It was 6:30. I reached one sleepy hand out of my blanket and lazily pounded the snooze button. It was Monday morning, and I wasn’t looking forward to school.

My 5 year old sister, Maddie ran into my room screaming and laughing, “No school today, Kailey!!!” she laughed, “President Lincoln’s birthday!!! Tricked you!!! I set your alarm!!!!” she sang proudly, jumping on my bed. “Maddie, get outta here!!!!!” I yelled, hitting her with a pillow.

Maddie took off running and laughing. I grumbly got out of bed. Once I was up, I couldn’t get back to sleep. I slipped on my warm blue robe, got on my penguin slippers, and grabbed my favorite stuffed animal, my great white shark, Jaws.

I trudged downstairs. As I stepped downs, I tripped over my penguin slipper’s feet, and fell down the stairs on my bottom. Maddie started laughing hysterically. “Mommy, she did it AGAIN!” “KAILEY!! ARE YOU OK?!?” screamed my mom; she always expects the worst. “Yeah, mom…..” I said grumpily. This was probably the 5^thor 6^th time I had done this since I got those stupid slippers.

“Mommy, look!!! Kailey still sleeps with that big shark!!” She laughed some more. I hugged Jaws. I had just gotten him last year for my birthday. I have a “thing” for sharks, even my fish had taken on that famous name, and you can already guess what my favorite movie is. And even though I am 15 years old……. I don’t care, I love my big shark

“Can you two behave while I’m at work?” asked my mom, grabbing her purse ready to run out the door. She starts work at 8am, and leaves at like 7am. Her work is only 5 minutes away. “Late for being early!” she always says. I don’t get grown-ups, but then again, they don’t get teenagers.

My gave us both a kiss and said to me, “Watch out for Maddie.” Whatever... Maddie better watch out for herself after what she did this morning, I thought. “Ok, mom. Bye!” And with that, she left.

I grabbed my breakfast and sat down to the computer while Maddie started watching Sesame Street . I enjoyed my computer time in the morning, managing my own website and surfing my favorite websites including mitchel-musso.com. I was looking at an update on the site, when my sister started singing along with one of the characters, which was a big yellow bird. I always forget his name…. (lol) “February, February, February 12^th! February, February, February 12^th! Today is February 12^th!” She sang with him. February 12^th….. Hmmm….. that date sounded so familiar….. I couldn’t remember. I shrugged my shoulders, and went on surfing the web.

I had been on the computer for about 4 hours straight, switching from the internet to one of my favorite games, Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania, caring for a great white shark, when my cell phone rang. “I know where I stand, I know who I am, I would never run away when life gets bad!” sang my phone’s ringtone. I smiled. I loved that song by Hannah Montana aka Miley Cyrus. That was my ultimate favorite show. I loved Disney Channel. I’m a 15 year old kid-at-heart-shark-lover, as my friends called me.

I answered the phone. “Hey, Kails!” said the voice. “Oh, hey Alexis!” I said. “Can you come over?” she asked. “Maddie,” I answered grudgingly. “Oh, babysitter duty, huh?” “Yeah,” I answered as I glared at Maddie who had an innocent expression on her face.

We talked for about an hour, when the phone rang. “I hate when this happens,” I said to Alexis. I trudged to the phone and looked at the caller id. The phone read “Popstar! Mag.” “Who is it?” Alexis asked. “Just Popstar Magazine. Probably trying to sell me a subscription,” I answered.

We both must have thought the same thing at the same time, when the phone was on its 4^th ring. “OH MY GOSH, ALEXIS!!!!!!!” I screamed. “ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!!!” she yelled. I ran to the phone and picked it up…….

“Hello?” I asked to the phone. “Hello! This is Popstar Magazine! Is Samantha Aarons available?” the voice asked. “This is her,” I said as calmly as I could. “May I ask who I’m speaking to?” “I’m Tina Collans,” she answered. “I have some very exciting mews for you, Kailey!” she said. “Do you remember the Win a Date with Mitchel Musso Contest we had back in the December issue?” she asked. “Yes….” I said, my heart beginning to pound. “Well,” Ms. Collans said, “You are the winner! Mitchel picked you!” “Ms. Collans, can you hold on for just a second?” I covered the phone with my hand, then I screamed and danced around the room. Sasha stared at me strangely as my mom walked through the door. “What’s wrong?” “Mom!!!! I won!!! I won the date with Mitchel Musso!!!!!!!” I shouted. “You won?!? Let me speak to the lady!” she said. “Hold on mom!!!” I yelled. “Ms. Collans, are you still there?” I asked to the phone. “Yes, Kailey. I was just to ask, can I speak with a parent or legal guardian please?”

