Summary: Alex Russo and her family go to a skiing lodge for their winter break vacation, as well as Shane Gray and his family. What can come from a skiing accident? Fifteen year old Alex Russo and seventeen year old Shane Gray go through the twists and turns of a relationship. To stay together, they have to dodge their parents and siblings, but in a life of lies how do you know what's real and what's not? Find out in: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe!
Rating: T
Author: UtterlyRandom
Disclaimer: I'm only saying this once... I don't own anything but the plot.
Chapter Name: Giggles and Girlfriends
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Alex woke up early the next morning to get ready to have breakfast with Shane. She stepped into the tub, after putting a plastic bag over her sprained ankle and hanging her foot over the end of the tub, trying not to get it wet. Goosebumps were already forming over her skin from the cold. She turned it on, once she figured out that left was hot, not right. She quickly washed her hair with Herbal Essences Drama Clean shampoo and conditioner. Then she scrubbed her body with vanilla and honey scented body wash and stepped out of the shower. She wrapped her head up in a towel and dried off her body. Alex slipped on her underwear and her bra and cami before she left the hot, steaming bathroom.
Alex made it to her room in five leaps on her crutches. She hopped to her closet and pulled out light gray skinny Paris Blue jeans and her black Aeropostale 87 t-shirt. She sat down to pull on her bed to pull on the jeans, carefully working them over her sore ankle. She pulled on her shirt and her dark gray hoodie. She put on her boots, one regular one for her left foot and the one Dr. Walters had given her for her right foot. Alex crutched her way back to the bathroom to do her hair, She flat ironed it and pulled it up into a ponytail. She put on some watermelon Wetsticks lip gloss and then pulled on her coat and gloves, just as someone knocked on the cabin door.
Alex opened the door awkwardly with one hand. She stepped back and swung the door open all the way, resting all her weight on her crutches, to reveal Shane. Alex's eyes widened when she saw him.
Shane was wearing dark gray skinny jeans, a hoodie the color of dark sour green apples and snow boots. He had green matching gloves and a scarf on, but no jacket. His dark brown hair was straightened and looked spiky at the ends, but not pointy, they just seemed to curve naturally. The most amazing thing he wore was that inside-melting charming smile of his. His maple brown eyes were sparkling into hers, making a faint pink blush rise in Alex's cheeks.
"Hey, Alex. Are you ready to have breakfast with me?" Shane asked Alex, his charming smile never leaving his face.
Alex nodded and Shane stepped back, revealing a black snowmobile with silver glitter accents. She squealed and crutched her way to the beautiful piece of machinery. Shane smiled wider and shut the cabin door for her. He handed her a black and glittering silver matching helmet and put on his own. Alex sat on the back while Shane sat in front. He put her crutches on his lap and revved up the motor. He pressed his foot to the pedal and the snowmobile launched forward. Alex let out a yelp and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Shane and clasping her hands together, making herself slide forward until her chest was against his back and the insides of her thighs were squeezing against the outside of his thighs. Shane smirked and quickly made the snowmobile go faster, making Alex's grip on him tighten. One thing was for sure, he was never going to slow down the snowmobile.
Shane stopped the snowmobile abruptly outside of the lodge, making them skid and spraying snow everywhere. Shane lifted his helmet off and picked the crutches off of his lap. Alex hesitantly unwrapped her arms from around his midsection. Shane got off of the bike snowmobile and helped Alex up and handed her the crutches. Alex smiled gratefully at Shane before jerking her head toward the lodge. Shane smiled and took off her helmet for her and placed it on the snowmobile. He walked next to her, his long strides keeping up with her crutches-assisted leaps. He opened the door and they entered the lodge, shaking snow off of themselves, stomping the snow off of their boots and putting their coats, gloves and scarves into the cloakroom. They went into the lodge dining room.
"Oh! Shane, look! A buffet! Oh my gosh, I love buffets!" Alex exclaimed excitedly. Shane smiled at his soon to be girlfriend, as long as he had his way. Which he would...hopefully.
"Well, that's good, considering that's what we're having." Shane told her. Alex's face lit up.
"Goody!" Alex said, awkwardly holding her crutches under her armpits as she hopped up and down on her good foot and clapped her legs together. When people gave her odd looks, she stopped. "Okay, I'm done acting like I'm three." She said as Shane picked out a couples booth and threw his hoodie on it, claiming it.
Alex smiled and followed him to the buffet. Shane looked at her and saw her reach for a plate, nearly dropping her crutches. He jogged the few steps to Alex and grabbed her shoulders and snatched the plate from her hand so she wouldn't fall.
