16
I couldnt help myself. Okay, I didnt even know why I was doing it. But I found myself staring enviously, with jealousy or maybe I was just staring at the picture. Just staring. It felt like years since I had been on one of these gossip sites and when I did go on one I couldnt stop. I kind of felt like a stalker.
I was currently stalking all of the Connect 3 news the sites had to offer, although there wasn't much. Just a few pictures from their last concert or maybe an interview a couple of weeks old. I know this was stupid, because if I did actually want to know any news about them I could just go next door, ring the door bell and say "Yo, wanna tell me somthing gossip worthy so that I dont have to go around stalking you gossip sites and ruining my eyesight?". Oh well. But it wasn't exactly new for me. I was on one of my favourite sites. It was where I got all of my treasured Shane Gray pictures from. And if I may say, I was kind of proud of the 7341 pictures I have collected of Connect 3 over the years. It felt like I had won an award or something when I thought about all the pictures I had collected. I know I sound kind of weird, but dont't we all do that? Collect pictures of our favourite stars? Okay, I admit around 6000 of those pictures were just Shane Shane and more Shane, and the rest were Shane plus the other two members of Connect 3, but you get my obsession right?
Shane would be so freaked out if he ever saw the contents of my laptop.
Maybe he'll run away?
Okay, so getting back to what I was looking at. I felt stupid for feeling like crying. So stupid.
It was a year old picture of Shane, of course. But I didn't have it, nor did I click on it to check it out on the site when it was realeased last year, because the picture also had Shane's ex girlfriend in it. And Jason and Nate, but lets forget about them, shall we? It wasn't Cheryl. No. They hadn't gone public, but another girl. She was an actress too. Pretty, and elegent. It almost hurt seeing how happy they two seemed in that picture. I felt like a tweenie wanting to cry over it because they just seemed so perfect for each other. So perfect. It was at some awards show I remembered watching. Shane looked handsome. Shocker there. He looked happy too, his arms resting casually on the neck of the chair next to him, where his now, ex was sitting. I think her name was Anna. Okay, I know her name was Anna. I could never forget the names of Shane's exes I would spend hours just bitching about them in my head when ever he would be rumored to be seeing someone new, even though I didnt even know the girls. Shallow, I know, but I couldnt help it. Hell, Caity and I would even give them trash names, just to make me feel better. Yes, crazy bitch or what.
He had his arm resting peacefully on the neck of her chair, his face turned sideways and a genuine- Shane Gray smile playing on his gorgeous, pink lips. He stared into her eyes, lovingly almost, I couldn't help but feel jealous. Her elbow rested on her legs, her fingers interwining with Shane's hand, which was resting on her shoulder. I hadn't seen these pictures before, because at the time I only saw them in thumbnail versions. I didnt have the guts to open them up and gush about them or print them and burn them. I was so sad that Shane Gray had a girlfriend. I had already tried to convince myself that I was happy if he was happy, but I knew if I saw those pictures I would just become sad again and they'd burn a hole through my heart, so I stayed away from them, until today. I wasnt happy if he was happy though. I was sad because he wasnt mine then, I know selfish right? But I really did love him. I really do love him.
"Mitchie!" I heard mom's voice come from downstairs and I simultaneously minimized the page I was staring at, like I had just been caught red-handed, as I waited for my mother to come inside. She didn't. I glanced at time on my laptop telling me it was nearly 8pm. Dinner time, no wonder mom was calling me. I sighed and stared at the door once again, waiting for her to come inside and get me. After I was sure she wasn't coming in my room, I opened the page to the image I was staring at. I was being stupid, I know, but they did look adorable together. I can't believe I was saying that, but it was true.
I stared at the picture again untill I heard dad's voice call me. "Mitchie, sweetie, dinner is ready!" He yelled. "Hurry up before it gets cold, the pasta wont taste half as nice...."
I rolled my eyes, laughing and turned my laptop off, mentally telling myself to never go back to that page again.
I walked closer to the glass wall in my room, hoping Shane was in his bedroom. I had the best view ever. But he wasn't.
"Damn." I mumbled under my breath. His bedroom light was turned on but there was no sign of him.
I walked downstars after sighing in dissapointment and was greeted by the most amazing smell of different sauces, that I couldnt quite make out what it was.
"Dad what are you doing?" I laughed as I walked into the kitchen to find my father draped in an apron tasting the content of a pan.
