NOBODY'S HOME

Chapter 3: No place to go

She wants to go home,
But nobody's home
It's where she lies,
Broken inside
With no place to go,
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside

NO ONE'S POV

It was four in the afternoon the next day. Nick was on his way to a meeting with his old friends, so he stopped by a special cake store in town to buy dessert. He parked his car, went inside the store, bought lemon bars, and left immediately. He was already late for the meeting, but he still insisted on stopping by to buy some sweets. He was on his way back to his car when he passed by a small alley and saw a familiar brunette out of the corner of his eye. She was curled up, sitting against the wall helplessly. She looked in pain as she had her arms wrapped around her belly. Her face was somewhat hidden by her layers of hair, but he recognized her. He knew it was Miley.

"Miley?" he called softly as he approached her confusedly.

Why would she be here? he thought. She had told him she would be spending the rest of the week at Maryland.

Miley looked up towards the person who called her name. When realization hit her, she got up and reached for her backpack, ready to run away.

"Miley, wait!" Nick yelled as he ran closer to her.

"Leave me alone." She was struggling on her feet. She looked like she was limping.

Running wasn't really an option for her. Her body was killing her. Pain coursed all over her body as she struggled to get away from Nick.

"I want to help you!" He was able to reach her. He touched her arm gently and she flinched at the contact.

She felt so cold even though she was wearing her jacket already. Her backpack was heavy, and her legs shook lightly and gave up on her.

He dropped the items he was holding, before he wrapped his arms around her in attempt to help her up.

"Stop! Don't touch me!" She was terrified he had to see her like this. She wanted to break free from his arms, but she was too weak to protest.

His eyes stayed focus on her. He could see that she was in pain. He didn't know why, but he wanted to help her. He couldn't just leave her alone in this unsafe place.

"Hey, I won't hurt you. Just let me help. We don't have to talk about it. Just let me drive you home," he told her softly.

Home, she thought.

"Please?" he said, trying to convince her.

She looked in his eyes and all she saw was pure sincerity. She slightly shook in his arms. She was feeling cold and it wasn't even that cold outside. Her body was getting weaker, ready to give up on her anytime. She thought it would be the end of her life; until Nick came along unexpectedly. She couldn't reject an opportunity like this, so she nodded her head even though she still felt unsure.

Nick supported her with one arm as he wore her backpack. He picked the paper bag of the food he bought, before he scooped up Miley in his arms bridal style. He walked to his car and he got her inside it before he ran around to sit on the driver's seat. He drove out of parking and headed to the street he dropped-off Miley after their first meeting. It was a thirty-minute drive, and they were awkwardly quiet in the car but Nick promised not to talk about it. He was worried for her, but he didn't want her to push him away, so he had to keep quiet.

"Tell me where your house is." They were already on the street and Nick realized he didn't know where exactly her house was.

She kept quiet as she hugged herself. She didn't want him to know.

"Is it on another street? It's okay," he assumed.

"Don't take me home, please." She said it in a whisper. She tried her best to avoid telling him, but she couldn't take it.

He parked the car at the side of the street and looked at her direction. All he saw was how hurt and broken she was. He wanted to help.

"Tell me what's wrong," he said worriedly.

Miley looked down on her hands shyly. She didn't want to let him know yet.

"I've got nowhere else to go. I don't know what to do anymore." She was crying at the moment. She didn't want him to know, but she didn't have a choice.

"Did you run away again?" He was sure that she ran away again, and he was willing to talk to her parents and defend her. "I'll talk to your parents, it'll be alright."

Her eyes widened in surprise. She lifted her head up and he saw the terror in her eyes and tears streaming down her face.

"Please don't... I don't want to go back," she said dreadfully.

Tears stained her powdered cheeks and it revealed something to his sight.

"Wait..." He reached for something on his glove compartment and got himself a piece of wet tissue.

Miley got so confused at that moment, but not until she felt him wipe something on the corner of her mouth. She felt pain as he did, and that was when she realized what was happening.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, staring at a bruise she tried to cover with make-up. He was sure the bruise was new. "Did someone from your house hit you?" he asked.

She didn't say anything. She just looked down to her hands and cried more. He felt a bit scared for her. The thought of someone hurting Miley, made him feel sick to his stomach.

"Take me with you." It was just a whisper, but he heard it. It was a very simple plea, and she sounded totally shy. He would do anything to get her out of this place right now in a heartbeat.

