This is officially the longest chapter I've ever written I think for ANY story I have ever wrote, so be proud that you're eyes are reading it. =)

Disclaimer: Nope own nothing, sorry. If I did which I'm not saying I do Joe and Demi would be together already and Camp Rock 2 would have already premiered. Any more questions?

Ennnnnnnnjoy!



T W E N T Y - T W O

-Back to Mitchie-

Rain dumped from the sky like God was holding a bucket full of water to drench the earth above us, as I ran to the car with Shane laughing right behind me. His damp fingers were slipping through mine, both of us getting soaked from head to toe, but we were too busy laughing like maniacs to care.

Shane opened the door with assistance from his keys and we both dove in, breathless from the mixture of running and laughing. As he plugged in the keys, I flipped the switches on the dashboard to heat of the car. As the world got closer to November, the temperature, even in Cali, was dropping.

Traffic was pretty bad but Shane being his dorky self suggested we play a few rounds of I Spy to pass the time at the crowded red light. I rolled my eyes and instantly declined the game when other thoughts clogged my head. The question was burning my tongue . . .

"Hey are you going with anyone to the dance?" I spat out, quickly looking away acting like it was a casual day to day question but bit my lip as usual.

I caught through my bangs, Shane shrugging."I'll probably be forced to go with Taylor or something I guess." He answered and began tapping his fingers a bit anxiously on the steering wheel. "Um do you have a date?"

I shifted normally back in my seat and with sudden anxiousness as well, began scraping off my nail polish. "Yeah I mean, no! I was asked by a few people but . . . I'm not sure I even want to go."

A smile crashed over Shane's face."Let's skip it."

"Whoa what?! Shane that's crazy we can't just skip the dance!" I argued but actually was thinking it wasn't a bad idea. I'd rather spend the night staring at a wall with Shane than making a fool of myself dancing with some guy I didn't even like – not that I liked Shane!

He scoffed. "Why not? It's not a grade or something like that, who says we have to be there? There's still prom and stuff to go to and since I'm a senior, I'll just go to that and be done."

He was right, why not? "Ok let's say we skip the dance, what are we going to do?" I quizzed watching as the light finally flashed green and the sea of cars began moving forward. Shane began driving with his lips adorably puckered in thought. Lord, what is wrong with me?! Did I just say something Shane did was adorable?!!

"Anything you want to do, Mitch! We can run around in circles in my backyard for all I care, but I know you don't like dances, I'm not a fan myself, so let's have fun that night together."

Together.

I sighed turning down the radio as more complications starting piling up in my head. "But what about Taylor?"

Shane paused but shrugged. "I mean, I guess I really like her, she's nice, pretty hot, but she's so freaking clingy! You know I can't stand that! I just rather be with someone that I'm happy with, like you, instead of miserable with Taylor. She'll be pissed, but I think she's knows I'm gonna break up with her soon anyway. We're not 'relationship' people, you know?"

In silence, I nodded my head but was too drowned in my thoughts to listen anymore. He wasn't a "relationship" person? What the hell did that mean? Shane could be in a stupid real relationship with anyone?! That was so . . . stupid!

Shane was humming this song, turning the radio back up and began rambling something to me, but I didn't even try to clear my head to listen. I still wasn't accepting my feelings, but it just bothered me, what Shane said.

"Mitchie?!" He snapped breaking my thoughts. I guess I had buzzed out for a while. My cheeks boiled as I gave a nod to confirm my attention and he continued. "I was just saying I wrote this new song and I wanted you to hear it."

"Oh um yeah sure."

Shane cocked a brow but continued again."So, do you mind if we head to my house for a few minutes so I could play it for you?"

I gave another absentminded nod, which by the way seemed to piss him off that I wasn't paying attention. He rolled his eyes and pulled into the Gray driveway and we climbed out and into his house where I could see Nate was home alone. He was STILL being a total jerk, even when everyone tried talking to him, not including Alex. He slammed the door in Shane's face, just completely ignored me when I tried talking, and you know how the Miley convo went.