"Taste this honey, does this need any more salt?" He asked, spooning out a spoonful of something that looked like red sauce, but smelt delicious.
"Mmm....No it's good...." I stated. "Wait, why are you cooking?" I asked, confused.
"See, I told you the salt was enough, your mother never agrees with me." Dad said, smiling at my mother who sat comfortably in her seat at the table in the kitchen. "I thought that I'm home after so long so whay not cook my family a nice home cooked dinner? I know we don't really get to have much time together as a family because your mom and I are always out, but a little bit of time together is better than none right?"
I mentally rolled my eyes and smiled at my dad. I didnt like thinking we didn't have the perfect family I always wanted, not that our family wasn't great. My parents are both really wonderful, but I wish they had more time for me, thats all. Dad was always busy with bussiness and would be out of the house half of the year, to different countries expanding the business while mom wasnt always as busy, but around the time her books would wrap up she would be no where in sight. Most of her time would be spent in New York where her publishers were and the time for book number seven was approaching so I wasnt counting on seeing much of her in the coming months.
"Dad...." I started.
"I know, I know..." He smiled, placing a dish of pasta in front of me on the table and sprinkling cheese on top. I could already feel my stomach rumble and my mouth water.
"Okay, yes...I'm digging in." I annoucned. "I can't take it anymore." I said, taking some garlic bread and pasta and then facing Macy's confused glare. "Oh, sorry Mace, here..." I smiled, serving my littel sister some too.
"That's right be a good sister." My mother joked, rubbing my back.
"I am a very good sister, what made you guys think otherwise?" I smiled, cheekily, taking a bite of the pasta. "This..." I pointed to my plate. "Is awesome dad!...you need to cook for us every day!"
"That would be a nice change." Mom chimed in.
"Yeah, daddy...." Macy giggled.
"How about you be a good daughter and tell us who sent you those beautiful flowers?" Mom and dad shared a look and then I found her winking at me.
"What flowers?" I asked absentmindedly, taking another bite. "This sauce is awesome by the way dad..."
"Its from Italy." He stated proudly but was only greeted by moms glare. "Now, back to the topic.....flowers."
"I serously don't know what you guys are talking about....do you want me to buy you flowers or something?"
"No..." Mom and dad both laughed. "Those flowers. Are you seeing someone behind our back?" Mom asked suspiciously, poining towards the counter on the table where there stood a bunch of beautiful yellow flowers in water. I couldnt see them properly and I had to fight the urge to run up and take a better look at them and found myself grinning like an idiot staring back at my parents with the most innocent look I could pull.
Shane.
"They're pretty." Macy smiled at me.
I smiled back hoping my parents would forget about it, dinner would end as soon as possible and I would run up to those flowers and kiss them or something.
"Micthie..."
"What seriously, I dont know who sent them...."
"Really?" Mom asked with a half serious tone.
I nodded and went back to my food, still smiling like an idiot.
"So, when did they come?" The words came flying out of my mouth beofre I could stop them and I immediately regretted it.
"Ah hah!" Dad nearly screeched. "So there is someone?"
"Dad..." I whined. "This is embarrassing! Gosh, just forget about it. There is no one."
"I think it's really cute Davide sent you those flowers." Mom assured me.
Say what?
"What! Davide sent them?" I asked, surprised. He was kind of getting on my nerves now. Seriously, why? Why couldnt Shane send me those flowers, that would have been so good. "Was there a note?"
"There was, but there was no name..."
Talk about no privacy around here.
"So you just assumed it's Davide....wow..." I replied in a sarcastic tone.
Mom ignored me. "Here..." She said, smiling giving me the note. I didn't open it, not in front of them. No thank you. "No name though."
"Oh, that's a Shame...." Again with the sarcasm.
"I like Davide...." my dad muttered.
I wish dad had never met Davide's dad in the last day of camp, and they hadn't become friends. I wish a lot of things, but they hardly ever come true. So, here's to wishing.
"Dad..."
"Although, I thought you liked one of those Gray boys. They're very polite too."
I nearly choked on my water.
"Oh yeah, Shane...you used to be crazy for that boy before they moved in here. You have posters of him in your bathroom..." Mom announced.
Thanks mom....you're making me feel so much better.
"In the bathroom?" Dad asked mom in disbelief.
"Yes, Steve."
"Go for Nate, he's the one who's gonna end up with all of the money..." Dad advised and I nearly choked again. What were they trying to do kill me tonight? "Shane is too old for you anyway, honey."
