Happy Holiday, one could hope, chapter 2

''Good news! I got a job!'' Lilly exclaimed when she sat next to Miley in their English Class.

''Oh good! What is it?'' Miley feigned to be excited.

''I'm gonna work at the movie theater...''

''Oh really?''

''That's great!'' Miley smiled. ''I'm happy for you.'' She said, rubbing slightly Lilly's thigh.

''And what's even better is that now, I can give you the perfect present.''

''Lilly...'' Miley started.

''I know, you told me not to,'' Lilly cut off ''but Miley, I want you to have the best Christmas ever.''

Lilly said this with so much sincerity and love in her eyes, that Miley's heart melted down. But soon, the vision of her mom appeared in front of her eyes. Her mom who won't be there for Christmas. How could she ever have a perfect Christmas without her mom? Miley's face immediatly shut down, her eyes holding all the sadness of her heart. Lilly noticed she wasn't alright.

''Miley?'' She questioned, worried, a hand on Miley's thigh.

Miley didn't really want to talk that with Lilly, or with anyone else for that matter. She slightly smiled, pretending she was fine. Luckily for her, the teacher came into the class and started the lecture.

Miley stayed pretty quiet all morning, and Lilly was more and more worried. It was very unusual to see Miley not react to... anything! She didn't want to push her into spelling out what was bothering her because she knew Miley would sooner or later say something. But the sooner was becoming the later now, and it was upseting. They were walking, silently again, to the lunchroom.

''So, erm, did you see that hat Oliver was wearing this morning? Pretty dorky, huh?'' Lilly attempted. But all she got from Miley was a groan.

''Ok, Miley, that's it!'' She exclaimed, holding Miley with a hand. ''Come with me.''

She led Miley into the girls' bathroom. After making sure nobody else was there, Lilly looked at Miley who was looking down, her arms crossed on her chest, defensive. She was slightly shacking too.

Miley was a little scared. Not because Lilly was with her or anything, but because she didn't want to talk to Lilly about... that. And somehow, she knew Lilly was going to spill the words out of her... sooner or later. Lilly stared attentively at her girlfriend, her stubborn girlfriend who refused to say what was wrong with her.

''Miley,'' Lilly soothed, coming next to her and sitting on the sink.

This voice... Miley looked up and finally met Lilly's eyes. She hadn't seen them since the english class. Lilly sighed of relief. ''Finally! I'm seeing your face again! I missed these beautiful eyes, and these wonderful lips'' Lilly grinned.

Miley couldn't help but smile.

''And that amazing smile of yours...'' Lilly added, smiling too.

How does she do that? Miley thought. Lilly can always make me happy, no matter what.

And without saying anything, she threw herself in Lilly's arms and held her tight. Lilly was a little surprised at first, but she soon tightened the hug. ''You're okay, sweetie?'' She asked in Miley's ear. Miley quietly nodded, without breaking the embrace. She just needed closure, she just needed to be in the ''girl-she-loved-more-than-anything'' 's embrace. She needed to feel safe for a while. Lilly didn't know what exactly was going on, but Miley visibly needed her. So they stayed like this, Lilly, sat on the sink holding Miley whose head was burried in her neck and hair, her arms around her waist.

The moment was broken when Lilly's stomach rumbled. Miley pulled a little away, and looked at Lilly, amused.

''What...? I'm hungry...'' Lilly said, an embarrassed grin on her face.

''Yeah, I heard that...'' Miley laughed.

She put a kiss on Lilly's lips and moved away from her, allowing Lilly to get off the sink and stand up. Miley grabbed Lilly's hand and led her out of the bathroom. They went to the cafeteria and had lunch. Miley's mood was much better. Lilly made all she could to cheer her up and it worked. Miley laughed, talked, smiled again. But Lilly couldn't help but wonder what's gotten into her earlier.

Oliver walked up to them as they were walking home from school, a happy smile on his face.

''Hey guys!'' He exclaimed. ''Lilly, since you work at the movie theater now, I was wondering if I could have special fares, you know, for your friends? Because Becca and I are going to see a movie Saturday and...''

Lilly grimaced in horror. Oliver stopped, wondering what he had just done.

''Oh maaan, I forgot!'' Lilly cried out. ''I start in a few minutes at the movie theater! I can't believe I'm gonna be late for my first day!''

Miley smiled. It was typical of Lilly. Lilly quickly kissed Miley goodbye and ran away.

''What about me?!'' Oliver cried to an already far away Lilly.

Miley opened the door of their house and was greeted by her father.

''Hey bud!''

''Hellooooo...'' she sighed, loudly walking to the counter in the kitchen.

''I see Lilly's not with you tonight. That's a first!'' Her dad mocked. ''What's going on?''

''Nothing. Lilly's working tonight.'' Miley groaned.

''Oh, and you can't be with her more than a minute?'' He laughed.

Miley made the look to her father and went to sit on the sofa. These last seconds had reminded her of a precise memory.

FLASH BACK: February 2002

Miley, 11 years old, had just came back from school. She fell on the sofa, exhausted by her day. They were still living in Tennessee, in this ranch kind of house. She had whined about her problems to her dad when she arrived but he wasn't really good at that. Miley's mom entered the living room. Miley immediatly ran to her arms. Her mom smiled, holding her tight.

''Hey Hon','' Mr Stewart said from the kitchen. They exchanged a look with a meaning only known by the two of them. It was a rather concern look, but Miley was too young to notice. Her mom put her stuff on the table in front of the couch and went to hang her coat in the closet.

''What is that Mom?'' Miley asked sitting on the couch and holding some bottles in her hands.

''Oh, it's jsut some medicine.'' Her mother replied, taking them of her hands.

''Oh, for you headaches?''

''Yes, sweetie. It's for my headaches.'' She said softly sitting next to her daughter.

''I hope you'll feel better soon, because I need you to help me to find a present for Jodie. Her party is next Saturday.'' Miley said, excited.

''Oh, about that sweetie, I won't be home this week. I have a business trip to New York. You will have to go with your father...''

''moooom!'' Miley whined. ''Dad sucks !''

''Thank you Bud!'' Mr Stewart frowned.

''Well, Robbie, she's right...'' Her mom smiled.

''Still, no need to say it aloud. The man has feelings you know!'' Mr Stewart replied, jocking.

Her mom got up from the couch and walked up to her husband, putting her arms around him. She kissed him slightly. ''Sorry.'' she said to him.

Her dad smiled, happy. Her mom smiled, happy. Miley smiled, happy. She didn't know that it would be the last time she would see them like that. She fell back on the couch, arms crossed, a little frustrated. Jodie was going to hate her when she'll see her present...

END FLASH BACK

Miley thought about Jodie. She was her best friend, back in Tennessee. Then after what happened, they moved to California, and became friends with Lilly and Oliver. She missed her a lot, and even though she stayed in contact by mails, or phone calls, it was different. Hopefully, she will get to see her soon.

Miley tried to call Lilly that night, but her mom told her that she was still working at the movies. Miley sighed, thanked Mrs Trescott and hang up. Her dad was right when he told her she couldn't be away from Lilly more than a few minutes. But hey, they were in love and how many people did actually have that chance?