Hey guys! I updated yesterday as well, but for some reason it didn't show that it was updated. So make sure to read the previous chapter (chapter 13) first. Here's 14! Love ya!

Miley POV

My eyes snapped open and I pulled away from Nick to see Kevin smirking at us, camera in hand, to my horror. I covered my face with a hand and groaned softly with frustration at myself for what I almost allowed to happen. I could feel Nick shifting around a bit with discomfort behind me.

"Awkward moment?" Kevin added, an evil smile on his face.

"What's awkward?" I heard and looked over to see Joe and Mandy coming up next to Kevin.

"Little Nicky and Miley over here were about to have a bit of lip action when I interrupted them," Kevin declared and I felt like smacking him for putting us in this embarrassing situation.

"Is not," came my lame reply. Ugh, nice comeback Miley.

"I've got it all on camera." He held the camera up triumphantly and I made a grab for it, almost falling off the horse in the process, but he held it out of my reach.

"Leave them alone Kevin," Joe said to my surprise and I sent him a hug in my mind.

"I'm starving," Mandy declared, changing the subject. "Let's go get something to eat."

I didn't need to be told twice. I pulled on the reigns till Joey turned around then dug my heels into his sides. He shot off at a speed I was sure would probably make Nick nervous, but I had to get away from this close proximity between us. My mind was racing and my heart was pounding. I can't do this. Not after what happened.

I finally reached the stables after what felt like a lifetime and slowed Joey to a stop, quickly jumped off and handed the reins to Gerald. He obviously saw I was upset, because he didn't say anything and just watched as I headed for the house. I know I probably should've pretended like nothing happened, but this almost-kiss brought back memories that I didn't want to remember and I couldn't hide my emotions right now. A tear silently rolled down my cheek as I walked into the house and headed upstairs for my room.

***

I heard a knock at my door and knew it was Mandy, so I just kept my head buried in my pillow as the door creaked open.

"Miley?" came her voice and I just grunted in response. I felt the bed sinking down as she sat down beside me and rubbed my back reassuringly. I could always count on Mandy to make sure I was okay. "What's wrong Miles?"

I sighed and turned my head sideways towards her, but didn't look at her. "Nothing. I just... just..."

"Just what?" she prompted.

"I just... can't do this anymore," I finally managed to get out. "He came back and turned my world upside down again. And then we almost kissed and I can't put myself through that again. Not after..." I caught myself. "Nevermind."

I sat up and grabbed a tissue from my bedside table, blowing my nose. I had a bad feeling that she was going to ask the one question I didn't want to hear right now.

"Miles, I know it's none of my business, and I never asked because I thought you would tell me when you were ready. But, what happened between you two?" And there it was, the dreaded question. When I didn't say anything, she pushed a bit more. "You guys were inseparable, and I've been trying to figure it out, but I can't think of something bad enough to drive you guys apart like this. I mean, one day everything was fine and the next...you ignored each other for a year."

"It's a long story," I said, looking down at my hands.

"I've got time." She put a hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "You don't have to tell me, but you know I'm always here for you right?" I nodded. "So do you want to tell me?" Silence. "What happened Miley?"

I suddenly felt the extreme urge to tell her everything. I've been holding it all inside for a year now and maybe it was time to tell someone. And who better than Mandy? She's my best friend and she would never betray me. She just wanted me to be happy.

"We did it," I blurted out before I could stop myself and felt my cheeks burn.

"Did what?" When I sent her a look, understanding dawned on her and her mouth fell open. "You..." She looked around at the door to make sure it was closed before turning back to me. "You had sex?" she whispered. I looked down at my hands again and nodded. "Wow, umm..." She struggled with her words for a while. "So, what happened?"

I furiously rubbed my temple with frustration. "It wasn't supposed to happen. I mean, we were drunk and next thing I knew we were..."

"You were drunk?" she asked when I trailed off. "But you don't drink."

"I know. We were experimenting to see what all the fuss was about." And now I know that too much alcohol is a very, very bad idea.

"Okay, so you had too much to drink, and slept together, then what?"

I looked everywhere but at her. "Well, we realised what we were doing when he, ya know, went inside and it hurt." I groaned in embarrassment and buried my face in my hands.

"Hey, don't be embarrassed." She reached out and removed my hands from my face. "Sex is completely natural, and a very beautiful thing when two people love each other."

"But we weren't ready!" I said a little too loudly and lowered my voice again. "I wanted to wait for marriage, and so did he. And one stupid night..." I felt tears come to my eyes again and gave a pathetic little sniff.

"Okay, I understand that. So, what happened after you, well you know?"

I brushed the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand as I thought back to that night. "He just held me as I cried until I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, he was gone. He came back that night and we had a fight in the middle of the street. It was raining, but we didn't care..." I was crying openly now and Mandy pulled me into a hug. "We screamed at each other and he blamed what happened on me. So I called him a bastard and told him to just go. He said fine and goodbye, then he just left. We haven't seen or spoken to each other until my birthday."

Mandy POV

Her tears were soaking my shirt as I rocked her, but I didn't care. Miley needed me right now and I was doing my best to comfort her. I hated seeing her like this, but I finally understood why she's been so broken for the last year. They weren't ready for something like sex. They were only sixteen, and the fact that they were drunk made it even worse. They didn't know what they were doing and there was nobody around to tell them to stop. God, my poor little Miley.

"You've been keeping all this inside for a year now?" She nodded. "God Miles, you should've told me. I could've helped you." She just sniffed in reply. "But I'm here to help you now, okay?" She nodded again but didn't say anything else, so I pulled back to look at her tearstained face. It broke my heart to little pieces to see someone I cared so much for in so much pain. Miley was like a sister to me and I would do anything for her. Right now, I had to get her to feel better and maybe see things a little more clearly. "Sweetie, I know you guys didn't mean what you said."

"How do you know?" she protested.

I brushed her tears away with the sleeve of my sweater. "Because I know that Nick loved you more than anything on the planet, and that you felt the same way. And I know that you still feel that way, and I'm pretty sure he does too." She started to protest, but I sent her a look and she paused.

"He doesn't feel the same way anymore," she declared and I rolled my eyes. She wouldn't listen to me, she would just have to wait and find out for herself.

"If you say so. But one thing is for sure." She looked at me expectantly and I knew she wouldn't like what I was about to say. "You guys have to talk about what happened."

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "No way. Are you crazy?" Her blush was back, but I could see through it to the fear inside.

"You know I'm right." She was still shaking her head. "Look Miles, if you guys want to get past this and be friends again, you have to talk about it and sort it out. Then you can put it behind you and move on."

"I can't," she said in a small voice and I pulled her back into a hug.

"Yes you can. Miley, you're one of the strongest people I know. You'll be fine." I pulled back and gave her an encouraging smile. "You okay now?" She managed to return the smile and nod.

"Thanks Mandy. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably be much better off," I joked and she gave a little laugh.

"Never."

I smiled again and gave her another hug. "Go wash your face or take a shower and come downstairs so we can figure out what to make for dinner."

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