"Shhh, it's okay. I'll take you home with me." He caressed the side of her face gently, and she felt somewhat happy that she told him. Well, she didn't tell him exactly. Nick figured it out himself, and Miley haven't told him everything yet. "You're gonna be okay."

He squeezed her hand gently before moving his attention to the road, so he could take her home.

They arrived at his apartment in less than half an hour. He helped her out and carried her bridal style towards the house while blush rose to Miley's cheeks.

"You can stay here as long as you want." He set her down on the couch and she sat up carefully.

"Nick, that's too much," she said, feeling so shy.

He sat down beside her and held her hands softly. "I can't let you sleep on the streets. I won't let you go back to your house either. They are hurting you there. I don't want you to get hurt."

Miley smiled in happiness. She finally found someone who wanted to take her in his home. She felt nothing but gratefulness for everything he offered to her.

"Are you hungry?" he asked nicely.

She smiled and nodded her head shyly. The truth is, her stomach was grumbling and she wanted to eat so badly.

"Just stay here and lie down while I get your food."

She agreed and watched him walk inside the kitchen. Her body has gotten so weak due to her hungriness and her bruises; it was torturing her and she just wanted to scream. She looked around the living room and gazed at the picture frames placed on the shelves. She wanted to look at them closely but she was too tired to move.

"When have you last eaten?" he asked as he walked back in the living room holding a plate and a glass of water.

"I was able to eat dinner yesterday." She blushed in embarrassment. Her dinner was only a sandwich and she had to beg to get it.

"What about today?" he sat beside her and he handed her the glass of water as she sat up carefully.

"I haven't eaten," she said timidly.

"You're lucky because I made chicken noodle soup this morning." He then noticed that her hand was slightly shaking. She might drop the glass of water if he wouldn't hold it for her. He quickly grabbed the glass and placed it on the coffee table. "You need to eat. You're getting weaker."

He fed her, and Miley's stomach felt relieved.

"You're an amazing cook!" she said as she emptied the bowl of soup he was holding.

He chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

"I think you really need to rest." He laughed lightly as he sat the bowl down on the coffee table. "Do you want to get in the tub? I could prepare you a warm bath. It will soothe your bruises if you still have more." He was sure she has bruises on some parts of her body.

"Yeah, I would like that." She smiled at him warmly.

Nick said something about getting the tub ready, so he let Miley in the living room for a while. He came back after a couple of minutes and he carried her towards the bathroom in the guestroom. He sat her on the chair inside, before he turned off the faucet.

"There, it's warm. Do you need help in anything?" he said as he approached her. "Let me take off your jacket," he offered before she could even answer his first question.

"No," she immediately replied. She was ashamed of the bruises covering her body, and she didn't want him to see them.

"It's okay, sweetie. It's just me." He was being so sweet to her. How could she reject his help? She gave out a sigh as she nodded her head, giving him permission.

He carefully pulled off her jacket, and it revealed a couple of bruises on her arms.

"These bruises are bad," he said as he inspected it with his eyes.

"Don't touch it." Fear was evident in her voice. It hurts when someone touches them.

"I won't." He smiled at her so her worries would go away.

"W-would you help me with my clothes?" She couldn't get off of her clothes by herself. A blush crept to her cheeks and she bit her lower lip in embarrassment.

"Okay, then." He already saw her naked the first time he found her, so it wasn't a big deal to him.

He helped her strip off her clothes until her bra and underwear were the things that were left. He saw more bruises and he tried his best not to let a tear fall from his eyes. The person who did this to her was so cruel.

"They are so many." He sighed at the sight of her bruise-covered body. "Who did this to you?" he asked, but she stayed silent, biting her lower lip. "Whoever it is, they wouldn't hurt you anymore." He smiled at her comfortingly. He wanted her to feel safe with him. He dropped the topic, knowing she wasn't ready to tell him yet. "Still need help?" he confirmed, referring to her last two clothing.

"I should leave my underwear on. But would you help me with my bra, please?" she asked shyly.

He went to her back so he wouldn't see much of her chest, and he gingerly unhooked her bra. She quickly covered her chest with her arms in embarrassment. He picked her up and slowly placed her in the tub. She squirmed at the feeling of the hot water against her skin, but she soon relaxed.

"I'll just clean the room a bit, and put some bed sheets," he said as he got up.

"Nick?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but he heard it anyway.

"Yeah?" He turned around and looked back at her.

