THE PROMISE
Chapter 1: I promise I will
Will I always be there for you?
When you need someone, Will I be that one you need?
Will I do all my best to, to protect you?
When the tears get near your eyes
Will I be the one that's by your side?
Will I be there when you call me in the middle of the night?
Will I keep the rain from falling down into your life?
I promise, I promise
I promise I will
Will I take tender care of you?
Take your darkest night and make it bright for you
Will I be there to make you strong and to lean on?
When this world has turned so cold
Will I be the one that's there to hold?
(I promise by Stacie Orrico)
Miley's POV
I'm Miley Stewart, my parents named me after I flashed them a toothless smile at that time when I was first welcomed in this world. I was called Smiley Miley, a nickname given by my dad. Well, anyway, join me as I narrate to you my crazy life. How I hated my life, how I learned to deal with problems, and how I fell in love.
June 11, 1999
I hear the honking of trucks outside my window. I lazily got up from my pink bed and peeked at the window. Moving trucks were everywhere and I saw a family get out from a van, looks like the new neighbors are here.
"Smiley!"
I heard my dad call my name and I got down to the living room. My dad quickly swept my feet from the floor and carried me. He placed a sweet kiss on my forehead and I greeted him good morning.
"Good morning daddy!"
"Hello, baby girl!"
"Where's mom?"
"She said that she had to go to the hospital for a checkup."
"Oh, have you seen the new neighbors?"
"Yeah, go and take a bath, we're going to welcome them with our homemade apple pie."
"Okay!"
Dad put my feet back down on the floor and I ran towards the stairs, took a bath and wore my favorite pink dress. I'm excited to meet the new neighbors; I want to have new friends I can play with.
Few hours later, I found myself in front of the neighbor's door with my dad beside me. He pressed the doorbell and a beautiful woman with curly hair opened the door.
"Hi, we're the Stewarts, we live next door. I'm Robby and this is my daughter, Miley. My wife, Susan wasn't home today."
I smiled at the kind-looking woman in front of me and she smiled back.
"You have a very smiley daughter. I honestly think she has the best smile in the world."
"Yeah, she's a one special girl. I made you guys some apple pie, I hope you'll like it."
Dad handed the pie to the pretty woman and she smiled thankfully.
"Oh thank you! Wait, come in!"
She opened the door wider, waiting for us to come in.
"I'm Denise Grey, by the way. Let me introduce to you my boys."
Dad and I both smiled and stepped inside the house, I have a weird feeling this is goin' to be good.
"Kevin, boys, come meet our neighbors."
I saw three little boys and a middle-aged man walk in the living room. The man looks like the father.
"This is Robby Stewart and his daughter, Miley. They're our neighbors, say hi to them."
The father stepped forward and shook daddy's hand.
"Kevin Grey, Sr."
"Nice to meet you"
The curly haired boy who seems to be the eldest spoke up first, followed by the middle child and the youngest.
"I'm Kevin"
"I'm Joe"
"I'm Nick"
The last one smiled at me and I smiled wider, if that was possible. He grabbed my hand and I released my grip on my dad's hand.
"Is it okay if I show her the house, sir?"
Dad nodded kindly and ruffled Nick's curls. I got lead by Nick to the other side of the house as the older two boys followed.
"So, how old are you, Miley?" asked Kevin.
"I'm seven. How about you guys?"
I kept my eyes on Kevin.
"I'm eleven" -Kevin
I turned my eyes to Joe, who seems to be the only boy who doesn't have curly hair.
"I'm nine." -Joe
Nick smiled warmly as I gazed at him.
"And I'm the same age as you."
"When is your birthday?"
"September 16th."
"Mine is November 23rd."
"So, I'm still older."
"You guys don't have a sister? There are only three of you?"
"Yeah, but I always wanted a younger sister or brother. It sucks to be the youngest, though. What's it like to be an only child?"
"Kinda fun but lonely. I got my parent's full attention, though."
