Chapter 6.
"Mitchie! Mitchie are you awake honey? Can I come in?"
Shane opened his eyes blearily, vaguely feeling the panic settle in. He looked down at Mitchie who had her head buried in the pillow next to Shane's chest who was propped up against the headboard.
He reached over and gently shook her shoulder, running his fingers down her cheek as she stirred. "Mitch."
"Hmm," Mitchie rolled over and Shane cringed hearing Connie outside the door sighing. Reacting quickly he jumped off the bed and ran into the closet, watching as Connie entered seconds later.
"Mitchie honey, it's time for you to get up." Shane bit his lip grimacing as Mitchie sat up wide awake, looking around startled. She glanced down at the still warm spot on her bed where Shane had been sleeping and frowned.
"Where's..." she muttered sleepily rubbing her eyes. "Where's what? Honey?" Connie questioned, looking over her shoulder at Mitchie as she drew the curtains.
Mitchie flinched, shielding her eyes, "Mom! It's too bright!" Mitchie whined then her eyes landed on the opened closet. She frowned trying to look between the beams to see if Shane was in there.
"You need to get up Mitchie. The house needs cleaning." Mitchie glared slightly. She couldn't believe her Mom was waking her up early just to clean the house.
Shane stifled a laugh as he watched Mitchie pout moodily, crossing her arms over her chest as Connie pointed towards her bathroom.
"Get! If you get up now, I might make you some breakfast before I go."
Waiting until he was sure Connie was no longer near Mitchie's room, Shane stepped out. Stretching his arms up as he did.
"Not the best way to wake up," he laughed as Mitchie threw her towel into the bathroom. "I know, you are so helping me clean this house," Mitchie poked his chest playfully.
Nodding Shane flopped back onto bed, "yeah whatever, go have a shower smelly."
"Hey!" He yelped as she began to chuck various objects at him. Jumping up from the bed he grabbed her arms before she could throw something else. "Woah you are so not a morning person," he teased pushing her into the bathroom.
"Well if someone hadn't kept me awake last night."
Mitchie laughed as Shane shot her a confused look, "what?"
"You were talking in your sleep."
Shane's jaw dropped open. "W-what did I say?" He asked looking worried.
"Oh," Mitchie shrugged, "this and that." Shane's eyes widened slightly and he darted forwards but she laughed closing the door in his face. "Oh man," Shane muttered trying to think clearly about what he was dreaming about. The look on Mitchie's face however told him clear enough he must've said something embarrassing.
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"- He knows! He knows!"
"Caitlyn chill out! He doesn't know." Mitchie sighed into her phone, during Shane and Mitchie's big house clean she'd received a call from Caitlyn who was panicking because Nate had asked them both to hang out with him and Jason.
"Why else would he want both of us?! I'm telling you, last night he said I was being weird-"
Mitchie interrupted, "wait, last night? You were with Nate last night?" She giggled, completely ignoring Caitlyn' shrill voice.
"Mitchie!"
"Caitlyn!" Mitchie mocked smiling as Shane began to laugh, he too was listening in on the conversation.
"Ugrh, he just needed to talk to someone, he's really struggling about Shane."
Shane's face turned solemn and he returned to scrubbing the floor boards where paint had been dripped the day before.
"Oh, well look he doesn't know. Maybe he just wants to have fun?" Mitchie said resting her hand on Shane's arm as he furiously scrubbed the floor. "You're going to rub the floor away at this rate."
He paused, "I'm going to go get some water."
"Is the oh so righteous Shane Gray finally feeling the guilt of his actions?" Caitlyn said sarcastically interrupting Mitchie's thoughts.
"Leave him alone!" Mitchie spat, more harshly than she meant.
"Woah okay, sorry. Look Nate said he'd pick us up around 2, so why don't you come to my house about 1:45?"
Mitchie sighed, "Yeah okay. I better go, see you later Cait. Sorry."
"Don't worry Mitch, I just don't want you to get hurt because of him."
"I'm not getting hurt at the moment," Mitchie smiled softly thinking about how many good memories she was gathering already whilst having Shane live in her house.
"Yeah well, you'll drown in your lies if you're not careful. See you later Mitchie, Bye."