"Alex, why don't you tell me what you want and I'll get it for you and we'll be safe from any more injuries. Cause I've fallen on broken glass before and, I'll tell you, it hurts!" Shane said, wincing from the memory. Alex burst into a fit of laughter.
"Oh my gosh! That reminds me of the American Music Awards two years ago! Some boy in a band fell on his knees on broken glass! But he was fine." Alex told him. Shane blushed.
"Well he tripped! And he didn't get stitches like he was supposed to!" Shane argued. Alex eyed him suspiciously.
"Shane...why are you sticking up for some klutz in a boy band you don't even know?" She asked. Shane didn't look her in the eyes, but he could hear her stomach growl.
"Let's discuss this later, okay? You are injured and need sustenance. So...would you like French toast or pancakes or waffles? Or sausage patties, sausage links or bacon? Speaking of bacon...crispy or not, turkey bacon or regular? Or do you want ham? There's honey hickory ham, honey glazed ham or just plain ham. Or -" Shane rambled. Alex hit his leg with her crutch.
"Shane, shut up! I want two slices of French toast, two sausage links, two sausage patties, crispy turkey bacon, no ham, a blueberry muffin and some grapes." Alex told him, smiling as he blushed for rambling.
Shane stocked her plate with food and then he walked back to the table. He set down her plate heaped with food and helped Alex into the booth and put the crutches by their booth. He left and then came back with two hot chocolates and a bowl of sausage gravy and maple syrup. He left again and returned with his own plate. He placed it down and on the table and then slid into the booth, making sure not to trip on the crutches. He and Alex ate in comfortable silence for about ten minutes when Shane's family entered the dining hall. Shane's back was to the entrance, so he didn't notice, but Alex, who was facing the entrance, noticed.
"Hey Shane, there's your family. Should we invite them to breakfast?" Alex asked, her eyes on the Grays.
The Gray family had puzzled her last night, questioning her about her age, relationship status, her grade point average, hobbies, favorite type of music, her favorite band, her religion and even her ethnic background. She answered the questions as best as she could. She has told Shane's family that she was fifteen, currently single, her G.P.A was 3.2, she liked to shop, read and write, she liked all types of music, her all-time favorite band was Bon Jovi, she was a Christian and half Latino. They'd smiled kindly and made non-memorable idle chit chat for the rest of dinner. They had seemed nice enough. Which was why Alex was surprised when Shane ducked under the booth. Seconds later, Alex was pulled under the booth as well, letting out a yelp of surprise.
Shane clapped a hand over Alex's mouth, holding a finger to his lips, signaling to her that he wanted her to keep quiet. Alex looked up, beginning to roll her eyes, just as Shane removed his hand from her mouth.
"Ew! There's gum under the table! Gross!" She said, crinkling her nose in disgust.
"Shhh!" Shane hissed. Alex rolled her eyes and then looked up at the gum.
"Seriously though, this is downright disgusting! People eat at these tables. If there is gum, there are germs, and if there are germs, they spread. Even if they always clean the top, the bottom is covered with germs and they will spread to the top, making it nastier. Ick." Alex hypothesized scientifically in a whisper. Shane hushed her.
"Why do you keep telling me to be quiet and why are we under a table? Are we hiding from your family?" Alex inquired.
Shane jerked his head to the side, which Alex interpreted to mean 'no'. Alex huffed and folded her arms over her chest, lifted her chin in the air with indigence and scowled at Shane.
"Fine, don't answer. See if I care." She sniffed. Shane didn't speak. "So now I'm invisible? Well fine! I'll just be on my way." She snapped, moving to get off the floor, but Shane grabbed her foot, the one connected to her sprained ankle. Alex inhaled sharply, trying not to scream in pain. Shane let go of her foot.
"Sorry, but we need to get out of here without getting caught. Let's go." He whispered, getting on his hands and knees to crawl out of the dining hall. Alex grabbed his hoodie covered bicep, trying not to shiver once she realized how muscular he was.
She shook her head to clear the images of Shane shirtless from her mind. "No. Why should I go with you? You're not telling me what's going on, or why we are hiding from your parents. The last time I checked, it was a free country and I am a legal citizen, therefore, I have the right to do as I please. And getting out from under this table and going back to my cabin would be what I pleased. So, I'm out. Bye." Alex snapped, moving to get out from under the table, but Shane grabbed her hand, the one grasping his hoodie, and covered her hand with his own, not allowing her to move. Alex's eyes locked on his, her brown eyes burning with anger.
"Alex, I'm really sorry. Listen, I'll explain later. I promise, just...let me do this my way and follow me. Please. I promise to tell you. " Shane said, his dark honey orbs staring into hers, pleading with her. Alex sighed.
