A/N: I do not own anything used in this story. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
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Miley's POV:
I woke the next morning, feeling something around my waist. And the sun shining on my closed eyelids. I groaned and tried to roll over, but couldn't for some reason. I could feel a slight throb in my neck, probably from the uncomfortable position I found it.
"I hear what you're not saying;
It's driving me crazy;
It's like we stopped breathing in this room.
We're both the last to be leaving;
I know what you're thinking;
I wish you'd make your move."
I opened my eyes and blinked as my vision adjusted. You couldn't tell how surprised I was to find myself in a very awkward position with Nick Gray – no need for details. But despite that, the feeling of his arms around me was kinda… nice.
I tried my best to not wake him up as I broke free of his hold. I sighed as I looked down at him and remembered the events from last night. Why did that have to happen? Now my thoughts are all about what would or could have happened if that thunder hadn't crashed when it did. Would we have kissed? A shiver ran through my body at that thought.
I ran a hand through my knotted hair frustrated, trying to get the tethers out. I looked over at the clock: 9:43 a.m. The rest of them still had about five hours before they arrived. How in the face of the earth am I gonna survive the awkwardness of being alone with Nick until then?
I mean, we practically kissed. And I don't even like him… or do I? Anyway, I was pretty sure he didn't like me. But wasn't he the one to make the first move last night? Ugh. This is all so frustrating.
And as I looked down at him sleeping – which he would surely find creepy if he woke up right now – I realized that I just might be developing a slight crush on him. VERY slight, like 0.01%... or was I just saying that?
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Selena's POV:
(Later on)
I sighed happily, throwing my bag on the bed. Ah… it's good to be back home. I mean, I had a lot of fun and all but the long car ride was giving me a headache. Miley followed me into the room, and there was something I noticed about her behavior that was sort of different. Well, I was too tired to think right now, so yeah.
I zipped open my bag and started to pull all the things out as Miley helped me. "Wow, how much did you pack, girl?!" she exclaimed as she carried my moisturizers and stuff to the table – hey, I had to look good!
"Pfft… you're one to talk." I retorted which shut her up. "So… did you have fun?" she asked me. I nodded. "Uh-huh. I never really realized how many family members I had until now… Phew." She laughed along with me as I turned to face her.
"So… how did things go here while we were gone?" I asked casually.
Miley's POV:
My head shot up at that question. I flushed involuntarily. "Uh… great. Everything went… great. Nothing out of the ordinary. You know?" I laughed nervously. She looked at me suspiciously as I discreetly looked down.
"Ok, now I'm interested. What happened?" She questioned, planting her hands on her hips and scrutinizing me. "What? What makes you think something happened?" My voice was unbelievably pitchy. God help me!
She smirked, "Miley…" she threatened. I sighed and looked up, knowing it was a lost cause. "Well, I realized… I might have the slightest crush on your brother." I confessed, taking interest in my finger nails.
I thought I saw her smirk before her face turned curious. "And which brother are we talking about?" she asked and I turned bright red. "You know…" I tried to get out of saying it. "Joe…?" she asked. I looked up to see her smirking. Oh, I hate her for playing this game. Of course she knew which brother!
"Ew… no." "Oh, then…?" that stupid smirk was still present on her face. "Nick!" I cried out finally in frustration. I looked at her to see her grinning wide; she giggled. "That's not funny!" I cried frantically. "You're right. I'm sorry. It isn't." she said, trying not to smile.
"You don't get it Sel, it really is bad…" I said desperately, plopping down on the bed. "And why is that? Cause last time I checked, Nick was not a monster and no matter what I say, he really is sweet – I only deny it because I have to, I mean he's my brother, DUH!"
I giggled at that. "Right. But weren't you the one who told me all about Nick's… 'problem'?" I asked. I felt her sit next to me. "True. But you wanna know something?" she asked; I sat up and looked at her expectantly. "I really think that if anyone can change Nick… it could be you."
I frowned. "What do you mean?" She smiled slightly at me, "I mean… you know; how Nick's changed so much since you arrived and all… And I think its cause of you." She completed. I raised an eyebrow, "You do? I've done nothing." "Exactly."
"That is so not confusing at all." I said sarcastically, falling back onto the bed as Selena chuckled. I closed my eyes thinking about what Selena said… was it true? Nah, it couldn't be. And she didn't need to know about what exactly happened yesterday, I decided.
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Nick's POV:
"It's much too quiet in here;
I wanna disappear;
I'm hearing myself thinking too clear.
It's too quiet in here;
Make it all go away;
Why can't we break this silence finally.
It's like you know where I'm going;
You follow me home;
And I never invite you inside."
I had a really weird dream last night… I dreamt that somehow I had fallen asleep holding Miley… that's ridiculous, isn't it? Either way, what I was feeling was not how I wanted to right now.
I looked across the room at the picture frame on my wall… I frowned. Was this right? What I was feeling for Miley… was it right? Or was it considered sheer betrayal? Or could it even be considered as that because the person I'm supposedly betraying does not exit anymore?
