Mitchie groaned as she heard the familiar knocking sound a second time within a few seconds. Sitting up seemed too difficult for her so early in the morning with her head throbbing from a hangover from the night before. She threw the covers off her body, one hand holding her head while she reached her other hand out to grab the door knob, turning it several times before actually thinking of unlocking the door before turning the knob. She sighed partly in satisfaction and partly in relief as the door finally opened. Mitchie merely turned back around and lay herself back on her bed the second her eyes caught a flash of who was on the other side of the door, her throbbing head all she could concentrate on at that moment.
"I heard last night was a lot of fun." Nate stated. Mitchie dugg her head back into her pillow, trying to block away all sounds of civilization. She just wanted to sleep forever, but her one day period of rest was gone and it was time to get back to work. Nate walked over to Mitchies bed and stared at her for a while, contemplating whether he should sit or not.
"Yesterday was an awkward day. Whats new?" Mitchie mumbled as she turned her body around, laying flat on her bed, still holding her head as she stared at the ceiling for a while. "Why would you take me to lunch when you knew they'd be there? I thought we were friends again." Mitchie spoke after a couple more seconds of silence, between which Nate had managed to comfortably sit himself down next to Mitchie, leaning against the head board.
"We never stopped being friends." Nate answered. "And to prove how amazing of a friend I am, I brought you this." He said, handing her some aspirin.
Mitchie scoffed at Nate's first reply, sitting up and gulping down the glass within seconds and yearning for a second glass of liquid all too soon. She rested her head on the end of Nate's shoulder and sighed. "Are you trying to crack a joke because I dont remember having any contact with you for several months."
Nate slowly ran his hand over Mitchie's dark hair, waiting several more seconds before replying. "Shane said to not...you know. I mean, you didn't want...and we were so scared for you, and you were...so I" Nate's sentence broke every time he tried to make any sense of the words leaving his mouth, afraid of the still fresh wounds he maybe responsible for digging up again if the topic was bought up.
"We have the Wal-Mart signing in an hour. You should get ready." Nate informed, changing the subject as he scooped himself off the bed and made a dash for the door, trying to avoid the uncomfortable silence that settled between them.
"Yeah...right. Wal-Mart." Mitchie said absentmindedly, her state of mind suddenly taking her back to the events of the previous year in her life.
Mitchie sat down on the edge of her bed, suddenly overflown with emotions she thought she had somewhat stacked to the back of her mind. The emotions she thought she had trained herself over the past couple of months to control. She couldn't control them and it felt like a rush, like she was feeling everything at once. Bits and pieces of everything flashed in front of her eyes and no matter how hard she squeezed them shut or how much she rubbed her still aching head, nothing worked. That was all it took - a little reminder of her past to send her overdrive. The night before, she was too out of it for her emotions to take control, but now, in her full senses even with this hangover she felt like she was alive and dead, both at the same time.
Mitchie had successfully finished eight cigarettes by the next half hour, still sitting on the edge of her bed, still unable to stop herself from thinking of all the 'What if's' when a knock on the door disrupted her. Mitchie tumbled towards the door, slightly dizzy from the rush of emotions that overflowed her and the smoke created by the little glowing stick of death tucked in between two of her fingers. Suddenly she felt drunk all over again, drunk with sadness.
"What?" She yelled, swinging open the door.
"What?" Shane asked, outraged like Mitchie as he waved his hand in front of his face, fanning the cigarette smoke away. "I thought I told you, Mitchie...I told you to stay the hell away from Nate, but why does that seem so hard for you?" He asked, stepping closer to her. "First the shopping shit yesterday- have you seen the sites apparently" he inserted air bubbles in between the sentence "Nitchie is happening, and then the first thing I see when I leave my room this morning is Nate leaving yours. I told you to stay away from him, not to get closer to him!"
Mitchie crossed her arms around her chest, defensively, narrowing her eyes down on him. "Did you really expect me to still listen to you?"
"Yes." He said firmly. "I did because I don't want things to get complicated. Gosh! You don't get shit do you?" He asked, angrily. "If anything happens between you and Nate, don't you realize things will never be the same again?"
