"Joe?" Miley called quietly as he slowly raised his head, faking a smile for her.
"Yeah?" He whispered hoarsely, blinking away the tears. Miley frowned, running over and pulling him in a warm embrace. "Oh!" Joe gasped at the sudden contact for a second before relaxing against her, the small smile on his face returning.
"Come on Joey, don't cry…She doesn't deserve you…she's too stupid to let the most amazing guy ever walk out of her life…" Miley murmured, allowing her hands to tangle in his short, natural hair. Joe gulped, nodding slightly as Nick mouthed something and left them alone.
"Thanks…that means a lot coming from you." Joe whispered, tightening his grasp on her. Miley smiled inwardly at the affectionate gesture but frowned when Joe pulled away. "Go have fun now, I feel bad holding you back from spending time with your boyfriend."
"Actually Joe…" Miley hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers before looking him dead in the eye. "I need to tell you something…"
"I know you're Hannah Montana, now go before I feel all guilty." He joked, chuckling softly. Miley shook her head, nervousness taking over as she tried to force the words out. "Miles…I didn't mean to-"
"I lied. Joe I lied! I'm sorry I didn't mean to, or I did but either way I lied okay?!" Miley spilled, breathing hard as her usually bright face turned into a frightened one. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so-"
"Miley! Mi calm down! Calm down babe, take a deep breath." Joe instructed, holding onto both of her arms to keep her from freaking out. (She's freaking out! That's why my ex is still my ex XD) Miley nodded shakily, inhaling and exhaling as Joe wrapped his arms around her. "Now what's wrong? Why did you lie about?" He asked gently, trying not to scare her more than she already was.
"I- I- I-"
"Miles, Miles it's okay…shhh…it's okay don't be scared…" Joe cooed, running his fingers down her dark locks. Miley gulped, nodding once she calmed.
"I don't love Nick."
"Wait, what?" Joe's eyes narrowed, rubbing his ear to make sure he didn't have it mistaken.
"I don't love Nick." Miley repeated again.
"Then…?"
"Joe it was all an act. Everything was an act. Nick and Kevin helped me. Nick pretended to be my boyfriend because you got together with Destiny and I wanted to make you jealous so he kissed me whenever you were around. We were just pretending just to get your attention and I know it's wrong and I'm so sorry but I just couldn't lie to you anymore!" Miley breathed as she finally spilled her guts out to him. A part of her felt relieved and at peace while the other part felt as if she were going to hurl in result of her nervousness.
"WHAT!?" Joe exclaimed, pushing her away in disbelief. "Why would you do that!?"
"B-Because…"
"Because what?! Just spit it out! I'm sick and tired of this!" Joe yelled, causing Miley to jump, horrified.
"Because I'm in love with you!" She cried, shiny tears brimming around her eyes, ready to fall.
Sudden everything was quiet. Not a word was spoken as the thunders start to crash. Tension grew steadily as both teens struggled to find the right thing to say. Miley glanced over at Joe, terrified now that her secret's out. Suddenly, Joe spoke up.
"Get out."
"What?" Miley whispered hoarsely, unsure of what to do.
"Get out now." Joe repeated in a low voice, clenching his fist and refusing to meet her eyes. Miley stared at him, her tears flooded and burned her blue orbs, blinding her sight. "NOW MILEY!"
"Jo-"
"GET OUT!" He cried, causing her to sprint towards the door, stumbling over a guitar case in process. Her body shook violently from crying as she suddenly felt so stupid for telling him everything. With tears pouring down her cheeks, Miley pressed herself against the door, fiddling with the knob before running outside, completely broken. She was crushed, pummeled, absolutely destroyed. (Lol Uncle Brown much?)
Joe buried his face in his hands and groaned loudly as unanswered questions exploded throughout his head. Why was everything so complicated? Why did he yearn to get her attention so much? Why did he feel this way? What was he supposed to do now that she confessed her heart to him? What will happen to their relationship? More importantly, did he love her back? She placed her heart in his hands, he could either crush it or held it against him and protect it forever.
Dear Joe, it's time to make a choice.
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"How could you?!" Joe screamed, pinning Nick against the wall with his arms on either sides of his head.
"Joe he was trying to help a friend." Kevin insisted, gently pulling him away from the youngest Jonas. "Miley needed it."
"But still! You're my brothers!" Joe cried, throwing random punches in Kevin's chest.
"Joe, Joe, Joseph it'll be okay, I promise." The eldest brother comforted, pulling Joe in his arms.
"I'm sorry." Nick murmured, hugging his brothers from behind. "But she loved you, she still does…now the question is-"
"-Do you?" Kevin finished as Joe looked from him to Nick multiple times. Does he?
"I don't know…"
"Hey Joe, what's this?" Nick asked, holding up something he found next to Joe's pillow. Joe stared at the object for a moment, thinking back as to why he had it in the first place. It was there and then, he found his answer.
