A/N: Ok, so this idea won't leave me alone and I can't concentrate on my two unfinished stories so I figured I'd best get it out of the way. I think it's going to be pretty damn long but hopefully it won't take ages to write.

Read and review please =]

Disclaimer: Not mine; I'm just doing this for fun.

Fate

The Tennessee sun was beating down on the small blonde teenager as she stood staring at an old ranch house. Shielding her eyes from the sun she looked around before slowly climbing the rotten wooden stairs, being careful to tread lightly. The porch offered her some shade which she welcomed gladly. It was scorching. Her tee shirt was sticking to her and her forehead was damp with sweat. She wonders why it's getting to her; Malibu girls live for the sun but here in Tennessee temperatures are stifling. I guess that's global warming… She examines the front of the house with a smile, it's in need of some serious TLC but it has character. She lets her fingers trail over the chipped front door before turning around and sitting cautiously on the top step. Aside from the humidity Tennessee was perfect, and even the heat was rare. She loved everything about the state; its big cities, winding rivers and especially Beech Creek. It was the next town over from Miley's hometown Crowley Corners. Since they had spent the past two weeks at her family ranch they had decided to visit Beech Creek and check out the bigger town before heading back to Malibu for school. They were seniors this year.

"Lilly!"

The blonde looked up at the sound of her name and found Miley heading over to her.

"Hey Miles, you found me."

"Yeah, what are ya doing?" She sat next to Lilly on the top step, flicking her brown curls over her shoulder as she turned to check out the old house.

"Just checking the place out. It's such a nice house." Lilly smiled as Miley gave her a quizzical look.

"You feelin' ok Lils? You don't have sunstroke do ya?"

"Um no, I'm fine. Why'd you say that?"

"This house is a wreck! Lil's the thing looks about as sturdy as a chicken coop in a twister!" The girl grinned as she looked down the street.

"But it has character! Ok so it need's a bit of a make-over but that can be done!" Lilly tried to explain to her, following Miley's gaze. "It's the kind of place I've always wanted to live…" At this Miley snaps her head around to stare at her.

"Really… why?" Lilly relaxes as she realises her friend is truly curious and no longer questioning her sanity.

"I don't know; I just love this whole town. Everything's so simple and everyone's so friendly. Not to mention the scenery! The place is amazing. It feels like home." She says that last part quietly, feeling embarrassed and not knowing why.

"Hey…" Miley lays a hand on her arm and gives her a smile. "I understand it, I've often toyed with the idea of moving back to Tennessee when I'm older but I don't think I'd move to Crowley ya'know? That would be kind of weird, I'd like some freedom!" The pair chuckle, knowing how lovely yet interfering Miley's family can be at times. "There's no way I'd live in a house like this though! Much too small, THAT however, is what I call a house!"

Lilly's eyes look at where she is pointing. Further down the road there is a turn-off which Lilly had originally thought was another road but on closer inspection it turns out to be a driveway. They slowly walk up it and find them at a wrought iron fence behind which sits the biggest house Lilly has ever seen. Its huge white body sits amongst immaculate green lawns and hedges. There is even a glittering fountain.

"Wow…"

"Yeah! It's gorgeous isn't it? Give me a five years and it'll be mine." Miley grins at Lilly as they walk back into town.

"I'd still rather live in the old house. I'd fix it up and sit on the porch reading and drinking iced tea." The blonde is still thinking about it when Miley grabs her hand and pulls her towards a truck.

"Come on daydreamer! Jackson's here."

The girls met him as he jumped out of the driver's door quickly being followed by Miley's father and uncle. They began hauling a guitar, cooler and picnic basket out of the back before starting to walk down to the river. A picnic by the river sounded like a perfect end to their trip to Lilly and she couldn't help but grin as they reached their destination. It had only taken a short walk past the local grocery store and out of town. The view was stunning. The sun hung low in the sky as it filtered through the trees near the riverbank. They set the picnic up in the shade and enjoyed the cool breeze as they ate. It was not long before Miley's father, Robbie Ray, picked up the guitar and started singing some old country songs. Soon all the Stewart's were singing along and Lilly couldn't help but feel a little sad. Miley's family were incredibly close, especially after the death of her mother. Her family were not. She loved her mother and father but as they were divorced she very rarely got to see her dad and her mother wasn't always around. She knew her mother had to work but it made her feel so alone sometimes. Her eyes stung as she stared off towards the waters edge.

"You ok Lils?"

Startled she flinched away from the hand on her shoulder before realising it belonged to her best friend. She relaxed and slowly brought her eyes up to Miley's.

"Yeah, sorry…"

Miley nodded but clearly saw the sadness in Lilly's eyes so she stood, offering her hand to the other girl. Who took it without hesitation, ready to follow. The three men were too busy singing about a broken-down truck to realise the girls had walked off.

The girls hadn't let go of each others hands as the slowly walked up the river and found a lone oak tree on the slope. It was huge and clearly hundreds of years old yet it stood tall and offered them a place to sit between its gnarled roots. They sat with their backs against the trunk and Miley pulled Lilly's hand into her lap, rubbing soothing circles on the back of it. Lilly closed her eyes and sighed; it felt good.

"So come on, spill. What's eating at ya?"

"I don't know, I just…" She stared at the grass, knowing she couldn't lie to Miley. "It was just that before when you were all singing, it- it made me a little jealous." She trailed off and turned to look at her friend.

"Jealous? I don't understand."

"It's just your family is wonderful, you're all so close and well, mine aren't." Miley's eyes soften as Lilly's start to prickle all over again. "I feel so alone sometimes, my dad never bothers to come and see me anymore and my mother's always out. I know I should be grateful I have them and I love them both. It's just sometimes I feel like they don't love me."

"Oh Lil, they do love you!" She pulls the girl close as tears start to spill from her eyes and feels her clutch at her shirt. "How could they not love you ey? You're Lilly Truscott! Funny, smart, damn good on a skateboard and a bit of a dork…"

Lilly chuckles as she sits up and smiles at Miley.

"Yeah but I'm your dork."

"Hell yeah skater girl! Come here." She wipes the tears from Lilly's cheeks before pulling her into her shoulder and staring at the sunset.

"If I ever have a family, I want them to be like yours." Lilly feels Miley rest her head on top of hers. "Living in a big old house in a small town and knowing everyone. Watching as the kids play from the front porch and knowing that everything you need is right there with you." She fades out and in her head she can see it so clearly. She's sitting on the porch with a glass of iced tea as the sun starts to set, there are two small children running around in the front garden. Two little girls; one with a halo of golden waves, the other with a mess of dark brown curls. The dark haired girl runs up to her carrying a little wooden guitar, her big blue eyes shining. There is a soft hand on her shoulder and she looks up at her other half, squinting against the sun to see their face.

"Lilly..."

"Lilly! LILLY!"

She jerks out of her day dream to find Miley shaking her by the shoulder and looking at her with one eyebrow raised.

"Wh-what? What's up?" She stands up and stretches, trying to shake the dream from her head.

"Come on, we gotta head back. My dad will be wonderin' where we got to." She grabs Lilly's hand and they start to walk back to the others as the sun begins to sink behind the trees.

A/N: Ok so that's chapter one… Like it? Hate it? Let me know! =]