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

Chapter 28 - February 25th, 2017

"I learned from you that I do not crumble, I learned that strength is something you choose. All of the reasons to keep on believin'. There's no question, that's a lesson. I learned from you." - Excerpt from I Learned From You, Miley Cyrus & Billy Ray Cyrus

"Miley!"

"Noah!"

Miley threw her arms around her little sister, grinning. "I missed you so much!" Miley exclaimed. Then, Miley grinned lopsidedly. "Never mind the fact that I just saw you the other day," Miley added with a rueful smile before tackling her sister back into a deadly embrace. Noah leaned into the hug, and Miley felt joy sweep through her. She really had missed her sister. They would have to spend more time together in the future.

"I missed you more!" Noah murmured, eyes bright. "And I can't wait to spend this day together!"

"Me, too, Noah, me, too," Miley laughed vivaciously.

They were at Miley's house. Miley was wearing a casual t-shirt that was promoting Noah's music and a pair of faded blue shorts. She wore boots that went up a few inches higher than her ankles, and her hair was down and curled. Miley only wore a light coating of lip gloss for make up, and around Miley's neck was a nazar. The necklace that looked a bit like an eye felt good and right around her neck.

Noah was wearing a t-shirt that read 'FREEDOM' in spiky caps and a pair of black skinny jeans. Noah wore black Converse, and her hair was swept up in a utilitarian ponytail. A few bangles and bracelets were curled around Noah's wrists, and Miley's younger sister's face was make up free, letting her inner beauty shine through. Noah's blue eyes were bright and excited.

Miley linked her arm through Noah's. "Ready?"

Noah beamed. "Totally!"

They headed towards Miley's car. Miley slipped into the driver's seat, and Noah rode shotgun. Miley cranked up the radio, and a happy smile burst out on her face as Noah's song 'Make Me (Cry)' blasted. As they drove along, both girls sang along to the song, laughing and smiling and exchanging secret smirks in between. Already the day was off to a brilliant start.

Miley parked outside a cafe and linked arms with Noah. Both girls laughed as they waltzed in dramatically. The door swung open, and everyone turned towards them. Miley winked at Noah, and they took a seat. Miley flipped through the menu. "What do you want to order, Noah?" Noah picked up a menu, gaze thoughtful. Miley bit her lip. All of them looked delicious.

"How about the Strawberry Kiwi Delight?" Noah mused. "Or the Chocolate Vanilla Smoothie?"

Miley grinned. "Hmm... Both of them sound delicious."

"Then we'll get both," Noah declared. She waved a waiter over. "We would like two Strawberry Kiwi Delights and two Chocolate Vanilla Smoothies."

"Will that be all, Miss Cyrus?" the waiter murmured in a low voice.

"For now," Noah said with a thoughtful expression. "We might want to order some other things."

The waiter went off, and Miley high-fived Noah. "Look at you go, sister! You're simply unstoppable, aren't you?"

Noah grinned. "I'm sure I have my moments." Miley exchanged a grin with Noah as their drinks arrived. Miley grinned. They looked absolutely delicious, almost too flawless to drink. Miley took the Strawberry Kiwi Delight first. She took a sip and let out a whistle. Noah quickly grabbed the other Delight and took a draught. "Gosh, this is good," Noah mused.

"It's heaven in a glass," Miley sighed contentedly.

"No kidding," Noah whistled.

Miley tilted her head to the side and saw people snapping furious pictures of them. They were bound to end up on the cover of a magazine or something, but Miley didn't care. She was spending time with her sister, and that was all that mattered. Miley smiled at her sister, but her smile faded as she saw Noah looking very... perplexed. "What's wrong, Noah?"

"Is it just me, or is that Demi Lovato with Nick Jonas over there in the corner?" Noah hissed.

Miley froze and turned. Sure enough, she saw her friends. Miley pursed her lips and turned back to Noah, blushing furiously. "I don't understand why they're here," she murmured in a low voice. Noah chuckled, and Miley, through her peripheral vision, felt Nick's gaze burn onto her back. "God, they're such stalkers," she teased as she took another sip of her Strawberry Kiwi Delight.

Noah grinned. "I know, right?"

"I told Demi that we'd be by her place after today, kiddo," Miley added quickly, since they were on the subject.

Noah's gaze brightened. "That would be very cool," she murmured almost secretively. Then, Noah grinned again, her bright and spontaneous attitude making Miley smile. "So..." She nudged Miley in the ribs. Miley tried to ignore the sensation of 'impending doom' ringing in her chest. "What's going on with you and Nick?" Noah teased, clearly enjoying this.

"What?" Miley shot a quick glance at Nick and Demi, who were in a deep conversation. "Nothing!"

"Uh huh." Noah leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "I've heard the news, Miles."