"Fine." She answered, grudgingly. Shane smiled.
"Okay, let's go." He said, beginning to plan a route.
"Shane, wait. What about my crutches?" Alex questioned. Shane paused to think.
"Alright, here's the new plan. We crawl out of the dining hall and go left. Then I'll carry you to the library. We'll hide out there for a while, then I'll go back and get your crutches. After that we can go wherever you want. Deal?" Shane asked, holding out one hand, all his weight on his left hand and legs.
Alex took his hand in her own. Her hand tingled on contact with Shane's and a jolt shot through her body, the waves spreading from her hands, the epicenter of the electricity, to her toes and the ends of her hands. Her feet felt like it was on pins and needles, while her hair felt like it was standing on end, Alex could practically hear it crackling with static. She gasped and let go of Shane's hand. He looked as shocked and scared as she did, but there was something else in his eyes...excitement? Joy? No...that look, that sparkle in his dark chocolate chip irises looked at her in a very different way.
Anticipation.
Alex couldn't fight back the sudden impulse to shiver. Shane shook his head to clear it, shaking off the emotions that flowed through his blood. He resisted looking at Alex, just in case he wouldn't be able to control his actions and stop himself from jumping on her. So he focused his energy on the task at hand and peeked out from under the booth instead.
"Good, they're on the other side of the room and the buffet is blocking their view of us. Nate spazes out most of the time and Jason is so hyperactive, he'll never notice us. So we should be safe." Shane reported dutifully, trying not to look at Alex. "I'll go first. Count to five and then crawl after me. Slowly. When you get to the entrance of the dining hall, turn left. Got it?" Shane inquired. Alex nodded, but realized Shane still hadn't looked at her.
"Yeah." Alex answered softly, so softly, in fact, that Shane didn't hear her.
"Whatever, I'm going out. Wish me luck." He whispered solemnly. Alex rolled her eyes.
"Get going before I start playing the James Bond theme song!" Alex whispered, holding back a giggle.
Shane rolled his eyes and poked his head out from under the table. He looked left and then right before he shot across the floor on his hands and knees. Alex slowly counted to five before she began to crawl out from under the table.
However, she got tangled up in her crutches, somehow, and made a big racket. Her cheeks burned as Shane quickly glanced over his shoulder at her. When he looked forward again, he ran into the wall, face first. Alex cringed and untangled herself from her crutches and quickly crawled after him. Shane seemed dazed, but shook it off when Alex crawled past him and out of the dining hall. She made a left turn out of the dining hall, Shane right behind her.
A few crawls outside of the dining hall, Shane stood up and bent over to pick Alex up. He carried her bridal style out of the entrance hall, up the grand staircase, left down the corridor, right around the corner and in the middle of another long corridor he stopped in front of a set of huge solid oak double doors. Alex reached out and turned the brass door knob and Shane stepped back so that she could pull open one of the doors. She pulled it open just enough for Shane to squeeze them through. He walked briskly through shelves upon shelves upon shelves of books, to the far corner of the library. He lowered Alex into a plush armchair. He straightened up and then walked away to shut the door, leaving Alex to marvel at the library.
Alex had never laid eyes on a more beautiful library. Sure, the libraries in New York were fantastic, but New York was better known for it's skyscrapers, traffic and museums, not for it's expanse buildings dedicated to literature. Shane had maneuvered through long rows of bookshelves, ranging from children's to adult, fiction to nonfiction, cookbooks filled with recipes so easy, Alex could use her old Easy Bake oven, to cuisine so difficult, she'd have to be a graduate of a top culinary school. Books in different languages filled the shelves, along with books teaching languages, how-to books and self-help books. Inspirational, spiritual, mystery, humor, children's, picture, romance, biographies, autobiographies, historical, fantasy, anime/manga, comic and so much more filled the shelves of the amazing library, hiding Alex in her own, little secluded nook, consisting two red plush armchairs, an oak table surrounded by chairs, a footstool and a lamp. By the time Alex had gotten comfortable, Shane had returned.
"This place is amazing Shane! How did you come across it?" Alex breathed in amazement, her voice full of wonder and awe, her eyes wide and an excited flush in her cheeks. Shane smiled at her.
"I got lost yesterday after dinner looking for the restrooms. I found it then." He said and Alex laughed.
"By the way, how's your face feeling? You hit the wall pretty hard." Alex said, her voice full of concern. Shane waved a hand carelessly as he sank into the other armchair.
"It's nothing, really. I think I did more damage to the wall, honestly." He joked. Alex smiled at him, but her smile turned into a frown when she remembered why they had left.
