Good and Broken

Miley was a broken mess the next morning. She cried through breakfast, didn't eat anything, and didn't ride her horse. When she refused to ride Blue Jeans, her family knew this was serious. So, while Robbie stayed home to consult his daughter, Jackson rode off on Roam-Man (Robbie's horse) to find the root of the problem.

Lilly.

He never liked her.

The cowboy ran over to the blonde and took hold of her inner elbow, tugging her back. The doe-eyes girl blinked up at the boy, "What?"

"Don't you what me." He ordered, "What did you do to my sister?"

"Pardon?"

"Miley Ray Stewart, my sister! Whad'ya do to to her? She's up in 'er room cryin' her eyes out!"

"And why do you automatically assume that this is all because of me?"

"Because all Miles has been doin' is spendin' time with ya. So, whad'ya do to her?"

"She has no right to be upset. If anything, I should be upset! Nobody kisses someone then cries about it, it's preposterous!"

"Miley kissed you?" He paused, "What happened?"

"I pushed her off me, of course! What else would I do? I told her that two girls being affectionate with one another is beyond wrong!"

He shook his head in disbelief.

"What?"

"It's jus'...Luanne already makes fun of 'er every day for being what she is. Miles trusted ya more than anyone Lilly. How do ya think it makes 'er feel, hearin' her say those things to 'er?" He shook his head, "Jus' stay the sam heck away from Miley." He turned around, placing his hands into his back pockets as he walked away from the girl.

"Wait!" Lilly shouted, causing him to come to a halt.

"What?"

"Why is this so important? I don't understand…"

"Of course you don't." He scoffed, "Lookie here Missy, whenever Miley is sad she'll ride Blue Jeans an' everythin' is all fine and dandy. But...she's not." He bowed his head, "I haven't seen her like this since Mama died." Kicking up some dirt, Jackson stomped away, leaving a guilty Lilly in the dust.

Who was coincidentally also covered in dust.

A knot twisted in the blonde's stomach and she began to fast-walk her way to Miley's house. She needed to apologize. She needed to let the brunette know that she still wanted to be around her.

Biting her lip, she fast-walked in the direction of Miley's house. Not bothering to knock, she opened the door and let herself in. The first person Lilly saw was Robbie, and when he noticed her, he was furious.

"Get off my land!" He shouted, getting the attention of Miley and Jackson. The brunette's mouth hung agape at the sight of the blonde.

"I just need to have a conversation with your daughter, sir."

"You ain't gettin' anywhere near my lil' girl! Now get!"

"Please sir, just for a moment."

"No! I said get outta my house!"

"Daddy, stop." A voice squeaked, "It's okay." She got up and stood next to her Father, "Let's hear what she's gotta say."

"I would just like to sincerely apologize for my actions, Miley. They were not appropriate, nor were they kind. I was just hoping that somewhere in your heart to could find yourself to forgive me."

Miley blew out a shaky breath of air, "Naw."

"Naw?" She mimicked, "Why could you possibly say no? I apologized."

"Yeah, but sorry ain't gonna cut it. You made a fool outta me." She shook her head, "Now get."

"Miley…"

"You heard her! Get!" Robbie shouted, shooing the girl out the door.

"Miley, you're my best friend!" Lilly shouted from under the doorway.

The brunette froze.

"What did you just say?"

"I... I really admire you, Miley. You are a wonderful person, and an amazing friend. You're my best friend, Miley."

The brunette gulped and walked past her father, staring into the girl's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, yet no words came out. But then again, actions spoke louder than words. She walked closer to the blonde and wrapped her in a loving hug, "You're my best friend, too."

"So." Lilly began, releasing herself from the hug, "What would you like to do now?"

"Now?" She frowned, "I can't do anything now. I have to do my chores."

"Naw, no need Miles." Robbie spoke up, "We'll have Jackson do it."

"He will?" Jackson piped up.

