Ok so i finally got time to update! I had writers block for about a week too. I should probably apologize for my lack of updating. I haven't really been in town or near a computer a lot this summer. Anyways without further adu...

LAST TIME

Danni, Sarah's mother, helped Mitchie carry her suitcase up to one of the many guest rooms in the large house.

"So, Danni, I know Jason through camp. How do you know Jason?"

"Oh, how silly of me. Of course Nate didn't tell you about us. I'm Nate's mother. Welcome to the family Malibu beach house."

NOW

"I'll be back soon babe," Shane said, leaving Tess's room and heading for his own.

Phase one complete. One more hour and I'll be on my way to the airport…if I can get a flight. Nate and Jason have the jet so…

The lock clicked as Shane opened the door to his own room, paparazzi following to the door frame. Once safely inside, Shane quickly changed into his swimsuit and grabbed a towel to take with him to Tess's room.

Maybe I should try Mitchie again…No… then I'll be late to Tess's room and totally screw up the timing…

Shane regretfully put his phone down on the night stand and headed for the door. There was no way he would screw this up. When he opened it a fist hit him in the head.

"Ow! Jason? What are you doing here? I thought you were with Nate. Never mind, we'll talk later. You can stay here but I got to go," Shane said slightly confused and annoyed.

"But I have a surprise for you," Jason responded sadly.

"I'll see it when I get back. Or better yet I'll swing by tonight. Where are you staying?"

"I'm at Nate's parent's beach house."

"Great I'll be there in an hour."

What the heck is Jason doing here? He's slowing me down. I just want to get this over with!

Shane shuffled passed Jason and into the hallway passing paparazzi on his way to Tess's room. She must have been running behind schedule herself as she and Nick were not outside the door together making a scene. Shane decided to switch the plan slightly and knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Shane fell to pieces. There in the door frame was the one and only Nick James. It was the only way possible for the paparazzi to fall for it.

"Tess what is Nick James doing in your room?" Shane called out at the top of his voice.

"Shane! It's not what it looks like. I left a book at his house last night. He was just returning it," Tess played along.

"Well then, you were at his house last night? What were you doing at his house?"

"Shane why don't you come inside and this can be a little more private," Tess faked a nervous smile at the paparazzi.

"No! I want to do this right here, right now. Tess, what is Nick James doing in my girlfriend's hotel room? Why was my girlfriend at Nick James' house last night for that matter?"

"We're friends Shane, friends hang out together," Tess cried out.

"No, I don't believe you! He's not interested in being your friend and if you look at him like that one more time we're over."

"Look Shane," Tess soothed, bringing her voice down to a little above a whisper and taking his hand, "You're right. I do like him. That's not why he's here, but maybe we should break up. I am interested with him and it wouldn't be fair to you if I stayed with you and didn't love you anymore."

"So this is really it?" Shane said allowing himself to picture Mitchie saying those words to get himself to cry, "You've moved on? We're really done?"

"Yes Shane, but I hope we can still be friends."

"We'll see about that. I-I gotta go…Have a nice life."

Shane turned around and ran to his room, quickly putting himself back together. He fumbled with his key several times before getting through the door and running for his cell phone.

Beep, boop, boop, beep, bup, beep, boop… ring, ring, ring…Hey this is Mitchie-I'm not here right now; leave a message after the beep…

"Mitchie, I know Jason had your phone but I needed you to know…It's over. Tess and I are no more. I don't know if you actually got my DVD or if you listened to it, but I love you and I'm so excited to finally have the chance to be with you. Please, please call me back as soon as you get this message. I miss you so much. I have to go visit Jason really quick but then I'm getting on a plane and coming straight to you. I love you, bye."

"Don't worry Mrs. Torres, we'll be home by ten," Nate said, pulling Caitlyn towards the door.

"And when can I find out where my daughter is?" Connie asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the very exit Nate had planned on using.

Nate sighed. He had been hounded about Mitchie since the moment he had entered the Torres household.

"I guess I can tell you now. Mitchie doesn't have a cell phone anyway."

"Where's her cell phone?"

"Jason has it for safe keeping. Don't worry she'll get it back in a half an hour. Everything will be clear then and she'll be a happy, talkative person. My sister took her shopping when she got there so that Jason could go get Shane.

