A/N: I know I already uploaded this chapter, but I had to re- upload it because I added an extra part in the end I forgot to add before. It ended up being pretty important so review and tell me what you think of the story so far. :)
March 26, 2010 9:24 A.M. {Present- Day}
The next day at school was pretty much a re- run of yesterday.
Humiliating.
Slow.
Alone.
History first period with Selena was pretty much as I expected; ignoring my existence while I sat there trying to think up ways to explain to her what happened.
No such luck.
I've seen Demi in the halls too, but she's always been surrounded by huge groups of people that I never actually had a chance to go up to her and talk in private. They were like her shield, her protection, even her security… The only problem was that they were protecting her away from me.
Again, I watched from my distant spot on the stone bench as Demi and Selena were swallowed up in the protective crowd.
"Hey," a familiar voice whispered behind me. I turned around to see Nick Hanson sleekly dressed in a white v- neck t-shirt underneath a leather jacket that was basically his trade-mark look. "What are you doing? Just watching?"
I couldn't tell if he had seen where or more specifically who I was staring at, but he didn't seem to pry as I just shrugged my shoulders loosely. In a few moments, silence slipped over as he just sat there again looking at me. As if instinctively, I slipped my iPod out of my backpack and slid my earphones back in place. A Paramore song began blasting through, filling up the empty spaces of my mind.
"Brick by Boring Brick?" Nick smirked as he leaned his arms behind him casually. It almost hurt to look at him. The thing with Nick Hanson was that he was flawless. Clear white porcelain skin, big soft brown eyes that made girls melt, well- built muscled arms, perfect locks of jet black curls, and a good heart. The only problem was that people were too intimidated by his mysterious look to completely notice these things about him. Even I haven't noticed it until right now. Finally, I caught him studying me again.
"You're weird," he finally said, and I sat there shocked feeling a piercing in my chest. "Good weird," he supported quickly, spotting the hurt on my face. "Most of the people in this town all blend in together. You can never tell who's who sometimes. You're different. Quieter… more mysterious I guess."
I smirked and looked at him. "I'm mysterious? Look who's talking, Mr. I'."
He laughed and shrugged. "I'm not a party person."
"I've noticed."
He turned towards me again with a hint of a smile that I couldn't read. "You're not either as I've heard."
"You have heard correctly. The only reason I've been to some of those things is because Liam drags m…" I stopped instantly. It almost surprised me at how easily I could just say his name. Like nothing happened at all. Like he was about to swagger down those stone steps and beg me to go with him to another party that Saturday.
I looked down again, refusing to meet Nick's eyes. I knew he had seen me waver from saying his name. Silence took over again and I had never been so glad to have my iPod in hand. I turned up the volume as loud as it could go until it was blasting full force in my eardrums causing my heart to beat with every slam of the drum line.
Yet, somehow, through all this noise, I was still able to hear the following words.
"Why are you so afraid?" Nick's voice was straight- forward; fearless, you might even call it.
"I'm not afraid," I slashed back harshly, though I couldn't find the strength in me to look at him. Instead of answering, he just shook his head almost as if I had said something wrong. He stood up, taking his backpack casually on one shoulder.
"I take that back. You're not as different as I thought you would be."
November 6, 2008 6: 26 P.M.
"Hey, Stewart. Robbing us again?" Liam strode in to Selena's room wearing a football jersey. He probably just got back from practice.
"Hey, Liam," I said awkwardly, trying not to remember that the last time I had seen him outside of school was when I had walked into him half- naked.
"Where's Sel?"
"Kidnapped."
He laughed as he took a seat across the bed which I was lying on. "So what are you guys up to? Something bad? If yes, then let me join."
I slapped his shoulder playfully and giggled. "No. Nothing bad. Just talking about girl stuff. School. Clothes. Make- up. Guys."
He waggled an eyebrow causing me to laugh. "Guys. Hm… Who's the guy in your life, Stewart? I don't think I've ever seen you with a boyfriend."
I shrugged tying my best to hide the blush that was spreading my face. "That's because I don't have one."
"Well, you should," Liam grinned that lopsided grin that made me go crazy.
I looked at him and met his blue eyes that reminded me of a clear sky; simple and breath- taking. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged and a second later, Selena walked into the room with snacks. "Hey- Liam? What are you doing in here? Stop hiting on my friends. It's creeping us out."
He grinned again, but this time he looked straight at me. "What if I don't want to."
Selena groaned next to me as I sat there with my heart caught in my throat. Was he really interested in me? Was I interested in him? Before I could get anything out, Selena had pushed him out of the room.
"Sorry about that. Liam can get really weird when friends are around. Usually, he's a little less weird though."
"Does he have a girlfriend?" Miley asked trying her best to seem casual. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and tried to act like she was paying more attention to her magazine.
Selena was just too good.
