Chapter 10

Jackson sat up in his room on the Thursday night. It had been two days since he had last held Lily and though it would seem like a short time to others, to him it was devastating. He lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. In his mind he was counting down the hours until the Friday, when he could see Lily again. He needed to know that she was safe and alive.

Miley entered the room, interrupting his thoughts. She looked desperate as she sat down on the bed next to Jackson. "Please tell me what's going on with Lily. I know I've asked you but she's been avoiding me at school."

"Why does it matter? You all think it's my fault anyway."

Miley let out a guilty sigh. "I'm sorry I was angry at you. You wouldn't hurt Lily, that's obvious. Though I know that you know something about what's going on."

"Of course I wouldn't hurt Lily. I love her." Jackson confessed, rolling over so he finally faced Miley. "Last time I checked, she loves me too."

"Every time I try and talk to her about it, we just end up in a fight. The only person who knows anything is you."

Jackson sat up and placed a hand on Miley's shoulder. "You don't want to know. You're so lucky you never have to know the torment she's going through."

Miley's eyes turned teary. "Maybe I can help."

Jackson's voice began to choke up. "What I saw, I never want anyone else to see, experience or even hear about. You, and Oliver for that matter, are better off not knowing anything."

"Why didn't you tell me about the bus and Tennessee? Why didn't she tell me she was leaving? Do you think I can't keep a secret, hello Hannah Montana speaking!" Miley cried out. "I know I've asked you a million times. Why can she tell you but not me?"

"She didn't tell me, I saw it for myself." Jackson walked over to his window. "It was the most disturbing thing I've ever seen."

"Of all people, I should respect the fact that she has a secret but it kills me not knowing. Does she not trust me anymore or what? I'm just worried and frustrated…Jackson?" Miley walked over to Jackson's side, suddenly coming to the realisation. "You really do love her a lot, don't you?"

"More than I ever thought possible." Jackson admitted. Turning to the picture that he had of Lily, he picked it up, stroking the still form of his love. "I promised I would look out for her and I thought she'd be alright. I also swore I wouldn't tell anyone. I will however tell you this, be careful."

"Why?" Miley asked, confused.

Jackson grabbed her arms and looked straight in her eyes. "Just promise me you'll be a little bit more careful about who you trust."

Lily sat down by herself at lunch. The rumours were still spreading and people were still staring, but she had long stopped caring. The only thing that mattered was that afternoon, when she would meet Jackson on the beach.

"Lily, can I sit with you?" Miley asked, awkwardly placing her tray down at the table.

"No-one else is sitting there, so I suppose you can. Though don't be surprised if I get up and leave." Lily replied, not even looking at her.

"I came here to apologise." Miley explained. "I can't stand that we're mad at each other, but I know you're obviously going through something and what I said was really, really harsh and, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, what you said was really cruel Miley." Lily finally met her friend's eyes. "We can be friends again, I miss that. I'm sorry I slapped you, but things have been different, harder."

"If you need a trip to the mall, or to hang out with Hannah for the day to take your mind off things, you know you can give me a call." Miley hugged Lily. "You don't have to tell me anything, but I'm here if you need me. Remember that."

"Thanks." Lily hugged her friend back. "You remember that just because I don't tell you something, doesn't mean I don't care."

"Jackson said that I wouldn't want to know anyway. I saw the look in his eyes. He looked like he didn't even want to know." Miley told Lily, moving closer to her. "You know, he really loves you."

"I know, he reminds me of it whenever I see him." Lily pushed back her half eaten lunch. "I love him, too. He saved my life."

Miley suddenly thought of an idea. "Mike said that you could still come over to the house as long as Jackson is out of the way. Well, as weird as it is that you and my brother are in love, I could always tell Mike that Jackson's out of the house and you could come to see him."

Lily's heart beat faster at the possibility. "You would really do that for me?"

"Just don't forget about your friend, in the process." Miley smiled. "It's the least I can do for you."

"Thank you. I'll never forget this."

Lily was in her room, getting ready for her meeting with Jackson. She picked up his picture and kissed it, feeling butterflies in her stomach. As much as she wanted to see him everyday, Lily couldn't help but wonder if there was truth in the saying 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.'