"Yeah, well—" Miley stopped short. "Demi put you up to this, didn't she?"

"Huh?" Noah looked confused. "No, she didn't." Miley relaxed a little, and Noah grinned. "But I'm curious. If you were forever with Liam, you would've dumped Nick to the curb when he first sang that song. But..." Noah pulled out her phone and showed Miley Nick's Instagram, which had the picture of Miley and Demi with Nick's dog Elvis. "Clearly, you haven't..." Noah smiled mysteriously.

Miley laughed awkwardly. "Um... Yeah, I haven't just 'dumped him to the curb.'" Then, a smile brightened up Miley's face. She pulled out her phone and put it on a selfie stick. She grinned and headed over to her sister's side. Miley grinned. "Smile for the camera!" Noah grinned, holding up two fingers in a 'peace' sign. Miley winked and took the picture. Miley grinned and took her phone out. "Alright. Check my Instagram."

Noah grinned and checked. "And 'like'! Love hanging with #noahcyrus, y'all. Too bad you can't all have her."

"Yes, that's exactly what I wrote," Miley announced, grinning.

"Demi and Nick commented," Noah observed.

Miley checked. Demi had put down #sistergoals, and Nick had written it's so like you to ditch us for your sister. Miley grinned at that. "They're watching us, aren't they?"

Noah chuckled. "I'm not sure it's us they're watching, Miles."

"Ha ha, very funny." Miley blushed, embarrassed.

"I like Nick better than Liam," Noah mused, and Miley's head shot up. Noah flashed her an apologetic look. "Don't get me wrong—Liam's great—but I just know Nick better... through Frankie. Not that I talk that much to Frankie anymore... But still... You have no idea how many reporters have been bombarding me about you and Liam and Nick. It's exhausting, really."

"Sorry about that," Miley murmured.

"They also want us to do a duet," Noah added.

Miley smiled. "I'd like that. Maybe, after all of this craziness is over..." Noah's smile brightened, and Miley fiddled with her drink a little. She looked up to meet Noah's unnervingly blue eyes. Maybe that's what everyone meant when they said that her eyes were so clear and disconcerting... Maybe the Cyrus girls just had that kind of effect. "Hey, you wanna head over to the studio? We could jam on some old favorites."

Noah grinned. "Totally! Can we go right now?"

Miley grinned and got up. She grinned at Noah's enthusiasm. She linked arms with her sister. "Excited much?" she teased.

Noah grinned. "You know what they say: the apple doesn't fall from the other apple."

"No one says that."

"Yeah, well, they should, but you're my sister, so I can say that."

Miley grinned. "Yes, you're my sister, and I'm so glad you're my sister."

Still In Love Somehow

"Nick. Nick! Nick! NICK!"

Nick's head shot up. "What?" He glanced at Demi. "Were you saying something?"

"Oh, no, I wasn't," she said sarcastically. "I only said your name about five million times, but who cares anyway, right?"

He blushed as he watched Miley leave with Noah. He remembered the bright smile on Miley's face. He grinned. Miley and Noah. Noah and Miley. What a pair. They both resembled each other in their looks, but what drew them to him was their eyes. Their piercing eyes were exactly the same. What he would do to be Noah right about now... Except, that would just be weird... Forget he said that.

"Nick, I can tell you aren't listening to me."

Nick turned back to Demi, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry."

Demi shook her head absentmindedly. "I just don't know what to do with you." She tilted her head a little, letting her long raven locks swarm gently around her. Her sharp eyes sought out his, burning into his. "They look similar, don't they?" Demi mused. It was obvious who she was talking about. "They look so similar, but you could tell immediately one from the other."

Nick nodded. "Wait another year or two, and I'm sure it'll be harder to tell... or the other way around."

Demi got up, and a smile lit up her face. "Well, I have... a date with Joe." Demi crossed her arms, as if she was daring him to contradict her, but he didn't say anything. She humphed, satisfied, and slung her purse over a shoulder. "I'll see you around, Nick, okay?" He nodded and stepped out of his chair to hug her. He watched as Demi left the cafe in a hurried fashion. She sure was excited to see Joe.

Nick ran a hand through his head of curls. A swarm of fans noticed that Demi was gone and targeted him. He waved and took a few pictures with them. One fan with bright electric-blue hair shouted, "Is it true Miley's done with you?" The fan had to yell to be heard above the noise. Nick chuckled as he heard cameras flashing all around him. The crowd continued to buzz.

"I would hope not," Nick called back. "We're good friends—me and Miley. We hang out all the time."

A different fan with a pixie cut inquired, "Did she dump Liam?"

