"Well you drive me crazy half the time
The other half I'm only trying to
Let you know that what I feel is true
And I'm only me when I'm with you."
VIII
Under The Stars
To say that Meghan's speech had made waves would have been the understatement of the century.
The following day, every single gossip and tabloid magazine, website blog and talk show was with pictures and quotes and opinions.
Some were calling her an ungrateful little diva; others applauded her courage and were glad to see Madeleine Birwith put in her place.
Bu t no one was as proud of Meghan that her three best friends.
"Look at this!" Lily exclaimed. " 'Meghan's Mommy Monologue' got 6000 views in the past 2 hours! It's the most watched video of the week!" She happily pointed at Miley's computer screen, her friends all gathered around.
"Wow," Meghan said, sighing excitingly. "I can't believe all this happened in less than 24 hours!"
"I told you things would change," Oliver replied, smiling at her.
"Yeah," Meghan said, nodding. "I guess I just didn't think..."
"Everybody and their momma would care?" Miley offered.
"Speaking of mothers," Oliver said. "Have you talked to yours yet?"
"Yah," Meghan replied, leaning back on Miley's bed. "We spoke for like 2 hours when she got home last night."
"So what did she say?" Lily asked.
"She realized that she had spent my whole life being my manger and not my mom," Meghan replied. "She agreed that our relationship would be better off if I move in with my dad. So tomorrow you guys have to help me pack all my stuff."
"Do you really think all your stuff is going to fit into your dad's tiny loft?" Oliver said, laughing.
"You know, Meghan," Lily said, putting her arm around her friend's shoulders. "If you really need some help, I'll gladly take some of your shoes. To make sure you have enough room at your dad's, of course."
"And I'd gladly take that Stella Fabioni dress you wore at the VMA's," Miley added, sitting down next to Meghan.
Meghan rolled her eyes and laughed. "It's okay, guys. As...nice is that is, my dad was so happy that I'm going to move in with him full time, he said that he'd be willing to give up his 'bachelor pad' for something with a walk-in. And more than one bathroom."
"That's great," Oliver said. "I guess things are looking up for you, eh?"
"Looks like it," Meghan replied, smiling.
"Speaking of which," Miley said, pushing Oliver towards the door. "There's only 3 hours till Spring Fling, so we gotta get ready."
"But it's in such a---" Oliver began.
"Buh-bye!" Miley said, cutting him off, and then shut the door in his face.
"Let's go, girls!" Lily exclaimed, leaping off Miley's bed. The trio rushed towards the Hannah closet. Meghan and Lily and hung their dresses in there earlier that day.
"This going to be the best night ever!" Miley squeal, reaching for her dress.
"I doubt it'll top last night," Meghan replied. "Nick isn't going to be there." Lily, curling iron in hand, made kissy faces at Miley.
"That's what you think," Miley said, grinning mischievously.
"What?" Meghan and Lily said together.
"How did you manage that?" Meghan asked.
"Being a member of the dance committee, I have to attend the dance," Miley explained. "But my dad 'coincidently' punished me by making me spend the night with my great aunt in Santa Barbara. So to make it up to my committee mates, I asked my ex Jake Ryan to ask his buddy Hannah Montana to perform a few songs at the dance. And then Hannah asked the Jonas Brothers of they wanted to perform 'We Go The Party With Us' with her."
"Nice plan," Lily said, rubbing her hands together Meghan nodded in agreement.
"Thanks," Miley said, grinning. "The Spring Fling may not top your party, Meg, but you can bet it'll be a night to remember."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wow, Lily!" Meghan exclaimed, looking around the beautifully decorated gym. It looked as though the girls had walked into a perfectly clear summer night; the ceiling was sparkling like a thousand tiny stars. "I cannot believe this is the same place I hit Oliver with a dodge ball in!"
"I know!" Lily cheered. She was wearing a high-collared halter dress, made with beautiful midnight blue silk. Her hair was loose and curled into light ringlets.
Meghan looked around and saw people pointing and whispering. "I should have seen that coming," Meghan sighed. She was wearing a knee-length red dress and gold kitten heels. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her thick bangs were clipped back.
"Come on," Lily said, grabbing Meghan's arm. "Let's go find our dates." The pair made their way towards the stage, where Oliver and Dylan were waiting.
"Whoa, dude!" Dylan exclaimed, punching Oliver in the arm. "You didn't say your date was Meghan Hollaway!"
"Um, yeah," Oliver replied.
"She is so smokin', dude!" Dylan said excitingly.
"Does he not realize I'm standing right here?" Meghan whispered to Lily.
"Does he not realize that I'm standing right here?" Lily whispered back, then rolled her eyes.
"Oh, hey Lily," Dylan said, nodding in her direction. "You look...awesome?"
"Thanks," Lily replied. She could not believe how...dumb Dylan was. How could someone so hot be such a...caveman? Lily was about to make up some excuse to leave when she saw, out of the corner of her eye, Jackson walk in, a blonde bombshell on his arm.
