Author's Note: AHH! Thank you for the reviews, I love them so much. So, my laptop still isn't fixed and my keyboard was screwed up too. I just bought a new one yesterday, I'm sorry if it's a little late. The next chapter may take a little longer. But, I have a new story and I'm working on it. Major T in the last part of the chapter. :D Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
"I'm waiting, Miley."
"We just kissed. And he's not my boyfriend, Lily." I said over the phone, laying down on my bed. It was 8 in the morning and I decided to skip breakfast, to call Lily. Plus my head is throbbing so I had to stay in bed a few more minutes. I could replay all that happened last night.. the kiss, the laughs, the dancing, the drinks and falling asleep in Nick's car.
"Do you realize this is all wrong?" Obviously I told Lily about it.
"I do, but.. we're just friends." I reasoned out hiding under the covers to block off the sun.
"Kissing, wait no, making out at a party isn't just friends, Mi."
"Okay.. we're friends but we like each other. We kissed. I didn't mind. I like him."
"This might be just like.. a summer fling, then when you get to college, bam, broken heart. And after the summer, when you leave, it's going to be hard. And you live in the same house, that's a little creepy. Mi, you need to tell him what you think of this."
"I will, I just don't know how." I said quietly and turned to my side.
"I can't believe first two days in there and you're already in love."
"I'm not in love.. yet. And it's not like we just met now. We've been friends for years." I tried to defend but obviously Lily was too smart for that.
"Yeah, no. His Mom and your Mom are friends. And you guys were in World War III." she said sarcastically, and I huffed.
"Aw, I miss you Lils. I wish you were here so you could give me a slap on the face. And then meet all the cute boys around here." I teased.
"Take a picture if you can and send them." she said in a hushed tone. I laughed.
"I'm not going to be a stalker for you. Crazy."
"You don't have to take them seriously. You can get some when the band rehearses or something." I rolled my eyes and laughed.
"So how are you guys there?" I asked, missing them all over again.
"Party later at Tori's. Oliver's grounded so he's not coming. I think it's something about him getting caught watching X-rated movies."
"Boys." I sighed.
"I know. Jake's going out with Dianne, and Alex is being Alex, couch potato." she laughed, I missed her laugh.
"Miss you guys. Tell everyone I miss them. I'll just email the photos if I ever get some. You should see some of Nick's photography, they're amazing." I heard her say 'amazing' in a sarcastic tone and I let out another laugh. "Alright, someone else is on the line, I gotta go. Bye." I hung up from Lily and answered the incoming call. "Hello?"
"Hey Baby Girl." I heard my Dad's voice on the line.
"Dad!" I exclaimed, he laughed.
When I hung up from my long and very baby-ish conversation with Dad. I got scared of the silence, even though the room was very lit and it's morning. What happened last night kept on replaying inside my head. I touched my lips. He kissed me. It was real. It wasn't like my drowning dream. I remembered his eyes, the way he looked so intense when he stared at me. The way he really did look attractive in the dim lights. I started to think of what happens after this. New Jersey, back to Cali, then to Brown in Rhode Island. He'd be in NYU, if he'd follow what he wants. We'll be kilometers apart. If this doesn't work out, living in one house would be as awkward as hell. I groaned. Should I act like nothing happened? Should I tell him what we were doing was crazy? I took out a pen, and my notebook. I started to write.
Party last night. Wasn't what I expected, really. And everything is still vivid. It was real. I told him about Ethan. It felt good finally telling someone the other side of me. The crazy side. Except I wasn't really crazy, sometimes I feel I'm crazy. People tell me I'm crazy. I was a murderer. But no, Nick told me I wasn't. It felt good. He kissed me. Now that was... something. I don't know what happens after this. Guess we just have to find out. Can I just, scream?
I dropped the pen and grabbed a pillow. I violently placed it on my face, took a deep breath and just screamed. I heard the door open.
"Miley?" I heard my Mom said. Even she can hear my muffled screams.
"Yeah?" I lifted the pillow off my face, acting like nothing happened.
"You missed breakfast." she said with a worried look.
"Yeah, I uh.. just needed to sleep in. I got tired from last night." I reasoned out. She nodded, still suspicious.
