Miley Says Goodbye.
Part One.
Tall trees of bright green leaves. Wildflowers of light shades of blue and purple sprinkled about grassy fields that seemed to reach to the ends of the earth. A sky that was the quintessential shade of blue, with puffy and fluffy white cotton clouds scattered here and there. This beautiful landscape was what Miley saw before her.
She looked down at her horse, as she was sitting on him. She saw how he was gazing at the scene before them, with the same wonder and amazement in his eyes that had been in hers. Miley chuckled at the similarity and began to gently brush his white coat.
"It's beautiful here, isn't it, Blue Jeans?" Miley asked the horse. She knew she'd never get a response in words. But Miley and Blue Jeans has a bond that was hard to explain. He would understand what she was feeling or saying, and she could feel what he felt as well.
"I can't believe I ever left here to begin with. Hannah was fun, but nothing compares to just being here; being home. Sure Malibu is nice. It's got sandy beaches, and warm weather almost all year long, and you often sees celebrities walking around like regular folk. But I love running through the grassy meadows more than the beach. I love working on the farm in the heat and sitting on Grandma's porch during a cool thunderstorm more than the constant sunshine. And I love living in a small town where I know everyone more than the celebrities."
Miley looked up at the sky, and watched the clouds glide by as slow as molasses. She remembered coming here with Jackson as kids. They'd do so many fun things when they came to Grandma Ruby's for the weekend, but one of their favorites was laying in the grass and watching the clouds drift by, trying to find neat shapes.
"I can't believe I left a second time." Miley thought aloud, remembering the past summer. Her father's idea of a Hannah-Detox had done its job – maybe too well. Ever since her amazing time spent with her family, her hometown, and especially Travis, she didn't see a point to Hannah anymore. She had accomplished more than she ever thought she would with Hannah. Maybe it was time to say goodbye.
"But I don't think I'll be leaving ever again. How's that sound, Blue Jeans?" Miley looked down to pet her horse again, but pulled her hand back. She suddenly was no longer on her beautiful white stallion, but instead a dirty gray mule with an evil look in its eye.
"Blue Jeans, where'd you go?" Miley said, looking all around for the familiar horse.
"Blue Jeans! Blue Jeans!" Miley called out.
"Miley…" Miley heard her named being called, and could only think her horse was calling out for her.
"Blue Jeans where are you? Where are you!"
"Miley…"
"Come back! Blue Jeans come back, please!" a feeling of desperation washed over the teenager. Expecting the faint calling of her name one more time, Miley said nothing more. But after a few long moments, and nothing came, the tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"Blue Jeans! BLUE JEANS!"
--
"MILEY!"
Miley's eyes popped open at the sound of her name. Feeling disoriented, she looked up and saw the familiar face of her father standing above her.
"Daddy?" she asked faintly. "Where am I?"
"You're home darlin'. You fell asleep on the couch an hour ago. And all of a sudden you started mumbling in your sleep, and then you kept shouting out for Blue Jeans. Did you have a bad dream?"
Miley sat up on the couch, pushing aside the blanket that had once been covering her. It had all been a nightmare. Blue Jeans hadn't disappeared. He was back home in Crowley Corners with the rest of her family. At least…she thought he was. How could she be sure? She didn't know what was going on with her horse. He could be sick, or lonely, or even lost. But she'd never know for sure. He was in Tennessee, and she was in California.
"Dad, I –"
"– You want Blue Jeans here, don't you?" Her father cut her off.
No. I want to be there – in Crowley Corners with Blue Jeans, Miley thought. but that could never happen. As long as Hannah was alive and well, she's the first priority. "Yeah. I want Blue Jeans Here."