Disclaimer- I do not own Hannah Montana.

Ways Of Dealing

Chapter One

A Walk In The Rain

I walked down the quiet neighborhood street on this rainy day, my clothes soaked and heavy. I love the rain. Rain used to get me off the hook for going on 'Family Hikes'. Now I would do anything to put on those uncomfortable and ugly boots and go hiking with my mom and dad. Right now I would do anything to see them again.

Now I'm living with the Okens. I have been for about a week. The absolute worst week of my life. I would give anything to be sitting at home having a family dinner in MY house with MY parents. But I'm never going to have that again, ever. This is why I'm standing out here in the rain, I needed to get away. The 'Family Dinner' was soon and I was hoping to miss it. I don't want family dinners if they aren't with my family. The Okens are not my family. They are friends. It's not normal to live with your friends. I want normal back. I want my parents back.

"Lilly! Come on Lilly, it's pouring." Oliver's voice which was full of pity rang through the street. He jogged over to me and draped his jacket over my shoulders.

"Do we have to go back?" I whispered, hating the sound of my own voice. Oliver was one the few people I actually talked to about things lately. He'd been my best friend for as long as I can remember.

He looked at me sadly. "Yeah, dinner is ready. Mom told me to come get you." He told me, then put his arm around me and started walking towards his house. I really, really did not want to go, but I did. I think I did it for Oliver. I know he's been worried about me, but it's nice to know someone actually cares. Mrs. and Mr. Oken are just in love with Anna because she is the older, polite, sister. She talked to people and cried at the funeral. I sat in a chair in the corner the whole time, not even letting one tear slip. I hadn't been able to cry yet. Anna has been mad at me ever since, saying that I don't even care about our parents. Honestly, I think I care more than she does. She doesn't even act like she misses them. She acts like the Okens are her new family and she doesn't need anyone else.

When Oliver and I walked in the door, Anna and Mr. and Mrs. Oken were already sitting at the table and there was food in the spots were Oliver and I were meant to sit. We sat down in our seats which were next to each other. I spooned up some mashed potatoes and immediately put them in my mouth.

Mrs. Oken coughed. "Lilly, dear, we haven't said our prayers yet." I put down my spoon, embarrassed. I should remember this by now, it's been a week. I guess after fifteen years of not saying any prayers just kind of stuck with me.

"Sorry," I mumbled, then gave Oliver one of my hands and Anna the other, who took it hastily. We said our prayer, then I could eat.

"Sweetie, your soaked! You better change after dinner so you don't catch a cold! You know where the towels are." Mrs. Oken said to me and I nodded to her.

"Lilly, we already told Anna this, but the lawyer working with your parents will gave us letters that they had written to you. Would you like it after dinner?" Oh my god. Did I want it? Yes! What kind of question was that. Maybe it would have some kind of explanation of how they could do this to me.

I nodded. "Yes, thank you Mr. Oken." Mr. Oken nodded and then went back to his food. Family dinners here were so awkward. Maybe it was because we weren't actually family?

"Now Lilly, we've told you honey! Call us Roger and Stacy." I tried to smile because she was trying to be nice. At least she wasn't telling me to call them Mom and Dad. That would be horrible. I vacuumed up my food real quick.

"May I be excused... with my letter?" I asked.

"It's on the counter." Mr. Oken pointed and I grabbed the letter off the counter and ran up to my room. My room was connected to Oliver's my a bathroom. It was one of those Jack And Jill type things. It was Oliver's brother's room before he left for college about two years ago. If both the doors were open I could see his room. I shut all the doors so I could be alone, then laid down on my bed with the letter.

Fingering the envelope, I debated whether I should open it or not. What if the things inside made me mad and that was the last thing I thought about the two people I loved the most? But then again... it'd be great to see one last thing that came directly from them. I tore the letter open and started to read it.

Dear Lilly,

It's Mom and Dad sweetie. We hope you are happy right now. Since you are reading this, your father and I must be gone. We wanted to tell you that you should be as happy as you can, with or without us. We love you and your happiness is the best thing for us.

If you are wondering... we choice the Okens for your guardians. You may confused why you aren't living with family, but Dad and I didn't want you to have to leave the state and face even more change than you probably are now. We've known the Okens forever and they are great people, Lilly. They will love you just like we do.

You can do whatever your amazing heart desires, and we trust that you do. We love you forever and always, never forget that.

With much love,

Mom and Dad.

I folded the letter back up and stuffed it back into the envelop and tossed it across the room, not wanting to look at it anymore. They didn't want me to face a lot of change?! Like their death wasn't going to be a big change. If I could do anything right now, I would go to jail and kill the bastard that hit my parents. He doesn't deserve a second chance. He's already ruined three lives.

Without changing I slipped under the covers and pulled them over my head. I just wanted to sleep. Sleeping was great because I didn't have to think about things while I sleep. If sleeping is anything like dying, death must be great.

It had been two hours and I was still sitting awake with the covers pulled over my head. It always took a minimum of three hours for me to fall asleep every night. It sucked. I heard the bathroom door that lead to my room open up and Oliver walked in turning off my lights.

"Good night, Lils." He whispered to me, thinking I was asleep. Then he turned on the bathroom light and left the door to my and his room from the bathroom open a crack. He had been doing the same thing every night I slept here, remembering my secret. When we were six I'd told him about being afraid of the dark, and didn't expect him to remember. Sometimes I think Oliver deserves more credit than I give him. Oliver was always there for me. Even when Miley has her Hannah things. During the funeral Miley had came for the day, but had to leave right away for her Hannah Tour. Her and Oliver sat on either side of me and held my hands the whole time. They really were the best friends you could ask for.

This was kind of an introduction chapter. I think that you guys probably know, but that was in Lilly's point of view... just so you know, haha. Thanks for reading, and please review!

P.S. If anyone has ideas for Back to Normal if you would like to PM me with them, I'd appreciate it a lot! Thanks!

XOXO

Sherrie.