Chapter Seven

"You aren't going on today, Mi," Nick sighed as I quickly sat up from the nap I was taking. I wasn't sure who he thought he was, but he definitely wasn't calling the shots.

"What the hell? Yes I am," I fought. I'd been stressed out all day and this was my only release of my worries.

"Mi, you're burning up. I talked to both our parents and we all agree you should sit out a night," he explained. Damn him. He could've woke me up to tell me he thought I was sick before he let our parents in on this.

"I was just tired, I'm fine now."

He gave me a disproving look. "Miley, you aren't going out there. I don't care what you say. You're sick."

"It's a little fever, I'm fine!"

"You can barely talk!" he shot back at my voice that was cracking every now and again. "Now, tomorrow if you're this sick you can go out there, but today I think you should take a day off."

"I am a mature adult now-"

"Then start acting like it. You aren't superwoman. Sit down, and don't perform tonight."

"You're overreacting. It is just a fever. I can sing fine! They won't care," I argued. "Please, Nick!"

"No, Miley. No."

"Fine," I gave in, turning away from him and laying down. "Asshole."

"Hey," he came closer, stroking my hair. "I just want what's best for you. And I know that you're hiding something huge, and whatever it is I have a feeling is causing all these health issues. But just because I care doesn't make me an asshole."

I closed my eyes. I still hadn't talked to Demi yet about last night. I switched to Nick's bus when we stopped for gas and avoided her ever since. I just, didn't want to be the friend who was in trouble. That's never been me before, especially not with Demi. I'd always been the strong one.

"I want to go out," I growled.

"I know you do," Nick told me. "We all want you out there, too-"

"Then let me go!"

"But we want you healthy first. Tomorrow, okay? I promise. And we can sit on your tourbus all night tonight and watch movies until you feel better."

"Okay. Fine. Go."

"Mi-"

"Leave, Nicholas. I'll see you when you're done performing."

He sighed, walking out when I used the full name card. I counted to ten before I took the blanket off of me, checking to make sure my make-up still looked alright. I added another coat of lipstick before quickly leaving my dressing room. There was no way I wasn't going to perform tonight.

I heard Demi close her song which meant the Jonas' were on right now. All I had to do was avoid anyone from the Jonas' including the manager and my mom. Then, I should be good. I went to my backup dancers who were all obviously bummed and shook my head.

"Hey, you guys ready?"

"I thought-Nick said we weren't going on. He said you were sick."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Nick is full of over exaggerations. Do I look sick? C'mon. Let's get ready."

They all shrugged as I carefully avoided my mom and went to tell the lighting and sound it was a false alarm and I was going on.

"And, tonight Miley-" Joe began to explain how I wasn't going on.

"Now," I ordered into my headset as the first song started playing.

I rose up onto the stage, going over to hug each of the brothers. Nick squeezed me a little too hard, growling. "What are you doing? I told you you weren't going out."

"I'm giving people something to talk about."

He glared at me as Joe and Kevin ushered him off the stage and I knew I'd better have my fun now because later tonight I'd be in for it.

"How's everybody doing tonight!" I yelled, smiling at the rush I felt. This was so worth getting yelled at for. "Ready for a good time!"

I looked off to the side of the stage at everyone else's expression and bit my lip. I'd better make this performance worth it.

:::

"Miley Ray Cyrus, what were you thinking?" my mom came up to me as I walked off stage, her arms crossed. "We told you no performing tonight."

"And I wanted to perform!"

"Sometimes, you need to trust that we know what we're talking about! No means no. Especially in your condition," she ranted.

"What condition? I'm fine!"

"Miley Ray, you know. And the next time you pull a stunt like that you'll be done with tour. This is your only warning, got it?"

I nodded, rolling my eyes and continuing to my dressing room. I just had to avoid Nick now. His lectures were the worst. I looked around cautiously, not minding all the disappointed gazes, as long as I didn't feel his.

I ran in, slamming the door shut and locking it before giving a small triumphant smile.

"Who ya hiding from?" I heard. My face fell and I opened my eyes, wincing a bit. "I mean, hopefully not me, 'cause I'm ready to strangle you."

"Look, Nick-"

"What were you thinking?" he asked.

"Okay, I know it probably looks like I did something stupid-"

"Because you did. I trusted you not to go out there, Mi. Just go change. We can finish this on the bus."

I sighed, grabbing my sweats and T-shirt from the couch and slamming the bathroom door shut. It was my life, not his, damn it. Fuck off.