"Wha- whoa lets slow down, please..." I said with eyes wide open. I couldnt believe we were even having this conversation. "What?"
"He's very polite too...." Mom added.
"They're all polite...why don't I just go off with Jake, the one Macy's age? He's polite too....if thats all you guys are looking for.." I half joked and was kind of half fuming. Nate and me? Ohh dear....
I closed my eyes shut and shook my head trying to get the mental image of Nate and me together out of my head.
I dont even know how to explain how those thoughts felt. Kind of disgusting actually.
Nate and me? Seriously?
"I'm gonna end up with all of the money actually, dad. Remember I'm your daughter?.....Business tycoon Steven Torress' eldest daughter... You wont even let me get a part-time job!" I spoke in an announcement type tone and they all laughed except Macy who I think lost it after the flowers bit.
Shane was so sweet.
"Shane's not too old for me." I mumbled under my breath half hoping they would hear it but not say anything.
Im 17 he's 19. Two years is like nothing.
Nothing.
"Did you say anything honey?" Dad asked.
"No....this pasta is very good!" I changed the subject.
I was relieved when I heard the door bell ring. Maybe Shane sent more flowers. How cute, but it is kind of sad I dont get to share these girly moments with Caity, she would be so happy.
"I'll get it!" I announced, jumping off of my chair and running to the front door before anyone could object.
Opening the I found someone I wasn't expecting. "Torres." Nate smiled, smugly.
Nate and me? Arghhh...
Shut up Mitchie, stop thinking shit.
", how lovely to see you here." I greeted, showing one of my award winning smiles. Okay, well it wasnt award winning but you know what I mean. "Come in...what's up?" I asked leading him to the kitchen.
"I need your help..."
"The great Nate Gray needs my help? How did that happen?" I asked dramatically, holding one hand on my chest and showing a shocked expression. "Hey mom dad, look who's here!" I said loudly as we entered the kitchen. "The Gray that's gonna end up with all of the money!"
Nate sent me a look that said I-already-knew-you-were-crazy-now-no-need-to-confirm-it. Mom and dad told me to shut the fuck up with their expressions to which I could not stop laughing at.
"Good evening Mr and Mrs. Torres." He greeted.
"Polite." Mom said, nodding.
"Come and join us Nate, I cooked pasta..." Dad offered.
"With cheese and...and Garlic bread....and!..." Macy exclaimed excitedly at Nate. It made me wonder if she had a crush on him. Nahh she was only 4 turning 5. No chance.
Dad nodded in sync with mom and I grabbed Nates arm spinning him around and leading him out of the room. "I think we'll leave now....have fun with the rest of dinner Nate doesnt want any!"
"Hey I could do with some Garlic bread, actually." Nate whined as we left the room and stood in the passageway between the kitchen and the drawing room.
"Shut up and speak. Whats up?"
"Okay, so you and Caitlyn are going off to some beach house thingy tomorrow and I really need your help with some school work."
"My help? wow....thats new..."
"C'mon Mitch, I missed the first part of this year I need to catch up and you're helping me. You're coming back sunday night so you wont have time before school and I'll have the weekend to work on the stuff I sorta know...."
"I thought you were home schooled." I asked with a raised eyebrow. I would help him, of course, but it was fun seeing him fumble and and ask for my help.
"Everything's not the same though c'mon...." He whined again.
"Okay, okay...hold your horses..I'll help, just to show how great I am!"
"Gee thanks..."
"But not here...." I said looking towards the kitchen where loud chatter could be heard. "At your place? My parents have this thing going on and want to hook you up with me and it's kinds funny and...." I laughed not able to finish the sentance.
"Me and you?"
"Yes, me and you, Gray." I laughed.
"Odd...."
"Exactly!"
"You sure you wanna come to my place? Shane is there you know."
So what? I would be more than happy to see his face. More than happy. I would jump around and do the happy dance in my mind.
"Umm yeah....Shane isn't a problem." I smiled opening the front door. "Mom, dad I'm going next door. I'll be back in an hour!" I screamed as the door closed.
"So, how are you holding up?" Nate asked.
"Uh.." I stuttered. "I'm good as you can see....Dont worry. I'm over it." I assured.
"No, really Micthie. You really did like Shane....I dont believe you're over it."
"I like him, still....I'm over it." I assured.