"EW. Did you really just ask that? NO, NO, NO, Miley. Liam is… he's… he is not for you. I know your type," Selena scrunched her nose up as if still in disbelief of the thought.
I laughed rolling on her stomach. "And what's my type, Sel?"
She shrugged, biting her lip. "I don't know. Just not… him. I guess I see you as the serious type. My brother messes around with way too many girls. He CANNOT keep a serious relationship."
I kept silent and continued to stare at the open page of the magazine, but not really reading it. I wasn't surprised. I knew about Liam's history with other girls, but I always assumed… more like wished that it was all a myth; that Selena would clear it up and tell me that he was a one- man guy.
"Well, he does act different with you…" Selena droned on as she began applying nail polish on her right hand perfectly. I guess that was an upside when you're a lefty and a righty. I didn't say anything back, but she didn't have to. "FINE. I'll go find out what he thinks about you, and THEN will you get over this little crush of yours?"
"Are you serious?" I squealed from Selena's bed throwing the magazine on the floor.
"Aw. What the heck. This is going to be way too fun. But if he says you're an ugly pig or something don't come crying to me. I warned you about him," Selena laughed, blowing on her perfect coral red nails.
"Thanks. That was supportive," I rolled my eyes teasingly.
But Selena got serious. "Really, Miley. I don't want you to get hurt. Or for you to hurt him. Whatever happens…. I just don't want anything to change or…"
"What?"
Selena bit her lip, something she did whenever she was holding something back. "Just be careful okay. Liam's a more complicated guy than you think. And if something goes wrong with you two, you have to tell me. Promise?"
"Promise," I lied.
March 26, 2010 3:14 P.M. {Present- Day}
"Hey," Miley called out catching up to Demi.
"Hey," Demi said, looking around as if wanting to be anywhere else but here with her.
"Can you at least look at me?" Miley pleaded. It almost surprised her how desperate her voice sounded… almost feeling. Demi seemed to have caught her change in tone as she slowly leveled her black marble eyes to meet Miley's. "Listen. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out this today. Mall like usual?" But Demi stayed quiet… like she wasn't sure she had heard her right. "Like old times," Miley swallowed. It was amazing to think that what was 'old times' was just a few weeks ago.
Demi looked down at her black chipped nail polish, an obsession of hers ever since the beginning of high school, before nodding. Miley bit back a smile knowing that she shouldn't get too excited. Awkwardly, Miley reached in for a hug, and despite the fact that it was cold, distant, and even awkward, she couldn't let go.
"I've missed you, you know," Demi whispered shakily. It was so quiet as if it were only meant to tell herself and not Miley.
"I've missed you too," Miley whispered back as they pulled away. Miley swore she saw a hint of a smile play on her best friend's face, but a cough and a loud storm of footsteps echoed behind us.
"Demi," Joe called out. He seemed angry as he pulled her arm possessively. This was the first time I had seen him in weeks. His hair was a complete mess of uncombed waves of black and his eyes were buried with lines underneath. I wouldn't have been able to recognize him if I didn't hear his voice. "Let's go," he gritted between his teeth as he pulled Demi away, not even taking notice of Miley's presence. Miley and Joe were never really that close, but they got along. They were even what you would call pretty good friends. He was Demi's boyfriend for two years, one of Liam's best friends, and one of the most popular guys in school. He might have had a troublesome record here and there, but even Miley knew that he was a sweet guy with a good heart. He was also Nick Hanson's big brother.
"So I'll see you later?" Miley called out awkwardly as she watched Joe and Demi walk down the hall and out of the doors. Before they had left, Demi had turned her head to look at her, and all Miley could read on her face was apology and regrets. She couldn't tell which was for her or if any of them were even for her or even if both were.
Suddenly, Miley was left alone in the hallway staring down the locker covered walls that she had once felt safe to walk through. When she looked at them now, she only saw flashes of running… blood… heavy footsteps chasing after them… or maybe it was her own. By now, everything was too mashed up in her head to make sense.
Just like she wanted it to be.
A small shuffle of paper or even voices caught Miley's attention. She turned around looking to her left, then to her right, and then behind her. Her skin was crawling as she felt her heart drumming in her chest. Someone was watching her.
Holding her breath, she clutched her backpack and took one last long look at the empty hallway behind her before running through the double doors and making her escape.
December 1, 2010 7: 56 A.M.
"Hey," Liam caught up to her in the hallway. He had on his football jersey which stretched over him so flawlessly that Miley couldn't help but stare. Demi and Selena giggled next to her and suddenly she wished that they were alone. Luckily, Selena seemed to get the message as she dragged Demi away from us and into the girl's bathroom where I knew they would just start gossiping about us anyway.
"Hey," Miley smiled shyly, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. He seemed to be as nervous as me as he ran his hands through his short blond waves over and over again that it ended up sticking on the top of his head. Miley couldn't help but giggle and reached over to straighten it out for him. Suddenly, she noticed what she was doing and brought her hands back to her sides embarrassed. For the next few minutes, they walked down the hall in silence.
