So this was supposed to have come out yesterday -- many apologies for the delay. But it's here now. And I feel the title of this chapter wraps up how I feel about this story. The next chapter in might be a little late -- Life just got ten times more confusing than before. For someone who writes romance stories, I really have no idea how to get someone's attention.

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Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. - Oscar Wilde

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At school the next day Miley kept her distance, only meeting Lilly's eyes when it was absolutely necessary. Her behavior was urged by two things, as far as she could tell. A small part of her wanted Lilly to understand how Miley had felt just the day before – sad, confused, and a little lonely. The other thing was that she wanted her surprise to be perfect, and making up with Lilly before the party would ruin it.

She cast a single thought towards how far she'd come in a week. It was exactly a week ago that she was so unsure about confessing to Lilly. Now she had never been so sure of anything in her life. She was going to win Lilly back no matter what.

Around fifth period, Rico pulled her aside, "I don't know what you're trying to pull. But I know something's going on. So either you do what I say or I tell the school about your little fling."

"There was no little fling, Rico." Miley insisted. And this, she felt, was the truth. It wasn't a fling. It was a deep relationship that didn't have time to flourish.

Rico's gaze, which had started as fairly affable, hardened. "You have until Thursday to decide. Do me a few favors or have the school all up in your business."

Miley pushed him away, "Move, half-pint."

While he scowled darkly she moved down the hall, eager to get to class and away from him. It was unsettling that he could threaten her like that. At the moment there was nothing she could do. She knew that Lilly hadn't even wanted to tell her family at first, so having an open relationship was completely out of the question.

If Lilly came back, this was something they'd have to talk about. It would be a hard decision; doing things for Rico was bound to be annoying and frustrating, but having their relationship made public could be just as bad.

Miley cleared her mind of these thoughts, determined not to worry until the party that evening. She set a vaguely happy smile on her lips, though her heart wouldn't truly feel happy until Lilly was back, and finished her school day.

Lilly was going nuts – Oliver had said Miley wasn't ready and that was painfully obvious as the day continued and Miley avoided looking at her, standing near her, talking to her, everything. She tried to stay calm, though, rational. Miley had every right to blow her off after what had happened the day before.

"Why am I such a screw up…" Her face was plastered on a desk, waiting for the last bell that let school out. She had spoken under her breath but it was loud enough for Oliver to perk up.

"What?" He leaned in closer, cupping a hand around his ear.

"Nothing." She barely moved as he drew closer still. "Back off, Oliver."

"Somebody's not feeling peppy today." He knew he was being inconsiderate but he knew that in the long run it wouldn't matter. By the end of the evening Lilly and Miley would be back together, he was almost positive.

The bell rang, interrupting their conversation. Peeling her face off the desktop, Lilly wandered listlessly down the hall. Oliver kept pace with her, making sure she didn't run into any trashcans or poles. As a listless wanderer Lilly seemed to have incredibly bad vision.

"Why can't you let me sulk?" she groaned as Oliver jerked her aside before she toppled into a janitor's cart. "Or better yet help me think up a way to get Miley back…"

Oliver nearly cackled. Things were working perfectly, "Listen, Miley's going to a party tonight. I think you should go and surprise her there. I can give you a ride and everything. You just need to look nice, maybe buy her some flowers, or something."

Lilly was immediately suspicious, "What's this about? Why do you know about the party?"

Covering quickly, Oliver tried his best to lie convincingly, "Uh, she was really depressed yesterday so I told her that the best way to get happy is to be around other happy people… So I told her to go to a party… In hopes that she'd cheer up."

"I won't go…" Lilly muttered, "She's going there to get happy and I don't make her happy."

"Are you stupid?" Oliver asked quite seriously.

"No." Lilly shot back. This conversation was turning offensive.

"Are you blind?"

"No?" From offensive to confusing in under ten seconds – Lilly was sure that was a record.

"Miley loves you, Lil. If you're there, she's happy. You just have to show up, smile, get on your knees and beg for forgiveness."

Lilly sighed, "You make it sound so easy."

