Publicity

39

Nick's POV

"That was amazing, Denise." Miley spoke sweetly with a genuine smile, and it made my mother smile proudly.

"I'm very glad you liked it." Mom replied, sipping her drink "Oh, no—Miley, leave the dishes."

Miley was starting to collect the empty plates, shooting a smile towards Mom and shook her head disapprovingly. "It's alright, I don't mind doing them."

"Honey, you're our guest of honor! Let the boys take care of it," She said as she shot a glare towards Frankie, Joe, and I, and instantly Frankie stood up to help her. "I got it," She told him kindly and he looked helplessly at Mom before he sat back down.

Before I knew it she had collected all the dirty dishes, and was heading down the direction of the kitchen happily, like she really didn't mind to help. I looked around my family who looked kind of embarrassed at themselves for having to fight like that in front of the presence of Miley, but she's acting like nothing happened, and I know that's making them feel worse.

I pushed my chair back and squeezed out. "I'll help her," I announced quietly, the silence that occurred after the small argument hadn't exactly been washed away, and we all seem to keep it that way.

I left the toxic dining room and entered the kitchen, I found Miley near the sink, back turned to me, and not looking like she was struggling with the dishes, instead she looked relieved she was able to escape that dinner.

"Let me," I said as I approached her, and it made her turn to me with a jump. "You shouldn't be doing these. I don't want you to touch their filthy plates."

I felt like she was about to say something, but the look on her face told me that she had realized why I have been saying such things about my family, and she backed away from the sink in defeat and let me take the sponge out of her hand, I rolled up my sleeves.

Miley crept away from my sight and I thought she left the kitchen, but I could feel her lingering hesitatingly near me. I turned around and saw her looking at the suds blankly, but somehow her expressions showed deep emotions. Her gaze trailed up and searched my face for a moment. "What they said to you in there—"

"We don't have to talk about it." I interrupted quietly and returned to the dishes.

"--Was unfair." She said, ignoring me. "I'm sorry."

I didn't respond, I never take pity too well honestly. My parents treat me cruelly, and people acknowledging it and feeling sorry for me because of it is...well, it's embarrassing. I just want to be understood, not pitied.

Miley hesitated "Aren't you hurt?"

"I'm used to it." I mumbled.

She was quiet, and I think she dropped the subject.

"Was it a mistake, me coming here?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because of all the bad publicity I caused you, because of my behavior. Do you think your parents feel disappointed that when you do bring a girl home it's...this one?"

"No." I replied, not looking at her, but I could feel her looking at me "My parents look at my flaws, not yours. You're not a failure in their eyes, but I am. Hell...they think I'm not good enough to be with somebody like you."

"You don't know that,"

"I know my parents." I said with an edge "You said it yourself, you felt like you belong here because they're treating you really nice. Mom even called you the guest of honor. Not even Dani gets that kind of treatment when she and Kevin started dating."