Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.
Chapter 35 - March 4th, 2017
"And I'm not sure if you noticed, but I'm still in love somehow." - Excerpt from Still In Love Somehow, Evan Taubenfeld
Br-r-ring! Br-r-ring! Br-r-ring!
Nick shot a murderous look at his alarm and hit the snooze. Just a few more minutes...
Br-r-ring! Br-r-ring! Br-r-ring!
Come on. It felt like two seconds had passed. Nick turned off the alarm and got out of bed grumpily. Nick sighed. A small smile curled onto his lips as he saw a handwritten note on the side of his nightstand. His handwriting was messy—don't look at him like that; it had been dark when he wrote it—but the words were clear as day: get an alarm with one of Miley's songs. Better yet, get her voice recording.
Nick grinned. He would definitely ask Miley about that.
Rubbing his eyes and blinking sleep away, Nick eased himself off his bed and pulled out a gray t-shirt and black washed-out jeans. He pulled on the clothes and pulled on white socks and some Converse before heading to the bathroom. He shaved, and as he brushed his teeth, Nick stared at his reflection. His eyes gazed back wearily at him. His hair was in messy curls, but it was always like that.
A light pattering on the windowsill told Nick that it was raining. He smiled softly, the rain making him immediately think of Miley. Nick finished brushing his teeth and grabbed a jacket and his wallet. He pulled on the jacket, grabbed an umbrella, and headed outside. Nick hopped into his car and drove to a small cafe. He ordered some pancakes and listened to the melody of the distant rain thundering outside as he waited.
A plate of steaming pancakes and a cup of coffee was placed in front of Nick, and he took a deep breath, inhaling in the familiar scent of pancakes mingling with coffee. He took a gradual sip of coffee before cutting his pancakes up and chewing. Nick stared out the window at the darkening sky and the rain glistening down in a wet sheen. He watched people hurry back into shops or stores to get out of the rain.
Nick took another ship of coffee and closed his eyes.
"Are you meditating?"
Nick's eyes flew open at the familiar voice. A smile spread across his lips as he saw a slim figure sitting opposite of him. "Miley," he murmured, and she blushed a little. He took a moment to appraise her. She was wearing a black hoodie that had the words Forgiveness and Love in piercing white. She was wearing black skinny jeans and boots. "It's just like you to promote your own song," he teased.
She grinned and twisted a lock of hair between her fingers. "It was the first thing I saw, so I threw it on."
He made a face as Miley reached over and stole his coffee. Her arm brushed against his, and water droplets fell onto his jacket. He raised a brow. "Why are you wet?"
She shrugged and took a sip of his coffee before letting a smile relax on her face. "I jogged here," she announced, clearly pleased.
His eyes widened. "Miley, you shouldn't do that—especially when it's raining." He glanced outside for a brief moment. He reached out and placed his hand on top of hers on the table, warmth spreading from his hand to hers. Her gaze flashed briefly to their hands before turning back to his face. "It's dangerous," he said, concerned etched all of his features. "What if something happened to you? What if—?"
"I'm fine, Nicholas," Miley said warmly. "Besides, I needed to clear my head anyway."
He smiled softly at her. "I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what I would've done if something happened to you."
"You're sweet," she murmured softly. Nick ran his fingers along her hand, surprised yet simultaneously pleased to see that she wasn't wearing her engagement ring. He hadn't seen her all day yesterday, and being deprived of her presence had given Nick an ache he hadn't anticipated. Miley glanced at his hand stroking hers for a brief moment before meeting his eyes. "I didn't know you would be here."
Nick smiled. "Small world, eh?"
Miley shrugged. "Not small enough that we didn't run into each other for a long while..."
"I'm glad you're here," Nick murmured softly, and a smile graced Miley's lips. Her blue eyes shone, and her locks, still damp from the downpour outside, framed out her perfect face. Nick closed his eyes as her natural scent drafted to him, wrapping around him and promising him everything in the world would be okay. He opened his eyes, thrilled that her gaze was still intently trained on his.
