MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! Did you's have a good day and get everything you asked for? I got this netbook, but the keys are really sensitive so sorry if letters are missed out or doubled - I tried my best!

Ok so I changed the chapter, basically cause I got the inspriation about the football scene from another story and when I went to read it this morning they were really similar :( So I'm gonna do something different.

Chapter 11

Summer came and took me by suprise,

the California sunshine in my eyes.

Driving with the top down we sing along to our favourite songs,

nothing could go wrong.

- U Got Nothin' On Me, Demi Lovato

Nick sat huddled over the piano. The notes, the lyrics, the music and the messages came flooding out of him as he was overwhelmed by a rush of new and intoxicating emotions. Nothing could break him out of this trance, except his older brother Joe. The door of the music room opened and was allowed to swing shut. Soft thudded footsteps made their way quickly over to the love struck teenager who leaned in closer to the piano.

"Yo bro, what's up?" Joe said as he casually leaned against the piano where Nick was producing graceful, dreamy tunes.

"Nothing, I'm busy," replied his younger brother who was engrossed in his work.

"So what is the inspiration this time young Nicholas? A girl maybe? Hmm, maybe the new one? Or another?"

Nick lifted his fingers from the keys and ran them through his curls, groaning. "What do you want?" His voice and eyes ran right through Joe, who immediately knew anger was boiling inside of Nick.

"I'm sorry. I just came to check and see if you were ok, you've been acting strange these past few days."

Joe was right there and Nick knew it, no matter how hard he had tried to remain non-chalant about the situation with Miley. It was easier said that done. He had fallen head over heels for her, how could he contain all these emotions inside? He was trying to hide them from her, frightened he would scare her away and also hiding them from his family, who he knew would crowd in on him demanding to know all the juicy details. Nick laid his fingers on the ivory keys of the piano and began to play a graceful melody that sent images of Miley straight to his head.

"Dude what's happened to us?" Joe stared at his younger brother, wondering why everything had changed over the years. Once they used to share eveything - they were best friends and now they were barely brothers. The trust, bonding and friendship had gone; now all thatt was keeping them together was family.

"What do you mean?" Nick looked up at his older and sometimes wiser brother as he continued to play.

"We used to share everything. Remember when we used to stay up all night talking about girls and everything? It just seems now that we barely talk. I don't even know what's going on in your life anymore."

A guilityy silence filled the air. Nick stoppedd making the beautiful silence and dropped his hands onto the stool. He didn't know how to respond, but he did know Joe was right, unfortunately, and it frightened him. How did it get to this? They were always best friends and now look where they were.

"I miss those days," Nick said quietly.

"Maybe they could come back?" Joe suggested and Nick smiled approvingly. "Now tell me all about her."

A radiant beam lit up Nick's face, stunning Joe slightly. It was a smile he had never witnessed before. A mental picture was took, as he feared that shortly the smile and feelings would disappear. Memory was all that would be left.

"Her name is Miley," he began and once he had there was no stopping him. "And she is so beautiful and funny. So spontanous and original. She's unlike any girl I've ever met and when I'm with her I feel -" And that was it, he wasn't too sure how to finish that sentence. Everything was so fresh and brand new to him, he had no words to describe how he felt.

"Do you feel like you could jump in the pool in the middle of winter?" Joe suggested.

"Exactly! And her laugh is so melodic and sweet. Her hair sits in those long, perfect curls all day, everyday and by god those eyes-" But he had drifted off into his happy place and the words simply weren't coming fast enough.

"Wow, you're in trouble," Joe laughed."So when does she get to meet the family?"

"Never, you's will scare her."

"Us?" Joe exclaimed, pretending to act hurt. "Oh Nicholas please invite her. Or I'll tell mum."

"Tell me what," a voice said from the door and the two boys jumped and turned round to see their mum standing, eaves dropping on their conversation.

"That 'ittle Nicky here has a girlfriend and doesn't want to invite her here." Typical Joe. Nick glared at Joe, who smiled innocently back, and turned to face his mum.

"I was going to tell you just -" But he was cut off.

"Well I can't wait to meet Miley tonight," she laughed before turning and walking out of the room.

"Duuuuude! She heard that big soppy speech you gave, poned!" Joe laughed.

"Shut up, and it's not that funny. Now leave please."

"Of course my lord, now don't forget to talk to Miss Miley. We will all be very disappointed if she doesn't turn up tonight."

"Out," Nick said angrily, pointing towards the door.

"Peace."