"That sounds easy?" Oliver wondered aloud.

"Thanks for confidence booster." She muttered sarcastically.

"No problem, Lillster." They were at Lilly's locker when they parted ways, "I'll pick you up at six, okay?"

"Fine." She gave in. That would give her enough time to prepare. Her first stop was home to dig through her closet and find something suitable to wear. She would be going as Lola, so she'd need a nice pair of blue jeans and a blouse of some sort. The jeans were the easy part, but finding the perfect top took some time.

To complete her ensemble she selected her classic light purple wig, hoping the memories associated with it would help her in winning Miley back. Laying her outfit out on her bed, she turned her attention to her empty wallet – that was a problem.

"Mom!" She hunted around the house for her mom, finally finding the older woman out in the garage. "Mom?"

Mrs. Truscott looked up; she was crouched in front of the lawnmower and her hands were exceedingly dirty, "Yes?"

"I was wondering if I could borrow a little money…"

"What for? Your father and I already told you you're not getting a new skateboard until you snap that old one of yours in two."

Lilly kicked the ground, blushing slightly, "I wanted to get some flowers for Miley."

"She forgave you?" Ellen got to her feet, wiping her hands on a nearby rag.

"Not yet. But that's why I'm getting flowers." Lilly explained, "But I don't have money right now. I'll pay you back some day, I swear."

"Don't worry about it. We'll just take it from your dad's allowance. After all, it's because of him this happened." Ellen gave Lilly a small smile. "Might as well buy her a little teddy bear while you're at it."

Lilly's face lit up, "That's genius! I'll buy a girl bear, to go with Beary. Her name could be Sherry!"

Ellen held out a few bills, "Here's thirty. I'd say get her roses."

"Red or yellow?"

"Red, definitely." Ellen shooed her daughter away, "Go on, then. I've got to fix this lawnmower."

Lilly pocketed the money and set out for downtown Malibu. The first toy store she went into was fairly packed with little grubby children and distracted parents. Lilly had to smile, though she did pause to wonder how many of those little fingers had been up little noses. She grimaced as a boy reached out and picked up a teddy bear and subsequently sneezed.

Edging her way to the back of the store, Lilly came upon a rack of bears well above the reach of grabby kids. There were plenty to choose from so Lilly glanced along the shelf, waiting for one to grab her attention. Hidden away in the midst of pushy boy bears sat a petite stuffed animal dressed in a flowery pink dress.

Standing on her tip-toes Lilly was barely able to grab it. Again it was a fight not to step on little children as she made her way to the cashier. Eight dollars later she was back on the street, hoping dearly she didn't catch a cold or the flu or whatever ran amok with the little ones.

As she walked down the sidewalk she spotted Miley and Oliver chatting outside Baskin Robbins. Careful to stay hidden, Lilly crept closer, catching only the tail end of the conversation.

"You're a good man, Ollie." Miley was all smiles.

"Thanks, Miley. I try." He gazed at her, "I hope Lilly won't be upset when she finds out."

"She won't find out." Miley replied. She stepped forward hugging Oliver tightly. "See you at six-thirty."

With a peck on Oliver's cheek she left and Oliver walked away in the opposite direction, not noticing Lilly's stunned face. He was deep in his own thoughts and wasn't expecting Lilly to be nearby. As he walked past, Lilly watched, jaw gaping.

What was going on? Her mind raced. Was this Miley's revenge? Hooking up with Oliver? Would Oliver really backstab her like that? Rage bubbled through her, seeping through her veins and lighting her on fire. Fear tossed a bucket of frigid water on the rage, though. Could it be possible? Were they together? Was she too late?

"Get a grip, Truscott." She took a few deep breathes, "Don't jump to conclusions. I'm sure there's nothing wrong. It was just… them hugging."

Hurrying on her way, she found her way to a flower shop and purchased a dozen red roses. Making a split second decision she also bought a small heart shaped balloon. It was cheap due to the season being so far from Valentine's Day.