I handed the phone to my mom. She and Ms. Collans talked for a while, then she smiled really big and handed me the phone again. “Ms. Collans wants to talk to you again,” she said smiling. “Hello, Ms. Collans?” I asked.

“Hey, Samantha!” I gasped, as my mom giggled. That voice was not Ms. Collans. It was a boy’s voice, one that was so familiar, one I had heard many times before…….

“Mitchel?!?!” I asked confused and excited all at the same time. “Yup! That’s me! Nice to talk to you!” he said cheerfully over the phone. “You to….. Um….. Well, yeah, I’m Kailey as you’ve might have heard. Um…… so what’s up with you?” I said using my “cool” voice that always amused Maddie.

I heard her giggle as Mitchel laughed. I made Mitchel Musso laugh!!!!! “Well, I was just wondering where’d you like to go for our date. We’re supposed to go to a restaurant, but I just thought what you think about it, just for fun, even though we’re going to eat somewhere,” he said. “Well, certainly not a restaurant!!!” I said. Ooops…

“Why not?” he asked confused. “Ok, first of all, as much as I’m happy to win this thing, it’s not fair to you or even me!” Why was I saying this? “Why?” I could tell he was smiling. “Because, even though I’ve seen you on T.V. everyday, and you read my resume thing, you still don’t know what I’m like and I don’t know what you’re like! A restaurant is so awkward for a first date. If you run out things to say, or can’t say anything at all, then all you have to say is, “That food was delicious!” like 5 times and “These… um…. napkins…. are cool…..” Talk about awkward!!!” I exclaimed.

“Really?” he said, amused. “Where would you go then?” “Amusement Park ! Definitely!” I said. “You like amusement parks?” he asked curiously. “Oh yeah!!! I love roller coasters! They rock!!!” I said excitedly. “It would be perfect for a date, too! You’d always have something to talk about! You could say, “That roller coaster was sweet!” or “This funnel cake rocks!” There’s always something to talk about!” I said.

“That’s a good idea!” he said laughing. “Anything else?” he sounded excited to here my next opinionated response. “The beach! But not one of those “I enjoy long walks on the beach” things, but rather the 3 S’s!!!” I said. “The 3 S’s?” he asked. “Yeah!! The 3 S’s!!!!” I said. “Surf, swim, and Sharks!!!” “Sharks?!?” he asked confused. “Did you read the thing on my resume that said what my favorite movie was? Or my dream job?! Jaws!! Marine Biologist!!!” I practically shouted in excitement. “Oh, yeah!” he laughed again. “That would be pretty cool!” “I know!!! The beach is awesome!” I said.

“Anywho, what’s happening with this, like when is the date thing gonna happen?” “Well, we had a date in mind. Around July 21^st?” “My Birthday!!!! Yeah!!!!” I exclaimed excitedly. “That’s your birthday?” he asked. “Yep! You’re 12 days older than me!” I laughed. “Are you sure you want to come on your 16^th birthday?” he asked, sounding worried. “It’s fine! I’m having a party a week before, so no biggie!” “Cool birthday present, then!” he said laughing. “So here’s what’s happening, we’re sending you a schedule with all the info and times and stuff, but I’m gonna tell you the basic stuff. You’re going to fly out to California , and my mom and I will pick you and whoever you take from the airport.” I gulped. Fly?!? “Then we’ll meet the Popstar person at the restaurant.” he said. “They’ll be sitting at another table, right?” I said, weakly. He laughed, “Definitely! I can’t wait to meet you!!! Bye!!!” he said. “Bye,” I said.

