Cold As You.
Chapter One.
She was the typical head cheerleader. Stunning, overly happy and completely oblivious to the world around her. I watched her laugh with her friend, as they found a table and sat down. They talked for a while, her eyes gleamed with happiness and her friends matched. Finally, they hugged and her friend left.
She walked towards the front of the café, where I was standing, and smiled at me. "Hey, Nick right?" She asked smiling. I was almost frozen, I mean there she was – high almighty queen of high school. I nodded trying not to stumble over my words.
"Er, yeah." I stuttered, fighting the urge to abuse myself right there.
She giggled lightly, "Can you fix me up a hot chocolate please?" She asked rocking back and forth on her heels.
"Yeah, anything." I answered, whispering the last part of course.
Her name was Miley Stewart, she moved her freshman year and everyone just loved her. She was particularly special, but her personality and her smile could make your heart leap out of your chest. She was tall and slim but curvy, her chest – I was looking, I'm a guy – weren't all that big and often hid behind her cheerleading sports bra. She had the mind of a ten year old, and the body that made a thousand teenage boys happy.
She smiled as I handed her a hot chocolate and she handed me cash, "Thanks." She beamed turning and sitting on a stool near the wall… and surprisingly, the mirror. She was there for three, maybe four hours just drinking and texting. She would often giggle or blush. Sometimes, when I wasn't looking at her and actually focusing on what I got paid for, I would catch her staring at me but then she would look away and blush.
Soon enough, the sun was disappearing and my shift was over. I took off my apron, hanging it up, and looked up to find her gone. Sighing, my feet padded on the ground as I made my way home.
Nick Lucas, by the way. Don't worry; I'm not one of those annoying as teenagers who don't fit in anywhere and decide they'll put their troubles on you – Pfftt, no. I guess I'm just, a by passer.
After making my way through the familiar route, I smiled as I saw my house. My pace quickened, opening the front door. I smiled walking in.
"Daddy!" A little girl screamed flinging herself at me. I chuckled picking her up.
"Graceyyy!" I said dragging her name out like she did mine. She giggled, only then did I notice the chocolate stains on her shirt and around her mouth.
"Err, Ma?" I called out walking into the kitchen.
My mum laughed lightly, blushing a little, "She was good and deserved at treat, I thought I got rid of the evidence… obviously not well enough." My mum huffed, I chuckled.
"Nice, Ma." I muttered putting Grace back on her feet.
"Oh honey, how was work today?" She asked pulling me into a hug as Grace wandered out of the room slowly.
"It was good, you know. Work is work. The school year isn't half way through, so I'm good." I muttered opening the fridge.
"I guess so, little Grace Misses you so much on the weekends and she hardly sees you on weekdays you know?"
"Ma, I know. But I've got to finish school, don't worry after school ends she's all mine." I said smiling.
"After school ends you are off to college, who would've thought? My boy – a college man. With that stupid hair of yours…" Mum muttered as I gasped trying to hide my smile.
"I got my hair from you!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah and I'm thankful little Grace didn't get that from you." Ma hissed kicking me out of the kitchen. I huffed softly, walking towards the living room. Where I found Grace watching TV.
"Ugh, this show sucks." I said putting her in my lap.
"Noooo, it's the best show ever!" Grace said, her eyes widening.
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry, Gracey." I said kissing her forehead. "Is that a boy – as in a real life human boy? Nu uh, this show is way too old for you." I teased picking up the remote for effect.
"Daddy!" Grace called out grabbing the remote, recovering from her fit of giggles.
"Sorry, bub." I said handing her the remote and zoning out. Okay, the story was kind of complicated, and hurtful to tell but here it goes. When I was thirteen, I had this girlfriend, Leanne. She was perfect. Nice, funny, quiet but not a pushover. I really liked her, and she really liked sex. So after only three months of dating, we did it.
