CHAPTER EIGHT
The Performance.
Nick's Point of View.
Everyone made it back to the hotel fine, and unnoticed. Miley was the one to notice the class heading through the front doors, so we decided to take a little detour through the door that lead to the stairway.
Now, Oliver and I are sitting in our hotel room getting ready for the Battle of the Bands at Cup of Joe.
"So you are really going to do it?" He asked me, pulling on his first sock as he took a seat at the foot of the bed.
I thought for a second, before confirming it. I was going to do it – there was no backing down, no chickening out.
This was going to be my first actual performance. I've never played for anyone, because I don't like being laughed at. Sure it's lame, but really that's one thing that I can't handle. Sometimes I think that's why I'm so quiet around people I don't know. Because I don't want to end up saying something stupid and have them laugh at me.
Oliver though, that dude I admire. He is always cracking jokes, and making people laugh. Even if they are laughing at him, he doesn't care. He told me one time, that he doesn't care if he makes a fool of himself, as long as the other person is smiling, then his job is complete.
"You won't chicken out will you?" He asked, as I sighed and shook my head.
"Nah."
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The five of us were standing outside the hotel, underneath a large tree so that someone looking out the front door couldn't see us. Miley was beside me, her arm was looped through mine and her head was on my shoulder.
Something you instantly learn about Miley after hanging out with her – she's a very touchy person. She loves hugs, or just plain touching someone.
I don't mind – actually I like it. Not in the dirty way of course, but I like the feeling of her arm pressed against mine, or her head leaning on my shoulder. Sometimes when her hands touch my bare arm, it causes goosebumps. She doesn't know this of course; since friends' aren't' supposed to let their friends give them goosebumps.
Just like the saying, 'friends don't let their friends drink and drive.'
"Peter!" Hannah shouted, pulling me out of my thought process. I looked away from Miley and saw Peter riding up on his bike, wearing the same outfit he was earlier on today.
His converse shoes squeaked as they came into contact with the pavement when he stopped his bike. Did his bike not have any brakes?
"Hello Hannah and friends," He smiled at us, the light from the hotel shining on his face. "Are we ready to leave?"
"Yah come on, the café is just up the street," Lilly started walking ahead and Oliver ran after her. God, he was to obvious with his crush on her. Another reason I envied Oliver – he was very blunt and straightforward with his crush's, where as I was quiet and would wait for the right moment to tell the person.
But it seemed as if there was never really a right moment to tell her I liked her. Her, being Miley.
Miley started walking, our arms still looped. Oliver and Lilly were a few steps ahead of us, and Hannah and Peter were behind us.
She really seemed to be connecting with him. It was strange; at home Hannah would have been snickering behind his back at his teeth, telling us that he needed some braces. But here in England, she liked it. She was drawn to it, I could tell.
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Miley's Point of View.
We reached the café in about five minutes after we left the hotel.
"Listen, I got to run to the bathroom, I'll be back in a few ok?" Nick stated, pulling his arm away from me. I nodded and gave him a wave before he ran off to the left side of the café.
"Aren't the bathrooms that way?" I questioned Lilly, nudging my chin in the opposite direction. She shrugged and pulled out a chair at one of the empty tables.
When everyone was squished around the tables, Hannah crossed her left leg over her write, and smiled over at Peter.
"So, Peter I yet to know where you live," She smiled over at him and touched his bicep.
"Just up the hill, in the blue house. My mothers' dream house," I only caught a few words because of his accent, but Hannah giggled and pulled her hand away as she ran it through her long blonde hair.
At that moment, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight flickered on to the middle of the stage.
"Guys where's Nick? He's going to miss the opening act!" I complained, slouching in my seat as my eyes skimmed the café for my curly haired friend.
"He's doing his business Miles, leave the boy alone," Oliver joked as he quickly glanced over at Lilly's profile.
A small man walked out into the center of the spotlight and tapped the mike a few times like I had seen done on television. He began talking when everyone in the building went silent.
