"Hey, Nick!" Selena said loudly and brightly when she walked into Chemistry on Monday.
"Hi, Selena," he said casually, taking out his notebook and a pencil.
"Did you have a good weekend?"
Nick froze. She knew. She had to know, why else would she ask? He should have known someone would spot him with Miley. He looked up at her guiltily, but her face looked as placid as ever. Maybe she didn't know. He really needed to not be so paranoid.
"Yeah, it was—"
"Mine was awesome," Selena interrupted, almost as if she had only asked him so she could talk about her own weekend, "I visited my cousin and we went to this really crazy party."
"Cool," Nick said trying not to give her a look that said she was crazy. It was pretty obvious to Nick that she was just bragging.
"Yeah, I had a little too much to drink though," Selena said with a giggle, "But I met a lot of guys."
"Wow, good for you," Nick looked towards the door hoping that the teacher would walk in and cut their conversation short. Pretty soon it was going to be hard for Nick to pretend that he cared. And hard for him to pretend that he didn't see through her little story as an attempt to impress him.
Luckily, Nick's prayers were answered and their teacher walked in and quickly began the lecture.
"They were nothing serious though," Selena whispered as Nick began to take notes, "So don't worry."
Nick definitely wasn't worried. He wondered how much longer it would take for Selena to realize that he wasn't interested in her like that. She still seemed to be taking their one date as a proposal even though they hadn't even discussed hanging out again.
In contrast to that, Nick hadn't talked to Miley since their date. He wondered if things would be different between them now. Would she talk to him at lunch? Did he even want her to? He wondered if she had told her friends. They hadn't discussed it. Would they giggle and point when they saw him? He might die of embarrassment if that happened. But part of him felt like him and Miley were on the same page… they both wanted to keep this thing that was blossoming between them a secret. It was like if they both protected it carefully, it could maybe grow into something more.
When class was over, Selena once again asked Nick if they were having lunch together and once again Nick agreed because he didn't have any other plans. Despite the fact that Nick tried to ditch Selena by saying he had to stop by his locker, she wasn't deterred and decided to accompany him.
"So did you hear that Jen was having a big party this weekend?" she asked him. Jen was one of Selena's friends who was in their year at school. Somehow Nick doubted that a freshman was having a big party, but he just shook his head as he put his books away.
"Yup, her parents are going out of town… are you going to go?"
"I'm not really sure what I'm doing this weekend yet," Nick said noncommittally while closing his locker and heading for the lunchroom.
"Well, maybe Joe could drive us?" she pushed him, "Maybe he'll even want to go. Jen is trying to find someone to provide alcohol."
Nick tried not to be offended that Selena thought his brother would go only if there was alcohol. And he tried not to roll his eyes at the idea of Joe even thinking about going to a freshman girl's party.
"I think Joe's going to be visiting some colleges this weekend," Nick lied, hoping she would back off when she realized Nick couldn't provide a ride.
"Oh well, if I can find a ride, I'll let you know," she said with a big smile on her face. Nick almost groaned as they walked into the large room and got in line to get their food.
Selena continued to rattle on about the dress she had that would be perfect and about different kinds of alcohol. He wondered if she thought that was impressive. For someone who spent a lot of time tearing down the popular people who partied, she sure seemed to want to be them.
As they were walking towards their usual table, they had to pass Miley's table. Nick couldn't help but stare at her flawless face as she laughed at something someone said to her. Just as he was about to pass right by her, she looked up and caught his eye. Her smile noticeably widened and she gave him a little wink.
Nick's heart began to race and even once the moment was over he kept picturing her smile in his head. She was happy to see him. He hadn't even said anything and she had smiled. Somehow this small accomplishment was enough to get him through another lunch with Selena
"So how was your weekend?" Miley asked with a grin when Nick walked into her room later that day.
She was lying in bed on her stomach with her notebook and book in front of her. Her legs were bent at a 90-degree angle and her bare feet were swinging back and forth in the air.
"Pretty good," Nick said with a grin of his own, heading for her desk so they could sit down and start working.
"Come over here," she said, curling her finger towards herself. Nick changed his path from the desk and stood in front of her on the bed.
"Closer," she said with a cute grin, "Closer…"
Nick leaned closer to her and Miley reached up and grabbed his shirt, fisting it to pull him closer. Once he was close enough, she pressed a kiss against his lips. He was surprised by her gesture although, he realized, he really shouldn't be. But unlike Selena, Nick wasn't sure what one date meant. It's not like she was his girlfriend. He didn't know what the rules and guidelines between them were.
