10. Let's reveal the past
Nick was once again in his office. But he couldn't concentrate. He couldn't stop thinking about Miley and her secret past. He was a little scared if he was honest. She made it sound so bad. He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. He was a little frustrated, but he really didn't want to pressure her into telling him things she was obviously uncomfortable with.
He looked up from his work when the door to his office opened. Larry strutted in, looking as satisfied as ever. But when he saw Nick he frowned.
"What's got your panties in a twist?" Nick shook his head and leaned back in his chair.
"You wouldn't know. Because neither do I." Larry was confused as he plopped down on the couch.
"Okay? Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?" Nick looked at Larry for a minute, and then he shook his head.
"What happened to you? Since when are you so… caring?" Larry chuckled.
"Oh, I'm not. But it's almost break and I know how you are when you are so… weird. Then you most likely won't get up because you're so upset over something that I either have to go alone or stay here with you. So just tell me what's wrong." Nick chuckled quietly. Then he sighed.
"It's Miley." Larry nodded.
"Oh, I get. You love her." Nick shook his head. Yeah, he liked her a lot, but he couldn't talk about love yet.
"That's first of all, not the problem and second of all I don't love her yet and if it were the problem, I'd just tell her." Larry nodded and shrugged.
"Whatever. What's the problem then?" Nick sighed again.
"She won't tell me about her past."
"Well, maybe she was a stripper." Nick glared at Larry. This guy was too much.
"No! She wasn't! She just won't tell me. I asked her about it and she said she'd tell me when she's ready. But she won't be ready in a really long time! I can already see us fighting over it! But not because she told me! It's because she won't tell me!" Larry shook his head.
"You are worrying too much. That girl is really attached to you! She's going to tell you sooner. Not later and you won't fight because you, my friend, are way too sensitive to even consider fighting which kind of insults me because you already thought about it!" Nick looked at Larry confused.
"Why does it insult you?" Larry shrugged.
"Well, I thought you were better than that." Nick sighed and rolled his eyes. He looked at his watch. It was break already. He was hungry but he was still not really in the mood to go eat. But then, he looked at Larry. He had an idea.
"Do you remember Demi? Miley's best friend?" Larry nodded confused.
"How about I meet up with Miley for lunch and you can eat with Demi. You can even work your matchmaking skills on her… if she wants you too!" Larry's face lit up when Nick mentioned Larry's matchmaking skills.
"Oh, count me in! She looked like she needed a boyfriend!" Nick laughed as he dialed Miley's number. Larry was already mumbling to himself, looking through the list of friends he had that were single and would fit with Demi. Then he smirked. He found one.
Nick held the phone to his ear, actually anxious. He really wanted to hear Miley's voice. Oh, he was a goner as soon as he saw her. He melted when he heard her voice for the first time and his heart pounded only thinking about her. So calling her was a big deal to him. But as soon as he heard her voice he relaxed.
"Hello?" Nick smiled. There was that voice again.
"Hey, it's me. Nick…" Miley giggled. Nick's heart fluttered.
"I know, honey. I mean, I have caller-ID and you're my boyfriend, I know your voice." Nick chuckled.
"Yeah, well, I have a proposal…" Miley gasped.
"Nick! We've been dating for three days – I think, maybe even not that and you're already proposing to me?!" Nick laughed.
"No! I meant, I wanted to suggest something." Miley sighed relieved.
"Thank god, I was so close to having a heart attack." Nick frowned.
"Is the thought of marrying me so bad? I mean, not that I'm planning on asking you any time soon, just…" Miley was quiet for a few moments. He caught her off-guard.
"Uhm… well, it's not that bad. It's just… a tad bit early isn't it?" Nick chuckled.
"Yeah, I know. Anyway, back to my suggestion. It's lunch time and Larry and I are hungry."
"Okay, why do I need to know?"
"Let me finish!"
"Oh, sorry. Go on." Nick sighed.
"Well, but I don't want to eat lunch with Larry today." He waited for Miley to say something and Miley waited for him to continue.
