BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN
Chapter 2: I'm getting older too
I took my love and I took it down
Climbed a mountain and turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought it down
Oh, mirror in the sky - What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well, I've been afraid of changin'
Because I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
NO ONE'S POV
A fifteen year-old Nick is giving his thirteen year-old sister a piggy back ride on their way to their picnic table. They are hanging out in the park for their dad's birthday, and the two of them decided to jog for a while. Apparently, Miley got tired and Nick had to carry her back to the table.
"Oh God, at last!" Nick gasped as he put down Miley on the floor.
Miley felt sorry for asking Nick for a piggy back ride, but she really felt tired. "Sorry, I really got tired," Miley said with an apologetic look on her face.
Nick gave her a small smile. "It's okay. You're just heavy," he said without thinking.
"I'm heavy?" Miley asked with big eyes, she totally got self conscious. She is very sensitive when you tell her she doesn't look good or if she's fat.
Mrs. Grey cleared her throat and Nick caught what she meant by that simple gesture; the three of them are aware of Miley's sensitivity.
Nick thought of an explanation immediately. The last thing he wanted to do is to let her sister down. "Oh! No, you still weigh the same. I'm just tired too, maybe that's the reason why I thought you're heavy," he said with such assurance.
"Alright," Miley said with a smile, forgetting about his previous comment that she's heavy.
"Come on, let's eat," said Mr. Grey. "Your mother cooked baked Mac and cheese for Miley, and baked Mac for Nick!"
"Yay!" the two teenagers screamed in delight and sat beside each other on the picnic bench. They dug in their favorite meals and ate the other foods their mom prepared. The three of them made sure Miley ate because they are still scared that her eating disorder would go back.
It's true that Miley gained some weight after her illness, but it's the normal weight for her age; she got curves and she got taller too because she just hit adolescence. Every guy would want her but she is too insecure to realize that. Nick heard some lower batch boys talk about Miley in the locker room, and it disgusts him because they were talking about how hot her sister is. She is just thirteen, for crying out loud!
Nick and Miley had transferred to a different school after they found out that Miley got bullied. He became captain of the soccer team and she gained friends there. He would still be the overprotective brother he is, but she never complained about it.
Miley is the top one student in school, but that didn't mean that her social life is always rainbows and butterflies. She still has those days where the most popular girl, Sam would insult her. Miley has two best friends; Selena and Demi. The trio is the top three students in their whole grade level. They would study and do their homework and projects together.
"Miley!" yelled Selena as she ran along the corridor towards Miley's locker, "Where were you this morning?"
"Where is Demi?" asked Miley as she looked behind Selena.
"Oh, she went to the girl's room. Where were you this morning?" Selena asked again, totally curious why Miley was missing that morning.
"Nick and I had a dentist appointment," Miley explained as she took some books from her locker.
"So, that's the reason why he's not here this morning. I have waited this morning at the school entrance, hoping to see him when you two arrive," said Selena.
"Why do you like my brother, anyway?" Miley asked with such curiousness. She has been friends with Selena for almost two years and all she could hear is Nick; of course school and family stuff are an exception on that.
"Are you kidding me? He's so cute, kind and sexy," Selena said with a dreamy look on her face.
Miley made a gagging act, "Nick? Sexy? Eeeew."
"He is! Have you seen him shirtless? I sneak at their gym class sometimes," Selena confessed.
"Yes! He's my brother."
"Really? Send me a picture!"
"Sel..."
"Okay, fine. Have you seen him naked?"
" Selena!" Miley exclaimed, totally annoyed.
"Just answer it, Mi."
"When we were kids! We used to take a bath together, but now? Of course not!"
Miley hadn't paid attention to the lesson that much. Selena's question a while ago bothered her mind, sending her back to an awkward encounter with Nick just a few days ago; Miley woke up at one a.m. and found Nick out of his bed. She got confused so she went out of her bed too. She saw the light coming from the slightly opened door of the bathroom so she quietly walked towards it. She took a peek and saw her brother's reflection on the mirror, with him facing sideways, doing God knows what. She immediately went back to bed and closed her eyes, tried to sleep and forget what she saw.
"He is just so cute!" Selena gushed as they walked out of the classroom. Their class was finished so Selena started talking about Nick again. Both Miley and Demi rolled their eyes at their best friend. They are tired of hearing Selena say Nick's name over and over again; especially Miley.
"Sel, not to be rude, but just stop it, okay?" Miley said as they walked along the hallway.
"Why don't you just tell Nick to start crushing on me so I'll stop fantasizing?" Selena said.
"Sel, how many times do Miley has to tell you that Nick isn't interested in anyone right now?" Demi said, totally annoyed.
Miley sent Demi a "thank you" smile. "Yah, what Demi said!" Miley said.
