A/N: OK, so I'm updating, again. Thank you to all the review. They were really encouraging. Just some notes, I made a mistake with the whole, Miley had no boyfriend deal, in the first chapter, she was dating Adam, and they were serious for a period of time. So I apologize. This is the next chapter, and I gotta say, I'm not really proud of it. In fact this is the third version of this chapter, because I had a lot of problems with it. I'm not proud of it, in fact I think it sucks. But I hope it will suffice, for the time being. I'm trying to update regularly, which is at least once a week. Thank you again for the reviews, alerts, and favorites. Plus I think this is my shortest chapter, but it has a lot of info.

Chapter Four

Miley stood at the airstrip, her tiny frame wore, a pair of low rise jeans, that revealed a thin span of flesh. A blank top rested on her shoulders, a light weight sweatshirt, clung to her body. Her brown wavy hair, was tied up, her blue eyes shielded behind her black sunglasses. Her purse was slung on her shoulder, as she watched the little jet, slowly open, the stairs slowly pulled down, and seconds later, a familiar face, walked through the doorway. She couldn't help but smile, as she saw the top of his curly bed of hair, a pair of aviators shielding his eyes, as a grin swept across his handsome face.

He was wearing a red T-shirt, and a pair of distressed denim, that hung low on his hip. Miley quickly ran over to him, as he held his arms open, immediately enveloping them around her, as she rested her head rested against his chest.

"Hey Miley!" Adam voice filled her ear.

"I missed you so much Ad." Miley murmured against his chest, before pulling away, a grin on her lips.

Adam smiled, "I miss you too Mi."

"How was your flight?" Miley asked, her arms still wrapped around his waist.

"It was really good." Adam replied with a smile.

Miley glance up meeting his warm brown eyes, before she leaned in, pressing her lips against his. Forgetting about everything that has happened, letting go of all things that she knew she would worry about, instead, she embraced the moment, that she was back in Adam arms.

--

Nick was seated on the plush couch of the Oken's home. The group had gathered to Oliver's house, two days after the weekend blowout at Nick's. Nick thoughts were racing, his mind wandering from the discussion that was currently being held. He was torn, he knew that another night he had spent with Ashley was another mistake to add to the list of disappointment.

Flashback

Four Years Ago

A fourteen year old Nick walked into Andover Prep Academy, on his first day of his freshman year. He eyes wandered around the large building, strolling through the hallways of the prestigious school, he had no care in the world to attend, finally he reached his locker where his group of friends had surrounded. He couldn't explain the disappointment he was feeling, somehow standing there, he knew that she would not be there. Putting on a smile, he greeted his friends before the bell chimed, the group scattered their different ways, heading to class.

--

Nick trotted down the hall, loosening the tie that hung around his neck, as he pushed open the door to the courtyard, searching for the familiar faces. His eyes roaming the crowd that was seated all around courtyard, before his eyes landed on the blonde hair girl. She sat alone, on the stone bench, beneath the willow tree. Her eyes reading across her textbook, her things sprawled out on the table. Something attracted him to her, he couldn't quite place it. By some force of nature, the gods above him was calling out for him to surrender to her. He hadn't realize that he was slowly inching towards her before Oliver stepped in, blocking his view.

"Ashley Werner." Oliver stated, his his following Nick's gaze to the girl sitting alone.

"Who?" Nick asked in confusion.

Oliver smiled, before he spoke, " The girl you are staring at. Blonde hair, green eyes, the girl sitting alone on the stone bench, as you watch her from afar."

Nick stammered over his words, realization that he was caught, "What... how... where... did you even come from?"

Oliver laughed, "You like her." He accused, a huge grin on his face, as he prodded Nick.

Nick shook his head bemused, "I don't even know her."

Oliver shrugged before he added his last remark, "But you want to..."

Without, waiting for a response, he shifted on his heel, as he head across the courtyard, to the table, where his friends were seated, turning over his shoulder, he shouted, "You coming Jonas?"

Nick took one last look at the blonde hair beauty, before she glanced up, her brilliant green eyes, locking with his brown eyes, and for an instance, as they locked eyes, he felt a sudden rush of butterflies erupting within him. He couldn't explain the attraction to the unknown girl, but he knew that he felt something. And with that, he gave her a sly smirk, with a wink. He turned and headed over to his groups of friends.

