A thousand sorrys! I am really super sorry. I never meant to get this up so late, but I haven't been on my computer for the past three days, so I never got the chance to work on it. But here it is. BTW, have you noticed all my recent chapters are really long? And to think, when I first started this, I was having a hard time making the chapters at least 2,000 words. This ones 5,139 words! Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!
I woke up, my alarm clock telling me it was, yet again, time to wake up. I groaned, rolling over. It read 8:00. I sighed and reached for the snooze button. I slammed it, noticing what was on my hand. I smiled, laying back on my pillow and running my fingers across it. It was the ring, my engagement ring. Shane wanted to marry me. Yep. Last night was definitely not a dream.
I squealed, climbing off my bed, as I walked over to the bathroom. I could not wait to call Sierra, Caitlyn, Ally and Marissa to tell them the good news. I closed the door, locked it and turned on the water, stripping myself of my pajamas. I stepped into the shower and let the water run down my body, warming me and waking me. I looked at the ring on my finger, wondering how much Shane had actually spent on it. Was it cheap, or was it crazy expensive? I wanted to know, but I felt that Shane bought it because he loves me and he obviously doesn't care about pricetags.
Unforutnately, I do, which is why it was bugging me. I shook my head, trying to think of something other than money and cleaned myself.
I stepped out of the shower five minutes later, wrapping and towel around my body, then one around my head. I walked back into my room, walking over to my closet to get dressed.
Suddenly, my phone went off, stopping me in the walk to my closet. I turned and walked over to my nightstand, picking up my phone and looking at the caller ID. Unknown. I furrowed my brow, but answered it away. It never hurt to see just who was calling.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice definitely asking who was calling.
"Hey, is this Mitchie?" a guy asked. His voice, it sounded so familiar. Why?
"Yeess? Who's this?" I asked, wondering if I should really be telling this guy that I was indeed Mitchie.
"Sorry, this is Randy Tellman from Intentionally Records." Oh. Right. Duh.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't reconize your voice." somewhat a lie, but not completely.
"Otto Lancaster is also here," Randy said.
"Hey Mitchie," Otto said. "you're on speaker."
"So, what's up?" I asked, walking over to my closet. I riffled through clothes, deciding on what to wear.
"We were actually calling to ask you if you've thought about our offer." he said. Oh, that. I bit my lip, trying to remember if I had actually made a decision yet.
"Um..." I trailed off and one of them sighed aloud.
"Mitchie, look, we really want to work with you," I smiled at what Otto said. "but if you're not not going to be serious about this, then we can't work with you." he said in such a soft voice, almost like he was talking to a child.
"I'm sorry, I just... I don't know, it's all so sudden." I told them and pulled a white short-sleeved babydoll shirt from my closet.
"Hey, we completely understand, we've been there." Randy said, sounding truely honest. I smiled.
"But, that doesn't mean you should second guess youself, Mitchie. You've got a lot of talent, more than most of the kids we see now-a-days." Otto jumped in, laughing at the end. I grabbed my black skinny jeans from my desk chair and tossed both items on my bed.
"So, really, what we're trying to say is... we think you should go for it." Randy finished.
"But-"
"You really need to stop using that word. Just cut it from your vocabulary right now." Randy said, an annoyed tone. I sighed, thinking of how I could say this sentence without the word "but" in it.
"How is someone like me supposed to do that? It's not like I have connections with Hollywood or anything." I walked over to my dresser, pulling out a bra and underwear. "Besides, the only track you heard was me singing live. I suck singing live." I scoffed at my own suckiness.
"Are you serious?" Otto asked. "Mitchie, why do you keep tearing yourself down? You know you can sing. And you sounded incredible live. We've actually never worked with anyone who could sing that well without all the editing. There are only a few who can do that, you should consider yourself lucky." I walked over to my bed, sitting down with two towels, still, wrapped around me. Otto was right. It was a known fact. I was lucky. It was as simple as that.