"Well, aren't you going to say something?" Miley snapped out of it and nodded. Then she remembered that he couldn't see her.
"Well, what should I say? I thought I shouldn't interrupt you?" Nick chuckled.
"Well, my plan was that we could meet up. Without Larry."
"What about Larry. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to eat alone."
"That's where Demi comes into action." Miley nodded confused.
"Go on."
"Well, Larry had an idea. Or, a match for Demi."
"A match for what?" Nick sighed.
"Well, you see, the problem with Larry is that he thinks he is the perfect matchmaker. He claims that we're together because of him. Anyway, he thinks he got the perfect match for Demi. That is, if she is single." Miley giggled.
"Yeah, she is. But I don't know if she would like to date Larry. I mean, he has a girlfriend…" Nick laughed.
"No, no! Not Larry himself. I wouldn't offer if it were him." Larry glared at Nick. He smirked in his direction and turned around.
"So, you up for it?" Miley smiled to herself. But she wanted to play with him a little bit. So she sighed playfully.
"I don't know. I'm not really hungry." Nick's smile fell a bit. He was looking forward to meeting up with her.
"Well, you-you don't have to come, I mean…" Miley sighed again even though she wanted to giggle.
"Nick, it's not that I don't want to, it's just…" Then she smirked. Best idea ever.
"It's just I'm meeting up with someone." Nick's heart stopped beating, it literally stopped. Who was she meeting? Was it a girl, or a boy? A boy? Was she cheating on him? He didn't want to sound clingy though, so he chuckled nervously.
"Oh, uhm, who-who are you m-meeting?" Miley found it way too funny to keep going with this joke, so she burst out laughing. Nick was confused when Miley started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Miley giggled.
"Well, I'm not really meeting up with someone besides you." Nick was relieved. But he was still confused.
"When are you meeting me?" Miley laughed again.
"Well, I was planning on in five minutes with Demi, but we can meet up later too?" Nick smiled again.
"No, no! We'll meet you in five minutes at Patty's." Miley agreed and hung up the phone. Nick sighed happily and leaned back in his chair once again.
"Yo! What'd she say?" Nick turned around with his chair and grinned.
"Yes, of course! We're meeting them in five minutes." Larry nodded. They sat there and looked around for a moment. Then they turned to look at each other. When they caught the others eye they jumped up and made a run for the door.
"Are we late? I hope we're not! I promised her in five minutes, we are so late, aren't we?" Larry chuckled and shook his head.
"Dude, you are so whipped and we are so not late." Nick blushed a bit. They entered Patty's, both grinning. Larry was hungry, that's why he was so happy. Why Nick was happy is out of question, we all know why. They looked around the restaurant to see if the girls were there already. They weren't so Nick let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Let's find a seat." They walked to a booth at the far end of the restaurant. Even though they knew it wasn't smart because neither Miley nor Demi would be able to see them. But it was quiet back there and they needed some sort of silence and peace.
"So, dude, what're you planning with your girl?" Nick shrugged.
"I don't know. I just want to talk to her." The truth was he wanted to ask her about her past again. Maybe she'd just tell him. Go for it and trust him enough to tell him. Larry nodded.
"Ah, that's nice. Pamela and I used to be like that. But those days are over." Nick looked at him confused.
"Why?" Larry shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess it comes with the years you've been together. You kind of know the other person so much that there is no excitement when you get to see them again. And we live together too so I see her every day. It's not like I don't love her, 'cause I do. But the first phase of being in love and being the new couple… it kind of goes away and you get annoyed with the other person after some time." Nick frowned. Larry seemed actually kind of sad about it. And Nick really didn't want to end up with Miley like that.
"But it doesn't have to be that way." Larry looked at him confused.
"Of course it does." Nick shook his head.
"No. You can still be that happy and lovesick couple you used to be. You can still buy her flowers every time you come home. You can cook for her. Just because you live together doesn't have to change everything. I think maybe you just… maybe you're just not that in love with Pamela anymore." Larry shook his head.
