"Ugh," I groaned.
"Stupid sophomores," Demi mumbled.
"Why can't they just follow the rules, and save the parking lot for the upperclassmen?" I said, clearly annoyed.
After searching for a few minutes, I finally found a spot.
"Finally," I said, histrionically.
"You're so dramatic, Miles," Demi claimed, with a chuckle.
"I know, I know. Maybe I should pursue a career in acting," I said, jokingly.
"You mean prostitution?" An unfamiliar voice chimed in.
"Uhmm, do I know you?"
"No, but I know who you are. Everyone does," she said smirking.
I laughed a fake, but believable laugh, pretending not to be offended by the derogatory comment she just had made towards me, "You don't even know me, but you know enough about me to judge me? What, are you obsessed with me?"
She was speechless, she stood there in defeat for a while, then she rushed away as fast as she could.
"You okay?" Demi asked, clearly concerned.
"Yeah, I'm great!" I lied.
"Oh, please. Give up, you can't lie to me, hon."
I sighed, "I know. I'll be fine, though, Dem."
"Alright," she said skeptically. "So, are you planning on seeing Nick today?"
"Only if I can stay at your house tonight?" I said more like a question, than a statement.
"Duh," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I miss him," I said, looking down.
"I know you do, and I know he misses you, immensely as well, but he's out in five months. You're a strong girl, I know you can hold it out."
"That's way too long, Demi. I haven't kissed him, I haven't held his hand, I haven't even hugged him, in seven months, Demi!" I said, as the brim of my eyes began to fill with tears, but I wiped them away. Crying is never an option for me, not in public, at least.
"I know, hon, and I wish I could change it, because in my eyes, what he did was not a crime, but the only thing we can do is hold our heads high, and show everyone how strong we are," she said, as she comfortingly rubbed my back.
"I need him," I said, my tone cracked, not hiding my hopelessness.
Demi's POV
I want to be able to help her. To just sit there and say, "everything's going to be okay," but the truth is, I have doubts of my own. I may not feel the same kind of pain as her, but I feel it to the same extent. Nick is like my brother. I love him to death, and I'm just as hurt about this as she is, but I can't show that. Why do I have to stay strong Why can't I breakdown? Her boyfriend is In jail, yes, and you have no idea how much empathy I have for her, how much I'd love for her to be happy again, but at the same time, my brother is in jail, too. Why do I have to be strong for the both of us? I'd like to be able to let a few tears slip, too, you know? It's healthy to cry.
Miley's POV
I feel so guilty. I look at Demi's face, and I can read her emotions so clearly. She thinks she can pretend that she's so strong and she knows it'll all be okay, and I believe it, I believe it for a few minutes just for the sake of my own sanity, but I'm not stupid. I know she has just as many doubts as I do. Just as many unanswered questions. She feels like she has to put on this tough girl façade and it's all for me, this is all my fault. I don't want to tell her that I can see her hiding behind her mask of strength, because I know she'll feel like a bad friend, which is completely incomprehensible for me, because she's trying so hard. Maybe I should stop being a bad friend and take into consideration the other people being affected by this whole ordeal. There's also Demi, Joe, Nick's parents, Nick himself, and I'm sitting here, selfishly revolving the situation around me. Demi may feel guilty if I tell her the truth, but the truth is what she needs to hear. The girl needs a break, she deserves to throw something at a wall, curse her life, and scream at the top of her lungs.
"Stop," I said, staring at an object behind, Demi instead of focusing my attention on her. Thoughts were still running through my mind at the moment, and I was trying to process what I was going to say in my mind. She looked behind her, confused at what I was talking about. "Huh?" she said, clearly thinking I was insane, at that moment.
I turned my head, looked her straight in the eye and repeated myself, "Stop." "Stop trying to be the strong one, the independent one, stop fighting the urge to cry, and scream, and shout at the world. And if you are going to withhold from showing how you really feel, do it for yourself, not for me, 'cause that just makes me feel guilty, and then, everybody loses. I love you, Dem. You're like my sister, and I don't want you to bottle everything up." She stood there, smiling at me, tears streaming down her face. She embraced me in a sisterly hug, and we stood there for what may have seemed like eternity to someone watching us. "Thank you, Miles," she said sincerely, "I really needed to hear that."
The bell suddenly rang, indicating our tardiness, but we paid no attention to it.
"Can I come with you?" she paused, "To see Nick." "Yeah," I said with a nod, "but they only allow one person at a time, with limited time for each one," she nodded, and with that, we separated, heading on our way to class. I was feeling like an emotional wreck, but I was also feeling like a quarter of the tiresome weight on my shoulders, had been lifted.
Once the painfully slow school day was over I walked over to the meeting spot Demi and I go to everyday after school. "Hey," she greeted.
"Hey. So, I was thinking, after we visit Nick, I'm going to visit Mrs. Gray, you want to come?"
She sighed, "Yeah, I think I should talk things over with Joe."
