Okay, if there are typos, I don't care. I can barely see straight, but wanted to make sure I got you a new chapter tonight/this morning because my mom's surgery is later this morning, and I don't know if I'll be able to get you one later tonight. (Wed). Okay? Okay. Enjoy. I don't remember if anything needs explaining. Too tired think.

Chapter 3:

Have I mentioned how much I love high school? No? Hmm. I just love how they like to be in everyone else's business. I received so many hateful glares from everyone. Rosie felt the need to call me a slut and a whore in front of everyone. I left school early that day, having broken down in tears. Shane came and picked me up, surprising those who saw me leave with him.

I cried so much that week. I felt horrible, too, because Shane's birthday was in a few days, and I was miserable. Jason had been acting strange since the day we read the article. Caitlyn and Nate were trying to just stay out of way to avoid any drama.

"Hey, Shane?" Jason asked, coming into Shane's bedroom, where he and I were.

"Yeah, Jase?" Shane asked looking up from where he was laying on his side. He was exhausted, and I knew it. I felt even worse because it was my fault. I hadn't been able to sleep in the last few days, and he stayed up texting me or on the phone with me until I cried myself to sleep.

"Um, the party is still Saturday, right?" He asked.

Shane nodded. "Yeah. Is that it?" He asked, and looked back down at me, before looking at Jason again. Right now, I was crying again. Jason nodded and left.

Why was I crying so much? Maybe I was being melodramatic, but come on. Everything the press threw at us previously was nothing. I figured if I had made it through the first year of dating a pop star, I could handle it forever. I thought it would only get easier. Nope, I was wrong. Because everyone hated me. And it was for something that wasn't true, and there was nothing I could do about it. I put my boyfriend's band's image in jeopardy. My boyfriend's press manager hated me.

It wasn't a little known fact that Jason and I were close. While we were on tour, cameras caught a lot of moments between Jason and I goofing off. Shane or Anastasia were usually in the background laughing as well. But now every innocent moment between Jason and I was being called into question. I knew Shane wanted to believe me there was nothing between Jason and me. But I could read him better than he thought. I could see the slightest doubt in him. I cried even more over that. I had no way of proving that I had no feelings for Jason and nothing was going on.

The worst part about my hysterical crying today? Tomorrow was Shane's birthday. I hadn't managed to get him a gift, once again. That just made the tears fall harder. I sighed and I rolled over on my back, continuing to let the tears slowly roll down my face.

"Baby," Shane sighed softly. "Stop crying, please? I can't take seeing you like this anymore."

I looked up at him as he brushed tears away. "Shane?" I asked softly.

"Hmm?" He asked looking me in the eyes.

"Do you really believe me?" I know I looked and sounded immensely broken at that point. I had to have, because that was exactly how I felt.

He paused, his eyes never leaving mine. He thought for a good minute. "Absolutely." He replied. For the first time since I told him about what occurred, I finally saw no signs of doubt or apprehension is his eyes. I sighed deeply and rolled over, allowing myself to hide and get lost in his arms. "I love you, Mitchie." He whispered in my ear.

I kissed his throat, with my head still buried under his. He groaned. "I owe you many an amazing birthday present once we're married." I said softly.

He chuckled, "Why's that?"

I kissed his neck again, between the column and his jaw, biting slightly. When he moaned I smiled against his neck. "That's why. Then I can give you a birthday present I know you'll absolutely enjoy."

"Oh?" He said laughing. "Baby, that just made me want to marry you even sooner." He teased. I shrugged in his arms.

"What are you doing for your birthday?" I asked, realizing we didn't have plans for the actual day. We had planned a party for the next night.

"We are going out to dinner with my parents and siblings and their attachments, who are driving down."

"Attachments? Shane, a. they have names. B, you could just say significant other if you didn't want to say boyfriend/girlfriend." I teased him. He smiled at me and I could see he was happy that I was in a better mood.

"Okay, a. I don't know their names, and b. what fun is that?"

"A." I laughed at our inane conversation. "You do know Riley's name. He's your friend!" I laughed at him. "And Kevin has been with Savannah since before you went on tour, how do you not remember her name?"

He shrugged. "Why should I remember a girl's name who might not be around forever?" I just looked at him. "What? Okay, fine. If they make it to a year, I promise to make an effort to remember her name longer than the time I'm around her." There was a comfortable silence for a moment. "And don't ask where we're going, I don't know yet."

The sudden realization that we'd be going outside of my house, his apartment, or my school had me on edge immediately again. "Um, why… um… why don't we… make dinner for your family?" I said desperate to avoid going out.