Shane stalked to his room as I half-heartedly trailed behind him and flopped onto his bed as he produced his guitar. His long fingers began dancing around the silver strings flooding the room with a beautiful melody. Shane smirked at me; satisfied he finally had my attention. He always would like this; music was implanted into my heart since birth. It was a part of me and it always would be.

My eyes batted close as he continued to play just lying in his bed and letting myself fall into the sweet tune. But when Shane added his voice, I thought I was in heaven.

I still feel the same
though everything has changed
the pain it cost now
I feel lost inside of my own name

but I keep running
I am running
I keep living for the day that I'm with you
that I'm with you

the past has left its stain
now I feel the shame
I'll seize the day
if you take away
the chains of yesterday

but I keep running
I am running
I keep living for the day that I'm with you
and I am waiting
I am waiting
I keep waiting for the day that I'm with you

a new day
the sun is shining
seems I'm closer to finding
that life is more than where we are
no way that I am turning
as long as the sun is burning
now it seems that all I want is you

I still feel the same
though everything has changed
the pain it cost now
I feel lost inside of my own name

but I keep running
I am running
I keep living for the day that I'm with you
an I am waiting
I am waiting
I keep waiting for the day that I'm with you
that I'm with you

The music faded smoothly to a stop, his fingers sliding from the strings to the glossy, wooden surface of the guitar before he lifted his eyes to mine, lips stretching into a smile, proud of himself for writing his own song. He was like a little kid that discovered something simple yet it meant the world to them and I was the mother smiling just because he was excited.

"That was beautiful, Shane, really."

His returning grin made my heart pop. Just as he was about to respond he was cut off by the sugary bubblegum pop music that was Taylor's ringtone for Shane. He smile warped to a force one as he pressed talk.

"Hey Tay, yeah baby we can talk now."

I stood up, feeling somewhere inside of me, betrayed like I wasn't good enough to be spoken to when it involved Shane's 'girl' that he was 'going to break up with soon'. With the roll of my eyes at his foolish words, I got my stuff and marched out of his bedroom, wet boots squeaking against the floors.

As I stomped down the stairs, Shane's footsteps pounded from behind me, only pushing my legs to go faster. "Mitchie wait, why are you leaving?!" Shane yelled, utterly perturbed.

I rolled my eyes again without a reply and left, walking home in the rain.


I wasn't sure why I left so dramatically yesterday but I did. Great news though! I have a cold. Yep, I'm planted on my couch flinging dirty tissues from my nose onto the ground stuck on Halloween watching TV. I was planning on going Trick or Treating with Alex and Miley until stupid Shane got me sick from running then walking in the rain.

"Are you sure you can't just come, Mitch?" Miley pouted next to me already dressed in her Princess Leia costume. I glanced over at my adorable Lady Bug costume sorrowfully and cursed Shane in my head.

"No sorry guys I feel horrible and plus my mom won't even let me with a fever, but you guys go have fun." I mumbled pushing the best smile I could give. Did I mention I sound sick too? You know that annoying stuffy nose voice? Yep, I was loving Shane right now.

Alex sighed dressed as gothic bride. "Fine, but we'll be back later just in case. Feel better, Mitch." We all squeezed in a group hug before they left and I blankly stared at my television planning ways to bring pain to the Devil tomorrow.

I tried getting some sleep considering the "scary movie" on TV was as frightening as a Chiwawa puppy. The doorbell echoed from the living room but it surprised me because usually trick or treaters never came around this neighborhood.

I slowly lifted myself off the couch, my headache flaring as I walked to the front door. "Trick or Treat!" Came a nasal voice from outside, disguising itself. My brows furrowed and I clicked the lock, opening the door and couldn't help, even with my horrible cold, but tremble with laughter when I saw who was outside.

