A/N: Just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the reviews, even after a month of not updating. Hahaa. Hope you like this chapter.

"You butthead. You're going to catch a cold!" Demi's earsplitting scream slammed through me and everyone else's ears as she ran out of the car with a jacket clutched in one hand. Joe, of course, had decided to run around shirtless… Did I mention it was almost 40 degrees outside?

"Don't you remember this place?" Joe grinned. "We'd come here almost every day after school and just talk or do whatever crazy thing Nick over there would think of."

I stuffed my frostbitten hands into my parka and smirked towards my best friend's direction. "Well, not in 40 degree weather at least."

"I like the cold," Miley put in as she stepped next to me with all that goddamn beautiful hair let loose around her face like a mane. She had the whole 'bedhead' thing going on, but with her it actually worked.

"I don't," Selena grumbled as she shoved her hands further down her thick coat. I always remembered how grouchy Selena had been around the cold, or a rainy day, and oh god… winter time. Let's just say that around Christmas, I made sure to get the perfect Christmas present… if I didn't, well… Taylor used to call her the 'The Grinch' at Christmas parties. Let's leave it at that.

"I guess it's just the feeling I get. Like I just want to stay in bed all day and drink hot chocolate for the rest of forever," Miley Stewart giggled as she rested her body weight on me. I snaked my hand around her back and held her securely. It was pretty damn awkward standing there in between Selena and Miley. I could feel the radiation of annoyance pulsing through Selena's stare. I couldn't tell if it was just from the cold she hated so much, or I did some bonehead thing I didn't realize.

"I heard if you stand in the cold long enough, you can change colors," Taylor skipped towards the three with a look of determination on her face.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to see if it's true. Shhhh. I'm trying to concentrate."

As Selena tried to talk some sense into her, Miley and I started to stroll after Joe and Demi. Joe was still skipping around with his shirt off, and Demi was screaming her damn lungs off after him. It was pretty hilarious to watch those two going after each other, but I didn't want to step in and just tell Joe to put the freakin' jacket off. I knew those two were enjoying it, no matter what they said.

For the last few day, Joe and Demi seemed to have been able to patch things up. They weren't fighting, but at the same time no one really knew if they were together. We hadn't seen them touch or hug or kiss in the last few hours, which was definitely out of the ordinary. In high school, those two were like goddamn rabbits. They were at it at every corner they could manage to find. Eventually, Taylor, Selena, and I all learned to bring books or magazines to read just to pass time when those two were off doing whatever… (I rather not know the details, though Joe has a problem keeping his 'escapades' to himself). Well, except Taylor of course. She always said books would give her stomach aches… Just imagine teachers reaction to that excuse.

"I think it's great they're trying to work it out," Miley said next to me as she linked her arm through mine.

"If you call that working it out, then yeah. I guess," I shrugged casually.

A small curious smile twisted across that girl's lips like butter as she glanced up at me like I was a damn painting on the wall. "You really hate showing emotion, huh?"

"Pshh… nah."

Miley turned back around with that goddamn smile still glued onto her face. "Okay…"

"What?"

"It's just that I can really imagine you through high school," Miley chuckled softly, those sounds of bells filling the cold air as a cloud of breath floated away. "The 'cool kid' who acts like they don't care about anything. They're just, 'chill' all the time. To them, to be cool is NOT trying too hard."

I stared down at her with my jaw twitching as I held back words. Finally, I mumbled out a quick, "Maybe…"

"Ha! I was right," Miley grinned triumphantly. I didn't say anything else, knowing she was pretty much right on the spot. But I mean, c'mon. That was what high school was about; acting like you didn't give a crap about anything. If some hot girl asked me out, I just shrugged and gave a vague answer. If a teacher asked me a question, I would give them the best 'I don't know, and I don't care' face until they moved onto the next student. Damn. Those were some days… The days I could actually still get away with it.

"What about you?" I asked curiously, nudging her with my shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember how you were in high school?" I asked, completely expecting her to just shake her head and say she didn't remember like every other day she would tell me. But surprisingly, this time she nodded her head.

"Actually, yeah. Memories have been coming in like crazy these past few days. It's like every morning I wake up, I learning more about myself."

I looked her straight in those blue- gray eyes and studied her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"There's really nothing to tell," Miley smiled reassuringly as she touched the side of my face. Even though I wanted to believe her, there was something the base of my gut that wanted to push on further.

"OHMYGODDGUYSSS!" Taylor squealed as she frolicked towards us, blonde curls and all bouncing behind her like a golden retriever on her head. "Look! It actually worked! I changed colors!" She pointed towards her face enthusiastically. Miley and I studied her face and noticed that she was actually looking slightly purplish blue.

"Maybe because you were holding your breath for the last 3 minutes," Selena huffed behind her. She never really was a runner.

"That's just silly," Taylor laughed as she touched her cheeks, her eyes still twinkling with the excitement that her idea might have actually came true. Hey, if I didn't ruin her belief in Santa all those Christmases ago even after she physically forced me to write him a letter, I wasn't going to ruin her hopes now.