"Good, 'cause you really didn't have a choice," I said, laughing.
Demi chuckled, "you act like she hates you, or something, Miles,"
"Well, I wouldn't doubt it! Her son went to jail because of m--"
"Because of both of you," she corrected me, before I said what she loathed hearing come out of my mouth.
"Okay, well, regardless of whether it was my fault or both of us, I'm still 50% of the reason her son is behind bars."
Demi just shook her head with a small chuckle, "Miley, have you not met her? She's the most kind and forgiving mother ever."
"Au contraire, my love. For me, that would be mom. She's never been mad at me, ever. Denise, well, I'd completely understand if she didn't forgive me. Handling something like this is so stressful," I refuted.
"Yeah, well, you haven't moved in yet, darling. You just wait," she said, fakely smiling.
"I hope you're right," I said as I pulled into a parking spot in front of the jail.
I must've started to become recognized in the jail, because as soon as I walked in, I heard someone yell, "visitor for Nicholas Gray!" being yelled. Soon, I was being escorted to the same room as the last time I visited Nick. I sat there waiting for a few minutes, soon enough seeing the tall intimidating man from last time, followed by Nick. He took Nick's handcuffs off, closed the door and stood in front of it inverting his focus on to us, immediately.
"Hey," Nick said, smiling at me.
"Hey," I said, smiling back, even though I hating that we were where we were.
"How was school?" He asked me. I looked down, knowing tears would soon form.
"It was great," I said, shakily. He lifted up my chin and the man by the door made his focus on Nick even more obvious.
"What happened, baby?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I," I sighed, trying to find the words to explain it to him.
"People I don't even know are coming up to me, and calling me a slut. It's ridiculous. I have some sort of reputation, now."
"We talked about this, Mi. You're not, and you know it!" He said, more angered at them than me.
I sniffled, "I know, I know, I'll try not to let it get to me, but I better go, if you want to see Demi."
"Demi's here?" he said, smiling.
I nodded, "she missed you, too. She just didn't want to face the reality of it all," I said, as I got up to leave.
"I love you, Mi," he said, sweetly.
"I love you, too, Nick" I replied, with a smile, as I walked past the tall man, that I despised so much.
Demi's POV
I looked at my surroundings as a man led the way to a lifeless looking room, with a tall buff man standing by the door and the curly headed boy in an orange suit that I call my brother, sitting at a table. I sat across from him, scared, happy, nervous, upset, and confused. "Hey," I said, softly.
"Hey," he responded with the same tone.
"I miss you. We all do," I said, fighting the tears. Maybe Miley could see through the fearless façade that I put on, but I'm pretty sure I can fool Nick. "I know, I miss you too."
"Five months, and you're out," I said with a fake, but believable smile, continuing my act.
"Yeah, I can't wait," he said, smiling, what looked like a real genuine smile, but he's just as good at disguising his feelings as I am.
"You know, you don't need to act so strong," he said, looking at the table. Suddenly, the table seemed to spark my interest, too, as I looked down at it, as well.
"How can everyone see right through me?" Nick shook his head, "It's not that everyone can. I just know you all too well." I sighed, "I need to try harder," I said finally breaking down. "I need to be strong for Miley. She says I don't, but it's the only way to give anyone some spark of hope. If I fall apart, there will be no reason for anyone to try to see the good anymore," I said, as the tears trickled down my cheeks. "Demi, that's not your job! Let it go, none of this is even your fault. Please, do it for me! Do it for Miley." I sighed, as I sat there deep in thought, "I have to go. Bye, Nick," I said, as I got up and left the room.
Miley's POV
"Ready to head over to Mrs. Gray's?" I asked, as Demi and I left the jail, heading to my car.
"Yeah," she said, with a nod.
After about half an hour of driving, we stepped out of the car right in front of the beautiful, white, two-story house, walked over to the door, and knocked. After about one minute, a very surprised, and oddly enough, happy, Denise answered the door and engulfed me and Demi into a hug.
"How are you two?" It's been a while!" she said, closing the door. She was being way too friendly, and it was making the guilt burn a hole in me.
"I've been alright. Mrs. Gray, would you mind if we talked alone about," I paused, not wanting to mention his name, I didn't want the poor woman's mood to suddenly shift, "Nick," I said, in an almost whisper.
"Of course, dear," she said as her smile slowly faded. Demi went upstairs to do, who knows what, probably talk to Joe, giving me and Mrs. Gray our privacy.
"Mrs. Gray, you're an amazing mom, Nick is such a gentleman. He doesn't deserve to be in jail, and you don't deserve to go through this. I'm so sor-"
"Damn right, I don't deserve it," she agreed. "I've done everything in my power to make sure my boys treat girls with respect, and I think I did a pretty good job with that, but if you think I'm going to sit here and let you apologize, you've got another thing coming," she finished. I responded with a puzzled expression. "Look, Miley, I don't really believe in sex before marriage, but I know that Nick's in love with you, and I pray that you love him just as much, if not, more. Do you love my son, Miley?" I nodded vigorously, "of course!" I answered.