I came out a good five minutes later and he was still there. He stood up, and we walked to the bus in silence. He had me wait while he ran in to get an extra pair of clothes. But the second we stepped on my bus he grabbed my arm, gently dragging me to the couch and sitting me down.

"Why'd you do that?"

"Because I wanted to perform," I growled.

"Well you can't always get everything you want!" he shot back.

"I know, but you were all being stupid! I performed and nothing happened," I crossed my arms, leaning back.

"Do you not care that you're sick?" he asked. "Sometimes you need to realize that you have to sit out a night."

"I know your insulin levels are too low to perform sometimes, but you still go out there," I rose my eyebrows. "How's this any different?"

"Because I can take it easy those nights and my brothers are there out there to cover for me if I have an emergency. You just don't get how much-"

"I get it, alright? I just don't really care."

"Yeah, well, I do."

"It's over now, so can we please just drop it?"

"Fine, you know what, whatever. Have it your way again," he rolled his eyes. I looked down. I hated him being mad at me. It was the worst feeling in the world.

"Nick, wait," I stood up, going after him as he stormed into the kitchen. I put a hand on his arm, trying to turn him around. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to make you feel so betrayed."

"I just care about you so much. I don't want to see anything happen," he sighed. I looked down, nodding a little, beginning to be disappointed in myself. Only Nick could make this happen, me hating them one second then hating myself for not listening to them the next. "C'mere," he opened his arms, letting me step in them while he held me the way he used to for a few seconds.

"I know you care, but it's okay, alright? I'm fine," I smiled. "C'mon, let's have our movie marathon. You make popcorn, I'll pick the chick flick."

"Yay, a chick flick," he grimaced, going to start the popcorn. "You want extra butter?"

"Of course!" I yelled back. "Dem, Sel, we're having a movie night if you guys wanna join."

"What are you watching?"

"The Proposal, and stuff like that."

I heard them getting out of their bunks and knew they'd be joining us.

"Make another bag, bud."

He sighed. "On it. Do they want extra butter?"

"Ew," Demi mumbled. "Fattening."

"No thanks," Selena gave him a weak smile, almost apologizing with her eyes for her ex-best-friend's behavior.

"Have it your way," he grinned. "Mi, catch."

I turned around, catching the Lemonade and Mountain Dew he threw, putting it down before catching his Diet Coke and Lemonade.

"Would you two ladies like anything to drink?"

"Water, please," Selena requested.

Nick nodded, throwing me a bottle before we both looked to Demi. She looked at me with sad eyes before snapping out of it. "Mountain Dew."

He threw it to me again and I handed it to Demi. She rose her eyebrows. "You guys do this often, huh?"

"We had a lot of movie nights on the first tour."

"Too many."

"Shut up," I laughed. "It was the only time you weren't angry."

"We'll take the floor. You guys can sit on the couches," Nick told them.

I nodded, going to get the pillows to lay down on with my blanket. He followed me back to the bunks and I gave him a look before he threw me a sweatshirt. His sweatshirt. I smiled.

"You seemed upset earlier, so I figured these always cheered you up before," he scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I just - you don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

I shook my head, putting it on before kissing his cheek. I would have done anything to make out with him right then. "Thank you, Nick."

"You know you're my favorite," he grinned, taking the pillows from me and letting me stay back and put on the sweatshirt. I changed into Soffe shorts with it before walking back out, laying down the blanket, putting another large one on top of it.

"Let's start this," Nick handed one large bowl of popcorn for Demi and Selena to share while we got the other 'fattening' bowl. I was surprised they were sharing a couch but shrugged. At least Demi wasn't attacking her yet.

"Okay," I pressed play, grabbing some popcorn and opening the Lemonade first.

:::

Demi was the only one there when I got up and she was slowly picking everything up from last night up. There was quite a mess. I sat up, looking around.

"Where's Nick and Selena?" I asked, speaking the first real words to her in two days.

"They went out for breakfast," she told me.

I looked down, nodding a little. They were gonna get together soon. I could almost feel it. The way he'd been spending so much quality time with her lately. And now he took her out for breakfast... I was getting replaced. By her. Again.

"Are we really gonna pretend like the other night didn't happen?" she asked.

I shrugged. Yeah, I was kinda hoping for that. "I dunno."

"Miley, how can you act like this isn't a big deal?"

"Because if I start to think it is I'm going to get scared!" I shot back at her.

She shook her head. "Why don't you try feeling something for once?" she asked me, crossing her arms. "How could you not tell me? How could you let Selena know and not tell me?"

