Shane walked into the class and immediately walked over to Mitchie.

"What do you want Shane?"

"Why isn't Riley here?"

"She didn't get any sleep last night so Brown said she could stay in."

"When did she talk to Brown?"

"This morning when Nate and Jason left."

"Did she talk to Jason?"

"Yeah and he pretty much sent her to hell. You really hurt her Shane and honestly I don't want to be anywhere near you right now."

"But you and I…"

"Were friends first? That doesn't matter. Right now I can see that Riley is a much better person that you and to me that's what counts."

She glared at him and walked away.

Shane stood still for a minute before shaking off what Mitchie had said.

"Come on guys, line up."

The class went by quickly and the first thing he did when he left was go to Riley's cabin.

Sleeping was the last thing Riley did when she got back to the cabin. Lying down only made her think about the terrible funk she was in so she decided to keep busy.

She completely reorganized her room and cleaned everything up. After that she stopped by the kitchen, spending time with Connie then headed back to the room.

She was strumming her guitar when there was a knock on her door.

"Coming!" Shane heard from the other side of Riley's door.

She soon opened it, guitar in hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"That's too bad because I don't want to talk to you."

"Riley please."

She sighed and pushed the door open wide enough for him to come in.

"Thanks," he said as he brushed passed her.

Riley ignored him and sat down on her bed, continuing her strumming.

"Are you at least going to listen to me?" he asked.

"Speak and I'll listen."

"Well I came here to… what I wanted to say was…"

She searched his face trying to see if she could figure out what he was so desperately trying to say.

"Do I have to smack the words out of you?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Riley. I'm sorry for everything that has been going on between us these past years and I'm sorry I've been so mean to you." she put the guitar down and stood up.

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do. Things just moved so fast between us. I mean once we started our music careers the press started picking at us and that only added fuel to the fire. I didn't want our friendship to fall apart. I love you. I always will."

Riley smiled.

"I love you too Shane."

She put her arms around him and hugged him. Shane wrapped his arms around her body and suddenly felt a weird tingle inside of him that was frightening.

"I can't believe you fell for that!" he suddenly said.

Riley pulled back.

"What?"

"Y-you heard me," he stuttered. "This was all a joke Riley and you fell for it like the idiot you are."

Riley was hurt beyond describing.

"Now I get to go around and tell everyone Riley Torma got rejected by Shane Gray." He chuckled, this suddenly became really easy. "You'll never mean anything to me Riley," he said coldly before stepping back and leaving the cabin.

Two seconds later Mitchie walked in, Riley standing in the same place she was before.

"Did Shane just walk out of here? Riley?" Riley picked up her guitar and threw it against the wall. The base of it snapped off as it hit the wall and the strings sprung out.

"Riley what happened?"

"He came in here and he said he was sorry. He told me he loved me and then he just took it all back."

"What?"

Riley explained to her what happened.

"Then he said 'now I get to go around and tell everyone Riley Torma got rejected by Shane Gray' and then…" she wiped her face. "Then he said I'll never mean anything to him."

"Oh Riley I'm so sorry."

"I don't get it. I thought we were sort of on our way somewhere. Sure we had a fight last night but he seemed like he really wanted to apologize and prove that he cared. I can't believe I fell for it."

"I can't believe he did that."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Brown popped his head into the room and the second he saw Riley crying he ran over.

"What happened to you?"

"Shane happened," she answered.

"Mitchie do you mind giving me a minute alone with her?"

Mitchie shook her head and walked out of the room.

"What did he do to you?"

Again Riley repeated what Shane did and Brown was furious.

"I swear I am going to get that kid and shave his head."

"Brown I told you this morning that I would try and get through this but I can't. I'm done with all of this."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm done with music. I'm just going to toss my guitars into the fire and go to school."

"Riley you can't be serious. You're a music legend in the making. If you stop now then…"

"Then all of this will go away."

"No it won't. Riley running away from you problems is not going to solve anything because they will eventually catch up with you. This is the second time in one day you say you are going to quit your career. Is Shane really worth throwing everything you worked for away?"

"Yeah," she said blankly. "I'm in love with him Brown and I always have been. I loved Jason but not the way I love Shane. I just thought he was finally going to love me back."

"Don't do it bunny. Please don't do it."

"I'm sorry Brown. It's over. Set up a press conference for tomorrow."

"For?"

"I'm going to announce my retirement."

"Riley…"

"I've made my decision Brown. Tomorrow morning have Hot Tunes TV and every other news reporter on this hemisphere here. If you don't mind I have to start packing."

"All right. I'll do it."

"Thanks."

Mitchie walked out of the cabin and pulled out her phone.

"Hey Nate. Things aren't good. Ok. I'll see you then."

She hung up and headed to the dining hall.

Gasp! Jason and Nate will be back for the next chapter.

Fan Zone Poll

Boy choice

Jason

Nate

Shane

What should happen in the time going to the press conference?

Riley backs out

Riley goes through with it

Jason stops her

Should Riley and Jason form a friendship or relationship?

Friendship

Relationship

Who would be better with Nate?

Mitchie

Caitlyn

Would you like to see Tess thrown out of the camp?

Yes

No

How much time should pass before Shane proves his love for Riley?

1 week -1 chapter

2 weeks -2 chapters

3 weeks – 3 chapters

Do you really think Shane and Riley are meant to be?

Yes

No

Have you read 24 Under Sea yet?

Yes

No