"Alright. There's still breakfast downstairs." she said, pointing behind her.
"Sure." I nodded as I fixed my hair and sighed.
"We're leaving now, okay?" she told me and I nodded.
"Yeah. Have fun at work, Mom." I forced a smile.
"Are you okay, dear?" she finally asked. I hate it when she senses something wrong.
"I'm fine." I said, nodding and kept the smile on my face.
"Did something happen last night?" she entered the room and closed the door behind her. She sat next to me on the bed.
"No. Nothing. I'm just really tired." I shrugged and she seemed to buy it.
"Okay, then. Get some rest today. I'll see you later." she pulled me closer and gave me a kiss on the forehead. I gave her a small smile and she left the room.
I finally had the courage to go down when I got myself cleaned and dressed up. Plus I was really hungry so I decided to come down. The house is once again, silent, peaceful. With only two people living in a home like this.. you kind of get freaked out a little. I found Nick in the garage, his white tank top messed up with black smudges. His car hood was open and he was fixing a few things in it.
"Hey." I greeted, not knowing where this conversation was going.
"Hi." he said, looking up from under the hood. He got out and wiped his hand on a clean cloth. "You missed breakfast."
"Listen, Nick.. about last night." I walked toward him and before I could continue, I felt his lips on mine. My eyes closed on the split second I felt him lean in. I loved how his lips touches mine, I almost wrapped my arms around him when I remembered why I was down here. I pulled away and he smiled. I just stared at him and sighed, his smile faded.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't know. About.. this." I randomly waved my hands around, referring to us. I dropped my hands and stared at him again. I mentally slapped myself thinking of how pathetic I might have sounded. You kiss him back and then you're this, what the hell are you doing Miley?
"You don't know?" he raised an eyebrow.
"This is.. very complicated." I sighed.
"It isn't if you don't think of it that way." he shook his head.
"That's just it. I can't help thinking of it that way. I like you Nick, don't get me wrong.. it's just..."
"It's okay Miley.. I-I understand. I'm sorry." he looked down, nodding.
"No, Nick. God! Why is this so hard?" I grunted under my breath, he looked up at me and chuckled. How can he find this funny? Jesus Christ, Nicholas! I sighed. "How about.. friends?" I said, slightly shrugging. God, damn it, this is so awkward. He nodded and looked at me for a second.
"Sure, yeah, I mean.. friends. For now." he winked. I scoffed and let out a small laugh. "Can you start the car, I'll go check how the engine is."
"Sure." I nodded.
"Wait, one more thing."
"What?" I gave him a look, he leaned in again and gave me a peck on the lips. He's such a tease. I won't deny that I liked it. But, we had a deal. "Nick.." I exclaimed.
"Sorry, couldn't help it. Won't happen again. Swear." he chuckled and I slapped his chest with the back of my hand. I giggled as I got in the car. I started the engine.
Ten days. And I am loving it, loving every moment of it. We're taking it slow. We were friends, but then again, something more than that. I'm starting to think. I'm thinking.. Don't laugh, okay? I love him. Am I crazy? Should I even think of it? TEN DAYS. I think I should go back to therapy. I am crazy. But I love him. Nick is, for the lac of better word.. perfect. I listened to his songs again, yesterday. They were laughable and I loved them. I like how he, tries to take a good photo of me when I refuse to. I liked the way he holds my hand under the table during dinner. Is it crazy that I love him? I need to call my doctor again.
Note to self: Lily's pictures. When the band practices, make sure you bring your camera.
Another page of my notebook was piled with words about me and Nick, what I feel about him, what kind of day I just had, what I think about what would happen next.
Nick and I have the house to ourselves. Surprisingly, our Moms trust us and no, nothing extreme has ever happened. Nick has been nice, he kept our deal. Although sometimes he can't help but go all sweet and kiss me. Mom and Aunt Denise's day offs are on Tuesday's and they helped us with a couple of chores. We get ourselves into a few conversations and Nick would glance my way and give me a secretive wink. I blush. When they get home, Mom would just talk to me nonstop about work and Dad and ask me how my day was. I tried to slowly tell her what I think about Nick. But I really couldn't get into the actual point, I end up changing the subject.
