Broken Strings

Chapter 3: First Comes Blush Then Comes Warning

Camila POV

I kind of like having some time away from the girls. Don't get me wrong I love them like sisters but we haven't had a second away from each other since we were put together. I need "me time" which usually consist of me writing in my journal. I was sitting in the kitchen of the tour bus trying to write a song but let me tell you it wasn't easy.

All the sudden I was brought out of my thoughts when Shannon sat down across from me at the table. I looked up and she was just smiling at me shyly. I felt my stomach drop. I took a earbud out.

"Hi" she said softly still smiling.

"Hi" I said still feeling incredibly nervous. This would be our first real conversation.

"Sorry I am interrupting? You kind of looked into whatever you were doing?" She said all the sudden looking worried.

I looked at her confused and then realized what she was talking about.

"Oh this? No this is stupid I was just messing around" I said closing the journal quickly and hiding it behind me. Shannon laughed a little and didn't really question it, which I was thankful for.

"Well I wanted to come say hey. We haven't really talked or even met formally. The least I can do is apologize for running into you back during the competition" she said sounding genuinely sorry.

"Wow you remember that? That was so long ago. And you didn't run into me, I ran into you" I explained shocked she even remembered our small meaningless interaction.

"Trust me I remember. You don't run into someone as beautiful as you everyday." She said and I blushed looking down at my hands. She thought I was beautiful? She couldn't be serious. I just sat there like a idiot not knowing what to say. She just looked at me smiling.

"Anyway I will let you get back to writing" Shannon said getting up from the table.

"No wait. Don't go. Im sorry I can get awkward when I'm nervous. Please stay" I said almost begging probably sounding pathetic. She smiled and sat back down. We sat there for a minute in silence before I took a deep breath and spoke.

"Can I ask you what your tattoos mean?" I asked not really knowing what to say under pressure but I truly wanted to know. She had a couple not too many. Not enough to look trashy but enough to make her look edgy in a beautiful way.

"Yeah." She laughed. "It might take a while. Are you sure you want to hear about them?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yeah. I'm interested. I love tattoos. But my mom would never let me get one." I said regretting it instantly knowing how lame I must have sounded.

"Well your mom has to right idea. Sometime I wish I had someone to tell me no. I regret a few but I still love them" She said looking at the ones that were visible.

"What's this from?" I ask pointing at the small music notes going across her wrist.

"Its the notes from the first song I ever wrote" She said looking at me proud of the art on her arm.

"Thats so cool. I wish I wasn't such a wuss. I want one so bad" I said.

"You should get one right here." She said softly holding my arm gently dragging the pad of her thumb over my skin right below the crease in my arm.

I watched her while she examined my skin. She looked up at me and we both locked eyes. It was crazy. My stomach felt like it was doing backflips. We just looked at each other for a few seconds too long. Shannon broke the gaze first fake clearing her throat.

"What about that one? What does that stand for?" I said trying to start up another conversation.

She looked down at the bird on her arm and got quiet.

"Um...that is a nightingale. It's a tattoo Demi and I both got after she was released from rehab. So..." She said her face looking completely different from how it did a minute ago. She looked defeated.

"Im sorry. I shouldn't have asked" I said feeling bad for having her explain its meaning.

"No don't worry about it really" She said looking up shooting me a fake smile. Right then I heard someone enter the bus.

"Camila!" Someone yelled into the bus.

"Yeah" I yell back. Big Rob walks up the stairs and into the bus.

"The girls are ready for rehearsal and need you on stage." He says then stops when he see's Shannon. "Hey Shan" He said giving Shannon a big bear hug.

"Hey Big Rob! Long time no see" She said smiling in Big Rob's grasp. I had totally forgotten that Big Rob used to be Demi and the Jonas Brother's body guard. So technically Shannon's as well.

"Good seeing you! But I have to get Camila to rehearsal. We will catch up later?" He says then turns to me and gives me a serious hurry up look.

"Okay...okay." I say rolling my eye at how pushy Big Rob is being. "It was really good talking to you Shannon. Im obviously being summoned but I will see you after rehearsal?" I asked.

"Yeah of course. Have fun!" She said with a cute smile watching walk out of the bus. Once I stepped off I took a deep breath and let it out with a obvious blush. I noticed Big Rob staring at me with a devilish grin.

"What?!" I asked now composed but embarrassed that he noticed.

"Nothing! You just look really happy. Like maybe you like her?" He stated but I knew he was asking as a question.

"No! I don't like Shannon like that. I have just known about her for so long that it was cool to have our first real conversation together" I said trying to cover myself as best as I could. Big Rob shot me a "I don't believe you" smile.

"Okay Mila. I know you better than that but I just want you to be careful" he said starting to walk into the hotel. I stood there confused for a second.

"Wait! What do you mean by be careful?" I asked curious and a little nervous for the answer. He stopped, turned around and sighed.

"I didn't mean anything bad by it. I love Shannon like a daughter. I just know she has been through a lot even before Demi. She isn't your average girl Camila. She is special but she is fighting a lot of demons in that head of hers. I just want you to be careful with your heart. That's all." He said. I didn't respond. I silently followed him to our rehearsal room trying to think about what he had just said.

I know Big Rob is just trying to protect me but there is just something about Shannon that I am drawn too. Nothing anyone says or does is going to stop me or scare me away from getting to know who she really is.