I hung up the phone. I ran up to my room, shut the door, and clicked my lock. I flung myself onto my bed and started to cry. FLY?!? I had always been afraid of flying, then 9/11 totally had me panicked. How could I go? I was so scared. I continued crying till about 3:00, when mom called, “Kails! Time to get dressed!” Then, I realized my dad hated flying, too. Even if I made it through the plane trip, I’d face something even scarier; meeting my celeb crush; with my mom…..

Well, I just got done talking to Kailey, the girl I picked for the contest. Surprise! She didn’t scream in my ear! She was talking to me, normally! Like I was just a normal guy!

It was the day before the trip. Yes, I decided to take the trip. Even with my mom. See, mom’s one of those parents who doesn’t try to embarrass me, but does anyway, that’s why I’m so worried about taking the trip with her.

We just got back for the store, where I bought Mitchel a late birthday present, a skateboard.

It was my mom’s idea. She said, “Kailey, you should buy Mitchel a birthday present!” I said, “Mom, I’m gonna seem totally desperate!!!” “Kails, get out of the car and don’t come back till you get something!” I climbed out of the car, grabbed my cell phone, and slammed the door of the car. Mom drove off to the JC Penney, down the strip mall.

She had dropped me off in front of a Target. I checked my wallet $103 cash, $2 in change, and $150 visa gift card my parents had gotten me for my birthday.

I walked around the store for about a half and hour before getting mad and walking out of the store. Thanks a lot mom, I thought.

I had walked down the strip mall before getting to JC Penney, when I noticed a small sports store with big words in the window that screamed “ SALE !” I might as well check, I thought.

I walked inside, greeted by a salesperson. “May I help you?” he asked. “Um…..” I had a sudden thought. “Yeah, actually… um…. a skateboard….” “Follow me,” he said. “What kind are you looking for?” he asked. “I’m not sure, but something that this person could use; he’s a really good skater, I think…. He likes to do tricks… He’s been riding for a while….Does that help?” I said confused. “Yes, very much actually,” he said “I’ll find the wheels and you pick out a board design,” He went to a backroom, while I looked at dozens of board designs. Skulls, waves, and freaky looking dudes all looked at me from the high shelves. Nothing. The salesman came back with wheels in hand. “Find anything?” he asked. “No,” I answered. “There is a design a board computer over there,” he said, leading me to a computer. “Pick out the stuff from the picture selection or internet you want on your board, then drag to place it on the board on the computer, then print out your design to bring it to me.” He left me to design.

When I was finished, the board I gave it to the salesman. “Come back in 30 minutes.”

30 minutes, later, after walking around the store 5 times, the salesman waved me over. “Here you go! I hope you like it!” There, was a perfectly built, perfectly designed skateboard. I had found a cartoon version of Mitchel as Oliver on the internet. I designed it so it looked like he was skateboarding. Then, I had designed the words, “The Ollie,” on it. (The Ollie is a skateboard move perfect, words for Mitchel who plays Oliver aka Smokin’ Oken aka Ollie Trolley!!!!)

“Thanks!” I exclaimed. “No problem,” he said, “$239.93, please!” There goes my birthday money, on a person I’ll never see again!!!!! Here comes the anger again.

I met my mom in her car, where she gushed, “What a cute board!!!” She didn’t even ask about the price.

When we got home; “Guess what I found at JC Penney for you!” she said excitedly. Oh boy… Mom is not a good clothes shopper for me. She always picks out the opposite of what I like, and then makes me feel guilty about it!

Mom pulled out something out of the shopping bag that put me in shock. A beautiful skirt that looked like a beach wrap, a t-shirt, and a cute tank top. The skirt was white with ocean blue hibiscuses sprinkled all around. There was a plain white fitted tee with an adorable ocean blue tank with a single white-outlined hibiscus that matched the skirt. “Mom!!! It’s so cute!!!!” I shouted as I through my arms around her neck for a hug. “I knew you’d like it!” she said. “Don’t get used to it!” I warned jokingly.

We spent the rest of the day packing for the trip. I packed all my clothes, and the essentials for a plane trip; iPod, portable DVD player with the Hannah Montana DVD, (lol) my Jaws book, Jaws my stuffed animal shark, and gum.

It was about 11:30pm before I was done, when I finally turned off my light, and crawled into bed, thinking about my journey ahead, before I drifted off to a dream about Mitchel…..