--

Miley sat on the porch steps, reading her book whilst allowing the sun to kiss her LA tanned body. Everything for once in her life seemed perfect and in a way she was glad she was dragged here. Suddenly she was unexpectedly reminiscing the bedroom encounter two nights ago. The feeling of her hands against his bare chest sent her heart into the shock. It was such a rush, knowing she could make him want her and the way she ached for his skin against her gave her chills. She craved his kisses, his hugs, his laugh - he was her own personal brand of heroine and it terrified her. She shut her book, knowing she wasn't concentrating and now that he was in mind, she wouldn't be able to any time soon.

An old pick up truck drove up to the house and she instantly recognised it. She dropped her book on to the step beside her and smiled as he made his way over to her.

"Hey," he called as he made his way quickly to the porch steps where she sat in the sunshine.

"Hi, how are you?" She said squinting her eyes slightly as she glanced up to him.

"I'm good and yourself?" He took a seat beside her and grabbed her hannd, entwining their fingers together.

"Good," she giggled.

Nick looked at her worried and the smile was wiped from Miley's face as she was feared about what he was about to say.

"So this morning I was telling my brother just how wonderful you are and my mum over heard and demands that you come over for dinner tonight, but if you don't want to I totally understand. I mean we just started going out like two nights ago." Nick paused, considering his last sentence for a quick moment. "I mean we are dating, right?"

Miley shrugged her shoulders, "If you want to."

"Well yeah, if you want to?" And Miley just nodded, flashing her sparkly white pearls at him. "So what do you say about tonight? I'm not expecting you to say yes and if you don't want to I totally understand, but-"

"Nick shut up, I would love to meet your family and also my dad wants you to come over for dinner and blah, blah, blah." She said rolling her eyes. Miley allowed her head to rest upon Nick's shoulder. "Nick what happens if they don't like me? Will they make us split up?"

"I don't know, I guess they'll just have to deal with the fact that we're going to be dating whether they like it or not and trust me they are going to love you. There is no reason for them to dislike you."

"Well I better go inside and change," Miley said standing up and Nick stood up with her, holding her back.

"No you're going like that. I want them to know the real Miley, I told them not to dress up either!"

"At least let me put jeans on?"

"Nope, you look beautiful." Nick said grabbing her hip bones and pulling her close to him, placing a soft kiss upon her nose.

"Not fair. Right let me go and tell my dad where I'm going. I'll be two seconds."

--

The two teenagers sat in Nick's truck with the radio blaring and the windows rolled down as far as they could go. Nick adored the laugh the didn't seem to end from Miley. The station switched songs and a country song started to play. Miley stopped laughing and gasped, Nick turned to see if she was alright and a girly scream escaped from her lips as she began to sing along:

"I've always been a little shy, I've always been the quiet type till now and I I I, I never let my feelings show, I never let anyone know just how much I was so deep in love, but now that you're in my arms."

Nick laughed as he watched her scream the lyrics and dance about. It was yet another side that he hadn't yet witnessed before and he hoped he would soon witness it again. Once the song had finished she shyly sat back in the seat and watched the road ahead.

"So I'm guessing you're a fan of the Rascal Flatts?" He asked laughing.

"Mmm a little," Miley replied with a slight giggle and a shake of her head.

They turned of from the dirt track and up to a house that Miley was used to driving past in LA. The houses that tourists would pay to drive past. The houses celebrities owned. She couldn't believe he lived in a house this big and rich and she was wearing black converses, white sweat shorts and a white vest top. She definately did not fit it.

Miley was reluctant to coming out of the truck. Nick grabbed her waist, lifting her up and out of the van, slamming the door quickly before she could escape back inside and demand to be taken home. He laced his fingers between hers and gave her hand a small, assuring squeeze and began to lead her up to his house.

"Nick I can't do this, you didn' tell me you live in a house like this. I'm a mess, I'm wearing freaking sweats and sneakers!" She hissed in a low voice as they reached the front door.

Nick stopped before opening the door, "You look gorgeous and you'll be fine. Trust me."

He gave her a small wink before crashing his lips against hers and then pushing her gently inside. Voices echoed throughout the massive hallway and Nick grabbed Miley's hand and led her to the voices. The couple entered the kitchen where they entire Grey family were. Nick coughed slightly and everyone shut up and turned to face the doorway to see Nick's new girl. No one said anything, until Joe cut the tension.

"It's her! I remember you, Nick couldn't keep his eyes off you when you arrived."

"Joe." Nick hissed as Miley turned her head to the side, trying to hide her blushed cheeks.

Denise made her way over to her youngest son and his new girlfriend with a welcoming smile on her face, making Nick instantly relax. So far everything was going good, except for Joe who would have to be dealt with seperately and Nick knew just how to do that - hold him down and sit on his face and fart until Joe started crying and screaming like a girl. It had always worked when they were kids and Nick had Joe whipped, hopefully it would still have the same effect six years later.