For the past week Nick and I are enjoying ourselves without spending too much time with each other. He went out with his guy friends a couple more times this week and I let him go alone. I didn't want to squeeze in with them when it was obviously a guy's night out. At some point, I would wonder if Nick thinks about me as much as I do with him. I would wonder if he talks about me with his guy friends, especially now that they saw us together in the party.
We'd do our daily morning jog. In the afternoon, I would read and he'd work on his music. We'd take walks, no holding hands, no arm around the other, no kissing. I was pretty impressed with him, taking it slow.. just having fun with each other around. But yesterday, I couldn't help but take his hand when we had a walk to the playground. And maybe a little kiss didn't hurt.
We're alone again, Mom and Denise left. They just left for New York, New York, just this morning. Their batch will have a seminar and Aunt Denise was happy to accompany her since she's been to New York before. The seminar would last 5 days, and they seemed to be okay with the idea of me and Nick being alone for days. They trusted us and they knew we can handle ourselves just fine.. I hope.
I decided to take a milk bubble bath, to just make my day by relaxing. I can't believe Mom just left for New York and no matter how hard I begged, she decided to make me stay here. I was so jealous. I turn on the faucet, fill the tub with bubble bath soap and take off my clothes. I put my hair up and stepped into the tub, feeling the warm water touch my skin. I sit as I sigh, closing my eyes. I couldn't hear anything, I don't want to hear anything, I don't want to think of anything, just me and the warm soapy water that it touching my skin. The door opened, my head turned and saw Nick was holding the door open.
"What the hell, Nick? You still don't know how to knock?" I shouted at him as I dipped myself deeper into the water until it almost reached my neck. He smiled and then chuckled.
"I'm sorry. You don't know how to lock a door?" he snapped back. I gave him a glare.
"Well, I apologize for growing up in a house with a much less complicated type of lock." I defended and he laughed. Curse Nick's house and their fancy complications.
"I was finding you." he said as he walked into the bathroom closing the door behind him.
"I'd be more comfortable if you stayed by the door." instead he walked near the tub and sat on the floor beside me. I gave him a look. "You're lucky the tub is all milky and bubbly." I said with narrowed eyes.
"What's on our agenda today?" he said placing his arms on the tub's rim, looking at me. I play with the bubbles, thinking.
"I disappear for.. six minutes and you come finding me just to ask that question?" I said, still playing with the foamy bubbles in my hands.
"Sort of." he said putting his chin on his arm. I am lucky this tub is deep enough to hide my.. everything. I sighed.
"I don't know.. Relax, read, watch TV." I shrugged, gathering he bubbles to my chest and play with it.
"How 'bout we go bowling?" he suggested.
"Bowling?" I looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah, there's one in town. And they serve pizzas, nachos, tacos, fries, juicy burgers." he nodded as he says the statement. The burgers suddenly changed my mind.
"I like juicy burgers." I nodded with him, smiling.
"Mm. We'll go later." he smiles.
"Okay." I nodded and looked back to the bubbles in my hands, transferring them from one hand to another. I make mountain like shapes by molding the top with my fingertips. I felt Nick watching me for a moment.
"What do you want to do now?" he said softly. He likes starting conversations a lot. The question made me feel playful, so I gathered a handful of bubbles, not too many.
"Right now.. this." I wiped the pile of bubbles on my hand on Nick's face, shaping it like a beard. "Mmm.. you look adorable." I grinned and couldn't help but laugh.
"Cute, Miley." he teased, I laughed harder as I shaped it perfectly on his chin. "Mi, take it off." he chuckled.
"No." I said.
"Yes." he demanded. I giggled.
"No. I like you with a beard." I shaped it again, adding more.
"Really?" he looked down at the white foamy beard.
"Can you even grow one?" I raised an eyebrow at him and broke into a laugh.
"Ouch." he said with a dramatic gesture, placing his hands on his chest.
"I'm kidding. And that acting thing is really great.. you looked almost believable." I laughed and he chuckled.
"Lucky you're in a tub right now." he stood up and walked to the sink.