"You're right." I told him. "You are absolutely right." I could feel it, the confidence just building up inside of me, ready to burst and take me on the adventure of my life.
"I'm glad you think so." Otto replied, a slight "I told you so" sound in his voice. I smiled.
"So, when do I start?"
Yes, it was true. I told them I'd work with them. Was I taking a huge leap? Yes. Was I getting myself into some really big problems? Possibly? I wasn't sure, but whatever would happen, I knew Shane would be there to catch me, or straighten me out.
After getting dressed I called Shane and asked him if we could meet up at the park around twelve. I didn't tell him why I wanted to meet him at the park, but he didn't really ask any questions, so I didn't have to answer. After ending my phone call with Shane, I did my make up and combed my hair, deciding I would let it air dry that day.
Then I called Sierra. I had no idea what to expect when I told her the news, but I was sure that it was going to be an excited reaction, surely it would, I mean, I couldn't imagine Sierra getting mad at me for agreeing to marry Shane. She was my best friend after all. She trusted me.
"Ahhhhh!" which is what she screamed in my ear after I told her the news. I whinced, pulling my phone slightly away from my, now, ringing ear.
"Uh, I'm going to take that as a happy scream." I said.
"Of course it's a happy sream, why wouldn't I be happy about this? Mitchie, you're getting married!" she said and squealed. I giggled and walked out of my room, heading downstairs.
"I know -" I sighed "- nothing this great as ever happend to me before. I feel like a million bucks." I smiled as I reached the bottom step, walking into the kitchen. "Hey, you don't happen to have a picnic basket, do you?" I asked Sierra.
"Why? Going on a picnic date with Shane?" she asked, sounding all ooey gooey, like she knew that's exactly what I was going to do. Well, yes, it was true. She was right and she knew it. I knew it.
"Yes. Now do you have one?" I asked again, hoping she wouldn't say anymore about it being a date. She sighed, blowing her breath into the phone.
"Yeah, I got one." she said, nonchalantly.
"Good. Would you mind bringing it over? I need to talk to you about something anyway."
"Sure. I'll be over in ten." she said and we hung up. I slid my phone in my back pocket and saw Mom walking into the kitchen.
"Hey Mom," I said, smiling at her. She looked at me, smiling back. Mom always looked so put together. She was dressed in black straight leg deans, tan wedges and a dark green polo tee.
"Hi Sweetie," she said back as she walked over to the fridge, opening the door and pulling out a carton of milk. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet by the sink and walked over to the island. I walked over to the opposite side, looking at her.
"Can I tell you something?" I asked her. She looked up at me, pouring milk into her glass.
"Yeah, what's up?" she said in that warming Mom voice. I smiled and walked over to the table, Mom followed with her milk and we both sat down.
"Remember Randy and Otto from Intentionally Records?" I started. She nodded. "Well, remember I told you they called about a week ago, telling me they wanted to sign me?" she nodded again, holding her glass with both hands. I could tell she was becoming worried, nervous, hopeful. I was afraid she was going to react like this. I didn't want her to worry about me, I didn't want her to think I wasn't ready. She didn't need to be afraid.
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth, saying, "They called this morning and... I said yes." Mom let her breath out, her fingers white from holding her cup so tightly.
"Y-you said... yes?" she asked, a little more than shocked. I slowly nodded. "Oh, Mitchie," she said in her worried voice.
"Mom, please," I said, stopping her before she could say anymore. "I am so sure of this. I know you're worried, I know you're scared. But I am too. I know this is a big risk, but... I'm going to take it. This is my only chance to shine." I said, my chin quivering at the end. Mom bit her lip and put her hand on my face. I could see the tears building up in her pretty brown eyes. My vision started to blur as I felt the pain of tears in my throat. "Please," I whispered and she blinked, a tear escaping her eyes. She opened them back up and nodded, sniffling.
