Whoo! An update =) Thank you to those who reviewed and put me on their alerts =) It means a lot! I really do love this little story and well, even though I have nooooo idea what I'm doing with it, it's still fun to figure it all out! Feel free to give me ideas too!

START ALL OVER

chapter 2

say ok

"Wh- wh- What?"

Shane had expected her to say that, maybe with not as much shock, but he'd been expecting it nonetheless.

"It's simple," he matter-of-factly stated as he pulled the car onto the sidewalk, turning off the engine, placing his arms on the steering wheel and focusing on Mitchie, despite the added darkness.

"That way, you won't have to work the night shift at Starbucks and I'll be-able to prove to the world that I'm over everything." It all sounded good and logical in his head. "Besides, I like you. And I want to get to know you. This'll be beneficial in more than one way to the both of us."

Mitchie knew she should say no.

She should barge out of his car and walk away.

This was asking for trouble and she knew it.

But, she couldn't tear her gaze away from the singing sensation.

"It'll be like we're best friends," he continued, seeing her inner turmoil. He had to make her agree. "I'll just hold your hand and kiss you in public." He then smirked, seeing her face begin to redden.

Public. Everyone would know of their so called relationship and she'd be in the spotlight. He was Shane Gray after all. Everyone knew his name and if she accepted, they'd all know her name too. That was just asking for haters.

"Please Mitchie?"

Shane's voice was so sincere and his soulful eyes so pleading that she bit her bottom lip. Her voice of reason was beginning to fade and her heart was beginning to be heard. Hadn't she always dreamt of being Shane Gray's 'girl'? Hadn't she always dreamt of kissing him? Of holding his hand and spending all her time with him? And now she could and she was hesitating.

"Mitchie… these past two hours with you have been the best two hours I've had in the past two months," Shane was saying more than he intended, but he needed her to say yes. "You're like a breath of fresh air and I'm surprised a modeling scout hasn't contacted you yet." It was true, he did find her to be beautiful, even with her simple make-up consisting of a touch of mascara, some eyeliner and lip-gloss. In fact, he preferred it natural.

Mitchie's blush deepened and she knew Shane could see it, even in the car's dark interior. How could she refuse him after what he'd just said?

Taking in a shaky breath, she knew she'd made her decision.

"Deal."

"You don't have to walk me all the way to my door you know," Mitchie teased as they entered the elevator of her apartment block.

"Well, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't?" Shane playfully asked as the doors closed. He then smiled. Actually, he hadn't stopped smiling since she'd said yes to his deal. It'd been the greatest news he'd heard in the past two months. The rest of the car ride had been spent in silence, both thinking of their current predicament before reaching Mitchie's apartment.

Being the gentleman he was, he'd swiftly exited the car and had almost run to Mitchie's side to open her door before she could. Even if she hadn't agreed to his deal, he still would've.

A blush graced the dark-haired girl's cheeks as she pushed the button for her floor. Shane Gray was officially her 'boyfriend'. It was almost unbelievable. But, she was still wide awake, even if it was nearly 4am.

"You'll have to phone Starbucks tomorrow and tell them you quit." He really was serious about paying all her bills, wasn't he?

"I will remember to do so," she simply replied as the elevator pinged – they'd reached her floor.

Shane sighed when she quickly bolted through the opened elevator doors. She seemed uncomfortable now and he didn't like it. When they'd spoken in the café, she'd been fine, but then again, she hadn't been his pseudo girlfriend. He'd just give it time for her to adapt to the situation.

He almost struggled to catch up with Mitchie's long strides before she stopped near the end of the hallway. She fumbled in her oversized black handbag for a few moments before pulling out her keys. She then struggled to place the key in her lock. Shane shook his head and gently placed his hand on hers, hearing her breath hitch, but steadying her hand. He then guided her fingers to the lock and helped her open the door.

She relaxed when he let go.

"Thanks, must be the cold making me so shaky," she spoke as she turned to face him, blocking the entrance to her apartment. He inwardly sighed. He would just have to give her time to adapt. It was all a big shock to her after all, even if it was all just pretend.

"So, I guess this is goodnight?"

"And goodbye?" he added, smirking as he referred to the name of one of Connect 3's first songs – Goodnight and Goodbye.

This seemed to get her to smile and his spirits rose a little. This was making progress.

Then, he leaned forward and pulled her into a gentle embrace. He ignored her stiff muscles and just pulled her closer. After a few moments, he was beginning to regret his decision, but Mitchie then responded by slowly moving her arms to wrap around his waist. He sighed in relief.

He held her for a few more seconds before slowly letting go of her slender frame.

"Sorry, it was a spontaneous idea," he said, explaining his hug. If she was to be his 'girl' she'd have to get used to the affection, especially when they were in public. He'd have to work on getting her to be comfortable around him.

"It's okay Shane," she replied and hugged herself. It was time to go. She had lots to think about it. He nodded and then moved to pull his cellphone from his pocket.