“KAILEY!!!!!!!” Ugh…. Maddie!!!! I turned over and checked my clock. 4:30am. “I’m so gonna kill you, Maddie!!!!” I yelled from under my blankets. “No you won’t! You gotta get up early so you can look HOT for Mitchel!! And the plane leaves at 8:00am!!” She started laughing hysterically. “Maddie, that’s gross!!!” I shouted. But she’s right, I laughed to myself.

I yawned, stretched, then slipped out of bed. I went into the bathroom, where I took a long, hot shower until Maddie started shouting and pounding on the door, “Kailey, its 5:00!!! Mommy says hurry up!!!”

I got out of the shower, dried and styled my long, curly hair into a, as
Maddie would call it, “One ponytail in the middle with the hair down!” with a fish ribbon to hold the small ponytail. I dressed into the new outfit that mom had gotten me and stepped out of the bathroom at 5:30. I walked down the stairs, where I saw mom waiting by the door with all our bags. “Hurry up, Kailey!” she said as she threw me an apple. “Dad’s going to drive us to the airport,” she explained.

We loaded up the car, and were soon off to the airport. When we got there it was about 6:30. The fear of riding was soon passed after I saw all the security and lots of mechanics outside checking our plane.

Mom and I worked our through the different lines and bag checks that we had do after we hugged and kissed Dad and Maddie goodbye. When we finally boarded the plane and hour later, I was pooped. I settled down into my seat with my iPod.

It seemed like an hour had passed, when mom tapped my on the shoulder, smiling. I took off my earphones. “Yeah, mom?” “I have another surprise for you,” she said. “I booked a few more days at the hotel after the date! We can go around and do more things in California !” “Mom!!!!” I hugged her tight. “This is so sweet!!” “I’d knew you’d like to!” she said, proud. Wow, she’s on a roll! I laughed to myself. I settled back into my seat with my DVD player.

A few hours later, a voice can through the intercom. “Passengers, please secure your possessions and fasten your seatbelts, we are about to land.” Jitterbugs ran through my spine and I got goosebumps as we started to land. “Nervous?” mom asked. “Yeah,” I answered. “About Mitchel?” “No, mom I’m nervous about a shark biting off my leg,” I said sarcastically, while rolling my eyes. “Watch it, Kailey,” warned mom.

I grabbed my luggage and stepped off the plane into the airport, mom right behind me. I looked around the airport, that’s when, I saw him………….

Mitchel must have recognized me from the picture, because as soon as he saw me, he grinned and practically ran over to me. I almost extended my hand for a handshake, but he hugged me instead. “Hi, Kailey! Nice to finally meet you in person!” he said. I had been smiling from the sudden embrace and answered a little too happily, “You too!” Mitchel’s mom had met us and we were introduced. “Mom, this is Kailey,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Musso!” I exclaimed, shaking her hand . “This is my mom,” I said. The two women hugged in greeting.

I could feel my cheeks burning in blush, when Mitchel said, “Ok, let’s stop by your hotel so you can check in and drop off your bags.”

I could feel the stares of the girls around the airport. A few came up and asked for his autograph, then, pretty soon a crowd of girls were following us around. When we reached the limo, they had to bring security to keep the crowd away. I was totally embarrassed. I knew Mitchel could tell, and he put his hand on my shoulder. “Are you ok?” “Yeah! I never experienced a mob before, that’s all,” I joked. Mitchel laughed “It’s been worse!”

We pulled up to the hotel. It was about 11:30 now. “We’ll drive around the parking lot till we spot you again,” Mitchel said. Mom and I got out of the limo, and checked into the hotel and dropped off our bags. We were out of there in 20 minutes.

We met the limo back in the front of the hotel. We drove to a restaurant near the Disney Park . We climbed out of the limo and walked into the restaurant, where Mitchel and I took a small booth on one side of the restaurant, my mom, the Popstar representive who happened to be Ms. Collans, and Mrs. Musso, took another booth on the other said of the restaurant.

