A/n: You guys make me giggle. :] Haha, some of you actually believe this will end with no happily ever after.

I also love how you guys tell me what you think will happen :D

So I get in these weird funks where I sit at my computer and type all night long and don't sleep or do any homework… and that is how this chapter got written. xD

Vamoosing Hearts

Chapter 15

Now don't go getting your panties in a bunch. When I say "I left" I don't mean I got dressed and booked it out of his window. What I mean is that after dating exclusively until the end of the school year, I took off to London, England, just like I had planned before the deal.

He didn't remember who I really was… that was a slap in the face. And the routine of saying 'I love you' and only getting a sad smile or a kiss in return was heart wrenching and quite frankly, I was getting tired of it.

Demi was standing in the corner of Victoria's Secret, holding a nightie to her chest. Her head was cocked to the side while she pretended to push her boobs up under the cloth. "What do you think, Mi? Is Joe gonna like this?"

"You in lingerie? I'm sure he'd be all about it." I pretended to look at tiny little panties that were so complex I felt like I was working on a Rubik's Cube.

"Why don't you get something?" She asked while she shoved the pink lacy thing into her VS bag. "I bet Nicky would love your Snookie in a lil' somethin' sexy…"

"My what?" I snorted, dropping the red lace mind game that I was holding.

"Your Snookie. Ya know…your girly bits. The diddle box. Bearded clam. Pink taco…care for me to elaborate?" She shot me a bitchbrow and I stifled a grin.

"Why the hell would you name it a Snookie?"

Demi sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's a tiny twat. What else would you name it?"

My laughter broke free and I leaned onto the display table to rest my forehead against my arms. Tears were forming and I almost couldn't speak because it just sounded like I was crying.

"You were dropped from a high altitude when you were a baby, right?" I joked with her and she shook her head.

"Nah…My brain's intact. I'm just a perv." She paid for her items and we exited the store, meandering through the growing crowd. "So, what's up, Miley? You look like something is bothering you."

"No. I'm okay."

"Are you and Nick about to break up?"

My feet stalled and I trip over the front one, catching myself before I face planted in front of a thousand people. Regaining my composure, I give Demi a dirty look. "Why would you ask that?"

"I can see the signs," she sighed softly, grabbing my elbow and directing me towards the Food Court.

"Demi, if I tell you something… can you promise not to say anything to Nick or Joe or anyone else?" I asked nervously as we sat down at an empty table.

"Oh my God, you're cheating on him, aren't you?" She said, her face going white. I nearly slapped her across the face.

"What? No! No… not even close…" I exclaimed and looked away for a brief moment. "Why does he think I am? Did he say he thinks I am?" I asked nervously and Demi relaxed back in her chair.

"No, not at all… it's just... the way you started that conversation and what it was branched off from made it seem that you were gonna tell me that you let Jake or God forbid, Liam, ride the Miley Express while Nick was waiting in the Miley Express station," she explained… seriously, and I could only give her a weird look.

"No…" I said softly, "the only person on the 'Miley Express' is Nick…" I told her, holding in a chuckle and using air quotes.

"Oh, good! So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" She asked and leaned forward.

I took a deep breath. "I'm leaving."

She smirked and looked at me confused. "Err… elaborate?"

"I'm moving to London…England. It's my dream and I have the money… I'm doing it," I explained, watching as her expression went from confused to understanding.

"And Nick has no idea?"

"Nick has… no idea," I confirmed. She let out a gust of air and looked at me unsure.

"Wow. So, uhm, when do you leave?" Demi asked.

"The day after graduation," I answered.

"One day?" She said sadly.

"One day…" I trailed off.

"Why haven't you told him?"

"Ugh, I don't know… I don't want to tell him," I groaned and rested my head on my arm.

"Well now's your chance…" She said, her face going from serious to a friendly smile as her eyes averted above my head. I quickly lifted my head and turned around to see Nick about five feet away.

"Hey guys," Nick greeted and smiled at us charmingly. We both stood up and he pulled me in for a quick kiss. I heard Demi 'awe' and looked at her to see her saddened expression. She needed to leave or she would tell Nick.

"Bye Demi…" I said through gritted teeth and she sighed before waving goodbye and leaving.

"What's with her?" Nick asked, taking my hand in his as we began to walk to Subway. I tried to come up with something quick, but failed.

"She's just…" I mumbled something incoherent and looked up at him smiling. "So how are you?"

"Good, good. I actually have some great news," he said excitedly and I could almost feel his excitement radiating off of him.

"Really? And what great news would that be?" I asked.

"Well, you know how I've been debating which school I wanna go to?" He started, looking as if he was about to burst from all the happiness inside him. It wasn't hard to guess what his next words would be. I smiled at him happily, nodding to answer his question. "I'm choosing that art school in Maine. I'm going to college for art!"

"Oh my God, Nick that's so great!" I squealed and wrapped my arms around him tightly. "See I told you that you didn't have to keep your talent hidden! I'm so proud of you!" I gave him a kiss and smiled into it.