"So are you ready to get studying?" Nick asked awkwardly, turning a little red and feeling a little flustered.
"Yeah, of course, take a seat," Miley said moving over and patting the spot next to her on the bed.
Nick turned redder at the idea of lying on her bed with her. It probably didn't mean anything though right? She probably just wanted to be more comfortable today. Although if she had wanted to be comfortable, she probably wouldn't have been wearing a miniskirt and a white tank top, but Nick didn't want to read into that because then his mind would start going down the gutter and he'd feel even more flustered.
Nick sat next to her on the bed and cracked open his own book, "Okay… logarithms…."
Miley listened carefully to his explanation and then completed a few practice problems.
"Okay, I think you've got it… start on the homework and let me know if you need help."
They quickly settled into their usual routine of Miley doing her work and Nick started on his own homework. They were both working quietly for a while when Miley spoke.
"Nick…" she said and he looked down at her. She batted her eyelashes and smiled.
He was about to say "yeah?" when she leaned up again pulled him down to kiss him. He kissed her back and her hand slid into his hair, holding their mouths together. She sat up in front of him and started leaning her weight against his body until he had no choice but to fall back against her pillows. Then her tongue slid into his mouth and soon they were making out.
Instead of feeling uncomfortable like Nick would have felt if someone had told him he would be in this situation, Nick felt… content. He loved the way she smelled and the way she felt so light on top of him and how her smooth skin brushed against his.
Miley slid one of her long legs in between one of Nick's and pressed her chest against him so that almost all space between them was gone. Nick ran his hand down her back and grabbed and handful of her taut butt, pulling it closer to him, creating a pleasing friction between them. He had no idea where his bravery came from, but he seemed to have some masculine instinct that was kicking in. His hands moved from her backside up her sides, pulling her tank top along with them. While Nick was attempting to get to second base, Miley moved her leg from between his to the other side so that she was straddling him. Suddenly with Miley pressed against him that way Nick was aware of how tight his jeans had become and he wasn't the only one to notice it.
"Oh!" Miley said in surprise when she felt him between her legs. To Nick's credit, Miley was blushing just as much as he was at the realization that he was hard.
"I- sorry," Miley said, rolling off of him while Nick grabbed one of her smaller throw pillows to place on his lap until he could calm himself down.
"No, I'm sorry," Nick was surprised he was even able to talk he was so embarrassed. They were barely even doing anything and there he was hard as a rock. Miley was probably used to getting with older, more experienced guys who could control themselves unlike Nick who was practically still at puberty's door with his inability to control his body's reactions.
"Do you—," Miley started, fumbling for the right words, "I mean, are you—have you ever had sex?"
For a moment Nick thought about lying. He already looked like an idiot, why make it worse? But at the same time, he didn't want to lie to Miley. The fact that she had asked him and not just assumed made him trust her not to make fun of him.
"No," Nick said and closed his eyes, not wanting to see her reaction. He suddenly felt hot breath against his ear.
"Me neither."
"What?" Nick exclaimed sitting up.
"I know," Miley groaned, covering her face in embarrassment, "It's stupid because it seems like everyone I know has done it, but… I guess I just haven't found the right person. Every time I've gotten close, it just didn't feel right. I mean, the first time should mean something at least, right?"
"I completely agree," Nick said quickly. He couldn't pretend that he wasn't surprised, but luckily she wasn't offended that he was. He had a feeling that she purposely made it seem like she had done it.
"I'm just waiting to find a guy who I feel comfortable enough with and who doesn't look at me like a prize."
Nick just nodded. This made sense to him. He had definitely been raised to respect girls and was taught that sex is something special.
"I think you could be him," Miley whispered, looking him straight in the eyes. Nick's heart clenched in his chest as her blue eyes started right into his brown ones. It was hard for him to even fully comprehend what she was saying.
Yes, they had been hooking up and yes, they flirted and danced around the idea of liking each other, implying it, but never really saying anything. But this idea from Miley, that Nick could be the one, was the first real indication that what was going on between them was something bigger than either of them had originally planned.
Instead of messing up the moment with words, Nick laid back next to her on the bed and wrapped an arm around her while her head found the perfect spot on his shoulder. Nothing needed to be said as they laid there and let the possibilities of what they could be surround them.
Oh Nick and Miley... will those crazy kids ever define what they are to each other? And what about Jake? And Miley's friends? And Jen's party? Will they do it? Stay tuned :)
