Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.

Chapter 14 - February 11th, 2017

"Imagining you're far away, just searching for the words to say. I feel it when you fall apart. Our lives are our greatest art." - Excerpt from Forgiveness and Love, Miley Cyrus

"If I died, would you miss me?"

Miley stared, looking torn between laughing and frowning. "Um... what kind of question was that?"

Nick chuckled as he watched her. "I'm saying it like it is, Smiley. It isn't that hard to understand." Nick shriveled to the side as she lobbed a pillow at Nick. He grinned at her, and she made a face. Then, Nick stretched over and grabbed the pillow, tossing it at her. She caught it firmly in her hands and aimed it at him again. Nick groaned as it hit him squarely in the face. His everything already hurt from 'killing himself' yesterday, as Joe called it. "Can't you use Joe for your target practice? At least my face is pretty—don't need any feathers around God's creation."

Miley laughed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Self-conceited much? And Joe's with Demi anyway. She texted me about five million times about what to do."

"Sold out concerts, no problem. A date... Crisis."

"It's only Joe," Miley laughed. "She's had worse dates."

"I can't believe she said yes, though," Nick chuckled. "I thought she would reject him like the first time."

"Yeah well, Demi has always had a soft spot for Joe," Miley said with a small shrug. They were currently lounging in Demi's house—it was originally supposed to be a Miley/Demi sleepover, but Nick and Joe had crashed it—and were just hanging it. Nick felt... relaxed. He wasn't trying to say sappy sentences (though that came naturally to him) to impress her.

Of course, his mind was raging furiously on that matter.

Joe and Demi had left about an hour ago—due to Miley's encouraging (and by encouraging, he meant threatening)—and were on a date. Miley was still getting payback for Demi not warning her.

A smirk lit up Miley's delicate features. "I was totally paranoid to go to sleep with Joe in the room. I was so sure he was going to draw on our faces when we went to sleep."

Nick smirked. "He sure got a surprise, didn't he?"

Nick, Miley, and Demi had gotten up early in the morning. Joe wasn't an early riser... Well, Miley and Demi weren't either (not really), but Miley had complied without a quarrel... Demi, on the other hand, raged and ranted in their faces about how she needed eight hours of sleep each night, not seven and a quarter. But it was a playful sort of raging—Nick and Miley knew she was only being dramatic and teasing.

Then, they drew on Joe's face with permanent marker. Then, Miley and Demi got whipped cream while Nick made sure that Joe wasn't going to wake up. The girls had come back with a few cans of whipped cream and doused Joe in it. Then, they had gotten buckets of cold water—with ice—and a few feathers to tickle Joe awake. Before Joe had two seconds to regain consciousness, they had doused him in cold water—and them topped it with more whipped cream.

In short, it was the best hour of Nick's life.

Joe ended up chasing all of them until he got his 'revenge.' Then, they all cleaned themselves off, and Miley pushed Joe and Demi into going on a date.

"You didn't answer my question," Nick reminded her.

A smile graced her lips, flaunting off her perfect teeth. "Yes, Nicholas, I would cry if you died." She smirked. "I'd have no one to throw pillows at."

His eyes widened. "You sadist!"

He tackled her, and she shrieked. He pinned her against the hard ground, and she squirmed uncomfortably under his grip. He let himself lay down on her, making sure all his weight was on her. Her lithe figure was virtually trapped. She glared, unable to move her wrists, which were trapped under his hands. "Off," she demanded. "You're heavy. You're going to break all my bones."

Nick smirked and sighed comfortably. "Besides, you still didn't answer my question."

Her gaze narrowed. "If I answer it, will you let me go?"

He pretended to think about it. "Huh... I don't know... I'm quite comfortable here."

Her expression settled into a glare. "Nick."

He smirked. "Miley."

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. "Fine. Don't accept my gracious offer. I'm going to sleep."

He chuckled. "You're so stubborn."

"As said by E.F. Schumacher: 'Many people love in themselves what they hate in others,'" Miley answered, opening one eye.

