Nick's POV
My hands were shaking and my palms glistened with the evidence of my anxiety. This was our first date in over a year. I wanted it to be special. I had put a lot of thought into where we would go and what we would do. I was standing on her front porch with a bouquet of daisies in my sweaty grip. I tried to make it a casual date so she wouldn't feel awkward around me. The atmosphere should be comfortable and relaxed. Our destination was within walking distance so there was no need for my brothers to have to chauffer us around.
I proceeded to knock on the door and shortly after Miley's father appeared in the entrance.
"Hello Mr. Stuart."
"Hello Nicholas, come in." His gesture was hospitable but the look in his eyes told me that there was something on his mind.
"Have a seat." Now I was scared. I settled onto the couch sitting on the edge of the cushion.
"Miley's upstairs getting ready." I just nodded politely I could feel the tension building between us.
"Listen… Nick I don't think this is a good idea," His gruff voice rung in my ears. I knew that deceiving her was wrong but it felt so right to be with her again.
"Sir with all due respect I understand your concern but I just wanted another chance…" Before I could continue his southern voice pierced the awkward air. "Miley doesn't know what she wants. She doesn't remember anything…" He sighed heavily in frustration. "I just don't think it's fair to Miley."
He was right it wasn't fair but it was too late to convince her of anything different. Maybe this could turn out for the better.
"What's not fair to me?" The room was lit up by her presence. Her brown curls bounced on her shoulders gracefully as she descended the stairs. She was a breath taking vision of beauty.
"Nothing sweetheart." Billy Ray defended trying not to confuse her any further. I stood to my feet and hid the daisies behind my back.
"You look beautiful Miles." Her cheeks became a light shade of red at my compliment."These are for you." I presented the bouquet of flowers and her reaction caused a wide smile to appear on my face that matched her own.
"Thank you." I watched as she sniffed the white petals. "Mmmm they smell good."
"They're your favorite you always used to tell me the smell reminded you of Tennessee…" I began to drown in the deep pool of her bright blue hypnotizing eyes. She was staring at me intently and for a moment I swear the look in her eyes was telling me she remembered. Maybe my imagination was toying with my mind or maybe I only saw what I wanted to see.
"Well have her home by 10." Mr. Stuart's voice interrupted my trance.
"Yes sir." I nodded politely and opened the front door for Miley to walk through. We both waved goodbye and strode down the side walk.
"So where are you taking me?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
"Ugh I hate secrets!" I shook my head and chuckled lightly, same old Miley. We walked in silence for about five minutes. I could tell she was anxious and excited to discover our destination.
"How much further?" She whined while swinging her arms like a child which I found adorable rather than annoying.
"Don't worry we're almost there." I playfully nudged her with my shoulder and a bright smile graced her face proving she had caved. The last thing I wanted was for the paparazzi to find us and capture every intimate moment so I made sure the location of our date was low key. "Alright now close your eyes."
She gave a suspicious glare and proceeded to follow my request.
"No peeking okay? You can trust me." She placed her hands out palms up showing me the extent of her faith. Grabbing her hands I lead her across the grass instructing her not to trip over any rocks as we went along until finally we came to a hault.
"Now open your eyes when I tell you to." She nodded slowly as a response. I could feel the curiosity burning behind her closed lids. I placed my hands lightly over her eyes from behind. My lips stayed close to her ear as I whispered softly. "Now…open"
We were standing on our hill that over looked the city skyline. The twinkling lights illuminated the horizon. A picnic blanket was laid out on top of the grass. Unlit candles surrounded the blanket and the food was a combination of all her favorites; shrimp lomein and chocolate cake among other items. A small basket was positioned in the corner which held some of my most cherished memories. I wanted this night to be special but not fancy or expensive just… unforgettable.
I heard her gasp loudly and watched as she clasped her hand tightly over her mouth. "Do you like it?"
She nodded her head violently in appeasement. She turned to face me, wearing a beautiful smile. "I love it."
"I was hoping you would, shall we?" my words were accompanied with a smile.
I lit the candles one by one carefully until the atmosphere developed a warm glow.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked contemplating what the significance of this location was.
After blowing out the embers on the match I sat down in front of her with my answer not far behind.
"This hill is … umm… sentimental to me… to us, really."
"It's beautiful but why is it so special to you?" She glanced around at the big oak trees and peered at the sparkling horizon.
"We spent a lot of time here… this used to be our getaway from all the fame and photographers. This place is a sanctuary where we could just be ourselves without anyone judging us or telling us what to do."