I groaned in frustration and sat up straight as I felt my back throbbing slightly – probably cause for some weird reason, I'd slept on the couch last night. I leaned over and pulled my guitar onto my lap. I started strumming it and closed my eyes, just enjoying the soothing music… something I haven't been able to o for a while now.
But ever since she arrived… my life has started taking a total different route.
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It was a Sunday morning and I've been dragged to a family (plus Miley) picnic. We used to do this very often… before. Kate even came along at times. I used loved to go out with my family like this, but after that incident, I stopped doing anything that ever reminded me of her and these picnics were one of those things.
I sat facing the lake, throwing stones in and thinking, about everything going on. I heard the girls squeal and scream from behind followed by Joe laughing. I sighed as I knew what was coming next. I started counting in my mind: 5, 4, 3, 2… 1. "Nick!" Right on time.
I turned around to see a panting Miley standing before me. "Yes?" "You wanna play hide-and-seek with us?" she asked, grinning. I rolled my eyes, "Sorry. I forgot how to be four years old, haven't been there in a while." She rolled her eyes at me now. "Oh, pish posh."
She reached down and started to pull me up, gripping on my arm. About five minutes of her pulling without making no progress and I gave in. Why does this always happen? "Alright!" I cried and stood up. One day, I'm gonna say no to you, Miley Stewart, you just wait.
"Great!" she clapped excitedly like a three-year old, making me smile subconsciously. She dragged me over to my siblings and I groaned to show them I didn't want to do this. But no one seemed to take that into consideration. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all… oh who am I kidding?!
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Finally. Who knew hide-and-seek was so much work? Phew. I collapsed on the blanket my mom had spread and reached for the basket, I was hungry. I looked over at Miley, she looked so happy. She turned around, catching me watch her, but turned around quick.
I pulled a sandwich out of the food basket and started biting into it when heard Selena scream, "Miley…!"
Miley's POV:
(From a few minutes earlier)
"That was so much fun!" I exclaimed, giggling like crazy with Selena for no reason at all. Mr. and Mrs. Gray were feeding the ducks and Joe went to join them as Nick headed for the food.
Selena and I settled at the edge of the lake, looking out into the water. It looked quite deep. We gossiped and giggled like teenage girls. I turned around casually to take a momentary glance at Nick only to turn back swiftly as I found him watching me.
I flushed. Selena nudged me, smirking. "Shut up!" I hissed. She put her hands up in surrender, still grinning though. "Stop grinning like that." I demanded. "What? It's an independent country!" she complained.
I narrowed my eyes at her, giving her a glare. "Fine, be independent on your own." I told her and stood up to walk away, pretending to be fake mad… but that was when my leg slipped on the unstable sand at the edge and I fell into the water.
I knew how to swim… but right now, all I could think of doing was panic. I tried to hit my arms and legs around trying to come up with no use coming out of it. I couldn't breathe, obviously. My mind was starting to waver. I was going to die… oh no!
Nick's POV:
"Miley…!" I looked up to see Miley slipping into the water and Selena standing there looking devastated. I stood up swiftly, dropping the food and ran towards the water. I jumped into the water without thinking twice; all that was running through my mind was that I needed to save Miley.
I flailed around for her, and finally, my arms got hold of her limp body. Please god, let her be Ok! I frantically fought with the water so that I could break the surface and breathe. Finally, my lungs filled with fresh air. I coughed and swam to the shore, still holding Miley firmly.
Frantic looking parents of mine and siblings helped her out as I climbed out myself. I quickly proceeded to squeezing her stomach to get any water out. What did she; drink the whole lake or something, because the water kept coming and coming…?
Finally, after what seemed like forever, she coughed, spitting more water. She was breathing… thank the lords. That was only when I realized that I was holding her. I helped her it up and let go. She looked at me, I frowned. "What--?" I started.
"I see what you're not showing;
I got you alone but;
But the air is so thin its weird.
It's much too quiet in here;
I wanna disappear;
I'm hearing myself thinking too clear.
It's too quiet in here;
Make it all go away;
Why can't we break this silence finally."
Her eyes filled with tears, although they were already red. All of a sudden, she hugged me. I couldn't say anything. I just sat there like a zombie. After a while, I wrapped my arms around her as she sobbed on my shoulders.
I saw the others get up and leave. She let go of me and we looked into each other's eyes. Her blue eyes looked drained, probably from the near death experience she'd just had. I smiled at her and she tried to smile back weakly.
She looked so fragile right now, wet and whimpering. "Thanks." She whispered. I nodded, "You had me – I mean, uh, everybody-- scared there for a moment." I said, honestly. She smiled really delicately, "I'm sorry."
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A/N: WOOHHOO. Demi's new album is AWSSHUUMM. Although I haven't been able to buy it yet. :/ Remember December is my favorite. :) Hburs?
Anywhhooo, back to the story. Didja liiiike?
Please REVIEW. :)