Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.
Chapter 6 - February 3rd, 2017
"Do you ever think, when you're all alone, all that we could be? Where this thing could go? Am I crazy or falling in love? Is it real or just another crush? Do you catch a breath when I look at you? Are you holding back like the way you do? 'Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away. But I know this crush ain't going away." - Excerpt from Crush, David Archuleta
"Calm down, Nick."
Nick stared at Demi, still shaking. "I shouldn't have even thought about doing this concert. I'm going to be a mess, I'm going to make a fool out of myself, I'm going to—"
"—Nick, breathe," Demi interrupted, watching him with a concerned look that fell unnoticed. Nick began pacing again, and he was faintly aware of Demi sighing exasperatedly. Demi stopped him from pacing, and he shot her a sideways glance. She shook her head. "You're going to do fine. Sure, you might stumble while you rise up on the platform. And sure, it's completely viable that you might drop your microphone once or twice. And yeah, you might—"
"—not helping," Nick shot at her.
Demi shrugged helplessly. "Look, I don't know what I can say to reassure you, but..."
He stared at her. "How come I feel so scared? I'm just doing a concert—this is my comfort zone—so why do I feel so terrified? I have no reason to be. I'm safe and surrounded by bodyguards, and you're standing here by me yet..." He looked up to meet her eyes. "Yet I feel more terrified than I've ever felt in my entire life. Why is that, Demi?" he said almost desperately.
Demi took a moment to answer. Then, a smile graced her lips. "That's because the biggest dangers and demons aren't out there." She gestured around them. Then, she placed her hand over his heart. "They're in there," she said. Then, she removed her hand. "It's no different for the rest of us, Nick. We all have our demons—and turns out... the more we try to deny them, the stronger they, well, grow."
He stared at her. She shifted uncomfortably. "What?"
"It's just that..." He took a moment to compose himself. "You're this bright, fun girl, and then you go say something like that. It's mind-blowing, Dem."
She smiled a little. "Well, time for me to open for you." She stepped forward to hug him gingerly. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck," he said unnecessarily, and Demi beamed.
She was gone, and Nick was alone with his thoughts.
He watched her prance on stage like she owned the world. He smiled. Demi was certainly one of a kind. He walked under the stage, towards the platform that would lift him up. He waited there as Demi rounded up her performance. He heard her strong voice, and a smile tugged at his lips. Then, he felt himself getting lifted. He heard Demi: "Ladies and gentlemen, Nick Jonas!"
The crowd roared as Nick began to sing his first (cover) song: Crush by David Archuleta. (This song, in italics, is Crush by David Archuleta, so all credits about it go to him and are only used for constructive purposes to help the story flow. Thank you.) "I hung up the phone tonight. Something happened for the first time. Deep inside it was a rush, what a rush..." He was done rising, and he had a clear view of everyone. He turned to the balcony to see Miley and Liam. Liam did not look happy, and Miley... she just looked confused.
"'Cause the possibility that you would ever feel the same way about me, it's just too much. Just too much," he sang, feeling heavy emotion behind his words. He turned back to his audience. "Why do I keep running from the truth? All I ever think about is you. You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized. And I've just got to know..." Nick walked down the stage to the walkway.
"Do you ever think when you're all alone all that we could be? Where this thing could go? Am I crazy or falling in love? Is it real or just another crush? Do you catch a breath when I look at you? Are you holding back like the way you do? 'Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away, but I know this crush ain't going away. Going away..." Nick headed back towards his band.
As Nick sang, he felt like crying and screaming and yelling and falling apart all at once, but he held on to his nerve—whatever nerve he had left—and powered on. As he sang the final chorus, he looked at Miley. Her expression didn't show anything. He drank in her features: the perfect wavy locks of hair that was a mix of platinum and her natural brown, the stunning eyes that held all the infinite colors of the ocean, her glowing complexion, her pale platinum-colored, long-sleeved dress, the various bangles and bracelets that dangled on her wrists.
As Nick wrapped up his concert, his heart thumped loudly in his chest. It was now or never. "Now, I promise not to take up much of your night, but there's a special song I would like to sing," Nick said, feeling himself plaster a smile on his face despite the foreboding feelings in his chest. The crowd roared, and he smiled tightly. He turned to the balcony where Miley and Liam were watching him wordlessly. Nick's electric guitar hung at his side, and he looked at them—well, he looked at her, to be honest—but that wasn't really relevant. "Miley, will you sing a duet with me?"
A spotlight sought out Miley and Liam, and Nick could see that Liam was barely able to keep the fury off his face. Nick took a shaky breath and looked up at Miley. The crowd began to chant Miley's name, and a smile cracked on Miley's face. Nick could see her exiting the balcony. The crowd went wild. Soon, she was right beside him. In a soft voice, she murmured, "I hope you realize how much trouble you're going to get me in."
Someone handed Miley a microphone, and Miley smiled and said, "What're we singing?"