"Well, well. You're getting awfully tarted up this afternoon. Where do you think you're going?" Mike stepped into her room and shut the door.

"It's none of your business. Now get out of here before I call my mom." Lily stepped back as Mike came towards her.

"Yes she has been watching you like a hawk hasn't she? I barely see you anymore, my sweet." He picked up her picture of Jackson, wiping off some lip-gloss from the kiss mark. "Oh yes, this boy that helped you run away from me. I guess he found out what he was missing after all." Reaching over, he brushed Lily's face.

Lily pulled away in disgust. "Don't touch me, just go away."

"How dare you suggest such a thing with your mother right downstairs?" Mike grabbed her, pulling her to him and smirking. He squeezed her bottom hard, pushing the photo of Jackson into her face. "Tell me, how do you think we found out where you were?"

Lily pulled away, staring Mike in the face. "What are you talking about?"

"One mention of possible charges against him and he spilled the beans." Mike laughed, throwing the picture on the ground so the glass shattered. "He sold you out to save his own ass."

Lily started tearing up as Mike advanced on her again. "You're wrong. He wouldn't do that."

"Well I'm sorry to say that he did." Mike grabbed her arm, trying to shove his hand up her shirt. "Though I can't say I'm sorry he brought you back to me. You can't fight it Lily, it's meant to be."

"NO!" Lily screamed, trying to push him off. "You're wrong! You're wrong! Stop lying!"

"Lover boy here sold you out. So accept it, Lily." Mike planted a disgusting kiss on her face, before pushing her away.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Lily kept crying out over and over, grabbing her head.

"He doesn't care about you and you're an idiot to think otherwise. How do you think we found you so quickly? Why do you think he didn't come with you?"

"What the heck is going on here?" Nicole Truscott-Wade burst through the door, inspecting the scene.

"Nicole darling, I'm sorry for the disturbance, I know you've had a hard day. However, I just caught Lily trying to sneak out. When I asked her if she was going to meet that Jackson kid, she went ballistic." Mike slid an arm around his wife, consoling her.

"It's not true mom. Don't believe him. He…" Lily started, but Mike interrupted.

"Lily, don't be telling lies now." A dead serious stare was on his face, his eyes burning holes. "People get hurt when you tell lies."

Biting her lip, Lily stopped what she was going to say and made up an excuse. "I was just going to go to the movies with Miley and Oliver."

"You know I don't want you seeing Jackson ever again. I'll drive you to and from the movies, just in case any unexpected visitors decide to show up." Nicole replied.

"Why can't you let me see Jackson? He's a great guy and he makes me happy." Lily explained, glancing at her watch and knowing that Jackson was waiting for her.

"What did I tell you? Of course she was going to meet him." Mike told his wife. "I suggest you talk with your daughter." He smirked as he left the room, making sure Lily noticed.

Sitting down next to her daughter, Nicole sighed. "I know at this age having a boyfriend seems important and you think you're in love, but the truth is, Jackson is just playing mind games with you."

Lily snapped, hating all these accusations about Jackson. "The only one playing mind games is your sick perverted husband!"

A loud slap echoed throughout the room. Lily held her cheek, while her mom looked at her in disgust. "Just because you're boyfriend didn't want to go ahead with these delusional dreams you have doesn't mean you have the right to take it out on others. Forget about going anywhere." Before walking out the door, Nicole turned back briefly to Lily. "Did you ever stop and think that maybe Mike was telling the truth?"

Lily sat down on her bed, mouth open. She was too shocked to speak or cry. Not only was Jackson out of the picture, but her mother clearly wasn't going to believe her. Unable to do much else, Lily continued to rock back and forth until the sun began to set outside. The manipulation playing over in her mind until she had no idea what the truth was anymore.

NOTE: Hope you liked chapter 10, it was really just something to keep the story going. Plus the hatred for Mike is growing, so when justice is served, you'll all be a heck of a lot happier. Just so I won't leave you hanging until the next chapter comes up, here is something to keep you guessing. Someone finds out about what Mike does in the next chapter, but it's not nessarily a good thing. Thanks for all the support on this story.