Caitlyn's words stung, Mitchie remembered she'd said the exact phrase to her back at Camp Rock. Shaking off the horrible feeling that was gathering inside of her Mitchie walked downstairs to find Shane.
Mitchie eventually found him in her garden, he hadn't been out back before and decided he could use the fresh air. He was sitting on Mitchie's old play swings and smiled at her when she approached him.
"Mitchie Torres, big kid at heart," he grinned swinging making the frame groan under his weight. "I don't use it anymore!" Mitchie protested sitting on the bench on the patio.
Shane smirked, "of course," he said sarcastically before moving to sit beside her.
"I don't," she pouted up at him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Tomorrow we should think about trying to find your parents."
Shane breathed in deeply, putting his arm around Mitchie as she shivered against the breeze. "Yeah, I was thinking maybe we... or I should go back to my old house..."
"Yeah we should," Mitchie corrected smiling up at him.
Mitchie stood up and brushed herself off, aware time was moving on and she had to be at Caitlyn's soon.
"Where's your old house?" Mitchie asked as she stepped back into the house, Shane on her heels. "About 4 hours away. You don't have to come."
Mitchie smiled, "I'm coming with you. We're in this together."
"You must get tired of me saying 'thank you' but, you keep giving me reasons to say it." Shane grinned watching as she put on her coat.
Mitchie laughed biting her lip, "well you can stop saying it."
"I tried for the nonverbal thanks but I'm running out of places to kiss you now as well," Shane laughed shoving his hands deep into his pockets and rocking on his heels.
I know one place you haven't kissed me yet...
Mitchie shook her thoughts from her head and blushed, "don't worry about it Shane. I like doing things for you-" She cut herself off, blushing even more. Closing her eyes at her own stupid comment she looked down at her feet.
Shane laughed uncomfortably to fill the silence that was stretching between the two. "And I like it when you do things for me," he teased nudging her until she looked up.
"I-" Her voice caught in her throat as he stooped down, still smiling broadly. His black hair falling in his eyes, "you?" He smirked stepping forwards as she took a step back.
"I um... I-"
"Should go." Shane said quickly turning back towards the stairs. "What?!" Mitchie cried wildly, confused by his sudden polar change of behavior.
Shane looked back over his shoulder, "Nates here!" He said before jumping up the last steps and running around the corner out of sight just as the door knocked.
"Nate? What- um, what are you doing here? I was just going to walk to Caitlyn-"
"Thought I'd save you the walk," Nate smiled warmly nodding towards the car. "Oh, okay." Mitchie frowned looking back to her house, hoping Shane would keep a low profile until she got home.
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Mitchie smiled in surprise, Nate and Jason had booked a table for four in an extremely fancy restaurant just outside the city. "What's this for?" Caitlyn muttered shooting a meaningful look at Mitchie.
"They know!" She mouthed, wringing her hands nervously.
"We just wanted to say sorry for pestering you both so much about Shane. And we're all friends, I thought we could all do with a break." Nate explained as Jason took their coats. "Yeah and have fun." Jason added grinning.
Mitchie nodded smiling along happily, she unlike Caitlyn didn't believe Nate knew anymore than she was acting weird. Caitlyn on the other hand was fidgeting, you'd believe such a calculated person would be cool under pressure, but Caitlyn was cracking like a smooth egg.
"What's the label doing about Shane?" Mitchie asked, trying to gather information. Nate shrugged, "just trying to keep it under wraps I guess, they're trying to find his parents."
Mitchie's interest was peeked, "oh?" She tried not to seem too eager.
"Yeah, they think they're in Australia or something. Bastards, leaving Shane like that." Nate grumbled cursing. Mitchie's eyes were wide, 'Australia!" She mouthed to Caitlyn looking panicked. Shane would never be able to contact them!
Jason cleared his throat, "lets order! I'll order for everyone!"
"NO!" Nate quickly intercepted as the waitress came over, "we'll all end up with a vegetarian burger with a side of water." Nate rolled his eyes then quickly skimmed his eyes over the menu, "can we have the town square share?" He asked politely, smiling as the waitress giggled. Obviously they were being recognized more and more these days.
"So Mitch, when do you start school?" Jason asked leaning over to her, Nate and Caitlyn were talking animatedly about some song or something.