It was stupid, but she was popular and all her friends had done it. Looking back, I was an idiot and gave into peer pressure. She wasn't the leader of the clan, or even close, just one of them. And I was lucky enough to date her. She fell pregnant, and dropped out of school to be home schooled. No one knew why, but everyone just assumed it was because of her dad's terminal cancer. So did I.
So I just assumed, we were over. At the beginning of freshman year, just when I was getting over her, she came to visit me with a baby. She gave her to me, and left. I was so confused, I went to her house – nothing. Her friends – still nothing. Not even her best friend, Chelsea would spill. So I was stuck, single parent of a one year old at fifteen.
"Daddy, I'm tired." Grace whined in my ear. I sighed, picking her up.
"Let's get you showered up first." I said walking up the first steps. Halfway up the stairs, I noticed her eyes had already drifted closed, chuckling I changed her clothes and tucked her in. showers would have to wait
Morning came too quickly – as it often did with me. I raced to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and made my hair and face… presentable. I slipped into a quick outfit, a white wife beater with a blue plaid shirt over it, sleeves rolled up. After finding a clean pair of black jeans, I slipped into them, putting my blue vans on my feet and checking my watch, I was good on time.
I walked to Graces room, the old guestroom had been completely converted to match the five year old girls liking. I smiled kissing her forehead and walking downstairs. No one was up but me and Ma. This was expected because no civilised person was up at seven. I walked out of the house quietly, after slipping my Adidas bag over my shoulder.
The walk to school was quick, the walk everywhere was quick! This town was small, the smallest town in California. And the nicest, but that's a biased opinion. I smiled as I saw my best friend walk towards me.
"Hey Nick!" She squealed hugging me tightly. I laughed hugging her back before pulling away.
"Hey Sel, nice weekend?" I asked. She shrugged.
"Went to dads place, his a psycho." She shrugged it off. "How was work?" She asked.
I shrugged, "Little more packed then usual, nothing I couldn't handle." I muttered.
"I did however do something exciting. I finished sending off my college applications forms, I know it's early but I put in my predicted final results and I should get a letter back in the next couple months." Selena beamed.
"That's really great, Sel." I said smiling at her. Selena and I had been best friends since she moved here, sophomore year. She was genuinely pretty, and nice. She had a split personality really, the way she was with me and the way she was with the rest of the world. I laughed as I saw her walk towards her homeroom, mumbling to herself.
I walked into my homeroom class, taking a seat in the second row. I turned when I heard someone clear their throat, Chelsea was seated next to me. Her short blonde hair was perfect and her outfit looked perfect, she was a perfectionist. Just like Leanne.
"Nice weekend?" She asked, her face not moving. We weren't exactly friends, we just didn't click. But she often asked about my life and my happiness. Part of me thought that she told Leanne, kept her updated on me and Grace. I didn't love Leanne anymore, I don't think I ever did. But I'm glad I had Grace, she gets me through. I muttered a vague reply, turning to face the door.
She walked in. She was in her cheerleading outfit, there was a game today. Her Sea View High sports bra looked so good on her, okay I sound like a pervert… okay, I am a pervert. Her short skirt showed off her long tan and toned legs. Her hair was up in a long, tight ponytail. She had changed her nose piercing to a blue one to match. And all five of her ear piercings were present. I smiled as I saw the word 'love' tatted on her ear, she walked to a seat; which just happened to be right in front of mine.
The bell rung and the teacher walked in. We ended up listening to the teacher drone on and on most of the lesson until the bell rung. People let out quiet sounds of joy rushing out. Miley stood up, her books getting flung all over the room by the crowd. She laughed lightly, picking up her books. I handed her the last one that had been flung across the room.
"Thanks, Nick right?" She asked.
"I'm pretty sure you said that the other day." I said, wait, when did I become the smooth one here? She blushed lightly, smiling.
"Right – sorry, I tend to say stupid things when I'm nervous – not that you make me nervous… you're cute, and I talk a lot. Too much for my own good, ha, sorry? Can we start over?" She asked talking really quickly, she blushed like mad. I chuckled lightly.