"Shane, you said you'd tell me, so why did we hide and then sneak out? Did it have to do with your family?" Alex asked, worried that she wasn't exactly permitted to be with Shane. Her suspicions were confirmed when Shane's cheeks tinted pink with guilt.
"You see, Alex," Shane began, seeming to struggle to find the words. Alex waited patiently. "I'm not...let's say, my parents don't approve of me spending time with you. They think I'm too old for you, but-"
"Too old for me? We're just friends, right? What's wrong with us spending time together?" Alex cut him off. Shane looked at Alex impatiently.
"Let me finish." He told her and Alex pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with anger and annoyance. "But I don't see the problem. I like spending time with you." He finished.
"Can I talk?" Alex asked and Shane nodded. "Good." She replied bluntly before continuing, "I don't see the problem. We're just hanging out. Just because we made a date and canceled and rescheduled and dated doesn't mean we're boyfriend and girlfriend. Why would your parents not -" This time, Shane cut her off.
"They think I like you as more than a friend. And they don't like the fact that I'm older." Shane supplied.
Alex was still confused. "But why would they think that? Unless you like me as more than a friend, which you don't..." Alex droned off and froze as Shane looked away, a dark red blush creeping into his cheeks.
Alex's eyes widened and her mouth formed an 'O' of surprise.
"You - you like me as more than a friend...don't you?" Alex whispered. Shane nodded. "But what about your family? And your age? Not to mention my family and my age." Alex pointed out. Shane's head snapped to face her and his muddy brown eyes locked on hers.
"I don't care. My family is too strict as is. And l- love is love. Love knows no age, no sex, nothing but what it is. And that is the attraction between two people, drawing them together." Shane said lowly, but with a surprising amount of force and passion. Alex blinked.
"Love? Shane, we're only teenagers. How can we possibly know what love is like? Not to mention, how can you be sure its love? We just met." Alex pointed out logically. Shane shook his head. Love didn't know logic either, apparently.
"Everything happens for a reason. We were both on the slope, you fell, I helped. Our parents met and scheduled a dinner." Shane argued.
"Coincidence." Alex replied automatically, but her voice wavered, unsure.
"Fate." Shane responded firmly.
"Fine, but still...love?" She asked skeptically.
"Don't deny it. From the moment we shook hands, there was electricity. And more than a spark." Shane stared into Alex's eyes harshly, as if he was searching for something.
She shifted in her seat and gulped. What if Shane's right? I mean, those are an awful lot of coincidences to happen, so close to each other and each time it brought us closer together. Maybe it is fate. Maybe there is something between Shane and I. But still, we are too young and our parents would flip.
Shane saw the uncertainty on Alex's face. No! She has to realize that we have to try! Shane thought desperately. He was tired of family love, of fan love and sick and tired of Bridget love. He needed real love. And something in his heart told him that Alex was what he needed, well, more like who he needed.
But how will I get her to realize we have to try. We have to...or I'll die. I need to know if there is such a thing as love. And all the signs point to Alex. I just have to get her to feel the same...I know she felt the sparks. I know it. And if that was just our hands... An idea popped into Shane's head and he jumped to his feet and quickly walked the three feet to the front of Alex's chair.
The fifteen year old girl looked up at him in surprise, but Shane barely registered her emotions right then. He merely cupped Alex's chin in his warm palm and slowly, gently titled her head back, her chin lifted up. He bent over her and lowered his lips to hers, closing his eyes. Alex's eyes fluttered shut as well, anticipating what was to come. Shane's lips finally met Alex's and neither teenager was prepared for what happened next.
Electric jolts shot through Shane's body and his legs gave out. He fell to his knees on the hardwood floor of the library and pain shot through his knee caps and up and down his legs, but nothing mattered, seeing as his lips were still magically attached to Alex's lips. The rest of his body was filled with pins and needles from head to toe. Shane's hands cupped Alex's face, pulling her closer. Alex moved forward in her chair, her legs on the outside of his muscular torso. Her hands moved to his shoulders, gripping them tightly. Alex's fingertips seemed to burn through his hoodie, shirt and wife beater, scorching his skin. Shane pressed his lips to her's harder, only to have her deepen the kiss with just as much, if not more, force than he had just used on her.
They pulled apart only when they saw stars dancing behind their eyelids and swayed, dizzy from lack of oxygen to their lungs and brains and they thought (with what little brain power they had left) that their lungs would shrivel up. The breathless couple detached their lips, breathing harshly through their noses, their lungs bursting with air and the world sharpened as they recovered from the dizziness. Their chests rose and fell quickly, panting harshly, their bodies seemed to be glowing gold, their cheeks bright pink from exertion and their lips were both sinfully ruby red and swollen from the heated kiss.
