Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Hannah Montana and will not make any money off of this story. Thank you.
"Sorry, Lilly. I'm doing something with my Dad today," Miley apologized as she walked around her room, her cell phone pinned between her cheek and her shoulder.
"Aww, no fair. You can't just change plans at the last minute like that," Lilly pouted into her phone.
"Come on, Lilly, my Dad wants the family to spend some quality time together," Miley said, "Besides, I'm sure you and Oliver can figure out a way to keep yourselves occupied for a day without me."
"Oh, alright. See you at school tomorrow."
"Yep, bye, try not to have too much fun, and don't forget to call me tonight and let me know how everything goes," Miley smiled
"All right, bye," Lilly replied.
"Bye," Miley said, and hung up the phone. Turning around she found her father standing in the doorway.
"So you're gonna leave the two of them to their own devices for a day, huh?" Robbie Ray asked.
"That's the plan. We'll see how everything turns out tonight after Lilly calls me," Miley replied. "The real question is what we're gonna do today."
"Well, there's a National Park an hour or two from here, that Jackson and I were planning on going to, and the rivers there are teaming with—,"
"Oh, Dad, fishing?" Miley whined.
"Now, now, don't go staring down the end of your pretty, little nose at it until you've given it a try," Robbie Ray chided, "You never know, you may like it. You like camping enough. Besides, Darlin', we already made the plans, you're the one who jumped in at the last minute."
Miley crossed her arms with a 'humph', "Oh, alright, if it'll make you happy I'll give it a try. I guess it is for a good 'cause and all."
"Good. We're leaving in half an hour so be ready to go," Robbie Ray said, turning from the door, "Now if only I could get your brother out of bed."
"There's always the bucket of ice water," Miley smiled wickedly. Robbie Ray grinned at her over his shoulder before disappearing from the doorway.
XXXXXX
"So, what do you want to do, then?" Lilly asked, sitting beside Oliver at Rico's.
"I don't know. What do you want to do?" Oliver asked.
"I know what I want you two to do," Rico piped up, "Get away from my stand."
"Oh, look, it's the devil's little helper," Lilly said.
"Great, I'd take the dentist over this any day," Oliver grimaced.
"Hey, unless you two are gonna buy something, can you, ya' know, get out of here," Rico said.
"Hello," Lilly retorted, shaking a bottle of water in his face, "We've already bought something."
"Good, now buy something else, or get lost."
Lilly made a face at him, "Fine. Come on, Oliver," Lilly took him by the wrist and drug him away from Rico's. "Oh, that little—one of these days—,"
"I know, I know, but remember what always happens to Jackson when he tries to get Rico back," Oliver cautioned.
"Yeah, but Jackson's an idiot," Lilly replied.
"And we're not"?
"No," Lilly said, but then looked thoughtful for a moment, "Well, I'm not, anyways."
"Hey!" Oliver gave her a slight push.
"Hey!" Lilly pushed him back. Oliver stumbled slightly before bumping into Lilly. Smiling, she leaned her weight against him, and the two laughed together for a moment. As they turned to look at each other, a thrill of excitement shot through them, "You know, maybe a day to ourselves won't be so bad."
Oliver smiled, "It has been a while since it was just the two of us, hanging out."
"Yeah," Lilly said, looking at him, her voice soft, "It has, hasn't it"?
"Come on," Oliver said, taking her hand and leading her away.
XXXXXX
"Are we there, yet"?
"No."
"Are we there, yet"?
"No"!
"Are we there, yet"?
"Jackson Rod Stewart, if you ask that question one more time, I'm gonna pull this vehicle over to the curb and—,"
"Alright, alright, I get it," Jackson said, throwing up his hands, "I was just asking a simple question. There's no need to get snippy."
Miley turned around in her seat, "There would be no need to get snippy if you would stop acting like a two-year-old!" Miley yelled.
"Hey, you're the one yelling," Jackson said, and Miley had the sudden urge to smack that smug look right off his face, "And what I want to know is why you get to sit in the front seat all the time? I'm the oldest, I should get to sit up there, and besides, your not even supposed to be here."
"Jackson, we've been having this discussion for fourteen years now. I sit up front because I'm cuter, more mature, and we don't want anyone to know we're related to you," Miley replied.
