Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anybody in this story. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.

"Just because you know someone doesn't mean you love them,
and just because you don't know people doesn't mean you can't
love them. You can fall in love with a complete stranger in a
heartbeat, if God planned that route for you. So open your heart
to strangers more often. You never know when God will throw
that pass at you."

-- Heather Grove--

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Nick's POV:

(Same day after school, walking home with Miley and Mitchie)

"…And then I said—"Miley continued telling Mitchie something that had happened today at gym or something like that.

Mitchie gasped, catching on to what she was going to say," You didn't!"

Miley nodded excitedly, her eyes sparkling with mischief," I did!"

"OMG, I can't believe you did!"

"Me neither!"

"But then did you—"

"Yes!"

"Awesome!"

"I know, isn't it?"

Ok, what the heck were they talking about?! Any guy out there that can understand crazy girl talk? Hello? No one? I guessed as much. After having been requested (and dragged by Mitchie) to walk with them, this was the treatment I was getting? Not able to resist asking them to classify what they were talking about, I hysterically said, "What are you guys even talking about?" Letting them know that I was totally lost as to what was going on, or had gone on in gym (or something).

They both turned to look at me like they were acknowledging me for the first time in the past fifteen minutes or so that I had been walking besides them. Miley stared at me and candidly said," None of your business."

"Well, you guys should not ask me to walk with you if you're gonna keep ignoring me."

"I never asked you to." I think I heard Ms. Miley mumble.

Mitchie shot her a warning look and she quickly mumbled in the same frequency, "sorry." It was amusing to see somebody like Miley being controlled by someone. Laughing, we continued our walk. Finally we reached Miley's house first. That's when I remembered that I had to go there today for tutoring, the first day. Peculiar enough, I had a good sense about it. Like I was gonna find out about something totally unexpected..

"See you later, Nick! Don't forget to bring your brains!" she exclaimed before sprinting off indoors.

"Um…sure?"

Sometimes, I wonder about that girl.

Miley's POV:

(Later on when Nick gets there)

Hearing the doorbell ring, I made my way downstairs and opened the door to find Nick. I smiled at him courteously and moved out of the way so he could step in. He returned it walked in, looking around in the process," Wow, your house looks great." He said. "Thanks… My mom's an interior decorator." I replied. He nodded and I led him into the kitchen to introduce him to my mom.

She looked up from washing the dishes and smiled warmly. "Hey honey, who's this?"

"This is Nick, mom. Nick, my wonderful mother." I said overdramatically. She laughed and wiped her hands off the rug and they shook hands.

"I'm tutoring him; we'll be upstairs in my room if you need me."

"Ok, sweetie." I leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly before leading Nick upstairs to my room. Pausing outside my room, "Um… I'm warning you. What you are about to see may be a little shocking." I told Nick, earning an odd look from him. Looks like he will have to perceive for himself. I hope he doesn't faint though…

I opened the door that had a sticker saying "danger zone: enter at your own risk," to which must have been the messiest room that you would have ever laid eyes on. Don't try imagining it… I bet you don't have that big an imagination. My room was as if a tornado had recently swept through it. This would explain the sign on my door. I think it's been two years or so since my mom was in here… or maybe it was three? I don't remember…

I looked sideways at Nick, expecting to see him shocked. But he was offhandedly looking around.

"Cool room." He said.

I gave him a "look" "What? Oh, you mean it's chaotic? Mine's worse." He said merely making me chuckle.

"Ok then, shall we begin?" I asked him as we walked in and I pushed a pile of clothes off my bed in order to make room for us to sit. We proceeded to sit down, and Nick pulled out his books and we started studying.

(About an hour later)

I stood up; Nick looked up at me from the problem he had been working on. "I'll be right back. You want anything to eat or drink?" I offered. "Sure, thanks." He replied. After getting two tall glasses of lime juice and a pretty full plate of chocolate chip cookies (A/N: Yum! Lol.), I walked up to my room to find an awfully confused looking Nick staring at his text book.

I laughed and said," Need any assistance?"

"Yeah…"

Placing the glasses and plate on my writing desk. I sat down next to him and looked at the sheet which he was supposed to have filled in the answers, only to find it vacant. "Ok, what is it that you need help with?"

"Practically everything!" This made me laugh again.

"Hey, don't laugh at me!" I knew he was kidding, but it still made me feel bad, which surprised myself greatly. "Sorry," I said.

He looked up, seeming baffled by my reply. "What?" I asked defensively.

A small, but gorgeous, smile spread itself across his face and he shook his head, his curls bouncing softly. I had the sudden urge to reach out and touch them. To feel how soft they were and run my hands through them… Forcing myself back onto reality.

