Nick and I walked into the restaurant, hand in hand, and we went over to where my dad and Demi were sitting at opposite sides of the booth table. Ugh. I wanted to sit next to Nick, and now, my dad was going to be sitting in my place. I let go of Nick's hand, and I sat down next to my dad so that I could save myself from a little bit of embarrassment. I sighed, sliding into the seat, and Nick sat down next to Demi as Big Rob watched from the table right next to us.

"So, Nick..." Demi started, staring at my dad, "What's it like being a super famous singer and all? Is it really crazy fun?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it's awesome, meeting new people, seeing new faces, changing lives, touching hearts. It's nice. I mean, it's pretty sweet, getting to know everyone, and when I met Taylor Swift, I just went insane. It's awesome meeting other celebrities!"

I laughed, "Oh, my gawd! You've met Taylor Swift? Is she as sweet as she seems on the television and in magazines?"

He nodded, "She's awesome. We've become really good friends since we first met. It's actually a little intimidating to meet really successful people, you know?"

Demi and I both nodded, but my dad just stared at Nick, "So you really are the real thing, aren't you?" My dad asked, "I... well... that's... hmm..." He said, quietly, "This really is humbling, isn't it, Miley? Well, the girls swore that you were the real singer, but Tish and I refused that you were the real thing. This is really crazy! You are the famous guy that Miley's been in love with since she was thirteen. She's got pictures of you all over her room, and she sings along to all of your CDs in the car. She's really just a screaming fan like every other fan of yours." He chuckled, "That's so funny."

I stared at my dad, "That's not funny." I turned to Nick, "Nah, I'm not like those other thirteen year old girls." I smiled, funnily, "You see, I've been a fan of your music for a long time, and I thought it was really just amazing when we met each other last weekend. It was really just a fantastic experience for me to meet you." I said, stomping on my dad's foot underneath the table. I smiled fakely, really annoyed at my dad.

"Yeah, totally." Demi smiled.

"Awesome. Do either of you sing at all?" Nick asked.

My dad raised his hand, "Actually, I've been a singer all my life. Listen to this." He stood up and walked to the other side of the crowded restaurant. I watched as he walked up to the manager and whispered a lot of things in her ear.

"Oh, no." I breathed. He walked up to the stage that they had for sing along nights on Thursdays, and clicked the microphone on.

He cleared his throat and said, "Hello, hello, my name is William Ray Cyrus, otherwise known as Billy Ray, and I would be honored to sing to my new found friend, Nick, and to my daughter, Miley, and to my daughter's best friend, Demi. I think I would like to sing 'Bleeding Love' by the wonderful Leona Lewis. Here we go." The music started and I sat back in my chair, my eyes popping out of my head. I knew he was going to be embarrassing, but he was a terrible singer! He wasn't going to embarrass me like this! "I keep buh-leed-n! Buh-leed-n Luhvvv!" He said, clearing his throat again, "Sorry, that was just a warm up," He said before the actual first verse began, and I sprinted up to the stage, jumping on him, grabbing the microphone from him, and screaming.

"NOOOOOOOO!" I shouted, pulling the microphone from his hands and trying to stop him from singing the annoyingly high-pitched song. When I stood up, microphone in hand, the music had stopped and nearly everyone in the restaurant, including Nick, was looking at me. "Umm..." I laughed nervously, "Wow, I..." I was incredibly afraid of being on stage, "Umm... sorry about that. I... sorry." I dropped the microphone on the ground, and I ran off the stage.

My dad stood up there, smiling like an idiot, "Now there's a show!" He said, "Everyone! That was my beautiful daughter, Miley. Great for you all to meet her like that. I believe she'll be signing autographs in the bathroom or wherever else she's running to. Thank you, and everyone, let's all have a great rest of the night!" He said, chuckling to himself, walking off the stage incredibly slowly, patting his belly. "Good show!"

~*~

I finally got the guts to get out of the bathroom and walk back to the table, facing the embarrassment. I strutted out to my table, every person in the restaurant looking directly at me. When I got to my table, I looked straight at my dad, and I said, "I would like to leave now." I looked at Demi and said, "Let's go," and then I looked at Nick and said, "Thank you for such a wonderful night, Nick. It's been a fun time, and I'm sorry our night had to end like this." I took a deep breath and walked over to the doors, hearing the footsteps of someone running to catch up with me behind me. I didn't look back because I assumed it was Demi, but when I was outside, I was grabbed by the shoulders from behind. I was swiveled around to see the person holding me back the shoulders was Nick.

His eyes were so welcoming and filled with laughter. He was so perfect, and I was so embarrassed, "Miley..."

I looked down, "Sorry I kind of ruined everything." I laughed, nervously, feeling excited to be held by him, but also totally embarrassed for doing nothing by killing the relationship that Nick and I didn't have. "I mean, it all started out with a big lie."

I lifted my chin with his finger, "A lie? Do... do you want to tell me the whole story or...? I mean, we don't have to talk if you don't like me. I understand that. You haven't really been very excited to be out with me tonight." He said, and I looked at him. His eyes had turned so quickly from filled with laughter to filled with sadness.

"No, no! I have been so excited about this night for the whole week. There's just been so much going on, and I hate that I ruined any chance I had to impress you."