A/N: Okay, I know doing two stories at once is a little crazy, but I was just writing one day and came up with this. I hope it's not too confusing, but I promise all will be clear by the end of the story. Review, please!

-LizzyBeth(:

Disclaimer: I don't own Camp Rock.

Chapter One

The world around me was shattered. Tears leaked from my eyes, and a deep sadness was the only emotion one could find when peering into them. My body shook in grief, my throat burning as bloodcurdling screams erupted. Sobs of remorse were the only sounds heard in the room and they were pouring out of me. I had nothing and no one left, yet I felt an overpowering feeling of anguish for those around me. They all looked on helplessly, some even releasing tears of their own. Discrepant emotions were exposed in each of their gazes, but none of those emotions were one of comfort, as they were grieving also. Anger is often released while being overcome from the type of pain that absorbed my core. I was definitely one of those people. I was raging mad. My hands desperately in need of a glass to break, papers to rip…anything, but I found myself still hunched over on the cold tile floor with uncontrollable cries racketing my breath. I couldn't throw a tantrum and release my anger, because my anger wasn't toward anyone other than myself. A torturing fury was etched inside of me, and it was one I wasn't sure would ever be withdrawn from my soul.

I wondered profusely how they felt. I had suffered before them for only ten excruciatingly long and painful minutes, but a spine chilling anger circulated inside of me, toward myself and had come in that short amount of time because of them. The battle of emotions in their eyes, felt like the confusion one could find in differentiating between sympathy and pity. I knew I was the cause of that, and for that I was furious with myself. For the rest of my life, these people would sit on edge if they were around me, not knowing what emotion to bring forth in their features but desperately hoping it to be the right one. It was odd that while most people would have automatically expressed pity when facing me, this bunch seemed to be fighting to express everything but it. I loved them all so much, for they were there for me even though they had no reason to be. None of them had any duties toward me, but they all stood unmoving watching and waiting, when they had the freedom to flee at any given moment. I was eighteen therefore no one had forced custody over me, and at first it left me undeniably confused that they would remain in touch with such a cruel, unworthy person as myself, but I soon was brought to the realization that if they were friends with my parents they were undoubtedly good people. The loss of those parents was surrounding them in grief also though, so their comforting nature was limited. One glance at my mothers trembling best friend brought a sudden wave of strength, and although tiny whimpers remained their constant tumble from my lips, I slowly and carefully stood, on the verge of collapsing at their feet once again.

"I-I'm sincerely sorry f-for your loss." I whispered shakily, tears rolling down my delicate cheeks all the while. Feeling the need to return the emotion they were giving me.

Gasps ignited from mouths and arms crushed my strong stance, causing the sobs to return and the misery to increase, only this time it was shared. I hadn't felt this at home in ages, only reminding me of why they should all hate me, but instead my thoughts were silenced as words of comfort were offered in all directions. I suddenly pulled away to bore my eyes into each of the three mourning bodies that were latched onto me and the other three that were watching in sadness.

"Jenny and John Brooks, Matt Reynolds, Dave McIntire, Eloise Fields, and Katy Harris." I breathed out in admiration, ignoring their looks of concern at my weird statement, and continued, "I just w-want you to know, t-that I will n-never forget you. A-And…"

Katy encased me into another hug, "D-Don't."

One look into her crystal blue eyes told me she had no idea what I was talking about, but that she wanted me to stop talking before I pushed myself too far over the edge. I knew she had meant well with her words, but they were useless. I had fallen off that edge a long few minutes ago.

"I have to." I spoke firmly, wiggling myself from her grasp as I wiped my tears and willed my voice to come through clearly. "I wanted…I wanted to tell you that I appreciate you so much, and I know I haven't exactly shown that lately…" I swallowed the lump in my throat, fighting tears, "but I do. And that's why this is most likely the last time you will see me."

"D-Don't. Please, you don't have to d-do this. Just s-stop." Katy whimpered.

Frowns now graced all their facial features, and I couldn't help the silent tears that began to fall again. "I know how hard this is for you right now…how hard it is to be around me. So I don't want you to. I don't want you to feel any more pain than you have to after burying my parents in the ground thirty minutes ago." Eloise released a sob, but I kept on. "I admire how much you seem to care for me after all the crap I recently put you through, but I can't look you in the eye knowing my presence is causing pain. You guys were my parents' best friends, and the only real family I have. But I love you enough to let you go, and if you love me, you'll do the same." I was now shaking, but I forced myself to grab my belongings and head toward the door of the Brooks' home.

I heard cries erupting and felt a searing pain in my heart as I turned the knob, before a sudden force on my elbow halted my actions.

"Michelle, don't do this. We can all get through this together. I know we can. We're a family. Blood-related or not." A stern voice spoke and spun me around to face them.

I shook my head sadly, and spun on my heel to leave, when a more desperate and more firm grip yanked me backward once again.

"Do. Not. Do this." He hand voice firm, but his eyes held unshed tears that soon spilled over. The sight made my stomach clench, because it was quite unsettling to see him cry, as I had never seen such a thing before. "Y-You're like the daughter I never had. I c-can't…I d-don't know what I'll do if you…l-leave." He shook me repeatedly as he spoke, and made my tears fall more quickly.

