Before The Storm

Chapter Ten:

Switch

Miley's POV:

I stirred a little in my sleep, trying to block the light from the window, blinding my eyes. I snuggled closer to what was beside me. It smelled so delicate and fresh. I opened my eyes slowly, surprised to see that it was Nick. My lips twitched into a small smile as I watched the angelic guy beside me. I glanced at the clock and it was only 6 in the morning. Nick's arms were wrapped securely around me through the night. I removed his arms around me, slowly, trying my best not to wake him up. I sighed as I stood up and walked in the bathroom, opening the faucet as I splashed water on my face. I wiped my damp face with a soft towel as I tried fix my messy locks. I walked back in the room and Nick was still sleeping soundly. I sat closer to him as I took in the features of his face. "Why can't I forget the fact that I love you?" she whispered, sighing.

I saw Nick's cellphone lying around the bed, making me stare at it. Should I read his messages or not? I thought to myself. No, it was invasion of privacy. But I wanted to know what was going on. I gulped as I reached out for his phone, opening his inbox. I scrolled down his messages and all of the messages was from Kristen. I sighed as I opened Kristen's latest message to Nick just last night.

Nick, I know we already broke-up but I think about you every night and I want you back. Please. - Krissy.

Great, Nick had a nickname for her. I scanned to his sent items and read his latest message for Kristen. It was also only last night.

I'm in-love with you but the relationship isn't working. I think about you too but things are getting complicated. - Nick

But we're in love with each other. - Krissy

We are. - Nick

Then why won't we get back together? – Krissy

I love you, just remember that. - Nick

I could feel the tears pricking at the corner of my eye and I held them back. I didn't want to cry over something so little. I sighed as I placed his phone back to where I saw it earlier. My phone vibrated, signaling I was getting a call. I looked at the caller ID surprised that it was Jake calling. "Hello, Jake?" I answered as quietly as I could.

"Miles, I'm sorry I don't return your messages and calls. It's just, things are rough right now." Jake sighed.

"Jake. I completely understand. There's no problem. We'll get through this. I'll help you through it. I'm sorry that your sister is sick." I sighed back as I walked in the bathroom.

"I know, Miles. I'm just glad you're here for me. I'll solve everything soon." he reassured.

"Take your time. I won't go anywhere." I smiled over the phone.

"I love you, Miles." he whispered making me smile.

"I love you too. Just call me whenever you can okay?" I said.

"I promise. I gotta go. Bye." he said before hanging up. I walked back in my room and found Nick sitting on the couch, his head in his hands.

"Hey, you're awake." I smiled at him. "Something wrong?" my smile faded.

"I'm just tired, Miles. That's all." he sighed. "Jake called?"

"Yea." I shot him a confused look. "How did you know?"

"I heard your conversation." he chuckled. "How's his sister?"

"She's fine. Getting better." I smiled.

He nodded. He seems to be thinking deeply a lot lately and it worried me. "Are you and Kristen still talking?" I asked, changing the topic.

"N-No." Nick stuttered.

"Not even in text or something?" I asked, getting suspicious.

"No, Miles. Not even one time." he sighed.

How could he lie to me? I rolled my eyes as I twisted the doorknob, opening the door. "Miles, where are you going?" Nick called out.

"Downstairs. I'm making breakfast. Come down if you like." I said before slamming the door behind me making Nick jump in my sudden mood swing.

"Liar. Big, big FAT liar!" I groaned quietly as I took two eggs and the gallon of milk from the fridge, placing it on the table. I cracked the eggs and placed it on the pan, frying it along with the bacons. I placed slices of bread in the toaster as I saw Nick walk down the stairs.

"What's with your sudden mood swing?" Nick asked.

I just shrugged my shoulders, lightly as I placed the eggs and bacons in each plate. "I don't know. Ask me later." I mumbled as I pushed the plate towards him earning a confused glance from him. He sighed as he shook his head, mumbling a nothing.

Nick's POV:

Miley's mood swing surprised me causing me to stay quiet. I watched her move from place to place in the kitchen, her hair getting blown away as she moved around. I couldn't help but wish that she was mine. I sighed as she sat down in front of me. "Are you going to eat?" she asked, not annoyed but in a concerned kind of way.

"I can't eat when you're acting like that, Miles." I sighed.

"I'm sorry, it's just-- things are complicated right now. I don't even know if Jake's telling me the truth or not." she mumbled as she played with the fork.

"Of course he is. Things are also complicated with him right now. Give it time." I said.

She stared into my brown eyes searching for sincerity. "I have to tell you something." she sighed as she ran a hand through her hair.

"What is it?" I gulped.

"I already took two scholarships. It's either here in LA or in New Jersey. I really want to be a fashion designer and these schools are like big." she informed.

