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

Chapter 32 - March 1st, 2017

"So turn right into my arms. Turn right, you won't be alone. You might fall off this track sometime. Hope to see you on the finish line." - Excerpt from Turn Right, Jonas Brothers

"First, close your eyes. Did you? Okay, now put your palms upward."

"What's the point of—OWWWWW!"

Demi giggled. "You are so gullible!"

Joe groaned. "Demi, what did you hit me with? A whip?"

"No, of course not!" Demi smirked. "But you shouldn't tempt me like that."

"In what way did I tempt you?"

Demi rolled her eyes. Sometimes, her boyfriend was such a complete nut. "The whip part," Demi said, poking Joe in the ribs. They were currently at the old meadow he had found and taken her to, the one they had gone to before they announced to the entire world that they were officially a couple. Joe made a face, and Demi threw back her head, laughing. "Come on, don't be upset."

"I'm not," Joe said stubbornly, crossing his arms.

Demi smiled sweetly at him. "Have you heard from Nick?"

"Yup," Joe said, popping his 'p.' "He was hugging this ratty old cardboard box when I came, so I thought that it was best to leave him alone—for all I know, he's gone stark raving mad." Demi groaned, shoving Joe a little. Obviously Joe was just as clueless as he was all those years ago. It was actually quite amusing as well as infuriating. "What? Come on—you can't tell me that's not even a little weird."

"It's not a ratty old cardboard box," Demi said, slapping his arm. "It's the box."

"Uh. Am I supposed to know what that is?"

"I forgot—you weren't here," Demi said, crossing her arms. "I like to call it the Memory Box, but basically, inside the box is what really matters. It's everything that defines Nick and Miley. Handwritten notes, bracelets, albums, song lyrics, old charms, photos—Nick still kept it all. I think..." Demi tilted her head. "I think Nick got a new box with new stuff in it, though, but I'm not sure."

"It sounds like you know your brother more than you know me," Joe muttered jealously.

Demi laughed. "I do not. We're just good friends. But let's see..." She tilted her head as she watched Joe. "You still have that old stuffed dinosaur from when you were four because when you first fell down, that dinosaur was the only thing that could calm it down. The dinosaur has a patch sewn on its arm because you were playing with scissors. You screamed at Kevin for giving you the scissors for two hours before your mom sewed up your dinosaur."

Joe blushed a deep scarlet. "Respect the great dino, Demz."

"You wear clothes in random combinations and pretty much just throw on whatever you find in your closet, and people compliment you on it, but in truth, the outfit is only, like, five dollars," Demi added, grinning, which caused Joe to bury his face in a hand, laughing. "When they ask you what brand you wear, you just joke around and brush it off—because honestly, who would believe you even if it was the truth? I still think you have someone pick out your clothes—you don't have that good a sense of style."

Joe laughed. "When you're this hot, you don't need to have a good sense of style."

"Hot? I don't think so."

Joe huffed. "You're just jealous of this." He pointed at his body.

"Ew, gross," Demi teased. "I think I would rather date a rock."

Joe pretended to look horrified. Then, a teasing grin relaxed on his face. "Okay, I guess you know more about me."

"Who knows more about who?"

Demi looked up to see Miley, smiling with a leash in one hand. Demi's jaw dropped, eyes wide. Miley grinned. "You know, I thought it was suspicious when you drove right past my car and didn't say 'hi.' I followed you guys." Miley glanced around, smiling. "This place is gorgeous." She narrowed her eyes at Demi. "Greedy guts." Miley's dog, Mary Jane, barked at them.

Demi rolled her eyes. "God, Miley, you scared the crap out of me."

The black and white dog curled up, and Miley stroked the dog, casting it an adoring look. "What're you guys doing here?" Miley said conversationally.

Demi rolled her eyes. "Trying to have a good private moment—thanks for ruining it."

"Which one of you found this place, anyway?" Miley inquired. Joe puffed out his chest smugly, and Miley's eyes widened. "You?"

Joe looked exasperated. "Why does everyone look surprised?"

Miley took a seat by them, stroking her dog with one hand. Demi smirked and turned to Miley. Miley smiled lazily at Demi. "Yes, dragon?" Miley murmured as she leaned back against a tree. The vivid, green world around them seemed too surreal for actual reality. It seemed almost otherworldly. Miley tilted her head inquiringly at Demi as Mary Jane pawed at the ground.

"What do you know about Nick?" Demi inquired casually.

Miley froze for a second. Then, a slight smile shifted on her lips. "He's great," Miley said honestly. "He's got this smile sometimes... He's confident in what he does, but sometimes, he still has that same smile from all those years ago. It's shy and soft and so... well, Nick." Miley's blue gaze brightened. "He still bites his lip in the same way when he's nervous, but he's calming in his very own way." Miley blushed. "Sometimes, I catch him just staring at me—but... it's like... awe or something. Like he's looking at me for this first time."