Nick pulled back and grabbed my hand again. "I wouldn't have even gotten in if it weren't for you… I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," I said softly.

"So, what do you say we grab something to eat, and then head back to my house? My parents won't be home till later, they have a business dinner," he said suggestively, pulling me closer to him as he put his arm around my shoulder.

"That sounds great," I smiled at him and he kissed the top of my head before we walked into the line at Subway.

On some level, it was selfish of me to have left. But he was being selfish, too.

John Lennon once said that life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. He was pretty awesome, and I get what he meant now.

Remember I said earlier that life has a way of blasting you with a big, nasty middle finger when complacency sets in? Well, it's true. And sometimes the middle finger shakes you up and gets you to pay attention in the form of a beautiful boy standing next to your locker, opening your eyes to so many new things it's as if you'd been asleep for the first eighteen years of your life.

I sat on the couch in Nick's room, shaking like mad. I had to tell him I was leaving. I was so nervous though. I felt like I swallowed a brick and it was slowly coming back up. I had no idea how to even start the conversation… I didn't even know if I should tell him who I really was… would he remember after I told him? Or would he look at me with a confused look and demand I was mental and kick me out of his life?

"You okay?" He asked, sitting down next to me and taking my fidgeting hands into his own. I simply nodded and turned to smile at him.

"Mhm, why?" I asked, a little quieter than intended.

"You're just… quiet. Something bothering you?" He sounded concerned.

"No. Nothing," I lied and smiled at him convincingly. I was in a rut and I didn't know how to get out. If I told him I was leaving, he'd try to stop me… if I didn't tell him and I just left… I'd try and stop me.

So what did I do you ask?

Well, what would you do?

You'd look at this guy who you've been in love with for what seems like forever and see everything you've ever wanted.

Except a future.

Nick and I had no future. As long as he couldn't tell me he loved me… we were heading nowhere.

Of course at that moment I wasn't thinking. I was staring into his eyes, realizing how much I really loved him… suddenly unsure of my decision. So to put that thought away I just stopped all thoughts and connected my lips to his. I could tell all concerned thoughts flew from his mind because he eagerly returned the kiss and gently pushed me down on the couch.

I wish I could have let my thoughts go as fast as he did his.

His hand grazed under my shirt, lightly tracing patterns on my stomach, inching the fabric higher along with his hand.

"Nick," I squeaked out and pulled away, his lips landed on my jaw and he kissed his way down my neck then back up.

"Hmm?"

I had a quick internal battle and lost, directing his face to meet mine. His eyes opened and he peered into mine with a soft look, smiling lightly. He licked his lips and pulled them between his teeth momentarily.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?" He asked and I nodded quickly, reattaching our lips so he wouldn't see the look on my face.

We carried on for a few minutes and his hand started to make its way under my shirt then under my bra… but out of instinct I pushed it out. He didn't seem to take it to heart and just pulled my hips closer to his. We were now lying horizontally on his couch and he rested his hand on my thigh, lifting my leg over his. He grinded himself into me once and I felt his hand fumble with the button of my jeans. I pulled myself away slightly and pushed his hand away. Nick stopped all of his actions and pulled back, looking at me with an off expression.

"Am I really that repulsing?" He asked jokingly with a hint of seriousness.

"No, no! I just… let's just take it slow tonight…" I trailed off and pulled him to me once more.

I didn't want to let him go. But at the same time I didn't want to become more attached… as if it was possible…

Nick tugged on my bottom lip and I let my hand trail from his chest down to the front of his jeans. I rubbed against him once and he let out a gust of air before eagerly kissing me more. I withdrew my hand and groaned internally.

I was being such a tease.

He sighed as I pulled back. "Miley…" He breathed out deeply. "It's been like… three weeks," he said, referring to the last time we… you know and I nodded.

"I know," I said, feeling guilty and looked away.

"I miss you…" he took a deep breath and tilted my chin so I was facing him again. "Like really, really miss you," he raised his eyebrows and nodded his head, I slightly frowned.

"I know… I miss you, too," I groaned and rubbed my eyes.

"Then why do you keep stopping me? Why do you keep stopping yourself?" He asked and I let my hand that was on his cheek travel down his chest and land on the couch at my side.

"We need to talk," I told him and he let out a gust of air and cursed, sitting up on the couch. I sat up, my back against the armrest and grabbed his hand, holding it reassuringly.

"About what?" He asked sadly, avoiding eye contact.

"We graduate… tomorrow, Nick…" I started and he interrupted me.

"No," he shook his head adamantly. "We're not gonna be one of those couples that breaks up because of college… we're not," he demanded and I sighed.

"You're leaving, Nick. You're going to Maine… and I'm…" I almost said it… I almost told him. I chickened out.

"You're what?" He asked angrily.