End Of Flashback

--

Ashley sat alone, in the cushioned seat, her head resting against the large paned window, her eyes scattered across the blacks words, as she held the book in her hand. She was losing herself in the characters of the story, the hours slowly passing her by, when a cell phone chimed brought her out of her thoughts. Placing her bookmark against the paper binding, she closed the pages, setting down the book. Picking up her white gemstone phone, she flipped open the cover, her eyes roaming across the screen as she let out a heavy sigh. Pushing her weight up, off the window seating that she had been situated at for the past morning, her feet touched the wooden floor. The cold wood, pressed against the palms of her feet, she padded across the floor, the cool air hitting against her bare shoulder, a white tank top clung to her torso, a pair of gray sweat hung loosely on her hips.

Slowly she inched closer to the double wooden doors, that she never could come close to understanding. The fear of what future within those doors held for her, frighten her, the never ending memories of every past experience within those doors had ended in tears. And as she stood before the dark wood doors, she held her breath, as her hand gripped the handle, pushing through, as she stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, the smell of smoke, filled the air. The wide spanning of walls, from floor to ceiling bookshelves, lined both sides of the walls. The floor to ceiling window, was drawn shut, the sunlight from outside deluded, through the thin sheets of shades that swept cross the panned windows. Slowly walking forwards, she stopped just before the cloth armchair that sat facing the large mahogany desk. Sat across from the desk, crept in the shadows of the room, was her father.

Glancing up as his gaze met her green eyes, her voice trembled, "You wanted to see me, sir."

Liam Werner twirled his cup, the ice slowly melting, the strong smell of Scotch filling the air. The minute Ashley stepped into the room, she knew her father was drunk. Slowly placing the glass onto the table, his voice filled the air, slightly slurred, but with authority, he boomed, "Where the hell were you last night?"

Ashley drew a breath, before she replied, her voice soft, "I spent the night at a friends house."

"Liar!" Liam shouted, his voice echoing through the vaulted ceiling, as he pushed himself out of the chair, sending it to spiral backwards. Gripping onto the edge of the desk to balance his stance, he yelled, "You slut, you were with that Jonas boy. Don't you lie to me."

The tears immediately sprang from Ashley's eyes, the glow of her striking green eyes were diluted behind the thick layer of tears, as they ran free. All the feelings of every insecurity she ever felt, being thrust into the open, as she listened to her father's word. Her heart breaking into a million pieces as she stood before him, alone.

He sneered his nose up in disgust, as he took a good look at his daughter, feeling not one ounce of remorse for the girl that stood before him. She was the spitting image of her mother, and in every way was the living reminder of the failed marriage he had tried so hard to salvaged. Only to have it thrown back in his face. Quickly moving around the desk, he took a step forward towards her, his demeanor was filled with anger, before he swiftly brought his opened hand, colliding it with the side of her face.

On impact, it stung, the hot flesh of her cheek radiating I heat, as she stumbled backward, before she collapsed to the ground. The tears falling harder, as her breathing quicken, barely abled to compose herself as she stuttered, "I'm... so... so... so-rry."

Liam let out a throaty laughter, before he looked at his daughter in disgust, his voice laced with ridiculed, as he spoke to her, "You are sorry? Of what? That you are a slut just like your mother. Get the hell out of my face."

Quickly pushing herself off the ground, Ashley found her balance, the tears falling hard. She immediately made her way out the mahogany doors, her eyes blurred behind the layer of tears, as she slowly carried her weight up the stairs. Her feet moving fast, as she pushed through the door of her bedroom, before collapsing onto the bed, allowing herself to let all emotions go. The pain that was burden so deep within her, slowly landed onto the pillow, the tears seeping through the satin sheets as she cried.

--

Adam quickly pulled away from Miley gripped, as he broke away their lips, slowly taking a step back, his thoughts racing. He slowly brought his eyes to meet her gaze, his heart breaking, as he saw the hurt and confusion, swept across Miley's face. Slowly he spoke, "Miley... what was that?"

Miley bit her lip, slowly gnawing at it, as she gathered her thoughts.

Adam sighed, as he took a step forward, placing a gentle hand on her cheek before he spoke, "Miley... what happen?"

The tears slowly began to fall, slowly trailing down the side of her face as she shook her head. Unable to find the words to tell Adam.

