A/N: It was tied between two, but I finally came to the conclusion to stick with this one after some deliberation and thinking. If this wasnt the one you voted for/wanted, all I ask is that you give it a shot. Maybe it will suck as much as you thought it would, or maybe you will like it a lot? Thanks for all the feedback though, it was absolutely incredible.

Also, I've gotta give a few shoutouts to my girls :) First, to Jordan (JBLover718) and AHigherOctave for being lovely and editing this story for me. Secondly, to Phoebe and Sue for helping me out in deciding which to choose, and then the incredible pariswindspeed. for having the most incredible reviews and encouraging me to keep writing :)

I hope it lives up to your expectations and you like it! I've worked hard on it and I'm pretty excited about how its coming :)

Chapter 1

Nate

It's funny how quickly life can change. One decision- one threat- can turn your whole life around.

"Agreed?" he growled, the gross stench of his breath suffocating my face. I nodded weakly, and he let go of the tight grip on my t-shirt. "And if you don't," he threatened, and cracked his knuckles. My face went pale white, if not already, and I got away as soon as possible.

I couldn't believe this was happening. My breaths were short and vivid, and my hands couldn't stop shaking from the nerves tingling up my arms. I scurried out of the dark alley and walked briskly down the crowded street towards the bus station.

I gripped my phone in my hand, and then began to dial her number. It was 2 on speed dial, but I wanted to stall for as long as possible.

The rings went on for what seemed like ages until her perky voice answered, "Hey Nate!"

I took a deep breath and my free hand held the back of my head. "Hey Miley," I breathed. "Can we meet? I have something to tell you."

--

Every time the door chime rang, my eyes nervously darted up, hoping it wasn't her yet. I wasn't ready. Ever since that fateful moment mere hours ago, I couldn't face her. Not after what I was about to do.

"Hey Nick," Tawson greeted. He was one of the waiters at the coffee shop I'd gotten to know over the years. I had been a regular every week since the moment I first stepped in, and he became one of my pretty good friends. "Your usual? Will Miley be joining you?" he asked.

I smiled politely. "Sure. Make that a venti, please. And she will, but I have a feeling she won't be staying for long."

Tawson nodded and left the table, scribbling something on his white notepad. That was one of my favorite things about him; he never asked questions, but listened whenever someone needed help.

I heard the door chime, and without looking up, I knew it was her. Half of the café turned to look at her, and she smiled innocently, a light blush coloring her cheeks. Her hair was flying all over the place from the wind, and she was bundled in a scarf and a bright red pea coat. Her clear blue eyes twinkled as she grinned, sauntering over to me like a supermodel. "Hey honey," she breathed, her bright lips leaning down to kiss my cheek. She slid into the booth on the other side of me. "What's up? I tried to get here as soon as possible, sorry. You know I had some… commitments."

I nodded. "Of course, it's no big deal." I looked over at the back of the shop where I saw Tawson start to bring my coffee. I tried to inconspicuously tell him to stop, and he caught my eye and got the picture, placing the mug back on the counter. I turned back to my girlfriend, and she was looking at her black rhinestone-covered blackberry. She typed a few letters and then put it back in her large Prada bag.

"So what's up Natey? Everything alright?" she smiled. I couldn't do this. I couldn't. This was going to turn out to be the worst day of my life. I took that back- it already was.

"Listen, Miles, we have to talk." Her smile immediately turned into a frown, and I immediately wanted to replace it back with the smile again. I didn't want to see her upset. "Miley, please don't be upset with me. It's the best decision. Look, I know we've had good times and all, but…"

She knew what was coming. Tears began to rise in her eyes, and I so badly wanted to reach out and comfort her. To take her in my arms. To wrap her tightly. "It's just… it's just not going to work out. Between us." Ripping off a band-aid. It was finished. But it hurt worse than a band-aid. It felt like a chunk of my heart had been pulled out.

"Why now Nate?" she pleaded, the tears spilling down her cheeks. "Why? We were going to go to prom together! And... and then... and then go to college in the fall! Nate, please explain to me what is going on!" she cried.

I shook my head. This was almost unbearable. She stood and slid out of the booth and then looked back down at me angrily. "So this is it, Nate? This is really it? We're done now?" Miley yelled at me, tears streaming angrily down her porcelain cheeks.

"Miley, I swear, I will explain another time, but it's for the best. I promise. I still love you, but-" I just couldn't let her go. She meant the world to me.

"But nothing, Nathan." She stared at me with those big, beautiful blue eyes. "You are dead to me." Random costumers were watching the exchange, uncomfortable and unsure.

