Author's Note: Here's the next chapter, I hope ya'll enjoy. :-)

My Angel

Chapter 3

It had been about a week since the lunch incident happened. Life has been a rollercoaster but there has only one difference between now and before. I have had someone stand by my side through all of it and they have never left me. She has never left me. Right now I am playing my guitar. Lately I have had a lot of inspiration. I was about to write a few words before I heard the door shut downstairs and my favorite voice calling my name.

"I'm in my room Lils." I called out as I heard her feet running up the stairs. She came into my room with a big smile on her face.

"Miles, guess what?"

"What?" I ask as I put down my guitar.

"Oliver has fall break the same days as us and he has Fridays off. He's flying down to visit Thursday afternoon and staying until Tuesday evening." Lilly sat next to me on my bed.

"That's great Lils." I said sincerely. I really couldn't wait to meet Oliver. According to everything I've heard about him, he sounds like a great guy. "I can't wait to meet him." I said with a smile.

Lilly's face lit up as she said, "He also said he couldn't wait to meet you and he's bringing a surprise." This really was wonderful. Not only did I have a friend but she wasn't embarrassed to talk about me. I remember my two ex-best friends never talked about me or posted pictures with me but they always did with their other friends. It was kind of sad really. I pulled Lilly into a hug. "Thanks Lils."

"For what?" She asked as she hugged me back.

"Just for being a great friend and wanting to include me in your life."

"You don't have to thank me for that Miles but thank you for trusting me enough to include me in your life."

The rest of the day we pretty much talked and planned what we were going to do with Oliver when he came down. I could already tell that it lot of fun.

The next day Lilly and I were walking to class talking. You would think that we would get tired of it but somehow we don't. We just have so much in common. We were about to walk into class when this guy came up to us.

"Hey, aren't you two in this class?"

"Yeah we are," Lilly said as I nodded my head.

He reached out his hand and said, "My name is Thomas."

I smiled at him as Lilly and I shook his hand, "My name is Miley and this is my best friend, Lilly."

"It's nice to meet you both. I was listening to those observations you two made on the poem we had to read last week and I found them both interesting."

Lilly smiled as she said, "Thank you, I guess two minds think alike."

Thomas laughed at Lilly's words. Thomas was a very handsome man. He was about as handsome as Travis was. He had dark brown hair and had a tiny hint of a mustache. He would answer some things in class and he really had a way with words. I'll be honest, I kind of had a tiny crush on him but of course I would never admit it out loud. The only guy that I really had a relationship with was Travis and even that was short lived.

"Well the professor said something to me about how I should join your group because you both are so smart and she is right, you both are very smart." Lilly and I glanced at each other and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. Thomas was flirting with us. Not that I minded or anything, just saying.

I smiled at him and said, "Thank you. I've heard you answer stuff in class and you seem very smart too."

We would have continued the conversation but out professor walked in. I had to admit though, that guy was really charming and I haven't said that since I was with Travis. Maybe I will find the people I'm looking for in college. After all, I did meet Lilly in college.

The rest of the week went by pretty quickly. Lilly and I were very excited to see Oliver. I know it was probably weird that I was excited but it felt nice to make new friends. It felt nice to actually be wanted by someone in this world. Lilly's mother picked up Oliver at the airport and Lilly and I were in Lilly's living room waiting. I met Mrs. Truscott that day too and she was so nice. A little uptight since she fussed at Lilly for leaving a half-eaten doughnut on the counter but still sweet. Lilly and I were just talking about random stuff until she brought up a topic I had been avoiding.

"You know Miles, I haven't met your mom yet."

I sighed. I wasn't really talking to my mom because she was letting my stepdad move back in. I told her what happened during lunch but she brushed it off as no big deal. Lilly noticed that I got so quiet and said, "Miles, I'm sorry. Did I bring up a touchy subject?"

I shook my head. "No Lils, it's fine. I'm just not really speaking to my mother right now. She's letting my stepdad move back in this weekend and she pretty much blew off what happened during lunch and said it was no big deal."

