So some people have been concerned that I've been calling her Miley Cyrus instead of Miley Stewart. Well it's on purpose and part of the story. It will explained more later on but for now just know it's supposed to be that way.

Two years earlier

"Tonight was a big night for pop fans, especially fans of the teen sensation Hannah Montana. Linda has more on the story."

"Thank you Bob. At a recent press conference held in L.A., Miss Montana shocked the world by revealing her 'true identity'. She claimed that her real name was Miley Cyrus, and that she had kept her identity a secret in order to live a normal life with friends and family. Perhaps the biggest shock of all was the removal of her wig, proving once and for all that Hannah Montana is not a natural blonde."

"You know Linda, she really had me fooled with that hair. That is one quality wig. I just might have to buy one for myself."

"Bob, not even Hannah's wig could cover up your case of chronic hair loss. Well, that's all the news for tonight. I'm Linda Roberts."

"And I'm Bob Balding. Thank you for watching your local news station. And remember, stay classy Malibu."

____________________

Hannah stepped out from the dark backstage into blinding florescent lights and the flashes of countless cameras. She cautiously stepped up to the microphone. There was no looking back now.

"Hello everyone. A lot of you are probably wondering why I called this emergency press conference. Well, I called it because…I think the world deserves to know the truth."

There were murmurs in the audience. Miley's breathing quickened as sweat began to drip down her back. Her eyes desperately scanned the crowd, searching for familiar fire red hair. She could still hear her voice ringing in her head: Stop Miley, I can see you're extremely upset about this, which is why I don't want you to go out there! You're in no mind to make this decision.

"The truth," She licked her dry lips, "The truth is that my name isn't Hannah Montana." The murmurs grew; the confusion buzzing in the air was tangible. Miley. I just want what's best for you.

"My real name…is Miley Cyrus." The blonde wig fell to the ground. Gasps and yells deafened her and she was blinded by a million cameras flashing all at once.

Hours later the crowd had finally dispersed. Miley stepped down from the stage, exhausted by countless questions and photos. As she made her way to the exit, she barely noticed the hundreds of papers and bottles that littered the floor. Then right beside the door, one piece of trash immediately caught her eye: a discarded red wig.

Her eyes prickled with tears as she picked the wig up from the floor. It smelled like vanilla mixed with cherries, just the way Lilly's hair smelled. Closing her eyes, she stayed a moment with the wig clasped over her heart. Then letting it drop to the floor once more, Miley flung the doors open and walked out into the chill Los Angeles air.

Present

The first day of school had gone by painfully slow. Lilly was now on her way to the surf shop where she had worked during the summer to pick up her final paycheck. The shop was located right where an annoying boy named Rico used to run a snack stand. The only thing she remembered about Rico was how obnoxiously he laughed. Walking in the front doors she was greeted by a familiar face.

"Lilly! Here for your final check I'm guessin'?" The voice belonged to none other than Jackson Stewart, her boss. In the years since his father's death, the oldest Stewart child had gone to a local two-year community college. It wasn't the best education in the world, but it was adequate and frankly all he could afford. Straight out of college Jackson had scraped together the last of his inheritance and earnings to buy and renovate the old building that was now "Stewart's Surf Shop". Despite the unoriginal name, the shop was actually extremely successful. They sold surf brand clothes, touristy knickknacks, boards, and offered surf lessons.

"So how was your first day of school?" Jackson asked as he walked behind the counter to retrieve Lilly's check, "Senior year, huh. Those sure were the days."

"It was alright, I guess." Lilly mumbled absentmindedly as she scanned the shop's collection of boards. There was one particular board that she had had her eye on for a while. It was a beautiful handmade short board that was absolutely perfect, and absolutely out of her price range.

"Here ya go kiddo." Jackson handed her the check, "You know, it could really do ya some good to smile every once and a while, Lilly. I worry 'bout you."

Lilly grimaced; she hated hearing things like that. Her parents, her teachers, Oliver, now Jackson, they all said the same things. "Smile Lilly!" "Why do act so sad all the time, Lillster?" "You've changed Lilly. Is something wrong?" It was even harder to smile around Jackson. He had the same accent and the same brilliant blue eyes. His presence brought so many memories to the surface; it was almost smothering.

Lilly hung her head in shame. Even she had to admit she wasn't nearly as happy as she was two years ago. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Hey I get it. I know it's hard, but life goes on, ya know? For me…the only thing harder than losing one family member was losing two."

Lilly looked up into Jackson's sincere blue eyes. He had grown up fast. It was almost funny how the immature Stewart child had transformed into the serious one, almost.

"Listen Lilly…there's somethin' I haven't told you yet." Jackson's hand left her shoulder to rub the back of his head in embarrassment, "It's about her…"

Lilly felt all the air rush from her lungs, "What?" It was barely a whisper.

Jackson spoke slowly and carefully, "Well, I called her and asked…asked her to come home. I told her she needed to get her diploma. I figured she owes our father that much. I mean it's not for certain, she hasn't called me back with her final answer but…Lilly, you okay?"

Lilly was stunned. In shock, she didn't know how to feel. Her mind was racing with a million thoughts. Miley was coming back? Miley, her once best friend, the girl who left everyone and everything behind without a second thought, was coming back?! "She's coming back?" Her voice was quite, filled with dread and anxiety.

"Like I said, nothing's certain yet but it's a possib-"

"I've gotta go tell Oliver!" Lilly, her face still in an expression of shock, turned and dashed out the door, "See ya Jackson!" The door slammed shut.

"See ya…Lilly," Jackson slowly walked behind the counter. Maybe calling his sister had been a mistake. Bringing Miley back into everyone's lives was more likely to cause chaos than happiness. He just wanted was best for his baby sister and if anything the gossip magazines said was true, then Miley was definitely headed down a destructive path. He had promised himself two years ago that he would take care of his sister, so he had to get her back on the right track.

Then again, maybe he was grasping at false hope and it was best to leave her alone. After all, the Miley he had spoken with on the phone was not the girl he once knew. A sudden noise startled Jackson out of his thoughts; his phone was ringing.

____________________

Oliver's eyes were moving constantly back and forth as he watched his friend pace frantically. She was harder to keep up with than an ongoing tennis match."

"I can't believe this! Can you believe it?! I mean, the nerve she has to show her face in this town again. After everything she did! After all she put us through! Ugh!!!"

"Maybe…we should forgive her, like give her a clean slate."

"What??!!" Lilly roared turning on Oliver fists balled and eyes flaming.

"Never mind! What was I thinking! Don't kill me please!" Oliver squealed while cowering in the corner of the bed.

The color drained from Lilly's face as she took a couple of calming deep breaths, "Sorry Oliver, but you can understand why I'm so worked up right? I mean I thought we were best friends and then…" Lilly collapsed on the bed defeated. Her eyes began to water up but she refused to cry. She had promised herself after countless nights sobbing that she would never shed another tear over her former best friend.

"It's kinda funny…" Lilly's pained voice cracked, "I hate her for what she did to me…to us, but at the same time I still miss her."

Oliver sighed sadly as he glanced at the cover of his new issue US Weekly, "I know whatcha mean. I feel the same way." The cover was a blown up picture of a familiar young girl passed out at a bar. "But that girl we miss so much…well maybe she doesn't exist anymore."

Lilly grimaced. Her eyes were fixated on a small picture frame beside her bed. It was a picture of three best friends at the beach, "Maybe…we'll find out soon enough."

Please leave you comments. I really appreciate them...plus they make me update faster haha :)