The sun shimmered over the vast blue waves as Miley stared out the windows, deep in thought. Rough night.
"You alright?" Nick groaned tiredly from the next bed, digging his fist into his eye. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Just thinking," said a hoarse whisper. Miley could hear a loud sigh behind her as she felt her bed shift. The next moment, a pair of strong arms was tightly wrapped around her body. Miley couldn't help but smile a bit. "What are you doing?"
"Miles…" Nick began with yet another heavy sigh. "Seriously, stop worrying about Joe. We know you respect his opinions or whatever but just…please don't. You'll hurt yourself and get a massive headache. I know he's my brother and all but just…I think you're a great girl and I don't want to see you throwing up or things like that."
"Thanks Nick." Miley whispered after a moment of silence. "You're really sweet."
"Hey, that's what friends are for." He smiled, getting up while gathering some clothes. "I'm gonna go change."
As soon as the bathroom door closed behind the curly haired Jonas, the connective door opened, revealing a worn out Joe. Miley's head instantly snapped his direction. His hair was untamed and his shirt was wrinkled, looking as if he just rolled out of bed.
"M-Morning Joe." Miley whispered quietly, whether it's out of shyness or fear we might never find out.
"Morning." Joe mumbled with a small smile before something flashed across his mind and his smile turned into a low growl. "Wait, what did you do to my brother you ugly skank?!"
"I- I-" Miley was taken back by the sudden change in attitude as her blue orbs turned glossy in the blink of an eye.
"JOE!" She heard Kevin scream from the next room as a pillow flew to his head, narrowly missing by a centimeter. The next second Kevin was holding Miley while glaring at Joe. "It's okay Miles, let's go get some breakfast." Miley gulped back the tears as Kevin guided her to the door.
"Why bother Kev? She can lose a few pounds." Joe smirked, his arms crossed proudly, his eyes taunting. "Maybe a little more than a few. Did I say a little? I meant a lot."
There goes it again, that feeling in the pit of her stomach. With a hand over her mouth, Miley ran into the bathroom and pushed Nick out of the way. Hanging over the toilet, she began to hurl once more, leaving two Jonases shocked and eye-wide. Joe however, leaned on the wall coolly as if nothing happened.
"Puh-lease." He laughed, mocking. "No one can throw up from that comment other than such an attention-whore. While you're at it, might as well cough up your brain. I mean it's not like it's doing much up in your head anyway."
"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" Kevin hollered. He had never yelled at anyone like that, let alone his own brother. Joe jumped inwardly but kept his composure as Nick helped Miley to her bed. Joe approached the duo with a smirk, leaning down to Miley's level and getting in her face. Miley whimpered as Joe's smirk widened. Satisfied, he stood back up.
"Now that I've taken a closer look…BOY are you UGLY!" Nick's head whipped towards his brother as he jumped on Joe with all his might, all too happily introducing his fist to Joe's face. "Dammit Nick, get the hell off!"
"Then shut the hell up!" Nick screeched as Kevin watched from the sidelines, thinking Joe needed a little lesson. Miley however, was horrified. But she did notice one thing when the boys rolled on the floor—Joe never, not even once, hurt Nick. As the youngest was about to raise his fist again, Miley seized the perfect opportunity to jump in.
"Nick wait! Don't!" Nick sighed as Joe pushed himself off the ground, sending Miley a look before walking out without a word. Kevin sighed, no longer knowing what to do. Why, just why, did Joe hate this girl with all his guts?
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All morning, Joe was nowhere to be found. That is until Nick spotted him flew by their table in the speed of light. Taking a last sip at his drink, Nick stood up.
"Excuse me guys." He smiled, following his brother as Miley and Kevin watched his retreating form, wondering where he was headed. Nick was able to find his brother, staring into the ocean with an emotionless face on the back of the ship.
"Hey man." He whispered, resting his elbows on the rail, just like Joe.
"Hey buddy." Nick sighed.
"Joe, I'm sorry. It didn't matter how mad I was, I still shouldn't ha-"
"Hey, hey, it's all good." Joe smiled at the younger Jonas, his dark eyes kind and forgiving. Nick looked up at him, his similar chocolate eyes met his as he wondered how the guy before him can be so cruel to Miley, his new best friend.
'Joe, what really happened?' Nick asked mentally, staring at his big brother with sad eyes. This Joe was the one he wanted, not Joe the bastard. After all, the real Joe was sweet, funny, caring, loving, loyal, and most of all, he would do anything to protect the ones he love. He was the boy that saved Nick when he was diagnosed with diabetes and he was also an inspiration to people all around the world-- including Miley. "Go with me to get a drink?"
"Of course lil' bro." Joe grinned, throwing an arm around fro bro. Just as they were about to leave, they turned around to come face to face with none other than Miss Miley Stewart herself. Great timing.
"I- I was j-just- I…" Miley stuttered, finally looking down to the ground wordlessly. Joe's glare returned as his arm around Nick limped to his side.
"Miles…" Nick murmured, looking from her to Joe as if he were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Ahh dilemmas, don't we just love them?