"I'll need your number, so I can call you tomorrow," he spoke and handed her the red Blackberry. She quickly took the phone and typed in her number before handing it back with a forced smile. Maybe this whole thing hadn't been the greatest idea…

"Sorry, I'm just really tired," she spoke, as if she could read his thoughts, "But I'll talk to you in the morning?"

He nodded and with one final smile, began to walk down the hall and back to the elevator.

"Goodnight Mitchie," he called, knowing she'd hear.

"Goodnight Shane."

START ALL OVER

Like hell she was going to be-able to sleep.

Then again, she hadn't really been expecting to. That's why she'd taken a sleeping pill. It was the first time she'd ever taken one, but she needed her sleep. It was already nearly 5am and she had her first class at 12. She also didn't know when Shane would call so there was the possibility of him waking her too. She needed her sleep as soon as possible.

But until the pill kicked in, she'd have her thoughts keep her mind busy.

Had the past five hours really, really happened?

Had Shane Gray really, really asked her to be his pseudo girlfriend?

Somehow, it all seemed too good to be true.

But, it was.

She sighed in content. It was almost like a dream come true, except the pseudo part, but it was a start? Besides, she and Shane could still be friends after that. It's like he said, they'd be best friends. They'd just kiss and hold hands when they were in public.

Easy right?

Nope, not at all.

Saying yes, had almost made it awkward between them. Well, for her mainly. She felt as though she couldn't be as carefree as she had been when they'd first begun talking back at the café. She felt as though she had to be a little more girly around him now.

Not to mention the intimacy part freaked her out a little, that's why she'd been so hesitant for Shane to touch her. Even though it was all pretend, it still meant something to her.

She'd never really been in a serious relationship before, sure she'd kissed and all that during high school, but she'd always been hoping for that Prince Charming who'd sweep her off her feet and then they'd ride off into the sunset on his snow-white steed.

Okay, so he didn't have to own a horse.

A yawn escaped her lips as she began to feel drowsy.

Damn pill was working at last.

START ALL OVER

"C'mon Mitchie, pick up the phone…" Shane mumbled to himself as he placed his red coloured phone to his ear for what must've been the tenth time. It was almost 10am and he really wanted to get a hold of Mitchie.

But she wasn't picking up.

Was something wrong? Was she regretting the deal they'd made? Was she going to ignore him until he eventually gave up?

No, no. There had to be some logical explanation. He had the tendency to over-think things too. He finally placed his phone onto a nearby table and relaxed into his couch, the one over-looking LA. He was tired, he discovered as his eyes immediately drooped. Not to mention the yawn that passed through his lips. He'd gotten back to his place at 4:30am this morning and had only slept until about 9.

Even rock-stars needed their beauty sleep.

Mitchie was probably still asleep, hence the reason she didn't answer his calls.

Yeah, that sounded much more logical than his previous thinking. She wouldn't ignore his calls. He was Shane Gray after all and no-one ignored him without reason, and she didn't have one.

Besides, he had another perfect idea – one to get Mitchie to be a lot more comfortable around him.

He smiled softly at the thought.

To be honest, the young rock-star was actually looking forward to getting to know her properly, even getting to touch her in ways only a boyfriend would. Not inappropriately, but more like he'd be-able to hug her intimately whenever he wanted to, or even kiss her.

His mind then began to wander… how would she taste? Would her lips be as sweet as her voice? Or would it be something exotic and unexpected? He hoped to be-able to find out soon, even if it was only for the public.

But first, she'd have to be comfortable around him and that's exactly where his grand scheme came into place.

If only she'd answer her phone.

He groaned in frustration and forced his eyes open when he heard the doorbell ring. Who was it this time? Hopefully it wouldn't be his manager again… he wasn't in the mood for another 'pep talk'.

But it wasn't.

It was the postman.

"Please sign here Mr. Gray," the man said emotionlessly as he handed him a clipboard. Shane raised an eyebrow, the man was rather blunt, but signed nonetheless and took the package the man gave him. Then, as quickly as he'd arrived, he was gone, his footsteps echoing against the hallway's polished wooden floors.

Shane simply shook his head and carried the small, neatly wrapped package inside his apartment. He couldn't remember ordering anything and the package was plain brown and unmarked except for his address and a stamp. He frowned as he carefully unwrapped the package, a feeling of dread growing within.

Then, as he searched inside the container, he gripped something cold. Grasping onto the cold object, he slowly pulled it out, the dread continuing to build.

It was a silver ring.

It was his promise ring.

The one he'd taken off and given to Ashley.

Fuck. That. Bitch.

Finished =) That darn ex! She sent back his poor purity ring! Grrr, I don't like her! Well yeah, she's supposed to be the bad one in the story so i guess she kinda has to be mean you know?

Tell me whatcha thought!

Lorey

Xoxo