Mitchie swallowed, "In, 6 days." She sighed thinking about how much more complicated things would be with school in the way.
"Aw, I wish I went to school," Jason laughed at her expression, "I never got too, home tutoring." He explained.
"Oh, that sucks, but it's my last year so thats good." Mitchie grinned, excited about graduation which was 8 months away.
Nate decided to get stuck into the conversation, "So you're 18? 17?" He questioned, and Mitchie suddenly remembered how little the two knew about eachother. Making this whole get-together a little odd.
"17, 18 on January 1st."
"New years day," Jason grinned nodding at the concept. "That's awesome," Nate smiled along sipping his drink.
"Yeah, at least I can keep track of the year," Mitchie mumbled running out of things to say. She felt extremely uncomfortable all of a sudden and jumped when she felt her phone vibrate.
Shane: I need to call you! x
Frowning at the odd message, Mitchie felt a wave of panic wash over her. Had her parents caught him?!
"Mitchie? You okay?" Jason waved a hand frantically in her face before picking up his glass of water, "should I?" He looked at Nate who quickly pulled the glass away. "No Jase! You don't just throw water in people's faces!- Mitchie?"
Mitchie shook herself out of the trance and got up abruptly, "Um.. I need the toilet... be right back."
Caitlyn shot her a death glare, probably upset at being left alone with her crush.
Once she was safely locked in a stall, Mitchie pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Shane's number. She tapped her foot impaciently as the dial tone continued. Finally his voice broke through the ringing.
"Mitchie! I am so sorry! I- I um... I broke your- um...I'm so, so, sorry!" His sentence was then followed by a string of profanities as he cursed under his breath.
"Shane!" Mitchie hissed, trying to stop him for a second, "why? What did you break?" She was just relieved he hadn't been caught.
She heard a deep sigh, "You know that um... the porcelain.... music box thing?" Mitchie's breath caught in her throat as she closed her eyes. The heirloom left from her great-grand mother. It was a beautiful creamy box with a ballerina inside that swiveled round to lulling music.
"Oh." She replied breathlessly, willing the tears not to fall. It was nothing important, she tried to remind herself. She still had memories of the wonderful woman.
"Mitchie," Shane whispered, "it was an accident, I'm so stupid and clumsy and I'm so sorry."
After a couple of minutes silence Shane breathed out again. "You know what? I'll leave. You don't need me here, I'm just ruining... everything." He sounded so broken.
It took a couple more minutes for Mitchie to respond, but when she did, her heart hammered against her ribcage in a fit. "NO!"
"Shane, no! Please! I need you, you can't leave!" She couldn't believe the emotional wreck she'd just turned into, sobs were escaping her throat and her eyes were puffy and red.
"Shane?"
"I'm here."
"Please don't leave."
"...I won't."
Mitchie breathed out a sigh of relief, so what if he broke an object? He'd break something much worse if he left. "I want you there when I get home." She warned, unlocking the door to the toilet so she could see her reflection in the mirror.
"I'm sorry Mitchie, I'm just so clumsy. I feel terrible and I just wanted to call, not try and cover it up. I'll be here when you get back. And I've finished cleaning everything so don't worry about that. I hope you're having fun with the others."
Mitchie almost couldn't believe the maturity coming from this boy... or man. Just 6 weeks ago he was on the news for being a spoilt brat and now here he was, owning up for his mistakes, worrying about her, helping her. "God I'm falling."
"What?"
Mitchie's eyes widened, she couldn't believe she'd just said that out loud! "Um... n-nothing, i tripped... I'm having fun. See you soon?"
"Okay then," Shane laughed, "yeah see you soon," he confirmed then hung up the phone.
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"Thank you for the meal, guys." Mitchie smiled politely to Nate and Jason who had escorted her from the limo to her front door. "You're welcome Mitchie, I can see why Shane likes you so much."
Mitchie blushed at his words but nodded. After she returned to from the toilet, mentioning quickly the two words guys hate 'women's problems' the four had chatted for almost 2 hours.
"Yeah it was really nice," Mitchie agreed, stepping forward to hug Jason. "And you're pretty like Shane said too."