She turned her back to me and started walking towards the door. "Wait!" I called.

"What?" she whispered. People poured into the café, bumping and pushing around her, but she stood still.

"Our Vegas trip! What should we do about that? We already paid for the entire thing." There was no way she wasn't going to come. I would make her if I had to. I had to keep her safe from him.

She turned back around, but her eyes failed to meet mine. The front brown bangs of her hair were damp from the tears. "We can go," she shrugged, "But this doesn't mean you're forgiven. Or that I will talk to you."

I nodded slowly, and then stepped forward to embrace her in a hug. Her arms were stiff at her side, but it just felt good to have my arms wrapped around her.

"Can't wait," I whispered into her ear.

--

2 Weeks Later

I zipped the navy blue suitcase shut and then made sure I had my cell phone and wallet in my pocket before exiting my room with the bags. "Mom! Dad! I'm going soon!" I called.

The wheels of the suitcase rolled on the hardwood floors as I walked down the hall to the kitchen where my parents were waiting. "Aw honey I'm gonna miss you!" my mom cried, her bright pink lips curved up in a happy smile. "You will have the best time with Miley. Just don't make her cry anymore, okay?" she teased, kissing me on the cheek and then wrapping her arms around me in a big hug.

"Mom, I'll be fine. I know how to take care of myself," I assured her, squirming under her tight embrace. She sighed and let go of me.

"I suppose. Remember to call when you get there and any free chance you get, okay?" she said firmly, pointing a finger at me.

"Yes Mom," I replied obediently. I looked over at my father and he glanced up at me from the newspaper he was reading.

"Have a good trip son. Remember, don't do drugs. They screw up your life. And please, Nate, try and remember to stay out of the casinos. I know about that fake-ID you have." He stared at me for a long second and then turned back to the paper. I laughed nervously.

"Of course not, Dad. Of course not." He kept reading. "Dad, the keys?" I reminded.

"Right." He reached out and handed me the car keys. "Full tank of gas and some backup money in the front compartment incase there's an emergency." I nodded and smiled.

"Thanks."

"And have fun," Mom smiled. She squeezed my arm, and I kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Love you mom. Bye dad," I grinned one last time, and then took the rest of my bags out to the new black Toyota Camri that was parked on the driveway. I opened the trunk and put the suitcase in, but took my duffel bag with things to keep me occupied and maps in the back seat. Miley would drive halfway, and we were planning on loading up with food at the store before we left.

I slid into the buttery leather front seat and breathed in the new car scent that still lingered in the air. My dad had bought me this car as a pre-graduation gift.

I drove the familiar roads to Miley's house, my stomach wrenched in nerves. I pulled the car to a stop at the front of her house. I got out of the car and jogged up the front steps to her front door. I knocked slowly and waited until Miley's dad answered the door. "Hello Nathan," he greeted, shaking my hand firmly. "You take care of my baby girl, okay? Cause if you don't, I'll make sure to have the cops and the FBI after you in no time," he threatened with a shake of his head and a small grin.

"Mr. Stewart, I would never want to hurt her," I smiled.

"Too late," she quipped, and I noticed her begin to descent from the stairs. She wore a pink sweat suit and her hair was framed in curls around her face. Her face held barely any makeup, and she still looked gorgeous.

"Instead of standin' there starin at me would either of you mind helping a girl out here?" she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. Typical Miley. She had three suitcases and two purses in her hand.

"Dear God Miley. What do you need all this stuff for?" her dad asked.

"Party outfits, casual, and then miscellaneous and makeup and shoes. And then this purse has all my magazines and iPod and the Hannah phone and my chargers, and this one has my real necessary needs. Like my phone and tic-tacs and lipgloss."

"Yeah, real necessary need," Robbie Ray said under his breath. She glared at him and then dropped the suitcases and continued out the door to the car. She placed the purses down in the backseat like I had, and then I took a suitcase while Robbie Ray took two. We put all the necessary luggage in the car, and then she turned back to her dad with a sad smile.

"I'll miss you daddy," she said, and gave him a long hug. "I'll be back in a week, okay? And I promise I'll call you every day," she promised. I felt awkward standing there, watching the exchange.

"Bye baby girl. Be careful, okay? You and Nate stick together, alright?" Miley scoffed but agreed. I shook his hand one last time, and then we both got into the car.

"Ready?" I asked, turning the key in the ignition.

She waved one last time at her father, and then sighed. "Let's get out of here."

A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Thoughts are welcome :)