I'll Be Right Here

Lilly's POV

My Mom was in the kitchen and noticed my hurried exit, so I had to say something. "Bye Mom, I'm going to a fr…" I froze. If I continued my sentence she would make a big deal, but then again if I kept it a secret, it would become a huge weight. "….a friends house."

"Aw really? Lillian I am so proud of you." She walked over and gave me a light hug. "Well it looks like you were in a hurry, so you'd better go."

"Mom stop calling me that. And is that all, you're not going to interrogate me more?"

"Well only unless it's a boy."

"No it's ok, she's just a girl. She moved here at the beginning of this week. Her house is just a few away from ours. I'll be back later ok?"

"Not too late. Bye Lilly."

She called after me as I was shutting the door and then I skated quickly down the street to Miley's house.

I skidded to a stop right at the front door, then knocked on the door. It wasn't Miley who answered, it wasn't her Dad either. Someone I hadn't met yet and I assumed he was another family member. He opened the door for me and I prepared myself to greet him.

"Who are you?" he asked with a mouth full of food and in a slightly grumpy tone.

"I'm uh-"

"Jackson, what happened to your manners boy?" I looked past him and saw Miley walking down the stairs looking upset. Then she looked up and saw me and her expression lightened up. "This is my friend Lilly. Now go away Jackson." She said as she shoved him aside to get to me. "Sorry, that's my older brother Jackson. He goes to the same school with us too. He's usually nicer, but I guess he was watching TV. Anyway let's go to my room." Then Miley took my hand again and led me to her room.

Holding hands. There was just something about it that gave me the slightest tingle and made me feel…warm. But it only seemed to be with Miley's touch.

When we were in her room, I saw her back door open.

"You even have a deck in your own room? That is nice." I smiled at her as she closed the door behind her and then crossed the room to the deck. "Oh, Miley I wanted to ask you about what you called me on the phone. You called me Lil, I think it's a cool nickname, so thanks."

"Sure no problem, oh and I go by, Miles, sometimes as my nickname."

"Cool, I'll remember that. Oh and I can stay here late, since it isn't a school night you know?" I nodded and smiled.

"Thanks. Yeah let's go out here tonight, because I don't really want to be, well…heard."

"Heard? What do you mean?" I followed her out and sat on a chair as Miley closed that set of doors as well.

Then I saw Miley's guitar sitting on a small bench. She picked up her guitar, sat down and set it on her lap, and then looked at me. "I don't want to be heard because I'm going to sing a song I just wrote."

"Why am I out here then? I thought you said you never liked to sing in front of anyone." I was a bit confused.

"I know, I did and it still stands; except in your case. This song I wrote is for you. It isn't finished yet, but I decided that I should sing it for you and then you can let me know how well I sing." She spoke a bit anxiously.

I was speechless already. "M-me? You wrote a song for me?" That was the only thing I managed to say. Then after that I still remained speechless.

"Yeah, but like I said it's not much; only one small verse so far. But still, I wanted you to hear it from me right now."

Miley closed her eyes and exhaled deeply for a second. Then opened them and began strumming a few opening chords. It was already beautiful. And then she looked at the view of the ocean as she began to sing.

I'll be right here when you need me
Anytime just keep believin
And I'll be right here
If you ever need a friend
Someone to care and understand
I'll be right here

She closed off gently with a few strums of her guitar. I realized I had closed my eyes just as she started singing. I made sure I took in every word of it. I engrained all of it into my brain and made sure I wouldn't forget any of it. It was amazing. Miley has an amazing voice.

I opened my eyes and looked at her. She was still looking at the ocean, an expression full of worry flickered across her face.

"Miles, your voice is amazing." It was all I could think of to say.

She took her guitar off her lap and set it down next to her. Then I saw a small blush spread upon her cheeks as she looked back at me. "Thank you. Look, this is how I just wanted to say that I should have run after you, after you walked out a few days ago…"

"No Miley, I shouldn't have left in the first place."

"Wait let me finish, I just want to say that, whether you like it or not, I will always be right there behind you, whenever you need me. Because well, that's what friends do."

I acted without thinking again. Then I found myself embracing Miley in a tight and warm hug. I felt her arms wrap around my waist; hugging back for a moment.

"Miley, you are the best friend I've ever had." I said quietly into her ear. But then I realized what I was doing and released. "I-I mean I'm sorry…well only if you want to be friends, best friends I mean." I stumbled over my words like an idiot.

"Of course Lil, I'd love that." she smiled and pulled me into a quick, light hug one more time.

"Thank you so much for that song, I can't believe you would do that just for me." I suddenly felt a tingle in my eyes. I touched the edge lightly and it felt that it was wet. I turned around and faced the door. "Listen I uh…I think I need to get home now."

"But I thought you said you can stay out late tonight?" she questioned me.

"Well I just remembered that my Mom is making…"

But before I could finish my sentence, I heard Miley's footsteps coming up quickly behind me. Then the next thing I knew, she turned me around and looked me straight in the eye. I felt tears still brimming in my eyes and threatening to spill, but I didn't let them. I never cried in front of anyone. The only time I cried was when I first learned to skateboard when I was little, and skinned my knee. I learned to become tough after that. I almost cried when Oliver left, but held it all back. And I couldn't believe what was happening now. But I knew what this was for; these were tears of happiness that someone cared so much for me, it brought me overwhelming joy; enough to cry. Although, I kept refusing to let them come since I had never cried in front of anyone.

"Oh Lilly it's ok, it was just a song. Was it really that good?"

"Yeah it's the song, the song is wonderful and it's also more then that. Nobody has ever cared for me so much lately like you have. So I still just can't believe this." I sniffed and a few tears finally came running down my cheeks.

"Well I'm glad I could help you so much." Miley said. Then she gently caressed my face in her hands and wiped away some of the tears that were on my cheeks. Then she pulled me into a hug this time. It lasted awhile, and it was warm and comforting. I felt safe. But I wanted more then that now, but I knew Miley probably wasn't like that; although there must be some way to find out.