Author's Rant: A few readers's voiced their concerns about Lily getting over her mother's departure too quickly. Here is my reasoning: My very own impression of Lily is that she will push things aside. She'll ignore and let problems bottle up. She wants to stay happy and light. I know there are a lot of scenes with her crying and being weak but well… in all honesty I think it's perfectly normal.

Also I remember someone asking about Miley being car-less. Well… (And I hope this doesn't make you think I'm a bad writer who doesn't plan.) I actually don't know why. I never really thought about it. I mean, I don't have a car. The only reason Lily has a pink bug is because, first, I thought it was a complete Lily car and besides she's an only child. Miley can just use her brother's car or dad's car.

Also, thanks to everyone who likes hearing things from only one side (Miley's side.) It's often hard for me to keep from running off and hearing from Lily. But me, being the writer, I know exactly what's going on. So it's hard to personify what is going on with Lily to you readers. But I'm glad you guys are hanging in there and enjoying the ride.

Sammythegreatsockrocker: (I had to give you a personal message because your fears truly broke my heart.) A friend of mine is going through the same problem. I sympathize greatly for anyone in your situation. Personally, I think I went the easy way in letting Mrs. Truscott find Lily and Miley together. (Because not telling eats at one's insides.) I offer you my support and I wish you luck. My hat is off to you.

CraftyNotePad …I think I've been patient. The absence of you depresses me deeply. I feel like I have lost a prime writing buddy. I no longer need your approval but I would like to hear your thoughts. Or maybe just a quick hello.

Random Note: My teachers are mean and give loads of work, there's my excuse. (Three papers and two projects later here's chapter nine.)

……

"What about these?" I hold up two pairs of shoes and stare at Lily. She is laid out on my bed flipping through a magazine. She lifts her head up and bites her bottom lip in thought.

"Well…" She trails off scanning intently over the shoes. "I like the blue ones."

"Me too!" I bounce slipping into them. Lily and I share a smile. She shakes her head and laughs. I collapse next to her and read over her shoulder.

"Anything interesting?" I ask yawning.

"Apparently you are dating one of the Jonas brothers." Lily giggles turning the page. I roll my eyes and twist my finger around a strand of Lily's hair. We lay together and I stare off into space. I have a Hannah concert in two hours, but I don't feel like going. I feel like falling asleep in Lily's arms.

I play with her hair and close my eyes. The sun is setting and its Saturday, no homework, no worries, just Lily and me, me and Lily. I smile and open my eyes she is staring back at me. 'Hi' she mouths. I laugh softly.

Why is she whispering?

Maybe not to ruin the moment.

She leaves little kisses around my face (cheek, nose, corners of my mouth.) Being with her calms every fiber in my being. There is a lazy feeling climbing up inside of me. We are the ocean's waves. I feel like writing a song. I feel like painting a picture. If I could I would dedicate everything to her- my best friend, my new found lover. I'm lying flat on my back and Lily moves so that she is on top of me.

I like having her this way, her solid body pushed up against mine, her hips to mine and her lips attached tightly. "Oh." She says pulling back. "I need to… I need to write something." Quickly she jumps up and runs to her bag and pulls out a notepad and pencil. She scribbles fiercely and then marks something out and then re-writes. She finishes, frowns and shoves it back inside.

I watch, I smile- the writing process. "Can I see it?" I ask quietly.

She shakes her head. "It's bad, not what I wanted." She slides back to me, her side touching my side. Her hand on top of my hand.

"I'd really like to see it." I pester lightly.

She rolls her eyes. "Fine, but no laughing." She fishes through her bag and pulls the wrinkles page out and hands it to me. I sit up and greedily take it and begin reading.

"Where are you?

Darling, has the night-

swept you

devoured you

Rays of light

like candle flames flicker

(in and out- your whisper)

I hear the breaths of you

Calm waves wash through

Darling?

Are you here?

Yes-

Yes-"

I've never really read Lily's poetry before. I've seen some portion from her beginning stages but this is different. It makes me sad; there is a melancholy cloud hanging above. But it's hopeful I smile at her and hand the paper over.

