I Wonder If I'll Ever See You Again

Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, I had to re-write parts and it's much longer than my other chapters. So Shane and Tess are dating?! The Horror!! Don't worry Mitchie's not gonna be left alone to cry about it. Oh and just so you know I just watched Camp Rock again and realize I'm full of continuity errors but you'll just have to deal with it.  This chapter introduces the character of Todd Sparrow and the group The Color Green. I'm pulling his character from the movie Girl with Dominique Swain and Sean Patrick Flannery. This is a long chapter without Shane. But I wanted to set up the relationships for the future.

"All of my life where have you been? I wonder if I'll ever see you again. And if that day comes I know we could win. I wonder if I'll ever see you again."

Chapter Five: Live

Do just what you wanna do. Oh let the sun come shining through. Everybody live, live. Everybody live. Everybody live. You got to do it ...

MITCHIE & CAITLYN

New York was exactly what Mitchie needed. Caitlyn didn't live in the city but they were always a short bus trip away from the center of the universe. They spend most of their time messing around with Caitlyn's production equipment or in the city. Caitlyn's mother gave her lots of freedom for a 16 year old girl. They were allowed to pretty much go wherever they wanted as long as they were back by midnight. Even that was pretty negotiable since they could always ask to stay at Caitlyn's friend's home in the city if they wanted to stay out later.

For the first time in her life, Mitchie got to experience life as a carefree teenager. It wasn't that her parents were overly strict. She just didn't really have anywhere to go or do back home. Her idea of a night out was going to the movies with Sierra and being back before 10. Now she was hanging out with groups of people and going to fun clubs in New York City. Obviously being 16 they weren't going to bars. But there were a lot of all ages music clubs in the city. Caitlyn had a diverse group of friends and a lot of them were into music. In these groups it didn't really matter if you were 16 or 35…ok maybe not 35…if you loved music you could hang out. Mitchie loved talking with people who loved music as much as she did and actually thought she had a worthwhile opinion. If she was honest with herself she would have realized that she was trying to get back what she had lost with Shane.

It was on the second week-end in New York that Mitchie got her own distraction. She didn't know that Shane was cavorting with a blond-haired, blue-eyed celebutante. But Mitchie was about to set her eyes on a blond-haired, green-eyed music god.

That night, Mitchie was hanging out in a coffee bar with Caitlyn and some friends. She was talking to Isabella, the friend whose house they would sleep at if they spent the night in the city. Lola was talking to Adam, a guy who they would see at a lot of shows they attended.

"I don't know. I'll have to ask Mitchie." Caitlyn said in response to something Adam asked.

"You'll have to ask me what?" Mitchie called over to Caitlyn.

"Do you want to take a road trip to Philly to see The Color Green tonight?" Caitlyn asked.

"Tonight? It's almost ten. And who is The Color Green?" Mitchie asked.

A hush went over everyone within hearing distance. Mitchie felt like she'd sprouted a second head. Caitlyn came to her rescue, "Sorry guys, she's led a sheltered life….They're only the most talented unsigned band around."

"And Todd Sparrow is a musical genius." A male voice spoke up.

"He changed my life." Another person offered.

"And he's so hot." Isabella added.

"Personally, I like Ryan Link better." Caitlyn said.

"Who's that?" Mitchie asked, glad that the rest of the crowd seemed to have forgotten her faux pas.

"He's the Bassist. He does all the production too." Caitlyn answered.

"Of course he does." Mitchie laughed. "But is it worth it…you know to drive all the way over tonight?" Mitchie asked.

"Yes! They've been touring for over a year and this is the closest they've come so far." Caitlyn said.

"Well why aren't they coming to the city?" Mitchie asked.

"They are, but since they're from here the New York shows are almost impossible to get into. Adam knows a guy who does stage work at the venue in Philly. So he thinks we might be able to get in to see the band and maybe we can get put on the list for the New York show." Caitlyn explained.

Mitchie saw how excited Caitlyn was and didn't have the heart to disappoint her. And Mitchie was also interested in seeing this "musical genius" for herself. "Ok, I'll go." Mitchie agreed.

Two hours later Mitchie was regretting her decision. Adam hadn't been able to find his "friend' and was off searching for him. That left Mitchie, Caitlyn, and Isabella in the very back of the venue. That in itself wouldn't have been that bad, but the sound system apparently was on the fritz. So Mitchie couldn't see or hear anything other than loud girls screaming. The music was kind of broody music so it didn't really stand up over the screams, especially with the poor sound quality. Mitchie could make out something about "pain." Mitchie was sure there must be something good about it, but she was more into upbeat music herself.