Lilly put her arm around me and I rested my head on her shoulder. For some reason I noticed how safe and comfortable I felt in Lilly's arms. It was like no one could hurt me. All of a sudden we heard a door open and I saw Mrs. Truscott coming in the door.

"Hey mom, is Oliver here?" Lilly asked her mother as we stood up.

"Yes, he is. He's getting is suitcase right now but he said he'd be in in a minute. Oh Miley, if you want to spend fall break over here you can."

I smiled and nodded as I said, "Thanks Mrs. Truscott. I think I'll take you up on that offer."

I felt Lilly take my hand as she said to her mother, "She'll definitely take you up on that offer."

I was about to thank Lilly when I heard someone set down their suitcase. "Smokin' Oken is in the house."

Lilly ran up to Oliver taking my hand and pulling me with her. She released my hand long enough to give Oliver a big hug then she released the hug and pulled me up next to her. "I missed you Ollie. This is my best friend Miley that I've told you so much about."

I smiled and reached out my hand as I said, "I've heard so much about you, and it's nice to finally meet you."

Oliver smiled and took my hand and pulled me into a hug. Others may have been thrown off by that but I thought it was sweet.

"It's nice to meet you too Miley," Oliver said as he released me from the hug. "It feels like we've known each other for years for some reason."

I laughed as I said, "Oh I know. I've been thinking the same thing every time Lilly would tell me about you."

Lilly walked up to us and put her arms around both of our shoulders. "I'm so happy to see my two best friends getting along so well. We gave each other a group hug. At that moment I had forgotten about my stepfather and my mother. My life felt complete and not lonely like it was before I met Lilly. I was also already starting to feel close to Oliver. When we released our group hug, we turned around to see Mrs. Truscott putting chips and dip out. We went over and sat at the table, thanking Mrs. Truscott. Lilly of course cut right to the chase.

"So Ollie, what's your surprise?" I couldn't help but laugh at the excited look on her face.

"Geez Lilly, I just got here. I can't even take a bite of my chip before you ask me about the surprise." Oliver said in a joking manner.

"You're such a doughnut. Just tell us already."

"Ok, if you must know right away. I have decided to transfer here for the spring semester and go to college with you guys. I'm not really liking the college I'm going to and I've actually heard great things about the college you two are going to."

Lilly jumped up and went to hug Oliver. "That is a wonderful surprise Ollie. You really are going to love it here. Oh and Miley said she would take us horseback riding while you're down here."

I smiled and said, "I think you'll love it here in Tennessee Oliver. Don't let Lilly's excitement about horseback riding fool you though, she's scared to try it."

"Am not!" I heard Lilly say as she sat back down in her chair.

"Oh yeah? Who was it who has said she didn't feel like it the last two weekends in a row when we planned on riding horses?" I said with a hint of humor in my voice.

"Yeah Lils. It's normal to be scared the first time. I bet Miley was."

Lilly sat back in her chair as she said, "Maybe just a little."

"I remember one of the first times I started riding my horse. I was trying to get off and the horse thought he saw something that spooked him and he jumped his front legs in the air and I fell off and hit my head." Oliver started laughing as Lilly poked me in the side and said, "Not helping."

We talked for the rest of the afternoon and I called my mom to tell her I was spending fall break at Lilly's. My mom was fine with it and I could have sworn I heard my stepfather jumping up and down out of joy. I walked into the bonus room and sat down on the couch next to Lilly as she said, "What did your mom say?"

"She said it was fine."

"So Miles, Lilly told me a little about your stepfather, I bet you're happy to get away from him.

Lilly glared at Oliver but I smiled to let her know it was ok. He would find out about it eventually.

"Yeah, I actually am. He's a creep."

"He's a creepy jerk that's what he is," Lilly said as she crossed her arms. Oliver and I both started laughing at the look on Lilly's face. She didn't like my stepdad very much for how he treated me. She told me yesterday that if he ever even looks at me wrong around her that she will say something to him. Sometimes I wonder if he should be more afraid of my family, or Lilly.

"So Lilly, have you met Miley's mom yet?" Oh here we go.

"No, I haven't." Lilly said as she took a sip of her soda.