"What are you doing here my dear? Lost your broom?" Joe mocked as venom dripped from his voice. "Or better yet, your pole?"
"Joe! Jesus Christ!" Nick hissed, holding onto Miley tightly, preventing her from doing anything that might cause self-harm. "Shhh, don't listen, remember what I said, don't listen to him Miles…"
"I-I can't, Nick I can't!" Miley cried, as her enemy, the tears, threatened to fall.
"Please Miley, try. You have to try." Nick begged, he didn't want to see people he loves hurting anymore. Miley nodded shakily as she bit her lip from quivering. However, once she did, she lost control as her teeth sank into her skin, the taste of blood filling her mouth. "Joe! Do something!"
"It's not my fault the attention-whore wants your attention." Joe shrugged but didn't walk away either.
"Miley stop it! Miley you're bleeding!" Nick can say what he wanted, but Miley was enjoying this new feeling—the feeling of physical pain that can take away from her heartache. "Miley Ray Stewart!!! Dammit!" Without thinking over his actions, Nick grabbed her face and slapped her—not to the point where it had hurt, just to the point that made her stop for a few seconds. "Miley!"
"Do it again, harder," Miley smiled almost deliriously, leaving Nick with not much of a choice. Grabbing her shoulders, he pushed his lips against hers as Joe's jaw dropped in shock. Something weird flashed through his eyes and disappeared as soon as it came. Miley's eyes widened as she too, bore her eyes through the youngest Jonas. Finally comprehending what happened, Miley pulled away, clutching the boy tightly. Nick smiled a bit before his arms dropped to her lower back, soothing her the best he can.
"Now I can add slut to the list." Joe sneered beneath his breath as he stuffed his hands deep in his pocket before walking off. Typical.
"How does he do that to me?" Miley's voice muffled through Nick's plaid shirt. "H-How?"
"I don't know…"
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"Come on Miles! Jump!!!" Nick waved from the pool as Miley laughed at the two from her sunbathed chaise.
"No way! It's too cold!" She yelled back, closing her eyes and she relaxed in the sun. Joe was of course, no where to be found when Miley showed off her amazing body. Suddenly, a cool breeze washed over her as her sun disappeared. Groaning, Miley opened her eyes to see a wet Kevin hovering over her with a mischievous smirk. "God, get off, you're getting me wet!" Miley laughed as Kevin shook his hair, allowing water to drip all over her.
"You're going in the pool missy!" He grinned, easily swinging her over his shoulder.
"Eeeeeeeeep! KEVIN!!!" Miley screamed, kicked and pounding on his back. "NO!!! STOP!!! DON'T DROP ME!!!!!!"
Too late. With a grin, Kevin hopped in the icy water, sending shivers down Miley's spine. She trembled, hugging herself as she glared at the eldest Jonas. Kevin smiled innocently with water dripping from his face. "KEVIN!"
"Well 'technically' I didn't drop you…I came down with you!" He grinned, laughing as she pouted to Nick. Nick chuckled and held her close, giving her warmth as he rubbed her back.
"Aw it's okay Miley." He cooed, putting his arms on her waist to push her to sit on the edge of the pool.
"Slut." Joe coughed as he passed by in his shorts. Miley's head snapped towards him while chewing her bottom lip. As soon as his glare met her eyes, she dropped her head.
"Joe, stop. Please?" Nick whispered with begging eyes as Joe sighed deeply, sitting on the edge opposite from Miley.
"You wanna come in or just sit there?" Kevin smiled softly as Joe let himself into the pool, leaving Miley alone as she looked down, kicking slowly to make small ripples in the water. Things got quiet for a moment as the Nick and Kevin huddled in a corner, Joe further away. Miley saw them eyeing her constantly as she grew more and more self conscious—until Nick finally spoke up.
"Miles!!!"
"Wha-yes?"
"Are you okay?" Miley looked at him weird.
"Yea of course. What do you mean?" Nick gulped, looking to Kevin.
"You don't look…too good…you're face is so white and…" Kevin trailed off as Joe rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"What?" Miley whispered, a little shocked that her strong voice came out so small.
"A little thin Miley. You look a little thin…" Nick said, swimming over to her. "Are you hungry or anything? Did you eat?"
"Pshhht yea of course I did…what are you talking about?" She laughed it off, looking away. "I'm just a bit thirsty that's all. I'll go get a drink." As soon as she stood up, the color flew from her face as her head spun rapidly. Seeing Miley stumble, Nick was immediately detected something wrong—something out of the ordinary. Miley staggered due to her dizziness and landed straight back in the pool.
"MILEY!!!" Both curly-haired Jonas screamed, jumping towards Miley as fast as they can. Even Joe was on his feet—this was no act.
"Miley! Miles talk to me!!!" Nick yelled, brushing the hair from her ghostly face. Miley's shallow and uneven breathing, her thinness and thirst, made Nick came to one single conclusion. "HELP ME GET HER OUT OF THE WATER!"
Kevin and Nick carefully pulled her out, setting her in a warm area in the sun.