"She's staying with my parents at their beach house in Malibu. I thought that she would be happier there than here while Shane's busy. Tonight, both Shane and Mitchie are being surprised with each other. I promise she is in safe and capable hands. She will get all her homework done too! Shane has some press he has to do tomorrow after the break-up so she'll have time for it. Jason and Shane will make sure she gets on the right plane back here at the end of the weekend. Do you have any questions?"

Connie stepped away from the door.

"Have fun you two and tell Jason to tell Mitchie to call me when she has a chance."

Nate nodded and waved as he dragged Caitlyn out of the house. He helped her into the limo before getting in on his side.

"Finally time alone with the most beautiful girl in Arkansas."

"Oh, come on Nate. You know flattery isn't my style and that cheesy stuff really doesn't suit you either."

Nate laughed as the car began to move away from the Torres' house.

One new message

Mitchie read off her cell phone when she arrived back at Nate's parent's house. She had spent a very productive afternoon shopping with Sarah and now just wanted to go to sleep.

Maybe I can ignore this for now. Sleep sounds really good right now. A nap before Ken's burgers might be good. I thought I spotted a hammock on the deck.

Mitchie made her way up to the guest room heavy laden with bags. She dropped them in the corner of the room and quickly changed out of her winter clothing and into a sundress Nate had bought her, or at least he had paid for it. She looked around the room again before her eyes landed on her book bag.

Ugg…You have got to be kidding me…I guess I'm not taking a nap, but that hammock could still work out.

With that Mitchie picked up her computer and backpack and headed for the backyard deck forgetting her discarded cell phone on the floor next to the numerous bags of new clothing.

What should I do first? Math? Nah, I can do that on the plane home. Ok, maybe I can work on the English paper.

Mitchie situated herself in the hammock and pulled out her research note cards and her laptop. The only problem with this was that she was facing the Malibu beach. The sight of the sun setting on the ocean was breath taking and Mitchie found herself struggling to pay any attention to what she was doing.

Shane pulled up in front of Ken and Danni's house to find it in unusual circumstances. The light was on in the guest room, but no other lights were on at all.

So Jason's the only one here? No, that can't be right…Jason always stays in Nate's room with me and Nate. He even has his own bed. Besides, Jason would never stay here without some one else. He's too afraid of being alone. Maybe they're redecorating it or something. But why would they leave the light on? And why would Jason tell me to come here just to ditch me? He's way too loyal for that.

Shane jumped out of the taxi and headed for the door as it sped away. Two knocks on the door and there was no answer. Shane tried again with the doorbell but still received no answer.

Where did Nate say the spare key was again? Oh yea, under the welcome mat.

"Shane? What are you doing?" a voice from behind the now crouching Shane asked.

"Oh, um, Sarah, I didn't see you there. I was just trying to-"

"Trying to sneak into my house undetected. Well, that's not about to happen. How did the break up go?"

"It went pretty well…wait…how do you know about that?"

"Come in and we can talk. No one's home; dad burned dinner and everyone ended up going for Chinese take-out. I opted out and went to Lucy's for dinner."

Shane followed Sarah into the house and up the stairs to her room shutting the door behind her.

Sarah situated herself on the bed while Shane took the floor. This was a typical routine for the two of them. Shane saw Sarah as the little sister his parents had never given him. She gracefully accepted the role of little sister from both Shane and Jason. There was no way she would ever be able to date if her brother and his band mates had anything to do with it.

"So, how do you know about me and Tess?"

"Well, that's on the news, but if you're really asking about the fake dating thing I got that out of Nate when he told me Jason was coming to visit."

"Ok, so why is Jason here? I thought he was going to Camp Rock for the weekend."

"He's already been there. He dropped Nate off and left souvenirs for Mitchie and Alicia. Jason said that Mitchie really misses you. I didn't think she was such an easy crier."

"She isn't normal-wait a minute…how do you know Mitchie was crying?"

"Umm…Jason told me?"

"Why does it sound like your asking a question more than answering one? Sarah, what do you know that I don't?"

At that moment there was the sound of a door opening and closing downstairs. Then the sound of feet on the stairs and finally a head poked into the room.

"Shane! You're finally here! Hey buddy, how are you? This was not where I was expecting to find you, but you are my adopted son so I'll go with it."

"Hey Papa Ken," Shane said, getting up and giving Nate's dad a hug.

"So are you staying? You are welcome to stay if you need to. I know you're at a hotel tonight, but I can get you out of that contract easily."