"You still think things can ever be the same again, Shane?" Mitchie laughed humorlessly. "Are you like, living under some sort of illusion or something?" She stared at him in absolute amazement. "I come back home after I don't know, four months was it? And I find you fucking Franchesca in the guestroom. Thanks for doing it in the guestroom though, made me feel so much better." She ended sarcastically. "And now, yes! Things can go back to normal, right? Maybe I can be the flower girl at your wedding, how does that sound?"
"It sounds like you decided to run away when I needed you!" Shane replied back, his eyes visibly grew wider as Mitchie confronted him. "We promised to stick together, we promised no matter what happens we'd make it together, but you just decided to run away. You refused to speak to me for fucking weeks and I wouldnt see you for months, how do you think that made me feel when I was going through exactly what you were?"
"I'm sorry that it's my fault now that you cheated on me. Please forgive me, Shane."
"Why is it so useless talking to you these days? Why do you have to bring up stuff that is better left in the past?"
"Because.." Mitchie said. "You may be able to forget what happened, but I never can no matter how hard I try, Shane. And I definitely cannot forget the fact that I was cheated on by you. By you, of all people!"
"I love you so much, Mitchie. So much, I don't even know how to explain it." Shane looked down at his girlfriend, kissing down her neck before nuzzling his head in the hollow in between her shoulder and neck. Mitchie shifted a little under his weight, the feeling of their bare skins against each other making her skin feel like it was on fire, even if she had experienced the feeling many times before. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life, baby" He looked up, kissing her cheek and grinning down at her. Mitchie smiled back and gently kissed him, her heart beating fast just by staring at the gorgeous man talking to her. "You're amazing and you're my best friend and I just can't believe that you're mine. I love you.." Mitchie found herself blushing. She had heard the three words leave his mouth countless times before, but every time it felt like it was the first. "I love you too, Shane." She admitted and Shane's grin grew wider. "I love hearing you say that."
"Mitchie! Shane!" They both turned their heads towards the locked door, staring at it for the sound coming from the other side. "Dinner's ready, we're waiting for you downstairs."
"Oh shit!" Mitchie mumbled, both of them springing off the bed in the matter of a millisecond, scrambling around the room for their discarded clothes. Shane was already fully clothed by the time Mitchie had managed to successfully gather her bra, tank top and shorts in a messy pile in her hands, looking around crazily for her underwear. "Shane.." Mitchie said, out of breath. "Go get your hair brushed, it looks weird." She pointed towards the dresser, still clothe-less and searching for her lost item of clothing.
"What?" Shane asked with a smirk, acting offended. "I kind of like the after sext hair." He ran his fingers through his locks, smothering out his hair as he amusingly watched Mitchie continue to search.
"Shit shit shit shit." She groaned in frustration, finally giving up and going to the bottom drawer on her dresser..
"Oh, you were looking for these?" Shane chuckled as Mitchie turned around to find him holding the article of clothing she was looking for. "Found them long ago." He smirked.
"Ughh, Shane!" Mitchie walked over to him in annoyance. "Why'd you make me look for them if you had them?" She asked.
"I like watching you naked."
"You perv." Mitchie shook her head, getting dressed. "I don't even want to-"
Shane laughed, cupping Mitchie's face and kissing her cheek. "I'm going down, love. Don't take too long."
Mitchie nodded as she pulled her tank top over her head. "Gosh, they're right! We do sound like an old married couple." She laughed as Shane left her room.
"I never tried to forget any of it." He shot back defensively. "But, Mitchie.." His voice softened a little as his eyes locked in a battle with hers, his fingers ever so lightly grazing hers as she slowly slipped the now nearly finished cigarette out of Mitchie's fingers and held it captive in his hand, closing his palm, allowing his flesh to lightly burn at the heat. "you have to move on. At least try to."
"I'm tired of trying, because it never works. It never fucking works, Shane." She admitted, truthfully.
"Well then, make it fucking work." He replied, losing his patience. "And while you're at it, lay low on the bloody cancer sticks. At least let the people that don't know us believe the lie that we're all perfect. Dont take that away from them."