"Oh yeah. This is really lucky." I nodded, and giggled. I watched him wash his face.
"See you in a few." he said and I nodded. He left the room and I try to get back to relaxing.
Next thing I know I'm getting off the car with Nick. The place was like any other bowling alley. Retro, fun, colorful, packed.. especially now that it's summer.
"You keep taking me to places. But we haven't checked out the library yet." I said as I closed the car door behind me.
"We'll see it sometime. It's not like it going to grow four legs and run away, right?" he joked.
"Very imaginative, Nick. Wow." I laughed. He took my arm and locked it with his. I leaned my head on his shoulder as we walk to the building. I loved being this close to him.
"How do you like it here so far?" he asked when we entered.
"Princeton or the bowling alley?" I looked around. It was a bowling alley, nothing different.. pins, bowling balls, tables, score boards, bowling shoes, smell of food, a regular bowling alley.
"Princeton." he answered.
"Well, for the record, coming from a small town in California.. this place kind of feels like home too. Peaceful, simple living, except for the mansion part though."
"But you love the house." he said as he nudged me.
"I do. And everything is perfect." Sometimes, I think a little too perfect. I nodded as we approached the counter.
We rented shoes, picked a lane and a ball. I sat on our table soaking in the surroundings. Nick sat beside me studying the scoreboard for a few seconds. I stared at him, observing him. He just makes everything better. I don't know if he even knows that he's always the one who makes my day. He makes everything seem easier. I was starting to think, life.. has never been this good before. After all the screwed up things I've been through.
I picked up my ball and gave him a look. "Prepared to be crushed, Nicholas Jerry Grey."
"Show me what you don't got Miley Ray Stewart." he shrugged and pointed his hands to the lane. I turn around and faced the shiny wooden floor. The pins were ready, standing at the other end of the lane. I took a deep breath and rolled the ball. It was going.. and going.. then I hear pins tumbling down. A strike! I snapped my body to Nick, gave him a smug look and laughed. "Not bad Stewart."
"Thank you, Nicholas." I gave him a small curtsy and walked back to our table.
"My turn then." he stood up and I was inches away from his face. It was so tempting to kiss him right now, I bit my lip.
"Lane's all yours, monsieur." I say under my breath and his lips broke into a smile.
"Don't get me started with French." he said as I laughed. He picked up his balland walked in front of the lane, I took a seat and watched him. He took a few steps, slightly crossed his feet under the other, bent down and rolled the ball ever so smoothly. We watched the ball go in a smooth and fast pace, after a few seconds the ball knocked all the pins down. The scoreboard showed a huge 'x' next to his name, right below my 'x'. He looked back at me and I gave him a small smile.
"Tied for first?" I asked, as I crossed my arms.
"I could deal with that. But the game must go on." he pointed at me and I nodded.
After a few strikes, spares and more knocking down of pins, I've scored a few points higher than Nick.
"Ooh, so close." I said, squinting my eyes. He left two pins standing, he needed another strike to beat my score. But luckily for me, that was his last shot.
"But not good enough. Fine, you win."
"Oh you're such a great sport Nicholas." I said sarcastically as I stood up. He walked closer to me and chuckled. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I place my hands on his shoulders. I giggled as I pulled him for a kiss. I beat Nick with six points. It was cute how competitive he gets. We left the bowling alley a few hours after we arrived there. It was past six, the orange sun was still shining from the sky, giving the surrounding a nice golden glow. We got into his car.
"That was fun, wasn't it?"
"Only because you beat me."
"Yeah, maybe that. But that was the most fun we've done."
"Well, we're not quite done yet. I want to take you somewhere."
"Surprise me."
"Oh you'll be surprised." he chuckled as he started the engine.
The sun was beginning to set when we arrived to what looks like a private pool. I had a bad feeling about this. The sun was giving the water and orange and gray mixture of color, giving it a little sparkle too. I could smell the chlorine from the gate. Nick opened the wire gate and we entered the empty pool site.
"Why are we here?" I asked and walked by his side.
"It's peaceful here. No one swims here after five." he said as we strolled around the pool.
"Why?" I asked.