"What are you talking about? I plan on asking her to marry me! Of course, we're not that excited to see each other anymore, but I still love her and I'm still in love with her… the excitement just goes away." Nick remembered back to when Larry told him that he wanted to ask Pamela to marry him. He seemed excited.
"You can still be excited! You know, she's not pregnant and you don't have kids. You can do anything you want. You're still young too." Larry nodded and then he smiled.
"I think you failed your job." Nick looked at Larry confused.
"Why?"
"Well, you're way better in counseling than you are at being a model agent." Nick laughed as did Larry.
"Having fun without us, I see?" Nick turned around when he heard that voice. When he saw Miley he got up and hugged her. She hugged him back and kissed his cheek before she pulled back.
"Hey Larry!" Larry nodded at her and Demi. Demi just smiled at Nick and Larry tiredly and sat down. Nick looked at Miley confused.
"What's wrong with her?" Miley giggled.
"Well, to get her to come here I had to wake her up. She's still tired." Nick chuckled.
"Why are you sitting at the far back of the restaurant?" Miley wanted to sit down, but Nick her up again and to another table. Miley looked at him confused.
"To get some privacy." Miley rolled her eyes.
"Hey, no funny business!" Nick laughed as she pointed at him. He helped her sit down then he sat down himself.
"I can't promise you that." Miley giggled.
"Well, why do you need privacy then?" Nick sighed.
"Because we're going to talk and this talk may get a little serious." Miley frowned. She knew what he wanted to talk about and it's not like she didn't trust him or anything. But her past was something that was embarrassing to her and it's definitely nothing you would brag about. Miley knew she wouldn't. No one would and she knew that. She also knew that Nick wouldn't feel anything different for her – whatever he was feeling at the moment – she just… she was just really embarrassed about it. But other than that, she knew that she was ready to tell him. She was ready to tell Nick all about it. But, she wasn't ready for the seriousness that talk would bring.
"Can't we like, laugh at everything I say?" Nick chuckled.
"You can if you want, but I'm afraid that you might not find it so funny what we're going to talk about." Miley sighed.
"You got that right." The waitress came and they ordered there food.
"So, before we get to the serious talk, let's talk about something else. Like, what did you do today?" Nick shrugged.
"Well, what did I do? I mostly missed you and then I talked to Larry a bit because he seemed pretty down and then I missed you again." Miley smiled.
"Aw, you're so cute when you're sucking up to me because you know I'm pretty angry at you for making me tell you." Nick shrugged, even though he felt a little bit guilty because he made her tell him.
"Well, I know what I have to do, don't I?" Miley smiled and nodded.
"But, why was Larry down? He doesn't seem like a 'down-person'." Nick chuckled at Miley's choice of words. Then he sighed.
"He noticed how happy I was about meeting up with you and he said him Pamela used to be like that but not anymore. So I asked him why and what happened and he just said that the excitement of meeting up with the other just goes away after years of being together." Miley frowned a little, feeling sympathy for Larry.
"That's bad, I guess." Nick chuckled.
"You can say that again." Then he grabbed her hand.
"I just want you to know that it doesn't matter how long we're going to be together. I don't want that to happen to us. That we're suddenly not excited to see each other anymore." Miley blushed a little under Nick's intense stare but she nodded.
"Yeah, I don't want that to happen either." Then the waitress came and ruined their moment. They ate in silence. Miley started thinking about everything. Just, everything. About telling Nick, about Larry's relationship with Pamela who she didn't even know but assumed was nice. And about being with Nick at all. She really loved being with Nick. He made her feel things she hasn't felt in a long time. Now, she wasn't talking about love. But just the feeling of being appreciated by other than her friends made her feel on top of the world. It had something to do with her past as well.
Nick couldn't concentrate while eating. He just stared at Miley while he chewed his food. She seemed deep in thought. He wasn't. He knew what he wanted and that was her and a really great future together. He smiled when Miley finished.
"Well, that was delicious." Nick chuckled and pushed his plate a little forward, signaling that he was done himself. They both sighed. Time for the serious talk. Nick leaned forward and grabbed Miley's hands. Miley leaned forward too. She knew what was about to come and more than happy that Nick grabbed her hands, because they were shaking.