"She found out on her own," I tried to explain. But it didn't cut it, nothing could save her from feeling hurt this time.

"But I'm your best friend," she cried. "How come I wasn't good enough?"

"You were, I just-"

"Who else knows?"

"Just my family, I swear," I begged, trying to keep her from getting upset.

"And Nick?"

I shook my head. "And he isn't gonna find out. Please, Demi. If you love me at all, don't tell him."

"Miley-"

"Please," I repeated. I didn't want him to know. He was the one person who I hoped wouldn't find out until it's over.

"He's worried sick about you," she informed me. As if I didn't know, as if I could forget that detail for even a second.

"But he'll only be more worried if he knows the truth."

"Miley, you don't need to do this alone," she told me.

"I know, and that's why I have you, and my family, even Selena. I just... Not a word to Nick, okay?"

She hesitated, but eventually she nodded. "If you're so sure."

"I am."

"This is your third chance. I don't want to see it ruined." she warned. "Don't screw it up, Mi,"

I rolled my eyes. Nick couldn't stay mad at me if he tried.

"Alright, I won't."

"What is she gonna screw up?" Nick asked, walking in with Selena.

"Nothing," I spoke up before Demi could. She made eye contact with me and nodded, and I knew that she wouldn't tell anyone.

"Well, c'mon, sick chick, we're playing wiffle ball," Nick smiled. "You too, Dems."

I groaned. "I don't wanna play."

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "Because."

"C'mon, you've been bragging about how good you are for months now. You have to," he grinned at me.

"Nick, stop. She doesn't have to if she doesn't want to," Demi snapped at him.

I whipped around to face her, my eyes wide. No, she can't snap at Nick like that. Not just because he'll be hurt, but because he'll know something's up and the last thing I need is him pressuring Demi to tell him.

"It's fine, I'll play," I pushed Nick out, shooting Demi a look.

"You can play if you want, Dems," Nick shrugged.

Demi walked over, nodding a little, obviously unhappy that I'd decided to play. "Fine, let's go. But I'm on Miley's team."

Nick laughed, walking out with me. "Don't mess with her," I lectured, watching the ideas go through his head.

He shook his head. "I have to." He smirked, walking over to the big group. "Hey, guys, Demi doesn't want to be on the same team as Miley whatsoever."

"I'm gonna fucking kill you-"

I held her back, glaring at Nick while he just laughed at her.

"Where's Sel?" I asked, looking around.

Nick shrugged. "I guess Taylor's came in to visit. She's picking her up."

"Swift?"

"The one and only."

I looked at Demi as she tilted her head, a small smirk on her face. "Now this should be fun."

"She's coming on tour with us?"

"Sounds like a blast right?" Joe asked. "Hey, at least she's not staying on our bus."

"She's staying on our bus?" I hissed. "And Selena didn't think to tell us this?"

"She thought you'd say no," Nick told me.

I could have hit someone. "Damn right I would. I fucking hate her."

"Did she just say she hated someone?" Joe double-checked.

"Mi-"

"Oh, this is the best day of my life," Demi seemed to be the only one happy. "Next time I say a mean comment about Selena I don't wanna hear a word."

"Why do you hate Taylor? I thought you guys were always friends," Kevin noted.

Nick turned to him, shaking his head not to ask me while Demi actually explained it to everyone. "She won't say why or what Taylor did. To anyone. So, while you, like everyone else have most likely never wanted to know something more than you want to know why Miley would hate someone, asking is pointless."

"How long has this fight been going on for?" Joe was so lost and confused. "I thought you guys were still best-friends."

I laughed at him. Silly kid. "Let's just say a certain song everyone thinks is about Camilla is really about me."

"Which one?"

I rolled my eyes at the stupidity of the lyrics, mocking her. "There is nothing she does better than revenge."

Joe held back a laugh while Nick sent him a glare. "Let's play. Me, Miley, Frankie, Demi, Garbo against Joe, Kevin, Noah, Brit, and Dani."

Joe nodded, taking the ball from Nick. "You're batting first, kid."

Demi went up first as Joe just smiled at her. "I'm not going easy on you, you know?"

Demi smiled. "Good. You don't have to. It'll be funner if we beat you fair and square."

:::

We all stood around the arena, dressed and ready to go out when Selena finally walked out, a hideous blond giant following her. The same person Selena liked to call her best-friend.

"Hey, guys," Sel smiled, coming to stand next to me. I gave her a small side hug as everyone said hi to Taylor. I felt her eyes rest on me, waiting for me to say something. I refused.