Nate laughed at Mitchie's face, "I bet he'll love you for saying that Jase. Bye Mitchie." He pulled her into a hug and squeezed her lightly. "I like Caity." He whispered her ear before pulling away.
Mitchie grinned back at him as his cheeks colored, "the feelings mutual Nate, trust me." She winked in a coded way. "Awesome," he grinned back, then waved as he retreated back to the limo.
Turning round, Mitchie opened the door quickly. Happy that her Mom still hadn't returned home yet. Her Dad's car was there, but it was wednesday and he always popped next door to watch the football with his mate.
"Shane?" She called into the seemingly empty house and heard a rustle from upstairs. "Up here," came his muffled reply.
Setting down her coat on the rack and kicking off her shoes she quickly jumped up the stairs and headed into her room. "Hey," she smiled when she saw his figure sitting on the floor, his back to her.
Her eyes widened as he turned around, "I'm uh..." Shane stuttered, looking down at his hand that was stuck to a piece of what looked like a small piece of Mitchie's music box. "In a... sticky situation."
"Nice pun," Mitchie giggled stepping over the oddly strewn newspaper that was laying on the floor. "What are you doing?" She decided to cut to the chase.
Shane smiled sheepishly at her before shrugging, "I was glueing back together your music box, I know it's important. But the last piece, kind of stuck to me. And not the box."
Mitchie began to laugh as he pouted down at his hand, helplessly. She bit her lip to stop from 'aww'ing' as she saw her music box stuck back together, the cracks only appearing slightly. "Thank you," she whispered leaning down to kiss his cheek.
"That's the nicest thing someones ever done for me," she smiled happily looking down at her grandmas box, only a little shard missing. "And the meanest, i broke it first remember." Shane pointed out, sighing.
Mitchie shook her head, "Hey it was an accident. Come on, let's get that bit off of you."
Shane let her pull him into the bathroom and didn't resist as she pushed him against the counter and took his hand in hers. Turning on the hot water she placed his fingers underneath then splashed a load of soap on top. Shane watched her silently, ignoring the sting from the hot water, he felt so guilty it was hard to talk.
Not only had he invaded her home, he'd smashed something important that belonged to the most important person in his world. He studied her face carefully, how she held her tongue between her teeth as she concentrated on pulling the stupid superglued piece off of his skin.
He smiled gently as she kept trying to blow the lock of hair that kept falling in her face as she looked down. Gingerly, he lifted up his free hand and brushed the lock behind her ear, his hand resting on the side of her face for a few seconds. He tried to calm down his erratic heartbeat as her deep brown eyes flew up to meet his.
They continued to stare for what seemed like hours until Shane hissed suddenly as he felt the burning water hit his flesh and the small porcelain bit fall off. "There, all fixed."
Shane looked back at Mitchie and smiled. "All fixed." He repeated softly, not really knowing what words were spilling out of his mouth. "I'm sorry."
Mitchie shook her head, "don't be." There faces were drawing nearer, his closing in at a quicker rate. He knew what was coming and knew he wasn't going to stop for any interruptions.
"Um Shane.. don't worry about... it's okay... I" She rambled nervously, as his eyes fixed on her lips. "Mitchie?" He breathed out, hot air hitting her slightly parted lips. His eyes locked with hers and he smiled brightly, "shut up."
That was all it took. She leaned up and closed the gap, smiling against him as his lips pressed against hers. Mitchie's stomach exploded in butterflies, and she thought for a second her heart had failed. His lips were so soft as they caressed hers, tentatively Mitchie lifted up her hands and gently rested them against Shane's chest. His hands responded, one reaching up to cup her face, bringing her in closer, whilst the other rested on her hip.
"Mitchie," Shane half whispered, half moaned into her mouth as he somehow twisted the two until she was the one pushed against the counter. He pushed harder, not wanted to end the passionate clinch. Electric tingles ran up and down her body, flowing through her veins as he pressed against her, she never wanted the kiss to end.
However the need for oxygen became urgent and they both pulled away breathlessly. "Wow." Mitchie grinned, her cheeks extremely rosy as she looked up at Shane who had his eyes closed, his smile causing her heart to skip. She reached up and brushed her fingers against his lips and blushed as his eyes snapped open.