"Look, Miley, I don't want to pressure you into anything. I just think that I should know whatever is bugging you about your past. And with you being so secretive about it I just assumed that it is something big. And I know that you don't mean to make me so anxious about it, but I am. So, if you're ready then just tell me." Miley nodded and closed her eyes. Then she opened them and stared into Nick's eyes and all she could see was appreciation and a hint of love. She knew that he didn't love her yet, but she also knew that he felt something strong for her.
"Okay, I'm ready." Nick let out a shaky breath and nodded. This had to be something big.
"Well, I guess I should start with my mom's death. She died when I was ten. My dad was really heartbroken and so was I. But he couldn't get over it, so he just left. I was ten and alone at home and vulnerable. No one lived with me and I only had four friends who I still have. People didn't care about me at all. I felt like an orphan. And believe me, that feeling isn't so great. So, I had no money of course. My grandparents didn't know that I was alone yet and so I couldn't get any new clothes or anything. Kids in school made fun of me because I had nothing. No parents, almost no friends and no money so no clothes." Miley stopped talking for a minute. Nick looked at her sympathetically. She sighed and continued.
"In Middle School, it was all okay I guess. Kids just laughed at me for wearing old clothes but I got over it. But then, High School came and my grandparents finally realized that I was alone. They started sending me money, but it wasn't enough to survive. I was pretty much a loner; didn't talk to anyone and got bullied too. Uhm, I guess it started in sophomore year. I started working at a bar. It wasn't an adult bar, just a club. I was a bartender but some guys saw me as a chick they could mess with. I went to my boss and made sure that they wouldn't bother me. And they stopped, but then after a few months I was walking home from work and suddenly those guys who bothered me at the bar caught me walking home. They grabbed me and pulled me into a lane and… They just… they raped me." Miley let one tear fall. But she was far from done with this story. Nick wiped the tear away quickly.
"I got home after that and felt terrible. I showered quite a few times, but it just wouldn't go away. It all made it worse when I remembered what I promised my mom. I promised her I'd wait for the right guy and I couldn't anymore. My mom always told me that I should treasure my virginity because it is the greatest gift you could give to the man you love. And they just took it. I felt so bad about it. And then the kids at school seemed to have heard about me being raped and they just made fun of me even more and called me a few names. Like slut or whore. I felt even worse and started cutting myself. And then, I couldn't stop working at the bar because I needed that stupid money to go to college. Teachers told me that I should go to college because I was so smart. And I wanted to go to college but I guess life was smarter than me. Yeah, I didn't stop working at the bar and those guys raped me again and again. I never went to the police. Once I felt so bad I just cut myself really deep. But it was too deep so I fell unconscious. Lucky for me that I still had my best friends with me and that I wanted to meet up with them. Because they found me and brought me to the hospital. That day the doctors found out that I was raped several times. My friends didn't know. They were shocked and asked me who it was and when it happened. And of course I had to tell them then. The guys from the bar got arrested. But my High School life was pretty much over. At college I was a loner once again because no one seemed to like me. I never had a boyfriend. I never saw my father again. Every time one of my friends asked me how I was, I always said that I was fine. But even now, my honest answer would be that I don't even know. I don't know if I am fine. I don't know if I am ever going to be fine. All I know is that I have a horrible past and that I am glad that I met you because you make my life a little bit better." Nick looked at Miley shocked. That was her past? She got raped? His Miley got raped?! She was at the hospital? She cut herself? Miley swallowed and looked down. She knew this was going to happen. Somewhere, deep down, she knew that he would feel that way.
"And now you hate me. Great. Well, it was nice to know you." Miley wanted to get up, but before she could even stand up completely, Nick was at her side, sitting down next to her, pulling her in his lap and stroking her hair. It all happened so fast, she didn't even see it coming. Nick felt a lot of things at the moment, but he certainly didn't hate Miley.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I am so sorry… And I don't hate you at all. If anything, I appreciate you even more. Because you always smile, whatever you are doing. I think you are really brave." Miley sniffled. She didn't want him apologizing! But he was so sweet. She started crying. Nick just stroked her back. He knew that was what she needed and he'd give it to her.