She is nervous and shrugs. "It's okay if you hate it. You just… being with you makes me feel so different, so alive."

I meet her stare. "I liked it." I assure her earnestly. She blushes and I kiss her cheek. She smiles, her nose crinkling a little, my heart skips a beat and a spell is cast. It's so wonderful the magic fills my whole being.

"Miley?"

I look up at my dad's face peeking from behind the door.

"The limo's here." He says smiling. "You two ready?"

Lily sits up and grabs her black wig from the side of the bed. "Ready Freddy!" She grins and takes my hand.

My dad is up front laughing with the driver. Lily and I are in the back smiling at each other. Lily's hand is sitting comfortably on my thigh; I've got my arm around her shoulders (pulling her in.) I'm not sure why but the world is always clearer (but always fuzzy) when we are touching. Everything fades away; I'm only concentrating on her skin, where our hands are, and if we can go somewhere dark.

Maybe I'm moving too fast. Lily is still unstable with her parents. Everything hasn't worked out. Her mother hasn't come home yet and Lily's been spending every moment with me. Her dad called once today and Lily seemed a little frustrated after their conversation. But when she looks at me she smiles and shakes her head.

I don't want to pressure her into telling me but, I want to know so bad! I'm too curious for my own good. So, I hold my tongue and instead distract both myself and Lily with heated kisses and lingering touches of fingers across hot skin. (She doesn't seem to mind. If anything I'm being lured into her plan of not telling me what's really going on.)

We arrive at the concert and I can hear the roars of excited fans. Lily leans in and kisses my cheek. "Get out there superstar." She laughs.

I open the door and blinding flashes of the cameras sting my eyes. A report is in my face asking questions a million a minute: "Boyfriend? New album? Friends? Parties? Secrets! Tell all Miss. Montana!" My dad is there in a second waving off the crowd. My eyes dart around to find Lily (Lola.)

"Dad where is-"

A warm hand suddenly intertwines with mine. Her face is before me, red lips, flushed cheeks, blue eyes, and all. My dad kisses my forehead and then runs off to check sound, lights and beat up Burney (stage manager) for letting all those reporters in.

Lily and I stride off to my dressing room, but if my eyes aren't lying Lily has a very sassy hop to her walk. It's more like a strut. I smirk and lean in to her ear as we near the room, "What's that sexy walk called?"

Lily wipes around and pulls me (by my shirt collar) into the room and then slams the door. "It's called my girlfriend is the ever yummy Hannah Montana."

And then her lips are on mine. I realize it took several hours to get this wig, make-up, and right outfit on and Lily is only messing it up with her wandering hands, but gosh, I really don't mind. My back is against the door I try and move to a more dominate position, usually Lily is my prey but today she wants to have full control. I grant it, no qualms here.

She detaches her lips from mine (I know I'm going to have her lipstick everywhere.) She moves south, hands tight on my hips, teeth nibbling on the tender skin of my neck. I'm not sure what it is about kissing her that makes me want to scream out the most vulgar and dirty things but… Christ what was that?

We shouldn't be doing this!

We should be talking and working things out about her parents!

We should… we should.

"God Lily!"

We sound like animals (is that normal?) a low raspy moan, a high pitched sigh. I don't know if it's me or Lily.

There's a knock on the door. "Is everything alright Hannah? You've got curtain call in ten!"

Lily pays no mind to the man behind the door she stays right where she is. I close my eyes tightly and try and focus on Chester (the lights guy) and what he's saying.

"Y-Yes p-perfectly fine Chester!"

Lily tears herself from my grasp and blushes a deep shade of red. She smiles proudly, though, I'm trying to support myself the best I can. (Hand on the doorknob, back leaning into the door.)

"You okay Hannah?" She teases lightly.

I swallow and open my eyes slowly. "You must be bipolar or maybe you have a twin because… because sometimes you are so…" Aggressive and completely sexy and then the next minute soft and angelic. I like it, I love it.