"I get scared when I'm alone," she confessed shyly. "Could you leave the door open so I could see you?"

"Sure." He smiled and turned around towards the door. He left it open as he prepared some stuff for the room.

The day passed by just fine. Nick gave Miley some painkillers, so her body didn't feel much pain like before. Tears streamed down from her eyes as she stared at the ceiling of Nick's guest room. She wasn't crying because of sadness or pain; she was crying because she felt so lucky to have someone who wanted to help her. She was thankful that Nick found her that morning. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be lying in a comfortable bed, wearing clean clothes, and staying safe in a very nice house. He took good care of her as if they have been friends for so long.

The door creaked open and Miley quickly wiped her tears in realization that Nick was checking on her.

"Hey, are you crying?" He sounded worried as he walked in the room and approached her.

She sat up slowly and chuckled lightly at her over-dramatic self.

"I'm just happy I found a person like you." She wiped more of her tears, and he did the same to her as he let out a chuckle.

"Can we be friends?" He asked timidly.

"Of course! I never had a good friend for a long time." She didn't even realize she dropped hints again. "I'm not ready to talk about it," she said, pertaining to the explanation of everything that happened to her.

"It's okay. You don't need to tell me if you are not comfortable. But I will always be here in case you need someone to talk to."

She nodded and smiled at him. How did I get so lucky? she thought.

"Do you want to come to the living room? We could watch TV or something; only if you're feeling better."

She nodded her head in approval, and she got up from the bed. She could stand and walk a bit better than before. The warm bath and painkillers really helped.

"Come on," he said, smiling as he wrapped an arm around her waist to help her walk towards the living room.

It was eight in the evening and Miley felt sleepy already. She and Nick were sitting in the couch, just watching a show he liked. Just a few more minutes and Miley was out like a light. She wasn't able to sleep at all last night because of the shooting pain she was feeling, but now that she was sheltered, she figured she could catch some needed sleep. Nick immediately noticed she was already asleep, so he carefully carried her towards the guest's room. He lay her down on the bed gently, careful not to hurt or wake her. He stayed there beside her for a while and watched her sleep, before he went back to the living room to finish watching his favorite show.

Miley woke up the next day feeling refreshed and relieved than the past days. She was still trying to get used to her new surroundings, so she felt a bit disorientated when she opened her eyes. When she finally remembered how she got there, she smiled in delight that she was safe in the care of Nick. She swore she would forever thank him for taking her in his wonderful home.

"How was your sleep?" A voice startled her a bit. She looked over to the direction where the voice came out, and she saw Nick by the door of the room.

"It was fine." She smiled and greeted him good morning. He greeted back as she slowly sat up on her bed.

He walked inside and felt her forehead for a fever. She looked fine, so he smiled.

"I'm going to cook some breakfast. Would you be ok here?" he asked nicely.

"No, I'll come with you." She immediately got off from bed and wore her slippers. "I'll wash my face and brush my teeth first." She made her way to the bathroom and did whatever she had to do.

Breakfast was nice. Miley helped him prepare the food. She thought it would be one of the good ways to thank him for taking care of her.

"I'm ready," she blurted out when they were finished eating their breakfast. Her voice was soft but tough, letting him know that she was serious about it.

"Ready for what?" He was totally confused. It was very random.

"To talk." She looked him in the eyes and she felt so comfortable to tell him. She knew she could trust him with everything she would tell him.

He smiled lightly and nodded. He was happy that she was ready to confide in him.

"Okay then. I'll make some coffee and we would talk in the living room."

AN: THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR REVIEWS =) IF YOU'RE READING THIS RIGHT NOW, PLEASEEEEE SEND ME A REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER. TELL ME IF IT'S BORING OR SOMETHING. HAHA. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW YOUR FEEDBACKS. THANK YOU!

Julia – I just realized I don't have a name for the guy yet. Hahahaha Thanks, btw.

beauty0102, MissQueenyB, NickJisoffmychain2828 –Thank you, guys! =)

CyrusObsessed – I LOVE SELENA! 3 hahaha Idk why I made her Nick's dead sister. Lol. Hahahaha Thank you!

Simar – Miley would be staying with Nick, so MORE NILEY SCENES to come! xD Thank you!

THANKS TO MY READERS AND REVIEWERS! I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT A LOT! =)

OT: I'm super obsessed with Delta Goodrem's songs. HAHAHA

xonileylooover