Even we knew -- deep down in our black, venom-pumping hearts -- that once upon a time Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas were Disney TV's most darling and financially lucrative storybook couple. Theirs was a romance full of sunshine, rainbows, chastity jewelry and probably a few illicit camera phone photos.

Now, Cyrus -- like millions of teen girls before her -- is shouting her (now tainted) love from the pages of Seventeen magazine.

"Nick and I loved each other," the Hannah Montana star admits in the September issue, after years of playing the "just pals" card. "We still do, but we were in love with each other. For two years he was basically my 24/7. But it was really hard to keep it from people. We were arguing a lot, and it really wasn't fun."

"We became boyfriend and girlfriend the day we met," Cyrus tells Seventeen. "He was on a quest to meet me, and he was like, 'I think you're beautiful and I really like you.' And I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, I like you so much.'"

Swoon. It's like reading poetry, or something.

The sweet nothings didn't last, though. According to People, Jonas and Cyrus split in late 2007 -- and the mop-topped 'tween idol has reportedly traded Cyrus in for her would-be successor, Disney Channel star Selena Gomez.

Cyrus says the break-up caused her to feel all dark and twisty inside. "At first I bawled for a month straight. I was so sad. I just went into this weird funk. And I dyed my hair black. when we were dating, Nick wanted me to get highlights -- and so I did that, and I got myself looking great."

(Take note, girls. Nick Jonas is hot for highlights. One box of Nice N' Easy and that purity ring is yours!)

Cyrus goes on to say that part of her break-up therapy was an Avril-esque makeover: "On the day we broke up, I was like, I want to make my hair black now -- I don't want to look pretty; I want to look hard-core. I was rebelling against everything Nick wanted me to be. And then I was like, I've got to be by myself for now, and just figure out who I really am."

"Since [the breakup], I've realized that I've met so many great guys, but I like being the girl nobody can have," she adds. "No one can touch me, no one's mine. I'm myself. I think it's sexy to do your own thing."

Ah yes, no one can touch you, Cyrus -- except, maybe, Nick Jonas? It seems our 'lil Miss Independent might still be pining for that mop-topped pin-up/amateur stylist.

Cyrus hasn't ruled out rekindling their now legendary puppy love, telling Seventeen: "Maybe he'll be my best friend for the rest of my life or maybe I'll end up marrying Nick Jonas!"

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