Loose Ends Chapter 5: Progress Halt, a camp rock fanfic

A/N I do not own the song "Secret" it's also by the Veronicas. I pick songs by them because they have a Tess sound to them. Plus the song sort of reminded me of "Too Cool" only without the corny lyrics (sorry!)

Chapter Five

I woke up the next morning feeling more confused than ever. Ana was in the shower. I wonder if she knew how I got home. I'll have to ask.

I rolled out of bed and regretted it. Yuck. I felt terrible. My head hurt pretty bad, you know the after break down head ache? Sucks.

After about 20 minutes Ana finally emerged from the bathroom, looking fresh and pretty. I was always jealous of how she could manage to look so pretty so effortlessly.

"Hey my little Chiquita Banana." she greeted with a smile.

"Hey Sis. Did you happen to see how I got back last night?"

"No, you were in bed asleep when I got here, why?"

"No reason." I smiled. That was odd. Now I'm kind of afraid that I have a stalking savior. Weird.

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Later that day after I'd finished kitchen duty for the night I wandered over to the "Campfire Jam" to listen to the others from afar. Lola and her crew went up first, their music was made by Cait's laptop, Lola sang a pretty awesome hip-hop song. Then some other kids sang, danced, or played and instrument. I felt myself longing to join them. That was going to have to stop before it drives me crazy.

Then Tess, Ella, and Peggy, (whose names I finally learned) took the stage. The guitars and bass of their music sounded a modern day blues.

Tess' voice was filled with an achy soulful feel, then the music kicked up.

You're a little obsessed with me
And I'm a little bit scared of you
The way you look and stare at me
Maybe it's time I let you know

You could call me six times but still I won't pick up the phone
You could spend all your money on me
but still I'll say no
You could write a million letters everyday confessing to me
That I am the girl of your dreams
But nobody ever asked me
I never looked at you that way
'Cause I always thought you were gay

Every time you come around
You just look me up and down
And then you try to hold my hand
I'm confused now I don't understand

You told me lies
You made me believe
It would be fine
If there was nothing to see
I'd be undressing in front of you
I told you secrets that no one else knew

Wow. They seriously do have a good sound, it just sucks that they are total bitches, you know? Then more hopefuls played, and I heard someone announce that the winner of Final Jam would be recording with Shane Grey. Interesting.

Next up was Cait. She had some cool techno music playing from here laptop, had a Daft Punk feel to it. She finished and everyone clapped and Cait beamed.

"EEEE! Mitchie!" She squealed with delight.

"You were amazing!" I encouraged.

"Dude, I know you aren't officially enrolled in the camp but you should try that!" She gasped, "Oh my gosh, you know, all the staff does!!"

"I don't know…" I hesitated. "I don't have any musical talent."

"Pssh, I bet you're just saying that." She sneered.

"Excuse me," I was tapped on the shoulder.

I turned to see Shane Grey standing behind Caitlyn and I, "Oh… Hi." I smiled.

"Uhm, Can I talk to you?" He looked at me. I pointed at myself and he nodded. Cait made an excuse and fled. Leaving me to stare at the pop star.

He motioned for me to follow him so I did. The sun was gone and the stars shone brightly, it was quite aside from the fading sounds of the campfire jam, and my heavy breathing. Out of shape? Me? Nah.

We ended up sitting at the place where I walked in on him singing.

"I wanted to run something by you, uh.. Sorry I can't remember your name," He looked down embarrassed, hair covering his eyes.

"Mitchie, and sure," she smiled.

"Cool," he said magically pulling out a guitar case. And began strumming a solemn beat.

I don't mind where you come from
As long as you come to me
But I don't like illusions I cant see
Them clearly
I don't care, no I wouldn't dare
To fix the twist in you
You've shown me eventually what you'll do
I don't mind
I don't care
As long as you're here

I watched the sadness fill his face, and noted how insanely cute he was. His words made me swallow hard, why had he asked me to listen to him, not someone else?

Go ahead and tell me you'll leave again
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
And do it all over again
It's all the same

His words sent a fire through my veins, My heart was pounding and I could see a totally different side to him.

Hours slide and days go by
Till you decide to come
But in-between it always seems too long
Suddenly
But I have the skill, yeah
I have the will, to breath you in while I can
However long you stay is all that I am

I don't mind, I don't care
As long as you're here

I closed my eyes and lied my head against a tree and lost myself. I tapped my fingers to the beat of his song and felt peace.

Wrong or Right
Black or White
If I close my eyes
Its all the same

In my life
The compromise
I'll close my eyes
Its all the same

Without realizing it I sang along, some how I'd picked up the words.

Go ahead say it
You're leaving
You'll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It's all the same
And I'll take you for who you are now
If you take me for everything
Do it all over again
It's all the same

The song ended and I covered my mouth, not realizing what I'd just done. I scrambled to my feet and tried to flee.

"Mitchie!" Shane called after me, "Wait."