Ken was definitely related to Nate. He had a way to get around paparazzi and slither out of things he didn't want to do after already promising to do them. The business skills Nate had definitely came through his father.

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble, I'll go over there now and grab my stuff."

"I would offer you a ride, but Jason borrowed the car. He went to the movies; even missed out on dinner…did Sarah tell you about that?" Ken asked hesitantly.

"It happens to the best of us," Shane said, patting Ken on the shoulder and heading out the door.

So, Sarah knows Mitchie's crying habits, easily explained by over hearing her on a phone or something. Jason missed dinner to go see a movie with…who did he go with?

Shane passed the guest room and noticed the light was still on. Not thinking twice about it, he turned it off and left the house to grab his stuff from the hotel.

"Jason, I don't want to see the new Tyler Steel movie. I've seen Nightfall already. Can't we just go back to Nate's and get my homework done?"

"What's the fun in that?" Jason asked seriously.

"The fun in that is that I can actually pass my classes this semester."

"Look, you know you can't focus there. Tomorrow I'll take you to the library where you can focus. Right now there is no way you would be able to focus anyway so let's make the most of it. I am taking you to a chick flick and getting popcorn with extra butter just for you."

"Ok," Mitchie sighed, "but I want Milk-duds."

"Hey Nate, it's Shane, I'm really confused. I know you're with Caitlyn and Mitchie right now, but could you call me when you get a chance? Bye."

Why the heck couldn't he pick up his phone?

Shane threw the phone down on his seat as he continued to drive back to the hotel. Now it was swarming with paparazzi.

Great, there's no way I can get around this and get back to Nate's parent's without an issue.

As Shane pulled in the paparazzi enveloped the car.

"Shane, do you care to comment on your break up?"

"Shane is there anything you want to say to Tess right now?"

"Are the rumors true? Did Tess cheat on you?"

Shane pushed past the reporters into the hotel. As soon as he reached the elevators they opened and he ran inside, not seeing the other elevator passengers.

"Hey Shane what's up?"

"Oh hi," Shane said, turning to see Tess and Nick standing there, "Leaving for a date?"

"Trying to," Nick answered, "This mess is slowing us down a little."

"No kidding. I'm staying with Nate's parents instead of this insanity," Shane commented.

"That's a wise choice," Tess thought aloud, "Maybe I can go stay at home for the rest of the visit. It's a gated community."

Shane put on an annoyed face as he entered the paparazzo's clutches once more. He yelled back at the elevator that he didn't care what Tess did as long as he didn't have to see her.

The doors closed as Tess pretended to break down in tears. Shane ran to his room, or the best he could with paparazzi all over him. Once alone, he tried to call Nate again just to receive the voice mail again.

Why won't Nate pick up my calls? Maybe I should try Caitlyn's phone.

Hello?

"Caitlyn, great you actually answered your phone."

Of course I did why wouldn't I?

"Nate hasn't answered his and Mitchie won't answer hers so I was hoping I could get in contact with someone in Arkansas."

Well you got me. What's wrong?

"I'm really confused. Did you know that Jason is here?"

Yea, he left about two hours after he got here. He dropped of souvenirs for me and Mitchie. Said hello to her parents and then left.

"Well, Caitlyn if you know that than can you tell me why he's here? He was supposed to talk care of Mitchie while I was with Tess and you and Nate were together on dates and stuff."

I…um…oh look here's Nate

Shane heard the phone switch hands.

Hello?

"Nate, what's going on? Jason is out here and I'm here and I'm really confused."

Jason wanted to visit his family what's so confusing about that?

"Let's think, oh, probably the fact that he's staying with your family."

Oh, well, then I have no clue what he's doing out there. I mean he probably wanted to see Sarah because she's like his little sister, you know. You're the same way with her as he is.

"Yea, but I don't travel just to see Sarah. You're always there when I visit unless my parents are out of town."

But you know Jason, he's…sensitive to being an only child and with his dad in the marines. He has no one really to rely on for guidance.

"I guess that makes sense. So now that Jason is gone, can I talk to Mitchie?"

Sorry dude, no can do. When she found out you weren't coming into town she decided to stay at school for the weekend. She said she had a lot of homework to do. Something about so many projects that it was actually a good thing that you couldn't make it.

"Ok. I guess that makes sense. I got to go fight paparazzi. Later, dude."

See ya.

Shane threw his phone at the bed in frustration as he packed his things back into his suitcase.

