"Why isn't she here yet?" Nate asked Jason as the Camp Rock Theater filled with news crews and magazine reporters.
"Riley isn't dumb. She knows if she gets here early her friends are just going to try to talk her out of this," Jason answered.
"Riley! Riley!" the media yelled when Riley appeared on the stage.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming here on such short notice," Riley said. "It means a lot to me."
"Riley why did you call us all here?" one reporter asked.
"You guys are all here today because I have decided to…"
Jason jumped onto the stage and pulled Riley off without a word.
"Jason! What are you doing here?"
"I'm stopping you from making the biggest mistake of your life. Riley you can't let something like this stop you from living your dream."
"I thought you hated me."
"Oh Riley," he said softly. "I can never hate you."
Riley smiled then something to the right caught her eye. She looked over and standing in the back of the theater was Shane.
Jason's warm arms wrapped around her body and Riley felt the security she used to feel with Jason again. Suddenly tears were falling from her eyes and she couldn't stop them.
"Jason he hurt me so bad," she said. "I don't want to be here anymore. I can't be here anymore."
"Riley if Shane… if he…" Jason didn't know how to word what he was about to say. "Shane's an asshole and if he doesn't know how amazing you are then he's an idiot too. Forget him Riley; you don't need someone like that in your life."
"I love you Jason."
"I love you too, always will."
Jason kissed her head then Riley pulled back.
"How did you know I was going to do this anyways?"
"Mitchie called Nate and told him what was up. She was really worried about you."
Riley looked over at Mitchie who was all smiles with Nate.
"She was?"
"Yeah. That girl really cares about you."
Riley took a minute to think then pulled away from Jason and walked back up to the stage.
"Sorry about that. My ex-boyfriend and I were exchanging some words of wisdom. Oh did I just say that?" Jason smiled. "Yeah Jason and I were together for about seven months and none of you ever knew. I think a few people need to get evaluated by their bosses again because…"
"Riley," Brown said in a warning tone.
"Oh, sorry."
"Was that why you asked us all to come here?" the same reporter from before asked.
"No it wasn't and I'm sorry about that comment I just made. I guess I've been so used to being a bitch for so long that shaking it off is hard. I know my behavior this past year is nothing short of terrible and irresponsible but you should all know that that is not the real me. In the time that I have spent here in Camp Rock I have gone through some pretty crazy things. Some were good and others…" Riley looked directly at Shane. "…Were terrible.
"To say the least things have been one hell of a rollercoaster. But I did meet one girl that became a real friend. She was there for me through all the stupid things I brought on myself and for that I want to thank her. Mitchie can you come up here please?" Mitchie's eyes widened before she walked up on the stage. "This is Mitchie Torres, a best friend you can say. Mitchie is extremely talented and she will be writing and performing with me on my next album."
"What?" Mitchie asked excitedly.
Riley smiled then turned to the media.
"So that's all. You guys can go back to stalking Britney Spears and digging through Pete Wentz's garbage. Thanks for coming."
With that Riley grabbed Mitchie's hand and walked off the stage.
"I knew my girl wouldn't let me down," Brown said as he enveloped Riley in his arms.
"It's all thanks to Jason… where is he?"
"He wanted you to meet him at the lake," Nate said.
"Oh Nate hey!" Riley hugged him. "Thanks for all this. You too Mitchie. Do me a favor and go make-out, k?"
Mitchie and Nate's cheeks turned a candy apple red and the two smiled nervously at Riley's comment.
Riley gave them both a kiss on the cheek and turned around, running right into Shane.
"Riley please let me talk to you," he begged.
"No," she said firmly.
She walked past him and headed to the lake.
Before Shane could start after her Mitchie and Nate stepped in front of him.
"Don't go after her Shane," Mitchie said.
"Yeah man. Leave her alone and let her be happy. You have caused her more than enough trouble already. You had your chance and you ruined it. Just get lost. Riley doesn't need somebody like you in her life. Come on Mitchie." Nate grabbed her hand and they walked off together.
What was Shane going to do?
Riley hated him.
All his friends hated him.
He even hated himself.
If he was going to prove to Riley that he really cared about her he would have to do it all alone.
As Riley approached the lake she saw Jason sitting at the end of the boardwalk.
"Hey you," she said as she took a seat next to him.
"Hey beautiful."
There were a few minutes of silence where all they did was look out at the moon glistening lake.
Finally Jason spoke.
"That was really nice what you did for Mitchie," he said.
"She's a really great girl and so talented. She's been there for me all summer and she really deserves this."
"I really like this new Riley."
"New Riley? I thought you always liked me?"
"I did and I still do but I like seeing you so nice and…"
"And what?" Riley pressed with a smile on her face.
"And vulnerable."
"Why do you like to see me vulnerable Jason?"
"I like it when you need somebody to lean on. It's cute."
"That's new. Riley Torma, cute. It just doesn't sound right."
"Either way I'm glad you got over being… um…"
"A bitch?"
"Yeah, a bitch."
Riley chuckled.
"I'm glad too. Thanks for coming Jason."
"I'd do anything for you Riley. We may not be together anymore but that doesn't mean I don't care about you."
"But you were so mad at me…"
"I got over it. I just want you happy Riley and if you weren't happy with me then that's ok."
"I was happy with you and I am when I'm around you I just don't think…"
"Riley really its ok. I understand."
"Thanks Jason."
Jason smiled and put his arm around Riley.
"Want to get in a canoe or something?" he asked.
"Nope, I'm fine right here with you."
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