"I'd love to make you mine 'cause it's the only way to hold you in my wild imagination."
A Million Miles Away by Nikki Gil

Alex paced around her house, emotions attacking her mind. She didn't know what to feel, and she definitely didn't enjoy feeling them all at once. Alex felt like she was going insane and that she would need to go to a mental institution after all of this is done. She groaned, dropping herself lazily onto her bed. She finally figured out what to feel first.

Guilt.

This was, after all, Miley's boyfriend she's crushing over. Miley, as in her best friend since first grade. Alex couldn't betray her friendship over a crush. Not only is that stupid, but it's also not worth it. Alex sighed, facing towards her window to see the moon's remaining light. She closed her eyes, thinking about her situation. Was Nate really worth it? Was losing Miley really worth it?

Alex jumped, feeling her cell phone buzz from her back pocket. She reluctantly grabbed it and answered it with a bored hello. "Oh, my god! Alex, you have no idea what I've lost! I've tried calling you for the past, like, hundred years! Why didn't you answer your phone?!" Miley demanded, sounding more worried than usual. Alex looked at her phone, realizing that Miley called her seventeen times. Nate must of distracted her… "Alex?" Miley called. Alex snapped out of her thoughts.

"Yeah? What?" she answered, sounding lost. Miley sighed.

"I lost my mom's necklace." Miley whispered, sounding like she was going to cry. Alex frowned.

"Aw, Miley, you didn't really lose it. It's in your room, it's still there. You must of just misplaced it or something. You didn't lose the necklace, trust me. I'll even help you look for it tomorrow when I come over. First thing in the morning…well actually maybe it's the afternoon because only God knows what time I'll wake up tomorrow." Alex said.

"I just feel really bad, Alex. I mean, Nate has been ignoring my calls all night. I'd understand if you don't pick up the phone because you get distracted really easily, but for Nate, I mean, he's never really ignored me like this. I called him repeatedly for two hours straight and he won't pick up the phone. During the second hour, he turned his phone off since I would just go straight to his voicemail. To make things worse, my mom's necklace is missing. Did I do something wrong?" Alex bit her lip as she felt her stomach twist into a knot.

"Maybe Nate is just going through something…confusing at the moment." Alex said, though she, herself, knew well enough that she wasn't talking enough Nate. Miley was silent on the other line. Alex looked at her cell phone, wondering if Miley hung up. She put it back to her ear and waited patiently for Miley to say something.

"Okay, who the hell is this because this isn't Alex Russo. Alex would never side on Nate with anything. I would expect you to say things like, 'oh, he's just being retarded and forgot how to use a cell phone', or 'he's just a natural ass', or something insulting towards him!" Miley said, sounding like she was laughing. Alex laughed weakly along with her, glad to hear that she was sounding happier.

"Nate could just go to hell for all I care. I'm sorry that he's not answering your phone calls or calling you back. He's a freaking retard. " Alex said, trying to sound obnoxious and laidback as she always does. She felt relieved, knowing that Miley bought it, since she was laughing again. "Well anyways, I gotta go. I'll be at your house in the morning, Miles. And don't worry, we'll find your necklace." Alex said, faking a yawn.

"Okay then. Bye." Miley said, and the two girls hung up.

Alex closed her cell phone and stared at it. She frowned as her fingers fidgeted with the screen and sides. She flipped it open again and scrolled down her list until it landed on the letter N. She almost flinched as she read Nate's name on her cell phone screen. To her surprise, her cell phone started buzzing again, but this time it was Nate who was calling her. She mentally screamed at herself, knowing that she got jinxed. Alex watched her cell phone as Nate's name kept on bouncing around her screen. She questioned herself, wondering if she should pick it up or not. She blinked at the blue screen, trying her best not to cry over something as trivial as this.

Alex hesitated then answered the call. She opened her mouth to speak, but she just couldn't find the right words to say. Her mouth hung open quietly as the silence passed between the two. "Hello?" Nate finally asked. "Alex, are you there?" he questioned in a low whisper.

"Yeah." Alex said, her voice ended up sounding like a squeak. She cleared her throat, embarrassed. "What do you want?" she asked. The two were quiet again, just listening to the ticking noises from the clock. Nate could practically hear Alex's heart beat quickly from the other line; he could feel her tension.