By the end of the concert, Mitchie was nursing a huge headache. Adam finally reappeared and apologized for his absence. He made it up to them by taking them backstage. Mitchie found herself in a large room full of barely dressed girls and some somber looking guys. Mitchie knew she wouldn't be able to make it in amidst the shrieks of the girls. She opted to return to one of the rooms she'd past on the way which had an inviting looking couch in the corner.

Mitchie sat down on the couch and tried to will her headache away. "Maybe if I think about something else." But that wasn't a good idea. If Mitchie had a minute to think, there was only one thing she thought about…or one person. And he immediately came to her thoughts now. He was probably off somewhere with a million beautiful girls screaming for him. "Don't be stupid Mitchie. He's still at Camp Rock. There are nowhere near a million girls there." Mitchie said to herself. "Great…now I'm talking to myself." Mitchie started laughing, but her laughter quickly turned to tears. "Great now I'll have mascara running down my face and Isabella will ask what's wrong and…" Mitchie thought as more tears started to fall. She eventually calmed down enough to get try and wipe her mascara from her face. She then got up to look for a bathroom.

Mitchie heard a guitar coming from the next room and looked in. She saw a figure seated in a chair in the corner tuning a guitar. The person was hunched over but she could see blond hair. He was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans. He was also wearing one of those all access passes, so Mitchie assumed he worked for the band. Mitchie knew she shouldn't eavesdrop but she couldn't seem to force herself to walk away. She was saved the trouble when the guy looked up and saw her awake. Mitchie was about to apologize but was silenced when she got a look at the boy…well he wasn't exactly a boy. He looked 20, but there was something so purely beautiful about him. He had full lips that were exactly the kind of lips you'd want to kiss. Mitchie had no idea why she was thinking this. The only person she'd ever wanted to kiss was…well there was no point dwelling on that subject. He was smiling at her with those lips. He was also smiling at her with his eyes…his beautiful pale blue eyes.

"Lost?" The mystery boy asked.

"No…well, I was looking for a bathroom. Sorry." Mitchie said.

"You're sorry you're looking for a bathroom?" He laughed.

"No. Sorry…" Mitchie said before she stopped herself. "I do that…"

"It's ok. There's a bathroom over there if you want to use it." He said, pointing to a door in the room.

"Thanks." Mitchie said before walking to the room. She cringed when she looked in the mirror. Despite her feeble attempts, it was still obvious that she had been crying. She wiped her face before walking back into the room."

"All better?" He asked.

"Yeah. Thanks." Mitchie said, feeling uncomfortable.

Seeming to sense her discomfort, the boy changed the topic, "So what are you doing here? Why aren't you in there with all the cool kids?" He asked.

"Oh well…I don't really know the band. My two girl friends love them so they're in there. I had a headache so I thought I'd just hang out somewhere quiet." Mitchie explained.

"Oh. Well did you see the show?" He asked.

"Sort of…I couldn't see much." Mitchie replied.

"Well, what did you think?" He asked.

"It was ok, I guess. My friends told me they're the best thing ever and that the lead singer was a musical genius. I didn't really see anything that was all that impressive. I'm not really into their kind of music, I guess." Mitchie replied honestly.

"Ouch." He laughed.

"I mean…I didn't really hear anything anyway. I only heard a couple of lines here and their…something about pain. I was really far and all I pretty much heard was screaming." Mitchie added.

"Ok. Fair enough. You should come to the New York show. Maybe you'll get a better idea there." He suggested.

"My friends really want to go but they said it's almost impossible to get in." Mitchie responded.

"I could get you on the list if you wanted." He offered.

"Oh they'd be so happy." Mitchie responded.

"What about you, would you be happy?" He teased.

Mitchie blushed, "Well I guess I should give them a fair chance."

"Good answer. So what's your name, anyway?" He asked.

"Mitchie Torres." Mitchie responded.

The mystery boy took out a notebook from a backpack on the floor. Mitchie noticed it said "Songs" written on the cover. Mitchie smiled. She'd lost her own notebook somewhere at Camp Rock and hadn't had the heart to start a new one.