Lily just laughs and fixes my wig and straightens out my clothes. "You should get going. Your fans are waiting…"

I turn on my heel and open the door. The drums are pounding out a heavy beat. One of my guitarists is jamming on the opening cords of Girls Night Out. Lily knows I need a moment alone before going on stage. I like standing off to the side and taking deep breaths. I clear my throat a few times and shake off the nerves. But tonight I'm pumped; I jump up and down a few times. Chester hands me my mike.

Lily gives me thumbs up and I run off to the stage. It's the most exhilarating experience. (The lights! The cheers! The attention!) You are a god, if only for a short moment in time. I always felt at home on stage and as terrible as it might sound I love having the fans eyes on me.

I capture their hearts and minds with a clap of my hands and the opening words of my song. They sing along and the band sweats out a hard instrumental break. Jody, my guitarists, jumps up front and her fingers do the job. Gwen, the drummer, speeds things up while hammering on the base. I slide out of the spot light and let them have it. As Jody begins to slow down I race up.

I squeeze my eyes shut and lift the mike up as I belt out a long note. The crowd goes wild. My body is vibrating with the sounds. The base guitar is screaming in my system. My heart is beating so fast it hurts, but in a good way. The audience is dancing and grooving to the beat. I can't stop, we can't stop. All of us come together in this one moment, a split second in time and space. I feel connect with everyone here.

They are hearing my heart; they are going through my emotions with me with each coming song. It's a feeling you just can't stop, you don't want to stop. Music is my life. Music is what lifts me up and slaps me down. It is a joy and curse. ("Louder! Louder!" They scream.) We're reaching a climax; the show is coming to an end. I come together with my band we're blending and becoming a softer melody. And then… silence.

"That was so awesome!" Lily bounces. "I mean it was just… how do you do it?"

I'm sweating through my clothes. My necklace, earrings, and bracelets stick to my wet skin. I'm happy, but tired. (And pleased that Lily enjoyed it, in the end she's the one that matters.)

Lily notices the drossiness in my eyes and takes my hand and we walk to my room. She is patient as I dry off with a towel. My dad checks in and encourages the show and offers me cold drinks.

In the limo Lily let's me rest my head on her shoulder. "Thanks for coming tonight." I whisper.

"No problem. I wouldn't miss a concert; I come as long as you want me too." She plays with my hair and I feel content. We get to the house and Jackson is passed out on the couch watching the TV guide channel. Lily and I sneak away to my bedroom.

Lily becomes distant as we sit on my bed. "What's wrong?"

"It's really late." She observes. I nod and check the clock. I look back at her and see her frowning lips.

"Lily?"

"Can I stay the night?" She asks quickly. Oh.

"Sure." I say slowly letting my hand rub her arm up and down. "You okay?"

"I just don't really want to go home." She whispers hoarsely.

"It's fine. Let's get changed and go to bed, how does that sound?" I give her a soft smile and nuzzle into her neck.

"Good." Lily sighs happily.

We take turns showering. I lend her a pair of pink pajamas. I turn out the lights and we cuddle up.

"You smell good." Lily breathes out into my arm as she gets comfortable.

"So do you." I say leaning in and sniffing her hair. "I like it when you use my shampoo." We share a brief laugh and then fall asleep.

… My head hurts. My body aches. And I feel like I'm going to… I sit up fast. Lily jolts up as I detangle myself from her grip. I race to my bathroom.

"Miley?"

Face down in the toilet I can't answer. "Eww." I choke out sniffling and leaning back against the wall, away from the mess in the toilet. Lily appears in the doorway and frowns. She glides over to the sink drawer and pulls out a wash cloth. She wets it and places it gently on my forehead.

"Better?" She asks.

I nod and groan in response. "How did this happen?" I moan closing my eyes and letting Lily pull my hair up in a bun. I keep the wash cloth on my forehead; the cool contact does wonders for my hot head.

I open my eyes as Lily shrugs. "Maybe you got that bug that's running around school. Oliver has it."

When did Oliver get sick? Lily seems to sense of uncertainty and laughs.

