Hey guys. I'm really, REALLY sorry for not updating. I understand if you hate me, hah. Anyway, I'd like to make a few notes. The chapter below contains the first verses from the Bible, and Miley's attitude towards it does not reflect mine. Also, this will not become a "religous" fic like my Faith Series. Finally, I went through like a billion Emily Dickinson's poems and finally found one I wanted to include in this story. So, yeah, I do not own the Bible nor do I own the poem by Emily. However, I do own the poem at the end of this chapter that is written by Miley in the story. Anyway, this chapter was beta read by animallove6991.

Half A World Away

One Week Later

The days passed fast and slow, all at the same time. Each breath, each movement, took everything in me, and I couldn't wait until night to come. I couldn't wait until the day would end, and at times it would seem like a minute was an hour, but before I knew it, the sun had set and the day was over. I told my Dad I was sick, so he let me stay home for the whole week. Most of the time I just laid crying in my room. Once I ran out of energy, I slept. In fact, I slept a lot. It was the only escape form the empty pain.

On Friday, I decided to clean my room. I used to like to clean when I was upset. Organizing and cleaning was a really great way for me to blow off some steam. Of course, right now I have a lot more than steam I need to 'blow off'. Still, I thought maybe it would help a little. I stripped my bed, gathered dirty clothes, and did the laundry. While that was going, I dusted every last corner in my room. I went to organize my nightstand when I stumbled across my old Bible.

It was one of those Precious Moments ones my dad gave me when I was just a little girl. I opened this so-called Holy book, in hopes that just maybe it would have answers. Dad always says when you're feel down, when you're lost and confused, you'll find comfort in this book. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; darkness was on the face of the deep." When I read that, it reminded me how I feel right now. Dark; my soul simply a void. That wasn't comforting at all.

I just walk downstairs, and I see Dad reading the paper and Jackson gathering his things for school. He's almost out the door, when he sees me and says in a very loud voice, "Miley's up, Dad."

Dad spins his head around to look at me finishing coming down the stairs. He puts the paper down and looks at my firmly. "You're not dressed for school."

Thank you, Captain Obvious. "I'm still not feeling good."

"You have to go back to school, bud. You don't have a fever and the doctors say you're just fine. To be honest, I'm beginning to wonder if you aren't faking this. Is there a reason why you don't want to go to school?"

For a moment I feel very angry. Yes, there is a reason, but I cannot tell him. He would never believe me. If it was anyone else, he would, but Oliver? How could anyone believe that unless they were there? To be honest, if somebody before all this had happened, walked up and told me that Oliver...did that, I wouldn't be able to believe them. So why would anyone believe me?

I stare at my dad for a moment, then I sigh. "No, there isn't any reason. I just don't feel good. I don't know why." The lie tastes bitter in my mouth. I know exactly why.

"If you're serious about this, Miley, then we really need to see the doctors again. There may be something seriously wrong."

Now, I can see the worried look on my father's face and it tears me apart. "I'm fine. It's probably just being dehydrated. That's what the problem was before, right?"

He nods, looking slightly more relieved. "Have you been drinking any Gatorade?"

"No," I shake my head, "at least not a lot."

"I'll cancel Hannah's upcoming gigs, so you can get on top of your health. But you have to go to school. Do you think you can handle that? I'll still make an appointment with the doctor, just in case."

Hesitantly, I agree. It takes everything in me to get dressed and ready for school. Brushing my teeth is like lifting a five thousand pound tooth brush. Somehow, I manage. Dad gives me a ride, so I'm not too late, and even wrote me a note. When I walk inside the school my heart is pounding with fear. Why did I agree to this? I just didn't want to be poked and prodded, to find a nonexistent illness. And it made me sick to see my Dad so scared.

Each face I see, each body that brushes past me...I think it's him. I'm afraid to look up, but every time I do. This fear consumes me. When I reach my locker, I see Lilly standing there alone.

"Miley! You're feeling better?" She looks up at me with her bright, innocent smile.

"A little. Dad forced me to come to school today."

"Oh. Well, at least you're feeling better. I haven't heard a word from you in forever."

"It hasn't been that long." I say my voice slightly bitter.

"Well, it felt like it. I've been so lonely this past week, what with both you and Oliver being home sick. Seriously, this is an epidemic like the bird flu! Amber and Ashley have been home sick too, which I guess is kind of a good thing."

"Oliver hasn't gone to school?"

"Nope." She shrugs, "I'm kind of worried, cause he wont even talk to me."