Shane was standing there dressed as a doctor with a lab coat, stethoscope, red scrubs, and highly unattractive, thick rimmed and black glasses. He gave goofy grin and let himself in as I gained my breath back after seeing him.

"I heard someone was sick, so I had to make a house call." Shane recited in a deep, 'doctors' voice to me, plugging the stethoscope into his ears and examining me. My heart melted from its frozen state seeing Shane had skipped the hottest party tonight to visit me when I was sick. He really was a good guy.

Glowing with happiness, I gave a dramatic pout like Miley had and looked at him with my big brown eyes. "I don't feel good."

Shane frowned and threw his arms around me in a big bear hug that immediately cured my yucky feelings. "Aww, Mitchie." When he pulled away, Shane took my hand, hot skin rubbing against my sick, cold flesh. He led us back to the couch shutting off the TV temporarily so the crackle of the fireplace surrounded the room.

I noticed he had a gray Doctor's Kit with him with a bunch of stickers I'm guessing Frankie stamped on that I had to smile at. Shane placed the kit on the armrest and began to comb through it. "I brought all the perfect supplies Mitch; Medicine, Tea, your favorite movies, some soup, and even gummy worms!"

Weakly, I giggled and shivered though the room was probably warm. Shane reached over, shutting off the lamp in the process and took the fuzzy white blanket, wrapping it around me as we sat together on the loveseat.

Shane then stood up to the kitchen returning with a plastic spoon and handed me my steaming hot tomato soup; my favorite. I made him bend down to give me another hug, chuckling against my hair. "What movies did you bring?" I asked before slurping my soup.

"First, A Walk To Remember, I know you love it." Shane shrugged switching the TV back on and sliding the DVD in before returning to his seat and pouring some Herbal Tea for me. Damn, Shane was so good to me. Now I understood why Taylor had such a tight grip on him but . . . he was doing this for me.

He handed me the cup gently, still holding it for me as I took a sip. "You're the best, best friend in the world Shane Gray."

Shane smirked a bit bitterly. "Even when I'm an ass and ditch you for my ex-girlfriends?"

"Even— EX?! You broke up with Taylor?!" I questioned shrilly, my voice raising as I panicked. She was going to kill me!

Shane paused the movie with a sigh and nodded. "Yeah right after you left. She went crazy on me because of you, which I was use to, but when she started talking bad about you, I was done. I could have been nicer about it, but no one talks about my Mitchie like that."

Ok cue the waterworks. I can't believe I was such a bitch to him yesterday. After ignoring him in the car, walking out on him because of something stupid, and who knows what else I'd done, Shane stood up to his girlfriend just because of a few things she said about me then he broke up with her and now was taking care of me when I was sick instead of having fun on Halloween.

"Aw Shane!" I set my soup down, crawling into his lap and squeezing myself into his chest. He chuckled again, hugging me back and burying his face into my hair. Call me crazy but with Shane holding me right now, nothing felt so real and perfect. It was like my tiny frame molded perfectly into his arms and against his body.

Maybe it wasn't so bad having a crush on Shane . . . No, I can think later. Right now, I want to enjoy my night with my best friend.

"Ok," I giggled fixing myself back against the couch but kept myself snuggled comfortably against his chest and stomach. "When do I get my gummy worms?"

"Finish your soup first, and then you can have dessert."

I poked my tongue out at him. "Fine MOM!"

Shane rolled his eyes but smiled good naturedly and we watched the movie together, snuggled on the couch, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Halloween.


-4 Days Later-

-Alex's P.O.V-

"Can you believe our first school dance of the year is 2 days away?!" Miley shrieked as Mitchie and I trailed beside our partially insane best friend in the hallway. Miles always gets hysterical about those sorts of things, but what was the big deal? I'd never been asked to a dance, never been asked to dance with someone, and never will.

Mitchie giggled, sweet as always. I wish I could be as carefree as her and Miley were. "Yeah and I still don't have a date and don't want one."

