Series: iPod Shuffle Challenge
Fandom: Hannah Montana
Character / Pairing Focus: Jake Ryan x Miley Stewart
Rating: K Plus / PG / All Ages
Notes: Set during junior year (high school).
Disclaimer: Hannah Montana and all respective properties are © Disney Inc. Megan D. (Veritas Found) does not, has never, nor will ever own Hannah Montana.
Wishing (performed by Sugarland)
Anything that brings a little more comfort my way
But sometimes, there's those times it's gotta be you
I keep telling myself I'm moving on, but I'm stumbling
Believing my heart was strong enough, and now I'm wondering
With every step I take that leads me away just circles back to your door
Wishing I didn't love you anymore
"So, Miley," Parker asked, leaning closer and waggling his brows at her in a flirty manner. She rolled her eyes, not really amused by the gesture. She looked back out to the beach, scanning the crowd around Rico's for Lilly and Oliver. They were already a good ten minutes late, leaving her at the hands of their slightly overzealous classmate for the duration. They so owed her for that. "How about it? You, me, Friday night, movie?"
She glanced back at him, her gray eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. He looked cocky and yet desperate enough it could easily be dismissed as hopeful; he wanted her to say yes. She knew it, he knew it – heck, anyone who had been watching them probably knew it. And while she had every reason to say yes, every reason to want to date this prime catch of junior male, she found…well, she couldn't. Her mouth opened to agree, but the words got stuck somewhere between her heart and her throat, her mind turning to a sudden flash of shaggy blonde veiling the clearest blue. 'Sexy Blue Eyes', she'd heard Big Kenny say once. Though it wasn't towards the same person, she felt the sentiment matched perfectly.
"Parker, you're a great guy and everything, but…" she sighed, looking back to the mini-boardwalk that led to the beach. She still remembered pushing him off that railing all those years ago, after he'd told her was leaving for four (that had turned into six) months.
"You can't go out with me," Parker finished, smiling wistfully at her. He sighed, running a hand through his black hair, and followed her gaze to the rail. "You know, he's supposed to be back in town soon. You planning on meeting up with him?"
"What?" she asked, turning to him with wide eyes. He laughed, but the sound wasn't bitter.
"Face it, Miley: everyone who's been around since eighth grade knows the real reason you won't go out with me – or any other guy, for that matter. Your heart still belongs to Jake Ryan, doesn't it?" he asked, and she tried to ignore the blush she knew was staining her cheeks. He smiled, nodding. "Thought so."
"It's been two years since I've seen him, Parker. I don't love him. Not anymore," she said petulantly. He laughed, shaking his head as he paid Jackson for his smoothie.
"Keep telling yourself that, Miley – you might actually believe it yet," he said. He nodded to Jackson before hopping off the stool and walking off, already scanning the beach for his next potential Friday Night Date. She rolled her eyes and spun around on her stool, burying her head in her arms on the counter. Jackson shook his head, making a 'tsk-tsk-tsk' noise as he wiped the counter down.
"You want my opinion, Miles?" he asked, and she glanced up to settle a glare on him.
"Do I ever?" she snapped, and he held up his hands defensively.
"You still love him – you just don't want to," he said, resuming his task of cleaning the countertops. She sighed and glanced to the side, her eyes settling on the empty stool next to her.
"I'm never gonna get over him, Jackson, am I?" she asked, and he paused before giving her a comforting smile, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder.
"Maybe," he said. "Maybe you don't need to."
"I thought you and dad hated his royal egoness?" she asked, smiling slightly, and Jackson rolled his eyes.
"Nah, not hate – we just didn't like how much he hurt you. But truth is, Miles, all the other guys you've dated since him? None of 'em have worked out quite as well, and none of 'em have ever been an actual boyfriend. So maybe for that I'm grateful to the ego king," he said thoughtfully. He winked at her. "He's really made my job of 'overprotective older brother' a heck of a lot easier."
"I'm sure," she said, rolling her eyes. She looked back over to the boardwalk, where Parker was flirting with a blonde in a bikini. She sighed, frowning as she looked past him to the trees and sky. Maybe Jackson was right. Maybe she wasn't ever supposed to get over…
Her eyes widened as she saw Lilly and Oliver finally approach, an all too familiar blonde walking between them.
"Jake."