"Yes, he will." Robbie confirmed, "Now, why don't you two go take a ride on 'ol Blue Jeans there?"

A smile spread across Miley's face at the thought.

"Ah, now there's my Smiley Miley."

The brunette ran over and hugged her Father around the middle, then grabbed Lilly's hand and dragged her into the barn. She tacked up Blue Jeans and the two girls were off. As they got closer to town, Miley skidded to a halt when she saw Lilly's Mother.

And unfortunately, Heather saw them as well.

"Lillian Truscott!" She shouted, "I thought you were finished with that girl!"

"No, not anymore." The blonde confessed.

"Well, you are now! Now get off that...beast and head home with me this instant!"

"No." The blonde said, crossing her arms.

"Excuse me?"

"I will not dismount from this horse. I wish to spend time with my friend, Mother."

"Well you are forbidden, now dismount now."

"I told you no, Mother."

"Get down here now!"

Jumping in fright, Lilly finally dismounted off Blue Jeans and walked over to her Mother. Miley carefully watched the encounter, not sure whether she should interfere or stay where she was.

"Lillian, you have no right to go disobeying orders like this! I am your Mother, and therefore you must do what I say!"

"No, she don't." Miley spoke up, tying up Blue Jeans and walking over to the two girls.

"I beg your pardon?"

"She don't gotta listen to you. You're Lil's Mama, ma'am, but that don't mean you get the right to boss her around like you do. She gets to be friends with who she wants."

"I decide what is best for my daughter. Not you."

"With all due respect Ma'am, that's not what I'm tryna do. I'm tryna get you to understand that Lil has the right to think for herself."

"My daughter's name is Lillian, not 'Lil'. Please never refer to her that way again because it is derisory. Second, let's imagine what my daughter would do if she could make decisions for herself. She'd spend all her free time with you, abandon her chores, and expunge all respect she has for her parents. Being the person you are, you would ruin everything I've planned out for my daughter." The blonde woman walked closer and stared into the brunette's eyes, "And that is something I cannot stand." Raising her hand, she slapped the girl across the face. The brunette fell to the ground, cupping the side of her face.

"Don't ever come near Lillian again, if you know what's good for you." Heather threatened, sneering at the girl, who appeared to be bleeding.

"Come, Lillian."

Lilly's eyes sparkled with worry as she stared at the brunette, who was trying to cover up the wound with her hand. Biting her lip, the blonde made her decision and ran to Miley, helping her onto her feet. The brunette was a bit wobbly, so the blonde wrapped an arm around the girl's waist to steady her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Heather asked.

"Making my own decisions." The blonde said, frowning at the brunette next to her. The poor cowgirl had her arm around the city girl's shoulder, being careful not to walk too fast.

"Let's go. We're heading over to your Father's."

Miley's eyes flickered down to the blonde's lips. The cowgirl's mouth shook, mentally telling herself that this would ruin everything. The two girls had just rebuilt their friendship, and if they kissed…

"Wha—?" Miley shook her head, clearing her mind, "What's goin' on?"

"You wanted to kiss me."

"Um…" How did she know that?

"You were speaking out loud."

"Oh, shoot. I'm real sorry, Lil. I 'spose you wanna head back home."

"No." Lilly smiled, "It's perfectly fine." A smile spread across her face as she leaned in and placed a soft, but quick peck on Miley's mouth. The brunette's world began to spin and she began to lose the balance she had almost regained.

Then she passed out.

"Miley?" A voice echoed in her mind.

"Mm…?" The cowgirl ran a hand through her long, brown locks before lifting herself up, only to be pushed back down by Robbie.

"Wha...What's…?"

"Shh, don't speak now darlin'. You're gonna be okay, I gotchya." He kissed the girl's forehead. Miley's vision was still slightly blurry, so she was confused when she saw a blob sitting next to her.

"Who…?"

"Miley." A female voice said.

"Mama?"