"What?" I asked him again. He was looking at me and it looked like he was deeply in contemplation. "Nick!" That brought him back to earth too. "What?" I repeated the question for the third time.

"Nothing…" he replied, shaking his head.

Nick's POV:

"Tell me." Miley said, this girl was stubborn. But still… special.

I sighed." You seem… different."

She frowned and her forehead crinkled adorably," Well, for one. You're much nicer… to me. You know, you really puzzle me." I told her.

"Why do you say that?" she was so filled of questions.

I've only known you for about a month, but you're so bursting with loads of different emotions… You know… Like at times, you can be rude, cold, blunt, annoying—" she glared me and I just laughed "—but you can also be sweet, funny, caring, kind… kinda like now…"

She looked down and started playing with her fingers. It was as if she didn't or couldn't glance at me. "I don't know… Depends on my mood… I guess." She answered lamely.

I shrugged, maybe I had asked about something too confidential. Not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable or awkward, I ensured her,"Hey, It's Ok if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. It's your choice. I-I'm sorry if you felt like I was asking something too personal." I added when she didn't react.

Suddenly, she looked up and I notice that her eyes were slightly moist. To my surprise, I felt myself reach out and brush a single tear away. She looked up at me straight in the eyes. At first, I thought she was gonna tell me off for making her cry or something. But what she said beyond doubt touched me.

"My parents are always fighting… So, any day that they are not is a great day for me…" Her voice was barely a whisper as she said that. And I couldn't believe my ears, was she really telling me all this?

"It's not they do not love each other or anything, it's just… I don't know; find it hard to get along?" Once again, her ocean blue pools filled with tears, this time I did nothing but simply sit and stare at her like an idiot. "I'm always cheerful at home, trying to lighten up the mood. I love my parents... You know what I mean? I don't even know why I'm telling him all this. Nobody knew how I felt, well except Mary. It's a mixture of happiness and sadness…"

She looked down like she was embarrassed. Then again, she looked up at me, her eyes slightly cautious. "I don't even know why I'm telling him all this. Nobody knew how I felt, well except Mitchie. It's a mixture of happiness and sadness…" She paused as she silently sobbed. "I'm sorry I'm dumping all of this on you… I don't even know why I told you all this. Only Mary knows how I truly feel, I guess I wanted to tell someone else, and you were available."

Reaching out, I pulled her in for a comforting hug and held her close. It felt so right to be holding her like this. She pulled away and wiped her tears away. I never would have guessed Miley would have such an emotional side. And I cannot believe she told me that…She seems so carefree, so happy-go-lucky. But, really she's trying to stay strong. She really is beautiful… Inside and out.

"Thanks for listening to me ramble."

I smiled at her softly. "My pleasure." I never had known that Miley was so vulnerable. So—so fragile. I never that under all that sarcasm was a half broken girl. I couldn't imagine anything happening between my parents and I guess this really affected her. I felt sorry for her. After all, her tough exterior had just been an act. I wished I could do something to fix this and make her feel better. Because, seeing her sad, made me sad too, I had no idea why. I guess even with all our playful fights, I did care about her, at least a little bit.

"Miley!" We heard her mom, call and she slowly rose and walked towards the door before turning upon me and whispering," I'll be right back." I nodded; she wiped her tears and walked out leaving me on my own to my thoughts. Alone, I pondered trying to figure out what kind of a person Miley was. But no matter how much I tried, it was impossible. She was unique… and beautiful, just like her name.

(Later, while I was leaving)

She offered to walk me to the door, and I willingly accepted. And I was still wondering about her as we walked side by side in silence. Once we reached the door, I hugged her and she returned it almost enthusiastically. I barely realized that this was the second time I've ever hugged her.

Pulling away, I looked at her and said, "See you at school tomorrow."

"Oh, I won't be there."

"Why not?"

"I have a dentist appointment."

"Oh, Ok. See you the day after?"

"Absolutely." She smiled and I noticed how stunning she looked when she smiled. I turned to walk out only to be stopped by a worried looking Miley.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

I shook my head and smiled at her sincerely, reassuring her that her secret was out of harm's way with me.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." And with that, I walked out and started walking home, my mind filled with thoughts of a certain brunette.

Miley's POV:

Today… and the past week really confuse me. What's happening to me? Why did I tell Nick of all people my personal problems? And who actually would have thought that he would listen and not make fun of me for getting all dramatic? Well, I might have underestimated him all along. Come to think of it, he's really cute…

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A/N: Dun. Dun. Dun. Lol. Nick and Miley are definitely getting closer, don't you think? Well, don't worry; there are loads more Niley moments coming!

Hope you liked it. :]]
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