Demi smiled. "That's sweet."

"Ditto," Joe agreed. "Nick's always had a soft side for you, Miles, but you already knew that."

Miley shook her head. "Nick is..." Miley trailed off. She lowered her gaze to the ground, her delicate fingers twisting around the grass. "Things have been so complicated. It's not like I expected it to get any easier, but... I always thought that... I don't know." Miley's gaze seared into the grass. "With Liam it's easy and simple—like a rhythm that just... clicks. It's hard..."

Joe whistled softly. "Nick's in love with you, though. I suppose Liam is, too."

"I feel like I'm back to square one," Miley confessed. "Liam thinks that I'll break up with him, and Nick... It's all just so confusing."

Demi met Miley's eyes seriously. "But who do you want?" Miley bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly, and Demi knew that Miley was refusing to listen to her heart. "Miley," Demi said slowly. Miley turned to the direction of her voice but didn't open her eyes, as if she was afraid of what might happen if she did. "It's been a month. You can't keep lying to yourself."

Miley shook her head. "I don't want to hurt anyone," she mumbled.

"This is hurting all of us," Demi said roughly. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. It all affects us, and nothing's going to happen unless you move on and get on with your life—with or without Liam and Nick. Choose, Miley. Liam's not going to come chasing after you if you choose Nick—you'd be walking away from your engagement... forever."

Miley opened her eyes now. "I thought I could handle this," she moaned. "I'm weak and foolish."

"You're not," Joe said loyally. "I'm kind of surprised you haven't completely fallen apart already. Demi nudged Joe in the ribs, glaring. "What?" Joe said defensively. "You weren't going to say it, and someone had to say it." Joe turned Miley. "I'm probably biased for saying that you should choose Nick, but what I say shouldn't have any effect on your decision."

Miley took a deep breath. "I feel like I'm just going in a circle." She shook her head. "I know Nick means well, but..."

"You're scared," Demi said softly. "It's only natural to feel scared, Miley."

"I feel like I'm just repeating everything that's been going on," Miley mumbled. Mary Jane nudged Miley's knee, and a smile sparked on Demi's lips. Demi shot a glance at Joe, but Joe remained silent. Miley pursed her lips. "I..." She sighed, hesitating. Demi bit her lip now, waiting anxiously for Miley to continue. "I think I know what I want... I just... I don't know how it would feel."

Demi blew out the rest of her breath. "Then what do you want, Miles?"

Still In Love Somehow

"Finally."

Nick took a deep breath, satisfied. He had finally finished it. What was it, pray tell? It was a cardboard box with memories. New memories.

Nick opened the box and sifted through it. He pulled out a picture of Miley. She looked different, but she still looked beautiful—and, if possible, she looked even more beautiful. The first thing Nick noticed was her hair. It wasn't the same long brown waves but now a shorter mix of blonde and brown. A slight braid was woven in the front side of her hair. The second thing Nick noticed was her tattoos. Miley was just wearing a white t-shirt in the photograph, so he could see her tattoos. A smile shifted on his lips.

At least one thing hadn't changed: her smile.

Actually, that wasn't quite right. Miley's smile had changed. Her teeth were straighter, and her smile was happy but a different sort of happiness. But Miley's eyes were still the same. They were still the exact same shade of the ocean, and they still smiled along with her smile. Her eyes were bright, and her smile spoke volumes. He liked how she didn't wear make-up in this photo. She seemed to be doing that a lot nowadays.

He touched the photograph, fingers trembling. He put the photo down and searched through the rest of the box. It wasn't as full as his boxes of them before, but hey—give him a break—it had only been about a month or so since they had reconnected. He'd say he was doing pretty well. There were some photos of them together—taken by the paparazzi or Demi—and Miley looked so gorgeous.

There were some screen shots of texts they had sent each other, too, but the majority held pictures. Nick pulled out his favorite photograph—it was one of them together. They were holding hands, and her head was resting on his shoulder. They were both laughing. Nick's fingers brushed against his shoulder, and he shivered. His shoulder burned, as if every part of his body lit up towards her touch.

Nick carefully held the picture in his hands as he walked towards his nightstand. He glanced at the picture frame with a picture of his album cover. He grinned and removed the picture. Luckily, the photo with Miley was about the same size as the one with his album cover. He put in that photo into the picture frame, smiling. He placed the frame on his nightstand, feeling better.

He went back to his cardboard box and closed it. He tucked it in gently with the other cardboard boxes in the back of his closet.

If he kept this up, he would need a new closet.

Still In Love Somehow

"Just be happy, whatever you choose," Joe urged.