"What'ya mean? I'm cute and mature and a credit to the Stewart family," Jackson said, digging his finger up his nose.
Growling, Miley spun back around in her seat, sagging against it heavily, "Your absolutely sure he didn't fall off the back of a truck"?
"Miley, we've been having this discussion for the past fourteen years," Robbie Ray said, "I was there when he was born."
"A mix up at the hospital?" Miley asked hopefully.
"'Fraid not, Darlin'," Robbie Ray said.
Miley groaned, holding her face in her hands, "Why me"?
XXXXXX
"It's kind of early for going to a movie isn't it"?
"Nah, it's the matinee, which means the tickets are cheaper," Oliver said, "And for a couple of broke freshmen in high school like us, that's perfect.'
Lilly couldn't argue with logic like that, "What do you want to see, then?" her fingers twitched next to Oliver's. She had the strong desire to hold his hand again, but he had let go when they got to the theatre to root through his wallet to see how much money he had. Now they stood side by side, looking up at the marquee, trying to decide what movie to see.
Oliver's arm bumped Lilly's as he pointed up at one of the movies, "How about that one, it's got lots of action and drama and stuff?" he asked.
"Nah, I don't like the actors," Lilly suddenly grabbed Oliver's elbow, pointing excitedly, "Oh, look! I Am Legend! Will Smith is in that movie, can we see it, please?" Lilly pleaded, putting on her best pout.
"Oh, all right, come on," Oliver said, leading the way to the teller, "What could it hurt, right." Oliver wouldn't know the answer to that question until about half way through the movie.
Lilly had never been the type to startle easily. He had sat with her through many horror movies with out her so much as flinching, but every once in awhile, they would watch one that, for one reason or another, would be able to make her jump. I Am Legend just happened to be one of those movies.
Grimacing, Oliver tried to flex his fingers again. He had long since lost any sensation in his arm, Lilly's fingers digging in so hard she was cutting off circulation. Lilly jumped as yet another rabid human leapt from the shadows at Will Smith. Oliver turned to look at her.
She sat staring, totally absorbed by the movie; her eyes wide and mouth open slightly. Oliver smiled despite the discomfort in his arm, as he looked at her. She was dressed fairly plain today, her hair in a simple ponytail, and a simple pale green polo shirt pulled over a light pink, long sleeved shirt and brown capris making up her attire. Oliver couldn't help but think that, even in the dark of the movie theatre, she looked beautiful, the light from the movie screen casting her face in pale blues. Oliver watched as she jumped again, the look of naked shock on her face priceless. Still smiling, Oliver turned back to the movie, just in time for Lilly to jump again.
XXXXXX
"You want me to do what?" Miley screeched, her face contorted with horror as she held the thick, slimy night crawler and hook at arms length.
"Come on, Miley, you've seen people fishin' before," Robbie Ray said patiently, "You gotta put the worm on the hook."
"Daddy, that's horrible!" Miley exclaimed.
"I told you she wouldn't be able to handle it," Jackson said smugly, baiting his own hook.
"Shut up," Miley snapped.
"Alright, that's enough, you two," Robbie Ray said, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "Now, this is supposed to be a nice, peaceful family outing, and so help me God, its going to be," Miley and Jackson both shot him disbelieving looks, "Well, as peaceful as this family can get anyways."
Miley turned back to the task of baiting her line. She wrinkled her nose as she watched the night crawler continue to wriggle in her hand, "Daddy, I can't do it. Don't you have some of those plastic lures or something"?
"Alright, bud, let me see," Robbie Ray took the plain hook off the line and attached one of the plastic lures.
"She's not gonna catch anything with one of those, Dad," Jackson said.
"How do you know?" Miley shot at him, "I might get lucky."
Jackson made a scoffing sound before casting his line into the water. Once Robbie Ray had secured the lure, Miley brought the reel back over her head, and, shutting her eyes tight, swung it forward. Before she could even finish the swing she felt the line catch, nearly pulling the reel out of her hand, and a high-pitched squeal erupted to her left.
Eyes flying open, Miley spun around to see Jackson clutching his arm, Miley's hook caught in his sleeve. Miley covered her mouth with her hands as Robbie Ray ran forward, checking Jackson's arm.
"Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry! Are you Okay?" Miley cried, her words coming out in a rush.
"He's fine," Robbie Ray said, stepping back, "It didn't even go through his shirt."
Miley sighed in relief before asking, "Then why'd you scream"?
"W-Well…I-I was j-just trying t-to show how you'd have reacted, that's all," Jackson stuttered, sweat beading up on his forehead.
Miley shot him a look, "Dad, if I don't like what I catch can I through it back"?
"Only if it comes from the river," Robbie Ray said, starting back towards his own rod and reel.
"Rats," Miley said.
"But I think this is a perfect example of why you should cast with your eyes open," he said with a meaningful look at Miley.
Miley nodded her head, "Right."
"Now, if it's all the same to you two, I don't really want to have to be rushing anyone off to the hospital, so please, please try to be more careful."
"We will," Miley and Jackson chorused together.
XXXXXX
"Wow, I don't think I've ever seen you jump so many times in a single movie before in my life," Oliver said, massaging his arm where Lilly had been applying her death grip.
"Well, it scared me," Lilly replied a little defensively.
"Oh, come on," Oliver said, pulling her to him, "I was just picking on you. I know you don't jump at movies, often."
Lilly smiled up at him, her hands clasped in front of her, enjoying his warmth as they walked out of the movie theatre, not that she needed it given what a balmy day it was, but it was a different kind of warmth. "So, what do you want to do now?" she asked, looking at her watch, "It's only mid-afternoon."
"Well, I'm—,"
"—Hungry. Why doesn't that surprise me?" Lilly asked, rolling her eyes.
"You just think you're so clever, don't you?" Oliver said in mock annoyance.
Lilly smiled smugly before stepping away from him, grabbing his hand she began to tug him along, "Well, come on. Maybe we can find something at the mall."
"You just want to go shopping don't you?" Oliver asked, suspicion plain on his voice.
"No," Lilly said, her tone rich with an innocence she didn't have, "Besides, I'm all out of money, remember."
Oliver stopped dead in his tracks, causing Lilly to be pulled backwards into him before she could finally right herself. "So, that's your game," Oliver said, his eyes narrowed, "You just wanna get me there so you can get me to buy you a bunch of stuff."
Lilly gasped, covering her mouth with her hand before dropping it down to cover her heart, a wounded expression coming over her face, "I can't believe you could even think such a thing!" she said, her voice full of hurt. Oliver gave her a flat look. "Oh, alright," Lilly dropped the act, "I promise not to make you spend all of your money. How's that?"
"Oh, fine," Oliver relented. Lilly squealed, bouncing once before she began to charge forward again, still dragging Oliver behind her.
XXXXXX
"Nothing's happening…Why isn't anything happening…Shouldn't something be happening"?
"Oh, give it a rest Miles," Jackson said, grabbing his hair and pulling, "You've been carrying on for the last half-hour. This is what you do when you fish."
"Sit here and watch a little bobby thing bounce up and down in the water? Wow, that's thrilling," Miley said, her voice rich with sarcasm.
"Alright, Miley, just cool it," Robbie Ray said, "We go to fashion shows and concerts with you all the time, and don't complain. Don't forget that you volunteered to come on this trip, too."
Miley sighed, looking at the ground, "You're right. I'm sorry."
"That's alright, Bud, just try to relax and enjoy being out in nature."
"Right," Miley replied. Taking a deep breath, Miley tried to relax. Looking up, she saw the sky through the leaves of the trees, the clear sunlight filtering down through their rich shades green. A momentary breeze swayed the branches from side to side, the quiet rustling of the leaves whispering in her ears. Closing her eyes, she focused on the sound of the stream, the odd gurgling and splashing of the running water causing a chill to run up her spine as it echoed strangely in her ears. All around her the air was filled with the calls of different birds, she could even hear a squirrel or two if she listened hard enough.
Breathing deeply, Miley was in Tennessee again. All of those family camping trips, waking up early in the morning to see the deer playing in her backyard, the smell of the camp fire and eating s'mores. She realized then how much she missed it all. She loved her new life in Malibu, but a part of her still longed for the quiet and peace of her home in Tennessee.
"Dad, do you think, maybe, after the award ceremony and stuff, we could take a trip back home?" Miley asked, finally opening her eyes again.
