(A/N: Thank you so very much for the reviews! It's excellent to see that there's more interest in this story than when it was first put up. Also, I'm sorry for the wait and slight delay, my co – writer has been quite busy with her own writings and such so it's sometimes hard from her to bounce from story to story as she has a few going at the moment. But I'm glad that she's doing this for me and I can't wait to hear what you've got to say, so here's the next chapter and please do enjoy it. Don't forget to put your thoughts and opinions in a review as well! =D )

The Beginning of The End?
Chapter Nine: Ordinary Girl

Miley sighed as she walked over to where her locker was in the hallway. She hadn't heard from Lilly or Oliver since they left last night. Where could they have gone? She didn't want to lose her best friends, especially since she had voiced the side of the argument which was wrong in the first place. She shouldn't have been so quick to push her own friends away. When it came right down to it, they were a good portion of all she had. There was her father and brother of course, but when it came to Miley's life, her friends were a huge portion of her and held a great emotional bond within her heart. Hannah's life was slightly different, because she had all of that, plus her fans. Mind you, without the fans, she'd be nothing. So she owed them a lot too. That was exactly the reason why she had to do this tour. She had to and she would even if it killed her. They deserved the appreciation and they'd get it.

Just as she opened her locker door, a note came fluttering out and touched the tiled flooring. She picked it up and studied it for a moment. It didn't seem like a threatening letter, but the only way she'd find out would be to start opening it. So, Miley unfolded the slightly crumpled note and read the contents:

Miley,

Words can't describe how much Oliver and I both love you. We love you to pieces. It's good to see that you understood the importance of me blurting out what I did and y'know, I was going to come to you first to ask if it would be okay to let Oliver in on things, but he got to me first. But let's just put this behind us, okay? We miss you and besides, you weren't going to let us sit at the 'Loser's Table' all by ourselves, now were you? Exactly. ;) Well, you have officially been handed our forgiveness on a gold platter. Can't wait to see you Miles. Talk to you soon!

Actually, just text me XD

Love lots,

Lilly

Miley couldn't help but to smile at the note she held in her hands from her best friend, Lilly Truscott. The fact that she had found it in her heart to forgive, had to be the best feeling in the world. "True friend… we're here 'til the end." Miley spun around to find none other than Oliver behind her, of course he'd have to go and sing that to her. It may have seemed to anyone else just a silly song that some random kid in the hallway was singing, but to Miley it meant so much more, especially with Oliver singing it to her. "I missed you Miley and you can bet that Lilly did too." It probably took her a time span of seconds to go from where she was standing to pulling Oliver into a big, friendly bear hug. Man, she had really missed him and it hadn't even been a full twenty four hours.

"I never meant to push you guys away. Please don't ever let me do that again. I need my best friends with me." All he could do was hug her tightly. There's no way Miley would ever be able to get rid of him and her both. Even if they did just have a falling out. They'd be there for her no matter what. Nothing or no one could stop those three from being the best of friends ever.

"Never. You can't get rid of us that easily." He told her with a chuckle. Sure he was supposed to be going to the bathroom, but this was a situation in dire need of a best friend for life. "Y'know, that strangely reminds me, are you coming to the big Homecoming dance this Friday?" Judging by the expression she had just given him, Oliver would have guessed that 'No' she wasn't coming, but someone else was…

"I'm not… but Hannah is. At special request of the Principal's daughter I believe." Alright, so maybe things were looking up after all? Surely they would with the one and only Hannah Montana there. "There might be someone else or another act there too. I'm not too sure. I think Miss Montana is the main star though." This, would be the start of an amazing weekend. One they were all sure to spend together.

::(H-M)::

"So, are you coming to the Homecoming dance?" Amber asked Miley, almost eagerly as they just so happened to be standing beside one another within the cafeteria line up. "I heard it's going to be the bomb. Of course, most dances here are. Not to mention, we're all seniors so it'll be that much more awesome." She stated with a seemingly innocent smile. Miley then remembered what her dad had told her. He told her to make sure to try and come up with a consistent excuse as to why she couldn't attend the upcoming dance, seeing as Hannah was going to be there and all.

"Actually, I'm not going to that," The brunette stated rather quickly as she tried to rack up an idea for an excuse as to why she wouldn't be making it to this dance. It was a lot trickier than it seemed, to think on the spot like that. "I'm going away with my family this weekend, so I won't be able to come to the dance." Miley actually glanced into Amber's eyes and noticed a little bit of a hurt emotion as she gave her excuse. Just why exactly would she be feeling some degree of hurt? It was Miley who wasn't going to the dance, not her. What was up exactly?

"Ah, I see. Alright then. I was just hoping that maybe we could hang out at the dance or something but if you're not going, that's cool. I guess I'll see you around." She was just about to take off with her tray in hand but suddenly, she stopped and looked back at her 'ex' best friend. "You do know that you can talk to me if you need to, right Miles?" The way Amber said her nickname almost sent shivers down her spine. Were they really that tight of friends before grade school? Hmm, perhaps it was possible.

