Sorry for this chapter being so late. I've been really stressed. Midterms are coming up, and our family fair. Then too many parties! : ( Gah. Thanks for the reviews, though. Sorry this one sucks. : |

Chapter 9

I lay on top of my bed after school, staring at the grooves on the ceiling. From this moment, till Monday morning, I didn't have to stick to any regime. Friday's were always welcomed by me with open arms. I felt relaxed, knowing I could just lay here and forget about everything and not feel guilty. Until the time when I just had to jump up and change out of my uniform so I could go and socialize. I craved human contact constantly. I am not as independent as I first thought I was.

I dressed in my usual combination of t-shirt with skinny jeans. Until I remembered I was going to Brent's and who could be there. I ripped my Radiohead shirt off the second it touched my skin, as if I was burnt by the fabric. I dove inside my closet but nothing stood out. A desire to find a gallon of petrol and a match swept over me. I thought of the room next to mine. Dressed only in black jeans and a bra, I crept into the room. I expected it to be thick with dust as it had been untouched for months, but it wasn't.

My mother's wardrobe was over flowing with gorgeous articles I'd never ever wear, but towards the back were a few things I adored. Things she'd purchased recently and things from when she was my age. A strapless navy blue dress screamed at me. It wasn't anything spectacular with just a white bow around the middle for decoration. It was simple yet elegant, but thrown over jeans it wouldn't look fancy at all.

I slipped into it and felt extremely uncomfortable wearing things meant for my mother. But I was determined to overcome the awkwardness.

"Noah, I'm going to be up the road at Brent's house if you need me okay?" I walked across the hallway to her shut door. I heard an incoherent mumble in reply.

Braison was standing behind me, staring as I turned. I did what I'd been doing to him for what seemed like an eternity - pretend he wasn't present and walked downstairs. It's only since then that I started to do the thing he wanted me to do; be a teenager. Hell, I was going to Brent's. I'd declined him every week for three years, since he moved closer to me. My obligations to my siblings and my hate for Nick preventing me.

I knocked on his front door and waited, basking in the still bright sun while hoping we'd be located outside.

"Holy crap, am I going mad or are you really Miley? At my house? Looking totally hot by the way." Brent was gawping in the doorframe. I blushed and looked down at my white pumps.

"Is that Joe? I need to talk... woah."

Over Brent's shoulder was Spencer wearing a matching expression.

"I hate you two," I swatted them both as I walked into the house. They started to laugh and push me about. They loved to embarrass me.

"I'm so glad you are finally here Miley," Brent said honestly as he led me through the house to the garden. "You'll be pleased to know there is another female here,"

His voice was oozing sarcasm and lacking enthusiasm. As I stepped outside, I instantly knew why.

"Why are you here?" Selena looked me up and down, snootily.

"Oh God, why am I in the garden of my friend's house after I was invited? It's insane! Spencer, eject me quickly before I cause a riot" I gave a performance that Joe would be proud of. She just scowled as Brent and Spencer snickered.

"Where's Joe?" I asked to nobody in particular. My eyes briefly flicked in Nick's direction.

"Errr walking here? We were hoping you knew to be honest" Spencer answered.

"Have any of you phoned to check? None of you? God forgot to give you all brains I swear, you're just like the scarecrow." I exclaimed, still infested with dramatics.

I lifted the material of my dress up so I could get to my phone from in my pocket. I hit speed dial for Joe and started to walk inside the kitchen. I hated people listening to me talk on the phone.

"Miley Babes, what's up?"
"Joey where are you?"
"Walking to your house, why what's wrong?"
"Nothing" I laughed "I'm at Brent's"
"Nooooo! Really? Oh this is fantastic. I'll be there in ten minutes max" he screamed and hung up. Possibly to sprint the rest of the way.

I chuckled and turned, then jumped in the shock of Nick standing inches away from me. His eyes held anger and he opened his mouth to talk. Before he could say a word, I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him softly. He responded ever so weakly until I pulled back. I smiled and walked back to the group.

It was a really lovely street that we lived on and the gardens were huge. Attached to one of the trees was a swing. I bounced towards it and perched on the wooden seat. Brent was watching me in amusement and Spencer was giving Selena a look of sheer distaste. Nick had followed me, with an expression of wrath. He honestly looked prepared to throttle me as he marched over to and stood behind me.

I saw Brent's face drop, preparing himself for a commotion.

I felt two hands push the small of my back and I was airborne - not too high, it wasn't hard enough. He continued to do it for awhile in silence. Brent kept his eyes firmly on us, holding a worried look on his face.

"What was that Miley?" Nick hissed so only I could hear.

I paused before replying, absorbing the sights from this height. I was flying above fence panels that were meant to supply privacy.

"Miley!" his tone was impatient and full of demand.

"Nick, I'm sure you understand the concept of a kiss,"

Then he shoved me with what must have been all his strength. That hurt enough. I lost my balance and my hands couldn't grip onto the rope. I collided with the grass below me, spread eagled on the ground. That was completely unexpected.

"What the hell was that!"

I pushed my upper body up at the sound of Joe's rage filled voice. Brent was at my side in an instant, easing me to my feet. He knew Nick would pull something like that. It was a shame I didn't.

Joe brushed past me towards Nick and I'm pretty sure we all gasped at the next link in the chain of events. Smack. This wasn't good.

"Joe" I shrugged Brent off and restrained my best friend "Come on sweetie, you don't want to do this"

"I do Miles! I am sick of him and his crap. I know he constantly attacks you verbally, but he just crossed the line" he snarled. I looked from him to Nick, Selena was all over him - smothering him with affection. It took all the self control I had not to let Joe go for round two. I knew what I had to do.

"He didn't push me off Joe. That was an accident. I bet him I could land on my feet if I jumped from a big height and well I'm obviously not Catwoman" It was possibly the worst lie I had ever heard. Ever.

Joe glared at me, not believing any of it "Is that true?"

"Yes" Nick and I said in unison.

"I'm so sorry man," Joe's face softened and he looked guilty.

"You better be," Selena snapped.

I rolled my eyes. If I wasn't removed from the girl's presence soon, I was sure I'd take a leaf out of Joe's book and smack her. I excused myself, needing to lie down for a while because I was aching. Brent directed me to his room and I left them to resolve current issues.

I fell on to the unmade bed. I could practically smell the testosterone filling the room. I'd messed up, so badly and I had bruises to prove it. I didn't expect everything to go wrong so soon. I growled in frustration, overly disappointed with myself.

I heard the door click open. I didn't sit up or make any attempt to acknowledge whoever it was. The bed sank with added weight. All I could see of them was a light blue t-shirt and I couldn't remember which boy that was.

"Why do you make me so mad?"

"Ease up you sound like me." I said, closing my eyes, ready to launch into a full blown war with him.

But it didn't come. Instead I felt him move closer to me. Then with hesitation, he kissed me. A simple one, incredibly soft like it didn't even happen. Things become much steamier when you're horizontal. It was just like the other day in his hallway, but we were closer; Nick on top of me slightly. It'd be awful if someone walked in, which was highly possible. The risk was giving me an extra kick.

I eased away, needing to breath. He rolled off me and lay next to me. He reached for my hand with his.

"What is this Miles?"

"This, is our secret" I moved myself into a position to kiss his lips. I lead a trail to his left ear where I whispered "Nicholas"

I felt him shiver against me, before I got up off Brent's bed. It had gone from brilliant to bad to amazing. All while his girlfriend was sitting not so far away, not knowing what her boyfriend and the girl she used were getting up to.