"No, Miley did not dump Liam," Nick said, scratching the back of his neck. "To the best of my knowledge, that is. But, if you remember, Miley was here earlier"—screams erupted in the cafe at his words—"and she was hanging out with her little sister Noah Cyrus!" Whispers of Miley and Noah exploded in the room. "So do us all a favorite and go check Noah out!"

"I don't think there's a 'Noah Cyrus' at the supermarket, Nick."

Nick turned to see Miley standing at the doorway, arms crossed. Noah was beside her, smirking. Nick blushed. Noah laughed and said, "We were going to get something for Liam, but..." Miley exchanged a brief glance with Noah before turning to Nick. Nick blushed tomato-red. "But thanks for telling people about me," Noah added gratefully, holding up two fingers in a peace sign in the air.

Miley grinned. "Come on, Noah. We'll get something for Liam next time."

The two exited the cafe, and Nick grinned. They were so protective over one another. Hand in hand, the Cyrus sisters dashed out of the cafe in surprising speed. Nick saluted his crowd and ran out after them. He saw them getting in Miley's car, and he dashed after them. He had walked to the cafe (jogged, actually) and didn't have a car with him now. He saw Miley catch his eye. She groaned.

He knocked on the car. "Let me in?" he begged.

Miley crossed her arm. "Nick, you're not supposed to be here."

He shook his head pleadingly. "Please, Mi."

Noah laughed. "Just let him, Miles. Or else he's just going to stop us from doing anything fun."

Miley sighed exaggeratedly but unlocked the car doors. Nick quickly hopped in, and before he even put on his seat belt, Miley drove off. Nick quickly put on his seat belt and watched Noah turn on the radio. The sisters sang at the top of their lungs, and Nick grinned. "I could record this all, you know?" he teased, putting on a tough facade.

Miley glared threateningly. "You wouldn't dare! I'll—"

"—what?" Nick interrupted with a teasing grin. "Rip me apart and feed me to your dogs? Let's face it, Miley: you'd miss me too much."

"Ugh." Miley made a face. "I hate you."

"No, you don't," Nick murmured. "Else I wouldn't be in this car."

Noah caught Nick's eyes. Then, Noah's gaze flicked from Miley to Nick. A mysterious smile rose on Noah's lips, and Nick blushed. 'Not you, too' he mouthed to her. 'Oh yes, me, too' she answered back, her mouth darting so fast he almost didn't catch the words. They arrived at some building that Nick didn't recognize. Miley parked, so Nick got out, as well.

"What is this place?" Nick said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Noah grinned. "It's a studio."

Miley smacked her sister's arm lightly. "You're supposed to make him guess!"

Noah laughed. "I'll remember next time."

Miley threw her head back and laughed, giving Noah a brief embrace before waltzing through the doors. Nick followed them, feeling a bit awkward at tagging along at this sisterly gathering. They arrived at a huge studio room. Nick brushed a hand against one of the control panels. "Sweet," Nick said, letting out a sharp whistle. He checked out the place, nodding. "I like this studio."

Miley grinned. "It's nice."

Nick saw a set of guitars and picked one up, hanging the strap over his neck. He picked up a thumb pick, slipping it on. "You girls want to sing something?" Nick offered. "I could play." Both girls nodded eagerly as they grabbed a few microphones. Nick grinned. "How about... 7 Things?" he mused teasingly, strumming the first chord in the song: an 'E' chord.

Miley grinned. "I'm game if you are." She turned to Noah. "You?"

"Let's do it," Noah said with a smile.

"You guys do remember the lyrics, right?" Nick made sure. They looked extremely offended, and Nick was quick to add, "Forget I said that." Nick began strumming the chords. As the girls sang, Nick felt himself melt a little more. He also noted happily that when Miley sang the chorus about the 7 things she hated about him, she did it teasingly, like it was all a joke. Somehow, that made him feel better.

"The seven things I like about you! Your hair, your eyes, your old Levi's! When we kiss, I'm hypnotized! You make me laugh, you make me cry, but I guess that's both I'll have to buy!" Noah and Miley sang, their eyes bright, and a burning fire of musical passion in their souls. "Your hand in mine when we're intertwined, everything's alright! I want to be with the one I know! And the seventh thing I like the most that you do: you make me love you." (This song, in italics, is 7 Things, Miley Cyrus, so all credits about it go to Miley Cyrus, and this song is only used for constructive purposes to help the story flow. Thank you.)

Nick strummed the final chord, grinning. He put the guitar down. "You guys sound amazing!" he exclaimed truthfully, stepping forward to hug them.

Noah bowed exaggeratedly. "Well, I'm going to get some water." She left the room.

Nick turned to Miley, smiling. "Well, superstar, you should be getting back in the studio soon," he murmured, stepping closer. She smiled softly, and Nick reached forward and tucked some stray locks of her hair behind her ear. Her smile turned softer, and Nick lowered his head so that their noses were just barely brushing. "So I guess I can forgive you for doing that little stunt in Rio," he added.