Mitchel and I started to talk. “So what do you like to do?” he asked. “Hang out with friends, video games, shopping, cooking; I like to do a little bit of everything,” I answered. “I’m kinda in between tomboy and girly girl in the whole interests thing. One day I’ll be shopping, the next day I’ll be playing football or something, then the next day, I’ll be on a roller coaster,” I said, hoping that he’d accept that. “That’s cool,” he said. “Do you have lots of friends?” “Oh yeah! The many interests and personalty has defiantly helped the friend factor!”

We continued to talk about his career and what he likes to do. Sports, school, movies, music; which we both liked the same kind! It seemed that we became fast friends by the time the food came. I was sad to see we were finished eating; the date was almost done. Then, Mitchel asked, “Ok, this is a huge question but…. Would you like to hang out the rest of the week? We could go to the beach after this, tomorrow we could go to Disneyland , and Friday you can come to the set of Hannah Montana! You could meet Miley and Emily!” I was totally shocked. I managed to sputter out the words, “Let me ask my mom.”

“Hey, mom I was wondering if…..” “If you can hang out with Mitchel for the rest of the trip? Yes” she finished. “How did you know?!?” I asked, confused. Mrs. Musso answered this time, “Mitchel liked you, even just talking to you on the phone! He asked me about this, if he really liked you in person, then he’d ask you to hang out for the two days! You sure made a good impression on him over the phone. I called to let your mom know this might happen!” I hugged my mom and Mrs. Musso and walked back to the table.

Mitchel was folding a napkin, when I got back to the table. I laughed, “Paper airplane? Psssh…..Amatur!” “Like you could do better!” he laughed, handing me the napkin. I folded the napkin till it was a sailboat. “Look! Sailboat! Learning origami in 6^th grade art class is helpful!” He laughed again. “What your mom say?” he asked. “She said yes!” I exclaimed. “Cool!” he said. “We might as well leave now! We’re done with food. Do you need to stop by your hotel to get your swimsuit?” “Yeah, “ I replied, remembering the skateboard.

Then, Ms. Collans did a quick interview with us, then left. Since the Popstar date was over, there’d be no magazine person following us. We got into the limo, followed by Mrs. Musso and my mom. Mitchel and I didn’t talk much back. You can’t talk much with grownups around. They dropped us off at our hotel again. We walked up to our room. I got super lucky, because the last room avaible had an ajacetnt individule room; I had my own room!

Mom gathered her stuff as I walked into my room. I grabbed my swimsuit and the gift-wrapped skateboard and met my mom at the door, then we walked downstairs to meet Mitchel and his mom in the limo……………………

I got into the limo and handed Mitchel the present. “Late birthday present,” I said. “I got you something, too!” He said, as he handed me the small box. “Open yours first!” I told him. He tore off the paper, and exclaimed “Awesome! A skateboard!” “Look on the bottom!” I said proudly. As he flipped over the skateboard, his face lit up and a smile spread across his face. “This is rockin’! The present I got you can’t top this!” “It’s ok,” I said as I open the small box.

Inside, was silver necklace with a sliver shark charm on it, on the back of the shark, my name was engraved. “Mitchel! Thank you!” Without thinking, I gave him a huge hug. I drew back, embarrassed, but Mitchel only grinned ear to ear and helped me put it on.

We got to the beach at about 2:30pm. Mrs. Musso and mom set up their on little spot on the beach, complete with umbrella. I lay my beach bag on the sand and scanned the beach. It was crowded, but we found a great spot next to the water. I lay my towel as Mitchel did. “Are you going to lay here?” he asked. I looked at him surprised and said kiddingly, “Have you not listened to anything I told you? I am a girl, but not a girlie girl! I love the ocean! I’m going swimming!” Mitchel laughed, and followed me into the surprisingly warm Pacific Ocean .

We splashed and swam for about a half an hour, when Mitchel spotted some surf boards that you could borrow for free. “Come on!” he said, pointing to the two boards. We ran out of the water to grab the boards, and got back in as quickly as we got out. “Do you know how to surf?” Mitchel asked me. “No, but its something I always wanted to try!”

We paddled out until the water was about seven feet deep. We practiced balancing on the boards, catching little waves, but mostly falling into the water and laughing.

