A/n: So I'm completely astounded with the response that I'm getting for this story!! It's immense! So to say thankyou to everyone who is reading this story I reward you with another quick update and a rather long chappy. And I mean long, it's the longest yet at over 3000 words! So sit back, relax and enjoy!
Is It All Just Pretend?
Chapter 8: Charity ball.
Mitchie watched the lights whirl past her, each illuminating glow blurring into a long shining string of yellow fire. Mitchie watched as the lights slowly disappeared into the darkness of the night, the shadows engulfing the safe, luminescent gleam.
"Mitch, are you ok?" Caitlyn asked, tapping her friend on the shoulder repeatedly until she finally turned around.
"Yeah, limo sickness" She said with a bitter laugh as she turned her eyes to the window again, hoping this journey would never reach it's destination.
"I take it you're not looking forward to tonight then?" Caitlyn asked as she gazed upon the back of her friend's head.
"It's not that, I mean, a charity ball, it should be fun. But Shane's friends are going to be there, media are going to be there, Ruby's going to be there…" Mitchie trailed off as she took a deep breath, tipping her head back and resting upon her seat.
"You have to be really realistic" Caitlyn offered, placing her hand comfortingly over her best friends.
"Yeah" Mitchie whispered her response, heat burning furiously through her body.
"Mitchie, this is stupid, you need to stop this now" Caitlyn stated, her voice a little more demanding.
"I can't Cait, he'll be humiliated in front of Ruby, I can't put him through that" Mitchie said slowly, feeling her chest tighten as the limo jolted to a stop. Signifying only one thing.
"We're here" Caitlyn murmured, voicing Mitchie's thoughts and dreads. "Wait, Mitch" Caitlyn added as she tugged on her hand, preventing her from opening the door. "Promise me that if it gets too much, you'll stop, or you'll at least leave" Caitlyn asked her friend, concern flowing through her.
"I promise" Mitchie said slowly, an appreciative smile creeping onto her features before pulling her into a hug. "Thanks Cait" Mitchie told her best friend before clambering out of the limo, Caitlyn sliding out after her.
There were numerous flashes of light as the pair left the safety of the limo, people beginning to shout at them, interrogating them on who they were and why they were there. Caitlyn and Mitchie moved as fast as they could over the red carpeted steps, ignoring the paparazzi and making their way hastily through the sea of flashes.
"Nate!" Caitlyn squealed as they entered the doors, the doors that led them to an extravagant room, in the middle were two giant staircases leading up to, Mitchie presumed, the ball. Mitchie watched as Caitlyn engulfed Nate in a hug, him lifting her off of her feet and spinning her around enthusiastically, planting a soft, meaningful kiss upon her forehead.
"You look amazing." Nate remarked as he placed her back on her feet, looking over her light blue, floor length dress.
"I hate this thing, it's so not me" Caitlyn sighed, looking down at herself. "Look at this" Caitlyn cut in as Nate opened his mouth to object. Caitlyn took a step back, lifting her dress up a couple of inches, displaying the dark blue high tops that covered her feet.
"I love you" Nate said with a grin as he pulled her forward once more, letting his lips glaze over hers.
Mitchie looked on, a saddened smile upon her face, wanting nothing more than to be held in such a way. Being held by someone who actually loved her, someone who actually cared and who actually wanted to hold her. And more than anything she wanted that man to Shane.
"Mitch, Shane's waiting for you at our table, shall I show you?" Nate asked, as Caitlyn and himself made their way over to Mitchie, hand in hand.
"Yeah sure" Mitchie said cheerily, shaking away her depressing thoughts. Nate wandered up the glamorous staircase, the golden rail glistening as the light hit it. Mitchie trailed behind, letting her heel clad feet graze over the carpet. The trio finally reached the end of the everlasting staircase, large doors greeting them and leading them into a tremendous room, filled with hundreds of people, laughing, joking, dancing. Large tables were dotted around the room, all of them profusely decorated with flowers and satin table clothes, shining cutlery smothering them.
"Over there, Mitch" Nate announced, lifting his arm and pointing through the stream of people and towards the table in the centre of the room, Shane was stood there, wrapped attractively in a white shirt, a black waist coat and a skinny black tie.
