“Oh my god.” Kelsi said the moment Miley came running around the corner.
“How’s he doing?” Miley asked.
“Okay.” Kelsi said, her hands sliding into her back pocket on her jeans. Miley unconsciously mimicked the pose. “We should have noticed.”
“And was just with him earlier.” Miley said, shaking her head.
“Apparently this has been going on for awhile.” David’s voice surprised them as he came over and took a seat.
“How did we not notice? He’s like family.” Kelsi asked, as both David and Miley shrugged.
“Hey guys.” Joe said as he and Kevin slowly made their way over to them.
Miley walked over and hugged both brothers before taking a seat. “How are your parents doing?” Kelsi asked, giving Joe an extra sympathetic hug.
“They’re dealing. The doctors are running tests to figure out what’s wrong with him.” Kevin answered.
“Poor Nick.” Miley said, leaning forward on her knees and shaking her head. “He just turned 13.”
“Yeah, nothing life changing is supposed to happen until you’re at least 18.” David added as the group smiled a little.
************************************************************************
“Hey you.” Kevin heard Miley say, surprising him.
“Hey.” He softly said as she took a seat next to him. “Why aren’t you at Kelsi’s party?” He asked.
“One of my best friends’ brothers is in the hospital. And, as a friend, I felt I should be there to give him some form of support.” Miley said. “Plus, I know where I would be if my brother was sick, and I know that you would be in the chair next to me, coleslaw flung or not.”
She watched Kevin shift impatiently. Joe could try and not concentrate on Nick. But, that was why Joe was helping Kelsi decorate for her party and Kevin was sitting at the hospital. “I know I never said this, but I’m sorry that Tessa isn’t speaking to you. And, I’m sorry I started the food fight.” Miley said.
“Don’t worry about it.” Kevin replied.
“But you were right. It wasn’t the way a friend should act.” Miley tossed back. “I was just jealous because it’s always been you, me, Joe, David and Kelsi. We haven’t really allowed other people into our circle. And I was just worried that we would have to start.”
“You were jealous all right.” Kevin said as he chuckled a little.
“Not like that though.” Miley quickly replied.
“Miley, Tessa and I wouldn’t have worked out anyways because…” Kevin started and caught sight of the clock. “You better go get ready so David can take you to Homecoming.”
“I’ve waited a whole month for that? After a whole freaking month, that’s all you can say?” Miley said, jumping to her feet. “I’m not going to Homecoming. I still have two more years of dances at this school. I’ll go some other time.”
“But what about David?” Kevin asked.
“What about him?” Miley asked. “The guy is so scared that one of his friends is going to beat him to a pulp because David’s going to a dance with someone you’re just friends with.”
Kevin chuckled as he pulled a piece of paper out of his jeans pocket. “Nick was going to show Joe and I this, before he ended up in here.” Kevin said, thrusting the paper at Miley.
There she goes again
The girl I’m in love with
It’s cool we’re just friends
We walk the halls at school
We know it’s casual
It’s cool we’re just
I don’t wanna lead you on
But the truth is I’ve grown fond
Everyone knows it’s meant to be
Falling in love, just you and me
Till the end of time
Till I’m on her mind
It’ll happen
I’ve been making lots of plans
Like a picket fence and rose garden
I’ll keep dreaming
But it’s cool cause we’re just friends
“Nick wrote this?” Miley asked, a little surprised. She knew the Jonas Brothers wrote their own music and lyrics. But, she had never really thought about Nick getting in on the creative process.
“Yeah.” Kevin replied.
“Well, whoever that girl is that Nick has a crush on is very lucky.” Miley said, handing the piece of paper back to him.
“It’s about you.” Kevin said, folding the paper back up and sticking it back in his pocket.
“Nick has a crush on me?” Miley asked, surprised.
“No, I have a crush on you.” Kevin replied.
“Nick wrote that song about us?” Miley asked as Kevin nodded. “That is one very observant thirteen year old.”
“Yeah, I was rather surprised that my younger brother knew about me wanting to be more than just friends.” Kevin said, surprising Miley even more.
“You want to be more than friends?” Miley asked.
“For about a month now.” Kevin answered.
Miley opened her mouth like a fish out of water, trying to get something to come out. Every word and sentence kept getting stuck on the lump in her throat.
She leaned over and softly pressed her lips to his. When she pulled away, their eyes looked each other’s faces over for clues about where to go from there. “What about David?” Kevin asked.
“I asked him to Homecoming to annoy Joe and Kelsi.” Miley informed him.
“So you don’t think he’ll be annoyed that his Homecoming date is sitting in the hospital waiting room?” Kevin asked, leaning closer for another kiss.
“Can we leave you two alone without having you guys make out?” Kelsi asked, causing the two to jump.
“What are you guys doing here?” Miley asked. “In your normal clothes?”
“We figured Nick need us, and in turn would mean that Kevin would need us.” David explained.
“Though it looks like Miley’s making you feel better already.” Joe added.
“What about the dance?” Kevin asked.
“We’re only sophomores. There’s still two more Homecoming Dances to go to. Our lives will not be ruined by missing this one.” Kelsi replied.
“I can keep my dress for the SnoBall.” Miley replied.
“You know you’ll buy a new one for SnoBall.” Kelsi replied.
“I don’t know. This dress was pretty awesome.” Miley said.
“I have an idea.” David said. “Kels, do you think your mom will mind if we hang out there tonight?” He asked.
“No, and I think I see where you’re going with this.” Kelsi said, smiling. “Guys, we don’t have to miss Homecoming while we stay here with Nick.”
“And how do you propose that?” Joe asked.
“You’ll see.” David said, smiling.