"It's just…about that thing that happened…" he started. Alex felt her spirits lighten up a little. She straightened up as bright conclusions hopped around her mind. Was he going to say that he wanted her too? Was he going to say that he's fallen for her as well? Was he going to say that he'd break up with Miley for her? "Can we not ever speak about it? Pretend that it never happened? And especially to never mention it to Miley?" Nate asked - more like begged. Alex sunk down into her bed and frowned. She suffocated her pillow, feeling crushed.

"Yeah, I mean, it was on accident right? I practically barfed once you left. Ew, I can't believe our lips touched!" Alex complained, trying her best to sound alright. She felt Nate roll his eyes on the other line. "And don't worry, I won't tell Miley. But I suggest that you call her. She really wants to talk to you." Alex forced out. Nate sighed.

"I had a feeling that she would call you about that. It's not that I'm ignoring her on purpose, I just feel really guilty right now."

"Why would you feel guilty? It was on accident." Alex answered in her famous obnoxious voice. Nate didn't reply; he just kept completely hushed. A small smile formed on Alex's face. "Why would you feel guilty, Nate?" Alex asked, feeling devious and giddy at the same time.

"You're right. I should call Miley now. I guess I'll…see you around." Nate quickly said, completely ignoring Alex's question. He immediately hung up without saying a goodbye. Alex smirked and closed her cell phone. So Nate did have feelings for her as well. That kiss they shared wasn't a moment of weakness. It was something more, and they both knew that.

Alex looked at herself at her mirror. She frowned as she looked at all of the pictures of her and Miley placed around the edges of her mirror. She picked one up that had a picture of her on Miley's right and Nate on her left. It was taken during Miley's fifteenth birthday. Alex never knew why she even placed that picture there since Nate was in it. She rolled her eyes at herself, realizing that the only reason why she even put it there was because she thought that she looked hot.

Alex studied the picture. Nate's arm was wrapped around Miley's waist, Alex was hugging Miley's torso, and Miley had her arms wrapped around Alex and Nate's shoulders. Miley's best friend and her boyfriend. Alex couldn't ruin that happy picture. If she does, maybe a year later it'll be Miley's backstabbing ex-best friend and her cheating ex-boyfriend. Alex literally dropped the picture just thinking about it.

Was losing Miley worth it? No.

Alex walked back to her bed and leaned against her pink fuzzy wall. She glanced back at the picture, looking at it from the corner of her eye. She looked at Nate's part of the picture. His adorable smile, his glistening eyes, his unique curly hair. Alex almost drooled at him. She shook her head, thinking that she didn't want to lose Miley. Really, what kind of girl would go from hating a guy whom she thought was the most repulsive thing she's ever laid her eyes on to crushing head-over-heels on him, thinking that he's God's gift to women? Alex tried to tell herself that she wasn't that kind of girl.

She looked back down at her cell phone and looked down her calls list. She felt shocked as butterflies swarmed inside of her once she stared at Nate's name. She silently groaned, throwing her cell phone across the bed.

Face it, you like Nate. You actually like-like him, and he might just like you back. You want Nate, you want Nate, you want Nate! she angrily thought. She shook her head again, trying to think of the opposite. To her dismay, she couldn't. She knew the truth and she can't deny it. She wanted Nate, and she wanted him badly. But could she at least ignore it?

OMJ

Alex felt fidgety and nervous as she stood in front of Miley's front door. She questioned her actions, feeling stupid. She's been to Miley's house at least a trillion times, why would today make a difference? Then again, she's never had a crush on her best friend's boyfriend before. Alex groaned, remembering.

She impatiently tapped her feet as she heard footsteps from the other side of the door. The door burst open, revealing a disheveled Miley. Alex raised her eyebrow. "Wow, you really want to have that necklace back." Alex said, stepping inside. She froze once she saw Nate sneaking out behind the backdoor. She felt her heart sink, knowing what Miley was really doing upstairs. She quickly turned back to Miley, pretending as if she didn't see anything. "So this necklace? We're going to find it." she mumbled, looking down at her shoes.

"Hey, are you okay? You randomly look sad now." Miley said, nudging Alex's arm. Alex shook her head no.