Adam slowly, wrapped his arms around Miley's tiny frame his heart breaking, he loved her, that much he was aware of, "Miley... you know I love you."

Miley nodded against his chest, before she barely murmured, her voice barely audible, "Then why did you pull away?"

Breaking away from the embrace, his hand slowly cupped Miley's face, before he titled her head up, allowing her eyes to meet his, as he locked his gazed with her he spoke softly, "Because you love Nick..."

Her heart broke as she swallowed a breath, before she sighed, the tears falling from her eyes, as she stood before the boy. He knew her like an open book, the past four years bringing them closer than she could never imagine. She loved him, in fact she loves him, but she wasn't in love with him. A simple word that changed the single meaning of the word love. Slowly she nodded, letting out a sigh, before she slowly rested her head against his firm chest, his arms wrapping her body, as he held her, stroking her long brown hair. She spoke softly her voice filled with vulnerability, "Why doesn't he love me back..."

Adam sighed, as he held the girl who held his heart, knowing the pain she was feeling. He wished he knew what to say, but the words didn't come, instead he held her tightly, knowing that one day he would have to let her go.

--

Nick sat quietly wrapped in his thoughts. The world that once made sense was slowly fading away, and he had no idea how to come to sense with what was in front of him. His heart falter as Miley's smile scampered through his mind. Like an open wound he thought back to the summer before she had left, his world slowly ripping away at the seam, until the final thread pull loose. She was the last stitched that held his world together, and she left.

Flashback

The tears were glistening in Miley's eyes, as they stood underneath the warm glow of the moon shining above them. The midnight sky was scattered with twinkling stars, that lit up the night sky. Taking in the breath of the Connecticut air, Miley broke into tears, as they ran free. The long trail of tears, falling from the vivid blue pools. Nick brought his hand slowly to the side of Miley's face, pressing his finger across her cheek, brushing away the fallen tears. His heart was breaking, as he took in the moment around him, knowing that everything would change.

"I need to do this for me Nick. I need to find myself, and I can't do it here. I can't always fall back on you, when things get tough. I need to learn how to stand on my two feet Nick, and I need to do this without you." Miley voice reasoned, faltering at bits and pieces.

Nick nodded, turning his gaze downwards to his toes, "So what now? You are going to run?"

Miley's shoulder shook, as her world crumbled to pieces, she had decided to leave the one place she had known, leaving the people who knew her best. "The way I see it, there is a wide open world out their, ready for me to explore, and I can't spend my time here. The futile lifestyle of the rich, I can't stand here to let them hold me back anymore."

Nick eyes slowly filled with tears before he spoke, his voice hesitant, "You can't deny who you are Miley."

"But thats the thing, I don't even know who I am..." Miley said in defeat.

Nick nodded, slowly before he spoke, his voice hushed, "And what about me? What do you want from me?"

"To tell me you'll be ok, and that you'll always be there." Miley said quietly.

Nick gaze ran across the tiny girl that stood before him, before he nodded, wiping away the tears that fell from his eyes, "I'll always be here."

Miley lips slowly tugged into a smile, before she said softly into the darkness, her words just below a whisper, "Hold me." It wasn't a question, or even a demand. It was a mere request, to be held, to feel his arms wrapped around her, once last time, embracing in the moment that would change their lives forever.

Slowly closing the distance between them, Nick's foot moving the few steps that separated them, he enveloped her in his arms. Her head resting against his chest, as she listened to his quickening heart, beating through his chest. Taking it in, he held onto the single moment, when he held his everything in his arms. He just wished he didn't have to let go. The tears falling down his eyes, as he came to realization of his feeling, the epiphany of the moment, Nick Jonas had finally figured out that he was falling in love with his best friend. But it was just too late.

The one person who made his life worth living, was walking out of his life at the end of the summer, and he couldn't do a single thing. Except let her go.

And into the darkness, his words so soft, it wasn't even heard, "I'm in love with you. If only that were enough."

End of Flashback

A/N: Reviews, I'm sorry if it gets a little confusing, but I'll elaborate more on Miley's decision to leave in future chapter. I feel really bad for Ashley, in a lot of ways, her story line is a little depressing. Nick flashback will tell you a lot of the past four years, so you will be seeing more of them. And don't worry, this is a Niley, and I will have a Niley ending. In some way or another. I hope I'm not dragging this out entirely, I just don't want to rush the story. But ok, please review.