Chapter 1
The Big Announcement
Miley came down stairs on the bright sunny Friday morning. Her dad had breakfast ready at her spot. She pull the chair back and sat down as her dad turned from the refrigerator with orange juice for her.
"Hi daddy, this looks great." She gave him his special daddy smile.
"Thinks sweetie. Here's some juice." Robbie sat the glass down by her plate.
"Thanks for the cold shower Miles." Jackson informed Miley.
"Oh, sorry Jackson." Her mask slipped a bit. Jackson saw the change and changed too.
"That's okay Miles" He pulled out his chair and sat down to breakfast too.
"You going to eat that toast Miley?"
"No. You can have it." Jackson reached over and collected the toast.
"Yeah dad, could you turn on the news? I have to find out if the Lakers won last night."
"Sure thing Jackson." Robbie turned on the radio.
"…and in entertainment news, the big news is Hannah Montana is getting closer to finishing up her fifth album. Our sources tell us that the music is finished and all she has to do is lay down the lyrics. If things go well, the CD will be out before the scheduled release date…and now back to Bob and Tom…"
"Aw man, missed the sports." Jackson complained. But a thump at the door changed his attitude. "Alright! The papers here." Jackson left the table to get the paper. He came back looking for the sports section. When Jackson sat the stack of paper on the table, the entertainment section was on top of the pile. A picture of Hannah Montana was on the front page with the title
Hannah Montana trying to go 5 for 5. Miley quickly glanced at the article without touching the paper. It talked about how she come on the scene from nowhere and how fast her star had climbed. It also talked about how she was trying to put out her fifth album in four years. Something that is hardly ever done. But what was more amazing than that was how fast all her albums want platinum. She felt someone's eyes on her. She looked up at Jackson who was deep into the sports page. But her dad was watching her.
"Okay Miles?"
"Yes" she lied. He knew that she lied.
Miley started off for school. Soon she was joined by Lilly.
"Hi Miley. Did you see the article in the paper about Hannah?"
"yeah…"
"Oh, what's up?"
"I don't know" she lied. She never like talking about her mom.
Oliver joined them and sensing something was up and just settle for a hi and fell into silent step with Miley and Lilly. Lilly for her part let Miley have her private thoughts for now.
-------------------------------------------------
"Jackson…brother from another mother." Cooper greeted Jackson at school. "Coop." They did their private hand shake.
"Any plans for spring break yet Jackson?"
"No not yet. Why?"
"Oh, I just thought this might interest you." Cooper handed Jackson a flier.
Jackson took the flier and started to read.
"Are you serious? I beach volleyball league! That's awesome! I've got to sign up. But I'll need a partner. Cooper?"
"Oh yeah, count me in!"
"Let see, says here sign up is this Saturday. Starts at 9 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m.. I'll pick you up at 10 a.m.?"
"Great. I can't wait to show those losers how the game's played."
The warning bell for the first class went off. With a quick hand shake they left for class planning to talk more about the league at lunch.
-------------------------------------------------
"Well that's it Neil. All the music is finished. I'll have Hannah come in on Monday and start with the lyrics." Robbie shifted in his seat.
"If the music is any indicator, then this album well go platinum in a few months."
"Yeah, it does seem that way, but Hannah's not been herself lately. I hope it won't effect her singing."
"Oh, what seem to be the problem?"
"I think she is missing her mom again."
"How long as it been now, three years?"
"Yeah. You know she was her manager at first. I was still singing back then. We use to joke about how she was going be bigger star than I was."
"Well, you were tearing up the charts back then. Do you miss it?"
"No, not really. I get so much enjoyment from managing Hannah, it's like I never left. Besides, what father won't enjoy watching their daughter excel at what she does? Oh, for the record, she passed me when her fourth album went platinum."
"Hey, you know what would be neat?"
"Ah, no. What?"
"What if you and Hannah did a duet?"
"That's an interesting thought Neil. Why don't you help me keep that pot near the front of the stove."
"Yeah, what are friends for."
"Come on, let go grab some lunch. Maybe I can put off going over the budget for the album."
"What, afraid we're over?" Neil asked with a sly smile.
"No. But if we were, I have to cut your pay."
"In that case, you're buying lunch."
"Okay, lets get out of here." They got up and headed off for lunch together.