Robbie Ray looked over at her, "I suppose so. We can't have you missing too much school, but maybe a quick visit wouldn't hurt."
Miley smiled, "That would be nice."
XXXXXX
"Why do I have to carry all of the bags? It's your stuff," Oliver complained.
"Because, you're a gentleman," Lilly said, trying to decide which shop she wanted to go into next as they walked through the crowded mall. "Besides, it's just the one bag."
Oliver sighed, "Fine. Where do you want to go next? Remember that I still have to buy my lunch tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten," Lilly assured him. Looking farther down the hall, Lilly spied a Victoria Secret sign. She never shopped there herself, but it might be fun to embarrass Oliver a little. An evil grin spreading across her face, Lilly pointed at the sign, "Oh, let's go there."
Oliver looked at where she was pointing and instantly felt his face heat up, "Oh, no! Absolutely not! There is no way, Lilly."
"But Oliver," Lilly pleaded, pouting again.
"No," he said firmly, "The only way you are getting me in there is if I get to see you model something."
"Oliver!" Lilly shouted, it was her turn to turn pink now. He merely looked back at her, a smug look on his face. Lilly huffed, "I can't believe you said that."
Oliver shrugged, "Hey, if you're gonna drag me into a store like that, I'm gonna get something out of it." With a most unlady-like snort, Lilly turned resolutely away, trying her best to hide the smile she felt spreading across her face.
XXXXXX
Lilly flopped down on her bed in her room, staring up at the ceiling. Drawing in a deep breath, she rubbed the muscles around her mouth. They were slightly sore from all of the smiling she had been doing that day. She felt so happy, happier than she could ever remember being. Her mind was buzzing with the events of the day and her chest was filled with a sort of warm tingling that made her a bit giddy. She felt like giggling for no particular reason at all. Sighing, Lilly closed her eyes, the fog of sleep beginning to cloud her mind, when a piercing noise split the quiet stillness of the air.
Squeaking, Lilly jumped and fell off her bed with a loud thump. Groaning, she pulled out her cell phone to see an incoming call from Miley. Lilly felt her smile return as she flipped open the phone, "Hi, Miley"!
"Hey, Lilly. You forgot to call me didn't you?" Miley asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"N-No—pft—of course not—I mean, what kind of friend would I be if I did that?" Lilly replied.
"Lilly"!
"Oh, alright, I forgot. It's been a busy day," Lilly said defensively.
Miley smiled, "I'll bet it has. What did you guys do"?
Lilly felt her giddiness returning full force as memories of the day flitted through her mind again, "Well, first we just went to Rico's, but the little terror chased away after we only bought a bottle of water, so Oliver decided we should go see a movie. I thought it was kind of early, but he said you could get the tickets cheaper if you went earlier."
"You mean the matinee"?
"Yeah, that's what he called it."
"So, what did you guys see"?
"I Am Legend. You should see it, I actually jumped"!
"You"?
"Yeah," Lilly said, nodding her head even though Miley couldn't see it, "Poor, Oliver, lost feeling in his arm, though. I guess I was gripping it a little too tight."
Miley laughed, "What did you guys do after that"?
"We went to the mall. Oliver was hungry so we had to stop and get something for him to eat."
"I swear there's something wrong with that boy. There's no way someone can be hungry that often without have a tapeworm or something."
Lilly laughed, "Yeah, maybe we'll have to take him to the doctors and get him checked out. Anyways, after we got something to eat, Oliver let me drag him around shopping and stuff."
"I thought you ran out of money yesterday."
"I did, but I managed to get Oliver to buy me a few things. He can be so sweet sometimes," Lilly sighed, Miley smiled on the other end of the line. "You won't believe what he said to me, though."
"What did he say?" Miley asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, you know how there's that Victoria Secret at the mall"?
"Yeah."
"Well, I thought it would be funny to drag Oliver in, right."
"Oh my gosh, you drug Oliver into a lingerie store!? He could have died from embarrassment"!
"He might have. He turned awfully red, but I never got him inside. He said that the only way I was gonna get him to come inside was if I modeled for him."
Miley gasped, "HE SAID THAT!?" Miley could barely contain her excitement, "What did you say"?!