"I've been waiting ages to do that," he confessed his own fingers running down along her jaw. "Ages" he stressed, leaning in once again.
"Mitchie? Honey, you home?!"
Shane's lips moved to her ear as she flinched back at the sound of her Dad's voice. "Too be continued."
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'Continued...'
"Michelle?" Mitchie's eyes snapped to Connie's who was looking at her expectantly. "Yes Mom... sorry." She giggled nervously biting her lip.
"I said, me and your father will be attending the Hutchan's wedding. It's going to be a big pay out this time, but will you be okay by yourself?"
Mitchie smiled secretively, knowing full well she wouldn't be alone. "Yeah, I'll be fine Mom." Mitchie looked down at her food as her parents continued to stare at her a little confused.
"Should I ask why she's got a smile on her face that matches the shape of a coat hanger?" Her dad mused teasingly, frowning at the blush appearing on Mitchie's cheeks. She could still feel his silky lips on top of hers.
"Um... I've had a good day," she answered after a long pause. "Uh huh.. so whose the boy?" Connie smirked ignoring her Dad who choked on his drink.
"N-no one, Mom!" Mitchie pouted not liking the 3rd degree interrogation. "Oh okay, sure." Connie grinned knowingly but thankfully changed the conversation to the wedding tomorrow.
"...Oh you should see her dress, Mitchie. It's beautiful." Mitchie nodded, scraping the food around her plate. "I can't wait till you get married someday honey."
Mitchie coughed slightly and shook her head, "I'm 17, Mom." She reminded before her Mom got to caught up in her fantasy, daughters wedding. "Anyway, I think I might go eat in my room if thats okay?"
Connie surveyed Mitchie carefully before nodding. "Sure, just bring it down when you're done okay?"
Mitchie agreed and got up from the table and dashed out of the kitchen, "She's so happy," she heard her Mom murmur and smiled. "Yes I am."
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"Here, how awesome am I? Feeding the hungry?" Mitchie smirked handing her plate to Shane who took it hesitantly, his eyes avoiding her own. "Thanks," he mumbled, popping a chip into his mouth. Mitchie frowned concerned by his sullen attitude.
"Hey what's wron..." Mitchie's eyes landed on her computer screen and narrowed as she saw Caitlyn's screen name up. "What did she say?!" Mitchie hissed suddenly angry at her best friend.
The feeling was odd for her, she felt overly protective of Shane, even at the expense of leaning against her best friend. "My parents are in Australia?" Shane mumbled pushing the plate away and laying on his back, his eyes glued to the ceiling.
"They don't know that." Mitchie argued sitting beside him, feeling guilty for her mind being so immersed in the memory of kissing him, she felt this conversation was almost inferior. She wanted to kiss him again.
"God they must really hate me." Mitchie chewed on her lip, her eyes shining with sympathy as she saw his eyes glistening. She didn't know how to fix his problems but she knew she had too. "I... look here's what we'll do." She decided being rational about this was the best way. Her authoritative tone temporarily bringing him out of his shadow and he leaned up on his elbows watching her.
"Tomorrow, my parents are out all day. Leaving early. We'll leave early too, get a train and go to your old house. Ask around, someone must know something."
Shane blinked, "really? Mitchie, it's a long way and... you could get found out-"
"No, I won't. And we have to do this." His lips tugged up at the corners and his hands grasped round her arms and pulled her into him, his lips meeting hers in a slow gentle kiss.
"I really like you." He smiled as he pulled away, laying back down on her bed, pulling her with him. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat slowly, like a peaceful rhythm.
"I really like you too."
Shane grinned and closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her small frame. So happy that he'd finally pushed himself to make his feelings clear for her. "Let's get some rest, big day tomorrow huh?"
Mitchie sat up and nodded, "yeah, I'm just going to take my plate down and say goodnight. You go to sleep." She cautiously leaned over and brushed her lips against his in a chaste kiss. He smiled brightly back at her and yawned.
"Okay, night Mitch."
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A lot of randomness, cos i'm in a random mood I guess.
Long time since last update, 2 reasons,
1. My laptop broke, just got it back :)
2. My brother is in hospital so I've been caught up in that.
But I'm back now and ready to continue the fic!
So please Review!
x