"Ok Jason. Now that we saw the movie, got ice cream, and got chased by the paparazzi because you were noticed can we please go back to Nate's parent's house?"

"I guess," Jason sighed, "I just thought you would want to go site seeing while you were here. I thought maybe we could go hit the Hollywood walk of fame where the hand prints are, but I guess I'll save that for tomorrow."

"Jason, you said you would take me to the library to study tomorrow."

"I will, I will, but if you get done quickly now you have a reward. Wouldn't you rather sit out on the deck at the beach house instead of in a stuffy library?"

"No, I want to go to a library where there are books and tables and the wind isn't blowing away my research."

"But what about birds? There aren't birds inside either."

"Jason, I know you love nature, and I love it too, but there are times when you just have to be in a library. What do you have against libraries anyway?"

"My mom is a librarian. She always used to drag me to work with her. I would sit in the children's section surrounded by books until I was ten. Then my dad was relocated, he's a marine, and she got a new job at this new library that didn't have a children's section, so she stopped bringing me to work with her."

"Wow, I didn't know that. It's not something you would find in an interview or something."

"No. It's one of the questions you don't really answer if you get asked in the music business either. I mean, me having a mother obsessed with silence at work. She let me have a guitar only because it was something to do other than sit and watch birds."

Mitchie laughed as Jason pulled the car up to Nate's parent's house. He got out and open the door for Mitchie.

I wish Shane was here to open doors for me.

Mitchie yawned.

"Wow, you sound tired. Maybe you should just go to bed."

"Maybe you're right Jason. Thanks for taking me out on the town tonight. It was really nice of you."

"We would all do anything for the voice, Mitchie."

Mitchie blushed at his comment before heading into the house and up to her guest room. She quickly shut the door behind her and ran over to her laptop. By four o'clock in the morning, she had finished all her projects and crashed on the bed without even taking off her shoes.

'Hey you, don't let 'em see you frown, Come on turn it upside down. Don't ever quit, get up, get up. When life, puts you to the test, there's nothing better than your best. Show 'em what you got, you got a lot. Show 'em what you got, get up, get up. Get up, up, up. Whoa, whoa, up, up, up. Whoa, whoa, up, up, up. Whoa, whoa, up, up, up.'

What's going on? 8:30? I didn't even realize I fell asleep. Well, the work is done that's a good thing. Maybe I'll get a glimpse of the break up today. Maybe I can talk to Shane today. Well, if I don't I can always look forward to a walk on the beach or a Hollywood walk of fame with Jason this afternoon…I just wish I could do that with Shane…

Mitchie sat up, noticing that she was still fully dressed, and headed for the bag of clothing she had thrown in the corner.

Pulling out a new outfit, she rushed through the bedroom door, out into the hall, passed Nate's room, and into the bathroom.

A shower sounds so nice right now, Mitchie thought stepping into the shower, Was that really Nate's room I passed? I mean that's what Sarah said yesterday, but Jason went in there last night and there were three beds in there just now. Jason sure brought a lot of luggage with him. There had to be three full bags in there just now. That's funny; I don't remember seeing him carry them from the airport.

Once Mitchie was fully dressed, she headed towards the stairs, passing by her guest room and Nate's room again. This time the door was closed and there was music coming from within.

Mitchie thought nothing of it as she headed down to the kitchen to find Sarah and Jason conversing over omelets and toast.

"Good morning Mitchie," Sarah greeted, "How did you sleep?"

"I slept very well apparently. I don't exactly remember dragging myself over to the bed and falling asleep."

Shane pressed the repeat button on the CD as Mitchie's voice again filled the speakers.

'She was given the world/So much that she couldn't see/ And she needed someone to show her,/ Who she could be./ And she tried to survive/Wearing her heart on her sleeve
But I needed you to believe…'

Man, I wish I could see her. I miss her so much…I wonder where Jason went…he had something to tell me last night, but when I got back here, he was already asleep. Oh, well…it's Jason…it probably wasn't too important. He can show me today and then he can drive me to the airport.

Shane finished changing and headed for the kitchen.

Ok...so...what do you think? I'm just gonna give a couple shout outs here to Kelsey and Katie because you guys are awesome and any of you who have printed out my story because your parents told you to go to bed because you made me feel so special and you all make me want to write more. Please comment! Comments make the world go round...not really, that's actually God, but my point is they really really excite me so don't forget to comment-Lacey