"I thought so. Miley, he's at fault just as much as you are. Remember that, okay?" she reminded, and before I could answer, I was pulled into a warm motherly embrace.
Demi's POV
I walked up the stairs, giving Miley and Mrs. Gray a moment alone. I walked up to the second door on the right, Joe Gray's room, and I knocked. The second Joe saw me, he slammed the door in my face. "Joe, please let me in," I pleaded. He opened the door just enough for me to see through a tiny crevice between the door and the wall. "What do you want, Demi?" he asked, his expression reflecting anger, not that I could blame him. "Joe, I'm sorry. It's just that this has been so hard for me to handle and-"
"Not a good excuse," he said, cutting me off, and once again closing the door on me. "Joe," I continued, standing outside the door, "I realize what I did was stupid, but people have different ways of coping, and shutting out anyone that had to do with Nick, was my solution. Miley needed me, though. I had to stay by her-"
"And I didn't?" He asked, as the anger boiled up in his tone, "Demi, you were the only one I had. The only friend that wasn't around for my money. The only person that would be there for me with no strings attached, and you abandoned me, abandoned our friendship, like it never meant anything whatsoever to you!"
"I know, and I was wrong, Joe! I was stupid. I admit that, but I need you right now," I said, tears streaming down my face. I didn't even notice that I started crying until my breathing became uneven, and I heard low sobs coming from my mouth."
"I don't know, Demi. You shoved me out of your life and now you're asking me to forgive and forget? It's not that easy."
"No." Sob. "Not." Sob. "Forget." Sob. "This was too big of an obstacle to forget." Sob. "Just forgive. That's all I'm asking of you. Please, Joe," I begged. He responded with a sigh. "Joe! Come on, please! Do you hear me right now? I'm begging. I don't beg! You know that, but I am now."
"Can you give me time to think it over?" He said, as if he was really not going to give it any thought. I sighed. "No, never mind. You don't have to, we both know you're not going to anyway, so I'll save you the "contemplation." I give up. Happy? Bye, Joe," I said, and with that, I turned on my heal and descended down the stairs, tears streaming down, as I bumped into Miley.
"What's wrong, hon?" she said, with concern.
"Nothing," I said, as I wiped my tears. "Let's go," I said, as I finished going down the last few step. I said a quick goodbye to Mrs. Gray and walked out the door. Miley said her goodbye's as well, and followed after me.
"You're full of it, Demi," she said, in an icy tone, "now tell me what the hell is going on?" She's a supportive friend, don't get the wrong idea. It's just that we had just had that conversation about not keeping our feelings away from each other, and I was already back to my old ways. "Joe hates me, okay? I don't want to talk about it," I finished.
"No he doesn't, and you know it. Sure, he's pissed off, I would be too, but hate you? Not in a million years."
"He does, Miley. He was so insistent on not forgiving me, he refused."
"Dem, stop this. He loves you so much, and you know that," she countered.
"No," I whispered, as I slammed the door shut.
Joe's POV
Maybe I was a bit harsh on her, but she was my best friend for five years, and suddenly life gets hard and she blows me off! She never answered my calls, texts, never responded to any of my voicemails. She just left me hanging, wondering why the hell my best friend left me. We haven't talked in seven months, and now she realizes that life without me is hard and she needs me, so she apologizes to me and expects me to forgive her right away? Well, it's not that easy, and I'm sure as hell not going to let her make a fool out of me, by forgiving her just so that the next time something complicated occurs in her life, she can put our friendship on pause. Shouldn't best friends run to each other in difficult situations? I guess that's what she has Miley for, though, right? That's why she doesn't need me nearly as much as she claims. She has an amazing friend that she'll always be able to run to. Miley's a good friend and she's genuinely a good person, and I'm happy my brother is dating someone like her. Maybe she's all that Demi needs.
Miley's POV
I hate this whole dramatic point in my life. I can't wait until it's over. I can't stand to see Demi so torn over this, and I can't stand to feel the way that I do. I can't stand the fact that some of my "friends" in fact, almost all of them, ditched me because of my false reputation. Demi is all I have, Joe doesn't talk to anyone anymore, which I find extremely hypocritical, because that's the exact reason he's so mad at Demi. The only person getting satisfaction out of this whole ordeal is my selfish father. I swear, this'll be the death of me.
Okay, so I really wanted to put this up. This is the longest chapter of any story I've ever done. So, I hope you like it, and please review. Tell me what you think of it. Improvements I need, what you like about my story, what you don't like about it. As long as it's constructive I'm good. If it's something like, "your story sucks," it's unecessary, and I don't need it. I have 11 reviews and I'm on chapter 4, I'd say that's pretty good, so thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me, when people review. Thank you so much!
-xoxo Tori.