"Yeah, I know that." As long as Amber left smiling, that's what kept Miley happy. Of course there would always be that bit of mistrust because of how mean she had been to her over the course of her high school years, but there was also that side of her that couldn't help but to trust what Amber was saying to her. Oh what should a girl do?

::(H-M)::

"So, is Hannah almost ready?" Lilly asked impatiently that Friday evening. It always took her best friend forever to get ready. Then again, a pop star always had to look their best. "I know you've got to look good and all, but seriously! C'mon out already, I bet you look - " Lilly's jaw dropped when she saw her best friend, well her superstar alter – ego come out of her special closet dressed to the nine's and back again.

"You like it?" The blond locks, of the wig, were in curls that cascaded down to the center of her back, she had a beautiful smokey eyed look accompanied with some au natural lip gloss to make her full, plump lips shimmer. She spun around in her black colored silk, knee – length dress. It bunched a little by her hip, the right side to be more specific, and flowed down accordingly all the way down to just underneath her knees. For shoes, she wore four inch strappy, rhinestone studded heels that sparkled and shined just as much as she did. With a few bangles for her wrists and glamorous dangling earrings, a couple rings here and there and boom, she was ready to go.

"I love it. It looks more like Hannah's going on a date instead of singing at a high school dance though, don't you think?" Lilly inquired as she watched her friend glance at herself in the mirror some more, studying how she looked, which was gorgeous. "Then again, it is a dance I suppose." She answered herself, leaving Miley – or Hannah rather, to smile widely.

"That's right, and Hannah's gonna bring the roof down. Let's go!" The limo was waiting for Hannah, whilst Oliver was going to take Lilly to the dance by means of his own vehicle. "By the way, you look beautiful Lilly." Miley truthfully voiced to her best friend, leaving the other to blush at her own simple, hot pink colored strapless, tight fitting dress. Which only came down to just above her knees. Her long blond locks having been swept up into a loosely yet elegantly made up – do. Courtesy of Miley. The theme to this Homecoming dance was 'Formal' after all, so why not do it up in style?

"Thanks. Now let's get going." Tonight, would be a great night. Nothing but good feelings were sifting through out each adolescent's mind.

::(H-M)::

"Welcome students of Seaview High." Their beloved principal began, adjusting the microphone to appropriate height. "This is the first dance of the year and to start things off with a bang, I've managed to successfully invite not only one, but two guest performers! We have Hannah Montana in the school tonight, as well as a group I'm sure you're all familiar with, The Jonas Brothers. So, please do sit tight because it's going to be an amazing evening ahead of you. Please do enjoy yourselves above all else, behave and have great fun." With that announcement the dance was officially started. Many of the students were mingling with one another. Some were gossiping whilst others were just chit chatting. Most were having a great time. All were actually. There was a little bit of hesitation backstage though, seeing as there was little room to prepare for such a performance. "Ouch, oh sweet niblets, I am so sorry." The blond pop singer had frantically stated as she helped pick up a microphone and its accessories. Just then her eyes caught the gaze of an amazingly warm pair of brown eyes.

"Oh hey, don't be sorry. I mean, maybe if we hadn't have bumped into one another, I'd never have gotten to see you this close." He blurted nervously as he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck hesitantly. "You really are more beautiful in person. The pictures are nice and all, but there's nothing more breathtaking than standing right here, in front of you." Her mouth had only dropped a little bit. Which was a good thing, otherwise that might not have been such an attractive sight. Blech.

"That's so sweet of you to say such great things about me. You're not too bad yourself." She giggled with a rather flirtatious wink attached. "I'm M – uh, Hannah." The way he smiled made her very knees weak and she had only ever read about that kind of feeling within stories. Romance stories. Could this be something so much more than what she was taking for granted here?

"I'm hot and you're Nick… no I mean, I'm Nick and you're – well, I mean you are but… oh wow. I'm so sorry." He tried to explain with a couple laughs of his own. Well, if that was how not to impress a girl, he certainly would have scored there. "I'm Nick… and you make me speechless. Clearly. It's nice to see you, again. We had met previously, quite awhile ago though, I didn't think you'd remember me all that well." She just smiled, it was so cute to see that guys really could be nervous too and not all self – absorbed as some could be.

"Well I didn't mean to make you speechless, my bad." Just as they were about to indulge in some real conversation, they had to be pulled their different ways, to perform of course.

"I'm hot, you're cold. You go around, like you know… who I am but you don't. You got me on my toes. I'm slippin' into the lava, and I'm tryna keep from going under, baby you turn the temperature hotter, 'cause I'm burnin' up, burnin' up with you baby."

::(H-M)::