"Ok" Mitchie said quietly. "Thanks Nate" She whispered before beginning to make her way through the crowd, her eyes never leaving Shane; who was in deep conversation with a man who was shaking his hand feverishly. But then, he was looking up, his eyes latching on to hers, her heart ramming unstoppably against her rib cage.
Shane muttered his apologies to the man he had been talking to, his eyes refusing to look away from Mitchie's dazzling orbs. She was simply stunning. Her body covered with an exquisite cream, silk dress, a dress that hung gorgeously over her curves, accentuating her amazing figure. The majority of her hair was pinned up, loose curls falling over her shoulders. Beauty personified.
Shane felt his feet moving, pulling him closer to her, like a magnet. He continued moving until they finally met, their eyes never losing each other.
"You look so beautiful" Shane stated, as he studied her further.
"Thanks" Mitchie said blushing as she smoothed down her dress self-consciously, dropping Shane's gaze.
"Really beautiful" Shane added, as he grabbed her hand, making sure she looked up at him once more.
"Thanks" Mitchie repeated, a smile appearing upon her features and an undeniable blush appearing on her cheeks. "You look pretty good yourself"
"Thanks, shall we take a seat?" Shane asked, noticing her flush but deciding against mentioning it.
"Sure" Mitchie replied quietly as she followed him to the table, biting her lip as he held a chair out for her. "You're a true gentlemen, Mr. Popstar" She declared playfully, sticking her tongue out in his direction.
"Ouch" Shane gasped, feigning anger as he took a seat next to her. "I'm a Rockstar!" He corrected her, hitting her gently on the shoulder, the feel of the silk upon her shoulder sending shivers throughout him.
"You're a Popstar" Mitchie said raising an eyebrow as she emphasised the word 'pop'.
"You're going to pay for that," Shane replied, twisting his face into his best scowl.
"Bring it on" Mitchie said teasingly.
"I would, but we're in public and I'd hate to ruin your stunning appearance. You'll just have to wait" Shane said menacingly as he turned to the waiter behind him, grabbing a couple of drinks.
Mitchie lifted a shaking hand, brushing a loose curl away from her face consciously. Her head was burning hot, her mind swimming with the surge of compliments that had recently left Shane's mouth. Had he meant them? Mitchie quickly scanned the area; Ruby was now where near, they were practically alone and away from anybody's earshot. Mitchie felt a torrent of confidence rush through her, the questionable compliments fuelling her actions. She leant over, placing a chaste, unsuspected kiss upon his cheek.
"W-what was that for?" Shane asked as he turned around to face her, hoping she hadn't noticed the hesitation in his tone.
"Just, this is amazing" Mitchie said looking around at the room. "Thank you" She added sincerely, placing her hand over his.
"It's ok" Shane replied a smile creeping over his face as he fought the urge to touch his cheek which was now tingling. The couple stared into each others eyes for a a few minutes, neither one wanting to break the intoxicating spell that had fallen over them.
"How cute" Ruby cooed as she sat opposite the pair, a false smile plastered onto her face. "How are you two doing?" She questioned, her act as transparent glass.
"We're fine," Mitchie spat, no longer feeling the need to be civil to the sad excuse for a human being that sat near her. "Oh, and I'd appreciate it if you kept your disgusting hands off of my boyfriend," She added, her tone matching Ruby's fake politeness.
Ruby stared at Mitchie in shock, her eyes narrowing as she imagined her downfall, her downfall that would take place tonight. She would split that pair up if it was the last thing she did.
"Oh Thomas, there you are!" Ruby shrieked as Thomas walked over to the table, sliding into the seat next to the blonde. Mitchie smiled at him, genuinely, Thomas had been nothing but pleasant to her and she would not disregard him because of his choice of girlfriend.
The four sat in silence for a while, Mitchie and Shane regularly whispering into each others ears, blissful smiles attached to their faces, their hands entwined. Ruby tapped her heel angrily against the floor as she looked over at Thomas impatiently, why wasn't he doing anything? His eyes were transfixed upon the fork that he was scraping subconsciously against his napkin. Ruby wrenched her phone out of her clutch bag, fury rushing through her.
"Oh Thomas darling, look at this picture" She exclaimed slyly as she held the phone in front of his face. Thomas's eyes fell upon the phone, upon what he expected to be a picture, but was in fact a text.
I've paid you to do a job so bloody well do it, you don't want to be fired do you? It could be tough finding another job with the recession and all. Besides, I know you like Mitchie so don't act like this is tough for you.