Why was I lying again? Oh yeah because Justin would get all pissed off and crazy, I think and there would be this huge fight? Right. And then those screaming girls did seem to be carying knives in their pockets.
"Forget about it, lets help you with school...." I smiled as Nate opened the door to the Gray household.
---
"Do you want some ice-cream?" Nate asked as I turned the page to our Math text book.
"Depends on what you have." I smiled. We had been doing this for more than an hour and the school work never seemed to decrease. I was hoping Shane would barge through the door any second now of course totally unaware I was here and I would get to see him. Just the sight of him would be enough.
"We have chocolate brownie fudge...."
"Get me two of that, actually..." I ordered. "This is kinda tiring."
"Kay, but I kind of forgot to check my blood sugar after dinner so I'm gonna do that and then get it so it might take time...."
"I don't mind."
"Okay, try not to get into trouble while I'm gone."
"I wont..." I smiled an evil smile.
Nate had gone and I found myself staring around him room, bored when suddenly Shanes head popped through the door.
"Shane?" I gasped, staring at him.
"Hello. hello. hello. How nice to see my girlfriend, studying so hard? In my little brothers room..." He said, teasingly entering the room.
I wanted to die when I saw him. He looked like he had come out of one of those shampoo add's. His hair was wet, little droplets falling from the ends and I watched shamelessly how his black t-shirt clung onto his wet body making each muscle on his chest quite visible, and how glorious his bare legs looked, only clad in a pair of black shorts. My breathing was probably extremely loud but I didnt care. I couldnt keep my eyes off of him as he walked over to me and hopped onto Nate's bed which was covered by countless text books. I mean millions, literally.
"Shane, what are you doing here?!" I asked, clearing my mind. What if anyone saw us?
Okay, yes a minute ago I was dying to see him but now that I was actually in that situation. Not so much. I didnt want anyone to see us together. I felt like a spy kinda...
I watched as he rested his head in his palm, his elbow taking support from Nates pillows and body tilted sideway towards me. "Nate really must be a lucky guy. He gets you and Caity, both. It's not fair..." He said, looking hurt. I knew he was joking, but this was not the time to joke Shane Gray.
"Get off..." I screeched in a low tone, pushing his thigh with my hand. "...of the bed." I pushed him again. "No one can see us..." I pointed towards me and then him. "Together." Another push.
He was too heavy for me. Too strong. I dont even think I was successful in pulling half of his body off the bed.
He smiled, smugly at me and crossed his outstretched legs across each other.
The scenes of my dream the night before came flooding back to me and I couldnt help but hide a blush, my lips stupidly smiling. This was not the time to smile and definately not the time to think about my dream. Nate could be back any second now.
His muscular legs do look kind of good. So good.
I shook my head, earsing any sort of inappropiate thinking. Shut up Mitchie.
"Shane...." I whined, giving up and pouting. If my pulling and tugging didnt work then this ought to. He was a guy after all. "Please?" I said, fluttering my eyelashes.
He just let out a small stroke of laughter, moving his hands from his chest and placing them on either side of the bed, his palms resting on Chemistry and History books. "Shane..." I whined again, crawling towards him and pushing his legs, making sure not to touch his flesh. I wasnt too good with hormones here. "Nate is gonna come any minute now, you dont want him to see me with you, right? So get that smokin' ass of yours off of your brothers bed and get the hell outta here!" I said, my face mere inches away from him.
"Why dont you join me?" He asked seductively, pulling my arm, causing me to fall flat on Nates bed. Of all places, NATE'S BED! "We can have fun." Shane whispered in my ear and I shivered so hard, I found him chuckling. I knew he was joking, but I wish he knew what effect such jokes had on me. I guess another dream would greet me tonight, maybe more....heated.
"I hate you." I announced, hitting Shanes stomach. The door was wide open and if anyone passed by, they would know exactly what was going on between us.
"Oh, stop worrying so much, Mitchie." He smiled, turning his body towards me and wrapping his arm around my waist.
Hello, dirty dream!
"Shane." I whispered.
"Jason's really tired and he fell asleep in the recording room...." He said, smiling.
I dont care, really. Not now.
"Fascinating...."
"Mom and dad are out and Nate is gonna take at least 15 minutes....he's gone to check his blood pressure right?"
"Right..." I nodded. "How did you know?"
"He always forgets."