"Amen!" I joked exchanging a high five with Mitch as she laughed. Miley rolled her eyes, always hating my careless attitude. We were exact opposites which was why we were best friends. Miley was the girl in pink, bubbly and outgoing and up for anything. Me, Alex, was the girl in something funky that no one else would wear or jeans and converse that was antisocial and sarcastic. I never understood what Justin had once seen in me.

"Come on guys! You can still get dates!"

I opened my hideous lime green locker with a sarcastic smile. "Wow Miley, I feel really great now! What about you, Mitchie? We still have time to get last minutes dates with desperate people!"

Mitchie dug through her locker to cover up her giggles as Miley frowned at me. It was so much fun to kill her never ending rainbow of happiness. Ugh I got nauseated just saying that. She was about to respond when all three of us froze seeing Justin Banks striding to us without his and Shane's followers.

He was walking towards me. I suddenly felt my stomach flush with nerves, heart kicking into an unhealthy pace, and a whole new form of nausea took over my body. Justin and I hadn't had a civilized one on one conversation in like what, a year?!

I knew my feelings for him were strong at his party when I freaking cried seeing him with someone else. I never cry! Trust me, I felt stupid after that. Well, not as stupid as I did after I let Shane seduce me and I actually enjoyed every second of that night. It was way better than my first time with Justin over the summer. I hate, do you understand? – hate to admit this, but Shane was like amazing which is a very small reason why I didn't want Mitchie to have those dreams about him. He would hypnotize her like he had temporarily done with me and then he would break her because a jerk like him has no feelings. I may have forgiven him for taking advantage of me, but I still hated him very much.

Anyway, back to reality. Justin strolled toward me, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. I would never admit that it stung that he was embarrassed to be seen talking to me, or at least about to. I observes his clothes, so different from the ones he use to wear when we were together. His damn dark teal football jersey, black and baggy jeans, and black Vans. I swear the jersey never comes off.

Once he was positive no one was watching, he smiled, a real Justin smile that was lopsided and the cutest thing. Why had I ever wasted my time crushing on an idiot like Shane? He stopped in front of me, smiling at Mitchie and Miley like we were all good friends again. Things would never be the same.

"Hey Lex—"

"Don't call me that." I interrupted with a grimace. Just because he was talking to me, didn't change anything. He still ditched Miley and I for popularity and dumped me without even the nerve to do it to my face. He had Nate heartlessly come and tell me we were done, but I already knew we were over.

Justin's smile wobbled. "Um sorry, look I know you and I are um . . . "

"Not friends at all." Miley came in along with Mitchie, supporting me as always. I made a mental note when I had a joke about Miles, I wouldn't use it next time. She always had my and Mitchie's back.

Justin . . . blushed? At least a little bit. That was creepy yet kinda cute too. "Right, look I um wanted to ask you to um . . . go with me to the dance?"

My body was blank. "What."

He laughed awkwardly until Miley and Mitchie exchanged warning looks at him and walked off for our privacy. "Yeah Alex, will you go to the dance with me?"

"Is this a dumb prank you and Shane or Troy or whatever stupid friend of yours are pulling on me?"

A look of hurt flickered his eyes, but I barely noticed. "No Alex, I am being serious. I want to go to the dance with you." He confessed uncomfortably rubbing his fingers together like he use to when we were younger.

I looked away will thousands of thoughts jumbling my brain just watching as Shane found Mitchie and Miley in the hallway. I watched surprised, for the first time catching an indescribable wave of happiness and excitement glow in Shane's eyes when he saw Mitchie and genuinely smiled. I had never, even with Mandy, seen him this way.

It astonished me. Had Mitchie really changed him? She had only been back in California for 4 months. How could she have cured Shane's little black heart like that? Unless . . . No, jerks like Shane don't have feelings and they don't fall in love. But the way he just looks at her . . . so amazed. It was love. Pure love and attractive and adoration that I had never seen in anyone's eyes except my father's when he looked at my mom. They were in love; I knew it, but Shane . . .