Lilly held her purchases tightly to her chest. She wasn't going to lose Miley to Oliver. When she got home it was going on five-thirty. Just enough time to get dressed and make sure her makeup looked perfect.

Oliver rang the doorbell, rubbing his beard anxiously. It felt so strange and he was positive it was painfully obvious that it was fake. There was no time to worry about it extensively, though; Lilly opened the door looking very solemn.

"Mike."

"Lola."

Lilly barely cracked a smile, "Let's go."

Oliver pointed back at where his mom was parked, "My mom can pick us up afterwards, if you want."

"We'll see." Lilly murmured. If the evening went well, she'd have a different way home.

They piled into the car, Lilly trying to make sure none of the roses popped off their stems. The bear was nestled under her arm and the balloon was propped in the center of the flowers.

"Hello, Lilly." Oliver's mom greeted from the driver's seat. "That's quite the array of gifts."

"Yeah, I guess." Lilly smiled shyly at Mrs. Oken, slightly embarrassed. Mrs. Oken had been like her second mother since preschool.

"Who are they for?"

Lilly blushed and Oliver answered for her, "Miley."

Mrs. Truscott grinned knowingly, "Good luck, hon."

Miley, or rather Hannah, sat on the balcony of Traci's house thinking quietly. Behind her the party was already raging and every so often someone would poke their head out and try to talk to her. She ignored all of them.

"Hannah?" Lilly called quietly, dragging Oliver out onto the balcony with her.

Miley turned around, recognizing that voice, "Lola, Mike."

"I don't know what's going on between you two, but I'm not going to let Mike take you." Lilly said quickly, thrusting the flowers into Miley's arms.

Miley sniffed them, heart lightening. Lilly still wanted her. "There's nothing between Mike and me."

"But I saw you talking! You kissed his cheek!"

"I was thanking him for bringing you here." Miley explained slowly.

"But… but…"

"She was worried you'd be angry that she ignored you so that she could get you here and not mess up her surprise." Oliver tried to explain.

Lilly processed silently for a few moments. "So there's nothing going on?"

"No. Now sit." Miley pointed to the empty seat beside her. "Mike, go have some fun."

Doing as she was bid, Lilly finally looked at the other object in Miley's lap, other than the roses. "You have your guitar?"

"Shh," Miley hushed Lilly before setting the roses aside. She pulled the lyrics out from her purse, though she knew them by heart at this point and started strumming.

Lilly listened quietly, closing her eyes and letting the sound wash over her. The tune was sweet and soothing but the words made her feel like she would never be able to sit still without Miley in her arms. Nobody had ever written something so nice and caring for her. The song faded away but it replayed in Lilly's mind. Her eyes opened to see Miley staring at her.

"Lola Lufnagle, I don't know why you didn't want to be with me, but I'm willing to do anything to get you back." Miley whispered, "I love you."

Lilly gazed, "That was for me?"

"Yes." Miley fingered the tattered paper with the words. It had started out as scrap paper, but she'd held it so often in the past few days that the edges were worn away.

Lilly got up, walking to the edge of the balcony, staring at the night sky. She was trying not to cry and failing. Miley approached, wrapping an arm around Lilly's shoulders. She held on tight, hoping these were happy tears.

"I'm sorry, Mi—Hannah…" Lilly whimpered softly. "I can't believe how stupid I was…"

"Can you tell me why?" Miley was still dying to know what had caused the upheaval.

"My dad didn't want me dating another girl… I love him and I wanted to make him happy. But I found out that I should be more worried about what makes me happy. Hannah, you make me happy." Lilly set her head on Miley's shoulder.

"I wish we were home right now. I want you to say these things to me, not Hannah." Miley chuckled quietly.

"Would you mind if I kissed you?" Lilly asked, fingering the railing in front of them.

Pulling away slightly, Miley shifted so that she was facing Lilly, "Are you crazy?"

"No."

"That's my answer, too."

Lilly didn't move, "No, I can't kiss you, or No, I can?"

"Oh, just kiss me." Miley tilted her head down. Lilly could hardly stop smiling long enough to comply.