Miley followed my reaction as I nodded like what she realized was the best damn thing they had ever witnessed in the world. Taylor's smile beamed with pride as she skipped over to Demi and Joe to show off her new 'findings'. Aw hell. I can already think about what they're reaction would be.

"Oh god! Taylor! Put your coat back on before you get cold! I am not taking care of your sick butt!" Selena yelled as she clutched onto Taylor's bright yellow coat. She's had that damn thing since high school. She said it made her feel like a bee hive… which I'm guessing is a good thing, to her at least.

"Who would have ever known I would see my friends chasing after each other and telling them to put their clothes back on," I stated dumb- struck. Miley giggled as she leaned her head on mine and we all just watched them. It still amazed me how fast Miley had seemed to fit in with us. In high school, people literally had to crawl on their damn knees just to be able to hang out with us one random day afterschool. It wasn't because we were mean or anything (well, not THAT mean), but I guess people were just intimidated by god knows what. But see, Miley Stewart wasn't intimidated by anything.

"So, do you still want to know?" Miley smirked as she tilted her face up to meet my eyes with hers.

"Know what?"

Her smile grew a little bigger. "How I was in high school."

I raised my eyebrow in curiousity. "Should I be scared? You weren't like, a man or anything right?"

She laughed that Miley Stewart laugh of hers and shook her head. "Not that I remember… yet. But I was pretty average. I was just in some AP classes, did music class, joined clubs, joined a dance team, class president, volunteer work—"

"Sorry, sorry. You were giving me a head- ache," I broke in, stopping her mid- sentence. "You call that average? Hell, my high school years were get by with a D in my classes, ditch all those annoying school assemblies and rallies, and um… Nope. That's pretty much it."

Miley laughed and kissed my cheek, those cool lips of hers barely brushing the base of my skin. It felt good to feel a little warmth in my cheeks from all this goddamn ice age weather. Even just with Miley standing right next to me, I could feel the heat radiating from her body. I suddenly understood what she meant about liking the cold. Except in my case, all I wanted was to be close to Miley Stewart all day.

"I don't know. I just remembered it a few days ago. I played way more instruments than I thought."

I smiled down at her and felt a question tugging at the back of my mind. I rocked back and forth awkwardly in my heels and opened my mouth to ask nervously, "So… Do you remember any um, ex- boyfriends I need to know about?"

Her smile twitched amused. "Hm. I don't know."

"You're evil," I grinned as I dipped forward and attacked her stomach with tickles. She giggled and ran away, her loose mane of hair billowing behind her like a breeze.

I chased after her, and thanks to my attempt of 'working out' (Doing 10 pushups and then walking to Burger Palace for dinner) a few months ago, I managed to catch her. I circled my arms around her waist and tackled her down to the ground, cradling her back to soften her fall. She was still laughing that perfect laugh of hers as she looked up at me. "You never answered my question," I grinned as I towered over her. Our legs were entangled together and my arms trapped her in between me. I had to remind myself to breath just from being so close to her.

"About my ex- boyfriends?" Miley smirked. "I don't think you need an answer."

"Why? Cause I'm not as hot as all your other New York big- shots?" I asked mock- hurt, though I did feel a little offended that she wouldn't even give up one little detail. In my mind, I was imaging models like those you see in those Abercrombie bags. Aw damn. How was I going to compete with a guy with Jesus' abs?

"No," Miley smiled as she leaned forward and kissed my nose. "Because when I'm with you, the rest can't even compare."

I feel my cheeks flush red, and it wasn't from the cold either. I brushed my hand across her hair, swiping away at her bangs. "I love you," I whispered. We had probably been saying it over and over again since yesterday, but I couldn't get over it.

"I love you too," she smiled.

"Hey, love birds! Can you at least hold your 'activities' until we can get in a room? God. Have some respect to nature!" Joe yelled teasingly. I rolled my eyes, wondering how I managed to stay best friends with this kid for so long. I sat up and held out a hand to help Miley up with me. Her cheeks were a little flushed and her hair had a bit of leaves in it, but she still managed to take my breath away from one look.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we finally reached the group of people, all of them finally wearing their appropriate clothing.

"Going to eat lunch," Demi explained.

Miley beamed next to me. "Great. I'm starving."

"Tell me about it! I'm as hungry as a horse!"

Demi raised an eyebrow. "You mean, I'm so hungry I can eat a horse?"

Taylor giggled at Demi like she was the funniest human being on earth and shook her head. "What are you talking about, Demi?"

Demi rolled her dark eyes and just linked arms with Taylor. "Never mind, Tay. I'm just being stupid."

Since Demi and Taylor seemed to already be walking together, and in a deep conversation about whatever random rant she was on now, Joe and Selena walked together with me and Miley.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket like an electric shock. Everyone glanced at me like I was crazy. Joe eyed my leg. "Nick, I think your leg is having a seizure."

