Miley woke up quickly, rushing to get ready. She felt wonderful, no grogginess, or depression, or even guilt. She finally felt free. She busied herself getting ready, while letting memories of Nick and last night flood her mind.
They had spent the rest of the evening talking and watching the stars after the storm had ended. She remembered herself lying down on the dewy grass still glistening from the fresh rain, and him laying down next to her, taking her hand into his as the stared at the endless arrays of stars. She smiled at the small lights blinking in the sky, admiring them for their underestimated beauty. She remembered him agreeing and holding onto her hand tighter, and how she knew that these small moments in life were what made up the true meaning of what living was supposed to be.
After a quick shower and hair curl, she made her way out of her home, too excited to even grab a bite to eat. She skipped down the block until she was welcomed into the arms of another boy.
"Nick," she sighed. She took in the safeness and security in his arms, and smiling at his familiar scent. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Smiley," he teased. She laughed at the corny nickname he had given to her after seeing her unendless smiles, but she loved it at the same time knowing that it was a nickname she'd be stuck with for the next three years. Together, hand in hand, they strolled to school. As the approached the double doors that held their high school lives, Miley took in a deep breath as Nick squeezed her hand reassuringly.
They entered. Gasps and whispers echoed as they walked through the hall together. Both kept to themselves, only sending loving whispers or laughs at the whispers going on around them.
"Oh my god, who's the new guy?"
"Woah, Miley's new man is hot! Where can I get one?"
"Yum, "
"Oh! Burn to Justin! Man, he's going to blow up when he sees this!"
Damn! Justin! Miley suddenly remembered her troubled ex-boyfriend that would not take this news lightly. She knew that someone was going to get hurt, and that someone was going to be the fourteen year old boy holding her hand securely.
"Nick, what about Justin?" Miley whispered he voice shaking. She stopped in front of her locker and leaned onto it.
"Don't worry about it. I can handle him," he teased. Miley's worry kept her from laughing.
"Seriously, Nicky. He almost really hurt you at that party," Miley exclaimed her lip quivering. She refused to see him hurt. The only time she had really seen him injured was the accident.
"Have some faith in me," he whispered placing a gentle hand on her cheek.
"I'm sorry. I do trust you," Miley whispered back. She did trust him to be able to defend himself, but she didn't trust Justin.
"Good, cause you're killing my ego here," he joked staggering back as if pained. Miley giggled and took his hand once again. Suddenly, she heard a familiar sounds of heavy footsteps approach her. She turned around and faced Justin.
"Hey, Babe," he exclaimed with a smile. He reached over to hug her with a huge grin. Miley was baffled. Where was the anger? Where was the screaming? Where were the punches?
"Listen, Babe. I wanted to clear this up. I forgive you for being all dramatic at me at the party. I understand all this chick stuff, don't worry," he explained patting her shoulder. Miley stared at him confused.
"So I say we make- up at my house tonight," he winked. Miley gaped at him. He didn't know. He hadn't heard. She was still staring at him when she heard Nick clear his throat behind him.
"Hey! You're the asshole I was supposed to beat up at that party!" Justin yelled, finally noticing Nick's presence behind her. "Is this jerk bothering you again, Miley?"
"No," Miley whispered her voice shaking, but Justin didn't hear. He confronted Nick and shoved him into a locker. Nick's head slammed painfully on the metal doors causing him to nearly fall to the floor. "No," Miley said louder, but Justin still didn't hear. He took the advantage of his size and pulled Nick's collar pinning him against the wall, and once again slamming Nick's head on the wall causing Nick to collapse on the school floor. "No! I said no! Get away from him!" Miley finally screamed. She dropped to the floor and overlooked Nick's scars and bruises. Luckily, all she found was a building bump on his forehead. She pushed away his falling curls, and kissed it tenderly. He looked up at her and smiled lightly.
"Are you okay?" she whispered. Nick nodded as Miley helped him up. She kissed his forehead one more time and took his hand into hers.
"What the hell was that!?" Justin screamed. The hallway was filled with whispering students and sympathetic stares, except this time towards the steaming red- faced Justin that had a confused and infuriated expression. "Babe, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"She's with me," Nick exclaimed standing in front of Miley protectively. Miley squeezed his hand. "So I suggest you back away. Don't embarrass yourself," Nick told him calmly yet with authority.
"Babe?" Justin asked Miley with a held out hand. Miley stared at it with unfeeling. She sympathized with him, but she knew she would never love him. She knew they would not be enemies forever, but she couldn't accept him as a friend after hurting him.
"I'm not your babe," Miley told him before both her and Nick walked down the hall, hand in hand, not caring what the world was planning to throw at them.
Demi walked down the hall alone. She couldn't believe Miley ditched her to school that morning. What could have been so important? She needed to tell Miley the news ASAP!
Suddenly, her question was answered as she saw Miley and the new guy walk down the hall, holding hands. Demi grinned at Miley's love struck expression, and giggly mood. She noticed Nick's face had a building smile as he kept a firm hold on their intertwining hands. Miley finally noticed Demi at the end of the hall and rushed toward her with a smile that could have reached the ends of the universe.
"Demi, How was the party last night?" Miley asked with a smile.
"Same old, same old," Demi smirked trying to sound calm. She couldn't wait to tell Miley about her and Joe. Suddenly, Nick caught up to the two girls and smiled.
"Hey, Demi," Nick greeted politely. He circled his arm around Miley's waist. Demi raised an eyebrow teasingly.
Miley blushed, "Oh, Nick and I are together now."
"Well, finally!" Demi squealed hugging the two smiling love struck teenagers. Suddenly, the shrieking sound of the school bell indicated that they were late.
"Oops, I really can't be late to English again," Miley said as she made her way through the hall. Nick followed her as if he didn't know what to do without her by his side.
"Miley!" Demi called out. Miley turned around quickly. "Remind me to tell you something later! It's really important. Just the two of us," she smirked glancing at Nick.
"Don't worry. I'll leave him somewhere, " she teased before both ran and entered a distant classroom.
Demi sighed taking her own backpack and walking down the hall, alone, once again.