"I told him I couldn't believe he said that! I've never heard Oliver say anything like that to me before"!
Miley laughed again, "Admit it. You liked hearing it, didn't you"?
Lilly felt her face heat up, "No—I mean, yes—I mean, it was nice to hear, but—"
"Calm down, Lilly," Miley laughed, her tone smug, "Someone might get the wrong impression."
Lilly felt her face get even redder, "W-What d-do you mean." Oh, real smooth, Lilly. Lilly thought, cringing at the sound of her own stuttering voice.
"I think you know exactly what I mean."
"N-No, I don't"!
"Come on, Lilly," Miley said in the same smug tone, "Admit it. You like Oliver don't you"?
"What!? No! I mean, yes—I mean, of course I like him we've been friends forever, b-but not like that—pft—I mean—pft—come on! Where did you ever come up with that one, Miley?" Lilly rambled, not sounding half as convincing as she had wanted to.
"Well, let's see. You guys are flirting all the time, now."
"We are not"!
"You're always picking on him."
"S-So, I've always done that"!
"You touch him all the time, now."
"That doesn't mean anyth—"
"You both get so depressed when the other leaves. Just like you did the other night."
"W-Well—I mean—of course I miss him, but—"
"You don't talk about other boys anymore." Lilly froze, and Miley waited on the other end, "Why is that, Lilly? Why don't you ever talk about Matt Marshall anymore or Dex or any of the others"?
Lilly just stuttered, she couldn't get her mouth to work right. Miley was being absurd; her like Oliver, the idea was ludicrous. Those other boys just weren't interesting anymore that's all. Sure they were cute, and could be funny, but they weren't sweet to her, kind…like Oliver. Lilly sighed, "Alright, fine. Maybe I like him a little."
Miley squealed, "Ha, I knew it"!
"Miley, please, you can't tell anyone," Lilly pleaded.
"Well, it's not like I'm gonna go put a banner up in front of the school announcing it, but I think you should tell Oliver."
"What!?" Lilly began to panic a little as images of Miley dragging her down the hall at school to Oliver's locker to force her to confess flitting through her mind, "I can't! I don't even know if he feels the same"!
"Trust me, honey, he likes you," Miley said in that strong, confident voice of hers.
"How do you know?" Lilly asked, suddenly suspicious and hopeful at the same time.
"Come on, Lilly. He hasn't flirted with another girl in weeks because he's to busy giving all of his attention to you. He made that comment today about the Victoria Secret thing and then about the sweater thing yesterday. He let's you drag him around the mall all day, spending his money, even though he hates shopping, just to make you happy. Face it, Lilly, you guys have both got it bad," Miley finished.
"Maybe," Lilly conceded, "But don't tell him, yet. Maybe we could just see how this next week goes, first"?
"I don't know. Are you sure that's what you wanna do"?
"Yes, please, Miley. Everything seems to be going so well right now. I just don't want to rush it and ruin anything. Please, can we just see what happens this week"?
Miley sighed, "Alright. Maybe you're right. I won't say anything."
"Promise"?
"Promise."
Lilly smiled, feeling a little more relieved, "Thanks. I do like him, it's just…"
"You've been friends for a long time, and you don't want to ruin anything. I understand, and I'm here for you whenever you want to talk."
"Thanks, Miley, what would I do without you"?
"Who knows?" Miley turned to look at her clock, "It's getting late, though, we should probably turn in. I don't want to get doused with a bucket of ice water tomorrow."
Lilly laughed, "Alright. Goodnight, Miley."
"Goodnight, and don't worry, everything will work out. You'll see."
Lilly smiled, "Thanks, Miley. Night."
"Night."
Lilly sat back down on her bed, still clutching her cell phone in her hands. She felt slightly unnerved and vulnerable after having confessed to Miley that she liked Oliver, something she wasn't sure she was even ready to confess to herself yet. Still, now that she had admitted it, Lilly couldn't help but feel a little excited about what tomorrow might bring, and who knows, maybe Miley was right, maybe Oliver did like her back.
Changing into her pajamas, Lilly slipped under her covers and turned over on her side, looking at the picture of her and Miley and Oliver she had on her bedside table. A smile spread across her face, and Lilly closed her eyes.