"It's closed. But don't worry, the owner's a friend of mine a he said I could stop by anytime if I wanted to." he explained as he put his hands in his pocket.
"What's with you and water?" I asked, smiling.
"They're fun." he answered.
"They're terrifying." I added.
"That's because you keep coming back to that day. But if you try to just.. enjoy it again, forget all your anxiety, embrace the water, you might get over it. Not that I'm a psychiatrist or anything, maybe you should try?" he took my hand and a warmth spread through my body. I gave him a small smile.
"Where are you going with this?"I asked and he shrugged. He started looking around the pebbles and picked one up. He held the flat pebble up.
"I could do a triple skip with this pebble." That was a random thing to say. I let out a small laugh.
"No you can't." I opposed.
"Wanna bet?" he offered, smirking.
"Okay. I win, we just stay at home for the rest of the week and then check out the library without you complaining how quiet it is.."
"Aww. But if I win.. you kiss me." he said, throwing his pebble in the air and caught it with his hand.
"That's seems fine." I shrugged.
"In the pool." In the pool. He is crazy.
"On water? The pool? Are you crazy?" I defended.
"We made a bet. Let it begin." he threw the pebble on the water like a Frisbee. I counted, one, two.. crap, three. He looked at me and smiled, a sneaky smile.
"No! I'm not going in there!" I screamed as he lifted me off the ground.
"Do you trust me?" he asked as I squirmed in his arms, laughing.
"Technically." I whimpered.
"Take a deep breath!" he said and I did as we jumped into the pool. I opened my eyes and found it comforting Nick was smiling in front of me, underwater. We both swim up our heads popping out of the water.
"You're crazy." I said out of breath. He chuckled. I was standing in the pool in front of him, the water up to our shoulders. There was one moment of silence. I could only hear the breeze brush by our faces, the water's splashes, our breathing. He swam closer to me. I held his shoulder and touched his wet cold face. I smiled.
"I love you, Miley." he said as he leaned closer to me, placing his forehead against mine. I could feel his hot breath on my face. I pulled my body towards him and wrapped my lags around his hips.
"I love you too, Nick" I finally answered. I love Nick. I'm in love with him. He held my face as we kiss passionately under the twilight sky. I could feel the small waves of the water on my skin, I can't seem to freak out like I usually do. With Nick, I feel secured, safe, confident as if I'm invincible. I started to swim around, and float on my back.
"You're swimming." he said, smiling and took my hand.
"Mind blow, right?" I laughed.
"Told you you could do it.." he said, kissing my fingertips.
"There's something about you that makes me trust you. And maybe this time, I wouldn't drown and take somebody's life." I joked but he seemed to take it seriously.
"You didn't take his life." he defended and intertwined his fingers with mine.
"I wish I'd believe that I didn't." I said softly.
"Mi.. Believe me, you're not a murderer. You're amazing." he smiled and I gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "We should probably get out of the pool already. It's freezing."
"Are you kidding me? I finally got into the water and made me soak my clothes just to swim for a minute?"
"Yeah."
"Well, might as well get the most out of it." I swam to the pool's edge and lifted my body out of the water. I stood up and took off my tank top and my pants. I rolled my clothes and squeezed the water out of them. I laughed when I caught Nick staring at me. I threw my clothes on a chair sitting on the poolside. I dived into the water only with my undergarments. Not exactly for swimming but good enough. I smiled when I got near Nick.
"Hi." I said, teasing him.
"Hi." he replied, sort of breathless.
"Your car's going to get really soaked if you don't take those off." I teased a little bit more as I bit my lip.
"Probably." he chuckled as he took off his shirt and threw it on the pool's edge. His small abs showing from underwater. The little sunlight is about to disappear any minute now. I could see it drop to the ground from the corner of my eye. Nick started unbuttoning his pants his eyes locked to mine. He took it off underwater and revealed a black pair of shorts. He smirked as he threw it near his shirt, I kissed him. I felt his wet hair, his soaking wet body, and I felt his strong arms around my body.
"I love you Nick Grey." I said wrapping my arms around his neck. The clouds became darker and the streetlights lit up.
