Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot!
Chapter Three
Friday - September 3rd, 2010
"I didn't know you guys liked basketball." Demi comments from her seat on the grass, at the edge of the basketball court of the local park.
"There's a lot you need to learn about us." Miley calls back, smiling smugly as the ball she just shot goes sailing into the hoop, without touching the edges. Damn, she is getting really good at this game.
"So it seems." I hear Demi mutter just loud enough for me to hear. I send her a questioning look, my eyebrows rising of their own accord. Her smirk tells me all I need to know and I quickly look away, snatching the ball from Miley just as she is about to shoot another hoop.
"Nick!" She glares at me as I dribble pass her and shoot. Score!
"See that?" I smirk. "That's a pro, girls. Right there." I point at myself, walking like a proud ass. Which I am. But that's not the point. I hold the ball up above my head as Miley tries to get it back from me. I smirk at her.
"In your dreams, Gray." She retorts leaning up on her toes to knock the ball out of my hands. I'm not that much taller than her, but just enough to keep the ball away from her. Unfortunately though, she jumps high.
Demi chuckles, watching us out of the corner of her eyes. She has a stack of books lying next to her and I almost feel sorry for how much work she has to catch up on (apparently our school is more advanced in the syllabus than her old school was – whatever that means).
"Yo, guys!" I turn around to see Joe (my male best friend) jogging towards us, his mass of unruly hair going everywhere with ever step.
"How long are you planning on letting your hair grow, Joe?" Miley comments from beside me and I grin. It's like she can read my mind.
"Until it's as long and as sexy as yours." He retorts, fingering Miley's long braid. She automatically swats his hand away and he whines childishly.
"You got it all wrong, Joey." I snicker at the use of Joe's girly nickname. "This hair." She fluffs the top of it, sending all the shorter hairs flying in every direction, "looks sexy only on me." She points at herself, imitating one of those brainless popular girls. I shake my head. She looks completely ridiculous and I can't deny the need to laugh.
"I should just cut it, shouldn't I?" Joe pushes his hair back, attempting to get it out of his eyes – with much difficulty, I should add.
"Yep, you should." I pat his shoulder.
"I think it looks cute long like that." The three of us whip our heads around towards the voice. Demi. Did Demi just compliment Joe?
I meet Miley's eye and we both smirk as we watch on what's about to go down. 'Cause we all know what's about to happen.
"Really?" Joe's eyes light up as he approaches her. "You don't think it looks too girly?" See?
Insert eye roll right on cue. Miley snickers and I shoot her a look. She bites her lip to keep herself from letting her laughter escape her lips.
"Uhm, you could have hair like Miley and no one would mistake you for a woman. Trust me." She's biting her lip. And looking him up and down. Is she...
Is she checking him out? Oh gross.
Joe turns around to face us, a triumphant smile on his lips.
"I think I just found a new best friend." He plops down beside Demi. "A better one than you two ever will be." He glares at us for a split second before turning back towards her. "I'm Joe." He points at us. "These two nut cases' best friend."
"Demi." She smiles at him. "These nut cases' new friend." They both laugh at our expense.
"Did they just call us nut heads?" Miley whispers to me, her eyes never leaving the couple sitting on the grass. She crosses her arms over the orange ball which is now tucked between her chest and her arms.
"I think they just did." I imitate her actions – minus the ball, of course.
"Oh well." She laughs as she dribbles away, showing off her newly acquired basketball tricks. She lets the ball bounce between her legs before catching it with her left hand. She then dribbles a little further and swings it behind her back, this time catching it with her right hand. Did I mention I taught her all what she knows? Yeah, give me some credit here. "It's not far from the truth where you are concerned, nut head." She sticks her tongue out before throwing the ball at me. I don't have the time to react and it smacks into my stomach. Ow.
"You're a traitor, Stewart." I throw the ball back at her but she's quick and she jumps just high enough to orient it towards the hoop. And in it goes. We make a good team. Always have.
And that's how we roll. We're childish and immature most of the time and we live for those times where all we have to do is laugh at the stupidest things.
"Yo, lovebirds, can we join in the party? Let's make it a foursome!" Joe calls out. See what I mean?
"Ohhhh." Miley's eyes light up in mock interest. "Did someone say foursome?"
"You're sick." I punch Miley in the shoulder - softly of course, I haven't completely forgotten that she's a girl. It's kinda hard to forgot, if you get what I mean. I mean, uh, because, you know... she's got long hair. Yeah, that's why.
"Don't act like you wouldn't be into that." She retorts, sexual innuendos and everything. Does she really think that lowly of me? I should be offended. But I'm not. She's probably right to start with. Well... not really. Damn it, now it's all I can think of. Thanks, Miles.
"I'm sure he'd be into it if you were part of it." Joe snickers. Demi is trying hard not to laugh and I just glare at the both of them. Miley shakes her head, brushing it off like she always does – without a second though.
I envy her for being able to brush off all the teasing at our expense. I mean, come on, sometimes it's just downright awkward. Not that anybody knows I feel like that. It's just that Miley's my best friend and I don't want some stupid comment from idiots like Joe to make things weird between us.
I'm not stupid. I know how most friendships end where opposite sexes are concerned. But with Miley... it's different. Or so I wanna convince myself. Point is. I don't like being teased. Not where Miley is involved.
"I call Demi on my team." I change the subject. "I hope you're good." I tease her as I pull her to our side of the court. A game against Joe and Miley... this is going to be something.
"Was captain of the girls' team in my old school. I was the point guard, baby!" I gawk at her.
