Here's the next chapter. And like many others, I'm going to be watching New Moon tomorrow. No, I'm not THAT excited, but I am looking forward to it and I want to thank my lovely friend (who will most likely never read this) for buying me my ticket. You rock dude, and no matter how sweet you are and deny my requests at shouting you next movie we go to, I'm going to do it anyway :) The lone wolf cries = my little friend with a big heart (sorry for dissing on your height. You're taller than J and her stalker at least :P). Can't wait to hang with you. And ApterousAngel, thanks in advance for coming to my house to hold my hand while I catch the bus. I'll buy you that book, I promise!

Motel beds were never my favourite. They were always so lumpy, most likely from overuse or a tight assed decision made by the owner to buy a mattress from the stone ages. I tried to roll onto my stomach to cuddle into my pillow, not seeing any rush to get up despite my discomfort, but I bumped into something. The something moved and let out a light moan of disproval. Swiping my bed hair from my face, I peered down at the woman lying at my side. Her hair had dried and set itself in messy curls that fell past her shoulders onto her chest, which rose and fell in a smooth rhythm once she removed the hand I accidentally threw over her stomach as I tried to turn over. I had to admit I was tremendously jealous of this woman. She was gorgeous! She had the perfect set of lips I'd ever laid eyes on and they were the nicest shade of pink. Her cheekbones were high and what rested upon them caused a large fraction of my envy. Her long, dark eyelashes... Seriously, she's model material.

Miley, the name I couldn't forget, turned her head so she was completely facing me. And that's when I became greatly aware of the oxygen we were sharing. Shaking my head and holding my breath (unwillingly), I scooted away from her and then got out of bed. I hoped breakfast was included with my purchase, so I slowly made my way out of the room to the front entrance to find out.

The too friendly clerk from last night greeted me with an enthusiastic wave and I gave a lazy finger twitch in return. It didn't discourage him though, but I kind of wished it did. His wide smile seemed phony and he clearly used too much hair gel. The smell made me gag and I impatiently asked if breakfast was going to be ready anytime soon.

"Yes ma'am. It's being prepared as we speak and I'll be happy to bring it to you and your roommate once it's done," he informed gleefully. I sighed at the thought of food and nearly floated back to my room, where Miley still slept peacefully.

The beds and the state of the room may not have been high classed, but breakfast was definitely good. The eggs weren't overcooked, the bacon was oozing with flavour and the toast wasn't burnt. And there was a nice hefty amount too. When the two steaming plates were presented to me, I snatched them greedily, keenly roused Miley, and shoved the food onto her lap when she sat up. She stared at the food in shock for a few seconds, probably still half asleep. I smiled with my mouth full and swallowed before saying, "Eat up!" She remained unmoving and I warned her that I wouldn't hesitate to steal it once I was finished with mine. That seemed to do it. She started to eat and if I wasn't such a pig myself, I'd say she'd been starving with the way she wolfed down every scrap on the porcelain plate.

Once we were done, Miley was having trouble keeping her eyes open and each blink lasted longer than the previous one. I found it almost endearing and wrapped a few strands of the hair I'd been dying to touch around my fingers, tugging it lightly to get her attention. She glared at me with half lidded eyes, slight amusement dancing in her sleepy mists of blue as I chuckled.

"You can sleep some more if you want to," I said, my compassion for the helpless but beautiful woman evidently broadcasted. She wasn't much of a talker and I wondered a lot about why she didn't have a car, why she wanted to go to Malibu, and why she was so damn familiar. The mystery coating her was bothering me and I wanted to ask her so much, but knew she would either shrink away into the darkness she had shadowing her, or she'd just tell me to mind my own business. Or maybe she'd tell me and the truth would be worse than what I thought.

"No, if you're ready to hit the road then so am I," she replied with a yawn. I wanted to let her sleep, but I also wanted to get back home as soon as I could. I missed my house and my fish, which I really needed to feed. I'd been gone for only a day to visit my mum, but I still worried about Bubbles and Fishy. Yeah, not too creative, I know.

"Okay, well the exit I turn off at is about an hour down the highway, so I hope that's good enough."

"It's perfect. You've been so kind to me since the moment I sloshed into your car and wet your seat and ruined your clothes. I'll always remember this and I want to repay you someday. I promise you I will," she declared confidently, gazing into my eyes with a fire reflecting through hers. It's the first emotion I've seen flaring in them since we'd met.

"You're welcome Miley." The smile on her face fell as her eyes widened in shock.

"Hey... I never caught your name. I can't believe I didn't ask!" she stressed. I shook my head good-naturedly and we started to head out of the motel room, leaving a messy bed and our plates behind.

"My name's Lilly and you fell asleep before you got the chance, so don't worry about it." Miley gradually nodded and we thanked the motel receptionist as I handed back the key.

The need to ask the quiet drifter my mountain of questions heightened and I glimpsed at her as she walked behind me. I couldn't understand why she chose to follow rather than be at my side. Did I make her feel insecure? Pulling my car keys from my pocket, I unlocked my silver Toyota Camry (She's my baby) and removed Miley's still damp clothes from the passenger seat so she could sit up front with me. I leant over, opening the door for her and she gladly took the invitation. When she was safely buckled up, I kick started our comfortable journey once more.

I know little to nothing about Miley, but she somehow managed to make the silence that constantly fell between us tolerable. I was always chatty, usually babbling on about things no one really bothered to listen to, though I felt that saying one inappropriate thing to Miley would throw off the balance we've formed. I'm not used to having to keep a conversation relevant, so the mute atmosphere was partially my fault for being so paranoid about my choice of words.

"You look a little tense," Miley said, the concern in her voice easing my tight grip on the steering wheel, which I hadn't realised I'd been strangling.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about," I assured, sinking into my car seat with a tired sigh.

"Is it because of me? You can drop me off here if it-"

"Miley," I said firmly, almost laughing at her as she snapped to attention, her words dying on her amazing lips. "It's not because of you. I'm actually happy to have you with me. This drive is always so boring and lonesome and, though I know we don't really know each other, I like your company." Miley smiled and ducked her head, almost as if she were hiding her embarrassment. I didn't have time to look into it because I had to keep a careful eye on the road in between my glances at her, but my ponderings were proven correct when I heard her shy reply.

"I like your company too."

Awww.