"Why is this so much harder than it needs to me," he grumbled to himself as if forgetting I was standing right next to him.
"What are you talking about?" Miley asked raising an eyebrow.
He ran his hands through his hair again. "It's just that… Well, I ask girls out so many times… well, not so many," he coughed awkwardly, and Miley felt as if time froze. Did he just say 'ask out'? "But, I have no idea why I'm so nervous around you," he laughed awkwardly, stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets.
"I guess I'm weird like that," Miley grinned as she approached her locker, leaning on it casually even though her heart was going crazy doing cartwheels and all that other stuff that hearts do when you couldn't be happier in your life.
"Or maybe you're just special like that," he smiled back as a group of junior girls walked past by. Soon, stares started shooting towards them, but Miley didn't care. Right now, it was only her and Liam. It would always only be her and Liam.
"So…" Miley raised an eyebrow. "What are you trying to say, Liam?"
"What I'm trying to say is… that I like you, and you make me go crazy, and I would love to take you out to a movie on Friday. Simple enough?"
Miley felt herself blush crimson. His words were still forming together in her head as if making sure it wasn't an illusion, but she seemed to find a calm to nod back. He broke into his signature lopsided grin, the one that made Miley just have to smile back. To Miley's harsh luck, the third bell rang a few seconds later.
"Well, I'll see you later then?" Liam grinned, walking backwards down the hall.
"Friday," Miley called out smiling.
"Friday," Liam repeated, still walking backwards. He caught up to his friends who were messing with a few freshman kids before continuing to class. Miley watched him with a building smile as she tried to calm the beating inside of her chest that continued way after he disappeared down the hall.
March 26, 2010 9: 30 {Present- Day}
Miley toyed with her straw as she took cautious sips from her iced water. Demi had promised her she'd meet up with her at the mall food court, but she was already almost an hour late. She was starting to wonder if this really was the right choice or if she was just making a fool of herself. Just as Miley was about to stand up and leave, Demi rushed in looking like a mess. Her clothes looked wrinkled and baggy and her eyes wear tearing.
"Demi?" Miley called out waving her hands. Demi caught them and walked over a little unsurely as if wanting to just turn and run out of the double doors. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Demi took a seat across from me and looked at her hands. "I can't be here," she whispered.
"What do you mean Your parents grounded you?"
She bit her lip and shook her head. "I just can't be here."
"Cut the bulllcrap, Demi. Why the hell are you acting so bipolar around me?" Miley stormed out. She didn't even realize how much confusion and anger she had been holding back until now.
Demi tucked a strand of raven black hair behind her ear, revealing a small swollen scar. "It's not me, Miley," she sobbed. "It's... it's just complicated."
Miley reached over so she could look at Demi clearly. "Is it Joe?"
Demi cleared her throat and didn't answer... But she didn't need to. Miley already knew. Demi knew she knew. She was just too scared to admit it.
"Do you know what happened, Miles? Do you even have any idea who else died that day?"
Now it was miley's turn to look down. Her parents had tried to sit her down to tell her, b ut she just wans't strong enough to hear it. And everyone at school was too scared to talk about it, so Miley wasn't really able to find out.
"Miles, We were all in the cafeteria when it happened. Remember. When you and Liam kinda... disapppeared."
"We didn't disappear, Demi. We were-" Miley droned out, not really knowing how to answer.
"So it was just me, Sel, Nick, Joe, and Kevin in our table when the shooting began. Miley... Kevin died that day."
Miley paused holding back a cry. How could Kevin just be gone? He was supposed to go to Stanford next year. He had a beautiful girlfriend who he planned on marrying after graduating. He had two supportive brothers and two amazing parents. These things never happened to kids like him. It just didn't.
"He died instantly," Demi continued. "He was hit in the head, and the doctors said he died instantly."
Miley stayed silent so Demi continued.
"I guess that's a good thing. You know, no pain. I think that's what made Joe feel a little better."
Miley looked up. "Is that why Joe's so angry at me? Because he thinks I killed him?"
"Something along those lines," Demi answered, her voice getting quiet.
"What about you? Do you believe me, Demi?"
"I don't know," she shook her head and placed it in her hands.
"So what? You think I just went around and started shooting everyone for no damn reason? I loved everyone at that school. Why the fuck would I do that?" Miley explained calmly, but she could see Demi cringe across from her as if shocked by her words.
"Miles-" Demi tried to get out as her eyes grew wide.
"I think you should go," Miley whispered as she toyed with the straw of her water. As if not knowing what else to say or do, Demi stood up shakily and put on her jacket. She opened her mouth as if she were going to say something else, but she bit her lip and held it back. Not saying anything else, she walked out of the food court.
And for once, Miley felt relieved to finally be alone.