"Please, Mi? Just ask him what he thinks of me and I'll stop. Please?" Selena begged with such exaggeration.
Miley shrugged, "Okay, anything to shut you up and get you going."
When Miley got home, she started studying for her quiz in math the next day, while waiting for Nick. When he arrived, he noticed Miley very busy writing stuff as she sat in front of her desk. Miley on the other hand, was too occupied to notice Nick's arrival. Nick walked towards her and placed a kiss on top of her head.
"Hey, you're here," Miley said as she smiled up to him. "I have to ask you something," she asked as she turned on her chair to face him.
"What is it?" he asked as he sat on the edge of his bed.
"What do you think of my best friend, Selena?" Miley asked bluntly.
"Uhhh, she's your best friend?" Nick said, stating the obvious.
"No, I mean, do you like her?"
Well, the conversation is awkward.
"As in, like her, LIKE HER?"
"Yeah, she has this huge crush on you which is so annoying."
"Really? But I don't like her like that, and I am positive about it."
"Oh thank God, we could get over it!"
"But David, my friend likes her so much. He thinks she's cute. Joe also thinks Demi's nice too."
"Oh, that's nice. How about me?"
"They don't usually talk about you when I'm with them."
Miley frowned, but it soon disappeared when a good thought popped in her mind, "Ok fine. But I like someone from the soccer team," she said with a sly smile.
Nick frowned and got conscious. He really doesn't like it when Miley talks about boys. She's his little sister. "Who?" he still asked.
Miley got up and walked towards Nick. "My big brother, Nick," she said as she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Nick chuckled, "Okay, what's wrong with your math?" he asked, aware of the reason why Miley's acting like a good girl around him.
Miley grinned, "There's a very difficult topic and we're going to have a quiz tomorrow."
"Alright," Nick said, giving up when she used the puppy dog face on him.
Miley squealed and wrapped her arms around Nick, "You're the best brother ever."
It is summer and a seventeen year-old Nick is driving fifteen year-old Miley, Selena and Demi to their friend's birthday party around six in the evening. His sister and her friends are dressed in girly summer dresses that proved that his little sister is growing up too fast. Nick stepped on the break as they came in front of their destination.
"Don't get drunk, okay?" Nick said to Miley sternly, just like a good big brother would do.
"Okay, big brother." Miley rolled her eyes, annoyed at Nick's overprotectiveness.
"Call me when you want me to pick you up, or when something happens," Nick added.
Miley nodded her head and stepped out of the car.
After a few hours, Nick fetched the girls around eight thirty and can't help but notice their constant giggling; he knows something is wrong.
"Oh and the look in Miley's face when she tasted the beer was priceless!" that sentence slipped from Demi's mouth accidentally. Nick felt boiling in anger; he's against alcoholic drinks.
"Demi!" Miley gasped when Demi slipped that out, while Demi clamped her hand against her own mouth shut.
"I told you not to drink any alcoholic beverage, Mi." Nick said toughly.
"I'm sorry, but it was just a taste, Nick." Miley said, trying to explain.
"Yes it was a taste, but that's where everything starts!" Nick yelled as his anger raged. Everyone got silent. He stepped on the break as they reached Selena's house and Sel immediately got out after thanking Nick for the ride, next was Demi's house and she got out with a thank you to Nick. The ride home to the Grey's house was silent and awkward; Miley had transferred to the front seat because Nick asked her to, and she just can't say no because he was mad at her.
Miley sucked in her breath and looked sideways to her brother, "I'm sorry. They are all doing it and I kinda got forced by it," she said softly.
"You could have said no, Miley Ray," Nick said with such attitude in his voice. He is so pissed at his younger sister.
"It's not that easy," Miley said with such anxiety in her voice. It is true, she tried not to give in, but the pressure was strong.
Nick held on tight to the steering wheel, afraid that if they keep fighting he would lose control and get them into an accident. "What if you got drunk too much and you got unconscious? Or worse, some guy would take advantage of your state? What are you going to do, huh?" he said with a raised tone of his voice.
There are a lot of things going into Miley's head; she wanted to say it all but she doesn't know where to start. Her mind is spinning and she felt so hurt, confused and angry. "You know what? You are so overprotective and I'm sick of it! I don't want it anymore, okay? Just leave me alone!"
Her words stung Nick's heart; he is having a hard time processing things. All he wanted to do is to look after his sister, and this is the price to pay, huh? "So now you don't want my help anymore? Fine!" he said as he dismissed their argument.
Miley's lower lip quivered. She hates it when Nick gets mad or when they have to be mad at each other, and she doesn't like it when he yelled at her. He never yelled at her.
When they got home, Miley was fast to get out of the car and inside the house. Their mom and dad got confused because those two never got mad at each other that worse.
