"Miley come down and help me with lunch," Tish yelled from downstairs. Miley sighed as she gripped the phone in her hand.

"I have to go, Nicky. My moms calling," Miley explained.

"Sure. No problem. So I'll pick you up at 7 tonight?"

"Yeah. 7's good. Love you," Miley whispered as she was about to hang up the phone.

"Love you too," Nick smiled. After hanging up, Miley walked downstairs and found her mom running around the kitchen hastily.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

"No. The dinner party is tonight and there are no ingredients in this house," she exclaimed. She opened cupboard after cupboard trying to look for something edible. Finally, after minutes of scrambling around, she sat down on the kitchen table with her head in her hands. "I can't do this. This party is very important to your father. I can't let him down."

Miley walked over to her mother and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Mom, why can't we just go to town and buy some more food?"

"I would, but I have no time. I still have to clean the house, drop Noah off at ballet, bring Brandi to band rehearsal, pick up Trace from the airport because of winter break, go to Braiso…"

"Why don't I just go?" she interrupted. Tish's eyes widened with hope. She took her face out of her hands.

"Really? Would you really?"

"Yeah. Just give me a list of what to buy," Miley smiled. Tish stood up wiping a loose tear.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me," she explained as she kissed her daughter's hair.

Miley smiled as she hugged her mother tighter. In that single moment, a rush of memories filled her mind; and each memory had her mother standing right next to her. She had always been there. When Miley had her first day of school; she was there. When Miley had her very first crush; she listened. When Miley had her very first heart- break; she comforted.

After pulling away, Miley walked towards the front door with a small genuine smile. Suddenly, her mother's arms were around her again. "Mom?" Miley laughed. "What's with all the hugs?"

Tish pulled back and held her daughter's face in her hands softly. "I don't know. I just feel like… I don't know," Tish whispered. She held onto her daughter without any sign of letting go.

"Mom, I really have to go, if you want to have time to cook," Miley sighed. She heard Tish take in a deep breath as she loosened her arms.

"You know that I love you, Mi," was all she said before she walked back into the kitchen. Miley smiled, touched, before making her way out the door and towards town.

Miley Destiny Cyrus walked down the block shifting the grocery bags from arm to arm. She hugged her sweater tighter around her as a sharp sting of wind drifted past her. December in Georgia was impossible. She walked past lines and lines of stores admiring the samples shown through the glass windows. Finally, she stopped in front of a jewelry store; one of the only ones in the whole town. She admired a set of rings on display and drifted her mind to Nick and his dog tag necklace that was hanging around her neck. She grasped her small palm around the platinum and smiled. They had been together for almost 4 years. They had not only become each other's first loves, but each other's best friends.

Suddenly, Miley's phone began to vibrate in her pocket. She took it out and smiled when she saw Demi's caller ID flashing. "Hey, Demi. What's up?"

"Me and Joe are back together," she giggled.

"Again?" Miley sighed. "Demi, he cheated on you… 3 times."

"But he loves me. I know he wouldn't do it again," Demi defended herself. Even through the authority in Demi's voice, Miley could hear a hesitance buried between.

"That's what you said the last time," Miley explained trying to be rational. She couldn't believe that Demi was still forgiving him. Joe was sweet and a good guy, but he had commitment problems. Nick had explained everything to her.

"But, Mi. He LOVES me. And-" Demi started, but something in the corner of Miley's eye broke her concentration. A head of curls was moving around the jewelry shop slowly, talking to the jeweler. He brought out a box with an elegant silver ring and examined it closer. She watched him nod and give a handful of money to the jeweler before taking the ring into his palm. Miley felt a grin crawling up her face. Suddenly, another figure walked closer to Nick. He turned towards her with a smile and brought the ring to her fingers, before slipping it on. Miley recognized the girl to be Serena Jameson, the head cheer-leader with long waves of strawberry blonde air and ocean- blue eyes. Serena smiled as she slipped on the ring, before leaning in towards Nick and kissing him on the cheek.

"when you love someone you don't hurt them," Demi explained. Miley felt her throat tighten as a sob broke through.

Miley stood there silently in disbelief. Tears were pushing through as she felt her heart shatter in her chest.

"Miley? What's going on? Are you okay?" Demi asked worried. Miley stood there speechless. She watched as Serena placed her hand on his back almost possessively. Suddenly, she realized she couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't watch this. She had to leave. She had to run… away. But before, she could escape, a flood of memories pushed through. A scream, a flash, and then darkness. Other familiar voices sounded through her head, but her mind couldn't concentrate. Her head was spinning with one second scene flashes that she could not make out. Suddenly, the flashing ended and she came face to the face with reality; facing towards the store window; looking straight inyo a pair of surprised hazel eyes; hazel eyes that belonged to Nick.