Thomas gulped as he read the text, plastering a smile upon his face as he exclaimed "Lovely, such amazing memories" Ruby glared at him as she put the phone back in her bag.
Thomas glanced at Mitchie, her head resting contentedly upon Shane's shoulder, what was he supposed to do to separate them? He couldn't deny he was attracted to Mitchie, she was beautiful, her figure so tempting and inviting, and if he was honest with himself, he loved this plan, he just didn't know how to go about it. Then, as if fate was in the room, an opportunity crashed fortuitously into his lap.
"Shane, can we go dance?" Mitchie asked hopefully as she lifted her head, locking her urging eyes onto his.
"Mitch, I'm not a dancer you know that" Shane replied softly, an apologetic smile appearing. Thomas contemplated whether he should intervene, he gasped as he felt Ruby's foot slam down upon his own.
"I'll dance with you Mitchie" Thomas blurted out as he jumped up, holding his hand out to Mitchie, a smile upon his face.
Mitchie hesitated for a second, if she didn't dance with Shane she didn't want to dance at all. But could she rudely turn down his invitation, he was only being polite.
"Sure." Mitchie replied as she got up, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress and reached to take Thomas's hand.
"Wait!" Shane exclaimed as he shot up from his chair. Mitchie turned to him, shocked by his sudden outburst, but even more shocked by what he did next. Shane reached forward, bringing his hand to the back of Mitchie's head and pulling her into him, their lips meeting in an explosive moment of passion, their lips gliding over one an other gleefully. "Have fun" Shane said with a smirk as he noticed Mitchie's stunned and flushed complexion.
"You- you too" Mitchie stuttered as she turned to Thomas who clasped her hand tightly, pulling her to the dance floor. Mitchie let her feet absentmindedly follow Thomas, her lips burning with the tantalising taste of Shane. Sure they had kissed before, but nothing longer than mere seconds, nothing with as much desire and tenderness as that. Her mind was spinning, her legs shaking uncontrollably beneath her; he really had quite an effect on her.
"You look ravishing tonight, Mitchie" Thomas stated as he pulled Mitchie to him, one hand resting on her lower back, the other clasping her own.
"Thanks" Mitchie said quietly, her voice distant and dreamy, her mind replaying the kiss.
"But you look beautiful every night" He said, pulling her a little closer.
"Thanks" She said again, her glazed over eyes resting on nothing in particular.
"You're so stunning" He added, annoyance clear in his voice as he realised she wasn't listening. The more time he spent with Mitchie the more fond he grew of her, the more he wanted her and Shane to break up and the more he wanted her all for himself.
"Thanks" Mitchie said for a third time, her body swaying wherever Thomas went.
"See what I mean about Thomas? In this scenario Mitchie is the nun" Ruby laughed as she slid into the vacant seat next to Shane.
"He's not going to talk Mitchie into bed" Shane said bluntly, his neck twisted so he could get a clearer look at the pair.
"I don't know, they look pretty close to me," Ruby said, resting her arm on Shane's shoulder. "It doesn't matter how faithful they are, Tom can have sex with them" Ruby cooed. "Maybe you shouldn't have turned me down"
"Do you know what Ruby?" Shane started, as he snapped back round to face her, his breathing heavy as blood pumped furiously around his veins. "Mitchie is not stupid, she wouldn't just jump into bed with the first guy who chatted her up! I trust her and I know she loves me" Shane half-shouted; half whispered, his jaw clenching tightly.
"Really? Then why do you seem so jealous?" Ruby asked with a soft smirk upon her features, a bitter, malicious laugh following her words.
Shane said nothing, just looked back over to the dancing pair, Thomas was know whispering into Mitchie's ear, a startled look etched upon her paled face. But Shane was oblivious to her appaled features, focusing on Thomas's hand, which was slowly moving further down Mitchie's back, teasingly close to another part of her body.
Shane looked down at his plate, jealousy and fury rushing through him. He had wanted to believe that his feelings for Mitchie would disappear but he realised that they were becoming deeper, the thought of her with another guy causing his blood to boil, his teeth grinding violently over one another.