"Okay." she managed to get out and I smiled, reaching over and hugging her, my tears spilling out onto her shoulder.
"Thank you." I whispered and she held me tighter.
After I got control of my tears, Sierra showed up, holding the picnic basket in her hands. I smiled, knowing she never lets me down.
"So," Sierra spoke once we were in the kitchen. I walked over to the fridge and started pulling out stuff to make sandwiches with. "you need any help with this picnic food?" she asked, waving her hands around.
"You really want to help?" I asked, looking back at her from the fridge. She stared at me for a second, then slowly nodded, like she was trying to tell herself and not me. I chuckled. "Sure." Sierra smiled and walked over to me, helping me carry my massive load of condiments to the island.
We ended up making way too many sandwiches, and wasting way too many items of food on useless sandwiches. Sierra and I counted all the sandwiches. We had made 12 sandwiches. Turkey, lettuce, tomato and mayo on four of them, Ham lettuce, cheese and miracle whip on three and the rest -five- were covered in turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.
And during all this, I still had my record contract conversation with her. This is how it went:
"Sierra, I've got something to tell you." I said and she looked up at me from the sandwich she was making.
"What's up, Mitch?" I smiled slightly.
"Well, I know you'll probably understand more than anyone else, mainly because you're my best friend." I sighed, stalling. Yes, I was stalling. "I told those guys from Intentionally Records that I'd work with them." I finally breathed out and Sierra looked at me, shocked, I think.
"What?" she asked, blinking her eyes rapidly, like she was trying to wake up from a nightmare.
"I told Randy and Otto I'd work with them and make a record." I said and Sierra dropped her butterknife, letting it fall and make a mess of mustard on the counter. Her mouth was the next to fall before she screamed, leaning over and hugging me.
"OMG! Ahh! Mitchie, this is amazing!" she squealed. I laughed and hugged her back.
"I know!" I smiled and she let go of me, putting her hands on my shoulders.
"You'd better not be playing with me, Mitch. You know how I feel when people play with me." she warned and I put my hands up in surrender.
"I swear, I'm not playing with you. I'm dead serious." She squealed again and got off her stool, dancing like she didn't know how, because she knew how. "Sierra, please," I laughed, grabbing her arm. She stopped and sat back down, a smile still plastered on her face.
"Does Shane know?" she suddenly asked. I bit my lip, shaking my head.
"I'm going to tell him later, after our picnic." she nodded and picked up the butterknife she dropped before.
She squealed once more before saying, "Shane is going to be so excited!" I giggled.
"I hope so."
I turned to Sierra, exhausted from our experimenting. "Well, that was somewhat unsuccessful." She giggled lightly, sounding tired as well.
"Ya think?" she asked then sighed. "What are we gonna do with all these sandwiches?" she motioned over the island. I pursed my lips, thinking.
"I've got an idea,"
Sierra and I drove down to one of the local homeless shelters. We had decided to just give to food away, considering we wouldn't be able to save it all until we finished it ourselves. And besides, other people could use the sandwiches more than we could.
When we arrived, I grabbed the plastic bag of wrapped sandwiches from the backseat and we headed inside, being greeted by a very tall woman. "Hi," I said. "uh, we've never done this before, but we accidentally made too many sandwiches earlier and, since we didn't want to waste the food, we thought we'd give it to the homeless shelter." I said and held up the bag of sandwiches to her.
"I didn't catch your names," she said.
"Oh, I'm Mitchie -" I pointed to myself "- and this is Sierra," I pointed to Sierra, she smiled and waved.
"Well, Mitchie and Sierra, thank you for the sandwiches, but we don't usually take homemade food." she said and my smile dissapeared. "I'm sorry, but we never know when someone is trying to poison people."
"But we're not-"
"I know, but we still can't take a chance. I'm sorry, but thank you for the thought." I smiled weakly and nodded.
"Well, thanks anyway," I said and she nodded.