Shane pressed his forehead to Alex's gently. They both jumped a little when a faint jolt shot through them from that minimal amount of contact. They breathed in intervals; Alex breathing out just as Shane breathed in and vice versa. Shane's eyes burned holes into Alex's brown maple orbs.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked, his voice hoarse from the kiss. Alex bit her swollen red lips and chewed it thoughtfully before answering the only way she knew how.
Alex's lips attacked Shane's as if they were magnetized. Her hands moved from his shoulders to gripping his neck as her other hand shot to his straight black hair, her fingers intertwining in his silky strands. She squeezed the outside of his torso with the insides of her thighs and pulled herself closer to him, the jets of electricity shooting through their bodies numbing them. Shane fell onto his back on the hardwood floor, his legs collapsing and he sat on his own legs. He moved them out from under himself and Alex so that they were straight out in front of him. Alex's thighs squeezed his muscular midsection even tighter, further restricting his breathing. Alex ignored the lack of air, especially when Shane's left hand rested on the back of her neck, his fingers tangled into her dark brown locks as his right hand pressed into the small of her back, pulling their bodies even closer together.
They finally broke apart, frantically gasping for air.
"Does that answer your question?" Alex asked breathlessly, once she'd gotten a little air in her lungs.
"Yes." Shane murmured, sliding his right hand down her shoulder and moved his hands to rest on her hips. He stroked her sides with his thumbs, closing his eyes, content. Alex smiled and lied down on top of him, her head turned so that she rested her cheek on his muscular chest, rising and falling as he breathed. She listened to his heartbeat as he breathed in the smell of her apple shampoo and her vanilla and honey body wash before they both dozed off.
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Okay, so that's the latest update of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe! Thanks for being so patient, everyone. I don't know how many more chapters it will be, but more than two for sure. And please, please, PLEASE give me feedback. Remember how long it took me to update? Well, if you don't want a repeat of that, please leave feedback! I'll make it easy on you, answer these questions:
1.) Do you think Shane and Alex should plan secret dates? And if so, where?
2.) Should Justin, Max, Jason, Nate and/or their parents find out they are together and pull them apart? (Remember how much I hate Romeo and Juliet, people!)
3.) Do you think there should be more background on their parents and siblings thoughts and activities? If so, what do you want them to think and such.
Easy, simple questions.
Mollie, thank you so much for the ideas on the story I had to send into my instructor. You are a serious lifesaver and I thank God that I have you as a friend. Honestly, you are really inspirational and I wish we could meet, cause you're just awesome and amazing. I know that was corny and crappy, but that's how I honestly feel.
Amber, thanks for the AMAZING reviews you leave, they really give me a feel for what I should do to make my stories. I know I might not always follow your ideas, but they inspire me to do other things, so it's still a big help. I think you leave the biggest reviews everytime! And thank you sooo much for the AWESOME trailer! I LOVE IT!
Eden, seriously, where HAVE you BEEN? Jeez, I know you have a life and all, but I miss emailing you and get a response. When I PM you, I forget what I wrote by the time you reply! *Sighs and shakes head* What in the world am I gonna do with you? Well, I COULD take you to a JB concert...if I had money, lol.
And Bridget, I totally didn't realize I used your name as Shane's crappy ex-girlfriend. I'm so sorry! I was gonna go with Brittney, but my cousin's name is Brittney and although she's not the sharpest needle in the sewing kit, she's family. And I couldn't think of anything else at the time. Sorry! And of course I want a sequel for All I Want For Christmas Is You!
And last, but certainly not least, Cara. This whole thing is for you, my amazing soul twin sister. Thank you so much for everything and putting up with me and sticking by my side even when my mom banned me from Fanfiction for the stories I wrote (including this one). You're the best twin a girl could ask for! Here's to you, you crazy Shalex lover!
Chapter Name: Crutches and Closets
In The Next Chapter: "Exactly. I'm Peter Pan, but I am growing up, but my soul isn't. And you are my Wendy, young, but mature beyond your years, yet still suspectable to fairytales. And this," Shane unlaced his fingers from Alex's and removed her hand from his cheek, but he kept his right hand over hers and spun her to face the double door. He still held her left hand in his and placed the hand over her stomach, holding her hand there with his. His right hand pulled her right hand to the doorknob, his hand grasping hers. He placed his chest against her back and leaned his head forward, his mouth by her left ear. With his hand still around hers, she began to turn the doorknob.