"Chill, it's okay." I said as we stood in the hallway.
"Maybe we could hang out sometime?" She asked. I looked at her, stunned. She took my silence as a no, her face fell, "As a thank you? For the hot chocolate and the book." She whispered hopefully.
"I'd love that." I said smiling. And then, her beautiful smile returned.
"Oh my gosh, Yay! I'll see you around?" She asked. I nodded. Okay, what the heck just happened? I smiled to myself, walking into my history lesson. Selena smiled at me,
"How was homeroom?" She asked doodling in her notebook.
"Surprisingly, good." I said sitting down next to her and grabbing my books.
"I love Black History month, it's always fun." She beamed. I agreed.
"Yeah, I guess so." I muttered.
"You working tonight?" She asked putting her head in her palm, facing me.
"Not tonight, why?" I asked staring at her.
"Cause I want to go to the game." She said giggling lightly.
"Sure you do, can Grace tag along?" I asked.
"Of course, I haven't seen her in a good month." Selena said just as the bell rung and the teacher walked in…
I smiled at Grace as I held her tiny hand and walked towards the school field. The field looked great, the grass had been cut and the white paint looked fresh. The footballers were all huddled up, having their 'motivational' speech. Miley was over there, with her cheerleaders, laughing and joking with her best friend, Demi. It was a good place to be.
"Daddy, what are football game like?" Grace asked looking up at me.
I picked her up, "Lots and lots of fun." I said kissing her forehead. Selena ran up to us, "Hey Gracey, how are you studmuffin?" She asked taking her off me.
Grace giggled putting her hands on Selena's face, "Excited." She squealed.
"Good, cause we're going to have so much fun." Selena said leading her towards the hotdog stand. I laughed, figures. Not even a hi.
"Hey Nick!" Miley screeched running up to me. She was in her cheerleading outfit still, except now she was holding blue and gold pompoms – the rest of the team had blue and white pompoms – and cheerleading make up on her face.
I smiled at her, "You look… happy." I teased.
"Well, I am a cheerleader." She said giggling, bouncing on her feet. "You excited for the game?" She asked.
"Of course, everyone is. Are you?" I asked.
"I have to be, I cheer for the team." She said smiling.
"Yeah…"
"After the game! You want to grab a bite?" She asked biting her lip. I looked around.
"Oh, I'm here with my friend and my… baby sister. So maybe some other time?" I asked slowly and carefully.
"Oh my gosh, yes err… I'll talk to you soon. Got to go cheer." She said quickly kissing my cheek and running off. Selena came back with Grace holding her hand, looking at the cheerleaders in awe.
"What the heck was Miley Stewart doing with you?" Selena asked.
"Talking, making plans…" I muttered.
"With her, the cheerleader? With the pompoms and the make up and the giggles and the frills and stuff?" Selena asked raising an eyebrow.
"She's nice, and it's just to grab a bite. Nothing personal." I defended.
After an hour of this torture, I smiled at Grace who was smiling. "Have fun, Gracey?" I asked.
"So much fun! Can we come back?" She asked hopefully.
"Course, next time Gracey we'll get your face painted." Selena answered for me, picking her up and putting her on her hip. Her and Selena suddenly went into conversation.
"Good game, huh?" I heard Miley's voice from behind me.
"Yeah, we won!" I beamed laughing lightly.
"Of course we did. Did you have fun?" She asked.
I nodded, "Yeah." I replied.
"Err, Nick, I think Grace is a little tired." Selena said handing me Grace.
Miley looked between us, her blue eyes wide with innocence, "I should get back to the team, dinners on Demi apparently." Miley muttered. "Oh, I'm Miley." She said smiling at Selena, it wasn't as big as her usual one, but it was just as breathtaking.
"Selena." They shook hands.
"And I'm Grace! But people call me Gracey." Grace screamed interrupting them.
"You're really pretty, aren't ya?" She cooed.