She didn't feel for him the way he felt for her and that thought alone was enough to send him on a fury filled rampage. He just wanted to be able to kiss her, be able to hold her and not have to act as if it was pretend, act as though his feelings were merely a performance. He wanted to tell her, more than anything he wanted to tell her, but he would never risk their friendship, he had never felt so connected to someone before, he would never want to lose that.
"Would you mind getting out of my seat please?" A voice entered into Shane's mind, the only voice that was able to pull him from his thoughts, Mitchie's. He looked up to find Mitchie stood over Ruby, her face completely unfazed by the scowl she was receiving from the blonde.
"Excuse me?" Ruby questioned as she stood up, their faces inches apart.
"You heard me" Mitchie said boldly, Shane was astounded, she really had grown from the shy girl he had met merely weeks before. Ruby studied her for a second before moving out of her way and returning to her previous seat. "Good choice" Mitchie said with a smile as she sat down, Shane kissing her on the forehead as she did.
Ruby looked up, glaring at Thomas who was wandering back to the sit, his face containing the humiliation he had recently experienced.
"I'm back" He declared as he sat down next to Ruby, opposite Mitchie, his eyes looking upon her desirably.
"Erm, I- I need some…. some air, yeah air. I'm going to the balcony" Mitchie stuttered as she shot up, not waiting for a response and wandering through the crowd of people.
"Mitch? I better go see if she's ok" Shane started as he pushed his chair back, preparing to get up.
"No please, let me" Ruby stated as she placed her hand upon Shane's. "I know I haven't exactly been the nicest person to Mitchie, but can you blame me. I'm not the type of person who can just watch her ex with another women. But I want to make things better" Ruby said convincingly, well convincingly enough to fool Shane, who merely nodded.
"Great" Ruby whispered, a smirk falling upon her lips as she was out of view.
Mitchie stood on the balcony, the sound of music muffled by the large doors that led to the festivities, but at the moment she didn't feel like dancing, well not anymore. She thought longingly of Shane as she rested her arms upon the railings, looking down at the street below her. She had never felt so much passion for someone before.
"Mitchie?" Mitchie spun around to see Ruby walking through the doors, the wind blowing her bleach blonde hair behind her.
"Oh hi" Mitchie mumbled, rolling her eyes and returning her gaze to the view.
"You're so rude" Ruby snapped as she wandered over to Mitchie.
"Me?" Mitchie exclaimed, turning back around to face the smirking girl.
"Yes you! I know I'm not completely innocent but you're not exactly little miss perfect" Ruby spat, standing menacingly close to the brunette. "You do realise Shane's just using you. He just needs someone with a pretty face and a nice figure. He doesn't care about you Mitchie; he just wants to get into your knickers. And you're just along for the ride, a gold digging whore!" Ruby leered, a knowing smirk gliding across her features.
"I don't care what you think of me" Mitchie stated, as the pair began to circle each other. "You're just a desperate washed up pop star who can't stand to lose. You hate that Shane got over you and moved on easily, he's happy and you can't stand it! Trust me Ruby, you're the whore, the whore who I've watched throw herself all over my boyfriend, and frankly it's pathetic. You're pathetic!" Mitchie spat, stepping a little closer as she saw the effect her spiteful words had on the blonde.
"You stupid bitch" Ruby screamed as she brought the palm of her hand furiously into Mitchies cheek.
Mitchie's neck snapped back at the impact, her cheek throbbing with the stinging pain. But she quickly composed herself, brushing the hair from her face and locking eyes with the panting blonde.
"I'm not going to hit you back. You're not worth the effort," Mitchie said spitefully, shocking herself with the malevolent words that had left her mouth. She was nice, she was polite, it was shocking how one malicious, manipulative women could bring out the fighter in someone.
"You don't need to fight back" Ruby snapped, as she pressed her hands against Mitchie chest harshly, Mitchie's petite body falling backwards after the impact, her head violently hitting the cold floor of the balcony.
A/n: THANKYOU. THANKYOU. THANKYOU. I know you're tired of hearing it but i'm so not tired of saying it. Thankyou to you guys who are favouriting and as always the biggest thankyou goes to you wonderous people who are reviewing!!! You rock!!
I was recently introduced to a story that completely puts mine to shame....so I feel the need to share it with you guys. It's called I Will ALWAYS Loath You by xoxJemi4ever94xox and it's completely awesome, so check it out.
Reviews would be amazing, so if you have the time I'd love to hear from you! x