Disclaimer: Sadly, as of right now, I do not own Hannah Montana, or any of the characters except Ben, who is such a lovely character to own (NOT!) lol.
A/N: Italicized writing is a flashback.
"I am sooo glad that you could come over tonight, Lily!" my best friend, Miley, exclaimed. She scooped up a handful of sour cream and onion potato chips and shoved them in her mouth.
"I'm glad, too," I said honestly, smiling. I picked up a single potato chip and slowly chewed on it.
"What's with the one chip at a time deal?" wondered Miley. "These are your favorite!"
"Oh, no reason," I said. "Just watching my weight I guess."
Miley was about to open her mouth and reply when Oliver, my best guy friend, wisely broke in.
"Seems like we haven't seen you in forever," he commented. He alternated between reaching for chips and holding hands with Miley. Miley and Oliver date each other. They're majorly in love, but they never exclude me.
"Can't say I'm complaining," joked Jackson, Miley's older brother. He grinned at me.
I picked up a pillow and threw it at him. It hit him square in the face. He gasped and pretended to be hurt, and then whammed it right back at me. Soon, there was an all-out war of the pillows going on.
Then, I heard my cell phone ringing.
"Stop, guys!" I cried, holding up my hand. I got whapped upside the head with a pillow and giggled. "STOP!" I bellowed.
The pillow fight died down, and I flipped open my cell phone.
"Hello," I said, putting the cell to my ear.
"Lily?" asked a voice. It was Ben, my boyfriend.
"Oh, hi Ben," I said, standing up and walking out of the room.
"Where are you?" he demanded. "I called your house, and your mother said you weren't home."
"I'm at Miley's," I said. "Remember? I told you that she was having a little get-together here tonight."
"Why wasn't I invited?" he cried, enraged. "I'm your boyfriend! I should go everywhere with you! I dont want you getting it on with some random guy!"
"Ben," I said as evenly as I could muster, "It's only the four of us here."
"Who's the four?" he questioned.
"Miley, Jackson, Oliver and I," I said impatiently.
"And how the hell do I know that you're not making out with that Jackson dude right now?"
"I would never do that!" I cried. "Jackson is just my friend! You have to trust me."
"I don't know ... maybe you should come to my house right now," stated Ben.
"I am NOT leaving yet, Ben! This is the first time that I've seen my friends in a long time!" I realized that I was yelling, and I quickly lowered my voice.
"Fine," muttered Ben, anger turning his voice cold. "We'll discuss this tomorrow. See you."
"See you later," I mumbled, before hanging up. A wave of nervousness washed through me, but I tried to shove it away. I loved Ben, I really did. He could just be a little, well ... a little controlling.
I walked back into the Stewart's living room to find Miley, Oliver, and Jackson staring at me.
"What?" I asked. "Do I have something on my teeth or something?" I kidded, forcing a smile.
"What was that all about?" asked Miley seriously. She looked at me with her big blue eyes, trying to read my expression.
"Nothing," I said. "It was just Ben, asking me where I was."
"Are you sure that's all it was?" asked Oliver. He looked worried. They all did.
"Yes!" I insisted, sitting on the couch. "Now, how about that pillow fight?"
My friends soon went back to normal, but I couldn't function right. Sure, I laughed and pretended that I was having a good time, but I wasn't, really. My phone call with Ben had ruind my night.
At eleven, I decided that I had better go. "I'll see you guys again soon," I said, standing up and stretching.
"Aww, are you sure?" asked Miley. "You could sleep over! You haven't slept over in ages, Lily!"
"No, I'd better not," I said. I knew that Ben would be over at my house early the next morning, and I didn't want him to find me still not home. It wouldn't sit too well with him.
Miley frowned, and her eyes registered a little bit of hurt. "Okay, then."
"I'm sorry, Miley," I said. "I'd really like to, but ... but I think I ought to get home. I'll just call Mom now."
I called my mother, and she agreed to come pick me up. She arrived about fifteen minutes later.
Calling goodbye to my friends, I left the house.
"Wait! Lily!" called Miley, running out of the house after me.
"What is it?" I asked, turning around.
"I'll call you tomorrow," she said, laying her hand gently on my shoulder. "I think we need to have a long talk. Okay?"
"Alright," I murmured. "See you, Miley."
"See you, Lil."
I got in the car and stared out the window as my mother began driving down the road. I didn't really want to leave. I would give anything to stay at Miley's house that night.
The rain pouring down the windows mirrored the tears running down my cheeks. I knew that I wouldn't be leaving yet, or at all that night, if it hadn't been for Ben, and knowing that he would be over early the next day. Why was I so intimidated by him? He was just a guy. But I knew. I knew why I was so scared.
"Are you ready for our date tonight?" asked Ben, when I opened the door.
"We didn't have a date for tonight," I said in confusion. "I made plans to go to the mall with Miley."
"Forget Miley," complained Ben. "Who's more important? Me, or her?"
I didn't know how to answer that. "Well, of course you're important. But so is she, and we already made plans ..."
"I don't care!" cried Ben. "We are going on a date, and that is that! Call Miley and tell her that something came up. Tell her you're sick, for all I care. Just get rid of her."
"No way!" I cried, standing my ground.
That was when Ben slapped me in the face.
And that was just the beginning.
I broke out of my thoughts when we reached our house. I went inside and went straight to bed, calling out a good night to my parents on the way.
A few minutes later, I was snuggled in my blankets with my silk pajamas on, staring at the wall. I was dreading tomorrow with a passion. I was afraid of what Ben could do.
A/N: What you guys think so far? I'm only going to write more if anyone actually wants me to. So pleaseeeeee review if you like what you read :)