Sing Your Heart Out – Chapter 5
Mitchie's P.O.V:
I dug my heel into the dust angrily and folded my arms across my chest tightly, sighing with impatience. Jake, Miley and me were sat on a bench waiting outside the restaurant for Taylor and Shane to arrive with the bunch of idiots we were looking forward to spending the evening with. Yes that's a bit of sarcasm for you. And that's quite surprising. I'm not usually so wound up by everything and snappy but for some reason Nate pushes all the buttons you're not supposed to push. He's cocky, annoying and cares far too much about his appearance and popularity for my liking.
Miley laughed softly and squeezed my hand comfortingly. She always does know what's running through my mind. I'm surprised she's handling the prospect of dinner with Nate and his team so well. I mean don't get me wrong she's level headed and her father's taught her to always give everyone a chance. But I know that's not what she wants to do. In her mind she's pacing up and down the pavement restlessly, biting her lip in concentration and housing a soft scowl on her pretty face.
"Guys! Why the speed walk? Chill, relax and enjoy the walk. What happened to that?" Shane exclaimed, glaring at us playfully as he bounced up to us with Taylor on his arm.
"Oh umm sorry you two it just wasn't the best idea to walk with them. You don't want an argument so early do you Shane?" Miley softly said.
"I guess so." Shane replied, frowning slightly with guilt at his friend's lack of enthusiasm. After all, he did arrange the situation we're stuck in.
"How long are they going to keep us waiting? Did somebody leave their football back at school?" I said sarcastically, "Although I'm not moaning if they've changed their minds."
"Mitchie! Cut it out! He is my brother. So he's been inconsiderate sometimes but I'm fed up of all your squabbling. Your all my friends so at least try to get on for one night!" Shane cried with a meaningful glance at me.
I held back any cutting responses and looked down at the floor. I guess sometimes you just forget that Shane and Nate are brothers. I guess it's because it seems so unlikely. Shane's so warm and funny while Nate is hostile and rude.
The sudden appearance of the rest of our 'group' surprised us and by Nate's gloating smile that basically screamed his joy at winning this round I instantly knew that he had heard everything.
"Oh I'm sure we're capable of behaving maturely. Isn't that right Mitchie?" Nate said walking up to the entrance and holding the door open for us girls as if to prove a point.
I smiled sweetly at him and looked back for Miley who was just walking through the door behind me. Nate leaned down and whispering something in her ear, causing her to shuffle uncomfortably, mutter that she just needed Shane and pulled Shane outside.
I walked towards the reserved table in the middle of the room and sat down next to Taylor, saving a seat next to me for Miley and indicating for Taylor to save Shane the seat next to her.
Miley's P.O.V:
I knew tonight wasn't a good idea. I should have made an excuse like I wasn't feeling too good or I needed to sort something out or maybe even I just promised Dad and Jackson I'd call them. But that doesn't matter – I'm here now and I can't get out of it. I feel so awkward though with Mitchie getting wound up and then annoying Shane with her comments. Nate leaning down and whispering, "Looking hot Stewart." just took it to a whole new level. What is up with that guy? Last term him and his friends made my life extremely difficult, he's invading my mind and now he's giving me a compliment, even if it's degrading. But I don't want his compliments or his put-downs. I don't want anything to do with him. He has power over me: to make me lose my concentration, to make me weak at the knees and to make me feel happy or sad with one word. I know what people would think if I told them this. They'd say I'm in love or I've got a crush. But that's not true – I don't like him at all.
And now I'm outside with Shane and he's looking at me weirdly while wondering what on earth is wrong with me.
"Uum Miles, speak to me. You're standing there like an iceberg – frozen! Everyone's in the warmth reading the menu. There'll be no food left with them pigs!" Shane whined.