"He left early on Friday, Miley, didn't you notice?"

I blush sheepishly. "Not really." Honestly? I don't notice anything but Lily these days. She rolls her eyes but smiles softly.

"You think you can make it to the bed?"

I shake my head. "Just leave me here to die!" I proclaim feeling a strange bubbly sensation rising. My stomach turns and I groan. "I hate being sick."

"Well that's why you have me!" Lily says brightly. "Nurse Lily here for all your basic needs!"

She helps me stand and, somehow, make it back to my bed. She settles me into the pillows and tucks me in securely. She leans in to kiss my forehead but I stop her by turning away. "I don't want to get you sick."

Lily sighs, "Like I care."

"I care." I fight back pulling away. "You should probably run away before I infect you further."

Lily just shakes her head. "No way! You're stuck with me missy and I'm kissing your forehead if I feel like it."

I give in and lay back. "Whatever flouts your boat."

She smirks, satisfied, and kisses me softly. I let her wipe the stray hairs on my face back into the bun. Her cold hands are heaven on my face and I tell her so.

"I'm going to tell your dad what's going on, be back soon." Lily hastily walks out the door. I sit, silently and think.

My stomach is beginning to feel more at ease. As long as I'm not moving it feels fine. I glance over at the floor where Lily's shoes and jacket are laid, carelessly. I smile as I notice small trinkets of hers around my room.

And earring, bracelet, and socks from our last sleep over many weekends ago. I can hear Lily running up the stairs. She appears in my doorway and smiles softly.

"How's my favorite patient?" She asks closing the door and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Miserably." I say with a sigh. She frowns and shakes her head while stroking my arm, it feels nice.

"Poor baby." She coos settling back in the bed and lying next to me. She wraps her arms around me and rubs my stomach. "How's this?" She whispers in my ear. I nod and close my eyes.

"Perfect."

"My mom use to sit up with me like this when I was sick." Lily remarks sadly. I turn so I can watch her blue eyes cloud over with an old memory. Lily shakes her head and her eyes are clear again. "But it doesn't matter."

"Yes it does, talk to me Lily. What's going on? With your dad? With your mom?"

"I don't want to talk about it. You're sick let's not fight."

Who said anything about fighting? My stomach makes a sharp turn and I hold my breath. I make a mental note to kill Oliver and then I try and focus on Lily as she tightens her grip on me.

"Fine." I breathe out, the pain has past now. "What about your dad?"

"He's fine with us. We talked about it when he came home from his business trip. He told me he loved me, accepted me, and supported me blah, blah, blah." Lily sighs, waving it off.

"Well, that's good right?" I ask, isn't it good? At least one of her parents is open.

"It's just… I can't explain it. He says he's okay but he doesn't really act like it. I think it's because… my mom."

Lily suddenly stops rubbing my stomach and pulls away. She sits back on the edge of the bed. Oh no. Every time we have ever fought Lily needs her space, she needs to be standing and keep her pride.

"I'm so angry with her." Lily whispers. "How could she do that to me?"

I sit, silent. What can I say? Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.

"I love my mom. We were so close. I told her everything and… I mean I'm her daughter! Doesn't that count for something?"

Lily isn't looking at me; she is up and pacing my bedroom floor. I sit up in bed and wince as my stomach twists unpleasantly.

"Give her time." I suggest lamely. Lily's head snaps up to look at me; it's as if she just realized I was here. Sometimes Lily goes off in her head; those are the times I worry about her.

Lily shrugs. "I don't know… and maybe I don't care." She meets my eye. "I have you." She smiles and my sprits lift up so high I can't imagine what I use to do without her. "And that's enough for now. My mom will just have to deal with the fact that I love you Miley… is that okay? I know I said I wanted to move slow but… well you know me." She laughs and I laugh.

"It's fine, totally fine come here." I open my arms and Lily smirks.

"Eww your sick!" She teases.

I roll my eyes. "Please!"

I feel much better. Lily and I are standing by my front door. She is jiggling her keys in her hands and not making eye contact.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Her voice is low.