"It's not that I don't want you to Lils, it's just that, well my stepdad has a tendency to say some not so nice things to my friends. He embarrasses me so that they won't want to be my friend anymore."

"Miles, I don't think anything he says could make me stop being friends with you. He could tell me the worst things possible and I would still want to be your friend."

I gave her a skeptical look but all I got in return was a glare. I really hoped she was right. Lilly was becoming my best friend but still. I couldn't help but be skeptical though. My stepdad was really persuasive and the sad thing was, a lot of people in the town respected him because of his ideas on discipline. I just gave her a smile and then the three of us just went on talking about other stuff.

Later that I night I was lying in bed next to Lilly. Oliver was in the guest bedroom down the hall. I would have slept in the other guest bedroom but Lilly insisted that I just go ahead and share a bed with her so I decided to. For someone who has never slept over at someone's house before, I seemed to be doing pretty well. Lilly and Oliver both are great and I can definitely see me being friends with Oliver. There was just one thing about this whole situation. I was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I never was known for liking my life. I always hated it and never felt like there was a purpose. Ever since my stepdad moved in, it just went downhill. Then I met Lilly and now Oliver and my life somehow seemed complete. It felt like nothing could put me down.

That scared me.

Yes, Lilly and Oliver were great but in the end, everyone leaves me. That's how it always worked. People leave me and I'm alone. I was never able to fully trust people because of that. I looked over at Lilly who was lying next to me sound asleep. I couldn't help but notice how she softly snored and I got a giggle out of that. I sat up and laid my elbow on the bed to support me. I somehow wished I knew that this was a true friendship.

"Hey Lilly?" I didn't know why I said that, I didn't want to wake Lilly up but at the same time I needed someone to talk to. I saw her slowly open her eyes but completely opened them when she saw me.

"What's wrong Miles? Are you ok?" Lilly asked me as she sat up with a concerned look on her face.

"Yeah, I just can't sleep. I have something on my mind and I can't seem to get it off my mind."

"What is it Miles? You know you can tell me."

I smiled at those words. I had never had anyone reassure me that I could tell them anything, actually I have never had anyone assure me of that. "I don't know Lils. It's just… do you believe that when nothing but bad luck has come to a person their entire life, that one day everything or at least something can turn around for them?"

I watched Lilly as she thought about it. It was a good question that I really needed an answer. I had to know that this wasn't a way for someone to laugh at my naiveté if it didn't work out.

"I think it can Miles. God works miracles in people's lives a lot. Why do you ask?"

I sighed. "Well my stepdad moved out and I was happier. I thought they were going to get divorced but of course bad luck came back and he moved back in. I guess I'm just afraid, Lilly, ever since I met you my life has been really much happier. I haven't even thought about my stepdad moving back in. Then I met Oliver and I could tell that I could easily become good friends with him but now, now I am just worried. I am worried that the other shoe will drop and both of you will leave me one day too." I felt tears coming up in my eyes. I tried to keep them from coming out but a few stray tears did come out. I guess I was lucky that it was dark.

"Oh, I see. Miles, I promise I'm not going anywhere and I'm sure Oliver won't either, he has always been a great friend." I felt Lilly rest her hand on my arm as she said this. I quickly wipe my tears away.

"I know. I guess I'm just being silly but with the past I have had, I still wonder."

"It's not silly if it's how you feel Miley, I understand. I just want you to know that I will always be here for you. I won't ever leave you." I guess she could hear me sniffle because she reached out her arms and pulled me into her embrace as she said, "Come here."

I put my aid my head on her shoulder and softly cried as she ran her hand through my hair. After a couple of minutes I was able to stop crying and let myself go to sleep. I always felt safe and loved when she was with me.

Lilly's POV

The next morning I awoke to the sun shining in my eyes. Tennessee was very different compared to Malibu. Instead of hearing waves from the ocean outside, you heard birds chirping. There were a lot if changes but I've started getting used to it. I opened up and glanced down at Miley in my arms, asleep. I ran my hand through her hair as she moved her head until her nose was touching my neck. All I wanted to do was take away all the pain she has ever been through. I also wanted to say a thing or two to her stepdad about his treatment of her.