We were out there for about fifteen minutes, when larger waves started coming in. We’d gotten better fast, so we started trying bigger waves. One particular wave was about 150 yards off. I was on my hands and knees watching the wave, and Mitchel was on his belly, letting his arms and legs dangle off the board.

Then I saw it. It was heading right toward Mitchel. About 150 yards out, before the wave, was a large fin………….

I wanted to scream. I wanted to panic. But I couldn’t. If I panicked, then Mitchel would panic, and we’d both be in trouble. I thought fast. I looked toward the beach, we were about 25 yards out, we’d never make it! I glanced at the wave, now about 50 yards off, the shark a little further toward us. I was frantically searching my mind for all the stuff I’d seen on Discovery Channel. The fin suddenly dove; I knew what was going to happen.

“Hey, Mitchel,” I called softly and calmly. “Yeah?” he answered. I looked at him straight in the eye. “Mitchel, I need you to jump onto my board when I count to three; no questions asked. Keep your feet and hands up.” I looked at the wave, now 30 yards, the shark, unknown, but estimated about 29 yards away under. “But….” he hesitated. “Mitchel, trust me, just do it,” I said. “One,” The wave was now 15 yards away. I glanced to the water around the same spot, and saw the sun silhouetting a large, dark figure. “Two,” I said, the wave 5 meters off. Timing had to be perfect or else…..

“THREE!” Mitchel jumped, landed on my board, almost toppling us both down into the water. As soon as he was on, (which took seconds) the wave came just and time and pushed us toward shore. A split second after that, I heard a large crack behind us, I didn’t look back, but I knew Mitchel did. “What the……!?!?

Mitchel kept himself on the board, like told, on his knees, hands clung to the sides of the board. I was in the same position, except, I paddled slowy and smoothly when I had to.

We reached the shore, when I noticed everyone was on shore, staring at us. I plopped on the sand, breathing hard.

“Oh my gosh! It’s Mitchel Musso!!! Are you ok?” said a tall, blonde, preppy looking girl. Soon he was flooded with sympathetic girls, who didn’t really know what happened.

I spotted Mitchel’s board, down the beach. I walked to it, but somehow, Mitchel had broke away from the crowd, and got to it before me. Oh boy… I thought.

He turned it over. Teeth marks gashed the bottom of the board and a fresh, white tooth was stuck to the bottom.

He looked at me with the most shocked expression, his eyes wide with fear. “There was a shark, wasn’t there?” The expression turned to thanks. That was what I was afraid was going to happen.

“What?” I asked. “A shark! That’s why you wanted me to jump to your board,” he said. “No! There wasn’t! What are you talking about? I wanted you to jump to my board because you were going to miss a gnarly wave!” I defended. “Well how do you explain these?” he said pointing at the bottom of the board. “That has probably been there,” I said defensively.

“Oh come on! There was a shark! I almost got killed! You saved my life!” he said, excited, angry, happy ,confused all at the same time. “Listen! There was no shark!” I yelled almost in tears, and I ran away……….

“Kailey, what’s wrong?” asked my mom. “Nothing mom! I….. I…. forgot something at the hotel! I’ll take a taxi!” I yelled back at my mom. “But….”protested my mom. But I was already to the street, hailing a cab.

When I got back to my hotel room, I flung myself on my bed and started to cry. I cried for about fifteen minutes, until I started to calm down. I sat up and started talking to my stuffed shark Jaws, when there was a knock at my door, who I assumed was my mom.

“Come in!” I said to my mom. “Why did you have to come, huh?” I said to Jaws. “If you hadn’t come, everything would have been fine! Stupid shark! I hate you!” I threw Jaws to the ground.

I had my back facing the door and I started talking to my mom, who I knew was standing in the doorway. “Okay mom, I lied. I didn’t forget something here.” I confessed. “At the beach…. Something happened….” I paused. Mom was ovibliously still listening. “Mitchel and I….. surfing…. Then….. I saw a fin…..It was a great white….. I knew it…. The shape of the fin…… It was heading straight toward Mitchel…..I had to do something….” I was surprised mom hadn’t said something like, “My baby!” but she didn’t, she just listened.