He seemed unsure of what to do as he stumbled forward towards the door. Miley wiped away a quick tear before slowly backing away from the window. Suddenly, Nick's slow walk turned into a run as he made his way out and just a few feet away from Miley. "Miles…"

"No," was all Miley was able to get out before she ran down the deserted street, confused, exhausted, and alone.

Demi walked towards the Jonas house ready to surprise Joe with a visit. She had prepared a whole meal for them, including his favorites. Picnicking had become something they both loved to do. Sometimes they'd switch off on the cooking, but the best times were when they did it together. Demi made her way to the front door and found the spare key hidden on the top ledge of door frame. She smiled as she unlocked and opened the door slowly trying not to raise as much noise as possible. She walked towards the kitchen and settled all her stuff down before making her way through the house. She smiled as she saw a picture of them together in a small frame in his living room.

She couldn't believe how much they've been through. Joe always seemed to get caught up with other girls, but he always ran back to her. He always chose her. That's got to count for something, right? She still remembered last night clearly; every moment; every action; every word. He had found her alone on the beach; the very same spot where she had first forgiven him. He had gotten to his knees and apologized his heart out. Then he began to cry, and Demi caved in. She wrapped his arms around him as he covered her with kisses and 'I love you's'. It was perfect.

She sighed, drifting her mind back to reality, as she slowly crept up the stairs and towards Joe's room. She smiled wondering if she should jump in and scare him or if she should do it slowly and casually. She grinned as she finally opened the door expecting to see Joe's surprised face.

Instead she came face to face with another shocked face. A girl's. Half- naked. And in Joe's bed.

"Crap," the girl whispered before she scrambled up and searched around the room for her shirt. Joe casually came out of the bathroom shirtless, and not noticing Demi in the room asked, "What's going on? What's with the hurry?"

Demi stood there speechless. This couldn't be happening. He had just begged for her back yesterday. He told her he needed her. He told her he'd never cheat again. He told her he loved her… And Demi was stupid enough to fall for it again.

The girl ran out of the room flushed with embarrassment and guilt. Finally, Joe turned towards Demi's direction. "Demz?"

"How could you?" Demi whispered; her anger transforming into a disbelieving depression.

"Demz. Let me explain. Please," Joe pleaded with his eyes; those deep black eyes that always seemed to spark Demi, but now just seemed like blank nothingness.

"No,"Demi said quietly. "I'm done, Joe. I can't do this anymore. I can't keep forgiving you."

"But I love you," he explained, stepping a step closer to Demi.

She stepped one step back. "No. You don't. When you love someone, you don't hurt them, Joe. You just don't."

"I know, and I don't want to. I'm just so confused right now," he exclaimed running his hands through his hair. His eyes seemed stressed and wandering. "Demi, please …"

"I'm sorry, Joe. I just can't," she took another step back. She wiped away an escaped tear quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed. "Maybe when you… figure things out. Then we can talk. But right now… I think we should see other people," she explained looking down. She focused her gaze on the floor as she pushed tears back.

"Look me in the eyes and then tell me it's over," Joe growled. His held tight fists at his sides, and Demi could see his veins and muscles straining.

Demi stayed still, keeping her eyes to the floor. Joe moved forward until his face was inches before his. "Look me in the eyes and tell me it's over," he said in a softer tone. His face had become desperate as his face searched hers.

After taking in a deep breath she looked him straight in the eye and said the two words that nearly stopped her heart. "It's over."

Before she could have time to change her mind, she ran out of the house finally breaking into tears, and wondering how such a right decision could hurt so so much.

Miley's POV

Miley trudged on her way home. The sky was heavy and gray, the wind was breaking through the warmth of her jacket but the most painful part was the memory of what she saw. She had been trying to forget everything, but nothing seemed to happen. Nick's voice suddenly played in her head. "Some things aren't meant to be forgotten. They make you stronger." But she pushed it away to the farthest corner of her mind.

After a few minutes, she heard a car trailing behind her. She turned around and found Nick driving past in his vintage Mustang. "Miles, c'mon. Get in the car. It's freezing outside."

Miley ignored him and walked faster. The wind was picking up causing pools of frost to build on her cheeks.

"You're going to die from this cold, Miley. Get in the car," he explained.

"No. I refuse to get in that car," Miley exclaimed angrily right when a heavy rain started to pour. Her clothes were soaked, but she didn't care.

"Miley, please. Let me explain," Nick pleaded. She trudged on stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets. "And I have your grocery bags in the back seat."

Miley stopped in her tracks. "Give them back."

"Not until you get in this car," Nick explained. His window was wide open despite the rain and his curls were matted down from the wind and water. Defeated, Miley slowly walked over to the passenger side and slumped down on the seat. Being with him was the last thing she felt like doing, but she needed those grocery bags. She did it for her mom.

