"You kissed Jackson!" Miley shouted
Lilly just nodded as a blush crept across her cheeks.
"You never even told me you liked him!"
"I know. I was afraid you'd get mad."
"Well, I don't know what you see in him, but of course I'm not mad. Jackson's a good guy and you deserve a good guy."
"Yeah." Lilly was blushing again. She had decided to tell Miley about the kiss on the beach and how she and Jackson were now dating. She didn't want to sneak around. But she thought Miley would be upset or think it was weird.
"I can't believe you like him and you didn't tell me!"
"I'm sorry."
At that moment Jackson walked through the door. "Hey Miles, Lilly." He said putting his arm around Lilly. "Were you talking about me?"
Lilly found herself blushing again as Miley told him that, in fact, they were.
"How could you not tell me you liked her?" Miley asked.
"Well, Miles, she is your best friend. I didn't want you to tell her. If she didn't feel the same I'd still have to see her everyday."
Miley smiled. "Maybe I should leave you two alone." And then she disappeared up the stairs.
"You're so beautiful." Jackson said, looking down at Lilly.
"I can't believe this is happening!" the words escaped her lips before she could stop them.
Jackson laughed as he led her to the couch. He sat down and pulled her next to him.
"I'm so in love with you, Lilly Truscott," he said kissing her again.
Lilly buried he head in her hands as she began to cry. She was trying to pull it together for Jackson's funeral. But every time she thought she might be able to hold it together, she would start thinking about the past and how it was gone and she'd never get it back. She'd gone to enough funerals in the last 3 years that she thought she should be used to them. But they were always so hard.
"Lilly, don't cry"
Lilly heard a voice. It sounded like Jackson. She looked around, but didn't see anyone. Great! Now she was going crazy.
Lilly went to the bathroom to fix he make up. She hated the bathroom. She tried not to think about what had happened there, but the tears began to fall again.
Then out of the corner of her eye she saw a piece of paper. She picked it up and took it to the bedroom. She knew what it was. She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it before. She shivered as she unfolded the paper.
Lilly took a deep breath and closed her eyes knowing these were the last words Jackson had written. His reason why. She opened her eyes and began to read.
Lilly,
I'm sorry I wasn't a very good boyfriend. If you want to be with Cooper, I won't stand in your way. Just know that I've always loved you and I always will. You are my sunshine and I only want you to be happy. Please don't cry. It's better this way.
Love,
Jackson
Cooper! Jackson thought she wanted to be with Cooper! Why would he think that? She burst into tears again. She had lost Jackson for now reason at all.
"Jackson!" she called into the darkness of the room.
Lilly felt strangely guilty. She hadn't cheated on Jackson. She had just been trying to plan a surprise party. But it was because of her Jackson was gone. "I'm sorry Jackson." She whispered.
"Lilly, don't cry."
She jumped as she heard the voice again. She frantically looked around the room. There was no one there. As she felt a cool breeze blow over her she hugged herself tight. But oddly, she wasn't scared. She felt more at piece.
She glanced at the clock. It was time to go to the funeral.