"I'm fine. Just…tired I guess." she lied, heading to Miley's room. Miley frowned, not buying it. She quickly trailed behind Alex, trying to know the real reason why she was down.

"No, don't say that you're tired. I know you, Alex." Miley said as the two entered her room. Alex looked around her room, having the biggest urge to run to a suicidal anonymous convention. Miley's perfect bed was all messed up, obviously from her and Nate. Though, that wasn't what made Alex feel worse. She's been in this exact room almost everyday of her life, and she's never noticed the hundreds of pictures of Miley and Nate, scattered around the walls. She felt like she was going to drop on the floor and start whining like a little girl about how much she hated the site of this. She felt like she was going to cry.

Alex couldn't stand Miley's perfect relationship with Nate. She couldn't stand how her best friend gets her crush. Alex was used to having what she wanted, and it wasn't her nature to let others get what she wanted. Alex felt like she was going to go berserk. She was giving Miley her Prince Charming for Christ's sake!

"Alex, are you okay?" Miley asked, even more worry in her voice. Alex blinked and glanced at Miley's vanity. She saw that her eyes were red. Alex quickly rubbed her eyes and scoffed.

"Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be okay? Is there a reason for me not to be okay? You know, let's just look for your necklace. I have to…err…do something later on today." Alex said in a panicky way. Alex turned around and didn't let Miley reply. She took a deep breath and started looking around the room, trying to find the necklace. She tried her very best to ignore all of the pictures of Miley and Nate. She almost bawled her eyes out at the process.

OMJ

An hour and a half passed by, and there were still no signs of the necklace. Alex and Miley were laying on the bed, resting. They were just staring up at the poster-filled ceiling, reminiscing the serene silence in the room. Though, Alex's mind was anything but serene. So many things were running inside of her. She wanted to force Miley to break up with Nate, she wanted to rip all of the pictures of Nate and Miley off of the walls, she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs in frustration. She couldn't though. She didn't think she was capable of doing any of those things - to Miley at least.

"Miles," Alex whispered, turning her head slightly at her. "How much do you…love Nate?" she asked. Miley smiled and looked down. Her cheeks turned red and she couldn't stop smiling.

"So much, it's not even funny. I love this boy so, so much, Alex. I don't think that we could ever break up. I can't even imagine it. When I'm with him, it's like I'm free, like I'm the most happiest person alive. I feel so down and depressed when he doesn't talk to me. Thank God that last night he finally called me back. He kept on saying sorry over and over for not picking up my calls. You were right, he was just going through some boy-phase thing for puberty. This morning he made it up to me though." Miley said, grinning giggly.

"Don't want to know." Alex said, giving Miley a disgusted look. Miley laughed, pushing Alex slightly. Alex forced a smile then turned the other direction. She sighed silently and frowned.

Why Nate? There's a million guys out there, but you just have to pick Nate to like? Really like? On the verge of love? as Alex thought of it, the more that she knew that she couldn't have Nate, the more that she wanted him. She couldn't stop thinking about him, and last night she had multiple dreams of Nate and her. When she was with Dean, things like this never happened to her. Yes, she was 'so in love' with Dean, but with Nate, it was like that statement was actually real.

"Why do you ask?" Miley wondered, not enjoying the awkward silence that just happened. Alex turned back to her, giving her a small smile. She folded her arms and merely shrugged.

"I'm just wondering." she answered. No, you just want to know what you're in for in the competition. You want to do better than Miley. You want to show Nate that you could love him better that she can, that you're the better choice of a girlfriend for him. she thought. Alex looked down, realizing how shallow and stuck up that thought was. "When do you think that I'll meet my Prince Charming?" Alex asked, quickly changing the subject.

Miley touched Alex's hand caringly and gave her a warm grin. "You'll find the right guy Alex. Just the way Nate and I found each other. Every girl finds her Prince Charming sooner or later. Maybe you'll just be later. I bet that when you grow up, you'll be happily married with your Prince Charming." Miley said. Alex looked away from Miley again, accidentally meeting her eyes with yet another picture of Nate and Miley. The happiness in their eyes just brought devastation and more guilt into Alex's mind. Alex looked away again. She raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, Alex, I think I found your necklace." she said in a bored voice. "Can I go now?"