Mitchie was still in a daze by the time she went down to leave for Wal-Mart with the band. Clara had informed her that Nate was waiting for her at the lobby so they could leave together as the rest of the band had already left, but she found no Nate. No, instead her eyes landed on Shane. One of his hands was snaked around Franchesca's waist while he cupped her face with the other. She laughed at something Shane whispered in her ear and he leaned down to place a small kiss on her lips. All Mitchie did was stare- all she could do was stare. She felt emotionless at that moment from all the feelings she had experienced previously that morning. She didnt stop staring when Franchesca spotted Mitchie and let Shane know of her presence. It was like she couldnt control her eyes to move away from them. She placed her overpriced designer sunglasses over her eyes as she watched Shane approach her in annoyance.
"About time you got here."
"About time you learn not the suck face in public." She replied, looking over Shane's shoulder at Franchesca who was watching the whole exchange from where her and Shane had been kissing seconds ago. "Where's Nate?" Mitchie asked looking around.
"Oh, don't be a bitch, Mitchie." He retorted. "Nate had to leave cause dad thought it would be better if we went there together to show everyone there's no tension."
"Yeah, because riding together would clear all fucking rumours."
Shane grabbed Mitchie's wrist, catching her off guard and pulling her into him. "Just put a fucking smile on that face of yours the ten seconds it takes for us to get through the paparazzi and into the car and it will be fine." He spoke into her ear, his voice low and dark. With his warm breath so close to her skin, his lips almost touching her ear it made her feel like her body was exploding in fire. "Don't mess this or we'll both get shit from dad." He warned as Mitchie found herself out of his grasp and walked towards the front entrance of the hotel angrily with Shane and Franchesca following closely behind. She didnt miss the disapproving look Francesca had sent towards Shane and her about their close contact seconds ago, but it went away from Mitchie's mind as quick as it entered. Franchesca had little relevance in Mitchies life like all of Shanes previous girlfriends, because she knew they came as fast as they went, but Franchesca was the one Shane had managed to keep past the expire date the press had set for their relationship which surprised everyone. Everyone thought she was just another girl Shane needed to fill the lonely void in his life. No one thought she'd last this long and the fact that she was the first girl Shane was with after Mitchie, she was the first girl Shane Gray dated after 4 years, she was the girl that replaced Mitchie Torres, that was the most relevant thing about her at that moment.
When Mitchie was invited onto the stage that night to perform her duet with Shane, she didn't see the way he had his hands in his pockets as he walked - something she loved so much about him or the way his eyebrows rose when he talked because the second she saw his face, she knew it would be one of those nights. One of those nights where Shane and Mitchie would refuse to acknowledge each other, staying on opposite ends of the stage and singing their parts and leaving once the song was over, not that she minded. They had been on each others back the whole day, continuously bickering until Shane's father had to give them another lecture. Shane's annoyance grew when he saw the signs in the crowd. Even though they were in such a phase in their relationship where being civil with each other seemed like a near to impossible task, he still hated the signs in the crowd approving of his younger brother and the girl he had loved like no other being together.
He hated seeing her, he hated the way things had turned out.
-X-
Mitchie laughed at the TV screen, the bright light, being the only thing illuminating her dark room as Dana's head fell onto Mitchie's shoulder, still laughing.
"That's just so stupid." Mitchie exclaimed, pointing to the screen. "Do people actually do that in real life?"
"mmh" Was Dana's reply, too busy attacking the tub of ice-cream on her lap. Mitchie shook her head, still laughing at the second movie they were watching that night. All thoughts and previous conversations of the day were erased from her mind as she cuddled up next to her best friend watching brainless comedies for the most part of the night even if they knew they'd have to be awake at the crack of dawn the next day. She felt careless and happy with Dana and it was something she longed to feel the last couple of months.
"This is so much better than getting wasted!" Dana announced, with her spoon still in her mouth and all the ice-cream already vanished into her body.
"Tell me about it." Mitchie replied, still staring at the screen as she munched on a packet of Lays.
"No, you tell me about it. Apparently Shane brought you up last night? Whats with that?"
Mitchie frowned at the sound of his name and looked at her best friend. "It's not a big deal. He only brought me up because I was apparently making a fool of him along with myself down there."
"Was Franchesca there?"
"Ughh..." Mitchie groaned, digging her head into the pillow on her lap. "Can we not talk about her?"
"Of course she was there! She's like his rebound/sudden love of his life."
