It had been a week since they had arrived and both Joe and Nick were too scared to mention the incident down at the beach with the mysterious blonde stranger, and not to mention the tense night of Scrabble. Surprisingly, Miley hadn't left the house for any more 'plans', but that didn't exactly mean she was spending time with them either. For the most part, she locked herself up in her room, listening to music that blasted all through the house.

No one said anything or even complained. It was just so alien to for Miley to be so closed. Since she was small, all Nick could remember was that bright smile of hers stretching from ear to ear. Now it seemed like catching that smile was the rarest thing on Earth.

Tish had been in her room a lot too. She apparently had a bad cold, and Denise was helping her get better to the best of her ability. She hadn't left her best friend's side for three days. Joe had met a girl down by the beach a few days ago, which left Nick all to himself. It felt strange to be the odd one out. Usually, it would be Miley begging to join Nick and Joe in whatever they were doing. She was the girl out of two boys, she was the youngest out of two teenagers. All she ever wanted was to join them.

This summer changed everything.

"Nick?" a soft voice called out from the staircase, followed by tiny creaking of footsteps.

The curly- haired 17 year old turned around to catch Miley creeping down the stairs. "Hey. Are you okay?"

She rubbed her shoulders, not saying anything as she walked over and took the seat next to him. "I will be," she finally answered. "What are you doing down here by yourself?"

"Denise and Tish went to the doctor to pick up some medicine for your Mom's cold. Joe's out with his new girlfriend."

"Another one?" Miley smirked playfully.

"You know him."

"You guys really do never change," she sighed, running her hand through her untamed waves of bed hair. "And before you make anymore comments on how different I look, I'm going to have to staple your mouth shut. I know I'm not hideous anymore. Big woop."

"I never thought you were hideous."

Miley glanced up at him, tucking her knees under her chin. She studied him for a few beats of silence before turning back around. "You're also still a liar."

"What?"

"When I was 11, you said I looked like a monster."

"I don't remember that," Nick lied. He remembered the day exactly. It was the summer Miley had gotten her braces, and Nick took the first opportunity he could get to make fun of her. Miley had run up to them the moment they pulled into the gravel driveway. The minute she reached over to hug Nick, he had pulled her away, telling her he would never hug a metal monster. He had been joking, planning the joke all through the car ride, but Miley took it seriously. She backed away and ran back in the house. She had locked herself in her room for the rest of the day before coming back outside, snapping her mouth shut and refusing to talk.

"It's amazing how much can change with your looks."

"Is that why you changed?" Nick asked curiously, raising his eyebrow.

Miley looked a little taken back with the question. "It's complicated."

"We've known each other since we were in diapers, Miles. We tell each other everything."

"No," she corrected. "I told you everything. You were always the quiet, closed one. I would have paid millions to know what was going in that head of yours."

Nick knew it was true. Miley and him might have known each other their whole lives, but they were never close. Not like Joe and Miley who could almost be labeled as best friends. The truth was, when they were younger, Miley had gained a crush on Nick. Of course, she told Joe and Joe spread it to Nick. Nothing happened except time passed by. He could only guess that her infatuations had slowly vanished.

"What movie are you watching?" Miley finally asked, changing the intimate subject.

Nick glanced back at the large TV screen. "The Notebook."

Miley hugged her knees closer to her chin and smiled. "I always loved this movie."

Nick found himself grinning as he raised the volume. "I know."