She smacked him lightly on the arm, not breaking their eye contact. "That was years ago! How can you still be holding me against that?" Then, she narrowed her eyes at him. "Besides, you wrote Wedding Bells and performed it for the entire world, so I say we're even," she countered, a slight smirk creeping onto her face. She looked confident and beautiful and happy.

He smiled, chuckling. "Is that so?"

"Don't pretend you forgot," she warned.

He reached forward and touched her cheek, his fingers brushing gently against her smooth skin. Her eyes widened a little, and Nick leaned a little closer. There had to be less than an inch between their lips. He trembled and closed his eyes.

"The water here tastes—OH MY GOD!"

Nick pulled back from Miley instinctively though losing the feel of her was shocking to him. He turned and saw Noah, whose face was burning in embarrassment and regret. In Noah's fingers was a glass of water, but the glass slipped from her fingers, crashing onto the floor. Pieces of glass exploded everywhere, and water splashed against the ground, gleaming and hungrily streaming across the floor.

Nick's face burned. Miley peeked at him, face flushing, before heading towards Noah, checking her sister for any injuries from the glass. When she was satisfied, Miley said, "I'm going to get some paper towels..." She glanced from Noah to Nick and back to Noah. "Don't step near or on the glass, okay?" she warned, concern lacing her features. Nick could only nod numbly.

As soon as Miley left, Noah started groaning. "You were about to kiss her, right? Ugh, oh why did I have to walk in?!"

"It's fine, Noah," Nick said quickly. "Maybe it's just the universe's way to torture us," he said, trying to joke about it.

Noah shook her head miserably. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Nick. I didn't—"

"—mean to, I know," Nick said. He scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide his frustration. "Don't blame yourself, don't lose sleep over this, Noah. I mean... Liam might've given me permission to be able to kiss her, but..." Nick sighed. "Maybe this is a sign. Maybe this is a sign I'm not meant to be with Miley, and she's not meant to be with me. We've almost kissed many times, and..." He sighed again.

Surprise flickered across Noah's face. "Really? Many times?"

Nick blushed. "Don't worry yourself over this."

Noah sighed. "Don't let her go, Nick. She needs someone like you in her life."

"I don't know, Noah," Nick said with a soft sigh. "I love her with everything in me... but she's not mine. She's Liam's. And I... Liam and I... we're actually on pretty good terms—at least, not fighting or arguing terms. Miley... she has her entire life spread out in front of her. I don't want to hold her back... I think there's a specialness between us, but maybe that's just all up in my head."

Noah shook her head. "You're only seeing two options. Miley with Liam or Miley with you. You're usually open. Why should your life be any different?"

"What other possibilities are there?" Nick inquired.

"I don't know," Noah admitted. "But I've known Miley long enough to know that she hates to admit it when she's wrong."

"Wrong about what? Liam? Not rejecting me when she first had the chance?"

"You didn't have a chance to get to know Miley after you two broke up. Now you do? So what are you going to do, Nick? Liam's not going to wait forever, and I know you aren't going to, either. It's been about a month. Miley doesn't want to choose. She knows whoever she chooses is going to hurt all three of you. If she chooses Liam, it's going to hurt you and her, because you both care about each other. It's going to hurt Liam because she's hurting. And vice versa."

"You just came," Nick accused. "How do you know so much? Besides, being friends with Miley... most of the time, I don't think we're friends. I think we're..." Something more. But he couldn't say that.

"You know my sister more than anybody in the entire world. If you're not friends, what are you?"

QotD: What was the happiest day of your life?

#My childhood. #You're pretty oblivious to real life turmoils, so you'd be a lot happier, I think (well, at least I was).

A/N: CUE THE WISER-THAN-AGE CARD! Hey, it's Darky! I know, no Jemi yet. I'm planning some for the next chapter, though! And no Niley kiss! I tried to surprise you but probably FAILED. I didn't plan for Nick to actually be with MC and NC in the studio, but that's just how it turned out. This is me teasing you guys with hints and stuff about Niley.

CHECK OUT MY NILEY VIDEOS. They're on my YT channel: VA darkwind. The first is a video about Niley for the song 'Crush' by David Archuleta. I got lazy and did that, so yeah... Ehh, maybe I'll make a full version of it. We'll see how this plays out. I'd actually be very open to creating SILS as a YT series thing. If I could find some people to say the lines, that is. It would be hard work, I know, but I'd actually want to do that. Any volunteers? This is just a little idea, not really sure if this would go anywhere. I hope it will though! The second is to the song 'Unexpectedly' by Jason Chen, about 30 something seconds or so.

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