Miley nodded, reaching out forward to hug her friends. "Thanks. Well, enjoy the rest of your day. I have to go."

"Call me once you get home," Demi murmured. "Promise?"

Miley nodded, smiling. She picked up Mary Jane's leash and nudged the black and white dog forward. Mary Jane followed her eagerly until they arrived at Miley's car. Miley was reluctant to leave her sanctuary, but she wanted to give Joe and Demi their time. She had basically barged in uninvited... But when hadn't Demi done that? Plus, Miley had wanted to talk to someone. She couldn't talk to Liam (for obvious reasons), and she couldn't talk to Nick.

She could try to talk to her family, but she didn't want a phone call. She wanted a face-to-face talk.

Miley drove in absolute silence. She arrived home quickly and parked her car. She stroked Mary Jane, and she walked into her house. She removed Mary Jane's collar, and the dog barked playfully, darting off to her water bowl. Miley grinned and grabbed herself a glass of water. The lucid liquid glided smoothly down her throat, soothing her frazzled nerves. She placed the water down and took a deep breath.

"I was wondering where you and Mary Jane were."

Miley jumped slightly. She turned to see Liam. A sheepish smile rose to her lips. "Hey, stranger," she murmured. Liam smiled a little, and Miley held back a frown. He was upset. She could see it clearly now. How had she not noticed before? He looked tired, and Miley tipped her head back. "Are you okay? You seem tired? More tired than usual, I mean."

Liam shrugged. "I just came back from a run."

"Without me?" Miley pouted.

That got Liam to smile—really smile. His eyes came alive with hope and determination before fading into its bleak sadness again. "You weren't around," he reminded her. He reached into the fridge and got a glass of something Miley vaguely reminded buying with him. He took a sip of it, head tilted towards the ceiling. He caught her watching him, and he smiled, putting the glass down.

Miley reached forward and hugged him. "What was that for?" he mumbled as his strong arms wrapped around her.

She hummed softly. She looked him in the eye as she pulled back from the embrace. She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. Then, Miley remembered. "I saw Demi and Joe earlier," she told him. That brought a smile to Liam's lips. Miley trailed her fingertips down his arm playfully. A smile flickered in his eyes. "I think I crashed their romantic moment," Miley added wryly.

Liam grinned, relaxing a little. It hurt Miley to see him have his guard up with her. "And here I thought only Demi was capable of that."

"Haha, thanks for making me feel this small," Miley joked.

"What'd you do, though?" Liam sounded amused now.

"Well, I think Demi was talking about how Joe had horrible fashion sense," Miley said, causing Liam to grin. "But I followed them"—Liam raised a brow at that, and Miley shoved him gently—"no, you don't get to judge! Anyway, they were at this beautiful meadow... I asked them where they found it, and it was actually Joe who found it." Liam's eyes widened. "I know, right? It shocked me, too."

Liam chuckled. "Joe's... an interesting guy."

"Sure enough," Miley agreed. "But he's good for Demi. And vice versa. But—oh my God, I promised her I would call her after I got home..."

Liam grinned. "Call her. Tell her 'hi' from me and the dogs."

"Will do," Miley said, grinning as she walked out of the room.

Miley didn't call Demi directly. She headed to her room first and stared herself in the mirror. Haunting blue eyes stared back at her, long-lashed and deep. Despite everything, her eyes hadn't changed. Maybe they were a bit more full of life—after experiencing life, more so to the fullest—but they were still the same blue eyes. The same blue eyes that had witnessed everything in her life.

Her thoughts drifted back to the meadow and the talk with Joe and Demi.

Miley said it aloud, to see how it would feel on her tongue, to see if she could say it again, to see if she really wanted it.

"I think I want to break up with Liam."

QotD: What's your favorite band?

#R5

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! I think that I took a rather... interesting approach to this. Honestly, I just kept delaying writing this... I just wasn't feeling it. But it was MC's Party in the USA that got me going. Come on, MC, release some new music! So... that happened. I didn't actually put the whole part when Miley tells Joe and Demi that she thinks she wants to break up with Liam. That was originally in the script but was edited out for intrigue and suspense purposes, hence the reason I usually leave one sentence at the end that manages to create some sort of ending to the chapter.

So there's that. I don't know. I'm not really pleased, but oh well...

Fun fact: When I first started to write this chapter, I was debating whether to put the beginning as Miley/Nick or Demi/Joe, but the latter won out. I was surfing the web when I decided to add MC's dog Mary Jane into the story. I tried to put Liam as realistically possible as I could, but I probably failed. FYI, Liam's putting his defenses up because he knows he's going to end up getting hurt.

Any suggestions on future Niley videos I should make? My YT is VA darkwind. I have a few already.

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