"Ha- ha. Very funny, Joe," I grinned as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

"Thanks," he smiled back with his famous cocky grin. "I try."

Chuckling, I looked at the caller ID and noticed it wasn't a number I recognized. I answered the call and replied a quick, "Hello?"

"Mr. Grey?"

"Yup. That's me…"

The voice sounded hoarse on the other end, but still very official like I was talking to a machine. "There's been an incident. We need you to come by to identify a body. We have a good idea who it is but we still need official confirmation from a close friend or colleague."

My face must have paled because Miley had moved closer and mouthed a quick, "What?"

I raised the phone back to my ear and felt my heard grow cold. "Sorry, but who's body did you find?"

"I believe you work with him. A man with the name, John Samuels?"

John Samuels…

Ol' John.

I walked down the white walled hallway, following the young man around my age lead me to a metal door. I shut my swollen eyes, wishing that this wasn't happening right now, but when I opened them, the man was already holding open the door, waiting for me to come inside. The room was cold, and even if we were inside, it felt even colder than the weather I had just been in only a few minutes ago.

We approached a table with a blanket draped upon a body, and I felt my throat seize up. I tried to persuade myself that it wasn't Ol' John. That he was still somewhere in that goddamn garage of his and working on a car or mumbling to himself about what a mess I was, but as I approached the body, my hope was diminishing more and more.

The young man pulled the blanket down to reveal a pale face, and I thought that I would drop the ground and break down crying right there. It was Ol' John all right. He simply looked like he was just asleep. His eyes were closed as if day dreaming, and his wrinkles and moles were still all in the same place where they were yesterday. It was still him. Even his little musky mustache had the little curl at the ends.

He's going to wake up any second, I told myself. He's just kidding around. It's just one of those sick jokes of his…

But I knew no matter how much I shook him, the old guy wouldn't wake up. I tore my gaze away from the body and met the eyes of the young man. He was just watching me for a confirmation, and when I gave him a nod he had swept me back outside the room and into the waiting lobby where the rest of my friends were waiting.

The others looked pretty sullen, even given the fact that they had barely knew Ol' John, except for the 'cranky guy with a wrench' from high school. Now that I thought about it, I wished they had known him better; that they had known he was so much more than that.

Miley's face was pale and her eyes looked swollen, but she wasn't crying. I've noticed lately that it took a lot for this girl to cry. I went up to her and saw the same false hope in her eyes when I had first entered the hospital.

I nodded my head slowly at her, even if it felt like bricks were pressing down my head. "It was him."

She bit her lips as if holding back a cry. "What can I do?"

I looked away from the rest of my friend's eyes. I hated letting them see me so weak. "I need some air," I stated finally as I strode out the waiting lobby and it's plain white walls. I didn't care that I had forgotten my jacket inside with Miley or that I was standing in 40 degree weather. It didn't matter anymore.

I strode to the hospital gardens, just wanting to walk away from everything. My knees gave out half- way and I stopped. Anger surged through me as I pounded the brick walls with my fists, slamming into them even after my knuckles turned red and began to bleed. I kicked and punched and screamed until my body couldn't handle it anymore. I crumpled onto a nearby bench and just sat there. After a few minutes, my eyes wandered towards Miley Stewart herself. She was standing at the end of the path, her blue gray eyes just watching me.

She had probably just seen my outburst. She probably thought I was insane. But when she approached me, she didn't say anything like that. She just sat there and held my hands until I managed to find the strength in me to talk.

"I should have come to work today… I could have helped him. Maybe if I was there, he could have been taken to the hospital sooner.. Maybe—"

Miley stopped me, or maybe I stopped myself. I couldn't even remember anymore. I just knew I had begun to cry for the first time in the last 5 years of my life.

"Shh," she whispered as she held me close. "You couldn't have done anything. It was just his time to go." She lay my head on her lap and began kneading her fingers through my hair as an act of comfort. I could already feel my sobs slowing and my body relaxing at her touch.

"I miss him already…"

"I do too. No one was really like him," Miley whispered.

"No. No one," I stated surely.

"I just wish I could have been there, to have known what his last words were or what his last wishes were."

A long pause took over before Miley found the strength to talk again. "You guys were closer than you made it seem," Miley stated instead of asking. I felt myself already nodding, because it was true. I might have complained about my job a lot, but Ol' John was the closest thing I've had to a father since high school. When everyone else left Samson to do their own thing, all I had was the garage and John. They were all I had.

"You think Ol' John is up there with Sarah?" I asked slowly, staring up at the sky and suddenly remembering the girl he had fallen in love with when he was just our age.

Even though my eyes were focused above me, I could already tell Miley was smiling. "Yeah, I really do. They're probably watching us right now."

That one sentence managed to make my lips curve into a small smile, knowing that Ol' John might not be as alone as I thought.

Wherever he was, I just hoped he was happy.