"I'm glad I came," Miley breathed.
Nick quickly finished eating, and he extended a hand out to Miley, who took his hand warmly after a brief moment of hesitation. He smiled at her. "Wanna go to my place? Before the weather gets worse?" She nodded without a quarrel, and he pulled out his umbrella, holding it above them as they waltzed through the crowded streets. They arrived at his car, and he opened the door for her. She smiled and took a seat. Then, he went to the driver's seat.
Nick put the keys in the ignition and let the car start. He turned on the radio at random, and smile exploded on his lips as the song came on: The Climb, by none other than Miley herself. Miley blushed, and as Nick drove, he found himself singing along, remembering every single line. Miley sang along, too, a bit hesitant at first. Sometimes, they sang in harmony. Other times, they reached out for the notes they loved the most.
Nick missed singing with Miley. He missed her voice, missed her everything.
As the song ended, Nick turned to Miley, smiling. "I love that song," he told her.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're biased," she murmured.
"It's true," he murmured back, meeting her eyes for a fleeting heartbeat before turning his eyes back on the road. She shrugged absentmindedly and rested her chin in the palm of her hand as she stared out the window wordlessly, lips slightly parted. Intense rivers of droplets rained down on the car, almost like a symphony. They arrived at his house soon enough and hurriedly entered.
He laughed. "You're wet," he observed.
She threw her hand back, laughing, too. "So I am, so I am," she mused. She pulled off the hoodie to let it dry. She was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt that wrapped around her lithe figure snugly and flaunted off her curves. He took her hoodie and hung it up to dry. It smelled like her though the scent of rain mingled with her sweet, sweet scent. She smiled at him. "Always the perfect gentleman," she murmured.
He blushed and took off his jacket. "Old habits die hard?" he offered.
"A little more than just 'hard,' I think," Miley murmured.
Nick smiled, flushing. "Maybe," he admitted. "Let's play 20 questions."
Miley raised a brow but nodded. "Come on, let's go to your room—I don't feel like sitting on the ground, and you know the thing about your couches." Nick smiled at that and was surprised—yet delighted—when she took his hand and propelled them towards his room. He told himself it was so they could hurry, but he couldn't deny the tingling in his hand. Miley sat down on his bed, and Nick took a seat by her. Miley lay down on her back, and Nick watched her, amused. "I'll go first," Miley said, smirking.
Nick nodded. "Alright. Go ahead."
Miley took a deep breath. "What's your favorite color?"
"It changes every day."
Miley rolled her eyes. "Right now."
Nick contemplated his answer. He paused and stared at Miley. Her gaze was trained lazily on the ceiling, her gaze tracing invisible shapes out of nothing. He smiled at that. Her eyes held an infinite array of blues, reflecting the gray-blue of the rain from the rain falling outside the windows. He smiled and decided, very nicely, that he knew what his favorite color was now. "Blue."
Miley looked at him. "What?"
"Blue." He met her piercing gaze. "The color of your eyes. The color of rain."
Miley blushed. "How cliche." She made herself more comfortable. "Okay, your turn."
Nick smiled. "What's your favorite thing about me?"
Miley grinned and hummed softly. Then, she sang, "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." She reached out and slipped her hand in his. "Your hand in mine, when we're intertwined, everything's alright. I wanna be with the one I know. And the seventh thing I like the most about you: you make me love you."
Nick teased, "Only seven things?"
"Shut up, it's a song." Miley smiled. "My turn. What song are you thinking about?"
Nick frowned. "How do you know I'm thinking about a song?"
A lazy smile floated on Miley's lips. "I can tell. The way you move your head side to side without even noticing it... the way your fingers tap out a beat, and how your entire body just moves with the rhythm. You love music in a way I've never seen someone love music." Miley smiled and stared back at the ceiling. "So what song are you thinking about?"