But that was another story to be saved for later.

I know she's worried about losing me as a friend and I can see why she would think that but it wasn't possible. The reason it wasn't possible, and I hadn't told her this yet, but I needed her as much as she needed me. Growing up I had never really had a friend that was a girl. Sure, Oliver was the best friend ever but still, it was different than having a friend who was a girl. My only wish was that Miley would believe it. I guessed that it would take time to show her that the other shoe won't drop and that Oliver and I will always be here.

But she needed to be shown that we wouldn't leave her. I looked down at her sleeping face and kissed her on the forehead.

That was when I knew, I would be different. I would be the one that showed her that I would never leave her. For the first time, those words actually had meaning.

Miley's POV

I woke up to feel something warm on my forehead. I wasn't quite sure what it was at first since I was still half asleep but then I realized it was Lilly giving me a kiss on my forehead. I swear, Lilly was the sweetest. She didn't have to comfort me or help me but she did because that was the kind of person she was.

I couldn't really explain what it was like being around her. I felt safe, comfortable, like as long as I stayed with her, everything would be ok. That was something I had never felt before. I looked up at her to see her thinking about something. "Hey, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, I just didn't want to move and wake you up," Lilly said as she smiled at me. I could tell she was lying but I let it go and figured she just didn't want to talk about it. I slowly sat up. I really didn't want o since being in Lilly's arms felt so good.

"Hey Miles?"

"Yeah?" I said as I looked back at her.

"Do you want to get up now or get some more sleep?"

I smiled at her. More sleep did sound good plus I would be in Lilly's arms which sounded even better. "More sleep sounds good I think," I said as I laid back down and put my head back where it was on Lilly's shoulder.

A couple of hours later we finally decided to get up even though I wouldn't mind sleeping forever. Growing up I used to wonder if it was better than being awake. Maybe it was but right now there were two people in my life that I wanted to be awake for. I walked to Lilly's window while she used the bathroom to brush her teeth. It seemed like a nice day out. The leaves were turning colors and it looked like the wind wasn't that bad. Sometimes, here in Tennessee, the wind could get so bad you would think you would blow away.

I remember when I was fourteen and going through all the bullying I did, I would come home and watch movies. I remember watching Forrest Gump and I fell in love with what Jenny said about how she wanted to be a bird. I remember wanting to be a bird to and fly away from those bullies that I dealt with back then. But now, I don't think I would want to be one, out of so much bad, I have found some good. I just hoped it would last.

"Hey Miley, I'm done, you can go get ready now if you want," I heard Lilly say as she came up behind me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Ok, I'll get ready in a minute."

I continued to look out the window. Then, I felt a pair of soft hands rest on my shoulders. I reached up with one hand and squeezed her hand to tell her that I was fine.

"Are you sure you're ok Miles?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I really was. Lilly probably thought I was lying but I was ok. I put my hand near the window and could feel the warmth that was outside coming through the window. I turned around suddenly surprising Lilly slightly as I saw her jump back.

"Hey Lils, how about we go horseback riding today?"

"Are you sure that we couldn't just do this staring out of a window thing today?" Lilly said with a look of nervousness on her face. I could tell she was nervous about riding a horse.

"Come on Lils, it'll be fun."

"Okay," Lilly said hesitantly. I just smiled at her and went to go brush my teeth.

After Lilly, Oliver, and I got ready, we got in Lilly's car to go to my Uncle Earl's farm which is where I keep my horse Blue Jeans.

"Wow Miley, I still can't believe your family owns a farm with animals, "Oliver said in the back seat of the car.

"Oh yeah, when I was younger and would go over there it was always my job to milk the cows, feed the chickens, and I had a pet pig named Luanne."

"Dang, who knew I would come here and become best friends with a country girl," I heard Lilly say next to me as she kept her eyes on the road.

I smiled as I said, "Well you did. Get over it."

"There's nothing to get over Miles," Lilly said as she reached over and tapped me on the hand. The feel of her hand on mine sent something threw me that I couldn't explain but I knew that I liked the feeling.