"I'm having these feelings... feelings I shouldn't be having..." I said slowly and looked at him cautiously.
"What feelings?" He asked and looked slightly hurt.
"Feelings that we won't work out in two different places..." I explained and he nodded calmly.
"So I think we should break up..." The words cut me like a knife... and I was the one who said them.
Nick looked at me blankly and shook his head. "No."
"You don't exactly get to decide..." I said.
"Well then why can you?"
"Stop making this so complicated..." I pleaded and he let his head fall back on the couch.
"I can't believe this... Are you serious right now?"
I sighed. "I just need some time... to think." He looked at me with a hard expression.
"Okay... I respect that," he told me and I smiled sadly.
"Thank you... I need to go now. We've got a big day tomorrow," I got up and straightened out my clothes, walking towards his door and waiting for him. He got up slowly and grabbed his keys off his desk, ushering me out the door.

The drive to my house seemed longer than it should have been… maybe it was because the silence was so loud… or because for the first time in Nick's life he was driving under the speed limit…

Whatever the reason… I didn't like it.

He pulled into my driveway and kind of leaned in to my face, licking his lips. He took a breath in and released it slowly, settling back in his seat.

I felt bad.

"So what are we? Together? Not together? On a break? What?"

I sighed and looked at him longingly. "We're taking time…"

"No. You're taking time. I'm perfectly fine." He stated angrily.

"Look-,"

"It's the middle of June, Miley! I'm not leaving until August. Why do we have to break up now?" He argued and I held in the words that I'd been trying to tell him.

"Thanks for the ride, I'll see you tomorrow at graduation," I said quickly and got out of his car, slamming the door. I ran into my house and shut the door behind me quickly. I ran up to my room and locked my window.

I know I didn't have a right to be mad at him. And I wasn't. Trust me. It was just that… I couldn't bear to see his face if I told him I was leaving… moving farther away than him… The look on his face when I told him I needed time was bad enough…

But can't he see the look on my face every time I tell him I love him and the words aren't returned? Doesn't he see how much it's killing me?

A smile. A sad smile. That was all I got from him at graduation. He didn't say anything to me.

I got a picture with Demi and Selena, Joe and David joined in for the second one… but Nick distracted himself by directing his attention to his grandparents as my sister snapped the last photo of the night.

"Wait Miley, you're not smiling, girl! Come on! This is your graduation!" Marissa exclaimed and I shrugged it off and took my camera from her.

"Nick told me what happened last night…" I looked up from the camera to see Demi. "You didn't tell him? You just… broke up with him?"

I sighed and turned the camera off. "I know… I'm horrible… Ugh. He's gonna hate me… he already hates me."

"No, he doesn't. He's just confused, Mi," she reassured me and I nodded and sighed.

"I'll talk to him tonight," I told her and she nodded and hugged me.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, you're one of the truest friends I've ever had. We can't lose contact… ever. Okay?" She said and pulled back, tears forming in her eyes.

"Aw Demi, of course. We'll talk all the time," I confirmed and she nodded and gave me one last hug.

"Tell him," she whispered and I nodded.

I lied.

I didn't tell him.

That night I went out to dinner with my family then went home and finished packing.

I didn't tell him because I was angry. No, I was more than angry. I was pissed. I was hurt. He had four months. I gave him four months to remember me. That's four months of conversations and dates and spending time together.

He didn't remember me. And it hurt.

He was my best friend and he just forgot about me. Just like that. It felt like a bullet in my chest.

I figured if he could forget me once… then he would have no problem doing it again.

His text came in at 10 that night.

Can we talk?

No.

About what?

My heart skipped a beat. Did he remember suddenly?

Us.

He didn't remember. And now… he was too late.

I didn't answer. I threw my phone at the foot of my bed and crossed my arms angrily, biting my tongue.

Can I come by tonight? I don't like not being with you.

He needed to stop. He was torturing me and he didn't even realize it. How could he treat me so kindly and care for me the way he did… and not love me?

No. Goodbye.

I sent the text and turned my phone off. I didn't want to see if he replied or not. I didn't want to see what he had to say.

I wanted to go to England and start a new life.

I wanted to forget him the way he forgot me.

If only it was that easy…

I'm sure you're wondering why I've been telling you all about my relationship with Nick. And, while it has probably been entertaining in some regards, you're most likely looking at your computer screen and wondering just what happened to make it all so…sad. Aside from the obvious hurdles that we'd faced. Aside from the fact that we're young. There has to be more to the story, right?

Q: Have you ever given up on doing the right thing out of fear or spite?

A/n: I want to share something with you all… my Vamoosing Hearts playlist Part 1 : ) these are just songs that inspired some chapters or remind me of the story... I will put more of my playlist in the next few chapters… And I highly recommend all of these songs…

I will put an asterisk by the ones I listen to on repeat... at least twice

See The Sun (Alternate Version) by The Kooks *

Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles

Boston by Augustana

Fire by Augustana *

Flutterby by Helen Stellar *

Driveway by Great Northern *

Critical by the Jonas Brothers

I Love You by Avril Lavigne

My Girl by The Temptations *

Rubik's Cube by Athlete *

Goodbye by Avril Lavigne

Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles

While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles

Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer *

Inevitable by Anberlin *