"Come on, Dylan," Lily said through gritted teeth, grabbing her date viciously by the collar of his shirt. "Let's dance." She dragged him towards the dance floor.
"Wow," Meghan said, looking from Lily to Jackson, who had seen Lily and started dancing with his date. "Those two are such babies."
"Yeah," Oliver said, nodding in agreement. "Wait...why?"
"Because of just admitting their feelings for one another," Meghan explained. "They're embarking in a ridiculous game in which they're shamelessly using people to win. But instead of making the other jealous enough to make the first move, they're just making more rounds in this game that can have no winner."
"Um, okay," Oliver said. "They're babies. Got it."
"Ladies and gentlemen," the principal announced from the stage, his voice booming from the speakers. "May I have your attention please!" The music played on and the students kept dancing; no one paid attention to what the principal had to say. "Please settle down, people!" He fruitlessly yelled, trying to get the crowd to listen to him.
"Hey! Everybody! Shut it and listen to me!" Amber yelled, having grabbed the mic from the hopeless principal. The music and dancing came to a halt and all eyes were on the devious diva. "Like, please!"
"Okay," Ashley chimed in. "It's time for the---"
"It time for the moment you've all been waiting for!" Amber interrupted, shoving Ashley aside. "Please welcome the Jonas Brothers, and my close, personal friend, Hannah Montana!"
The crowed screamed and cheered as Hannah and the boys came on stage. "C'mon guys, tell me what we're doin', we're hangin' around when we could be all over the place," Hannah sang.
"Come on, Ollie!" Meghan chirped happily. "Let's dance!" The crowd parted as the couple came through, pointing and whispering as the pair made their way to Lily and Dylan. "Turn this park into a club, the light are stars, and the moon is the vibe from above!" Meghan yelled, singing along. She laughed and jumped with her friends, dancing around the gym.
Hannah and the Jonas Brothers played a couple more songs before heading off backstage, where Amber and Ashley were waiting while Oliver and Lily were hiding off to the side, waiting for the devilish duo to leave.
"Oh, my, gosh!" Amber cried, giving a surprised Hannah a big hug. "You guys were like, awesome!"
"Like, totally awesome," Ashley said flirtatiously, batting her eyelashes at Kevin.
"Totally," Amber said, leaning against Nick and winking.
"Um, thanks," Nick replied awkwardly.
"You boys are always awesome," Ashley said, touching Kevin's arm.
"And hot," Amber said, nodding, still leaning on Nick.
Hannah glared at her and crossed her arms. "Okay then!" Hannah said loudly. "Time for you two to go!" She pushed Amber and Ashley towards the exit of the stage.
"But we---" Amber replied, reaching for Nick.
"It's been real nice seeing y'all!" Hannah said, shoving the struggling girls through the door.
"Call me!" Ashley yelled as Hannah slammed the door behind her.
"Wow," Meghan said, as she, Lily and Oliver came out of hiding. "Do you realize that's the second time today you've slammed the door in someone's face?"
"Why do they always have to be so..." Hannah said, searching for the right word.
"Amber and Ashley?" Lily offered.
"Exactly," Hannah agreed, snapping her fingers.
"You've met those two before?" Nick asked.
"Um..." Hannah replied.
"Yeah, we have," Meghan said. "Amber was on 'Singing with the Stars' with Hannah last year, right?"
"R-right," Hannah replied. "And...and they were harassing me before we went on."
"So you guys ready?" Meghan asked her friends.
"Ready for what?" Kevin asked.
"To dance!" Meghan answered.
"I don't think that's a very good idea, Meg," Hannah said.
"Why not?" Meghan said, putting her hands on her hips.
"Well, you know," Hannah replied. "The fans. You saw how crazy everyone was when we were on stage, imagine how it'll be if we're out there in the crowd!"
"Don't worry, girl!" Roxy said, suddenly appearing behind Oliver, making him jump. "I'll take care of them mobs. Nobody's getting by Roxy! You go out there and shake it!" She pushed the group out the door and towards the dance floor.
"Where did Dylan go, anyway?" Hannah whispered to Lily as Roxy effortlessly fought off the fans.
"I told him I had to go to the bathroom," Lily replied. "I'd better go find him before anyone spots me with you." She gave Hannah a small wave and disappeared into the crowd.
The group made their way across the floor and found themselves a secluded place to dance.
"I don't think so, Blondie!" Roxy yelled at a short blond girl who was trying to throw herself at Nick. "Step away from the Fro Bro! Hah-ya!" The girl screamed and ran away as Roxy approached her.
After a couple more of these incidents, the message became clear: let the pop stars enjoy the dance, or be prepared to have Crouching Tiger Hidden Roxy unleashed on you. So the fans just let them dance.
"Where'd Lily go?" Meghan asked Oliver after several minutes of their friend's absence.
"Here I am!" Lily said, appearing behind Meghan and Oliver; Dylan, bearing his usual vacant expression, on her arm. Meghan glanced at Dylan, then over at Jackson, who was at the edge of the dance floor, shuffling his feet and looking insanely bored with his date.