The four of us walked around the house and ended hanging out on the entertainment room where they played The Lion King. Nick and I were sitting on the couch next to each other while Kevin and Joe sat on the individual seats. Surprisingly, Nick picked up my hand and placed his open palm over mine.
"What are you doing?"
"Look, you have small hands."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, I think it's cute."
"You're weird, you know, but in a good way."
Nick just smiled and I found it cute, he looks cute, I think I like him.
"Do you play Barbie dolls?"
"What? I'm a boy."
"I just figured you might be playing that kind of things cuz you'd like to have a little sister."
"That's rude."
I laughed and he tickled me, digging his fingers on my sides.
"Shhh! We're trying to watch, here!" -Joe
Nick stopped tickling me and we both sat back on the couch.
"Are we friends now?"
"Definitely..."
"So, could I ask you to the park sometime? I saw that it's pretty cool with a big playground."
"Sure!"
"I'm tired of always hanging out with my brothers."
"Then I'll be the sister you never had!"
I smiled widely and Nick chuckled. I was happy because I never had a brother or sister, and now someone wants me to be his sister.
"You have the prettiest smile I've seen."
"I do?"
"Yes."
"You think I'm pretty?"
"Yeah, I do."
We both turned our attention to the television and watched the movie playing.
Just as the movie was finished, dad peeked at the door.
"Miles, come on, you're gonna be late for your ballet class."
"Okay, daddy."
I turned to look at Nick after I felt him nudge me with his elbow.
"You dance ballet?"
"Yeah."
"Can we watch you some other time?"
I blushed; I wasn't used to people watching me.
"Uhmm, okay. I'll let you know if we're having a recital."
"Alright."
"I gotta go, boys!"
"That early? We haven't checked the pool yet!" -Joe
"Haven't you heard she has a dance class to run to?" -Kevin
"Oh, right. I'd like to dance too, can I go?"
-Joe
Nick rolled his eyes.
"It's ballet, Joe." -Nick
"Oh, what is that?" -Joe
A small silence played around before I laughed as I stood up and grabbed my bag. I just noticed Nick staring at me, as if I have something in my face.
"What are you staring at?"
"Oh, nothing. You have a pretty loud laugh."
"Yes I do. So, I gotta go."
"Bye Miley."
All three brothers said in unison. I laughed again, I think I'm gonna love these boys.
Dance class was finished and I was waiting for my dad to come pick me up. It was 6 pm in the evening and he still hadn't showed up.
"Miley?" my teacher called.
"Yes?"
"Come on, your dad called, he told me your mom was sick so I have to take you home with a cab."
"Can I speak with him first?"
"Sure, I'll call him."
Ms. Fitzgerald called my dad and I talked to him. He told me the same thing that I was told a while ago, so I went home with Ms. Fitzgerald.
"Daddy, I'm home!"
I stepped through the open door and jumped towards him. He held me in his arms as he thanked Ms. Fitzgerald and paid her.
"How's mommy?"
"She's not feeling well, sweetheart."
"Can I see her?"
I noticed him hesitate for a while but he still brought me to the room.
I saw my mom lying on the bed and she looked pale. Dad placed me down on the mattress and I cuddled close to mom. She opened her eyes and smiled at me.
"Hello, baby girl. You look beautiful."
"Are you going to be okay, mom?"
"Of course sweetie."
"I love you mommy."
"I love you too, my baby girl."
Few moments later, I felt my mom shake. I looked in her eyes and I saw them white, she was shaking, her body jerked up, and her body looked like it was freezing, shivering. It was scary. Dad pulled me away and placed me on the floor. He called 911 and I just stared at my mom as tears flew from my eyes. My dad carried me to my room immediately.
"Stay here. You're not supposed to see that. Mom's gonna be fine. Stay here, ok?"
I nodded and he left the room, leaving me alone and scared. I heard the sound of an ambulance and my door opened, I saw daddy and he picked me up.
"Honey, mom and I are going to the hospital. You gotta stay with the Greys for tonight, but I'll call you later."