"Critical."
"What?"
"Critical and Fall For You," Nick whispered softly. "Critical—that song from Jonas, the one I sang. And Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade." Nick closed his eyes briefly. He began to sing Fall For You. "But hold your breath because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you over again. Don't make me change my mind, or I won't live to see another day. I swear it's true because a girl like you is impossible to find... You're impossible to find..."
Miley smiled softly. "I love it when you sing."
"I guess you should've added that to 7 Things instead," Nick teased. "Okay, it's my turn... What's your favorite part of the day?"
"The night," Miley said automatically. He watched her. "Because it's dark... Darkness doesn't judge you for not being perfect. Darkness is just there, leaving you with your thoughts. And despite being all alone in the darkness, I would never feel more at home... Well..." She looked up at him. "I guess... I guess there are other times when I feel at home, too." She smiled at him. "With you..."
"You feel at home?"
She nodded. "It's ironic—I used to be afraid of the dark."
Nick smiled. "I think we all used to be afraid of the dark at one point or another."
"Okay, my turn," Miley said, closing her eyes. "What's the weirdest thing you've done?"
Nick grinned. "I ate a worm on dare from Joe once."
"Gross! I said 'weirdest,' not most disgusting!" Miley complained good-naturedly.
Nick grinned. "What if my weirdest is my most disgusting?"
"Then you're a weirdo," Miley said easily. He pouted, and she smiled, reaching forward and running a hand through his curls. That more than made up for it. Nick lay down by her side so they both faced the ceiling together. Miley smiled and closed her eyes. "Okay, your turn—just try not to gross me out next time. I think I just threw up in my mouth."
Nick made a face. "And you think I'm disgusting." Miley shoved his arm. "Okay... Why don't you do handshakes? Why hugs?"
She turned to him now. "Because I want to feel the touch. Someone's arms around me feels a lot more comforting than just a handshake. It's almost like... like a protection of some sort. I don't know." Nick smiled. "You probably think it's silly," Miley muttered quietly. He shook his head and pulled her into a hug. Even lying down on a bed didn't stop them from embracing.
"No, it's not silly," Nick murmured. "We all need a little touch in our lives."
Miley smiled, and although she adjusted her position, she still remained in the embrace. "What's something you've never told anyone before?"
Nick smiled. "Huh... Okay, here's something I've never told anyone." He met her gaze. "When we used to be neighbors... I used to sneak out my window at night and go over the fence and watch you through your window." Miley narrowed her eyes. "I know that I've done that before—but that was when we were together. I used to do it before that."
Miley gasped and hit him on the arm. "You're a creep!"
"But you looked so adorable," Nick murmured.
"Ugh," Miley groaned. "I can't believe you would do that."
"I couldn't sleep," Nick said defensively.
"Oh, it's not like you like watching me sleep at all," Miley said sarcastically.
"I didn't say that."
"You implied it." A smile grew on Miley's face. She stared at the ceiling, hair fanned out around her. She looked like a perfect angel.
He smiled. "Maybe."
Still In Love Somehow
"How do you think she's faring?"
Joe shook his head absentmindedly at Demi. "Stop worrying about Miley for five seconds. She can take care of herself."
"That doesn't stop me from worrying," Demi snapped. She shook her head, and Joe pressed a kiss to her forehead. Demi looked up at him with dark, dark eyes. "Sorry for yelling at you," she apologized, leaning into his welcoming arms. "It's just... I mean, we've never really done anything like this before, and something like an engagement... It's frustrating because I don't know how that feels, so I don't know how to help her."
"You guys look out for each other," Joe murmured. "It's incredible."
"She's my best friend, Joe," Demi reminded him. They were at 'their place,' AKA the special place he had taken her to before. "It's what we do—we worry."