"Hey, Miley," she finally made the first move.

My jaw clenched. "Taylor."

"How's the illegal drug deals coming? I mean, I'm assuming you're a dealer by now."

"Not so loud," I hushed her. "People might hear you. You know, us drug dealers don't like attention. We're not famewhores like some people."

"Oh, no," she looked my outfit up and down. "Just sluts."

I went to make a move at that pretty little face of hers with that pretty curly hair but felt someone holding me back before I could make a move anywhere.

I glanced back, seething. "Demetria, let me go. I'm gonna kick her ass."

"No, calm down-"

"Aw, I forgot. The two opposites are together. The naïve one, who everyone loves and then the emo one, who no one ever stays around for."

I fought harder to break out of Demi's grasp after that. She did not just criticize Demi. I was ready to break her nose. But it was no use fighting, because Demi let go right away.

"Hit her hard," she hissed.

I ran for it, pushing her and grabbing her hair but Nick got to me before I was able to do anything else. I wasn't letting go, though.

"Ow," Taylor complained.

Nick grabbed my cheeks with one hand, trying to pull me away with the other. "Miley, let go. Now."

"Let me at her-"

"If you don't let go in the next three seconds, I will tell everyone about your little secret," I heard Selena's voice softly whisper in my ear. How dare she stick up for her. I don't care if they were best fucking friends, that was a bitchy move even from her. It's a move I would've expected in 2008, but not now, not here. I let go right away, standing up straight and glaring at her.

"Finally. Nick, train your bitch, will you?"

My glare just increased at Selena. "You brought her, you handle her. Until she's gone we are not friends, got it?"

I pushed past her as Joe and Demi followed me while Selena, Nick, and Kevin stayed over by Taylor.

Joe hugged me while Demi tried to keep me from completely going off.

"I can't believe she just said that."

"I told you I fucking hate her, fucking bitch, fucking-"

"Calm down, okay? She wants to get to you."

"Yeah, well she is," I growled at Joe.

"Look, I don't know what happened-"

"I'll tell you, and don't you dare tell Nick who's over there flirting with that idiot who brought the bitch here," I hissed.

They both nodded and I continued.

"What happened was Taylor decided to start taking sides. She took Selena's. She said I was too hung up on Nick, that we never loved each other. I called her out about you, Joe. She went fucking psycho on me but then decides to start insulting Nick. She was like 'he's such a dick. He was a total ass to you but oh, wait, he's the only guy you'll ever really deserve because you're so... well, you know.' And then went on to Demi all 'she's a depressed bitch. Joe broke up with me too, but I didn't go crazy because of it.' Then she moved onto my fucking little sister," I ranted.

I turned, glaring at Taylor one last time. "Then she basically named the few people I would actually give it all for, insulting them. I fucking hate her so much. That self-obsessed whore… I swear to God-"

"And why does she hate you so much?" Demi asked.

"I didn't just take it! I threw the same shit back at her about Selena and Abigail and Taylor Lautner!"

"Calm down, Mi," Joe gently massaged my back as I looked up at him.

"Your bus tonight? Please?"

He laughed. "You think I trust you to share a bus with her for a night? You're definitely on our bus tonight."

"Uh, I don't wanna share either," Demi complained.

Joe gave her a look. "When don't you go where Miley goes?"

I broke out in a smile and Demi followed suit as I hugged Joe, looking up at him. "I haven't slept on your bus yet all tour. This is gonna be so much fun. Demi, get ready for the best night of tour. Remember how fun these nights were last tour? Oh, my, God, I'm so excited."

They both laughed while I rambled. "We're gonna watch movies, and – Kevin and Dani have to be there too! Tell them, okay?"

Joe nodded, grinning a bit.

"And don't tell Nick. Let him have a damn surprise. Asshole."

He grimaced, wrapping his arm around be a little tighter. "C'mon. You need to remember how much time he spends with you. He probably knows-"

"He was on a date with her this morning," I crossed my arms.

Joe sighed, wrapping his arms around me like the big brother he was. "He's trying to move on, Mi."

"Yeah, well…"

He nodded. "I know. It's hard."

It wasn't easy to watch him move on. I didn't like it, I didn't want to be here to watch him physically be all over Selena. I didn't want to watch myself get replaced a second time.

This tour was beginning to be just like the other one… Full of disappointments.

this was kind of a filler... hope you liked it:)

ps, my birthdays on wednesdayy. im pretty pumped (: felt the need to share.

oh, and sorry if this was too long... i didn't realize until now.