"So Mitchie Torres plus your two friends?" The boy asked.

Mitchie paused. She thought about Adam. He wasn't really her friend but he'd gotten them backstage here… "Better make that three." She corrected.

"Is this another girl friend?" He asked.

"No it's a boy." Mitchie responded.

"Oh…ok." He said, sounding disappointed.

Mitchie didn't know why but she quickly clarified… "I mean…it's a guy but he's just a friend…not really a friend-friend but…" She stopped herself before she sounded even stupider.

The boy smiled, "that's cool. I'll see you there then?" He asked.

Just then, Mitchie heard Caitlyn calling for her in the hall. "Yeah you will. I gotta run, that's my friend." Mitchie said before running out of the room.

"Where have you been? We were looking all over for you." Caitlyn asked.

"I had a headache so I just hung out in one of the rooms." Mitchie explained.

"Oh you missed out. It was awesome." Caitlyn said.

"Speak for yourself. Caitlyn wouldn't even let me go find Todd. She spent the entire time talking to Ryan…or staring at him talking to other people." Isabella complained.

"Well we couldn't even find Todd anyway." Caitlyn replied.

"I saw him walk in but Caitlyn wouldn't let me follow him." Isabella countered.

"Well, we already lost Mitchie and I didn't want to lose you too." Caitlyn said.

"Whatever. You could have at least asked Ryan to put us on the list for New York." Isabella said.

"Yeah and sound like every other desperate girl there." Caitlyn answered.

"Hello! You are desperate…for Ryan's loooveee." Isabella teased.

The girls all laughed as they headed to catch a subway to Isabella's. Mitchie was laughing so hard it took her a minute to remember to tell them her news.

"Well, while you guys were in there I met someone who works for The Color Green." Mitchie told the girls.

"Really?" Isabella and Caitlyn said simultaneously.

"Yeah and before you ask…Yes. He said he'd put us on the list." Mitchie told them.

Both girls let out deafening screams. Mitchie tried to hide as she noticed the other subway riders staring at them. The girls finally quieted down enough to ask Mitchie about the guy.

"So who's the guy?" Isabella asked.

"Oh I don't know his name. I think he does something with the guitars. He was tuning one of them." Mitchie replied.

"You left out the important parts." Isabella complained.

"Like what?" Mitchie asked.

"Was he cute? Is he single? Did he seem interested in you?" Isabella responded.

"Um…yeah he was cute. I don't know about the rest." Mitchie replied, embarrassed.

"He's cute! Well that's a good sign. We'll see him at the concert and let you know if you should go for it." Isabella responded.

Mitchie frowned. She was sure this guy was perfectly nice, but the last thing she wanted was to get involved with another guy. "I don't think that's a good idea." Mitchie said.

Caitlyn looked at Isabella face and frowned. Isabella didn't know about the whole "Shane debacle." "Yeah. He's with the band anyway. It's not like they could have a real relationship while he's on tour." Caitlyn said.

Mitchie smiled gratefully at her friend.

"You're right I guess. But it wouldn't hurt to do a little flirting…you know flash that million dollar smile of yours." Isabella said.

Mitchie blushed, but smiled at Isabella… "Maybe." She responded.

"Well that's better than a 'no.'" Isabella responded.

"What am I going to wear!?" Caitlyn screamed.

Mitchie laughed at her friend. Isabella was typically the high maintenance one. But Caitlyn had been freaking out for the past week.

"Caitlyn, you're acting like you didn't just see them less than a week ago." Mitchie said.

"But this time I'll talk to him and he'll remember me from last time and I don't know…" Caitlyn said, laughing.

"Maybe he'll realize you're the perfect girl for him and you'll run away and get married?" Mitchie asked.

"No way! We're not getting married…but the rest could happen." Caitlyn laughed.

Mitchie smiled, "Wear that. It's perfect." She was referring to the 15th outfit Caitlyn had tried on that day.

Caitlyn looked in the mirror and smiled, "Yes it is. Now what are you wearing?"

Mitchie looked at her jeans and t-shirt... "This?"

"No you're not." Isabella said as she stepped into the room. "Wear this." Isabella said, holding up a mini shirt and halter top.

Mitchie took one look and shook her head, "No thanks. I want to be comfortable."

"At least wear the skirt. It isn't that short." Isabella said.

"Can't we just go? We're going to be late." Mitchie whined.

