Shout out to my lovely reviewers Skyscraper15 and guest you guys rock! Also to the new follows on this story as well, stuff like this really motivates me. As usual read and review please and sorry if this chapter seems rushed, I just wanted for you all to get a feel for Mitchie's upcoming problems and jump start her view. Enjoy!
Disclaimer-I don't own Camp Rock or the songs used in this chapter.
Insecure- Mitchie
Lunch time could not come any sooner for Mitchie as Cody followed her through the lunchroom, striking up a conversation about where he lived before moving and she couldn't more excited as she sat down in front of Sierra.
"Hey Mitchie, sorry for running off earlier, I had to talk to my teacher about the requirements for the course. Anyways who is this?" Sierra asked staring at Cody.
Mitchie smiled. "This is Cody Walker," She introduced her new friend to her best friend. "We ran into each other before first period and we've been talking ever since. We kind of have the same schedule."
"Nice to meet you," Cody said giving Sierra a nod before turning back to Mitchie. "We have had two classes together so far and I believe we have two more this afternoon. If not I'll just have to stalk her so I won't get lost."
Sierra chuckled as Mitchie blushed adjusting her black shirt. He was openly flirting with her something no other boy had done. Opening her mouth hoping a clever comeback would to come her she was interrupted by a high pitched voice.
"Hey Cody!" Mitchie instantly groaned as Tawni Gold made her way over to them flicking her fake blonde hair in the process. Why do queen bees always have to be blonde she mentally asked herself as the Queen herself began talking to Cody.
"I have you in my AP history class right?"
"Yeah."
"Cool I was wondering if we could compare notes right now. Here, I'll lead you to the cool table." She said glaring at Mitchie and Sierra. She should have known Cody would be easy prey for "the pops" since he was new and unaware of the social ladder which Sierra and her were on the bottom of. Mitchie anxiously stared at him, waiting for his reply.
Meeting her gaze for a brief second and studying her expression he turned to Tawni and replied "I would, but I promised Mitchie I'd eat lunch with her today. And besides this is the cool table." He grinned resting a hand on her knee causing her to blush once more.
"Well if that's the case," Tawni began "then I'll sit here with my friends as well so we can talk. Guys come over here!" Mitchie and Sierra watched in amazement as Tawni's fellow queens and kings made their way to their table and began talking as Tawni and Cody began comparing notes. Mitchie gaped taking it all in. Never in history did queen bees sit next to losers. However as she glanced at Cody it seemed as if he was the exception to this rule with his perfect hair and timeless look. Cody was future pop material and the fact that Mitchie had befriended him first only made him more wanted. As she soaked this new information in, Cody only smiled at Mitchie before turning back to Tawni.
"I have to say I like our new friend," Sierra said causing Mitchie to laugh in agreement. Even though she was unsure herself how long her newfound friendship with him would last, she had to admit it was nice that their table was full for a change.
The rest of the day went on like that for Mitchie and Sierra. Everywhere Cody went with them, "the pops" followed them, talking about their plans for the weekend and even inviting them to parties (which Sierra declined but Mitchie considered since Cody was going) which was a drastic change for them both. Even though she wasn't used to it, it was nice being included in plans even if it was because of a cute guy. In general it was nice to feel like she belonged.
When the last bell rang, Mitchie decided to walk home with Cody instead of taking the bus and told Sierra she'd see her later. Looking in her locker mirror she touched up her makeup she had applied after lunch since the other girls started to swarm in on Cody. She wanted to stand out even if it meant the look was darker for her than usual.
"I swear it's like you have super powers or something," Mitchie began as they walked home. The walk for her would be 30 minutes longer instead of the usual 10 minutes it took to get home on the bus, but she didn't care. She had never felt this way for a guy before and was determined to move in on him before anyone else did.
Cody shrugged. "What do you mean?" he asked confused before adding. "Oh and I like your eye makeup by the way. Very dramatic. It suits you."
Mitchie turned to him blushing and surprised that he didn't notice what was going on. "You didn't notice Tawni's reaction to you sitting there? Cody, Sierra and I aren't exactly the most popular people at school." She admitted. It was true. Since freshman year she and Sierra were dubbed the geeks and were at the bottom of the social ladder constantly.
"So I don't care. You're both cool, especially you Mitchie. With your interests you deserve to fit in, not stand out," he replied taking his hand in his.
"Cody I-" she began but was interrupted by Cody kissing her on the cheek. Does that mean he likes me she wondered. Does this mean he won't ditch me for the pops?