"Yeah." I smile rubbing her arm. "Are you okay?"

"It's just…my house… my dad, my mom, everything. But, you know I'm going to have to face them some time." She smiles up at me and we kiss good bye.

I close the door and watch as she pulls out of the driveway, her car headlights streaming through the windows and onto my walls casting long shadows. I'm ready to move on from this stage. I'm angry with Lily's parents and I'm angry at myself for wasting the weekend and not taking her home to sort all of this out together.

"You feeling better Miles?"

"Yes daddy."

"I'm sorry about Lily's folks."

"It's fine daddy."

"Goodnight."

"Night."

I'm not sure when our conversation became so vague and short. I know I'm the one pulling away but I'm worried about Lily. And sometimes I like my space. No questions, because those are just headaches waiting to happen. I need sleep. My bed has always offered me, in the past, all the comfort I ever needed. But now, tonight I worry over stupid things. What will tomorrow bring?

"Hey!"

She looks so happy, so bright. Lily's skin is glowing in the sun and her smile makes me feel warm inside.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask as we walk to our lockers.

"I didn't get any sleep! But Miley you won't believe it! My mom came back last night."

So far this sounds bad.

"And we talked. We had a real talk. It didn't start well but my dad defended me and my mom is coming around. I feel so… light."

Lily holds out her arms and laughs. This is the girl I fell in love with. We walk (hand in hand) to our first class. Oliver eyes Lily and asks what is going on. I shake my head and we walk together, the Three Musketeers, to class. The sun is shinning for the first time in weeks…

Mrs. Fredrick is painting when I reach her class early after lunch. Her back is hunched over and she is slowly spreading yellow paint along her sunflower picture. I sit down and take in the scene. She is wearing a loose white t-shirt over her fancier professional clothes.

"Hello Miss. Stewart. How is Miss. Truscott?" She doesn't look at me as she speaks.

"Wonderful." I sigh happily pulling out my sketchpad.

"I placed your paintings in my small studio closet. I'll retrieve them after class."

The bell rings and students begin pilling in. I get a few complements on my paintings from Friday's art show. Bonnie smiles at me and tells me she hopes I stick with it. I nod and the lesson begins. Today is water colors. I paint white lilies…

As Mrs. Fredrick fishes through her closet I look at her desk. It's very cluttered (paintbrushes, pencils, charcoal, pens and scattered papers with quick sketches of people on them.) She is a true artist. I admire her for her pose and talent. But something catches my eye, a photograph. It's black and white and wrinkled. There's a long crease in the middle, it's been folded countless time.

I pick it up with great care. On the back it says: Summer of 1978 Jane and Molly. Jane… Jane… Mrs. Fredrick's name is Jane. I turn back to the front; two young women are standing with their arms around each other in front of a house. The women are laughing, mouths open and eyes squinting from the summer sun.

One woman is wearing a long dress and the other is in tight flare jeans and loose shirt. I smile, they look happy, free. (Both equally pretty.) As I'm putting the picture down I see Mrs. Fredrick staring darkly at me. Her green eyes flash dangerously.

She places my paintings down and walks over. She grabs the picture from her desk. "Curiosity killed the cat, Miss. Stewart." She says, cool as ice. "You know I wish you could mind your own business for a change."

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

Mrs. Fredrick just sighs and shrugs. "I should be livid, but I will forgive you, again. You must know I'm a private person."

"I know, but I want to know more about you. I mean just last week I spilled my guts and you can't even explain why I caught you so upset that one day. You won't tell me about this photograph or of that painting of that black haired woman in your closet." I shouldn't be talking to a teacher like this. But I just want a friend. Maybe I want to help her. Maybe I want a mother.

Mrs. Fredrick frowns; her forehead shows her worry lines and her eyes become soft. "You and I are a lot alike Miss. Stewart. In time I hope we can trust each other."

And with that said she leaves. She gathers her shawl and glides away with perfect grace. What does that mean? Feeling let down I turn on my heel and catch up with Lily and Oliver as we walk to class. Oh well, at least I'm getting closer. (But closer to what exactly?)