"You play, shorty?" She scowls at me and I laugh. It's amazing to think I've only known the girl for a few days and I'm already nicknaming her.
"Who are you calling shorty, Dwarf?" She retorts wittily. Smart girl.
"I'm still taller than you." As usual, I have the last word.
After a good fifteen minutes of an intense game, Miley's bending over, trying hard to catch her breath. Turns out guarding me is more work than she initially thought.
"We win!" I throw it in her face, wanting more than anything to see the spark in her eyes. She's competitive as hell.
"No, you don't!" She's back on her feet, running towards me, her eyes beholding that spark I was just talking about. I smirk.
"Sore loser, Stewart?"
"Shut up." She snatches the ball out of my hands and stands behind the sideline getting ready to pass the ball to Joe. Technically speaking, the score is tied. But we all know who's better. I mean come on, Demi's got me on her team. We're obviously going to win.
"Nick!" Demi suddenly shrieks, pulling me out of my reverie. Reverie? Really, Nick? I sound like a girl. Oh well, that's what happens to you when you hang out with Miley...
Or maybe I was born with a girl's brain and a guy's body.
"Nick!" Demi's shaking me. Huh?
"What?"
"Miley just shot a three pointer."
"Huh?" I stare dumbly at the short brunette standing before me.
"They are three points ahead of us." She throws her hands up, seeming exasperated. "What's wrong with you?"
"I spaced out." I admit sheepishly.
"Is dreamland that interesting?" Miley's dancing in front of me, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"I'm gonna get you back, just you wait." I'm already passing the ball to Demi, getting ready to win this game.
"Sure you will." Miley's running alongside with me, standing in just the right place so Demi can't pass the ball to me.
"God damn it". I curse when Miley won't stop guarding me. "Demi!" I call out just before pushing Miley out of the way. She instantly passes me the ball and I do a jump shot just as Miley jumps on me. I'm knocked out of balance and land on my butt. It hurts but it's all worth it when I see the ball sailing through the hoop.
"That's cheating!" Miley yells, dusting herself off. Did I mention she fell on top of me? "He pushed me out of the way!" I can't stop smiling. Miley getting mad is just a sight I can't get tired of. She's feisty and she's got a voice and she uses it. "You jackass." My smile finally mirrors onto her face, begrudgingly, of course.
"You still win, what are you complaining about?" I extend my hand, silently asking her to pull me up. She's laughing happily and somehow, I don't care that I lost. Seeing her smile makes losing worth it.
And I'm becoming a cheesy idiot.
God damn it, get yourself together, Gray.
...
Saturday – September 11, 2010
Gray Household
"Nick?"
"Mmmm?"
"Nick!" I groan at the feeling of someone shaking me. "Nick! If you don't get up, I swear I will kick your ass."
I hate my life.
Well, no I don't, not really. So what do I do? I laugh.
"Bring it on." I mumble through my sleepy haze. As if Miley could kick my ass.
"Ha, I knew you were awake!" I can almost see the triumphant smirk on her pretty face.
BAM!
"Ow!" I yelp in pain. "Did you just whack me in the head?" I open one eye. "With a notebook?"
"I warned you I would kick your ass."
"Let me sleep." I'm not in the mood for this.
"No! You promised you'd help me find a job. So help!"
"Later." I grumble, circling my pillow with my arms and hugging it to my chest.
"Nick. Come on." Her voice softens just enough for it to reach the guilty bone in me. Probably the only good bone I have in my body.
I did tell her I would help her find a job...
"Can you get out so I can get dressed?" Remind me to tell my mom to not let Miley in when I'm sleeping. I'm not up for brutal wake up calls.
"How do I know you're going to get up?" I finally open my eyes.
Her hair is damp and dangling loosely over her shoulders. She's in her usual attire – shorts and a tee – but I can't stop staring at her.
"You have pretty eyes." I hear myself whispering.
I've officially lost it.
She rolls her eyes but I can see the smile begging to curl up her lips.
"Sweet talking me ain't gonna get you nowhere, boy." She pushes me over and plops down beside me.
"Are you sure?" I rub the sleep from my eyes and take another good look at her. "I think you'll look good in a dress at my brother's wedding."
"We already settled that. I'm not going."
"Do you still want my help to get you a job?" I raise my eyebrows at her and I know I've won by the look that contorts her face.
"Fine. I'll wear a freaking dress. Just get me a job that will pay enough for my first year of Uni." She huffs.
"We've already talked about this, Mile." I turn serious, my heart weighing a little heavier than usual. Miley, her family and money in the same conversation don't go well with me.
Here I am, in my huge room, hell it almost looks like a condo of its own. And it's just a part of the house. A very small part of it. It's too big for a family of four, considering the eldest is moving out into his own household very soon.
And there's Miley and her family whose house is too small for them.
Life just... isn't fair sometimes.
"I'm not taking your family's money, Nick. We've already talked about this." She mimics.
And she's goddamn stubborn.
I sigh as I head for the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. This is going to be a long day, I can tell.
"I told you it can be a loan. You don't need to worry about it for a few years."
"Nicholas." She growls and I know it's time for me to shut up.
Like I said. She's goddamn stubborn.
Short chapter that gives you a sort of insight on Niley's relationship, plus a hint of Miley's family situation... I know it's boring, trying to work on it the best I can ;)
If you really think this story is boring and you don't feel like it's going anywhere, be honest and tell me. Thanks!
I've also been trying to work on Perfectly Imperfect but everything I start writing is just... bleh. Can't tell you for sure when I'll be updating, sorry.
xoxo
Oh and I posted a one shot called Numb. It's in my profile. Check it out!