CHAPTER NINE
Love Hurts.
Nick's Point of View.
My heart was pumping in my ear, and my blood was rushing to my face. That had to have been the single most thrilling thing I had ever done. Sitting up on stage, having everyone's eyes on me – it was amazing.
But now my secret was out. My friends knew I could play and sing, even though I didn't exactly want them to. I sacrificed my secret for Miley.
While I had been up on stage, her eyes were glued to mine. But through out the whole song, all I wanted to do was pack up everything and run. Run far away from this stupid café, and away from her. But I didn't, instead I finished the song and waited as the crowd applauded.
"Dude!" I felt a hard slap on my shoulder, and turned around to see Oliver standing there, a large smile on his face.
"Hey," I replied, as I started to put the guitar back in its case.
"You were great," Hannah told me, as she looked over to Peter who nodded his head in agreement.
"Thanks."
Zipping it up and slinging it over my shoulder I let out my breath, causing a few curls that had been hanging in my eyes, to fly upwards.
"So where's Miley?" I asked, looking around the small backstage area for the small brunette. I had at least expected her to come back and say something after I did this for her. Well, if she knew I did it for her. Miley could just assume I did it because I wanted to – because I liked the song, and wanted to show everyone else how great it was.
But what I had been really hoping for was her to catch on. To read between the lines.
Lilly shifted her weight from foot to foot, looking down at the ground. "She said she needed some fresh air."
I felt my shoulders drop. "Oh, ok."
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Walking out of the café took a little longer than expected. Once I emerged from the backstage area with Oliver, a few people stopped me, asking me all these different questions, and congratulating me on the amazing performance. Oliver was loving the extra attention, even though he was only 'the friend' but that didn't stop him from getting some blonde girls phone number.
"Unbelievable," I laughed as he waved it in my face triumphantly.
"Hey man, chicks dig," He paused and spread his arms out wide. "This."
I chuckled and pushed the guitar strap farther up on my shoulder. Once we finally reached the little front door, I pushed it open and felt the whoosh of cold air hit my face, and blow my hair back.
Huddled up in a little group next to the bright window was everyone, minus Miley. Scanning down the road to see if she had started walking ahead, I was disappointed to see she was no where in site.
"She left," Lilly told me, her voice was soft as she patted my shoulder. "But she told me to tell you great show."
When Peter hopped on his bike, Hannah declared that it was time to leave. Her voice was cold as ice and her bright blue eyes were narrowed into little slits.
"Yikes, ice queen is back," Oliver whispered to Lilly and she giggled quietly.
"Hey, I'll catch up – I forgot my guitar pick inside," I said, mentally kicking myself for not coming up with a better lie. What was my problem? Why am I such a bad liar?
Oliver shot me a confused look, his eyebrows were raised and his head was slightly cocked to the side.
"My lucky one!" I added, turning around and slowly walking back to the door. Once they were out of sight I cut across the street and into the dark park.
There were no streetlights shining down, instead a thin row of what looked like white Christmas lights dangled from the trees, giving off a tiny bit of light. As I walked down the path, watching my breath in front of me I saw a figure sitting on a wooden park bench. Slowing my walk down, I inched forward until I saw a long piece of curly hair blow to the side, and the figure pulled it back in with her glove covered hand.
"Hey Miley," She jumped off the bench at my voice, and held her curled fists up in front of her face, ready to punch anything that came near her.
"Nick!" She shouted, slapping me on the shoulder. "You scared me half to death!" Miley lowered her clenched fists and I held my hands up in defence.
"Sorry. But do you really think it's a good idea to be sitting out here all alone?" I sat down on the bench next to her and set the guitar case beside me, leaning it up against the wood.
Miley shrugged and pulled her coat tighter around her body. "I can defend myself."
"Your right."
She turned to face me, leaning forward. "I can!"
"I know," I chuckled. "That's why I said your right."
She let out her long breath and once again pressed her back up against the bench. "Oh."
There was a long, awkward type silence between us. The only noise was coming from the small café across the street; the faint sound of piano was seeping into the park. It amazed me, how here in London nobody really drove. They preferred walking – I mean, back home there would have been so much traffic, but here, none.
"So your performance was great," Miley stated, breaking the silence.
"Thanks. It was for you," This had to have been one of those times where my brain had disconnected from my mouth, because I had never intended to tell her that. It just sort of slipped out. But, even though I was probably going to regret it, it felt good.
She turned her head abruptly and looked me in the eyes. The moon was lighting up her face, making it glow.
"What do you mean?" She pressed. It was like she wanted me to embarrass myself even more than I already had. Running a hand slowly through my hair, I tried to think up of an excuse. Something to play it off.
On the other hand, if I played it off as a joke – how would she ever know? Would she ever know?
"I got up there for you," I paused, planning out how I was going to say this. Could I just come out and say 'Miley, I like you more than a friend?' Or would that just cause her to run away like she had earlier? "I know how much you like musicians, so I thought that maybe…"
Oh god, how lame.
"I mean it wasn't bass or anything, but I figured that if you saw me up there on stage, you'd see me like how you see Dougie."
She wasn't moving, blinking, or even breathing. Miley sat very still, her eyes fixed on me. "Uhm," Her voice cracked. "How I see Dougie? You mean as a crush?"
I felt my pulse quickening, and I could feel it in my wrist. When I had pictured telling Miley how I felt about her, I hadn't thought it would feel this bad. I wasn't feeling happy, or like I was in love. More like worried. Worried she was going to shoot me down, worried that this would ruin any type of friendship we had.
I didn't answer, and she pushed her hair out of her face.
"Nick, I thought we were friends."
My heart dropped, I felt it.
"We are. But it's just that seeing you chase someone you can't have – I don't want you to get hurt. Dougie is across the ocean from us. Miley I know you know that nothing will ever happen. Right?"
She stood up, and started walking off in the other direction. Knowing I had just probably shattered her heart, I followed and called after her. Running to catch up with her, I took her wrist in my hand and spun her around.
"I didn't mean it like that! What I meant was that… I'm right here, I've always been right here!"
Her eyes were brimming with tears, and it was making me feel even worse than I had felt before. "I don't know what to say."
Moving my hand from her wrist, I laced my fingers with hers. "Say you feel the same way," She stayed silent, looking down at our hands. Softening my voice I looked at her face. "Say something."
Pulling away, Miley shook her head. "I can't. I'm sorry."
This time, when she ran away down the path, I didn't follow her. I had heard everything I needed.
Miley was delusional, thinking she was going to get with Dougie. It was some celebrity crush taken way too far. She was so focused on getting with him; she was oblivious to the people who actually cared for her. The people who were right in front of her. The ones who loved her.
Like I did.
A/N: Wow, I haven't updated in forever! Sorry to everyone, but lately I've been writing fanfictions for MySpace. The link is in my profile, so if you have a MySpace you should add me! There are tons of fanfics just getting started, and I usually update once a day. So go comment and enjoy. Ok, the plug is over now haha. So here is the chapter I have been waiting to write! Personally, I really liked it so hopefully you all did as well! Please leave me a review; I love to hear what you all have to say. It kind of sucks because a lot of people read, but not a lot review! So if you read the story, please review and make me happy! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, I love you all so much :)