“When we got back to shore….his board…..The shark didn’t want to eat him, it was an exploritory bite….but he could have…..Oh god….” My eyes started welling up with tears. “I don’t want him to know….I don’t want him to feel like he owes me…..I don’t want him to feel like he has to like me, just because I…….I just want him to like me for me……not because I…….” I started bawling; I couldn’t help it. It had to come out sooner or later.

Then, I had the strangest feeling, like I’d said something, I shouldn’t have said. “You’re not mom, are you?” I asked. “Nope,” said the voice. I took a deep breath.

Mitchel walked over and sat down next to me. “Well, I got you to say there was a shark,” he said, kind of jokingly. “Yeah, whatever,” I said looking down at Jaws, who’d I threw on the floor. I was so embarrassed.

“So, it was a great white? I did you know that? How did you he was just checking me out and not making me dinner?” he asked. I hesitated. Here comes the shark freak side of me.

“The fin, it was the shape of a great white….The size was big….It had to be. And when I saw the tooth…..That confirmed it….” I embarressedly explained. “The bites…. They didn’t chop your board in half…..Sharks don’t have hands, they explore with their mouths….Like dogs….” “Well, my dog Stitch can’t kill me!” he exclaimed suddenly. “You’d be surprised, more people get attacked and killed by dogs then by sharks,” I said.

We were quiet. “You know, I liked you before this all happened,” he said quietly. “You’re a great friend, even though I’ve only known you for a day.” I could feel my cheeks burning red. “I was afraid, that you might think you’d have to owe me….. I didn’t do anything….. You could have done everything yourself, if I didn’t butt in.” “I didn’t even know it was there! You were so brave!” he exclaimed. “You timed it just right!! And yeah, I feel like I owe you, but…..You’re a friend now, so don’t worry about it, I’ll figure out a way, and you won’t even know!” he said mischievously, that made me laugh.

More silence. “Do you like me? Like, like me, like me?” I was so surprised by the question, I choked on my own spit. I was embarrassed at first, but thought of just what to say; “Ok I’ll answer this periodically. When I didn’t know you, I loved you! Like “Oh my gosh!!! MITCHEL MUSSO!” Now, when I met you and started talking to you, it was like, “I’m becoming friends with Mitchel Musso,” At the beach, “It was more natural, like you were normal, you know? It was “Mitchel’s cool,”……..I want to know you more,” I looked at him to see if he’d laugh, but he looked straight into my eyes, then hugged me, “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!” he said happily. I was kind of confused, but I’d figure it out sooner or later.

“Back to the beach?” I asked. “Not today!” he said and laughed, “But don’t worry, I’ll get back in the water! I know that shark was just trying to be my friend!” I laughed. “See you tomorrow?” “Yup, My mom and I will pick you and your mom up and 8am! See you later, Kailey!” He walked to the door, turned the handle, opened the door, then looked back at me and said, “Thanks…………………”

We went to Disneyland the next day and had a ball. We rode all sorts of rides, and the best part was that our moms stayed far away. They said, “We’re not going on roller coasters! We’re leaving the throwing up to you!”

The highlight of the day was the Jaws ride! For me anyway. On the ride, Mitchel leaned over to me and said, “That shark is gonna stay fake, right?” and we both laughed. Of course, I personally still felt a little uncomfortable about the shark incident.

The more time I spent with Mitchel, the more I got to know him, and the more I got to know him, the more I liked him. Of course, I didn’t tell him that. I’m not shy, but when it comes to that sort of thing…..I’m just lucky I managed to say what I had said yesterday.

I was to meet Miley Cyrus and Emily Osment today. Mitchel picked me up to go, while my mom and Mrs. Musso went to the hotel spa.

When I got to the set, I was greeted by both Miley and Emily. Mitchel had to go to his dressing room , so I got to get aquinted with them.

“So, you’re Kailey?” asked Miley. “Yup! I’m gonna take a wild guess… You’re Miley,” I said, pointing to her, “And you’re Emily!” I said pointing to Emily.

They both laughed. “How did you know?” Emily asked, jokingly. “Mitchel said you were funny! He’s told us a lot about you!” Miley said.

We talked for a half an hour, and by the time they had to start to film, we were best friends.

