I think this is going to be my next project, which is really exciting, because I haven't fully dedicated myself to a story since "Way Too Deep," except for a few attempts at full-lengths. And now that the school year is almost over, I will definitely have more time to work on it.
--
(The next day)
"Hello?" I answer my phone, setting my guitar down next to me.
"Hey, Mitchie?" I hear someone say. "It's Shane."
I almost drop my phone, barely catching it in time. "Oh, um, hi, Shane," I say nervously. "How, uh, how are you?"
Shane chuckles, I suppose, at my nervous tone. "I'm fine. I was thinking that since we're in town for another day before leaving for Ohio, it'd be nice to hang out or something. How would you feel about going out to dinner?" he says.
I swallow. Do I really want to go out with Shane? I never really liked him much, even if he's really cute and a good singer. "Sure, dinner sounds great," I say, giving him my address and agreeing on a time for the date. "I'll see you then."
When we hang up, I pick up my small songbook and write down a couple of sentences. Suddenly, the song I'd been having a lot of trouble with seems a lot easier, and I jot down a couple more sentences before picking up my guitar and trying out a couple of chords, testing out how they sound together.
Time always goes by quickly when I'm writing songs, and when I check my phone to see what time it is, I realize I probably should start getting ready soon if I want to look presentable by the time Shane gets here. As soon as I think this, I stop in my tracks. When did I ever say I wanted to look presentable for Shane? But then I realize that I might also see Jason, and I definitely want to look nice for him, so I go back to getting ready.
After pulling on a nice dress and a pair of flats, I pull my hair back in a braid and look in the mirror, sighing deeply. I'm going out with Shane Gray. Why? How did that happen? And how did it happen to me? I'm still working on processing all of this when the bell rings and I thank whoever's up in heaven that my parents aren't home. I definitely don't want to explain all of this to them. Mitchie, why is a famous popstar on our doorstep, waiting for you so you can go on a date? Yeah, let's not go there.
I open the door and smile at Shane. "Hey," I say simply; I just can't think of anything else to say. What do you say to a celebrity who asked you out on a date who you don't even like?
"Hi, Mitch," Shane answers, and I look at him quizzically. Since when does he have a nickname for me? Especially a nickname that's a guy name – that doesn't sound right. "You look great."
I blush and look down. "Thanks," I say, stepping out onto the porch. "So… how are you?"
Awkward, a voice sings in my head. Awkward, awkward, awkward. I ignore it and smile at him.
"I'm great, you?" Shane says and smiles brightly at me. Doesn't he feel awkward? Is that just me? Maybe it is, maybe I'm just an awkward person, but I've never really noticed I was.
I sigh and Shane looks at me curiously. "Oh, I'm… I'm fine, thanks," I say, blushing again.
"So how did you like the concert last night?" Shane asks, smiling down at me as we walk to the black SUV parked in my driveway. "We had a really good audience last night, too, so that was good, and Jason's guitar playing was so amazing! And Nate didn't mess up on the drums, which he's been doing a lot lately, I don't know why, and I didn't forget the lyrics to the new song. All in all, a good show."
As he continues talking about the show and pretty much everything else, I nod along and smile as if I were paying attention, which I really wasn't. The rest of our date goes by like that, with him talking and me nodding along, and before I know it, we're at my house.
"So, I, um, had a great time tonight," I say, blushing furiously for some unknown reason. Lie, the little voice sings in my head, and I shake my head, as if this would make it go away. Maybe I need to give Shane a chance. You never know, right? I mean, he might be a great guy and perfect for me and I don't even know it.
Except Jason's the one you want, the little voice insists, and I frown, wishing there was a way I could make it shut up. Shane looks at me oddly, and I smile sheepishly at him.
"Are you okay, Mitch?" he asks, and I nod.
"Yeah, sorry. Just… thinking about stuff," I say. "So, um, I'll see you later, I guess." I reach into my purse and take out my keys, playing with them.
Shane smiles, and for a minute, I can see why so many girls fawn over him. He really is gorgeous, he's just not Jason. Then why are you on a date with him? the voice whispers in my head, and I bite my tongue to keep from saying anything aloud.
"I'll give you a call," Shane says before leaning down and kissing my swiftly. I don't react, torn between wanting to push him off me and just not knowing what to do. Shane Gray is kissing me. Why?
He pulls away and smiles brightly at me before walking back to the car. I unlock the door and go in, leaning against the door with my eyes closed. Could this get any worse?
Yes, it could.
--
So hey, another update! I don't know if I'll be able to write this weekend because I don't know if my parents will let me use the computer, but hopefully, they will.