"Come, Lily!" Meghan said loudly, pulling Lily by the arm. "Dance with me over here!"
"Why?" Lily asked as Meghan pulled her away from Oliver and Dylan. "What's up with you?"
"What's up with me?" Meghan asked, dancing with Lily. "What's wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?" Lily asked, twirling around.
"Dylan Hutcherson?" Meghan said bluntly. "Are you kidding me?"
"What's wrong with Dylan?" Lily asked.
"Come on, Lily!" Meghan replied. "He's a clueless, brainless, classless jock!"
"So?" Lily said. "He's super hot, and he's got a great car!"
"Since when is that how you choose your dates?" Meghan asked seriously, spinning Lily by the hand.
"Well...I..." Lily said.
"Exactly," Meghan said. "You know you can do better than him."
"Like who?" Lily said. Meghan grabbed her hand and spun her so she was facing the direction of a certain Rico's employee.
"J-Jackson?" Lily said. "I..."
"Really like him?" Meghan said.
"But...I..." Lily stuttered.
"No," Meghan said sternly. "No but's. No doubts. You like him, right? So go for it! Stop wasting your time with hollow-headed pretty boys! Now go!"
"Okay, okay," Lily said, gaining confidence. "I can do this, right?"
"Right!" Meghan said, smiling. "And look, he's making it easier on you." Meghan pointed towards Jackson, who was making his way towards the girls.
"Hey girls," Jackson said.
"Hey Jackson," Meghan said still smiling. "I'm going to find Ollie. Bye." She turned around and disappeared into the swarm of people.
"Listen, Lil---" Jackson began.
"Do you want to dance?" Lily said quickly.
"Sure," Jackson replied. Just as they began dancing, the music changed to the Jonas Brothers' 'When You Look Me In The Eyes'.
"Oh," Lily said, stepping closer to Jackson.
"Um," Jackson replied. Lily placed her hands on his shoulders. He slowly placed his own on Lily's hips. There was an awkward two feet between them.
"So," Jackson said as they swayed to the music, looking at Lily's feet.
"I'm up here, you know," Lily said, smiling.
"Right," Jackson replied, looking up to Lily's face. "Sorry...it's just...me and you, you know?"
"Yeah," Lily replied. "Wait...no. What's so wrong with that?"
"Nothing," Jackson replied. "It's just...a couple of months ago, you were just Miley's best friend...but now...it's different, you know?"
"Yeah," Lily said.
"But it's a good different," Jackson replied.
Suddenly, someone bumped forcefully into Lily making her fall into Jackson, and closing the awkward gap between them.
"Sorry Meghan said, dancing closely with Oliver. "I didn't see you there, Lily." Oliver rolled his eyes.
"Well, that was subtle of her," Lily said, as Meghan and Oliver danced away from them. Lily was now mere inches from Jackson.
"Well, Meghan has always been the queen of subtlety," Jackson said sarcastically, laughing.
"Look at them," Lily said, nodding in Meghan and Oliver's direction. Jackson looked over; Meghan and Oliver were whirling and twirling gracefully together about 30 feet away from Lily and Jackson. "Who knew Oliver was such a good dancer?"
"I think Meghan brings out the inner dancer in him," Jackson offered jokingly.
"She seems to have that effect on him," Lily agreed. "She has a tendency to bring out a lot of things in him. Other people too."
"Why yes she does. Very annoyingly, I might add," Jackson said. Lily giggled.
"I heard that," Meghan said, as she and Oliver glided by Jackson and Lily.
"You've really got to work on your subtlety," Oliver said as he and Meghan moved away from Lily and Jackson.
"I enjoy my not so subtle subtlety," Meghan replied, grinning mockingly. "It's one of my many quirks."
Oliver laughed."Check out Miley," Oliver said, looking over Meghan's head towards the blond pop star. Meghan softly twirled herself around in order to get closer to Hannah, who was dancing extremely closely with Nick.
"Geez, an ant would barely have room to move between those two," Meghan said, rolling her eyes.
"Ah, young love," Oliver mocked in a dreamy voice.
"Speaking of which," Meghan said. "It looks like Lily and Jackson took my hint." She was looking over to where the couple in question were laughing and talking and dancing, just as close to one and other as they were before; all thanks to Meghan's lack of subtlety. "I can't hear what they're saying." She danced herself closer to the pair.
"I'm supposed to be the one leading, you know," Oliver grumbled as Meghan moved them across the dance floor.
"Oh, stop whining, baby," Meghan said, trying to listen in on Lily and Jackson's conversation, as the song ended.
"Well," Lily said, breaking away from Jackson.
"Yeah," Jackson said, looking down and rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He looked up at Lily. "Hey, you wanna get out of here? Maybe go to the beach?"
She glanced over at Dylan, who was impressing some of his friends by drinking straight out of the punch bowl without his hands. "Sure," Lily replied, looking back at Jackson. "Let's go."