Joe cupped her face gently and kissed her. Demi responded eagerly against his lips, and he felt himself smile against her lips. He pulled back from the kiss but kept his face close to hers. Her long lashes cast dim shadows across her face, which seemed to glow in the shade of the trees. Rain pattered down around them, and Joe twisted his fingers around her damp locks.
He smiled at her. "You're beautiful."
"And you're a cheesy romantic."
Joe shrugged helplessly. "I can't help the way I feel around you."
They stayed there, limbs wrapped around each other, letting silence fill the air. She closed her eyes as she leaned into his arms, and Joe smiled softly. Love for Demi swarmed up in his chest, making it hard to breathe. Her lips thudded against his cheek, deliciously warm against the chilly, rain-filled air. "Are you cold?" he asked her quietly, holding her close to him, just for the need of her touch.
She shook her head, her breath spiraling out. "Nope. Yes."
Somehow, he knew exactly what she meant. Her contradictory statements clashed, yet Joe thought he knew what she was talking about.
His fingers traced her cheek. "You're amazing."
"I've been told that."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and when he pulled back, they were both grinning like idiots—idiots in love. But Joe could care less. Her fingers slipped into his, intertwining with his, and Joe squeezed her hand. They both gazed at their surroundings, drinking in the familiar trees and flowers. A cascade of mini waterfalls erupted from the larger one, mingling with the scent of the light falling rain.
A wistful smile grazed her lips. "I wish this could be forever."
He smiled. "You like this place? When we get a place of our own, I'll build one just for you."
"But this one is natural," Demi reminded him. "Whatever you have in mind will never replicate something natural."
He smiled. "You're right. You're absolutely right. This place is irreplaceable." He locked eyes with Demi and teased, "Just like peanut butter and coke." Demi's eyes widened as Joe reached into the little sack he was carrying around and pulled out two glasses (that surprisingly hadn't broken), a bottle of coke, and a few jars of peanut butter. He smiled at her shyly. "It's our drink."
A happy smile exploded on Demi's face. "That's so sweet!"
He opened the bottle of coke and poured a generous amount in each of the glasses. Then, he he opened one of the jars of peanut butter and scooped some out. He lifted a spoon out of the sack and swirled the glutinous contents in each glass. He placed the spoon down, wrapping it in a starchy white napkin. Then, he lifted his glass. Demi lifted hers, as well, and they toasted. "To peanut butter and coke: the best combination ever!" he exclaimed.
Demi smirked. "To peanut butter and coke," she echoed.
Joe tipped a generous amount of the drink down his throat and sighed contentedly. He smiled and raised his glass to Demi's. "To us," he murmured.
"To us," she repeated, smiling.
Joe leaned forward and kissed Demi. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Still In Love Somehow
"Okay... once, I might've taken Daddy's motorcycle for a spin—and might've gotten a huge scratch on it."
Nick smacked her in the arm. "No way!"
Miley's smirk widened. "I didn't get caught..."
"No way..." Nick murmured in awe. "How old were you?"
"Ten," Miley answered primly. Nick gaped, and Miley smirked. Man... and Nick had thought that Miley couldn't get more enticing. "He thought Trace did it because he had been teaching Trace, but Trace had been with Braison and Brandi, so he had an alibi. I stuck the idea that maybe Dad had just accidentally scratched it and never noticed before or something in his head, and he believed me!"
"Oblivious fool," Nick crowed.
Miley smirked. "It wasn't even my fault!" Nick raised a brow. "I mean, I saw Daddy teaching Trace—Dad even let me watch! It's all his fault."
Nick chuckled. "Wow, you were such a troublesome kid."
Miley grinned. "Thanks. Okay, it's my turn now..." Miley stared at the ceiling, and Nick followed her gaze, trying to see what she was seeing. She caught him staring and smiled. "Where do you see yourself... ten years from now?" Miley said after a lengthy silence. Nick met her gaze, trying to read her ever-so unreadable blue eyes. Her blue eyes reflected a churning darkness of his own eyes.