"Kevin get something sweet and a lot of water!" Nick ordered as Kevin sped off. He winced as she gasped in pain.
"W-What happened?" Miley moaned weakly. "I'm so dizzy…"
"Here." Joe mumbled, carelessly tossing his towel on her face.
"Joe!"
"Keep her warm." He muttered as Nick sighed, wrapping it around Miley tightly.
"Joe can you get my stuff for me?" Nick begged as Joe sighed and ran for 'it.' Miley groaned once more as she clutched onto Nick tightly, her throat dry.
"I'm thirsty…" She murmured hoarsely as Nick smiled sympathetically, running his fingers through her hair.
"It's okay, Kevin's getting it." As if on cue, Kevin appeared with a plate of sugar coated doughnuts and bottles of water.
"Here." Kevin said, out of breath as Nick took it graciously. He lifted Miley's head as literally chucked water down her throat. Just then, Joe came back with a black bag as well. Nick quickly pulled out 'the stuff.' It contained his insulin and a machine used to test the blood's sugar level. Pulling off the cap, Nick took Miley's finger and quickly pricked it, allowing blood to run onto the little peace of metal.
87
It was low—way too low.
"I-Is she okay?" Kevin asked as Nick stared at the machine in shock.
"No…" He whispered. After Miley eased her thirst, she was able to treat the dizziness a little. Suddenly, Nick knew what he had to do. He turned to the person that pulled him from death's grasp when he was first diagnosed—Joe. "What do I do?"
"Feed her, get the sugar level up." Joe said simply, looking at the ocean as if he didn't care just one bit.
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"How are you feeling?" Nick asked, kneeling next to Miley.
"Better. Thanks guys, you saved my life." She smiled gratefully at them. She then looked to Joe, who stood a good distance away with his arms crossed. "Thank you too." She mouthed, knowing he saw her. Joe was about to walk away but stopped abruptly in his tracks.
"Your blood type." He asked, more like demanded.
"B positive." She murmured, still weak.
"Same as Nick's." Joe hinted, then left without another word.
"You can use Nick's insulin!" Kevin exclaimed in realization. "I knew he didn't hate you Miles."
"It doesn't matter. If he didn't tell her that she was fat, she wouldn't have stopped eating. I know everything Miles, I know." Nick stated sternly, watching his brother's retreating back. "She could've died."
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"Tired?" Nick chuckled as Miley began to doze off on Kevin's shoulder. "The movie's almost over.
"Mmmm…" Miley groaned, getting comfortable as her big brother wrapped an arm around her, he too, dozing off. Joe sat alone on the next bed, his eyes fixated on the screen with an emotionless face. One look and anyone could tell he wasn't really watching. Suddenly, a cry for help followed by a splash of water snapped Miley back to consciousness. "What was that?" She asked, alarmed.
"What?" Nick looked at her, confused.
"That noise! Didn't you hear? Like something fell in the water!" Miley jumped, suddenly nervous.
"Ugh Miles…sit down…" Kevin groaned, trying to sleep. "It's a fish hitting the boat~" Just as he said that, there was yet another cry.
"No! There it is again!!!" Miley yelled.
"I didn't hear anything Miley." Nick stared out the window. "Did you hear anything Joe?"
Joe simply shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. Miley groaned in frustration. Something about that noise just bothered her—a lot. As she was about to run out to see what happened, the PA spoke up:
"There was a man pushed into the ocean by a person wearing black mask and outfit, reported by a witness. All passengers please stay with someone at all times and don't leave your rooms at night. We will investigate this as soon as we reach land. The man is said to be armed but the situation is currently under control. Please be careful at all times."
Miley looked to the boys, shocked. Nick quickly stood up to lock all the doors as Kevin secured the windows. Miley's phone suddenly rang.
"Mile?!"
"Daddy! Are you okay?" Miley cried worriedly, her white knuckles clutching the phone tightly.
"I'm fine babydoll, can I speak to one of the boys?" Robbie Ray asked, concern evident in his tone. Miley nodded and handed the phone to Nick.
"Yes Mr. Stewart? Yes sir…I understand…I will…you too sir…will do." Nick said into the phone and handed it back to Miley. She, with a worried look, instantly snatched the phone.
"Yes daddy?"
"Bud, I want you to stay with them at all times alright? Even if you're going to the bathroom. Be safe Miley." Miley sniffled at her father's words but agreed anyway. "Bud don't cry, everything will be okay."
"Okay daddy. You too. Goodnight."
"Night baby." Miley gulped and hung up, her heart uneasy.
After the movie ended, Joe and Kevin left to their room and Nick too, quickly fell asleep. Miley glanced at the boy in the next bed, her heart pounding fast as 'what ifs' rushed through her mind. Finally, she pulled up the blanket to her head.
Yet another problem added on to her recent discovery of low blood sugar.
Joe's constant teasing didn't help either.
Miley still had a long way to go…but will he help her get there?
Either way, she had to keep going, even if she were afraid. Lifting her foot, Miley took another step, her
Second Step