"Don't worry Mitchie just you wait and see. This year will be different. They'll realize what I see in you. Just you wait," he replied intertwining their hands as the continued to walk home leaving her dazed.
Entering her house moments later her head still reeling from Cody's actions she started to head up the steps before her mom called her name "Mitchie!"
Slightly rolling her eyes she turned and faced her mother Connie Torres. Even though she loved her to death, she did get on her nerves. Like now, with the disapproving look she was giving her. "Mitchie, why are you home late? Why didn't you take the bus?" she asked voice etched with concern. "And why is your eye makeup so dark?"
Mitchie sucked in her breath not wanting to get on her bad side. The answers to those two questions were simple: she was home late because she opted to walk home with Cody instead of taking the bus so she could talk to him. And the reason why her eye makeup was so dark? Because she wanted to seem more attractive to Cody so she decided to change up her natural look to something more dramatic which worked since he complimented her on it. But could she tell her mother that. Well it was worth a shot.
"I'm sorry Mom. I was showing the new kid, Cody, around school and we became friends-" she began only to have her Mom cut her off.
"Say no more Mija. Next time just call me if you're going to stay late. And you don't need to change your appearance for your "friend". Just be yourself." She finished emphasizing the word friend. It appeared her mother had psychic powers and knew she liked Cody.
Smiling at her mom she gave a simple nod not wanting to get in depth with the conversation. "Gotcha. I'm going to head up to my room." She replied bounding up the steps, heading to her room and closing the door behind her. Taking in the comfort of her purple room she breathed in then out before relaxing.
She just doesn't understand she thought. Every time I have been myself it has gotten me nowhere, especially with a guy that I've liked. So why not do the opposite in hopes of getting a boyfriend. What harm could it do? Pulling out her song book she scribbled down some lyrics before softly singing them
"Who will I be, it's up to me.
All the never ending possibilities that I can see.
There's nothing that I can't do.
Who will I be?
Yes I believe, I can make the future what I want to.
If I can became anyone and know the choice is up to me.
Who will I be?"
Staring at the lyrics scrawled in her notebook she couldn't agree more with them. If she set her mind to it she could become anybody she wanted to. Knowing the song wasn't finished she set down her book and stared at herself focusing on her smoky eyes. Who will I be indeed? She thought before fluffing her hair up and exiting the room to go back downstairs for dinner.
The rest of the night was a blur to her, with her father talking about opening a hardware store and her Mother talk about her catering business she couldn't even focus. Her mind on Cody. Even as she got ready for bed trying to finish writing the song she had started only thoughts of Cody erupted her mind constantly wondering what they were and what would happen next? Groaning she tossed and turned that night in her sleep his words running through her head.
Next morning wasn't any better as well as she burned herself straightening her hair and messing up her makeup. She groaned, knowing the problem wouldn't go away unless she wrote it down in her journal. Flipping to a new page she sung as she wrote
"Sentences of yours
Running throughout my head
Searching for a chance to catch my breath."
She smiled satisfied hoping another day seeing Cody would help her come up with more lyrics. Realizing the time and knowing she would be late for the bus, she quickly threw on a loose red shirt, leggings, converse and grabbing her black cardigan in case it got cold, and thrust her song book into her backpack as she rushed downstairs nabbing the toast from the table saying a quick good bye to her parents as she rushed out the door just as the bus pulled up. Hurrying up the steps of the bus she cursed herself mentally for getting distracted as she plopped down next to Sierra and taking a big bite of toast.
"Running late now are we?" Sierra teased as Mitchie rolled her eyes focusing on her toast. She was really hungry since she didn't have time to eat the usual omelet her mom made her. As she took another bite of toast she thought of all the other girls who were stick thin and gorgeous who talked to Cody. I know I'm not that thin so maybe it was for the best she thought as she finished off the rest of her toast.
"And you're wearing makeup too?" Sierra gasped over dramatically. "I mean you always do but this is more noticeable even for you, though it does look good. Could this be because of a certain Cody Walker?"
Mitchie blushed and nodded weakly not sure what to say. She wasn't ready to confide in anyone about the kiss Cody had given her on the cheek. She wanted to keep it to herself until Cody defined the relationship.
"Well that's good I suppose, but I'm pretty sure he likes you based on how he couldn't keep his eyes off of you yesterday at lunch just saying. Anyways are you excited about Connect 3's album release?" Sierra asked as Mitchie sighed in relief grateful the conversation was off of Cody, yet pleased that her friend thought he liked her. Through the bus ride they decided to either get Connect 3's album during the midnight release¸ possibly get tickets to see one of their show's that was near their town a few weeks, or go to one of their cd signings.