"Not until you put on this skirt." Isabella replied.

Mitchie looked at Caitlyn for help. "Don't look at me. I think it's cute." Caitlyn said.

Mitchie threw up her hands in exasperation, "I'll wear the top."

"Deal!" Isabella said.

When they got to the venue, Mitchie was shocked at the number of people already waiting outside the venue. They walked to the side door where a smaller line had formed.

"Are all these people on the list?" Mitchie asked, looking at the model types standing in the line.

"Nah, they're just hoping their boobs will get them in." Caitlyn responded.

Mitchie blushed, "Caitlyn! They can hear you."

"Good. Now let's get inside." Caitlyn said.

The girls pushed to the front, ignoring the glares they were getting.

"Girls, girls, I can't let you in unless you're on the list." The doorman said.

Caitlyn and Isabella nudged Mitchie forward. Mitchie looked up at the man and almost forgot that she was supposed to be there. She hoped the guy she met actually remembered to put her on the list.

"Um…I'm supposed to be on the list." She finally said.

The guard looked doubtful, "Name?"

"Mitchie…Mitchie Torres. I met a guy and…" She said.

The guard looked down at his list. Mitchie watched nervously as he flipped through the pages. She breathed a sigh of relief when he seemed to stop in the middle of a page. "Mitchie Torres, plus three." Mitchie smiled, "that's me but…oh no I forgot about Adam." Caitlyn and Isabella both said "oh no" at the same time.

"Well, Mitchie Torres plus two here are your passes for later. You can go in a find a spot." The guard said, smiling.

The girls were practically jumping up and down as they walked into the door the guard opened for them. Isabella and Caitlyn smirked at the girls in the line who were giving them dirty looks. Inside, it was obvious to Mitchie that this was a different group than the group at the Philly show. These people all seemed to know the band. They were standing next to the drummer's girlfriend and the bassist's sister. Caitlyn quickly started talking to Ryan's sister. Mitchie was relieved when another group of girls who looked like fans walked in.

"So how long have you been fans?" Mitchie asked one girl clad in a The Color Green shirt, bandana, and jeans covered with the Color Green patches.

"Forever! I run their unofficial fan club. They are so nice. They me and the other hardcore fans come in early. So who do you know?" The girl asked.

"Oh…Well I don't know the band. I just met someone who works for them." Mitchie responded.

The girl looked confused, "Oh but you've got a family pass…I know because it has a special seal. Only family or really close friends get those passes."

"It must have been a mistake." Mitchie said.

"I guess." The girl said, "Oh they're opening the doors. Good thing we're in front of the barricades. We'd get trampled back there."

Mitchie watched as a horde of girls rushed to the front. Mitchie had to agree with the fan. She was glad she wasn't back there. A while later the opening band started their set. Mitchie was already enjoying herself a million times more than the last show. The opening act finished their set and exited the stage. A hush came over the crowd as the crew finished setting up for the main act. Mitchie couldn't help but get caught up in the crowd's excitement. Finally the stage lights dimmed and figures started walking to the stage. The club erupted in applause as the band members took their places. They started playing the beginning of a song.

"This must be new. I've never heard it before." The fan whispered.

Finally, the last person walked out on stage. The screaming crowd got even louder. Mitchie was excited to finally see the famous Todd Sparrow. He almost seemed to float onto the stage. Mitchie was starting to see his appeal. Even without seeing his face, she could sense an energy around him. He was wearing distressed jeans and a black hoodie. The hood was pulled up over his head obscuring part of his face. He was looking down as he walked to the center of the stage. He finally reached the microphone stand and looked up into the crowd.

"He's so beautiful." Isabella said from Mitchie's other side.

Mitchie didn't hear her because she was too busy gasping. The guy on stage was the same one she'd met at the concert in Philly. Todd Sparrow was the boy she'd stood in front of with a tear-stained face. He was the boy who had teased her. But tonight he was different. That person was a cute, sweet boy. This person looked like an angel. And right now, the angel was looking at her. He was still looking at her when he started singing.

"A troubled young lady comes in from the rain
Helpless and hiding from some kind of pain
She don't know the reason for the way that she feels
And she don't know the truth but she knows that it's real
So she throws down her cards and asks God to redeal once more
One step forward and two steps back
She might be strange but she has a knack
She'll lift her arms up to the sky and say
Oh my God don't you let him say goodbye"

He didn't stare at her for the whole song, but Mitchie felt like he was. She thought about the fan saying it was a new song, and she thought about her teary-eyed meeting with him last week. It was like he saw right through to her soul. The rest of the concert passed in a blur. Mitchie was left without a doubt that she had just witnessed something special.