When we got to my uncle's farm, we walked into the horse's stable. I had to help Lilly up on her horse which I gladly did. Oliver seemed to figure it out on his own. He rambled about how it was like those cowboy movies he had seen, Lilly just gave me a look and rolled her eyes and I couldn't help but laugh. We were riding out of the horse stables and onto the trail when Oliver broke the silence.

"So Miley, Lilly told me you sing and play guitar. Have you ever thought of becoming a singer?"

I nodded and said, "Yeah but to tell you the truth, I wanted to wait until I was an adult to try and see if I could become one. I read that if the singers or actors are minors then their parents had to keep the money until they turned eighteen. I love my mom but I knew she would bend over backwards and give my stepfather anything he asked for. So I knew he would ask for money since he married her for her money and she would give it to him." I would still like to try though."

"Yeah, let's see, you could have a stage name," Oliver said as he laughed.

"Oh? Like what?"

"Hmm, let's see. You have to have a good one and one that rhymes." Then he snapped his fingers and said, "I got it, your stage name could be Hannah Montana."

I laughed as I heard Lilly call him a doughnut. As weird as it sounded, I kind of liked it. "Ok well, if I have Hannah Montana as a stage name then you two need different names since you are my two best friends."

"Lola Luftnagle!" I heard Lilly scream as Oliver and I gave her a weird look. That name definitely was different.

"Where did you get that Lilly?" I asked while trying to hold back a giggle.

"I read a book once with that character's name and I thought it was creative. Oh and you could wear a blonde wig and I could have wigs of all different colors!"

I laughed at that. I wanted to a blonde when I was eleven but not anymore. Different color wigs though? Well I guess it's healthier than dying your hair. "What about you Oliver?"
Oliver looked thoughtfully and said, "Hmm, how about Mike...Stand...ley. Mike Stanley... The third."

"And hopefully the last," Lilly said sarcastically.

"And I could wear these clothes that make me look like a rapper, oh and I could wear a goatee," Oliver said, ignoring Lilly's comment.

"Made out of what, your armpit hair?" Lilly asked then looked at me and said, "He did that once for Halloween back in ninth grade."

"Hey, you said no one could tell."

"Oh, believe me, everyone could tell," Lilly said with humor in her voice.

I was laughing at the bickering back and forth between the two of them. Yeap, this life was definitely something I could get used to.

Oliver's POV

We were riding our horses through the trails just talking and laughing most of the time. After a while, and all day pretty much, I noticed something going on between Miley and Lilly. I didn't know what it was.

After a couple of minutes I tugged gently on the reign to get the horse to slow down so I could walk more behind them. I could tell they were in their own little world. Miley was a nice girl and I could tell that we would be great friends. Lilly, well, she looked different. I watched very carefully as Miley said something to Lilly that made her laugh. The look I saw on Lilly's face was different with Miley than with any one else she had hung out around or dated. She looked happier than usual and that as long as Miley was there, she would be ok.

I gently tugged on the reins of the horse again to stand near a tree on the top of the hill so that I could still hear and see Miley and Lilly. They went ahead and went to the very top of the hill and just stopped and talked. I saw a look on Lilly's face when she looked at Miley but I couldn't quite describe it. It was more of a look you gave a person you are falling in love with.

"How are you doing Miles? I know last night you were having a hard time," I heard Lilly say to Miley. I knew that Miley had issues with making friends in the past but Lilly never really went into it.

"I'm doing ok. It's just hard to believe you know? It's hard to believe that there is someone out there who wants to be friends with me and get to know the real me."

"Of course. I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to." I saw Miley look up at Lilly and smiled while Lilly smiled back. There was something in both of their smiles and both of their eyes. I didn't know what it was but somehow I knew that I would find out.

Author's Note: Well, a lot happened in this chapter and a lot will happen in the next chapter too. I was originally going to make the whole fall break into one big chapter but then I realized how long it would be so I decided to break it up into a couple of chapters. Oh, remember the Thomas character at the beginning of the story because he will show up again. Anyway, final exams are next week then I am off for a month so be ready for a lot of updates. I am working on the Liley college series and will have that updated soon. Anyway, please rate and review and feel free to PM me. :-)