Sing Your Heart Out – Chapter 4
Miley's P.O.V:
It's now two days after my arrival at Hartbridge and I'm finding it incredibly hard to push Nate Gray and his eyes to the back of my mind – never mind getting rid of the thought entirely. Talk about mission impossible if there ever was one.
It's the last day of our 'moving in' time, as the school likes to call it. Basically, we get two days off timetable doing whatever we want to do whether it's spending time with your friends on campus, go out to somewhere nearby or maybe even just chill out in your room. Mitchie was the one who suggested trying to do everything on campus in the duration of two days. We've ate ice-cream, we've been swimming, we've used the gym equipment (earning myself evil glares from you know who), we've visited our favourite cook – Chef Paolo at the pizza parlour and now we're sunbathing in the sun while sipping on our fruit cocktails courtesy of Shane.
"Hey Shane, what's rattled Nate's cage?" Mitchie wondered while staring thoughtfully at Nate and his friends kicking a football around in the rare English sun.
"I wish I could say I knew. But we've barely spoken since getting here. All he does is make horrible comments about you guys and then we get in an argument. He seems to have got worse after his run in with poor Miles here. Lucas told me earlier that he's been like this constantly unless he's playing football." Shane sighed.
I glanced over at Nate to see for myself. And as clear as dawn I could see the deep scowl on his usually handsome face, instantly darkening his features while he sat to the side of the football pitch taking a short break to cool down.
As if he could read my mind his head snapped up and I saw him glower even more – though I couldn't be sure if it was aimed for Shane or me. But if looks could kill I'm sure we'd be arranging a funeral for one of us by now. I bit my lip nervously and tore my eyes away from him.
"Whoa guys did you just say that? I don't know if it's just me being stupid but I think we should steer clear of Nate. He looks like he's on the war path and he definitely doesn't class us as his side." Taylor frowned slightly.
"Just ignore him Tay, if he says anything just ignore him, he's just being really touchy at the moment." Shane said comfortingly while pulling her into a hug. I smiled slightly at the sight of them and winked at Mitchie knowingly.
"Hey Miles I forgot my mum sent you some sort of good luck charm, I can't believe I didn't remember – she does it every year! Anyways I guess it's not long until dinner so we may as well go up and start getting ready. I don't know about you but the teachers will pounce on me immediately if I turn up in this outfit." Mitchie laughed pointing down at her denim shorts and tight vest top.
"Guys we don't have to go to dinner tonight on campus, it's our last day off timetable – you know we're all allowed to go out and eat at a restaurant." Taylor said looking at us weirdly.
Mitchie and me glanced at each other secretly asking what to tell them now. Our plan to give Shane and Taylor alone time obviously wasn't going to plan.
"Umm… well… you see." We said simultaneously while trying to think of an excuse.
"Well then we need even longer to get ready if we're going out? Where do you guys fancy?" I said, shooting Mitchie a relieved glance. Thank goodness for my quick brain.
"Ooh please pretty please can we go to the new Indian restaurant that opened in the summer holidays?" Taylor begged, immediately putting on her puppy dog eyes that can never be refused.
"Yeah! Great idea. Let's go I'll walk you guys back to your room. You're so lucky that you three get to share. How do you manage to twist the rules? Although then again I don't think I could cope living with more than one of my friends – Jake's more than enough." Shane joked earning giggles from us girls. Shane may act as if Jake's a pain but he doesn't fool us – they're almost as bad as the three of us!
"Remember to dress nicely! This should be a fun night – not just any old meal. We've gotta celebrate an exciting term ahead. Isn't that right Smiley?" Mitchie cried excitedly.
"Yup it sure is! See you later Shane!" I giggled with excitement as we walked into our room and shut the door on Shane muttering quietly about having to make an effort.
"You love it really Shaney." Taylor shouted down the corridor after him and pulled a funny face before closing the door.
"Now girls, no time for messing around. We have exactly 2 hours to shower, choose an outfit, do our hair, make-up and choose the perfect accessories." Mitchie listed taking on the mode I'm most scared of – Fashion Queen.
Taylor and me nodded soberly and fought back the urge to laugh. It's safe to say you should not mess with Mitchie in a situation like this and it is definitely much easier to make no complaints or protests. I tried it once and let's just say it wasn't my best idea.
"Go! Go! Go!" Mitchie shouted.
The next two hours were filled with laughter and clothes as we rushed to be ready for Shane to knock for us. Mitchie was already lying on her bed in a short startling red dress matched with a small black cardigan and shiny black heels– her favourite colours. She'd straightened her hair and applied smoky eye make-up.
"Mitch you look absolutely stunning." I said smiling brightly at her.
"Aw thanks Miley, not that I've got anyone to impress though. Oh well, one day my prince will come!" she laughed good-humouredly.
"I'm finished!" Taylor said coming out of the bathroom and giving us a twirl. She'd chosen a beautiful pale pink strapless dress down to her knees paired with her favourite pendant, a present off Shane, and gold wedges. She'd taken extra care over her hair and curled it beautifully with just a slick of lipgloss and some mascara. She also looked amazing.
"Wow Taylor, tonight could so be the night that Shane admits his feelings." Mitchie grinned wickedly, enjoying the blush creeping into Taylor's cheeks.
"Guys your so embarrassing. We're just friends." Taylor insisted gently.