"Mitchie! He was looking right at you for like half of the concert." Isabella exclaimed.

"Yeah even I noticed and I was staring at Ryan the entire time." Caitlyn added.

"No he wasn't." Mitchie denied.

"Yes he was. Is there something you'd like to tell us?" Caitlyn asked.

"Um…He's the guy I met at the last show." Mitchie blurted out.

"What!? And you didn't tell us?" Caitlyn asked.

"I didn't know. I didn't get his name and…he looked young and…I don't know." Mitchie said.

"Oh Mitchie. Well he is young. He's 19, but that doesn't matter when he's singing." Isabella said.

"I know." Mitchie replied.

Fortunately the conversation ended as the girls made their way backstage to hang out with the band. The fans in their group rushed forward to meet the guys. Mitchie tried to stay in the back, too embarrassed to talk to Todd. Caitlyn and Isabella were not pleased. They were about to physically force Mitchie to go over to Todd when they were saved the trouble.

Todd had been talking to some of his band members' family when he spotted the girl he'd been looking for. He couldn't really explain why he was so fascinated by this girl. Sometimes inspiration just hit him. And last week when he's saw her tear-stained face, inspiration had hit him. When he'd realized she had no idea who he was, he was relieved. Of course it wasn't like everyone knew who he was, but sometimes he got a little overwhelmed at his own concerts. When he started the band he hadn't even had a serious relationship. A few years later and he still wasn't 100 comfortable with the girls. But he'd been perfectly comfortable with Mitchie. So when he saw her hanging out in the back, he knew that if he didn't go and talk to her she'd do her best to avoid the meeting entirely.

Mitchie watched as Todd walked towards. She took a deep breath. "Please let me speak like a normal person." She thought to herself.

Once he was standing in front of her, he noticed she looked different tonight. Seeing her vulnerable had given him enough courage to talk to her the other night. But tonight she looked…breath-taking. He couldn't seem to say anything but, "Hi."

"Hi." Was all Mitchie could say in response. They stood for a few moments before, Mitchie got up her courage. "I didn't know who you were." She stated the obvious.

Todd laughed at her statement, "I figured. So um…what did you think of the show? I hope you got a better view."

"Oh yeah. The view was beautiful…I mean…the show was beautiful…I mean it was really good." Mitchie stammered. "Oh god. I'm sorry."

"There you go apologizing again. I should have told you, but I never get an honest opinion about the show." Todd replied.

Mitchie frowned; there was that honesty thing again.

"Did I say something?" Todd asked.

"No…I just. I like honesty." Mitchie replied.

"Me too. So honestly, I think you're stunning." Todd said, shocked at his own words.

Mitchie turned beet red. She was silent for a second before saying, "Honestly, I think you are too."

Todd was relieved, "So…I honestly want to know if you want to go out some time?" He asked.

Mitchie frowned again. As much as this boy intrigued her, she just wasn't ready to date anyone right now. "I'm sorry. I can't. But I'd like to be friends. I mean…if you want."

Todd was disappointed, but it wasn't entirely unexpected. "I would love to be your friend."

Mitchie's smile return, "I'm so happy you said that." She said to Todd.

"He's stupid you know." Todd said.

"Who?" Mitchie said, puzzled.

"The boy who broke your heart. He's the dumbest guy I've never met." Todd said.

Mitchie was shocked. Of course he'd seen her cry, but that didn't necessarily mean a boy. Once again she was surprised at how well Todd could see right into her soul. She tried to smile and make it sound like a joke, but there wasn't any laughter in her voice when she responded, "And I'm the dumbest girl."

Authors Note: Ok, so longest chapter I've ever written in any story ever. Now we can get to the good stuff…well we're gonna get closer to Mitchie and Shane meeting again. And if you haven't seen the movie Girl…It's about a high school senior who becomes obsessed with an unsigned band, The Color Green. She follows them around and starts a relationship with the lead singer…Todd Sparrow. Obviously the people in the movie are older, in my story their younger. But it's still a great movie. I love the music in it. The song featured in this chapter is "One Step Forward." Ok, that's enough for now.