"I don't fucking care. Gosh, shut up. Are you even my best friend?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"No, you dumbass." Mitchie kicked Dana.
"Oh, well, then yes I am, but I wish Nate had brought me up to my room last night. All I got was a waiter." Dana whined causing Mitchie to laugh. "If that happened I would legit die."
"You sound like such a fan girl and don't even think about it. Nate is off limits as with all the Gray brothers."
"Why?" Dana teased. "Someone jealous?"
"If I had something to do with them, then I would be jealous, but right now I only have three Grays that I can actually have a civil conversation with - Dani, Nate and Riley."
"The dog?" Dana asked, confused.
Mitchie nodded her head. "The cute little puppy."
"That's fucked."
"I know." Mitchie sighed, blowing at her bangs. "But Nate is like made for Caitlyn and I cant see him with anyone else. I'm gonna try to get them back together well, at least try to. I'm not sure Caity would even want to talk to me after everything that happened."
"You can still try." Dana offered.
Mitchie nodded as they heard a knock on the door. Both friends looked at each other, confused at who it could be so late in the night. They were sure everyone was tired and dozing off to dream land after such a long day and tiring show, but they seemed to be wrong. Mitchie didn't get up to answer the door until she heard the knock again.
"Wait." Dana said. "What if it's like a murderer?"
Mitchie knit her eyebrows together, looking at her friend. "In this hotel with all the security? I think we're free of murderers Dana oh... its Shane." She breathed, looking through the peephole, happy it was someone a little pleasant than a murderer at least. But then the realization drew to her, Shane was at her door at 3 am, his eyes red and swollen from the lack of sleep, his posture slumped as he waited impatiently for Mitchie to open the door.
"Dana, stay where you are." Mitchie took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Shane, it's 3 am." She said opening the door.
Shane immediately straightened up as soon as Mitchie opened the door to answer. The passage was deserted and snoring sounds could be heard form the other ends of the doors.
"Mitchie..." Shane started, his voice so low, she wasnt sure she heard her name leave his lips. Mitchie looked at him hesitantly and confused until he opened his palm and revealed what he had. Her heart started beating faster than she could comprehend and she looked from the piece of metal in Shane's hand to his face several times before her breathing composed. "...I never returned this." He stated, holding her wrist, her palm automatically opening as he dropped the ring into it.
Mitchie stared at him with shock evident in her eyes, her face expressionless. Her mind was wandering at a speed she found difficult to follow as her fingers gripped around the metal, holding onto it as if it were her life. He gave back the ring, he gave back the ring, he gave back the ring. Those words replayed in her mind the whole time she stood there staring at him. Shane's cold fingers burned against Mitchie's warm skin as his hand went up to cup a side of her face. Mitchie's head turned down, her eyes looking at the ring in her palm that she had been so used to seeing on Shane for nearly two years as if she could no longer believe he would not be wearing it from now on. It was like a realization of certain sorts hit her and she wasnt even able to tell when Shane had left with her still standing there with the ring in her hand, confused and heartbroken all over again.
Soooo theres a ring/there was a ring what to ya'll think about that? And nate being awkward and a little bit of why they are how they are is revealed with now you guys knowing that Shane cheated on Mitchie BUT let me tell you that is not the big picture...so much happened before the cheating scandal which I have yet to let you guys know of. This chapter had a lot of reference of the past with the conversations between nate and Mitchie, Mitchie and Shane which probably left you guys guessing and making lots of theories which I would LOVE to hear :D And then Shane did say Mitchie was away for months...well shane said a lot of things to her this chapter, tell me what you guys think all of its about :PP
And I would let you guys know, if you're confused about the flashbacks well they are around 2-3years old from the time when Mitchie was 18 and Shane was 20 but they are now both 21 and 24 respectively. Just wanted to clear that out.
I was gonna put some more in this chapter but then I thought it would be too much and I didnt want this to be the revealation chapter, no. I feel its too early for a revealation of everything although you guys might have started guessing some stuff plus, this was like a tiny promo of the past.
Anyway I would like to thank everyone for the reviews! I'm so happy you guys reviewed, it really does mean a lot. So please tell me if you likes/hated this chapter.
Review :)