"Yeah whatever you say. Now come on let's go, we may as well wait outside for Shane- he's bound to be late." I laughed and grabbed Taylor's hand ready to go.
"No! Miley you've got to give us a twirl too." Mitchie demanded, folding her arms with a look on her face that clearly stated that she wasn't taking no for an answer.
I sighed and spun around quickly, not wanting their attention on me. Sure, the dress is nice but there's no way I can possibly look as nice as Taylor and Mitchie.
"Miles seriously be confident! You look beautiful. Every guy in the restaurant will wish you were their date!" Mitchie promised me with Taylor nodding vigorously in agreement.
I decided to say nothing more, I wouldn't win. I smoothed down my dress – a short jade green dress with a tie around the middle and slipped on my black leather jacket and black stilettos, following Mitchie out of the door with Taylor behind me.
Shane was waiting with Jake outside our building and I took Shane's arm and started to walk down to drive. Shane was wearing black skinny, jeans, a light blue shirt, a dark blue tie and his favourite black leather jacket. I can honestly say, as a friend, that he would always stand out in a crowd and always be noticed – especially by girls. Jake was dressed a bit more casually with a white long sleeved shirt, dark jeans and a grey wool waistcoat.
"Umm girls wait up. A few other guys are going to come with us if that's okay? It's just the football team wanted to go out as a group. They don't mind a few girls coming with us though." Shane explained rubbing his neck nervously. I could see him glancing between all three of us anxiously. Mitchie looked absolutely furious, Taylor looked kind of disappointed and well I guess if I look how I feel I just look awkward.
Mitchie's eyes narrowed. "By the football team I take it you mean Nate, Lucas and the rest of them?"
Shane looked desperately at Jake for support but Jake looked just as scared as he did.
"Well yeah I guess. Nate wanted us all to have a meal together because obviously he wants us to win a lot of the competitions this year so he wants us to gel more as a team. We told him that we were going with you guys as well though. He just shrugged and said maybe some cheerleaders would meet us later on then after their group meal." Shane explained.
Mitchie rolled her eyes and I put my hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"Hey its alright we can just ignore the idiots. Jake and Shane will still talk to us – we'll still have our fun night out. I won't let anything ruin our fun." I assured her.
She looked surprised and whispered back "Are you sure you're okay with sitting at the same table as Nate? I'm not thick Miles, I know something's going on that you want to let out."
I felt a wave of guilt spread through me. It was true, I had been holding back on Mitchie and Taylor. I didn't want them feeling they had to worry about me and keep an eye on me so early on in the year. However I knew the time had come to explain myself so I nodded slightly and whispered back "Later."
Mitchie turned back to Shane, nodded her head slightly and said, "Fine we'll be nice."
"Yay! Thank you so much you guys. I so wanted to have fun with you alone but I couldn't say no to Nate, after all it is a good reason." Shane beamed.
Taylor, Mitchie and me all rolled our eyes at each other, laughing loudly at the over excited boy standing in front of us, almost bouncing up and down with happiness.
I was too absorbed in my laughing fit with Mitchie and Taylor to notice anything but when Shane gave an awkward cough and said "Right, shall we go then?" I turned around swiftly to see a very amused Nate Grey looking amazing in a white polo shirt and light jeans. In my opinion it is completely unfair that after resolving to stay away from him and the trouble surrounding him all that seems to be happening is I'm running into him.
"Yeah I think going to the restaurant could be a good idea. If you ladies are finished of course." Nate smirked followed by a few laughs from his loyal followers.
I could feel the flush rising into my cheeks and I knew Taylor felt the same when she smiled nervously and caught up with Shane and slipped her arm through his for unspoken support and sympathy.
"Whatever Grey." Mitchie snapped and stormed off to Jake to cool down. I smiled slightly at her annoyance and waited for all the footballers to start walking before I followed on behind. Mitchie might ask me why on earth I didn't catch up with her but to be quite honest I quite like being alone sometimes to think about things.
"So Stewart, looks like you're the odd one out." An unfamiliar voice brought me out of my thoughts abruptly.
I looked to my side to see who the intruder was to see exactly what I was dreading. Nate Grey looking straight at me waiting expectantly for an answer.
Right Miley, you've done it once you can do it again I said to myself as I panicked over what to answer with.
"Your only the odd one out if you mind." I said casually and walked faster to catch up with Mitchie or Taylor. Luckily he didn't try and keep up. But I couldn't stop myself from running over the short conversation again and again in my head hoping that I didn't sound stupid. But why am I bothered so much about one guy? And he's not a great guy either. He's self-obsessed and mean. So why?
Okay the first thing i'm going to say is thank you so much for the amazing reviews - it cheered me up so much! :)
Unfortunately i'm not going to be able to update my story even though i love it so much and i so badly want to keep writing on it but school's got to come first this year because it's an exam year and school's decided to torture me with Mock exams. So between revising for the exams and actually sitting them my next 2 weeks are going to be packed. Truth is i shouldn't have even done this chapter but i felt like you deserved a little something after such a good response.
I know this isn't the best chapter i could write but please forgive me and i promise i'll be better after my exams are over. And please please review again and put a smile on my face :)
Next chapter will be in the restaurant so tell me what you want to see. Maybe some Niley or Jaylor? Or maybe you want Mitchie to meet somebody? Or perhaps you want a bit of hating. So tell me :D
