Miley and Lilly, hand in hand, snuck up to Miley's front porch stifling the giggles that came to them after their third ever official date. Being so preoccupied with each other, they failed to notice the rather large lump sitting with his feet up, reading the paper, on the porch bench.
"Hello, girls." Robbie Ray said from behind the paper in a suspecting tone, knowing what was about to take place on the Stewart's front porch. He tugged down the corner of the newspaper to peer up at the girls.
"Daaad," Miley whined, her fingers still intertwined with Lilly's. "We weren't gonna do anything!"
"Oh, I know you weren't. Don't mind me, I'm just reading the newspaper in this brisk evening air."
"Dad it's 11 o'clock!" Miley whined. "How can you even see?"
"I'm sure you know by now, Miles, that I can see just about everything." He flashed them a fake grin and winked.
Miley groaned while Lilly laughed nervously, both of them looking at Robbie Ray a little warily.
"Um, I got her home before curfew, Mr. Stewart," Lilly spoke up, finally finding her voice in this awkward situation.
"Yep, you sure did. Guess the date's over now, huh?"
Lilly's hesitant smile slowly slid into a timid frown. Miley however just glared down at her dad.
"Come on dad, it's Lilly!" She pleaded with desperate eyes.
"Oh I know, Miles. And I ain't no sexist; boy or girl, I'm out here makin' sure nothin' happens out on my porch." Robbie Ray said matter-of-factly.
Miley frowned harder, emitting a small high-pitched whine. Lilly slumped a little then turned to Miley and smiled despite the dissatisfaction. "It's ok, Miles, it's pretty late anyway. See you tomorrow." Miley slowly nodded.
Lilly then leaned in towards Miley. Robbie Ray crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow. Lilly, instead of heading towards Miley's lips like the two Stewarts both had anticipated (and one of the Stewarts had hoped for…), Lilly brought her lips up to Miley's ear and whispered, "you can pay me back later."
Lilly pulled away, smiling cutely with a hint of confidence evident on her face, in her eyes. She walked off the porch, waving her goodbye to the two of the Stewart clan.
Miley watched her go with dreamy eyes, smiling stupidly. Robbie Ray laughed and shook his head, then pat Miley on the pack abruptly, snapping Miley out of her pensive trance, and headed inside.
"Yunno, I said in by 11, and you're still on the porch." Robbie Ray called from inside the warm house.
Miley sighed, shook her head and jogged in, intent on repaying Lilly for their inconvenience earlier.