OMJ

"Nate, I feel like there's something wrong. I mean Alex hasn't been acting normally for the past couple of days. It's like when I'm with you, she tries to avoid me at all costs, then when I'm not with you, she barely talks to me. I think she's mad at me." Miley said as she and Nate walked down the hallway.

"I don't think she's mad at you. Maybe she's just…" Nate couldn't find the word though. Confused? Though, that was what he was feeling. Every since he asked Miley Stewart out in their freshman year, he never thought twice about breaking up with her. It was like love at first sight for them. But after that once kiss between him and Alex made him thought otherwise. The girl who he hated is actually giving second thoughts about his girlfriend, Miley, the love of his life. Nate was definitely confused.

"Maybe she's just what?" Miley asked. Nate didn't answer. He just shrugged and the two kept on walking. "She's been acting like this ever since Friday night. On Saturday when she came over my house, it looked like she was about to cry. If something was wrong with her, she would tell me. I'm her best friend for god's sake! We tell each other everything! She's keeping a secret from me, I know it." Miley said.

She isn't the only one. Nate thought. He kept silent, nodding at whatever Miley said. Miley then halted to a stop. Nate froze once he saw the reason of their pause. Alex was standing right in front of them, looking out of it. Once she met eyes with Nate and Miley, she quickly turned the other direction and walked away. Miley sighed. "See, this is what I mean. She's completely ignoring me every time I'm with you. Look, when you're gone, she's going to talk to me, but she'll only use one word sentences!" Miley whined. "What do you think she's hiding from me?" Nate couldn't make eye-contact with her. He shrugged again.

"Look, I gotta go. I'll see you later, Miley." Nate said, kissing her cheek before walking away. Nate walked out of the school to the grass field in the back. He sat down underneath the tree and groaned. He knew that he still hated Alex. Though a feeling inside of him told him something else. He never knew that it was possible to hate and like someone at the same time. He hated her, but after Friday night, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her again, and talk to her, and share all of his secrets with her. He wanted Friday night to play again.

Nate knew that he wasn't the type of guy who would do that to his own girlfriend though. He loved Miley with all of his heart. Was it possible to love a girl and like another at the same time? Apparently it was. Nate knew that he couldn't do this to Miley though. He can't leave her just to try things out with Alex. With Miley, he knew that he'll still be living happily with her. With Alex, he knew that they wouldn't last long. So, Nate shook all of his remaining thoughts and feelings towards Alex. He loves Miley. He hates Alex. It's been like that since the beginning of time.

But could he actually do it?

OMJ

"Oh, I'm pretty sure that he has a huge crush on you, Alex! You should ask him out!" Miley said, pointing at the cute senior boy. Alex opened her mouth to speak, but she was cut off by the sound of someone scoffing.

"A guy having a crush on Alex Russo? Either he's blind, or he just has a mental problem." Nate said, scooting next to Miley. Alex stared at Nate, confused. She was speechless. Nate felt a small pang of guilt, but he ignored it. "Probably both. What guy could possibly like Alex?" Nate said, more coldly that he intended to. Alex stifled a sob as she stared down at her food. She knew what Nate was doing. He was making a point. He was telling Alex that they can't and won't be together.

Miley slapped Nate's arm once she saw the hurt look on Alex's face. "Nate! Don't be mean!" she said. Everyone at the table looked at Alex, expecting a witty comeback or a painfully physical hit. To their surprise, she just stood still and quiet, her eyes never leaving her food. "Nate, look what you did-" but Miley was cut off by Nate's lips on hers. Alex gasped as she stared at them. Miley instantly forgot what was going on and she wrapped her arms around Nate's neck, pulling him closer.

Alex quickly excused herself and ran full-speed to the girls' bathroom. Once she locked herself inside of a stall, she slid down the wall and tried her best not to cry. Alex covered her face, feeling the tears from the back of her eyes. Nate was doing this to her on purpose. He was proving to her that he doesn't like her in the most painful way possible.

As insane as it is, Nate was making Alex want him even more. What she would do to be in Miley's position right now. She just wanted to feel Nate's kiss upon her lips again. She wanted to feel that amazing sensation run through her body as he touched her again. She just wanted Nate to be hers. All hers and only hers.