"You looked so cool dancing!" Grace gushed at Miley.
"Thank you, you like dancing?" Miley asked bending a little, to have eye contact with Grace.
"All the time, my dad says I'm going to be a really good dancer." Grace said causing me to stiffen.
"I bet, now I got to go, but I'll see you around. Kay, G?" Miley asked winking at Grace.
"Kay."
Miley waved at me, "Bye Nick, nice meeting you Sel." She beamed skipping off.
"Well, isn't she a big ray of sunshine?" Selena hissed.
I laughed, "There is nothing wrong with being nice." I defended.
"Er, she called me Sel, I don't even know her." Selena said as we walked off the field and made our way to my house. As we got in, I put Grace to bed, turning to Selena.
"You spending the night?" I asked her. She nodded walking into my room, she grabbed some clothes, walking to the bathroom to change. I quickly changed into comfy pyjama bottoms and a white wife beater. She returned, plopping onto my bed and turning on cartoons.
"Game was good, huh?" I asked half way through the show.
"Eh."
"Are you kidding? We won!" I laughed. Selena kept staring at the TV. "Say the game was awesome." I said edging closer to her. She leant back, already giggling.
"No." She giggled.
"Come here." I whispered tickling her.
"Stop it! Nick stop it!" She squealed.
"Say it."
"Fine, that game was awesome." She said as I pulled my hands away.
"Actually, it was the game was awesome – but I'll let you off cause you're my best friend." I teased.
"You nerd." She coughed.
"Ha, I'm sitting here watching your favourite show which is Brandy and Mr Whiskers – a show my daughter watches." I laughed as she blushed.
"You like her, huh?" She whispered as we lay in the darkness.
"Who?" I asked.
"Miss head cheerleader."
"Miley? Oh, I hardly know her." I whispered.
"You know her well enough to know she's pretty, popular and not the smartest person." Selena said turning to face me.
"She's relaxed, and I'm not. I feed off her energy, like a source of life." I said, lost for words.
"Boo, you're getting all poetic on me. It's sad when one of your own turns sappy." Selena giggled turning on her back. "She doesn't get you like I do." Selena whispered.
"Well, she doesn't have to. Cause you'll always be my best friend, girls like her – come and go." I reminded her.
"How long before she messes that up?" Selena asked bitterly.
"Hey, she wont change a thing. Not when I'm still sane. Now go to sleep, tomorrow's terrible Tuesday and I have AP Science. So, hush." I said putting my head into my pillow. I heard Selena's quiet snores, before my phone buzzed.
'are you asleep? xD' the text read. I laughed quietly, who was this?
'depends who it is…' I replied smiling lightly.
'if I was a rapist I'd know you were awake cause you're texting me back – but I'm not, don't worry. It's Miley silly! :D' I read it and instantly smiled, this girl… she was something.
'how did you get my number?' I asked. Almost five seconds later I got a reply.
'that hobo on Brooklyn lane, he knows a guy… haha, kidding. I got it off Chelsea.' I laughed lightly, it was like two in the morning. What the heck was I doing up, talking to her?
'go to sleep, Miley'
'but I want to stay up with you :)' she replied almost instantly.
'goodnight, cheerleader' I replied smiling.
'goodnight, cute guy from homeroom.' She replied. I scrolled down seeing the text wasn't finished, 'PS don't reply, I'm trying to sleep and get over the fact that I've told you you're cute twice today… night Nick. ;)'
Okay, so maybe I was falling for her a little harder than I should… just maybe.
…
Three thousand words. Now, that is what I call a first chapter. This is a NileyxNelena story so there is going to be some Nelena in there, you'll have to toughen up. But Niley is the kind of more of the couple while Nelena is the friendship that's moving slowly. I hope you guys like this. Worked on it the whole day… so review?
I'll aim for six reviews but I kind of want eight. So… six? If I get them, I promise I'll update as soon as it hits that number. Literally. Haha, see you soon? Enjoy your summer, stay safe.
Jasmine.