"Alex?" Justin called and I looked again finding Miley gone as Shane playfully took both his and Mitchie's book bag over his shoulder not letting Mitchie have hers back and they walked to class just laughing at nothing.

I fixed my eyes back to Justin. I just wanted to be alone. "Fine I'll go but if this is a trick—"

"It won't be, thanks Alex and by the way, you look great." Justin nodded before walking off leaving me stunned.


-Nate's P.O.V-

I ambled through the empty halls of the school, all bodies stuffed in classrooms as they should be. I was late, again but what difference did it make? I was failing school anyway, but I wasn't stupid. What was the point in trying? Who did I have to make proud? Mom was too busy working, thinking Shane and I were failing regardless though my brother was a straight A student, Jason was in the hospital all the time so I barely got to even see my brother, and all dad cared about was alcohol and of course how amazing Shane was on the football field.

Yeah it sounded pathetic, but I was a loner and I didn't need anyone else. I wanted other people but how could I trust anyone? I trusted Shane to be around, even now, but he's too obsessed with Mitchie to pay attention to me. I would trust Mitchie but her friends don't trust me and I missed her as a sister like hell. I trusted Miley and Alex and look where that got me? They kept that fucking secret from me all this time. I think I had a right to know my supposed best friend slept with my brother don't you agree?

It doesn't matter anyway. Alex will hate Shane and I regardless of what we do. I gave up trying a long time ago. But with Miley, I loved her so much and I was afraid in time she would turn on me too. I knew she was disappointed and with every word I broke her heart, but I just couldn't be with her. I was a mess and she deserved someone so much better to keep her beautiful heart happy and unbroken.

As for where I disappear to on school days, it wasn't a huge mystery. No, I wasn't hiding in an alley taking drugs or drinking, that wasn't me. I tried drugs but they did nothing for me. The only thing I could rely on was cutting myself but every time I put the blade or knife to my wrist I thought about how much pain Miley would be in if she found out and I just couldn't do it.

I wasn't doing anything bad, just during school I was sometimes walk to the park by our house that Mitchie and I use to play games in when we were younger. Behind the playground was a lake and a forest. I would sit in the grass and think sometimes write some music and bring my guitar. It was pretty deep in the woods, so no one ever found me but I wasn't a bit surprised Mitchie never remembered.

Sighing I opened the doors to my Math class, 18 minutes late. The teacher didn't even bother to say anything knowing I wouldn't listen anyway. As I walked to the back, I stared at Alex's disgusted face when she saw me, rolling my eyes. Next was Miley beside her. She sadly held my gaze before looking away. It just crushed my heart more, but I deserved it. I glanced at Mitchie doodling in her notebook and chuckled. She was always a daydreamer. I made a note to talk to her later about Shane.

I sat down actually listening half-heartedly today but kept watching Miley, letting myself drown in the torture.


The bell to our last class screamed around the school. Exhaling I stood up and watched Shane teased Mitch about something and she gasped, smacking him with her book. She would never understand how my brother lived to see her every morning. Those little moments she thought were nothing were everything to Shane.

I caught Miley's peek at me though she pretended to be listening to Alex's story, something about Justin, with her eyes alive with questions. I chuckled internally. She always had to know everything and could see through me like an open door.

The girls left and I waited with my patience thinning as Shane flirted like he would never see Mitchie again instead of just leaving the girl alone. But I kept my eyes on Mitchie. I had been told by everyone I know, I analyze things too much. I could see right through her smile, that she was afraid. Mitchie was afraid my brother would hurt her, but she had no idea how different reality was. Shane would never hurt her. Even if we don't talk, he would never let anything happen to her without getting himself hurt before.

Mitchie didn't understand everything he did had a purpose. She couldn't see how close he walked with her in the hallway, even when they were playing around, because of how protective he was of her. She couldn't see how addicted my poor brother had become. I was scared to death she would hurt him unintentionally.