She knew that that wasn't going to happen.

OMJ

Nate pulled away from Miley once he noticed Alex's absence. He felt even more guilt as he realized all the pain that he just caused her. Though, he shook it off and looked back at his girlfriend. Miley was looking giddy and dazed. "What was that for?" she giggled, kissing his nose. Nate smiled shyly at her.

"For not shutting up." he winked. Miley laughed and sat straight forward. She then frowned as she saw the empty seat in front of her.

"Where's Alex?" she asked. Nate frowned and shrugged. "Oh, god, I know that she is going to ignore me the whole day now. Ugh, why do you have to be such a good kisser?" she whined. Nate laughed and pecked Miley's lips one more time.

"I'm just amazing like that." he joked. Miley wasn't smiling though. She was still worried about Alex.

"Do you think she's okay?" she asked, standing up. She didn't let Nate answer though. "I'm going to find her." she said. With that, she quickly walked out of the cafeteria and headed straight for the girls' bathroom. She looked down to check if anyone was in the stalls. She sighed once she found Alex's black Converse shoes. "Alex?" Miley called out as she crawled under the stall to be with Alex. Alex instantly turned away from her, facing a corner. "Oh, my god, are you crying?! Alex, what's wrong?! Did I do something?!" Miley panicked.

"It's nothing. Absolutely nothing." Alex said, her voice cracking. "Nothing that concerns you anyways." she mumbled.

"Who did this to you?!" Miley demanded. She hugged Alex, letting her cry on her shoulder.

"It's nothing." Alex assured Miley. Miley sighed and hugged her tightly. Alex let out another small sob. She closed her eyes tightly and buried her face in Miley's shoulder. Alex was feeling a pain like none other before. Tears couldn't even relieve the pain. Alex knew who could, but she didn't bother. He's already done enough.

OMJ

Alex walked out of the school wordlessly. She sighed, feeling gloomy and desperate. She couldn't believe how much she liked Nate. The fact she'd cried over him said enough. Alex shook her head and folded her arms across her chest. She just couldn't believe how much she wanted Nate, how much she needed him.

Alex jumped once she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly and frowned. "What do you want?" she asked Nate. She shrugged his shoulder off and started walking towards the streets. Nate quickly followed behind her until he was at her side. He then grabbed her hand and dragged her somewhere quiet. "What are you doing?" Alex demanded as she tried to pull away. "Nate, what the hell?!" she yelled as he pulled her along with him even harder.

The two stopped behind the bleachers. Nate let go of Alex's arm. Instead of running away, Alex stood there. She felt like she couldn't move under Nate's stare. "I like you, okay? I really, really like you. But I'm not allowed to! I don't want to like you, but I just do! And the worst part of all is that I have a girlfriend who happens to be your best friend! God, why do I have to like you?!" Nate yelled, revealing everything he's been thinking about the past couple of days.

"Well don't get mad at me because I like you too! I hate you so freaking much, but I like you! The only reason why I'm ignoring you and Miley is because I can't take the fact that you're her boyfriend instead of mine!" Alex yelled back. The two breathed heavily, realizing that they just poured out their deepest secrets to each other. "I hate everything about you, but after all of that, I still want you." Alex concluded once her steam was fully released.

Nate stared at her. Without even thinking, he pulled her against him and kissed her passionately. Alex held onto Nate's shoulders as she felt Nate's arms wrap around her waist. Alex pulled away once she felt Nate begging for entrance. She rested her forehead on his and they just stared at each other. "What does this…make us?" she whispered. Nate didn't answer. "I mean, I know you still love Miley." The second those words left her lips, Nate let go of Alex. He took a step back from her.

"Yeah, I love Miley…but it's like there's another place in my heart that's just for you." Nate said.

Another silence passed between the two. It was soon irrupted when Alex kissed Nate's lips again. This time, they didn't pull apart.

A/N: Thank you oh-so much for the amazing reviews! You guys are so awesome! Sorry I don't reply to all of you guys but I try my very best to! I just want to say that if you think that this story is too fast, there's a reason for that. There's always a reason for everything when it comes to my stories. lol. Once again, you guys rock! Now I'm going to go and update About You Now since you peoples keep on bugging me about it. lol