On Friday morning, right before first period, there he was, standing by his locker while a group of guys high fived and fist bumped him. I made my way to him, his back to me, my eyes set on him and what I wanted to know.

Did he tell Brooke to back off because of me?

My palms were sweaty, my legs feeling like jelly as I trotted along. When I finally reached him, I choked up. I couldn't let a single word escape my mouth and he still hadn't even turned around to see me or notice me yet.

"You didn't call," I squeaked out.

Nick then turned around to see me, his eyes lighting up, a smile then growing on his face.

"Miley," he said.

"You didn't call," I repeated. This time he slightly frowned.

"I had to do a report for AP Chem, and I didn't get home until really late because of my brother's basketball game."

I had to stop myself from smiling at this. He actually went to his little brothers' basketball game. What teenage guy would do that if he had a choice?

"It's okay, it's not a big deal."

He turned to me looking a little skeptical. "It's no big deal?"

I almost got the feeling he was testing me to see if I would make a big deal of out it and flip out, like he was expecting me to do. Like most girls would. Like Brooke probably did. Like I probably should have been doing if I was actually ready for this committed relationship and fully invested in it as I should be.

"Don't worry about it," I said, trying to smile as he looked uncomfortable. "Like I said, it's no big deal."

…

I steered clear of Nick all day, trying to recuperate and remember why I did what I did this morning. I was supposed to be praising him and asking him about Brooke. We were supposed to be happy already.

But I was making this hard and he was most likely seriously confused. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder about that little promise he made. He said he was going to call, but he didn't. That was such a typical guy thing, a jackass thing to do. I don't know why I played it off, probably because I needed to have the upper hand right now to get him to tell me that he did all that stuff for me and that he really cares about me – that's why he told Brooke to back off. All because he wanted me.

Nick must have suspected that I was avoiding him (every time I saw him I ducked away and morphed into the shadows or turned the corner as fast as I could) up until lunch, when he finally was standing right outside the lunch room waiting for me to come in. It's not like I could have avoided coming in that way either. Unless I skipped lunch…

"Hey!" he yelled at me, his hand waving in the air as he saw me walking towards the cafeteria.

I waited for him to come over as he was already running to me.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.

Olivia kept walking on without me in the cafeteria, giving me a knowing look.

"I know I told you I would call, but it was late and I had to make sure I aced this exam because I bombed the test last quarter. "

"I understand." I turned my backpack around so I could reach in and get my wallet.

"I know I should have called," he repeated. "It's just…"

"I know. The test."

"And my brothers basketball game, don't forget that," he added, as if he needed to convince me that there was absolutely no way he could have called without me being asleep as he did so.

"How could I forget?" I answered. He really was being sincere and repentant. Besides, I don't even know why I'm doing this to him when I'm trying to see if he still likes me and well, be my best friend again.

"Can I make it up to you?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

I looked around first, teasing him, before nodding.

"Alright," he took my hand and started leading me to the door, which led to the parking lot.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, placing my wallet back into my backpack as we stepped outside the school doors and into the parking lot.

"Well, I just thought we could go talk at our usual spot." I gave him a look.

"What?" he said.

"Usual spot?" I asked, my confusion clear in my tone.

"Starbucks, third table from the door, the one with the cracked chair that I always switch out with the other table yet it is always back when we go?"

He touched my forehead lightly. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I must have looked pretty pale. Yeah, I was shocked that he remembered all of that. And well, I kind of loved it. We only went there together a few times, but he's calling it our 'usual spot' and that made me seriously happy. That means that he wants to go back to a place where we have memories.

That means that he wouldn't take any one else there, because it reminds him of me. And only me.

"I'm okay," I said, taking his hand lightly off my head and then lacing our fingers together on top of my thigh. I used my other hand to grab his face and kiss him on the cheek.

"Thanks for this Nick," I said. I turned towards my window trying to hide my blush. I knew he still saw me though, so it was stupid. He already knew how much he could make me squirm.

"No problem."