Lily and I are spread out on her floor. My history book is open and my notes are covering the left side of the carpet. Lily's journals and poetry for her Creative Writing class are organized in a strange 'U' around her. We're quiet.

"I like that one." I say pointing to the poem on her right.

"Really?"

I nod as Lily picks it up and re-reads it. She frowns and sticks out her tongue

"Please! I wrote this like two years ago!" She laughs tossing it aside. I grab it and hold it up.

"No I like it! Just use it! For me." I add using my special puppy dog eyes. Lily has to make a short poetry book for her Creative Writing class and she's having a difficult time deciding what to use. Thus why I' am here, to knock some sense into her and tell her that the poems are fine. Her parents aren't home yet. I'm simply dreading seeing her mother. Although Lily assures me that her mom is trying to understand, it doesn't mean she's forgiven.

When I asked Lily how she felt she told me it still hurts her. And she probably won't have that same relationship with her mom like she did. Which depresses me beyond belief, they were so close. But at least her mother is home.

I take the poem and sigh. Lily refuses to listen, so to torture her I read it aloud (Lily hates hearing her poems, stories, or anything read aloud to her.) I clear my throat and begin.

"A twist of her hair

A twirl of yarn

The purr of the cat

A smirk from their face

Sly laughs-

heard quietly through the rooms

A call from behind

A shake of the hand

The purr of the cat…"

Lily throws a pillow and it hits me in the face. "HEY!" I laugh glaring in a teasing manner.

"Why do you like that? It doesn't even make any sense!"

"Of course it does!" I smile. "I think… what were you trying to get across?"

"I don't know! I wrote it like two years ago. It was more of a descriptive poem." Lily shrugs snatching the crinkled paper from my hands.

"You're an abstract poet!" I announce proudly.

"Abstract my as-" Lily stops as the door opens quietly. I didn't know anyone was home! It's her mother. Mrs. Truscott stands outside of her daughter's room; she isn't even standing in the doorway.

"Good afternoon girls." She says through pursed lips.

I swallow hard, think happy thoughts: unicorns, sunshine, rainbows… wait rainbows? Mrs. Truscott coughs, and I snap out of my thought. "It's getting late… Maybe Miley should head home."

Or maybe I could stay! I feel like shooting back, but instead I sit like a deer in the headlights and quickly dart my eyes to Lily who stops smiling and her face becomes expressionless.

"Would you excuse us Miley?" Lily asks sweetly. I nod and Lily stands and walks out to the hallways closing her bedroom door behind her. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and slouch a little.

I can still hear their voices.

Lily: "I thought you said you would try!"

Mrs. Truscott: "I' am Lily!"

Lily: "No you're not! Why don't you let Miley stay for dinner? Before you use to beg me to bring Miley to stay!"

Mrs. Truscott: "That was before you decided to become a lesbian!"

Lily: "Why are you like this?"

Mrs. Truscott: (deep sigh) "I'm sorry Lily… I really am. Come on let's go invite Miley to stay."

The door opens back up Mrs. Truscott looks worn out but I see a trace of a smile as she invites me to stay. Lily leads me downstairs and sets an extra plate for me next to her and her dad. Mr. Truscott is making dinner. He asks me how my day was and dinner moves along. Mrs. Truscott, however, stares at her plate.

Lily walks me to my car. I throw my school bag and purse in the seat and then turn back to Lily who offers me a smile and soft kiss.

"I'm sorry about my mom."

"S'okay." I say tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm just happy that you're here, with me."

We kiss again, a littler slower then before, and then I leave. The ride home is nice; I pop in my Cary Brother's CD and hum along. I kiss my dad's cheek and hug Jackson tightly. They ask me what is wrong and I just shrug and say: "Life can surprise you."

Author's Note: You can look forward to a little tension between the Three Musketeers in the next chapter. And maybe a little more from Mrs. Fredrick. And maybe even a little more confidence from Lily in her new found sexuality. So stay tuned and tell me what you think. Leave your thoughts…