Nick watched her as she closed her eyes again. He was immediately struck by how delicate and natural her features were. Her naturally long lashes cast dim shadows across her face, and he willed for her to open her eyes so he could see the stunning blue. But at the same time, he didn't want her to, for that would ruin how tranquil and peaceful she looked.

"Fine. I'll accept your oh so gracious offer," Nick said.

Miley's eyes shot open. She smirked. "Excellent. And stop watching me while I'm sleeping. You're a creep."

Nick blushed. "You weren't sleeping, or you wouldn't have been able to tell." He shrugged, inasmuch as he could in his position. "But you're right. You're very nice to watch... I'm not a creep, I'm admiring you." A delicate flush crept over her cheeks, and he smiled. "Now... the question..." He gazed directly into her eyes. "Would you miss me if I died?"

Her voice was scarcely more than a whisper. "Yes."

As promised, he got off of her. She stayed on the ground for several heartbeats, looking dazed. He extended a hand towards her, and she accepted it gratefully as he helped her get to her feet shakily. He peered at her, concerned. "Are you okay, Miley?" he said. It suddenly became very hard for him to breathe, with her so close to him. His entire world focused on her, eradicating the rest.

"Yes." Her answer was shaky, and he stared, not convinced.

"Miley—" he started.

"—don't say anything," she whispered, looking up at him with strained eyes. She struggled to regain her composure, and he stared pointedly at her hands, which were shaking. She took a few shaky breaths before uttering a single word: "Sorry." That was the name of his song, and as he watched her, he wondered what caused her to be so vulnerable all of a sudden.

"You don't have to be sorry," Nick murmured softly. "If something's wrong, you can always talk to me."

Still In Love Somehow

Sometimes, Miley felt like she would rather Nick be... not so nice. Then, maybe she'd have an excuse to dislike him.

His eyes were so sincere, and she wanted to punch him in the face. Why was he so genuine? Why couldn't he be a liar and a faker? Things would be so much easier like that.

So her answer was automatic and unintentional. "Shut up."

He looked hurt for a brief heartbeat but immediately schooled his face into a cool expression. He seemed slightly held back and more deflated now, and she knew it was all her fault. Then, as smooth as anything, he pretended to zip up his mouth and toss the key away jokingly. She gave him a little helpless smile, and he nodded once. She smiled, knowing she was forgiven.

She relaxed. "Hey, how 'bout we crash their date?"

Nick grinned. "Let's do it." Then, he leaned in and lowered his voice, smirking. "They're going to kill us later."

Miley smirked. "Let's do it."

To 'get in the mood,' as Nick teasingly called it, they both changed into dark yet casual clothing, reflecting that they could be doing anything or anything. They got in his car and headed over to a small yet relatively known cafe. They entered, exchanging secret smiles and smirks. Their plan was ruined by a little girl screaming out, "MILEY CYRUS AND NICK JONAS!"

Miley blushed. The press was going to find out, and she would be dead. Liam was going to find out, and she would be worse than dead.

Every head turned to them—including Demi's and Joe's unfortunately—and everyone looked either excited, appalled, fascinated, or amused.

Or wanting to kill them, in Demi and Joe's case.

"Hey, sweetie," Miley said gently, bending down so she was level with the little girl. "What's your name?"

"My name is Jacquelyn, and I'm your biggest fan!" the little girl squealed.

"I'm sorry about my daughter," the mother apologized, looking extremely embarrassed.

"It's alright," Miley said, grinning.

Nick smirked at her. "And I thought I was your biggest fan."

Miley nudged him in the ribs lightly and shook Jacquelyn's hand. The little girl squealed again—making half the people in the cafe wince—and started jumping up and down like she had too much sugar in her system. Nick bent down to greet the girl, too, and Miley smiled at his gentlemanliness. It was hard to believe she once hated Nick for breaking her heart—right now, she didn't really believe that Nick really ever existed.

"Demi and Joe, two o'clock," Miley murmured.

Joe thundered right up to them. "Well, hello stalker number one and stalker number two."

That wasn't fair. "In our defense," Miley said, "Demi told us where you were."

"I don't remember an 'us,'" Demi corrected. "I remember texting you."

Nick smirked. "So, how was the date? Is there a Jemi reunion?"

