Miley let out a long sigh and flicked through the channels of her television, stopping on E!. Rolling her eyes as her name flashed, once again across the screen. She'd been named the worlds worst role model. Couldn't people just give it rest already. So she'd smoked a bong. It wasn't as if she's smoked cannabis, it was Salvia. Which was completely legal in most states. She'd changed her image, her clothes. If it was fine for Beyonce and J-lo to wear revealing outfits why was it different story for her? She was eighteen now, a woman. Not a child.

Shaking her head Miley switched off the T.V. and glanced at the time. It was five in the afternoon, just as Miley contemplated moving Javier stumbled into the loving room his hands full of hair and makeup products.

"Oh Querido, we must get you ready. The party starts in three hours" He looked Miley over " No, No. This will not do"

She glanced down at herself. She was dressed in sweat pants an old Beatles t-shirt "Oh c'mon Javier you cant be serious it's a kids party, who's going to care about what I look like"

He led Miley to chair and sat her down " Cariño you know that you can not step outside these doors without a camera in your face, you must look a million dollars." He plugged in a flat iron and began gently combing through her hair.

Miley let out an exhale "I no, I just don't feel up to this today"

Javier gently placed a hand on Mileys shoulder "Honey, I know this time of year is hard for you-"

She shook her head "Please can we not talk about this now" she snapped.

Javier nodded and continued combing through her hair "Okay if that's what you want belleza, I just hate seeing you like this. I've been with you a long time"

Miley nodded. Javier had been her stylist since the beginning. It was true enough he'd had been there through it all, everything. Every tear. Every smiles. Every laugh. He'd watched her heart break too. He was good friend. He was one of the reasons she was still here.

"I know, I'm sorry Javi. I didn't' mean to snap at you it's just hard you know-"

"What's hard?" a voice called from the doorway.

Liam was leaning against the doorframe, his muscular arms crossed. Miley met his piercing blue gaze and smiled.

"Nothing, What are you doing here?"

Liam crossed silently the room and kissed Mileys cheek "I wanted to see my girlfriend before the new year" he stood back for a moment smiling down at her.

"Oh, that's sweet, but you know I have a party to go tonight, right?" she replied.

"Yeah just thought Id make an appearance, let you know I was thinking about you" he leaned against the kitchen counter.

Miley grinned "Someone's in a good mood today"

"He's just trying to get lucky before you leave" Javier chimed in.

"Not with my baby" Billy Ray's stern voice came from across the room.

Miley turned to see her father raiding the fridge "Hey Daddy, what's up?"

"Hey hon, not a thing. Nearly ready for Maddys party?" he asked pouring himself a coffee.

"Almost I just gotta' throw on a dress. You nearly done Javier?"

"Uhuh," He replied using hairspray to fix a stray hair. "Done"

"So, I'm just going to take off. I guess I'll see you tomorrow Miley" Liam said pressing his lips to hers quickly.

"Yeah. Bye Honey" She called as he began to turn to walk away.

"Hey hey, don't do that while I'm here" Billy Ray waved his hand at the couple.

"Sorry Dad" Miley chuckled sitting on the counter "Is Noah almost ready?"

Billy smiled "Mile, she's been ready for the last four hours"

"Awesome, I better go get dressed" She hopped off the kitchen counter.

"Thanks Javier" she grinned.

"No problem baby" he winked.

Miley smiled and walked silently to her room, alone with her thoughts. It was 19th of December. For the last week she'd been feeling down. She knew exactly why. She refused to think about it. She wouldn't put herself through that again, she wouldn't. Crossing the room she walked into her closet and fixed her eyes on a sapphire blue dress. It would do, she didn't feel like dressing up today.

Checking herself out in the mirror she admired Javier's work, he'd created a simple beach wave. It was perfect as always.

"Miley Miley. Are you ready yet! We have to get going Madison just text me!" Noah ran into Mileys room bouncing around like a new born puppy.

"Okay Okay, Noah chill. I'm ready" She smiled at her little sister.

"Yey! Well c'mon We gotta' go!" She grabbed Mileys hand and pulled her out of her room.

Miley pulled up to a beautiful three story house and was greeted by a group of paparazzi.

"Great this is all we need" She sighed.

"Just roundhouse kick them Miley" Noah smiled at her sister.

Miley laughed "How do you know what a roundhouse kick is?"

"Hey I might I'm ten and I don't live under a rock I know who Chuck Norris is" Noah grinned opening the car door.

Miley laughed as she stepped out of the car. Noah always knew how to make her feel better. She had such a great way of looking at the world, she was still young and innocent. Happy, Miley thought to herself.

Taking Noah's hand and lowered her eyes to the floor pushing her way through the crowd of camera wielding jerks. When she eventually made it to the door she was met by a squealing group of ten year olds.

"Noah! Noah! Come and see my presents" Madison grinned pulling Noah through the crowd.

"Hey Miley!" She heard a familiar voice say from behind her.

"Demi!" she smiled turning to hug her friend.

Demi had been going through a rough time recently, she'd even been to rehab. Miley knew she needed her friends right now. So putting her own problems on hold, she put on a brave face, "How've you been?"

"I'm great. Just happy to be home. Thanks for ask-, Oh crap" Miley followed Demi's eye line and felt her heart drop.

No. Not right now. This is all I need, Miley thought to herself. I can't deal with this. Not today. Why couldn't she stop staring. Stop looking, she told herself. Get out of here. Grab Noah and leave.

"Miley, Are you ok? Miley" She could hear Demi talking to her. She could feel her putting her hand on her shoulder shaking her Trying to get her attention. But nothing could stop her from staring. It was almost as if she was in a trance. That's when he looked at her. Their gazes locked. His dark brown eyes found hers. Miley couldn't move all she good was watch his expression change, something flashed across his eyes but it was gone before she could tell what it was. Something unsaid passed between them there and then. Their eyes hadn't left each other, when the corners of his mouth tilted up. He was smiling at her. A thousand different emotions ran through Miley. Upset, anger, hurt, happiness. She couldn't tell how she was feeling. All she could do was try not to cry. But he was smiling at her for the first time in years, he was happy to see her. He broke away from the crowd and started walking toward her. Mileys world was spinning. She couldn't talk to him. She wouldn't know what to say.

"Hey, Miley" his voice was husky, warm, familiar.

"Hello," she heard herself reply "Nick".