I try to absorb this new information, find a place to put it. I honestly don't know how it makes me feel. Of course, I'm relieved I don't have to worry about seeing him. It will make things easier. I'm also confused -- why isn't he coming to school? For me? Or himself? Is he afraid to see me? Does he think I've told? Is he hiding out?

"Miley!" Lilly is waving her hand in front of my face. "Earth to Miley Stewart!"

"Sorry," I shake my head, open my locker, and grab my books. "I guess I'm still a little spacey."

"I'll say! You're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?"

"No," I shake my head and force what I'm sure is a pathetic excuse for a smile.

"Let's get to class, before the bell rings."

My day at school passes much like my days at home. Slow and fast. Nerve wrecking, and painful. Finally, it is time for Mr. Corelli's class. He beings to lecture us on various things about plays, art, and poetry. We have to read Emily Dickinson's 'Are Friends Delight or Pain?' and explain what it means. We also have to write a poem of our own, about the saddest moment in our life.

"It will all be anonymous." Mr. Corelli assureds, "Only I will know who wrote what, and although select ones will be read aloud, I will not name those who wrote them. Unless you wish me to, that is."

At last! I was free from school. Lilly decided to walk home with me, though, which made this a little tiring. She has a giddy smile on her face, "Sooooo. Did you tell Oliver how you feel about him?"

That name. My heart stops and this pain ceases me. I don't take another step, because I feel as if I am going to die from this pain. I try to think about the question Lilly asked, did I tell him how I felt? For a moment, I thought she meant about what he did to me, although she doesn't know any of that. I realize what she meant now. I had every intention on telling Oliver that I cared for him. "No." I say, minutes later.

"Did something happen?" Lilly asks, confused by my odd behavior, I'm sure.

"No, nothing at all. Let's go home." I say.

Lilly follows me into the house, which seems to please my father.

"Have a good day at school, girls?" He asks with an unusual amount of curiosity.

"Yeah, Dad. Lilly and I are going to go upstairs and do our homework." Of course, I would really like to be alone right now, but I don't say that.

"Alright. Would you like some snacks?"

Before I have a chance to decline, Lilly answers for me. "Yes, Mr. Stewart!"

"I'll make some popcorn, and bring up some cookies in a little bit."

"Thanks."

Once upstairs, I throw my book bag on my bed and start searching for my Algebra book. Lilly just flops onto my bed and yawns. "I'm so tired," she says, "I could sleep forever."

"Oh." I nod, as I gather my books and throw them onto the floor. I sit down and begin finding the problems I had to answer.

"Wow. You're all business right now. I guess you got kind of behind this week, huh?"

"Yep."

I don't talk much while Lilly is here, and eventually her mom calls asking her to come home for dinner. I won't lie, I'm happy about it. When she's gone there's this huge relief. I can show my pain and my tears without fear. I have finished most of my homework now, except the assignment Mr. Corelli gave us. I open up the book of poetry, and find the poem he assigned us to read.

Are friends delight or pain?

Could bounty but remain?

Riches were good

But if they only stay

Bolder to fly away

Riches are sad.

I have no idea what this poem meant, and I can't even begin to decipher its meaning. I'm stuck on the first line; are friends delight or pain? Not too long ago was it that I considered Oliver to be my friend. Is he delight or pain? He was delightful, I guess...now, he is so painful. It kills me. I throw the book back on my bed, and decide to write my poem about my most sad moment.

I knew this without a doubt. And before I could argue myself out of it, the words came to paper. It is much like writing a song.

Blinded by something I cannot see

Your soul disappeared for a moment, so to speak

Foreign emotions; your hands all over me.

I tried to fight, but I was much too weak.

I try to find a way to justify this pain

Perhaps it was all my fault, leading you this way.

So here I am, drowning in the rain

I am trapped inside that day.

You destroyed my body, soul, and mind

I simply cannot get a peaceful sleep at night.

Oh, how I wish I could just hit rewind

To the days where everything was perfect and right

You would never have done such a thing

Never have taken my innocence away from me.

Never would you have left me with such a broken song to sing

Never, never. But I couldn't see.

This desperate obsession that you've had.

Stalking me, when you didn't know the other side.

I can smell you breath and see you face

It makes me sick, hands all over, you invading me.

I do not like that place.

But perhaps, perhaps, it was my fault, you see

This other side, this double me, this silly lie.

At night I think of all these things, call myself such terrible names

Whore and slut, to say the least. Oh, but why

Do I play these games?

When deep in my heart, I know what you did isn't right

When deep in my heart, there's an endless fight.