But, I couldn't. I just kept running. I had no idea where I was going and I'm not sure I cared. I fell and just crawled until I could again stand. I heard Shane calling for me, I just couldn't make myself stop, what the hell was wrong with me?

After an eternity I collapsed, huffing loudly on my hands and knees I breathed heavily. A few moments later I heard foot steps behind me.

I felt hands touch my back, but I jerked a way, felling to the ground on my side. I looked up helplessly at Shane who just sat beside me, saying nothing. I didn't notice I was cold until Shane shrugged off his leather jacket and held it up to me. I sat up shivering and slipped my arms through it. I couldn't help but notice how its smelled, delicious, woodsy, with a hint of cologne. I sighed pulling my knees to my chest and lay my head on them, Shane made himself comfortable against a tree. We sat facing each other. Not saying anything at all.

"You ok?" he finally said breaking the quite.

"I'm not sure."

"Did you think you sucked or something? That I was gonna' make fun of you?" he asked softly.

"No." the intensity of his stare made me short of breath. What could I say?

"You have a great voice."

I nodded.

We sat for a few more moments, then I asked, "Why did you want me to hear your song?"

He was silent, thinking I guess, "Because, you're real."

"What do you mean?"

"Well from the moment we first met, you haven't exactly been shy about telling me what you thought of me." he smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry.."

"No! don't be!! Everyone around me, well except my band mates, tell me what I want to hear. Or just try to hang out with me because I'm the lead singer of a shitty band. And ever since you yelled at me in the kitchen, I've just… I don't know, wanted to talk to you. But, I thought you hated me, until you stumbled in on me singing. Then I thought, maybe…"

"We could be friends."

"Yeah!" He had a dazzling smile.

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Over the next few weeks Shane and I really became great friends, he even hung out with Cait and I at lunch. Which drove Tess and posse absolutely mad. But honestly, I didn't care. It was nice to smile. Have friends. I even finally let Shane see my song book. He and Caitlyn have tried unsuccessfully to get me to sing them, even Lola and Ben.

"No guys, it's… too hard."

"My ass!" Shane declared, "I've heard you sing!!"

"Whatever it's still not gonna happen." I stuck my tongue out.

"Puh-lease, girl." Lola shook her head, we had the entire cafeteria to ourselves. Everyone else was at different activities, us, were just neglecting our different things.

"C'mon, Mitch!" Ben hopped around Lola.

"Boy, calm yourself." she snapped at him.

"Awh, baby, you hurt my heart."

"Don't call me baby, or I'll show you how I can really make your heart hurt." She stated icily.

"See Mitch, you gotta play me a song, my ego is hurt, I need something beautiful to make it feel better."

Lola "mmhmm'ed" as Shane and Cait laughed.

Sighing I said, "Fine, If it'll get you guys off my ass." I laughed.

I walked over to the piano and began to play something I'd written a few nights ago. For my parents.

Something causing fear to fly
Rising like a dark night
In silence
Traveling like a broken boat
Heading for the sky
And I'm an island

I watched you disappear into the clouds
Swept away into another town

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days

The sun is in the east,
Rising for the beasts
And the beauties
I wish that I could tear it down,
Plant it in the ground to warm your face

I built myself a castle on the beach
Watching as it slid into the sea

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days
Until the last of days

Through walls and harvest moons
I will fight for you

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days
Until the last of days

When I finished I felt both relief and sadness. I looked at my friends and flashed my perfected smile, but as I looked into Shane's eyes. I felt, he knew, it wasn't true.

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Later that night Shane hovered in kitchen with Ana and I, he offered to help clean up. I was amazed. Ana was amazed. Brown randomly came to check up on us, and was amazed. Ana had everything finished except the dishes, which Shane volunteered the both of us to clean up for her.

Shane kept being evil and splashing me, and pouted when I splashed back.

"Look, Jerk, I don't want to be wet!" I laughed.

"Alright miss priss," he smiled.

He looked me in the eyes, the only sound was the water running, which I reached over and turned off, breaking eye contact. I picked up two hand towels, handing him one, his hand lingering over mine before he took it. We dried our hands and walked outside the kitchen. Before we could walk around to the other side, he eased over to the side of the building and leaned against it. I did as well and he place his arm around my shoulders and rested his head on top of mine.

Moments later he turned to face me and looked in my eyes. I looked up at him, my heart racing, it was dizzying, was I about to get my first kiss?

I closed my eyes and tilted my face up when then sound of Tess' voice called, "Oh, Shane! I've been looking for you!"

We pulled away. I didn't understand why, but I wanted him to stay.

Tess grabbed his arm and lead him away from me, prattling endlessly on about Final Jam and how she'd love it if he went over her song and gave her his thoughts.

With a heavy heart I walked back to my cabin and downed 4 prozac. I didn't want to feel this jealous pain.

A/N I hoped you liked the next chapter!! The song Shane sang is by The Sick Puppies, titled "All the Same" and the one Mitchie sings is by A Fine Frenzy, "The Last of Days" I known neither. I'm going to try and update again Saturday, I've been bitten by a muse