"Mitchie…" He sighed. "You can't hide forever, baby." He said softly.

I sighed. "I know. But, don't you think that would make it more special and personal? I'll get a recipe from Mom…"

"Fine. But you better be in the absolute best mood. Promise?" He agreed, wanting me to be comfortable and enjoy his family's visit.

"Promise. I haven't seen your parents in so long." I said thinking back.

He nodded. "Yeah, I know. I saw them that week I went un after Camp and that was it." As he thought, he realized, "What are we going to do with Nate and Jason? I love 'em, and all, but I want it to just be the 8 of us."

"My house… duh." I said laughing slightly. He started tickling me, and most of my remaining moodiness faded away.

I must have fallen asleep, because awhile later, I heard Shane whispering on the phone. "Yeah, she's knocked out. I know. She wasn't. Uh huh. I will. Love you, too, Momma T."

"Shane?" I whispered sleepily.

He smiled at me from the doorway. "Hey, sleepy head. Go back to sleep."

I had been laying on my stomach with my arms folded against my chest. I reached one hand out, opening and closing it, beckoning to him. "Baby, come here." I pouted. He smiled again and quickly made his way over to me, shedding his clothing as he did. I looked at my self and realize he had taken my jeans off of me. I was laying on his bed in my shirt and underwear. I blushed for a moment, before gaining one of my random streaks of confidence. I crawled under Shane's blankets as he stepped out of his jeans. He was about to pull back the covers when my shirt landed on his face.

When he took it off, he looked at it for a few moments before looking at me. "You amaze me." He said laughing and climbed into bed with me. I shivered as he pulled my back against his chest. The skin to skin contact was definitely something we hadn't exactly dealt with prior to now.

Sure, hands slipped under shirts, but this? This was different. I could feel almost every inch of his body touching mine. There was so little clothing between us. And yet, he nuzzled my hair for a moment before falling asleep. I smiled and fell asleep as well.

"Mmmm…" I mumbled in my sleep, feeling someone kissing my shoulder, though at the time, I thought it was in my dream. "Shane…" I half-moaned. I felt lips smirk into my shoulder. "Mmm… don't stop." I pouted at dream Shane.

"Mitchie…" Real Shane blew in my ear. "Baby, wake up." He said softly.

"What?" I said finally waking up.

"What were you dreaming about?" He asked smirking at me.

I blushed. "Nothing." He scoffed lightly, running his hand over my stomach.

"Ya know, I like your new choice in pajama's better." He teased me.

"Yeah, well, too bad you won't be seeing anything else until we're married." I teased, moving away from him and slipping out of bed. He just laid back on his bed, watching me get dressed. He was smiling as he did so.

"You gonna sit there and fantasize or you gonna get dressed and take me home?" I laughed at him. He smirked but got up. I blushed seeing his boxers poking out a bit. "I'm gonna… go… out… there…" I stuttered trying not to smile or blush too much and headed to the living room as Shane got dressed.

Many hours later, Shane was setting the table in the dining room area of the apartment that was almost never used. I was putting the final touches on dinner as the buzzer for the door downstairs rang. "That's probably them." Shane said, letting them up.

I nodded, suddenly nervous. What if they hated me again? What if they believed the article and didn't want me to be with Shane anymore? I was freaking out in my own world when Shane wrapped his arms around me. "Relax, okay?" He said gently in my ear. "You promised." He said nibbling on my earlobe ever so slightly.

"I know. Sorry." I breathed just as a knock sounded on the door. Shane answered it, and was pushed aside by his sister.

"Mitchie!" She cried, hugging me tightly. "I've missed you!"

"Hey, Nick. Yeah, I missed you, too. Oh, yeah, thanks. It is my birthday. Really? Oh yeah, Mitchie's here, why don't you attack her?" Shane said to the wall. Nicky laughed and hugged her brother.

"Riley." Shane said shaking his hand. "Kev." He hugged his brother, as I hugged Riley hello.

"Savannah!" I cried, knowing Shane forgot her name again. "Haven't seen you in forever." I said giving the girl a polite hug. Shane smiled gratefully at me. The moment of truth came as Shane's parents entered.

I bit my lip nervously until Mrs. Grey hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry to hear what they've been doing to you." She cried. "They're idiots! I can't believe they would write those lies."

I hugged her back just as tightly, whispering to her, "You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. I thought you'd believe them and hate me or something."

"Nonsense." She replied entering the apartment further. I greeted Mr. Grey as well, leading him to the kitchen to put Mrs. Grey's cake down. They all sat down at the table. While Shane and I brought out dinner.