I nodded as he held me in his arms on our way outside the house. I was soon transferred to Aunt Denise's arms and dad kissed me before leaving.
"Hey, you okay, Miley?"
I shook my head and held onto her tight, wishing that I was hugging my mom.
"Don't worry, your mom's okay. The boys are quite happy you're sleeping over."
I tried my best to smile but I know it'll look awkward. We got in their house and she put me down on the sofa.
"You want anything to eat?"
"I'm not hungry, thank you."
I saw a curly headed boy approach us and I knew it was Nick.
"There you are, Nick. Keep Miley in company, okay? I'll make some soup."
"Can we play in my room?"
"Yeah, just clean afterwards."
Nick grabbed my hand gently and held me as if I'm a fragile glass. We walked towards his room and he turned to me.
"Are you okay?"
He squeezed my hand gently and I nodded my head.
Few minutes later, we were laughing at the figure we've made with his Lego blocks, and then Aunt Denise opened the door and told me that dad is on the line.
"Dad, how's mom?"
"The doctors are doing their best."
"Is she going to die?"
"I don't know, baby. I'll call you later okay? You have to stay there for the night."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
I gave the phone back to Aunt Denise.
"Miley, your dad told me you've got to sleep already. Would you like to sleep here in Nick's room?"
"Oh, okay."
Aunt Denise motioned for Nick to follow her; I figured he won't be sleeping here tonight.
"Wait! Can Nick stay here? I'm afraid to be alone..."
"Oh, okay sweetie. I'll get Nick's sleeping bag."
Nick walked back towards the bed and sat on it, beside Miley.
"How's your mom?"
"Very sick"
"Are you going to stay here much longer?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, I'm just happy to have someone play with me. They always say I'm boring."
"You're not boring, Nick. I like being your friend."
"Umm, thanks."
Aunt Denise went back in the room with Nick's sleeping bag. We chatted for a while because aunt Denise made sure were settled before we go to sleep. I lay in Nick's bed and Nick lay on the sleeping bag on the floor. I was amazed by his kindness, he didn't even complain, he's such a gentleman in an early age and I kinda like it.
My dad called me in the middle of the night, Aunt Denise had left the wireless phone in my room incase dad would call.
"Miles, baby, mommy's gone."
"What? Where did she go?"
"She died, Mi. She tried but she didn't make it."
"She's gone forever?"
Dad didn't say anything and sobs started to escape my throat.
"It'll be fine, Mi. Mommy's going to watch over you, she'll still be with you."
"Okay, daddy."
"I love you baby. I'm gonna pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Okay. I love you too, daddy."
The call ended. I soon felt a hand caressing my shoulder, it was Nick. I think I woke him. He pulled me to his embrace and I held onto him tight, never wanting to let go,
"From now I'll be your best friend. I'll always be here for you, I won't leave you, I promise."
I pulled back and searched for a hint of joke in his expression, but he was serious. I smiled at him through my tears and leaned on his shoulder.
"Thank you for being my best friend."
We both lied down on the bed, he held me tight and I buried my face on his chest, soaking his shirt with my tears.
"Your mom is happy now in heaven, she isn't hurting anymore."
"But she left me."
Nick made me look in his eyes.
"She didn't. She's in here."
He placed his hand on my chest, above my beating heart.
"She'll hear anything you say to her. She'll always be here to guide you and keep you safe."
I smiled at him; he'll certainly be the best friend I'll ever have.
AN: OMG, I can't believe this chapter contains 2,000+ words. hahaha! The chapter was kinda boring, but admit it, the NILEY moments we're so damn adorable hahaha! MORE NILEY MOMENTS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER soooo! please review! =)
I'd really appreciate your reviews! If I'm satisfied with the number of reviews, I'll be able to update faster because you guys are my inspiration and you are part of the reason I keep writing these stories. =]
and also... Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter of innocent. I really thought you didn't like the ending. =/ I'm gonna remove the AN there in an hour. =]
xonileylooover