Part Three

I do not own Hannah Montana.

Life was incredibly NOT fun that week. All she could think about was the slowly fading mark on her arm. Only her friends could plow farther into the investigation. "It's obviously Jake," commented Miley's too-cute boyfriend, Erik. "Or somebody working for him."

"Somebody could be trying to frame him!" protested Oliver. "True, but I don't think that there's anybody else who's pitted against Miley right now," Lily interlarded. Miley nodded and considered both of their comments. "I agree with Lily. I've been a good girl. The only other one who could be against me is Rico, but I'm pretty sure that he and Jake have never actually spoken to each other."

Erik nodded. "From what you tell me, though, Miles, I conclude that if it were Rico, he would've written his name is your arm with a heart next to it and stuck a note to your head blackmailing you to dance with him or be his girlfriend—again." Miley giggled slightly, despite her despair. "You're right. Jake is the only one who would be this mysterious. But what else does this etch say?"

Miley displayed her arm for the group to see. They all leaned in closely, blocking the view from anybody outside of the circle. Engraved in her arm were letters. The first part they had made out—Jake-I will…Lily suggested, "I will be back?" Miley contemplated this but shook her head. "There's too many spaces in that. There are only a few more spaces left."

Miley grabbed her arm and squeezed her eyes shut. "What's the matter?" asked Erik worriedly. "My arm, it's searing!" she moaned, breathing heavily. Erik put his arm around her and said, "Breathe more relaxed. There we go." All of the sudden, the pain eased and an idea popped up in Miley's head immediately. "I will be avenged!" she screamed. The whole cafeteria looked at her. She sheepishly bleated a "sorry" and leaned it to her friends. "The message says, Jake—I will be avenged!"

Oliver examined Miley's arm. "I can see it now! How'd you come up with that?" Miley shrugged. "I haven't the slightest clue. Now let's analyze it. Do you think he has a plan or what?" She turned to Erik. "Erik, remember at the theater? He threatened to hurt me physically? Do you think this is only part one? It hurts well enough!" Her blue eyes were wide with fear. Erik stroked her hair caringly and whispered, "I'll protect you." Miley knew this was highly unlikely, since Jake was a famous, rich, devious, insane, and very tall kid, while Erik was the complete opposite, except for height. But she appreciated it anyways. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"How many times do you have to push somebody down before a foot breaks?"

The next day, Miley was in bed, drinking Loco Hot Cocoa, consumed by a bad flu. She sneezed dramatically and told her father she'd be fine for the Hannah concert in two days. He smiled. "Okay, bud. Now you get your rest so you can see your boyfriend." Miley giggled. "I'm going to work now."

She froze. "I'm going to be in the house? Alone? During school hours?" Her father looked confused and nodded. "Miles, you're fifteen. You can handle it." Miley lamented, "No, no, I can't! I need you to stay here, Daddy!" He stared at her. "What's gotten into you? What is so scary about our sunny beachside house? You can hear the seagulls cawing and the waves crashing down. It'll be relaxing and fun. I'll open your blinds and let the light stream in. You can watch TV and eat whatever you want, darling. But remember, if you get sicker from what you eat, it's your own fault. I love you." He quickly pecked her on the cheek and left the room, shutting the door only part way. Miley fell asleep for three hours, only to be awoken by a light tapping noise on her glass door. She opened her eyes slowly to see a shadowed figure of a guy standing there with a knife held tightly in his hands. She screamed and snapped her eyes shut and hid under her blanket. When she opened them again, the figure had disappeared. She relaxed. It was probably just her imagination. Phew.

"Hey, Miley."

She whipped her head to the side and saw Jake. Sitting there. With the knife glistening in his hand. Miley screamed even louder and shielded her face. But then she heard a clatter and saw he'd dropped the knife on the floor. "What are you doing here, Jake?" she whispered. Jake grabbed her hand.

"I want to say I'm sorry for everything. I don't even know what's happened to me. It's like I can't control who I am. Maybe it's your beauty that catches me in a surprise attack. Or your eyes, which are like beautiful pools of crystal clear water. Or—"

Miley stopped him by saying, "Why'd you bring a knife if you just want to apologize?" Jake massaged her hand gently and said, "Because I had to get your attention, or give you a sign it was me." Miley wasn't buying it. "Jake, you can't be all 'I will be avenged' on me and write stuff on my arm with a knife and think I'm going to be so forgiving." She thought he was just doing this to get closer to her so he could stab her in the back—literally.

Miley was so paranoid that she didn't stop to realize that he could be sincere. Without thinking, she reached for the knife and in one quick movement, sliced Jake's fleshy arm. He recoiled in pain and tears squeezed out of his eye. "Why, Miley?" he asked as he slithered out the door. "All I wanted was to see you happy."

I might add another chapter to this. Or maybe it's the end of the trilogy? Review!