I took my place in the audience, where I watched them shoot the show. A girl I didn’t recognize, playing a small, was playing a girl was going out with Oliver. The girl did her short scene, then came, sat down next to me in the audience.

When filming was done, I starting talking with Emily and Miley again. We swapped cell phone numbers, and we planned on calling each other to go shopping later that night with Mitchel.

I was about to meet Mitchel, when the girl who planned Oliver’s girlfriend came up to me. “I’m Clarisse Pop,” she said, snootily. “I’m…….” “I know, you’re Kailey Aarons, the Winner of the Contest,” she interrupted. “Yeah, I……..” “After today, you realize you’ll never see Mitchel again,” she said. “Well……” “No, you won’t! Listen, you don’t know who I am!” “Kailey!” I heard Mitchel call. He was coming.

At that moment, I thought my heart had been ripped out from my chest. “What?!?.......” I said, in a daze. “Did I stutter?” she asked snottly.

Mitchel had just walked over. “Hi, Kailey!” he said cheerfully. “I’m I gotta go,” I told him. I ran off to go find Miley and Emily, nearly in tears. I couldn’t cry in front of Mitchel; AGAIN. “But…….” he said.

I found Miley and Emily near their dressing room. “What’s wrong?” asked Emily, seeing my welling tears. “Ok, I know we just met, but….” I said “Kailey, we feel like you’re are best friend now, you rock! Tell us!” said Miley, caringly. She lead me into the dressing room, so I could cry in private. “Clarisse……Mitchel……girlfriend,” I sobbed out.

They let me cry for a few minutes, then I calmed myself down. “Clarisse, said to stay away from Mitchel, she said she was his girlfriend,” I said. They looked at each other and laughed. “What?!?” asked Emily. “Sorry we laughed, but she went out with us once to the movies. Mitchel hated her!!” said Miley.

“Do you LIKE Mitchel, Kailey?” Emily asked. For the first time, I could tell the truth to this question. Miley and Emily were so nice and we’d become great friends so quickly. I was glad to be able to answer.

“YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I like him!!!!! I really do!!!!!!!!!! I LIKE MITCHEL!!!!!!!!!!” I yelled in such excitement.

They looked at me. “We know its true, not just celeb crush, do you know how?” Miley asked, giggling. “You would have said, “I LIKE MITCHEL MUSSO!” instead. That proves you just think he’s a normal guy. You know what, Kailey? You rock!!” said Emily. “He totally likes you, too!” said Miley, “We can tell when he really likes someone.” I blushed. “Thanks, guys!!!” I said. “You want to go get a burger or something? I starved. “In and Out!!!!” said Emily. “It’s my favorite!!”

I went to open the door, when I opened it, Mitchel was standing there………………….

He leaned over and kissed me! On the lips!!! I was so confused but in love. “I heard what you said,” he said. “I like you to, a lot.” I could see blush creep up his face, while Miley and Emily giggled in delight.

We went all went out to the burger place, then we went to the mall, all of us side by side, Mitchel and I hand in hand.

I had to leave to go home. I was in tears, of course, when Mitchel’s limo came to pick my mom and I up to go to the airport.

Mitchel and I traded home numbers, cell numbers, instant message (with webcam!!) and everything else we could think of. We kissed good-bye, and he said, “I’ll miss you, we’ll webcam everyday!”

I cried the whole plane trip back, but stopped as soon as I saw Maddie and Dad. “I bet you and Mitchel are boyfriend and girlfriend now!!!” Maddie exclaimed. I only smiled.

Alexis called later that night. “So did you have fun on your date with Mitchel?” she said, grilling me for details. Oh Alexis! If you only knew!! I thought, smiling. Then I told Alexis the whole story……..

Alexis was, of course, in shock. She swore to keep it a secret, so the media wouldn’t be on me or Mitchel’s back.

I wore the necklace Mitchel gave me, always, reminded of the horror and joy, but mostly the joy. For that matter, I also apologized to Jaws, my stuffed shark. (Haha)

I spent my days talking to Mitchel, and over winter break, our parents agreed to maybe let me come visit him! We couldn’t wait till my visit.

I couldn’t believe this happened to me! All because of a contest!! So next time, you see a “Win a Date Contest,” be sure to enter! You never know what could happen!!!