"Oh right, sorry Shane. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for making you feel as if you can't socialise with both us and your friends from the football team. It's not like that I promise – this is just the first time we're trying it that's all. And don't take anything that Mitchie said to heart, she just felt like I needed cheering up. And we will do our best to get on tonight. But I'm so sorry if anything goes wrong." I apologised in advance for the disaster waiting to happen.
"Aw Miley I know you're going to try, you always do and that's why you're my best friend in the whole world. I understand it's hard – Nate's a pain in the backside most of the time. But he's not as bad once you get to know him." Shane promised as he pulled me into a big bear hug.
"Shane ooft your squishing me." I giggled but returned the hug happily and dragged him inside to our seats. Overall there were 14 of us around the table. Jake, Shane, Taylor, Mitchie, Me and two random guys called Josh and Ryan were sat on one side with Nate, Lucas and some other football players were on the other side of the table. To my delight Nate was sat directly opposite the empty chair that was saved for me.
"You two took ageeees! We're all ready to order so hurry up and decide." Taylor pouted and promptly pulled Shane into his seat and practically shoved the menu in his face, "Miley! Take a look at the damn menu we're all starved."
"Tay stop worrying I already know what I'm ordering." I protested as she started to get up to come and deal with me. Scary stuff!
"How do you know what you want?" Nate interrupted, suddenly looking intrigued.
"Umm I always have the Chicken Korma and Special Fried Rice. It's kind of a tradition with my Dad." I explained, fully aware of everybody's eyes on me.
"Cool. Do you like Indian food a lot then?" he asked, almost as if he were determined to make the conversation last.
"Yeah, I guess. Do you?" I quickly returned.
"Of course." He replied with a friendly wink.
If only he were like this all the time and not so bipolar, I thought.
The waitress came over and we all quickly ordered. I didn't really take any notice of people's orders but there was the obvious pattern of the lads choosing hotter and spicier dishes with us girls preferring the more mild dishes. To my surprise Nate ordered the Chicken Korma and when asked about his choice he simply answered, "I want a bit of a change. It'll be interesting to see what Miley finds so special about It." while flashing me a genuine smile.
For the first time in years I feel able to relax in a big crowd and enjoy the night while being myself and joining in the conversation instead of attempting to become invisible and shying away from any questions. I guess miracles do happen sometimes.
The food quickly arrived at the table and the conversation paused for a while as everybody dug into their meals as if they hadn't seen any food for days. Eventually the boys decided that they were full enough to stop eating.
Mitchie nudged me softly and whispered "Hey Miles look over there by the bar. Wearing dark jeans and a blue checked top with blonde hair." grinning widely and pointing silently with her eyes.
I looked over enthusiastic to see who had caught Mitchie's eye. Truth be told, she's never really paid any attention to a particular boy before. Yeah, she'll say that someone's fit but she's never gave them a second glance. That is until now of course. As my eyes singled out the boy catching Mitchie's eye, my very own eyes widened and if my jaw could, it would hit the floor.
"It can't be." I whispered looking at Mitchie who was looking at me with alarm in her eyes. She must really like the look of him to be so concerned about my reaction.
"Umm Miles what's up? I asked you to look at that cute guy by the bar and then all of sudden you're eyes are as wide as saucers and you look like a goldfish." She asked confused.
I seemed unable to answer in my state of shock and just stared at her numbly.
"Oooh I get it. You're shocked at how fit he is! I'm so glad you agree. Should I go over and talk to him?" Mitchie giggled looking over at him eagerly.
"Umm no Mitch wait here a sec. I know that guy. He's my ex-boyfriend – his names Chad Dylan Cooper. I can't believe he's even here. Last thing I heard he'd moved to New York." I explained, gaining control of myself again.
"Whoa seriously?!" Mitchie exclaimed causing the whole restaurant to turn to us. Yes, even Chad. His eyes lit with recognition and he smiled widely at me, beckoning me over. Of course he would. Unluckily for me I haven't changed so much in the year that he's been gone. I smiled weakly and rose out of my chair.