"Welcome to Cup of Joe's very first battle of the bands slash artists!" The crowd cheered, and I clapped a few times before resting my hands back onto my thighs, frantically looking around for Nick.
"First up we have a young boy, brand new to the performing world," He paused for dramatic affect and looked over to the side of the stage, where the performer must have been standing. "Ladies and gentlemen please put your hands together for Nick Darley!"
My blood stopped, my heart stopped, and my breathing stopped. I probably would have died if Hannah hadn't nudged me with her foot from my left side. I swallowed hard as Nick stepped out onto the stage, holding an acoustic guitar.
It was as if I was on the stage, the way I was feeling – not him. He looked around and when his eyes landed on our table, he smiled. His eyes locked onto mine as he sat down on the stool that had been set out from him.
A blue spotlight was shining on him as he leant toward the mike.
"This song is dedicated for my good friend. Not only is the original band one of her favourites, but it's one of my favourites too."
He picked up his guitar, placed the green pick in between his thumb and middle finger, and strummed the first note. I held my breath, praying that he wasn't horrible – praying that he wasn't going to embarrass himself in front of this crowd.
Well I met this girl, just the other day,
I hope I don't regret, the things that I said now,
And when we're laughing joking with each other now, I'm glad I met this girl
She didn't walk away,
I think she was impressed and was having a good time,
And when we're laughing joking with each other,
Spending all our time together...
I never knew this was his favourite song – I never even knew that he listened to McFly. I smiled up at him, bobbing my head as he continued playing.
When she walks in the room my heart goes boom!
Ba ba ba ba ba da ba,
I tried to take her home but she said,
You're no good for me...
She's got a pretty face, such a lovely name,
I don't want my friends to see, they might take her away from me,
She's one I won't forget, in a long long long time,
Now I really want the world to see,
That she is the one for me,
I swallowed hard yet again. Nick was amazing – the guitar playing, his voice it was almost hypnotizing. The whole room was silent, not daring to make a sound in fear that they would miss one note – one word.
When she walks in the room my heart goes boom, yeah
Ba ba ba ba ba da ba
I tried to take her home but she said:
You're no good for me!
The first time that I saw her she stole my heart,
And if we were together, nothing could tear us apart,
When she walks in the room my heart goes boom
I tried to take her home but she said: you're no good for me
I looked over to my side, and saw Oliver giving Nick the thumbs up. He knew. He knew that Nick was going to be playing tonight – he knew that Nick played.
The next person my eyes fell upon was Lilly. She must have felt me staring at her, because she turned to face me, mouthing the words: oh my god! I nodded my head, agreeing with her. She then smirked at me, wiggling her eyebrows. I returned that with a confused look, but she just shrugged and turned back to face Nick.
When I looked up at the stage, his eyes were on me. They danced and sparkled in the spotlight as he bared his soul for the crowd to see. But at that moment I didn't see anyone around me; my eyes were focused on Nick. It was as if he was singing to me.
When she walks in the room my heart goes boom,
Ba ba ba ba ba da ba
I tried to take her home but she said you're no good for me.
Ba ba ba ba ba da ba
As if he was singing about me.
A/N: And I'm back! Today I just sat down and really wanted to get this chapter written up! I love writing this story so much; it's one of my favourites haha. It basically just writes it's self. Anyways, hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter. It really got at Nick's feelings, and told about his feelings for Miley. The next chapter is going to be written soon because I have already started writing it! But I stopped when I realized that I had to post this one up first. Anyways, hopefully everyone had a great Christmas! I know I did haha! This is officially the very first chapter written on my new laptop haha. Thank you so much for the reviews and everything, I love them so so much! It's what really keeps me going, knowing that I have readers out there. Even if you don't have an account, or have never reviewed before, don't be shy! I want to know what you think, or what you want in here, ect. So click the button and review! The next chapter will be coming very soon. Oh, and I have also started writing Summer Love again! So check that out as well. Happy Holidays!