After a few minutes Miley calmed down and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.
"Sorry, I guess I was being a little dramatic." Nick shook his head.
"No, you were not. You had a right to be dramatic. I'm glad you told me." Miley smiled at him.
"I'm glad you understand." Nick smiled back.
"Well, why wouldn't I? You're my girlfriend and this is what happened to you in your past. Nothing was your fault and you would change if you could." Miley nodded and hugged Nick tight before she let go.
"Do you think you could maybe take the rest of the day off from work and come home with me? I kind of need something to snuggle up to." Nick chuckled and nodded.
"I see what I can do." Miley smiled and nodded. Nick waved the waitress over and paid for their food. Then they walked back to Demi and Larry. Larry was talking happily to Demi. Demi just listened and nodded every now and then.
"And so I thought, hey! I could totally set her up with him!" Demi nodded, though she didn't seem that much into the idea.
"Yeah, let's do it." Larry nodded enthusiastically. He wanted nothing more but get her with a friend of his together. Miley laughed when she saw how uncomfortable Demi was. Demi looked up at Miley and sighed relieved.
"Oh, you're ready. Thank god, because I can hear once again the mall calling." Miley shook her head.
"No, sorry Demi, but I really want to go home and lay down for a bit." Miley nudged Nick.
"Oh yeah, hey dude, do you think I could take the rest of the day off? Miley isn't feeling so well and I don't have any appointments anyway." Larry shrugged.
"I think you can. Just call big boss. He likes you, you'll get the day off." Nick smiled and started dialing his boss' number.
Meanwhile Miley sat down next to Demi.
"So, what did you two talk about?" Demi glared at Miley. Larry seemed to like that question.
"Well, you see, I have this friend of mine, Nick knows him too, and he is so single. And I think he would like Demi really much. So I thought, hey! I could totally set him up with her!" Miley laughed. Demi looked at her again.
"Hey, what were you two talking about? You seem kind of tense." Miley sighed and looked at Demi.
"It's about the thing that I don't like talking about." Demi looked at Miley confused for a bit until she understood.
"Oh, yeah right. Oh, you told him. Well, good for you." Miley smiled and looked at Nick, who was still on the phone. He waved at her and smiled himself when he saw her smiling at him.
"It is good." Larry smirked.
"And it was all my work. I got to tell you, you and my friend are going to love each other. You just got to meet up with him." Miley giggled quietly while Demi nodded uncomfortably. Nick came back to the table.
"Well, I got the day off. Boss said that I was good enough anyway and I did enough work for today. I could even take tomorrow off. I told him that we'll see." He winked at Miley who got up and hugged Nick around the waist.
"Well, let's go." Nick nodded. They said goodbye to Larry and Demi. Demi seemed really frustrated when Miley and Nick left and Miley couldn't help but laugh to herself. Nick looked at her.
"What are you laughing at?" Miley shrugged.
"Demi didn't seem too happy about Larry setting her up with your friend." Nick chuckled. They got in Miley's car and drove off to her house. They held hands the entire ride. Now that Miley's past was revealed it seemed like nothing could harm them. It seemed like they knew each other forever even though it was just two weeks. And both of them certainly started feelings more towards each other than they were before. It also seemed that everything was fine. And it was, at the moment. But what they didn't know is that soon everything would change.
Okay, so I am sick today and have been for the last three days. Nothing too major, just the usual health problems. Nothing to worry about.
Anyways, now you know Miley's bad past. But the drama is still to come. There's the wedding of his friend waiting and Nick has to ask Miley to come with him first.
In the next chapter I'll just write about the afternoon they spend together and maybe the next day? Not sure yet.
Well, hope you liked it and review! I love reading your reviews, whatever they say. So go on and just do it. It's pretty simple. Even I can do it. Just click the green button and write what you think. Now, go to work and do it!
Kidding ;) But seriously, just do it.