"Oh..." I sighed. "As much as I'm enjoying this...." I pointed towards us. "Please move your ass off of your brothers bed and go to your room before he gets here and sees us like this."
"We wrote three songs today, after so long."
Arghhh SHANE!
Wait what did he just say?
"You wrote a song?"
"Yeah...I mean we did, but it's kind of like the first song the band has written together after we moved here....I'm very excited. Maybe we'll record it during the weekend or something...." He gushed happily that sparkle in his eye making me feel goosebumps.
"That's great, Shane." I said, sitting up, one hand rubbing his chest. "So great." I smiled. "I'm very happy for you."
"I'm happy too..." He smiled and no matter how well I knew that this was not the right place to kiss him, I leaned in forward and did. It felt so good - the way his lips moved against mine in perfect sync. The way he kissed me back, his hands falling to my face. I smiled into the kiss when I heard a groan escape Shanes lips and he held me closer to his body, his hands now falling to his side so that he could pull me into him.
My lips were no longer on his, but my breathing was frantic, and I dont even know why. We werent even kissing for very long, but it was good. So good. I didnt wanna move from there, but we couldnt stay like this the whole night could we? And plus after helping Nate I had to go home and pack.
"Is that why you sent me the flowers?" I breathed into his neck. I was so near I could see each mole on his neck adding to its beauty. I was crazy. Now I found his neck beautiful. Well, everything about him was beautiful of course.
I was glad I wasnt wearing shorts or a skirt or a dress because I wouldnt be able to handle the feeling of Shanes legs brushing against mine. I bit my lip and shook my head, smiling goofily at myself.
My mind needs to be thrown in to the washing machine. It would come out clean at least.
"No, I just sent them because I felt like." He said, kissing my forehead. "Did you like them?"
I ran a hand through his now damp hair and smiled at him. "They were lovely, Shane. Thanks so much."
"I'm glad you liked them, Micth." He smiled into my forehead. "Did you get the little message with it?"
"Yeah, but I didnt get to read it, my parents were acting kind of teenage type.....it was so embarrassing." I said, digging my head into his neck.
He laughed.
I rolled my eyes. "Now could you please go cause only my fairy godmother could save me from Nate now, please?"
"Okay, okay." He said, smiling, getting off of the bed. "But can I meet you before you leave tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure Shane...but we're leaving at 9 so it'll have to be before that."
"And will have to be secret." He said, with an edge to his voice.
I sighed. "I'm sorry I'm making you lie."
"Dont worry about it. I understand you dont wanna be hounded by fans but we could tell our close ones you know. So what Justin will be upset....he'll get over it and maybe I'll get a balck eye.....I dont care."
"Hmm.." I said, thinking about the situation.
"You think about it kay, Mitchie?" He kissed my temple. "See you in the morning....call me if you need me, I'm in the house."
"I will..." I assured with a weak smiled as I watched him walk out of the room.
"And I told you we'd have fun tonight didn't I?" His head came popping through the door again, seconds later.
"Shane!" I screeched, throwing a book at him.
He smiled and dissapeared again.
Nate came back minutes later. I was too happy in my little world to even realize I was still laying on his bed.
"Finding my bed comfy, huh Torres?" He asked with a smirk.
"Gimmie...Gimmiee....Gimmeeee!" I squealed eagerly as he passed me my ice-cream.
"I hope Shane didn't disturb you while I was gone though?"
"Oh no...I didnt even see him...is he even in the house?" I asked with a hint of sarcasm which he was not supposed to catch.
"Strange, I thought I heard you scream his name while I was going up the stairs." Nate said, shaking his head. "Maybe it was just my imagination."
"Your imagination." I repeated, taking a bite of my lovely ice-cream.
His imagination and my reality.
That night I realized one thing that I was stupid enough to not realize before - I made Shane happy and I was my happiest around him. And that I forgot to tell Shane about Davide.
My bad.
---
Hello hello helloooo!!! :D
What do ya'll think? Isnt shane the sweetest, sending Mitchie flowers?
Next chapter will be the opening of the weekend with Caity and maybe more lies and more secrets...I dont wanna tell u guys now...*grins evily*
I wanna thank my lovey Beta reader Lara who fixed this chapter up and gave me advice on how to improve more....I love uuuu! :P
Thank u everyone who reviewed and read the last chapter hope u all liked this tooo....its longer as u might have realized.
I kinda enjoyed writing this.
Review and let me know what u think!
Love u all :D