whoa, since you guys leave amazing comments. here's the next (second to last) part before i go to bed.
x's & o's
~Belles aka Leanne
Nick P.O.V
When Nick had exchanged his iPod for hers during that fateful bus ride he had no clue what he was doing. He had no clue how much that one action would affect the rest of his life, even his very thoughts.
When Nick took her iPod he fully believed that someone's music player was an autobiography they never intended to write. He believed that the songs you listen to, define you. They define who you are, how you feel, and special moments in your life.
So as he listened to her iPod during that long bus ride, he was learning so much more about that girl than any conversation they might have had could have told him.
Louder louder
The voices in my head
Whispers taunting
All the things you said
Faster the days go by and I'm still
Stuck in this moment of wanting you here
(Haunted, Kelly Clarkson)
I'm never gonna say I'm sorry
I'm a clown for everyone
I'm never gonna let you down
I'm always here like the sun
(Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry, Ace of Base)
I've been tellin' my dreams to the scarecrow
'Bout the places that I'd like to see
I said, friend do you think I'll ever get there
Ah, but he just stands there smilin' back at me
(Born to Fly, Sarah Evans)
There exists a melody
That just might change your mind
Oh, if only I knew the key
To sing to make you mine
(I Saw it on Your Keyboard, Hellogoodbye)
The fact that her songs were so versatile told him that she was open to anything. He also learned so much more that he would never, could never, forget.
The day that they had exchanged iPods turned out to be the last day he took the bus. Soon his brothers and him got a record deal with Columbia records. They toured, released an album, got dropped from the label, got picked up by Hollywood, released another album, toured with Miley, played their own concerts, guest starred on Hannah Montana, were heavily rotated on all things Disney Channel, made a pilot for a new Disney Channel series, made a Disney Channel movie, started sponsoring Breakfast Breaks, and many other things, not in that exact order.
And through all that Nick never forgot that girl on the bus. He couldn't get her out of his head. She'd be in the ninth grade now. He wondered if she ever thought of him, if she knew who he was, if she still rode the bus and still sat in the same seat, listening to her iPod. He wondered if she listened to the same music, if she listened to his music. He thought about what would happen if they ever met again. He even wondered what her name was, since he never bothered to ask for it.
When he found out that him and his brothers would be going back to their old school to finalize plans for a concert there to promote Breakfast Breaks at his school, Nick was ecstatic thinking about seeing his bus girl again.
The day that they spent talking to his old principal and other important people solidifying everything was a very slow day indeed. Nick constantly spaced out wondering if the girl even still went to the school. By the time that they were finished with their meeting, the last school bell had rung and high school kids poured out of every door scrambling to get their stuff and get to the buses as soon as physically possible.
Nick watched the kids walking out the doors and made a split decision. “Hey guys, I'm going to take our old bus. I'll see you guys at home. 'kay?”
Joe and Kevin looked a little surprised, but there was something in Nick's voice that made them agree with it. “Ok,” Kevin said, “But at least put your sweatshirt on and try to blend in.” Kevin threw Nick his plain gray hoodie and watched as Nick put it on and walked out the door following the kids to the buses.
As Nick stepped onto his old bus his realized how foolish he was being. His plan was definitely not thought out completely. There were so many problems with it, but he couldn't back out now. He pulled the hood covering his mass of curly hair tighter and kept his face down, except for a few quick glances to make sure he got to the right seat.
Then the last time he glanced up he saw her. Still sitting in the exact same seat in the exact same position as before. She looked even more stunning then he remembered. He glanced at his old seat. Someone was already sitting in it. He paused and made another split decision.
He tapped her gently causing her to look up at him. Silently he asked her if he could sit there. Just as quietly she swung her legs around until she was facing forward leaving a space for Nick to sit. He sat down and thoughtfully fiddled with the iPod in his pocket before taking it out and holding it out to the girl. Seeing if she would exchange iPods again.
She studied him silently and without a word took his iPod leaving hers in the palm of his hand. The quick moment when her hand had brushed his left him feeling electrified. The rest of the ride was spent in the same peaceful silence with her slightly pressed against him because of the small amount of space on the little bus seat.
Nick took turns staring at the girl and staring out the window taking in all the familiar sights that he didn't realize he missed until now. He knew just when there was a few minutes until his bus stop, so he paused her iPod right before the end of a song and gently tapped her shoulder until she looked at him.
Nick took a deep breath before saying, “I don't know if you know me or even if you remember me. But I would really appreciate it if you listened to the rest of this song on here and then tell me your answer.”
With that he took his iPod back and gave the girl hers back. The bus stopped and Nick got off, hoping that he made the right decision. That he didn't just make a complete fool out of himself, and that she'd say yes.