"With you," Nick mumbled.
Miley's eyes widened. "What?"
Nick blushed. He had said that aloud. Crap. "Sorry," he said hurriedly.
"No, it's alright," she murmured, blushing a little. Her body relaxed on the bed, and she turned slightly to look at him curiously. He met her gaze, getting lost in the infinite blues of her brilliant irises. "But is that really what you think?" she murmured, getting up and sitting cross legged on the bed. He looked at her before getting up himself. Her gaze traveled to his eyes, utterly mesmerizing.
He nodded. "Yeah..." He blushed. "It's embarrassing, but it's true."
"Well, I think it's sweet." Her fingers traced his cheek cheek, and Nick stopped breathing. Miley hesitated, conflicted, before leaning forward and kissing his cheek lightly. He watched her, dazed, and she smiled, looking slightly embarrassed at her actions. Her hand fell back to her side, and she looked down on the bedspread, her fingertips tracing patterns out on it.
He smiled at her. "Miley..?"
"Yes?"
"What's your favorite tattoo?"
Miley watched him with a small smile on her face. Then, her fingers gently brushed against her ear. "This one," she murmured, turning her head slightly so he could see it clearly. Love was written in her ear. He smiled at her. "Love drowns out the negative, so all I can hear is love," she murmured. "But I also love Just Breathe. It was my first tattoo." Her fingers brushed against her rib cage, where her Just Breathe tattoo was located.
"Meaningful," he murmured. "Okay, your turn."
Miley rolled her eyes. "Actually, we've asked twenty questions already."
Nick turned crimson. "Yes, of course. I knew that." Miley threw her head back, laughing, and nudged him in the ribs. Then, she got off the bed and shot him a playful smile. She strode towards the door, and Nick got up after her. "Hey, where are we going?" he asked as Miley continued to laugh. She opened the door and winked at him, a very Miley-like gleam in her blue eyes.
"Come on!" Miley called, turning back to him.
Nick grinned and followed her.
Still In Love Somehow
"You heard that Liam and I broke up, right?"
Nick froze. "What?"
Miley watched him, understanding now. She had suspected it before, when Nick hadn't acted any different, that he didn't know. They were currently outside in his backyard—despite the continuous downpour outside—and were sitting side by side, sheltered in the depths of the porch. They were on the porch swing, swinging back and forth casually. She watched his shock transform into confusion.
"You and Liam broke up?" His voice was scarcely more than a whisper.
A cold dull ache settled in Miley's chest that had nothing to do with the weather or the rain beating down on the roof. She nodded numbly, feeling her vision grow blurry with tears, and Nick whispered, "Oh, Miley..." He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close, as she buried her face into his power chest. The feeling of his arms surrounding her was safe and warm comforting and familiar all at once.
Tears rolled slowly down her face, making their way down to mingle with the wet, rain-swept ground. Nick planted a soft kiss on her forehead, and Miley closed her eyes. The small gesture did nothing to prevent the tears from cascading down her face, but she didn't want to see Nick's expression, didn't want to see him watch her with that sort of pity or sympathy.
But when she opened her eyes, all his eyes revealed was a deep churning pain and a love that burned deeper than anything.
His arms lay curled around her body, and he didn't say anything else. A second grief doesn't erase the first—neither does a third or fourth or hell even a millionth. All it did was open the chasm inside your chest. Miley felt hollow, felt like the husk of a person. She had loved Liam, she had, and she still did. Why else the aching pain? Why else the nightmares?
Miley knew how it felt to burn with a love so deep your heart hurt. She had felt it twice before. With Nick and with Liam.
With Nick, it had always felt easier. At least, in the beginning. Maybe it was because they were younger and had less worries—but Miley knew that wasn't exactly the case. She had more problems dumped on her—and more opportunities because the problems seemed to come with the opportunities—than a regular teenager should have. She had been twelve when she first got into this business, and she knew it was dangerous.