"I love you too. You look fantastic in your underwear by the way." he complimented and felt his hands trace my curves. I laughed with him as I pulled him closer to me giving him a hug. I leaned my head in his shoulder. We held each other for a moment. Nick popped his head underwater and swam around me a couple of times as I laughed.
"It's freezing. I'm freezing." I told him as I shivered from the cool car air.
"Check the backseat, there are towels." he said, and I turned around to look. There was a bag and I brought it to my lap. I unzipped it and revealed two white towels and a thermos.
"So, you really had this planned?" I gave Nick a look as he drove down the road. He shrugged and smiled at me.
"You can never be too prepared. And I knew you would get in the water anyway." he said, looking back at the road.
"Oh, so you're a psychic now?" I joked at I took out the thermos and gave him a towel. I started rubbing the water out of my hair and wrapped it around my back and shoulders. I wiped away the drops of water on his face and in his hair. I put the towel around him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. I opened the thermos and it smelled of coffee, which made my mouth water. I poured a small amount on the cap and took a few sips. The warmth of the drink made me feel cozy and took away the shivers I've been having.
"Mm. Thanks for the coffee. It's perfect."
We drove in silence after that. I've had the best day of my entire teenage life and I'm really tired. I was pretty sure Nick was too, I leaned against my side of the window and stared into the road while Nick had his hands on my thigh. I took his hand and held it with both my hands, caressing it. I loved the way our hands fit together, I was in love with him and I felt good about it. He was amazing. We reached the house and walked up the stairs without even bothering to turn on the lights. All we wanted was to go lie down.
"Thanks for taking me out again." I said. We were standing outside my room, in the dark. There were only little light from outside, passing through the tinted glass window. I started to open the door when I felt Nick grab hold of my hand.
"Mi.." he called out in a soft voice. I turned.
"Yeah?" I looked at his half-dark face.
"I love you." he whispered, leaning in that made me lean back against the wall. His voice sent chills down my back and arms.
"I love you too." I replied, wanting to say it over and over again. I tilt my head up and pressed my lips against his. He kissed back, more passionately as he holds my face. My hands travel up his body, under his damp shirt and felt his warm bare skin. I felt his arms run through my hair, my heart started to beat harder against my chest and my knees getting weaker. I reached for the doorknob and twisted it open. I backed up to my room and he followed, not parting our lips. He closed the door behind him and we were alone in my room for the first time since my stay here. I back up to the bed and we finally pull away. I climb up the bed, resting my head against the soft pillows and Nick slowly crawls on top of me, face was inches away from mine. I reach for his neck and caressed his face.
"Nick.."
"Yes, beautiful?"
"I know I've said this a lot of times earlier already but, I want to say it again. Over and over if I could.." he let out a small laugh. "I love you Nick. You're amazing and gorgeous and.. perfect."
"Trust me, Miley. I'm not perfect." he said softly with a sad expression. It bothered me but I pushed the thought away. I gave him a small smile.
"Perfect to me, at least. And I love you."
"I love you more, Mi. And you're beautiful." he whispered, and pressed his lips against mine. We kissed passionately in the dark, I run my fingers through his curls. I wanted more of him, I opened my mouth and felt his tongue against mine. I felt his abs against my palms and got annoyed by the shirt. I started to take it off of him and I feel his hands rub against my thighs. My hands travel down his back then his pants, I shove my hands in and slowly started to take it off. It felt amazing, being close to Nick, especially this way, I love him and he loves me. He went from my lips, to my neck then my collar bones. I started to give in, I wanted to give in but I knew I shouldn't. I started to moan, I felt growth between his legs. I started to panic but I didn't want to stop, I breathed heavily and I could feel our hearts racing. He runs his hands under my shirt and stripped it off. He started unbuttoning my pants. We heard a knock on the door. What the fuck? No one should be home tonight, they're probably in New York by now. The lights flicker on and we saw someone at the door. And I knew it instantly, we were dead.
Author's Note: Woot! Who was that? Any guesses? I just bought Book One of The Mortal Instruments, my friends wanted me to read it so, I am. Anyway, any more books to suggest? I would appreciate them. I love you my dear readers! I wish I could give every one of you a big bear hug. © bows and arrows.