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, breathing in his scent as I clung to him and murmured into his neck, "I love you Uncle Matt." His green eyes dulled at my words, as they locked with my chocolate ones, and I willed myself away.

With one final glance, I darted for the door before I could change my mind, and hopped into the beat up thing that could barely be recognized as a car. I tore down the road, and onto the highway, using the map in front of me to lead me to my destination. It wasn't what anyone with common sense would call a rational decision, but I thought I was doing the right thing. I had clothes, money, and even a few snacks in the car. I was prepared. A few days after my parents died, I planned this…this escape from everyone and everything. But for once it wasn't a selfish act I'd committed with only myself in mind. It was for them, the people who had known me and loved me like family as I had grown up. They were the only family, other than my parents, that I had, and I knew that after what had happened recently I couldn't stick around and ruin their lives. My newly dyed black hair synchronized with the wind, and softly brushed against my face as I rolled the window down. Regret began to gnaw at my insides, but I ignored it as I recalled the expressions on their sullen faces. I was going to L.A. and that was final. It was a long ways away from Texas, but it was somewhere I knew no one would find me and the one place I might be able to make something of myself.

The breeze dried the last of the tears on my face, and I suddenly felt the need to do something rash. So I did. To be honest, I don't know what came over me. I can't possibly explain what exactly was flowing through my mind. I don't know why I pulled over, and I don't why I let him in the car. But I did. I hadn't even seen his face as he hesitantly stepped into the truck. For a quick moment, I wanted to push him out the car and drive away speedily. I usually ignored hitchhikers as they held their desperate little thumbs out, but this time I stepped over one of the boundaries I had painted quite clearly for myself and I had no idea why.

He stared at his shoes not looking up at me once, "Thanks." His voice was hushed and croaked, as if he hadn't had a drink of water in days.

I reached around in the back of my truck, before throwing him a bottle of water, and nervously tapping my thumbs against the wheel. I slowly pulled away and realized there was no going back, I really had done this. I was really hauling a complete stranger around without having an ounce of a clue to what his intentions were.

"Where do you need to go?" I whispered.

Out the corner of my eye, I saw him shift uncomfortably in his seat. "Um, I actually…I, um…I need to go pretty far so I guess that depends on how far you'll take me." His voice croaked again. I noticed her hadn't touched the water.

"You really need to drink some water. You sound like a dying walrus. I'm not going to drug you up, or anything." I spoke determined to not look my companion in the eye, in fear of what I might find. He seemed to be around my age, but I was too scared to scope him out. This had too have been the dumbest decision I had ever, and could ever make.

He slowly opened the bottle of water, but chugged it hastily. "Thanks." His voice was now less scratchy and richer, as it consumed the tension-filled air.

I nodded my head. "Wait, so what do you mean as far as I'll take you? Where do you plan on ending up?"

He gulped noticeably, "Um, you don't have to take me all that way, but um, I need to go to Los Angeles."

My jaw dropped open at the coincidence, "Really?" The shock I felt was quickly replaced with nerves as I realized how long I was going to be in the car with this guy. "Um, that's weird, because that is exactly where I'm headed."

"Uh, are you serious? I…Wow. Um, could you take me all the way then?" He asked in surprise.

I paused before slowly nodding my head yes. I immediately cursed myself. What did I think I was doing? The silence was eating me alive, and I suddenly realized I shouldn't feel fearful, because he seemed to be ten times more scared.

"I don't…ever do this. Just so you know." I said quickly, feeling the need to explain my actions. "I, um, have absolutely no idea why I let you in my truck. I mean, I don't even know you."

"You probably do." He spoke quietly.

I shook my head firmly, "No, I don't. I don't really have any friends, and I don't know a single person who would hop into a stranger's car."

He sighed. "You don't know me, but you know of me."

I looked at him weirdly, "Um, okay? Look, I don't really think so, but since we're going to be in this car for hours on end, I figure we should introduce ourselves. I'm Michell—Mitchie." I hastily corrected myself, hoping he hadn't noticed my slip up. If I didn't want anyone to find me, I was going to have to change my name.

He seemed to hesitate between telling me his name, so I urged him, "Oh, come on. Your name can't be that bad. It's not like Percy or something is it?" I snorted, but quickly became worried as I was met with silence. "Wait. Your name's not Percy is it? If it is, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to…"

"No." He interrupted. "It's not."

I stopped my ramblings and waited for him to continue in silence.

After a while he let out a troubled sigh, "I might as well tell you. It's not like you won't find out anyway."

I frowned. "What? Never mind. Uh, let's start over. I'm Mitchie." Then I gestured for him to continue.

He sighed again, "Nice to meet you. I'm Shane. Shane Gray."

I immediately snapped my head toward him, to find he hadn't been lying. One-third of the uber famous band, Connect 3, was in my car. Shane-freaking-Gray was in my crappy, good-for-nothing car.

What in god's name was he doing in here?