I didn't know the whole story, but when Mitchie did storm off a few days ago, Shane went crazy yelling at the person on the phone. Whatever hurt Mitchie killed Shane. It sounded like some love story and I thought it was kinda funny, but Mitchie was like his angel. She healed the hatred and pain that swallowed my brother and made him a better person, saved him from everything. Without Mitchie, Shane was lost.

I was terrified that if she didn't love him back, even just a little bit, that would break him. I think she did, but just hasn't really realized it yet but that was fine. I didn't care if it took her 30 years, as long as she did love him back, my brother would be ok.

Finally after like 10 minutes of harassing her – or flirting, call it what you want – Shane left as Mitchie got her things and I pounced on the opportunity. "Hey um Mitchie."

She looked up, big doe-brown eyes shocked that I was talking to her again. Slowly she responded. "Hey Nate, is everything ok?"

I chuckled. She was such a mom to us sometimes. "Yeah I'm pretty good right now, but I wanted to talk to you."

Mitchie remained silent gathering her things and I opened the door for her as we walked into the busy hallway. I rolled my eyes seeing Shane leaning against the wall, watching me with warning infusing his eyes to not hurt her. Chill Shane, I'm not taking your girlfriend, ok?

She turned to me with a slight hesitance but not fear. "Ok let's talk."

"I think we have an audience." I grumbled seeing Shane's glare still on me. Puzzled, Mitchie turned around and let out a sigh when she found Shane.

"Hold on," Mitchie walked over to him and his glare vanished. Of course you're nice to her! She spoke to him gently, Shane hanging on her every word like he always did like a little obsessed puppy. She gave him a quick hug after his nod and returned to me. With one final glare, Shane walked off.

"Ok I wanted to talk about Shane with you."

I watched in amusement as her cheeks lit up with neon pink against her pale skin. "Um why? I-I mean what about Shane?" She stuttered out, begging with her chocolate eyes to not ask anything she didn't wanna answer.

"Relax Mitchie, not about that. I want to give you a warning or advice really." I announced and the color paled from her face replaced by her brows mounting. I continued. "Now I know you're feelings for my brother aren't solid and that's ok. A lot of people are afraid to trust him, it's hard to. But I believe, I know, he will not hurt you. I'm saying this as his brother because even if I don't act like it, I love him and of course you're one of my best friends Mitchie. Please, please don't break him."

Her expression was the same, ruffled in confusion. "Nate, why would you say that? I'm never going to hurt Shane!"

Crap she was getting defensive. "I'm not saying you will. I trust you but unintentionally I'm just asking to try your best. Please you don't know how fragile he is. One wrong word from you and he will shatter."

Mitchie bit her lip but when her eyes met mine, they were full of understanding. "I promise you Nate I will try very hard, all I can with all my heart, to not hurt him."

"Thank you."


OMG Nate isn't heartless!!!!!

Wow Alex and Nate in 1 chapter? How awesome am I? Just kidding! So I hoped you liked it and I think I nailed Alex's mind pretty well. Nate will take some practice but I think you guys can understand why he acts like the way he does and his feelings for Miley were pretty clear.

So HALLELUAH TAYLOR IS GONE!

Sorry, I just couldn't wait to remove her from Smitchie's way and what better way to do that than have Shane defend Mitchie and dump her? I might add the infamous "27 second phone call" later on, who knows. But I am planning, if you guys want, to add a series of one shots when this story is done, like flashbacks once everything is finished including the Jaylor break up (or Shaylor I guess?) and maybe Smitchie's first date and stuff like that, just little additions to the story as another story lol

One more thing: I will have a BIG chapter (The Prom) that will be in No one's P.O.V so you can be in everyone's mind that night and A LOT will be happening then. It will probably be like a 3 part chapter or something or just really long.

Questions:

Did you enjoy Nate and Alex's minds?

How do you feel now about Nate?

Any ideas or suggestions?

-

Thank you for your awesome reviews!