"I'll just be real quick. I promise." I murmured to Mitchie and I watched her nod her head disappointedly making me feel even worse. It's the first time she's ever taken so much as a second glance at a boy never mind asked me for my opinion. But it's not as if I still like Chad. He left and I got over him. If he's single there's nothing to stop Mitchie making her move. I wouldn't be bothered. In all honesty the only boy that has the power to make my knees go weak is Nate Grey. And that area is strictly a no-go.
"Hey Chad. Long time no see! What happened to New York?" I spoke loudly over the radio playing next to us.
"I guess it just didn't work out. Dad didn't really enjoy his job and he just didn't connect with his new colleagues. Mum and Lily were homesick all the time and I was trying to get used to it but I missed all my friends. Mostly you." He grinned pulling me into a hug.
"Well of course you missed us all. We're great." I joked slowly hugging him back, not daring to look back at the table to see the response it got.
"Mi, we should really get together some time. You know, talk about everything. I didn't want us to break up but at the same time I didn't want us both struggling to make a long-distance relationship work." Chad said softly, keeping hold of my hands. Before he left I felt something but now… nothing.
"Chad I understand but what happened, happened and I don't think we should go back to more than friends. Who knows what would have happened by now, we could have broke up on bad terms and not even be friends right now. It was best for it to happen the way it did." gently pulling my hands away, silently hoping that he'd accept what I said.
"If that's how you feel. We can be…" Chad wavered off, unsure of what exactly we could be.
"We can be great friends." I finished confidently.
"That's cool. Especially because Mum's transferred Lily to this Hartbridge Boarding School that you used to rave about." He teased.
I smacked his on his arm playfully and replied "Hey! It was a hell of a lot better than your posh sports specialist school in New York."
"True. I'm going to the all boys' school down the road from you so we'll have to meet up a lot. It'd be fun to meet your friends. Even if one of them is shooting me daggers right now. If looks could kill let's just say I wouldn't be standing here." He chuckled and I spun around to see who Chad was talking about. Probably Mitchie.
However it was not Mitchie that he meant. She was sat deep in thought, playing thumb wars with herself. To anybody that knows her well that means she's upset and doesn't want to talk about it. To my intense surprise I could see Nate shooting deadly glances in our direction.
I turned back to Chad and laughed uneasily. "Oh. Don't worry about Nate. He's bipolar."
"Looks to me like he's jealous. Is he your boyfriend? I think you should go reassure him that Miley plus Chad equals just friends." Chad said raising his left eyebrow with curiosity and amusement.
"Nate? My boyfriend! No way. We barely know each other. You see my best friend Shane, the one flirting with the blonde haired girl, organised a meal for him, his friend, my two best friends and me. But he's on the football team that Nate, his brother, is the captain of and Nate insisted on a team meal. So Shane arranged this little set up and we're stuck with it. Nate and me don't get on. Me and him going out? How crazy." I babbled, trying to cover up my embarrassment. Unfortunately my annoying ability to blush gave me away.
"Whatever you say Miley. Anyway, how about you introduce me to your friends? The dark haired girl looks cool." Chad suggested.
"Oh my gosh! Really? Because she totally said you were cute when she saw you at the bar. That's when I recognised you and then she screamed and got your attention." I squealed with happiness.
"She thinks I'm cute?" he asked smiling like a little kid who got given his favourite sweets.
"I can't believe I just told you she thinks you're cute! Please don't tell her I said that. Her names Mitchie by the way." I said and grabbed his arm pulling him over to the table.
"Hey guys. This is Chad, a friend of mine from back home. Chad this is Jake, Shane, Taylor, Mitchie, Josh and Ryan. And on the other side we've got Dan, Simon, Joe, Lucas, Nate, Lewis and David." I pointed to everybody for Chad and they all smiled politely at him. Well, except for Nate who sent him a stiff half-smile while looking him up and down with interest.
"Umm hey everyone." Chad smiled nervously looking around at everybody and trying to take it all in.