Soon enough the bus brought them to school and they scrambled off just as the bell rang. Searching frantically for Cody she sighed as she headed off to English class disappointed until she felt a warm familiar hand hold hers and relaxed knowing that he was right there besides her just like a shadow.
All through her next classes her mind was racing lyrics running through her head of the song she started writing earlier this morning and of Cody more questions running through her head. Were they an item? What were they? By the time lunch time came around she was famished as she walked to the line with Cody trailing behind her with Tawni in tow. Rolling her eyes in annoyance at her presence wishing she was alone with Cody, she was about to grab a hamburger since she barely had breakfast when she heard Tawni make a disgusted "Ugh" sound.
Great what now she thought as she turned to her in annoyance as Tawni opened her mouth. "You sure you want to get that? I mean all those calories. Do you really think you can burn that off later on?"
Mitchie froze thinking back to the thought about her appearance that morning. She knew she wasn't supermodel thin, but was she really in danger of becoming overweight?
"Mitchie-" Cody began obviously concerned tossing a scowl at Tawni displeased with the queen bee's words but Mitchie ignored him grabbing a salad, losing her appite, and sat at the table next to Sierra. She began to pick at her salad not really hungry anymore and scared of what Tawni said about her was true. Cody and Tawni joined them moments later causing more thoughts running through her head. Frustrated with not knowing what was going on and uninterested in her meal, she excused and quickly ran away to the choir room. Ignoring her empty stomach, she grabbed one of the guitars that were in the room, sat down on a bench and scribbled down the lyrics to the song she now realized was about Cody and poured her heart into it:
"I glanced upon the ground today I noticed something,
It followed me
Along the way, a figure of gray,
Impersonating every move I make
For now we'll call it my shadow,
And it said will you replace it,
So you'll be with me everywhere I go...
Sentences of yours,
Running throughout my head,
Searching for a chance
To catch my breath,
A never-ending dream,
You'll become a part of me, day or night,
Dark or light you'll be,
Taking over that thing called my
Shadow.
And what happens on the days when,
The clouds appear and fade away my shade oh
That's our cue babe,
We'll run away to a place where the sun
Always shines
That not even time could erase,
You're my weakness babe but you give me
Strength, I need you,
I need you like the blood in my veins.
Sentences of yours,
Running throughout my head,
Searching for a chance
To catch my breath,
A never-ending dream,
You'll become a part of me,
Day or night, dark or light you'll be,
Taking over that thing called my
Shadow."
Finishing the last note of her new song she smiled at how quickly she had wrote it. Picking up the pen once more and jotting down the title to it she jumped when she heard clapping. Who's that she thought as she looked up and froze when she saw that it was Cody. He followed me here? She thought in disbelief as he entered the room and she stared at him waiting for an explanation.
"I asked Sierra where she thought you might be and she said here. Apparently you have a habit of running off here and it shows. You're really talented," he said.
Mitchie blushed mentally kicking herself. Well at least he went after me, but what does that mean? Unsure of herself she babbled "Yeah I guess. Not really."
Cody chuckled. "Don't be so modest. But that song is just wow. Did you just write it?"
She nodding meekly hoping he wouldn't ask the question who it was about but unfortunately he did.
"So who's it about?" he asked as she shyly stared at her guitar. Should she take a leap of faith or wait for fate to take it's own course. She liked him, but didn't want to risk anything regardless of Sierra's prediction.
"Well if about some other guy he's lucky, but if it's about me..." he trailed off as Mitchie's head snapped up anxiously awaiting his reply. He paused for a few minutes longer before finishing, "I'd say I'm even luckier. And sorry for the delay just wanted to add more to the moment."
Forgetting how happy he just made her, she punched him in the arm as he faked a hurt expression. "What was that for?"
"For making me wait for your answer." She teased but smiled in the process. Cody liked her.
"Well I thought it was obvious. But hey in case you need more clarification will you Mitchie Torres do the honor of being my girlfriend?" he asked over dramtically.
"Yes," she chuckled as Cody took her arm and dragged her out of the class room just as the bell rang. Even though she had barely known him for a day, she was happy. She finally got her answer: Cody wanted to be with her. As they walked hand in hand Mitchie ignored her stomach growling and sucked in hoping she would appear thinner. She now had an image to maintain.