"What happened?" Mrs. Grey asked when Nick entered the house. She and Mr. Grey are sitting in the living room, watching an old movie.
Nick sighed, "Miley got drunk at the party and I yelled at her. She said I'm too overprotective."
Mrs. Grey got up to comfort her son, "Oh, honey. Miley's growing up. She's going to try stupid things and make mistakes. You're just gonna need to respect her decisions. Don't worry, he's a smart kid."
Nick looked as his parents, "Why are you two so calm about this? She drank beer and God knows what else she had done."
Mr. Grey spoke up, "Miley would be fine. She's smart and she knows what she's doing. You gotta trust her, the last thing she needs is her brother hating on her," he said as he tried his best to make Nick understand.
Nick ran his hand on his hair, anxiousness washing over him. "What if she overdosed, fainted, or what if it resulted to something serious?"
"Tell her that nicely. Just make her understand that you're concerned and just educate her with the risks if it's needed," said Mr. Grey.
Nick sighed, "I overreacted didn't I?"
Mrs. Grey hugged her son, "Yeah. You're just scared to see your sister grow up, aren't you?" she said.
"I guess I am. I just don't want her to get into trouble," Nick admitted.
His mother smiled at him. "She won't if she'll know she has a brother who would warn her about everything, support her through anything, and catch her every time she falls."
"Go on, son. I'm pretty sure Miley needs to get rid of feeling sick right now," said Mr. Grey.
Nick climbed up the stairs and in his room he has been sharing with Miley. He went inside and saw Miley already sleeping in her bed. He sat on her bed with her back facing him, and he caressed her hair softly.
"Mile? You okay?" he asked with a soft voice.
"I'm fine," Miley replied coldly.
"I brought you some Tylenol and a glass of water. If you want a coffee, I could make you one," Nick said, hoping she would soften her heart for him. She didn't say anything. Nick shrugged and left her alone; he took a bath and brushed his teeth. When he came back, he noticed that Miley already drunk the water and took the medicine. He smiled and refilled her glass with water; it's the least he could do for her. He climbed in his own bed and laid down, facing Miley's back.
A few minutes later, Miley turned to the other side and got face to face with Nick. "Nick? Are you mad at me?"
Nick smiled in the inside but kept a calm appearance on the outside. "I'm upset but I'm not mad."
Miley looked in his eyes. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely.
Nick smiled and opened his arms for her, "Come here."
Miley left her bed and climbed beside Nick on his bed. She snuggled to his chest and he enveloped her in his warm arms. They missed each other.
"You never yelled at me before. I got scared. You know I don't want to get yelled at," Miley reminded him. Nick mentally cursed himself for yelling at her.
"I'm sorry, Mi. I'm guess I'm just scared for you to grow up. I'm scared that you would go to night parties frequently and get drunk, and then you would get pressured to do drugs, and then your life would get ruined. I don't want that to happen. I want you to be as innocent as you are before this night ever happened," Nick explained sincerely.
Miley looked up to him, "You kind have to deal with me growing up. I'm going to make mistakes but I'm going to learn from them. I take back the things I said in the car; I like it how you always take care of me. I know you would always protect me and not let me go to the wrong direction. But it's just too much. Just please, loosen up a little. I'm not a little girl anymore."
"I know. I just don't like the idea that you're growing up too fast."
"I'll always be your baby sister."
The two of them smiled at each other, and Nick kissed Miley's forehead.
"Are you going to be okay?" Nick asked.
"My head hurts," Miley said, ashamed of herself. Nick shrugged it off and kissed her temple.
"Did you know that drinking too much beer could give you a big tummy?"
"It does?" Miley asked. Curiosity was evident in her voice.
"You could Google it."
"Okay, if that's true, no beer for me!"
Nick grinned. "That's my princess," he said. It looks like he wouldn't need to be afraid after all. "Go to sleep now. I'm not mad, okay?"
"Okay. Good night," said Miley as she closed her eyes and cuddled on Nick's chest.
Nick caressed Miley's hair gently. He knows that she likes it when he does that. "Good night," he said before falling asleep.
AN: Thank you for waiting! I really have trouble writing stuff like this; you know, stuff before the conflict happens. LOL =)) I really hope you all liked this chapter. I made it long for you all. =] PLEASE REVIEW! =]
amyl0awrence, arubagirl0926, Simar, Jancy, NickJisoffmychain2828, too lame for a name, XoXSweetestXoX, 0o-ThisIsMe-o0, lalaha – THANK YOU! I've reached 19 reviews! YAY! =] I know that Nick's too overprotective. Well, that's what you get when you have an annoying brother. LOL I'm older than him, though, and I hate him. LOL hahaha that's why I want to put my ideal brother in my story =] I want an older brother like Nick =]
xonileylooover