"You should work on the scholarship here in LA. I don't want you far away from here." I sighed as I realized we were already seniors and after this year, we don't know what will happen next.

"I know but both schools are the best. But the LA thing is great 'cause I'm close to my friends." she said causing me to smile. "Especially Jake." she smiled. My face fell a little making me bow my head.

"When do you get their letter of approval?" I asked.

"Maybe today or tomorrow." she said.

I nodded as we ate in silence, the sound of our forks and spoons echoing through the whole house. I just watched her as I ate. Kristen and Miley were both in my mind. I liked Kristen ever since I laid eyes on her but Miley... I didn't know how I felt about her, maybe I love her ever since I met her but was only too scared to admit it and just stayed friends. She stood up and made her way towards the sink, placing her plate in it. She turned around and smiled at me, her gorgeous smile making me melt.

"I'm guessing you're back in your good mood." I chuckled as I made my way towards the sink, placing my plate in it also.

"Is it illegal to smile?" she giggled.

"No. I like your smile." I complimented making her blush a little.

"Nick, the scholar thing might be sooner than we expected and while I have time to say this, you're the most amazing, unbelievable person I met." she said as she wrapped her arms around me, giving me a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around her, embracing her while I still can. I smiled to myself, enjoying the feeling of her soft touch. She pulled apart, her face plastered on a smile.

"It's like you're saying goodbye already." I sighed.

"I'm still here aren't I?" she arched her eyebrow.

"Yes." I mumbled.

"Then I'm not going anywhere, then." she giggled.

My phone rang and I pressed it against my ear, not bothering looking at the caller ID. "Hello?" I greeted.

"Nick, it's Kristen. Can we talk? Please." she practically begged.

I sighed then looked over Miley who was smiling so happily. I didn't want to sadden her but I can't lie to her. "Who's that?" she asked, charmingly.

"It's Kristen." I whispered as I watched her smile fade.

"Oh. Y-You should go talk to her. I know you still love her. Don't let her go. I'll be in my room if you need me, but I'm guessing you won't, but if you do-- just, I'll be upstairs." she smiled weakly before walking out of the kitchen and up to her room. She knows I still love her? How could she predict that? I sighed as I turned my attention back to my phone.

"Kristen? What is it?" I asked.

"It's nothing. I-I just miss you, Nick. Bad." Kristen sighed.

"When are you going to move on, Kristen?" I sighed back.

"That's the point. I don't know when." she gulped. "Do you miss me too?"

"Of course, I do." I said.

"Then what is keeping us apart?" Kristen asked.

"I don't know what's there, Kristen. I keep trying to figure it out also." I said, frustrated.

"Is it someone?" she said.

"Maybe. I'm not sure." I admitted.

"You're in-love with Miley." she laughed dryly, trying to hold in her tears.

"No, I'm not, Kris!" I spat.

"If you're not in-love with her, tell me you love me back." she snapped.

"I still love you, Kris." I sighed.

"Are we back on?" she asked, hopefully,

"Do you want that?" I mumbled.

"Yes." she smiled over the phone.

"Then we're back." I said.

"You're the best. I love you, Nick." she giggled.

"Love you too." I sighed before hanging up the phone.

I looked at the stairs and saw the light in Miley's room off. I walked up and turned the knob slowly. She was lying down the couch, watching the television as she snuggled with a brown bear. She placed a small kiss on the teddy bear's head making me smile. She turned her attention back to the TV as she stared into the screen. The door creaked a little making her look back at the door where I was.

"Hello." I chuckled as I walked back in the room.

"Hi." she smiled before sitting up and bringing her knees up against her chest as she hugged the bear.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Watching TV." she giggled lightly. "How's the conversation?"

"We're back on again." I smiled.

"Oh." she smiled weakly. "That's great." she nodded.

"Yeah." I sighed.

- - -

The next day, we were back in Miley's house doing the usual things we were doing. Watching TV and eating and just hanging out. Suddenly, the doorbell rang making Miley stand up from her seat and open the door.

"Good morning." the man in the door greeted. He was the mailman.

"Good morning." she giggled.

"I got a letter for you." he said as he handed her a letter.

"Thank you." she smiled as she watch the man leave.

"Who is it from?" I asked as I walked over her.

"I don't know." she shrugged as she opened the mail, unfolding it as she read the typed words in the letter. After a few seconds of reading, she squealed in excitement as she jumped up and down. "Oh my god, Nick!" she exclaimed as she stopped jumping.

"What is it?" he chuckled.

"I got accepted in New Jersey!" she squealed as she hugged me. "I finally get to live my dreams." she sighed happily.

"Wait." I hesitated as I pulled apart. "What about me?" I asked making her smile fade.

a/n: it's a long chapter kind of. Sorry for the long update. Faster updates after exams. NEW STORY so head's up! Still Niley. (= reviews.