Nick couldn't keep the smirk off his face. "I hope you guys enjoy this throwback song, and let's hope Miley remembers this one." Miley shot him a confused look. "This is We Got The Party!" Nick announced, and he saw Miley grin a little. Nick looked up to see Liam, whose fists were clenched in agitation. Nick started his electric guitar with a grin, relishing the moment. (This song, in italics, is We Got The Party, Hannah Montana, so all credits about it go to the HM producers, JoBros, Miley Cyrus, etc, and this song is only used for constructive purposes to help the story flow. Thank you.)
"Come on guys tell me what we're doing. We're hangin' around when we could be all over the place," Miley sang with a smile on her face.
"The sun is shinin' just the way we like it. Let's get out of this hallway. Show the world our face," Nick sang, smiling as he sang Joe's part. The thought of his brother made Nick's smile wondered. He wondered if Joe was watching this on TV. He could see Demi grinning from backstage, and his smile transformed into a full blown smirk. Nick felt light as he sang with Miley.
"It's Friday but there's nowhere to go. Anywhere is cool but we're not going home," Miley sang.
Nick grinned. He wasn't sure if Miley would remember the song, but he was glad she did. "And we can do anything we wanna do. It's all up to me and you."
He caught her gaze as they sang the chorus: "Turn this park into a club. The stars and lights and the moon is the vibe from above. Skateboard, here's our ride so pull on up everyone is waiting for us. So anywhere we are, anywhere we go—everybody knows, we got the party with us. Anywhere we are, anywhere we go—everybody knows: we got the party with us!"
After they finished the song, Nick couldn't stop grinning. He had missed singing with Miley so much, and he had been right: the crowd had gotten her to sing with him. Or maybe she had wanted to. He embraced her tenderly, getting breathless as her sweet scent wreathed around him. He met her gaze, utterly dazzled. A smile graced her faintly-glossed lips. "I thought I'd forget the lyrics," she whispered with a small laugh that made him smile. Then, in a lower voice, she added, "I can't believe you did that to me!"
He grinned. "Miley Cyrus, ladies and gentlemen!" The crowd roared, and Nick grinned. "Now, before we saw our good-nights..." Nick shot Miley an apologetic look as he watched her frown, confused. "I'm sure you all know about my, ahem, recent declaration." Miley groaned, but Nick powered on. He turned to Miley eagerly. "I don't want to put you on the spot or anything, but—"
"—really?" she interrupted. "Because that looks like exactly what you're doing." The audience laughed at this.
He was still unable to tear the smile off his face. "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me. Elvis misses you," Nick added softly, blushing as the crowd went 'AWWWWW!' He looked up at Miley eagerly, unable to read her expression. She looked so unwilling to speak, and Nick wondered if he had done the right thing. She watched him in disbelief.
Nick turned briefly to the crowd, half-surprised that they were chanting Miley's name, and then 'Niley.' Nick flushed, and he saw Miley blush, as well. She looked so uncomfortable. Then, she sighed and shot him a rueful smile. "You're going to get me in so much trouble, Nick," she said with a tentative smile. He could detect her uneasiness but couldn't help a smile from spreading across his face.
"Is that a yes?"
She paused, and Nick saw her turn to the backstage area, where Demi was mouthing something at her. Miley shrugged tentatively. "I'm probably going to regret this later on," she started with a weak smile, causing people to laugh,"but... why not?" She looked so, so uncomfortable, but Nick winked at her. She rolled her eyes and leaned closer to him to whisper: "I'm going to kill you, Nick Jonas."
He murmured, "Then do it after we hang out. Then, I'll die a happy man."
Miley shook her head. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you." Her voice was a little sad, and Nick hesitated. He had really messed things up in her world—for his own benefits—and he knew that Liam was completely and utterly outraged. Who wouldn't be? Nick had put Miley on the spot—twice—tonight, and Miley loved her fans. How could she possibly say no?
Nick caught Liam's gaze, recognizing the pure fury and hate. Nick nodded at Liam's direction, and Liam's scowl deepened.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
QotD: What's your favorite song obsession right now?
#Anything HM #This Is The Time By Superchick #Stand By Rascal Flatts #Crush By David Archuleta
A/N: Hey, it's Darky! This chapter turned out being lamer than I anticipated, but... *grins like an evil maniac* I PROMISE the next chapter will have all the juicy details. Haha, I'm not sure WHAT this chappie is exactly, but it's there, and I'm too lazy and brain dead to change it or anything. I know it was kind of a filler (I said KIND OF, calm down), but... well... there's that.
And who just loves the song Crush by David Archuleta? Man, I just love that.
Also, in real life, I'm pretty sure Miley wouldn't know ALL the lyrics. Maybe the chorus but I don't think the WHOLE song... But this is my fanfiction, so I can shamelessly do whatever I want! But of course, if Niley was together, would I be writing this fic? Actually... I might be... Who knows? But wow, things would totally be different...
A girl can dream, right?
Review your answer to the QotD! Tell me your thoughts? I appreciate it though you don't need to. But who doesn't love reviews? ;)
- Darky