"It was nice to meet you. Maybe give the sandwiches to yours families and friends." I looked over at Sierra and then back at the lady. I nodded. "Good luck," she said and walked away.
"Well, that was a total bust." Sierra said as we walked out of the building.
"Tell me about it." I said and sighed. I looked at my watch, seeing it was already 9:30 AM. How could time possibly go by so fast? I looked up from my watch at Sierra. "Wanna help me break the news to Ally, Caitlyn and Marissa later?" I asked. She looked at me.
"Which news? You getting married, or you working with Randy and Otto?" she asked once we arrived back at my car.
"Both." I said and we climbed in.
I pulled back into my driveway five minutes later. We walked into my house and I put the bag of sandwiches in the fridge. There was supper, at least for that night, anyway.
I walked into the living room where Sierra was, sitting on the couch watching tv. I sat down beside her and saw that she was watching -yes, I know- House M.D.
We watched an hour episode before I realized what time it was. It was 10:35. I ran upstairs to straighten my hair, which took forty-five minutes, then I changed my clothes -flowy white knee length skirt, pink butterfly shoulder tee and white lace flats. I re-did my makeup, put on some jewlery -my necklace from Shane and some bangles- and grabbed a purse, shoving my phone and chapstick inside before heading downstairs. I did all this in an hour and five minutes. Now you see why I hardly ever straighten my hair.
It was 11:25 when Sierra saw me back in the living room.
"Wow, Mitchie," she said as she stood up, walking over to me. "You look gorgeous." I smiled, feeling my cheeks flush.
"Thanks," I said.
"Hey," she said, pointing a finger at me. "save the blushing for Shane, okay?" I giggled.
"Okay." I hugged her and walked into the kitchen, setting up the picnic basket. I grabbed plastic forks and knives, paper plates, napkins, plastic cups and a picnic blanket from the closet in the hall. I placed everything neatly inside and then pulled the two sandwiches from the fridge that I knew we'd eat and put them inside. I also grabbed a couple of Diet Cokes and stuffed them in as well.
I looked at the clock once I had finished and saw it was 11:40. I picked up the picnic basket, not realizing how heavy it would be, and almost dropped it, luckily I didn't. I put the basket in the passenger seat of the car and ran back in the house. "Seirra," I said once I walked into the living room. She looked away from the tv to look at me.
"Yeah?" she said.
"I'm heading over to the park. Don't stay here all day." I told her.
"Don't worry, I will." I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Good luck!" she said as I walked away.
"Bye!" I shouted back and walked out the door, grabbing my keys. As soon as I hopped in the car, my phone beeped. I dug it out of my purse and saw it was a text from Shane.
"Heading over to the park right now. See u soon ;) -SG" I smiled and texted back.
"On my way as well. You 2 *mwah* -Mitchie"
I hit send and put my phone back in my purse, starting my car and pulling out of my driveway.
Once I pulled out of the driveway and started heading toward the park, I realized I hadn't even thought of what I was going to say to Shane. How was I going to tell him? I hadn't even thought that park through. I didn't know how I was going to start the conversation, how I was going to finish it. I had spent so much time worrying about other things, that I ended up forgetting about the most important detail of all. I felt like an idiot.
So on my way, I rehearsed my lines, knowing what I was going to say and how I was going to casually jump into it. Shane would understand, right? I mean, he's the one who wanted me to take a chance and follow my heart. Though, right at that moment, my heart wasn't telling me much other than to stop making it beat so fast.
I pulled into the park parking lot, getting a space next to the car I had come so used to over the summer. One I knew I would be using a lot while Shane was gone. At least I had that much to look forward to. I turned off the engine, stepping out as I grabbed the picnic basket. I found a good spot by the pond and put the basket down, looking around to see if I could find Shane. His car was there, so he probably wasn't too far away.