"Miles. What you saw in the…"

"I don't want to hear it. Just take me home," Miley demanded refusing to make eye- contact.

"Miley. I was in there for you."

"Don't even try lying to me, Nick," Miley whispered. Tears were building, but she pushed them back refusing to let him see her cry.

"I'm not, Miles. I was there for you and only you."

"Then what about Serena? What was she doing there with you?" Miley asked, her voice rising with her frustration.

"Serena?" Nick asked sarcastically. Then, he began to laugh. Miley sat there baffled until she raised her palm and hit him across the face. A loud snap sounded as the two objects made impact. Nick sat there surprised as he brought one hand off the steering wheel and onto his reddening cheek.

"What the hell?" he half- screamed. He opened his mouth to scream again, but he snapped it shut knowing that he would regret whatever he would say. After a few minutes his voice softened. "Miles. Serena was just there as coincidence. She was buying something for her own boyfriend. She saw the ring I was buying you and asked to try it on. That's it."

Miley sat there in disbelief. She wanted to believe it, but her heart was still in the process of mending itself together. She didn't have enough strength to give in. "Don't you dare lie to me," was all Miley got out before she burst into tears.

"Miley. I was getting it for your Christmas present. I know I'm cutting it close. It's already December 19th, but I wanted to make sure it was the perfect one," he explained frustrated. He sped the car up faster as they approached a sloping hill that Miley recognized as Lane Hill…

Suddenly, the same flashes of images blasted through her mind. Except this time, instead of unfitting pieces, the flashes of memories pieced together. December 19th, the fight, the car; the accident.

"Nick, stop the car," Miley demanded frantically.

"No. Not until you listen to me, Miley. I don't even care for Serena. We're not even friends. You have to understand that. We've known each other for 4 years. We've loved each other for four years. I wouldn't throw that all away for any other girl," Nick explained trying his best to look at her sincerely and at the frosted roads.

"Nick. Stop the car now!" Miley said frantically. It was supposed to happen any moment now. How stupid could she be to forget? She was preparing for this moment for the last 4 years. She was supposed to prevent this. She was supposed to save him.

"No, Miley. I'm not letting you go until you forgive me," he pleaded. He took one hand and brought out a velvet box from his jacket pocket. "I was supposed to give it to you on Christmas, but it can't wait."

Miley took a deep in- take of breath as she opened the tiny box and was overwhelmed with the sight of a silver band. Inside the ring was the smooth engraving of, "My Cinderella" .

"Nick. This is amazing," Miley sighed as she slid it on her finger. This time, she let the tears fall. Leaning her head against his shoulder as she felt her heart mend itself completely. Suddenly, she remembered what was happening.

"Nick…" she started, but she knew it'd be too late. He wouldn't stop. It'd happen too soon, so she used the next few moments wondering what her final words would be; something that would sum up everything. Finally, she found them; The words that would last a lifetime. "I love you, Nicky."

She felt Nick look down and kiss her on the head, "I love you too," Nick whispered before Miley closed her eyes as she saw the flashing lights of an upcoming truck, the sound of squealing tires, the sound of two cars colliding, and the buried feeling of trust, love, and closure that released itself from her chest the exact moment the world turned black.

Demi settled herself beneath the looming canopy tree as she watched the storm circle around her. She sighed leaning her head against the smooth trunk and releasing all memories of Joe, love, and life itself. She felt her heart lighten as she slipped her past away. She loved Joe. She knew that, but she would love others; she would love more; she would love for the rest of her life, and she understood that better.

Suddenly, the vibration of her phone broke her thoughts as she picked it up.

"Hello?" Demi answered. A sob erupted from the other end.

"Tish? What's wrong?"

"They're gone."

Miley Destiny Cyrus slept peacefully; taking in all the happiness she had felt from her past dreams. It was her wedding day. She pictured herself in her pure white gown, walking down the aisle. As everyone's eyes were turned toward her, she kept a steady gaze at her soon to be husband, the man who she would spend the rest of her life with, the man who loved her unconditionally, the friend who on had always been there. She smiled at his triumphant gaze. She grinned for he thought he had won something, when the real and absolute truth was she had just won the world.

She felt at peace.

Nicholas Jerry Jonas smiled from an amazing dream. Out of the white streak of light, Miley appeared before him. He walked over slowly and took intertwined his fingers through hers. He admired her soft hazel brown curls, her fair pale skin, her contrasting storm eyes, and finally the light that seemed to be radiating from within her. "Forever," Miley whispered as she leaned her head against his chest. "Forever," Nick echoed with a soft smile as he wrapped her in an embrace. This time, never letting go.

He felt at peace.

A/N: There's the end! Thanks for those who have been reading since the very first chapter. :) I'm still deciding on a new story, so I'll upload some more ideas soon.