Chapter 7: The Fake-Up
Three days had passed since Miley had last seen Jake at the movies. But that didn't stop her from having hour-long phone conversations with him. She kept him updated on what she was learning in school, even though he had a private tutor. He described London in detail to her, which made her happy.
But she still had to go to school. She was almost late the Wednesday after Jake left, so she rushed out the door in a hurry. She was still in a hurry when she got off the bus. She rushed past the newspaper stand out front, which also sold magazines. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the cover picture. Just two blond celebrities sharing yet another kiss. Being a celebrity herself, she really didn't like the tabloid pictures that popped up everywhere of other people just like her.
The morning rushed by so fast, Miley didn't know what hit her. It had kind of been like that. It was like one of those days that went by really fast when you knew something bad was going to happen. Except she really didn't know anything bad was going to happen.
Until lunch.
"Hey, Miley!" Miley turned her head to see who was calling her when she walked into the lunch room with her tray. It turned out to be Amber and Ashley waving at her. She glanced at Lilly and rolled her eyes. She completely ignored the two snobs. But they weren't going to give up that easily.
"Miley! We're so sorry to hear!" said Ashley as she and her best friend strode over to the table where Miley and Lilly were sitting. They didn't sound sorry at all. Wait. What was there to be sorry about?
"What are you talking about?" Miley snapped.
Ashley pulled out a magazine from behind her back. "We heard that Mr. Jake Ryan is cheating on you."
IT was common knowledge around the school by now that she and Jake were sharing a long-distance relationship. It had happened once that her cell had rung during class because Jake had forgotten the time zones (like he said he wouldn't), and she had to make an excuse. Miley was thinking about this when Ashley's words hit her full force.
"HUH?!" Miley said. She snatched the magazine out of Ashley's hands and stared at the picture. It was a picture of Jake kissing...oh. Hannah Montana. Miley nearly let out a laugh, but she knew what that would do to her cover. She had to look as distressed as possible. "What?" she cried, faking her expression. She was proud when she even managed a fake tear.
"Again, we're so sorry," said Amber, making a fake pout of her own. Then the two of them walked off, snickering behind their hands.
Miley wiped the tear off her face. She still had the magazine in her hands.
Lilly took it snorted. "It's only you!" she whispered.
"I know. I still had to fake it. The only thing that bugs me was how they got that picture."
"Oh, yeah. What gives?" Miley glanced at a caption at the bottom of the large picture. It was another picture of her and Jake squeezing into the theater aisle, their fingers brushing.
"So that's what I heard!" Miley muttered. She flashed back to when she had heard the click of a camera. She had thought it was only her imagination then, but now she knew the truth.
"Hey! Look who wrote the article!" Lilly exclaimed, pointing to a small name at the bottom of the article.
"It's Brie Samuels!" said Miley, baring her teeth. "I knew that woman was no good. Jake has to know about this."
"Yeah. You might want to call him later."
"I am!" said Miley. She finished her burger and tossed out her trash. Then she walked out into the hall and hid behind a trash can. She dialed Jake's number.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jake."
"Miley! Hi! I thought you were going to call later," Jake said.
"I was. But I found something out that you might want to know. The paparazzi caught us - I mean, you and Hannah - kissing at the theater. People will think it's weird if I don't' pretend to break up with you because of it. If I don't, maybe someone will be smart enough to put two and two together," Miley explained.
"Wait! So you're breaking up with me?" Jake said, astonished.
"No! I'm only gonna pretend. You might want to hold the phone away from your ear."
"Okay."
Miley stepped out from behind the trash can into the middle of the hall where people were sure to hear her. "WHAT WAS THAT ARTICLE ALL ABOUT, HUH, JAKE?!" she shouted into the phone. She paused. "I DONT CARE THAT YOU KNOW HER, SHE'S STILL NOT ME, YOUR GIRLFRIEND!" Another pause. "You know what Jake? I really don't want to deal with you if you go around kissing other girls behind my back. We're through!"
"I love you too, Miley," said Jake through the phone.
"Don't ever speak to me again!" Translation: call me back later.
"I will," said Jake.
"Goodbye! For good!" Translation: I'll be waiting. Then Miley hung up the phone. She strode off to her next class, feeling satisfied.