I had turned around in a complete circle when I finally spotted Shane sitting on a bench near the swings, his... guitar sitting by him? A confused look took over my face. He had his guitar with him. His Firebird X, that is. The guitar I gave him during our summer at Camp Rock. My confused look suddenly turned into a goofy grin. Shane brought the guitar I'd given him. But why?
Suddenly he looked my way, seeing me standing there and waved, picking up his guitar and walking over. He looked as handsome as ever. His shaggy hair falling over his bushy eyebrows, his skin so tan and warm.
"Hey beautiful," he said as he came over, hugging me with his guitar still in hand.
"Hey handsome," I said as I hugged back. We kissed. "Why'd you bring your guitar?" I asked once we pulled our lips apart.
"I've kind of got a surprise for you." he said and I raised my brow.
"And I thought it was my turn." I rolled my eyes.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"I have a surprise for you." I said and stepped out of the way so Shane could see the picnic basket.
"A picnic basket. Please tell me that's for us?" he asked, a smile on his face.
"Well, I hope so. I didn't spend twenty minutes making it for a total stranger." Shane chuckled and put his one arm around my waist, leaning down and pressing his lips back to mine. I seriously wondered if there would ever come a time when his kiss was not amazing. So soft, so passionate. Yes, that was my Shane Gray.
After we finished kissing, we layed out the picnic blanket and sat down. "Hungry?" I asked him.
"Now I am." he said and I giggled. I pulled out our sandwiches, plates, cups, and other items. I unwrapped Shane's sandwich and put it on one of the plates, handing it to him. "Thanks," he said as he took it. I handed him a Diet Coke as well and then got my own stuff ready.
We ate and talked. We talked about things, like the ConnectThree tour that would possibly be coming up. That made me wonder what it would be like to go on tour with them. Shane and I could share the bed in the back of the tour bus, while Nate and Jason used the bunks. And we'd all be together, having an awesome time singing and making each other happy.
After Shane and I finished eating, we put everything back into the picnic basket. I told myself I would return it to Sierra the next day. After getting the picnic blanket back in, Shane sat back down in the grass and put his guitar on his lap, getting ready to play something. I sat down across from him, less than a foot away.
"I wrote a song yesterday after I took you home," he spoke. "I know how you feel about me maybe going on tour again, but it gets me the same way." he sighed. "I know I have fans to please, but I would much rather spend every second I'm onstage with you. So Mitch, this songs for you." I smiled and he began to strum a tune I would soon come to adore.
"If the heart is always searching,
Can you ever find a home?
I've been looking for that someone,
I'll never make it on my own.
Dreams can't take the place of loving you,
There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
How long will I be waiting,
To be with you again
Gonna tell you that I love you,
In the best way that I can.
I can't take a day without you here,
You're the light that makes my darkness disappear.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
More and more, I start to realize,
I can reach my tomorrow,
I can hold my head high,
And it's all because you're by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When I hold you in my arms
I know that it's forever
I just gotta let you know
I never wanna let you go
Cause when you look me in the eyes.
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
Oh
Whoaa, yeahhhhhhh."
He finished and looked at me. I put my hand to my mouth, feeling a sob ready to burst out. My vision was blurred, but I could still make out Shane. He pulled the guitar strap over his head, setting it down.
"I love you," I managed to get out as a tear slid down my cheek, falling to the grass.
"Come here," he whispered and I crawled over to him as he spread his legs apart, letting me sit between them, my back facing him. He wrapped his arms around me, resting his lips in the crook of my neck. I closed my eyes, letting a few more tears fall from my eyes. This was worse than the first time. Why? Because it was going to be even longer this time.
Shane pulled his lips from my neck and I looked up at him, seeing the tears in his eyes as well. I turned slightly and leaned closer to Shane, as did he. Our lips met, trembling together. I put my hand to his face, feeling tiny whiskers on my palm. He probably hadn't shaved since the night before. Suddenly Shane pulled away, looking at me. I bit my bottom lip and wiped the skin under his eye. It was awful seeing him like this. He pressed his forehead to mine, whispering, "Never leave me,"
"Never." I whispered back.