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Miley curled up on the top floor of the magnificent cruise ship, letting the rain soak through her thin T-shirt. Hot tears were mixed and balanced out with the freezing precipitation as she held herself tighter, seemingly lost in the thunder storm.
'I guess not every story can have its happy ending…' She thought, leaning against the rail, broken and confused. What she needed were simply directions. Directions that will guide her to her shelter, directions that will get her off the race track, directions telling her to turn right.
Footsteps. They're getting closer now as Miley hugged herself tighter, not wanting whoever it was to notice her. She didn't want them to see the vulnerable Miley.
"Mi?" Miley slowly opened her eyes. She knew that voice anywhere, and only one person in the world would shorten her name to that extent.
"J-Joe? What are you-" Before she could finish her question, he pushed her head against his chest and held her like he had never held another person before. Miley recoiled from his warm touch and grabbed his jacket tightly, sobbing in his shirt.
"Miles you're freezing…" Joe murmured in her hair as he felt her tremble against him. He quickly ripped off his jacket and wrapped it around her as the harsh rain pounded against their frozen bodies.
"T-Thank you." Miley stuttered, as Joe tightened his arms around her, one of his hands tangled in her dripping locks. Reluctantly, they pulled away as Joe caressed her face tenderly. Miley found his other hand and was about to intertwine their fingers when she felt something cold inside. "W-What's this?"
Joe looked at her for a second and smiled, allowing her to slowly open his hand, revealing the dog tag he bought earlier. Miley looked from the silver chain to his chocolate orbs in confusion. Joe simply chuckled as he held it higher for her to see. Miley gasped. She had never seen so little words mean so much.
'BARNEY IS KEWL!'
NO I'M JUST KIDDING!!! XD Let's rewind and get the real thing shall we? Lol that was funny XD
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Joe looked at her for a second and smiled, allowing her to slowly open his hand, revealing the dog tag he bought earlier. Miley looked from the silver chain to his chocolate orbs in confusion. Joe simply chuckled as he held it higher for her to see. Miley gasped. She had never seen so little words mean so much.
"T-This is…" Miley was speechless, over the edge just breathless.
"For you." Joe smiled lovingly, dropping the chain into her palm and closed her fingers around it. Miley clutched it to her heart as she leaned into his arms once more. The warm feeling he gave made the pouring rain irrelevant as Joe rested his forehead against hers, his hot breath tingling on her nose.
"I-I love you…" She whispered hoarsely. "You don't have to say it back…but I just want you to kn-"
"Mi…" Joe cut her off, chuckling softly. "If after all this and you still don't think that I love you, I don't know what to do."
"Y-You love me?" Miley asked, shocked while Joe rolled his eyes playfully in a 'no duh' fashion. He smiled kindly before capturing her lips, giving her everything in him.
Thunders! Lightning! No, Joe's was more than all that combined. It was indescribable as Miley deepened the kiss of a lifetime, her arms snaking around his neck as he pushed her head closer.
"W-Wow…" They stammered simultaneously as they pulled away, breathless. Miley flashed him her billion dollar smile as he blissfully pecked her lips once more, picking her up.
"Y-You know I don't like being picked up." Miley murmured in his drenched shirt as Joe chuckled.
"I also know you'd make an exception." He grinned, resting his chin on her head. "Let's go back…"
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"Ugh…move!" Joe said rudely in a playful way as he shoved Miley lightly.
"Jerk." She scoffed but giggled and scooted over on her bed anyway, letting him slide in as she threw the cover over him.
"Aw I'm sowwy." Joe joked sarcastically, kissing her forehead tenderly with an arm loosely around her waist. "Goodnight and goodbye."
"Joe you're such a dork!" Miley laughed, hitting his arm as Joe feigned pain. Suddenly, he sighed, his eyes completely switched gears and turned into serious ones. Miley noticed the suddenly change and quiet down as well. "Hey what's wrong?" She whispered, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
There was a moment of absolute silence before Joe slowly raised his head to meet her eyes.
"I really am sorry…for everything." Miley's eyes softened, pulling him closer.
"No Joe it's not-"
"Mi, just hear me out." He begged, shushing her as he caressed her cheek. She nodded, her light eyes piercing into his dark ones. "Kevin said you think I like you because you look like Destiny?"
"I- I…yea…" Miley admitted, sighing deeply.
"Well that's not true." He retorted quickly. "Miley…after I dumped her, I realized something…"
"What?"
"I only gave her a second chance because she looked like you." Joe answered sincerely, causing Miley's eyes to widen in surprise.
"W-What?"
"De- she and I didn't have a spark. It's just not there…not like when I was with you…" Joe confessed, it was his turn to pour his heart out. "And when I saw you with Nick, I was so jealous but I didn't realize it at the time. Then I found myself constantly trying to get your attention."
