlyn called it my Stage Smile. No matter how I was feeling, whether it be sad, happy, angry or whatever, I would always flash the audience a fairly realistic smile as they cheered for me.
I waited until the crew told us that we were done. I was happy to go home. I quickly skipped over to Caitlyn.
"Do you think Shane saw it?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Why do you think that?" I asked. She pointed to the backstage area and I hesitantly followed her finger. I saw a shocked Nate, a pleased Jason and an absolutely livid Shane Joseph Gray. I quickly turned to Caitlyn and looked at her wide-eyed.
"What is he doing here?" I asked.
"Nate and Jason forced him to come," Caitlyn said, shaking her head. It was obvious that she had not been a part of that planning and had been unsuccessful with trying to talk her boyfriend out of that idea. I glanced at them, but saw Shane still glaring at me. If looks could kill, I would have been dead a long time ago.
"Why is he angry?" I asked quietly.
"How the hell should I know?" Caitlyn asked. She began pulling me towards the three boys. I closed my eyes and let her yank me across the stage.
"Mitchie," I heard his angry voice growl. I opened my eyes and saw the anger in his eyes. But I could tell that the anger was masking different emotions.
"Yes Shane?" I asked meekly. I hadn't seen him in a year, I had only recently heard his voice for the first time in a year, I wasn't ready to be around him and suddenly here he was, ready to bite my head off.
"Why the hell did you go and sing something like that? Are you just trying to make our lives more complicated? Look, I understand that music is your way of venting, but that doesn't mean that every song needs to be given to the world! Especially not sinkers like that! And don't think the world is stupid. Everybody is going to know that the song you just sang is tied to me!" Shane spat. I recoiled from his attack and felt the tears rush to my eyes.
"Shane, come on dude! Not here!" Nate quietly scolded, but Shane ignored his younger brother and went for the kill.
"Are you really so desperate and not over me that you have to go and write hundreds of songs about me and then share them with the world? You're pathetic," he spat. I could tell that something was bothering him other than the song, but it was a low blow, even for him. I felt a tear escape the barrier, and I quickly wiped it away, but not before it was noticed.
"I'm sorry, okay?" I croaked. Shane's eyes widened. He obviously wasn't expecting me to apologize. I watched as guilt began flooding his eyes, but suddenly, Jason was wrapping me in his arms and ushering me away. Once we were in the guest dressing room, he took my face in his hands and began wiping the free falling tears.
"Hey, hey, hey. Don't cry Mitchie. Please don't cry. Don't listen to him, he's just a jerk who just got a little embarrassed, that's all," he said as he tried soothing me. I sniffled lightly and leaned my head on his chest.
"I didn't mean to…to upset him. I just…I knew it was a good song and I know other girls can relate. I never meant to upset anybody," I said, trying to explain my choice, but Jason quickly silenced me by hugging me tightly.
"You don't have to explain yourself Mitchie. It's a beautiful song," he said.
"Do you think I should stop writing songs about Shane?" I whispered.
"Honestly? Yeah…it's been more than a year Mitchie. I think it's time you let it go and move on. Maybe Josh was hinting something to you when he asked you that question today. Maybe it's his way of telling you that you need to move on from Shane," Jason said quietly. I pulled away and looked up at him.
"That is the most honest that anybody has been with me for a long time," I said before hugging him again.
"Things are gonna get better Mitch. Just keep your head up."
So, Jason and Mitchie are getting closer. Shane and Mitchie are still having problems. It's a sad, sad world...ANYWAYS! So, I need to talk to Lucy about this, so Lucy, I guess this is your heads up since I can't get on Twitter right now ;) but if you all have noticed how this story is centered around Taylor Swift songs, I'm thinking for the sequel, it be centered around Demi Lovato songs, but I think we're going to try not having the actual song IN the chapters! :O Which is REALLY out of the ordinary! :) Think about it!
Oh! Before I forget! :) There is a new icon! It's a Halloween icon. It's me, yes me, and I've recently been obsessed with China Anne McClain's new song "Calling All The Monsters" (especially the whole "We're gonna get your body shakin', wishin' you could just awaken" -FAVORITE PART) so it's got that tag line! :) It's actually kinda creepy. It's all black in the background and I've got really pale skin and vampire fangs...so yeah. :) Check it out!
AND...I updated the blog! :O YEP! It's got my two 55 word stories that I wrote for my Creative Writing class. So you should check those out! The link to the blog and the password are on the profile page! :)
AND...If you wanna be really nice and boost my self esteem (it actually really doesn't need boosting, but it's always nice) then go and follow me on Twitter! And if I don't already follow you, I will! Just tell me "Hey, I read your story Speak Now and I was hoping you would follow me back!" Now I don't usually do this, but I actually like following fellow FF writers :)
Review Goal: 5
Love you all! I will see you all either later tonight or tomorrow! :)
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Tianna