We were still laying on the blanket thirty minutes later. Shane's right arm under my neck and relaxing behind his head. His other arm across his stomach, holding my right hand. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to remember every second of that, trying to remember Shane's flexing arm under my head, his heart beat in my ear that was pressed against the side of his chest and my hair falling all over the place, probably tickling his skin. I smiled, opening my eyes and looking over at him. His eyes closed, the sun dancing on his skin as he smiled at nothing. He looked like a Beach God. I squeezed Shane's hand and his eyes fluttered open. He looked over at me, still smiling. I smiled back.
"What are you thinking?" I asked him.
"Us, what it would be like to live together." he said. "One day, we're gonna do that, I promise you." I sighed and looked at my other hand, looking at the ring on my finger. It was beautiful, it meant Shane was all mine and I was all his. It meant that our love for each other was stronger than this roller coaster ride we've been on since our summer at Camp Rock. Something breathtaking.
I squeezed Shane's hand again, letting him know that I believed him, and I still do.
I realized I had been holding in my big news for long enough. I wanted to tell Shane, but with his possible tour coming up, I wasn't sure he'd be able to handle it. But I needed to tell him.
I sat up from where I was laying next to Shane, still holding his hand. I turned my bodytoward him and saw the strange look on his face.
"Something wrong?" he asked and sat up beside me, looking at my closely.
"Shane, I have something I really need to tell you," I said and a crease appeared between his eye brows. "I've been putting it off since I our picnic was over and I honestly think if I don't tell you right now, I'm going to regret it." he nodded and inched closer, that adorable crease still between his brows. I bit my lip and took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a second. I opened my eyes back up and spilled. "I'm going to be working with Randy and Otto from Intentionally Records." I said so quick I wasn't sure if Shane heard because he wasn't responding. "Shane? Sha-"
He interrupted me by pressing his lips to mine. He put his hand on the back of my head, pulling me closer as I grabbed his shirt, doing the same. I suddenly pulled away, looking at him as I tried to catch my breath from his sudden surprise. I kept looking from his eyes to his lips, wondering what he was thinking and knowing that I wanted more of his kiss. "W-what are you thinking?" I asked. Shane took a deep breath and let it out as he smiled at me.
"Babe, I am so proud of you!" he said and wrapped me in his arms. I leaned into his hug, but stopped leaning once I realized we were falling backwards. He landed on his back, me on top of him. I looked at him and suddenly, we both started to laugh, but quickly stopped once we saw a flash. We both turned, seeing our "wonderful" photographer. "Oh crap!" Shane breathed and I got up off of him. I pulled him up and we grabbed our stuff, running back to my car.
"Get in!" told him and he jumped into the passenger seat. I hopped in and started the engine, hearing it start, and backed out of the parking lot, getting back onto the main road. "Crap! I cannot believe that just happend." I groaned and ran my fingers through my hair. We came to a red light and I turned to Shane. "Shane, I'm sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen. I feel really bad." I frowned. Shane looked at me, shaking his head.
"It wasn't your fault. I'm just mad that they actually caught us." I sighed and looked back at the light, waiting for it to change.
"You do realize this is going to be all over the media tomorrow morning? Our parents are gonne flip!" I hit the steering wheel with the heel of my hand and watched as the light turned green. I started drving again. Shane groaned.
"Oh, please, do not make me think about that right now, my parents already think we're moving too fast." he said and I looked over at him.
"They do?" I asked. He looked over and nodded.
"Don't worry about them, Mitch. My parents can't break us up." he said, smiling, and I nodded. "Hey, it's going to be ok." I smiled back. He's right. It's all going to be just fine.
What did you think? How was it? I thought it was really cute. What was your favorite part? Mine was definitely Shane singing "When You Look Me in the Eyes". Can't you just picture him singing that song? AHH-MAAZING!