"Hi Miley, I'm so glad to finally meet you after the way Nick was talking about you this morning. I can't believe he kept you a secret from us." Denise Grey said pulling Miley into a hug and Nick smiled enjoying the fact that his two favourite girls were bonding.

"It's so good to meet you too."

"Well let me introduce you to the family, seeing as Nicholas hasn't already." Denise led Miley further into the kitchen.

"This is Kevin and Joe, Nick's brothers," she said pointing to the two guys sitting at the breakfast counter. It was obvious they were Nick's brothers - they shared the same brown eyes and brown curly hair. "And this is Nick's father Paul Kevin and I'm Denise."

Miley gave each individual a smile, "It's so good to meet y,all." Well her southern roots were definately coming back to her, that's for sure.

Nick grabbed Miley's hand from behind and she turned to face his angelic face. "I have something to show you," he told her, his eyes lighting up and Miley nodded approvingly.

They walked out of the kitchen, with Nick asking for permission from his mum, what a sweetheart? and down the halllway. Nick realised Miley's hand and opened the door to the music room, he pushed Miley in gently and shut the door after them, not wanting Joe, Kevin or his mum to eavse drop.

Miley walked into the room and was proved wrong when she though the shouse couldn't get anymore better. Guitars were lined against the wall, in different shapes and colours. They ranged from acoustics to electrical. A drum kit sat in the far corner, a little a way from a desk where piles and piles of sheet music lay and in the middle, and possibly Miley's faavouurite was the piano. It was beautiful. She slowlly made her way over to it, her fingers running slowly and softly over the ebony and ivory keys.

"I never knew you played piano," she said, her eyes lay on the beautiful piano.

"Yeah and that drum kit too." He took a seat on the piano stool and Miley stood against the piano. It was just like the scene this morning, except Miley wasn't Joe here to annoy him. Miley was here to inspire him.

--

The family were gathered in the kitchen. Kevin sat at the kitchen counter as did his father whilst his mother was over the oven cooking.

"They went into the music room," Joe hissed from the doorway. "Imma go after them."

"No, leave them alone Joesph," Denise said, turning around to face the rest of the family. She had to admit there was something different about Miley. She was definately unlike Selena who was over confident. It was nice to meet a girl who was similar to her son, someone who was shy and nervous about meeting new people and making sure they gave a good impression.

"So what do you think about Miley?" Kevin asked. "I like her."

"She seems nice."

"She definately isn't anything like Selena and Nick seems to be crazy about her. You should have heard him talking abbout her this morning." Joe replied quickly and in one breath.

"She seems a really nice girl," Denise replied and she turned back to the dinner. She hoped Miley was special, and not just a summer romance. Somethhing inside of her knew this was to stay and maybe it was the way Nick was talking about her this morning, or maybe it was the way he held her hand or the way they loooked at each other? She couldn't be certain, but she was certain that Miley would be here for a long time.

--

"Do you want me to play you a song I wrote?" Miley nodded and Nick began to ponder about what to play. He wasn't going to play any he wrote for her, because it might frighten her so he knew what one to play. Maybe it would let her know a little more about him, but then again maybe she wouldn't be that quick enough to consider what the lyrics meant to him. This for sure would show Nick what lyrics and music meant to Miley.

"Got the news today, doctors said I had to stay, a little bit longer and I'll be fine. When I thoughh it'd all be done, when I though it all been said, a little bit longer and I'll be fine. But you don't know what you've got till it's gone, and you don't know what it's like to feel so low and everytime you smile, you laugh, you glow. You don't even know, know, know. You don't even know."

"Wow Nick, that is beautiful." She was speechless and noticed tiny tears dancing in the corner of his eyes. "What's it about?"

And here goes, it was something he rarely told people. "Diabetes."

"Do you have diabetes?" It came as a shock, but then again it wasn't as if people walked about with it across their foreheads, but still it was suprising.

"Yes mam."

"Wow, I had no idea." She didn't quite know how to react, and Nick wasn't disappointed or angry at her reaction. She was trying her best and that's more than enough. Inside he felt better, knowing there was one less secret between them.

They sat in the music room together, discussing Nick'ss conndition. He told her everything about it and to Nick she seemed geniuely interested. Every now and then she would ask questions and get him to go into more detail and he enjoyed it. There were times when he felt he couldn't discuss it with his family, but he didn't feel like that with Miley. He could tell her everything, knowing she wouldn't judge him or tell anyone else. She was there for him and it was comforting.

--

twitter; /nileylife

xx