Demi blushed now and gingerly tucked some stray locks behind her ear. "I don't know what you're talking about." Then, she turned to Miley. "I'll forgive you, since I did steal you away from Liam and locked you in a hell hole with Nick, Joe, and myself." Demi smirked as she linked arms with Miley. "But you have to admit it: it was pretty fun."

Miley grinned. "Yeah, it was fun."

"Well, let's leave," Demi said, dragging Miley to the door.

Miley shot Joe an apologetic look and winked at Nick as Demi dragged her away.

They were soon back at Demi's house, and everything hit Miley all at once. One, the press was going to find out. Two, Liam was going to find out. Three... actually, well, that was it. Miley began pacing excessively around Demi's house like she owned the world, except for the fact that her mouth was tilted into a frown. "Miley," Demi begged, "please stop pacing. I don't think my poor carpet can handle it anymore!"

Miley stopped and shot Demi a weak smile. "I'm sorry. I just... I guess I'm just nervous." Miley took a seat by Demi. "So..." She nudged Demi in the ribs. "What's with you and Joe?"

Demi blushed. "You should've been there! He made a complete fool out of himself trying to impress me! But it was so sweet and so Joe of him... It's, like, that feeling, you know? That warm butterfly feeling inside your stomach." Demi smiled happily. "He's really easy to hang out with, but... you know how the Jonas brothers can be like. They can..." Demi fixed her gaze directly ahead. "Play and mess with your mind." A sad smile twisted on her face.

"I know what you mean," Miley muttered. "But Joe's older now. He's got to be wiser, right?" Miley met Demi's gaze, and the pair burst out laughing. "I know, right? Impossible. But... he's matured."

Demi nodded. "Yeah, he has... I'm just... I'm not sure if this is what I want..."

"Then take your time," Miley said softly.

Demi smiled wryly. "Thanks, Miles." Then, she sighed. "How are you and Liam, by the way?"

Miley blushed, feeling mildly guilty. She had basically forgot her fiance's existence for all of yesterday after watching The Last Song. She hadn't even called him to say good-night, like she would've if she wasn't with him. He had texted her, though, and she had found out the next day. She had apologized to him and told him that she had been exhausted last night and was watching a movie that probably drowned out the noise of the text, which probably happened judging by the time he had texted her.

"We're great," Miley answered instead. "I guess... I feel guilty for basically forgetting his existence last night. I guess I was just having so much fun."

Demi laughed. "You're allowed to have a good time."

"Yeah..." Miley trailed off. "It just... feels a little weird... you know?"

"Hanging out with Nick and forgetting Liam?" Demi said, and Miley nodded. Demi nudged her softly. "Hey, live a little, Miles. Liam won't begrudge you having a good time, right?" Miley shrugged a little. She knew Liam loved and trusted her, but she remembered their recent conversations. She would totally make it up to him later on. Demi shrugged. "So... are you, like, still choosing?"

Miley tilted her head to the side. "Well... not really. Not right now. I just like having Nick as a friend and Liam as my fiance."

"Not sure Liam's too pleased about that," Demi mused.

"Oh, he isn't," Miley said with a weak smile. "He's made that crystal clear. But I don't blame him."

"You know... I'm pretty sure you not choosing is just you postponing the inevitable. Fate always happens... and I have a feeling it'll strike you soon."

QotD: Who thought Miley SLAYED it on her cover of 'I Will Take Care of You'?

#I can't believe I only discovered that today! #Her vocal range is out of this world!

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! I know this chapter was pretty much a filler, but I had some fun writing it. I think... that... when I post a story and update it like this, I have more motivation for it. Because I always seem to push myself to write a chapter for each day. Actually, you know what I do? I'll let you in on the little secret, but you can't hate me!

You know the chapter I post for Monday? I wrote that on Saturday. And this chapter? I wrote it on Sunday. But I wanted to evenly distribute this story throughout the week. I honestly don't have time to write much during the week (homework, homework, more homework; plus, I have a life... pretty sure...), so there's that.

And god, I was just having 'Can't Be Tamed,' 'Who Owns My Heart,' and 'Scars' on reply throughout this entire chapter. Gotta love Miley!

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