"I like it here… it's very… peaceful. " She took in a deep breath, inhaling the fresh night air.
The soft glow of the candlelight danced upon her skin gracefully. It illuminated her blue eyes transforming them into shimmering sapphires. I felt as if we were frozen in time taking in the moment.
"Nick?" The palm of her hand waved in front of my face swiftly breaking me out of my trance once again. I glanced down nervously I was embarrassed she caught me staring.
"Oh I'm sorry."
"You tend to do that a lot huh?" A light giggle preceded her playful comment.
"You could say that."
After eating dinner we went on to gaze at the stars. It was a clear night and every square inch of the sky was covered in constellations of diamonds. The late winter breeze chilled our skin causing goose bumps to rise on our arms. Our fingers were intertwined as we lay side by side. It was just us against a now seemingly perfect world.
"That's the little dipper right there." I pointed at the infamous star formation with my free hand.
"I don't see it." Miley turned towards me with wandering eyes.
"Right… there." I traced the outline with my finger slowly revealing the shape.
"Oh I see. It looks like a pot or something."
I chuckled and gripped her hand a little tighter to make sure this was real. A sudden gust of wind passed us. She clutched my shirt in her hands trying to shield herself from the cold air. In response I wrapped my arm around her shoulder to keep her warm. A minute passed and she was still snuggled into my chest. My hands naturally started to comb through her hair. It was a technique I always used to calm her fears or comfort her in times of stress or sometimes just to show her how much she meant to me.
I was amazed by how easily she had trusted me. For a moment I felt as if we were back in 2007 like nothing had changed. She seemed so at ease by my side. I couldn't help but wonder...
"How are you so comfortable around me?' I mean I must be like a stranger to you." I adjusted my position to face her.
"I don't know I just feel like I know you.' Is that weird?"
A wide grin slowly crept on to my face. I was so happy to hear those words. Just like her they completed me. "No, not at all.' Um I have something to show you that might help."
She nodded her head, obviously open to try to remember anything.
I reached for the basket and lifted the lid ever so slowly, placing it on my lap.
"Come here." waved my hand beckoning her to draw nearer.
She crawled eagerly towards my side and peered at the contents resting in on my legs.
At the top of the pile were pictures from the tour. Backstage snapshots, candid captures of Miley and I on the bus. Some were of our families gathered for group pictures. Memories of the time of our lives.
One picture in particular caught my eye. It was a photo that Miley had taken herself. Her hand was lifting my chin and my eyes were closed in content. I remember that moment as if it was yesterday.
Flashback
"Stop it Nicky, stop!" She yelped in surprise as I attacked her neck with kisses while I dug my fingers into her sides. I was ruthless with my playful torture and wouldn't give into her pleas. "Come on say it." I whispered directly in her ear. She finally gave in with a sigh.
"Fine, Nick is the hottest guy on the planet and rocks my world. There are you happy?" Her voice lacked enthusiasm and I wasn't convinced that she meant it but that wasn't part of the deal.
I stopped tickling her and returned to my former position sitting at her side. "Yes, now was that so hard?"
I saw a light in her eyes which could only mean one thing she had an idea.
"You tortured me now it's your turn." She snatched the camera off the coffee table in front of us.
"Oh no Miles, no pictures." I raised my hands in defense but there was no use.
"Too late!' she exclaimed too joyfully for my taste.
She promptly kissed my cheek as the flash went off and I eased at the touch of her lips. I flinched in pleasure as she trailed kisses up my neck and placed her fingers under my chin trying to turn my face towards her. The flash went off once again capturing the intimate moment.
Turning the camera around, she showed me her work. The images looked quite sexual from the outside looking in but this is a candid of how our relationship was. Perfect. Taking her by surprise I took the camera out of her hands and snapped photo after photo of our intensifying make out session.
There was no evidence of it because immediately after going through them they were deleted. We wouldn't want her dad to see our tongues shoved down each other's throats. That may seem gross to some people but we were crazy about each other and weren't afraid to express it. We decided to keep two and made a copy so we each could look at it when we were apart.
End of Flashback
"So this was us?" she asked, taking the photograph into her hand. Examining every detail.
"We look so happy."
"We were…"
I worked really hard on this one trying to get it right. Please review your opinion means alot to me. Maybe I can get to 40 reviews it would make me so happy and inspire me to write the next chapter quicker.
Thanks for reading!