…

"One grande iced coffee with soy, and a grande soy white mocha with whip please." Nick told to lady at the counter once we were in starbucks. Our hands were still clasped tightly together, so he very skillfully took his wallet from his back pocket with one hand and took out a twenty to pay for our drinks.

He turned to me. "Want anything to eat?"

I eyed the warm food, not seeing the blueberries scone – hence not seeing anything that I wanted, so I shook my head no. "Thanks though."

"Hey, I'm the one treating you to lunch, I need to get you something." He smiled at me and gave my hand a tight squeeze.

Nick turned to the lady who was still trying to figure out how to open the register and give change for Nick's twenty. She must be new. "Can I have two chocolate chip cookies and a red velvet cupcake as well?"

"Sure," the cashier said, finally opening the register. She sighed in relief and took the money from Nick's outstretched hand. "That's eleven fifty."

She gave him his change and he pocketed it, turning to look at me and ask without really talking if I wanted to go sit.

"Okay," I said softly and finally let his hand go so I could go get our table. There were only a couple other people in the coffee shop but it gets a lot busier after school. Normally it's harder to secure this table, and oddly enough when it's not available we don't sit, we'd just leave.

I sat down on the left side of the table turning my legs to the side and facing the window just watching the cars pass by for a moment. Nick remembered a lot about me, even things that I figured my words just left his head the second they left my mouth. He's been there since the start of all this drama that I had this year at this new school, and he's been consistent with what he says.

He's been real with me. Sure, he had some bad things haunting him from the past. But don't we all? I know that I've kept myself up at night wondering how any guy could look past the things that are wrong in my life.

I turned to look at Nick who was watching me, his eyes glistening with a smile on his face. I smiled back, hoping that things would get back to the way they used to be between us. Where we could talk for hours about anything and everything. The days when I would just let him take control and show me how much he cares about me, or when I just let everything go and have fun. I wish he could know how much he makes me consider what I want to do with my life.

Sometimes he makes me feel like soccer isn't important, but I just need him to make me feel good about myself. He gives me feelings that I've never felt before. The kind of feeling that makes you wanna just stay with that person all day, doing absolutely nothing but holding each other and talking.

Nick finally came over with our drinks and beverages.

"Thanks." He placed the stuff on the table and took a seat across from me.

"No, thank you for letting me take you out." He smiled and I felt my own lips turning up into a smile.

"So…" I wanted to talk to him about everything that I've been thinking about and how I really want us to work out.

"Could you hand me that cupcake?" I ask, hiding my face because I can't seem to find the words to say aloud.

He passed me the bag with the cupcake in it and took a deep breath. "We need to talk."

I nodded, signaling him to continue. He smiled slightly and continued.

"I really miss you Miley, and I honestly don't know how much longer I can take where we aren't together. I want to get back together, is what I'm saying."

I stopped eating my cupcake, placing it on the bag and wiping the corners of my mouth.

"I know you broke it off for your reasons and I respect them! I do, it's just," he paused and took my hand in both of his. "I think I love you and I am ready to do anything to make this work."

I stopped breathing for a moment at the mention of love and felt my stomach churn. I knew that I felt strongly for him and that there was nobody else that I have ever felt this way about or even just wanted to be with as much as him, but, love?

Nick has gotten me from the beginning and that never happens. I want him all the time, and I can't keep hiding feelings for him. I squeezed his hand and took a chance with what was about to spill out of my mouth.

"I agree, I want this to work. I know what I said before but you're what I've always wanted. Please, let's just forget my poor actions. I need to be with you."

I leaned across the table and he met me halfway, our lips locking for what seemed like the first time in forever. I could hold onto the moment forever.

There's really no excuse for how long this took to update, it just was completely hectic after school was over. Sorry! I'm away at soccer camp for almost two months, and I will hopefully upload the next chapter tomorrow (if not, next weekend) because the weekends are the only days where I have any time at all. Sorry again, I hope you guys still like this story! Thanks for sticking with me through all of this and always reviewing! it means the world to me!

Emily. Whisper hello, i miss you quite terribly.