"Mitchie, did you make this?" Mrs. Grey asked groaning in delight. I smiled. "I know Shane can't cook, so you must've."

"I did. My mom gave me her recipe. Shane did help, though." I answered,

"We've proven I can at least measure things." Shane chuckled, looking across the table at me.

"She can sing, she can cook…" Mr. Grey praised. "What can't you do?" He teased.

"I swear, sometimes it's hard to remember you're only 17." Mrs. Grey sighed, smiling happily.

I smiled. "Yeah." I shrugged.

Nicky laughed. "It's like she's the 20 year old, and Shane is the 17 year old." Shane glared at her while I smiled, nodding in agreement.

"So, you guys are staying for the party tomorrow, right?" Shane asked, changing the subject.

"Definitely!" Nicky replied for all of them.

"Is it weird I let my 15 year old sister party with me?" Shane asked me, suddenly.

I laughed. "No. What about your brother?" I asked.

"He's a guy. It's okay to party with my younger brother." Shane replied, as if that made total sense.

Nicky rolled her eyes at him while everyone else laughed.

Dinner went smoothly and Shane dropped me off, not too long after. I wanted to spend the night, but I didn't even bother to ask. They were trusting Caitlyn and I to spend the night tomorrow. I wasn't going to push my luck.

The next night, the party was in full swing when Jason showed up. Odd, since he should have been there to begin with. He did live there. However, he wasn't supposed to have an Anastasia look-a-like on his arm.

The auburn haired girl was a tooth pick with fake boobs. Her hair was in obviously fake curly waves, like Caitlyn's hair. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn it was Anastasia.

"What is that?" Caitlyn asked, appearing at my side. "Did he clone Stas or something?"

Nate looked on with equal… disgust I dare say. "He's not that smart." He quipped.

Jason spotted us and made his way over. "Hey, guys. This is Britney."

"Hi, Barbie." Shane said smiling fakely.

She smiled back equally fake. "It's Britney."

I was quiet, the whole time. "Jason, can we talk to you? Alone?" Caitlyn said pulling him away. We were in the kitchen, despite the others around still, clearly listening.

Caitlyn smacked him in the head. "Ow!" Jason cried, rubbing his now sore head.

"When she said someone like Stas, she didn't mean her clone!"

"Jason! What are you thinking? Do you honestly think Stas is going to want to be with you after you quite literally replaced her?" I hissed. Jason had a look in his eyes, but I couldn't decipher it.

He shrugged. "Whatever. She dumped me, remember? And at least this one has a brain unlike the last one."

"Jase, what's gotten into you?" Caitlyn asked softly. "These aren't the type of girls you date. You date… Stas!" She exclaimed softly.

"Well, Stas doesn't want me, and Britney does!" He yelled back at us. In a normal tone, he continued, "Okay? Let it go. I know you guys are looking out for me and all, but remember I'm the older one. I can take care of myself." He walked away from us.

"I've never seen Jason so…" Caitlyn looked for the right word.

"Jaded? Bitter? Broken?" I supplied.

"Yeah." I said softly.

I went to bed that night feeling like something had shifted. Caitlyn came running into the room the next morning. She jumped on the bed, and was mildly surprised at my sleeping attire.

"What, Cait?" I groaned sitting up.

"What are you wearing? Or not wearing…" She tried not to laugh. I glared at her, pulling the blanket up tighter around myself, while Shane buried his face into my side, ignoring Caitlyn.

"You'll never guess what was on HotTunes this morning!" She was smiling brightly.

"What, Cait?" I demanded.

"Jason's new girlfriend, that's what. They said 'Bishop's best female friends, band mates' girlfriends Mitchie Torres and Caitlyn Gellar, were none too pleased during the introduction, an insider says.' Someone at the party totally over heard and called HotTunes and told them what was up."

"Here." A sleepy Nate handed Caitlyn his laptop where he had the HotTunes site open. I tightened the blanket around me, though Shane was now awake, holding me to him as well.

"'The girls were said to be pretty upset at Bishop's quick recovery from his now ex-girlfriend, who it was claimed he still has feelings for. I think it's time we started getting all the facts when it comes to Torres. America seems to be misjudging her greatly.' About damn time." Caitlyn sighed.

I nodded in shock. I couldn't believe that everything could really be fixed from one report. I also knew there were more problems to come from this. There was no way Anastasia wouldn't hear about this. Somewhere, deep down, I knew part of her still loved Jason. I could only hope they would realize it before Britney got too comfortable.

Bree's dead right now. Please leave a review at the beep. Beeeeeeeeeeep.