"Really?" Miley whispered, shocked and ecstatic at the same time. "That's exactly how I felt! Except I knew I was jealous."
"I figured out that much." Joe laughed, playing with her hair. "You remember that time you jumped on me and we were almost about to kiss?"
"Oh yea…" Miley recalled, blushing.
"I thought I was gonna die of a heart attack 'cause I was so nervous." He grinned then turned serious again. "But I was so confused when you told me that you love me and I only told you to leave because I don't want to hurt you. Miley I'm really sor-"
Miley pushed her lips against his softly, cutting him off.
"Stop apologizing. You make me feel bad for making you feel bad for making me feel bad."
"What?!" Miley laughed at his slowness but hugged him regardless.
"Just stop apologizing." She insisted. "I love you and that's all that matters." Joe smiled shyly before finding her lips again.
"I love you too dork face." He laughed when Miley hit his face with a pillow. "Miley stop it!"
"No!" She squealed as Joe turned them over and pinned her hands above her head. "Let me go Joseph!"
"Only if you promise to never call me Joseph again, Miley." Joe smirked, straddling her.
"Deal. But you can't call me Miley either." Miley grinned.
"Alright Mi, you got yourself a deal. Shake on it?" Joe smiled, extending his hand.
"I don't do shakes, I do hugs, Joey." With that, she pulled him down and wrapped her arms and legs around him—not that he minded at all. ;)
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"Are you tired?" Joe asked, yawning as he leaned against the headboard of the bed, Miley between his legs.
"Yup." She muttered, her cheek pressed against his chest, him rubbing her arm softly.
"You don't wanna sleep." He asked, or more like stated this time.
"Nope."
"Cool, me neither." Joe smiled. How they are so alike scares him sometimes. Somehow the storm had calmed as it got deeper into the night and now, the young couple just wished to be by each other, overlooking the vast sea drizzled by the gentlest rains.
Miley sighed contently, her eyes fluttering close as she inhaled his sugary scent.
"Hey why are we pulling an all-nighter again?" Joe asked out of nowhere. Miley laughed randomly.
"You sweet, naïve boy…" She paused, thinking for a second with her mouth hanging open. "With a very good point!"
"Ha I know right?" Joe boasted proudly as Miley leaned over the nightstand to grab the dog tag, failing to reach it. "Here."
"Yay…" Miley cheered tiredly, playing with the chain. She then turned to Joe with her big puppy eyes. "Put it on for me?"
"Sure baby." He grinned, pushing her hair aside, adjusting the chain around her neck. "There we go."
"It's beautiful…" Miley awed, her fingers marveling the engraved letters. "Thank you."
"Anytime." Joe smiled, lying down as Miley snuggled up against him.
Slowly, they both closed their eyes, knowing they can sleep in peace now that they have each other. So many things to look forward to, so many beautiful tomorrows to spend with the other… Eventually Miley fell unconscious clutching the dog tag with Joe following suit seconds later.
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"LAND!!!" Joe and Miley screamed, pointing to the glowing beaches of California. Seagulls chirped above them as dolphins sang below them. They held onto each other's hand, laughing and 'happy dancing.' "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!"
"Ok, I get Miley being excited-" Nick began.
"-but Joe's just being a girl…" Kevin finished as both brothers sweat-dropped.
"HEY!" Joe yelled, offended as Miley jumped on him like a baby koala with her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He secured his arms around her back as she kissed his cheek lightly.
"It's okay Joe, I still love ya." Miley giggled, mouthing 'no I really don't' to the other two boys.
"Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Joe whined as Nick and Kevin burst out laughing.
"Hey Miles, nice dog tag." Nick commented with a wink when he ceased laughing.
"Oh thanks, Joe got it for me!" She grinned, causing Joe to blush shyly, turning away as Kevin laughed at his reaction.
Miley smiled at her new family, knowing that would stick around her forever and always, be there to catch her when she falls. (Or in Joe's case, literally XD) With her hand intertwined with Joe's, everything's alright.
I wanna be with the one I know…and the 7th thing, I like the most that you do…
You make me love you…
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 7 steps descending the boat as Miley Stewart breathed in the ocean air. The sea seemed to clear away everything, all the tears, the sadness, and the bad memories she's been through in the past. It's a brand new beginning.
Miley Stewart grinned, flaunting the silver tag against her heart for the whole world to see. So what exactly was engraved on there?
'I'll take more than seven steps to get to your heart – Joe.'
YAY IT'S FINALLY OVER!!! So for my next story, I'm kinda stuck on what title to use...so here are the choices:
1. Fly With Me
2. Breaking Free
3. Every Part of Me
But it's up to you so...VOTE!!! If not...well I guess I have to make one don't I? Anyway, I know some people were asking for sequels on this one but I'm not sure about that yet...