And then, Nick made her feel incredible. It hadn't taken much time for her to realize that she had feelings for him. It hadn't taken her a long time to realize she loved him—he was easy to love and made her feel like she was the only one—but what was hard was admitting that. The first 'I love you' had been exchanged in a nervous, rain-filled day, but it had felt so right. It had been nervous and beautiful and perfect because he was the first guy she said 'I love you' to in the romantic sense.
But the storm had come, and the pain-filled fights and tears didn't seem worth the beautiful moments, which seemed farther apart. They had left each other with broken hearts and bitter souls, and many messages (songs, interviews, even people) had been exchanged between them. But Miley knew she had never stopped loving him, no she hadn't.
But then, despite that, she had still fallen in love again.
Liam had been incredibly sweet and funny, and he had healed that part of her that Nick had ripped out. He had made himself a part of her and vice versa, and through the fights, they made it through. He seemed to always be able to read her mind and was so supportive. He had been like a dream to her, and most days, she felt like she might wake up, and he'd be gone.
Miley looked up at Nick. Her relationship with Liam was gone now, the romantic one. She wasn't sure about the friendship, but she still knew she wanted—and surely still needed—him in her life. She could see the wheels turning in Nick's head, bombarding his head with questions. Miley sighed, and Nick carefully took her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. The most simplistic of gestures made her heart warm.
"I know it's probably not what you want to hear right now—" Nick started. Then, he hesitated. He looked at her. "I'll always be here for you—you know that, right?"
She nodded softly. "I know... But you can say it, you know? If you want."
Nick's chocolate-colored eyes locked onto hers. "I love you," he murmured. "And I know you're not ready for a new relationship or anything, but..." His eyes seared into hers, filling her with a sense of hope. Nick didn't erase the emptiness in her chest... but he made it more bearable. He made her want to live. And not just for him. For herself. "I hope that in time, I can show you that I'm worth it."
Miley shook her head slowly. "You don't have to prove anything... I already know, Nick."
He trembled, conflicted. "Miley..."
Miley leaned forward and kissed him softly. The magic of the rain intensified as their lips collided, and love ripped through Miley's soul. Butterflies exploded in her stomach, and she felt the same rush of emotions she had experienced the first time she had kissed him. Lightning crackled in the air, the sound ripping through the air and tearing through the tranquility.
She could feel the sparks, and a vivid energy spurred through her, vibrating. She felt her entire being getting set on fire. Magic and music and light and love exploded through her, wrapping around her like a magical embrace. On and on it went. When they needed oxygen, they pulled back, gasping softly. His eyes remained trained on hers, showcasing his deep love for her.
"I'm going to wait for you, Mi," he vowed, eyes burning. "I'll wait forever."
"Why?"
"Because I'm still in love with you. Because you're still in love with me. Because we're meant to be together. Because we found our way back to each other before. And after the storm passes, I know we'll find our way back to each other. We always do."
~ The End ~
QotD: How was that for an ending?
A/N: WOW! I'm actually done with this! I was thinking and thinking and thinking, and I could not come up with a good conclusion, but I hope that did it! For the record, Miley and Nick aren't together. Not in this book. EVER. 'Cause that would've been really messed up. But don't fret! This story isn't completely over! We still have the sequel coming out! As for the title, I'll never tell!
And I finally used a quote from the song Still In Love Somehow. This story was literally based off of that song by Evan Taubenfeld. I honestly couldn't believe it when I realized I never used that quote! Okay, now I'm going to give you a hint about the sequel... I don't think there's going to be any Liam problems or anything in it, that's what I'm planning. It's something else altogether.
Also, Whispering Wind of Dawn, I was contemplating your titles. I really like them. Sadly, I'm not using them. Good guess, though! Thank you for your lovely reviews! Thank you to everyone who has followed this story and read it! It means so much to me (though I do write just for the sake of writing, too), and I'm just so grateful! You guys are awesome!
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