"Chad this is Mitchie, the best friend I could ever ask for. I would introduce you to my other best friends Shane and Taylor but they're too busy flirting." I said loud enough for them to hear me, smirking in their direction and rolling my eyes at their confused looks.
"Hey. So how do you know Miley exactly then?" Mitchie asked, smiling warmly at Chad.
"Um I'm from Miley's hometown. We were in the same friend group and got pretty close. We went out for a bit but we both decided that we were better off as friends, especially because I moved away to New York." Chad explained, looking anxiously at me in case he'd said something wrong. I smiled encouragingly at him and sat down in my chair, tuning out of their conversation and leaving them alone to get to know each other better. Something tells me they could be a great combination.
Nick's P.O.V:
I sighed with frustration as I saw Miley head over to us with the blonde dude from the bar and composed myself, ready to become detached and indifferent. Something weird is happening to me because of Miley and I can't get to the bottom of it. When I saw her approach the boy sitting at the bar I had a sudden urge to run after her and pull her away and keep her to myself and when I saw them laughing like old friends I experience a feeling that I'd never felt before; jealously. My whole body tensed up with anger and I had to clench my fists together to control my anger. I can't tell anybody. Lucas would laugh and Shane's way too close to Miley for me to trust him with this. He'd probably go behind my back to Miley and have a good old laugh at Nate Grey.
I sat and watched Miley sit down and take her phone out of handbag and texting somebody, most likely her Dad as from what I can see they're pretty close. I saw her pretty smile grace her face for a moment as she read the reply and quickly text back, sliding her phone back down and placing it on the table.
Before I knew it my hand had reached out for Shane's phone and instantly opened his phone book, scrolling down and searching for the girl that seems to be running through my mind constantly lately.
I entered the number into my phonebook and text her "Hey how was your Chicken Korma? Not too spicy for you? :P
I watched her expression carefully as she received the text and felt a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach as I watched her lips form a slight smile and as she looked up with confusion I flashed her a cheeky smile and waved my phone at her. I heard her laugh quietly and a few seconds later my phone flashed.
"Too spicy for me? Don't be stupid :] How did you get my number?" Miley"
"I'm an evil genius. Joke, I actually just stole it off Shane's phone. You looked bored so I thought I'd be your knight in shining armour and rescue you ;] THE Nate G."
"You're sad you know that. THE Nate? Are you being serious? And my night in shining armour? Bigheaded much? :P"
"Ouch! You just hurt my feelings :[ So how do you know this Chad then? He and Mitchie look like they're hitting it off ;]"
"You'll survive, it's no good being a cry-baby :D Erm, mine and Chad's families go way back so we grew up close friends. We did date for two years but then he moved to New York and we decided we weren't working out anyway so there was no point trying a long distance relationship. And this is the first time I've seen him since."
"Cools. Is he back permanently or just visiting?"
"They've just moved back and his sister's going to Hartbridge. He's going to the all boys' school down the road. Why are we texting each other? You're sat across the table from me!"
"That's cool. Does he play football? We always beat his team when we play them. And we're texting each other because we're just cool like that and because I can't be bothered to shout across the table :P Good enough reason for you Miss Miley?"
"I guess so Mr Nick lol"
Mitchie's P.O.V:
Oh my god! Chad and me get along so well. We like the same music, movies and food and we can have a conversation about everything and anything. I've only known him for like ten minutes and it already feels like he's one of my closest friends! I just don't want to rush things and decide I like him as more than that though. First of all I need to talk to Miley about it all, I think she approves because otherwise she wouldn't have encouraged me to talk to him but she might just be being really unselfish. Secondly I don't want to get mixed signals and make a fool of myself. He probably doesn't even like me like that. He probably still likes Miley – she is beautiful after all and what's more she doesn't even know it.
Thinking about Miley reminded me that she probably had nobody to talk to so I turned around to include her in the conversation. However I realised that I was worrying about nothing as I saw a smile creep onto her face while reading a text and her fingers flew across her keypad to reply. Her Dad, I instantly thought and I was about to turn back to Chad when Nate caught my eye. As soon as Miley put down her phone he picked his up and read the text, looked up and wait for it: LAUGHED WITH MILEY!
Am I going crazy? The Hartbridge pin-up of the year and Miley wouldn't text each other and laugh together would they? But then again they do seem to have been putting their differences aside tonight. And I didn't miss the jealous look Nate got on his face when he saw Miley with Chad.
Poor Miley is going to have to answer a lot of questions tonight, I thought to myself. I couldn't help but smile thinking about quizzing a blushing Miley about this 'thing' happening between her and Nate. What fun!
With Taylor and Shane getting closer to announcing their love for each other, me being attracted to Miley's ex-boyfriend and now Miley and Nate getting along almost too well all I can say is that this term is definitely going to be a interesting one.
"Guys! I think we should go. We're getting glared at by the waiters and I really don't want to be tired on my first day of lessons – detention on the first day would not be a good idea." Jake pointed out.
Sure enough all of us were on our feet and out of the door before the waiter could say, "Have a nice evening."
We all said goodbye to Chad as he got in his car and drove off and we all started heading back. Jake caught up with me and we walked along together talking about the night with Taylor and Shane behind us giggling over some inside joke. I couldn't see Miley or Nate for that matter but I suspected that they were dawdling together behind us all. Soon enough we were outside the house that weirdly all of us are in expect the girls are in the female sector and the boys are in the male sector and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw Miley and Nate walked together talking in hushed tones and I heard Miley's bell like laughter. Knowing Miley so well I noticed the big smile on her face from talking to Nate and she just seemed brighter from talking to him. Nor did I miss the look of admiration and fascination on Nate's face as he listened to Miley speak and replied to her with as much enthusiasm as possible. I cannot help but wonder if Nate will stay like this or whether he will be back to his usual arrogant self tomorrow. Unfortunately I cannot help but think it will be the latter – and hopefully Miley knows that too.
"Night, see you all in class." I said and walked up the steps to the girl's entrance where I waited for Miley and Taylor to say their goodbyes. Unsurprisingly Taylor and Shane were stood together hugging goodbye and laughing at something Shane had said.
"Bye Joe, bye everybody" Taylor shouted walking up to me.
"I guess this is goodnight then." Miley said to everybody but especially Nate as she gave him a small smile and a wave as she skipped up the steps to Taylor and me and we walked up to ours rooms. Suddenly wiped out from the night's events I quickly changed into my pyjamas, removed my make-up, brushed my teeth, threw a brush through my hair carelessly and climbed into bed. Taylor and Miley seemed to have the same idea as me and in a few minutes the lights were off and we were all falling into a deep sleep.
Only as I heard Miley's soft sigh as she turned over to get comfortable did I remember that I meant to ask her for all the juicy details about her text conversation with Nate. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!
AN: Okay i know i said there wasn't going to be a chapter until my Mock exams had finished but of course you do have to have breaks between revision or it get's too much and in between revision for the past 5 days i've been writing little bits. And somehow i got a chapter out of it :) It may not be very good because obviously i've got other things on my brain. Everything's going great though and i was so happy today because i found out that i got an A* on my Maths!!
Please excuse me on any rubbish parts but let me know what you thought wasn't so good because i'll clear anything up in the next chapter.
REVIEW! If i get enough reviews you may just get another chapter by the end of the weekend :D And as always tell me anything you might want to see. I did actually get inspiration for this from two of my reviewers so i will listen to your ideas x
Also please check out terzo and her stories. She doesn't seem to be getting any reviews and i've got some really great reviewers so please give her some support on here :) She's just got a new trailer out and she's thinking about replacing one of her stories with it so now's the perfect time to go take a look. Thank youu :D
