AN: Sorry this took forever. It was going to be another like 3000 words longer but I thought I'd post what I had so far :) Enjoy.

Dedicated to GlisteningShadow who updated The Howling for my 18th birthday last Friday :) You need to read her fic and review till she updates! Love you Shrimpeater! :D

Song by Breathe Carolina :P

Chapter Thirteen: I.D.G.A.F

[Miley]

My hands were shaking as I turned the car into the garage, the car shuddering to a stop and hitting the wall in front due to my lack of concentration. How I even got home alive I don't know. I'd been crying all the way home, tears blurring my vision but now, now that my car was finally at a stop... it all let loose at once like it had only been a trickle through a crack in a dam wall, and now that crack had ruptured and the reservoir behind it was pouring out in a huge, angry cascade. That's what was happening. My body shook uncontrollably. Tears flooded from my eyes as I scrunched them up, trying and failing to stem the flow. I just couldn't help it. There was a hollow, empty feeling in my chest and my stomach felt eerily like it was experiencing some form of G force. I let the heaving sobs take control, my shoulders rising and falling heavily as I leant my forehead against the wheel.

"I heard a crash, what's go–" I heard my dad's voice over my sobbing. I lifted my head slightly and saw his surprise as he stood in the doorway. I couldn't have tried to control myself even if I wanted to. I just let the tears ransack my body; everything just ached, physically now as well as emotionally.

I felt rather than saw my dad climb into the passenger seat. "What's wrong bud?" he asked softly, pulling me close to him and I rested my head against his chest, watching through blurry eyes as my tears soaked his shirt. His hand rubbed up and down my shaking spine. "Oh honey, please, tell me what's wrong,"

"I'm..." I choked out. May as well start at the very beginning. "I'm gay."

"What? That's why you're crying like this? Did you think I'd hate you or something?" he rambled out after a moments silence. "You know I could never hate you, darlin'. Okay, maybe I never even contemplated your ...preferences before, but it doesn't mean I love you any less,"

"Dad, thanks," I said, hugging him as I tried to control my tears. "But that's not why I'm crying."

"It's not?"

"No." I sat up and wiped my face with the back of my hand. "You know Lilly? My new friend? Um... she's my girlfriend... was my girlfriend..."

"Was?"

"Yeah. She said she doesn't want to talk to me again and won't tell me why. She just completely cut me off dad... and not only that, but someone's posted pictures of Lilly and I kissing and the whole school's seen and..." I started crying again, dry sobs shaking my body.

My dad wrapped his arms around me once more. "Oh honey," he sighed. "Do you want me to talk to the Principle?"

"No. There's nothing he could do anyway. The damage has been done. Some evil person has posted those pictures..." It came to me then. It was so obvious. He'd been hanging around the viewing gallery, making comments about Lilly at dinner... "Johnny..."

"Johnny?" questioned my dad. "What about him?"

"He did it." I said simply before turning to face my dad's confused expression, my upset turning into anger. "Johnny posted those pictures. I'm sure of it."

"Miley, Johnny's a sweet boy..."

"No dad. He isn't. He knew about Lilly and I, and he didn't like it. He liked Lilly, practically loved her then I showed up. And he already hated me simply for being head cheerleader – its social hierarchy. But he and Lilly, and Lilly's best friends, all fell out so I suppose this is his revenge or something," I rambled off quickly.

"It's high school Miles, not some teen movie; that doesn't happen in real life,"

"Dad. I'm telling you that it is. Johnny's posted those photos. He's the one who's caused Lilly to break up with me. Johnny is the cause of my crying in my car,"

My dad was silent for a few minutes. "Claire and Johnny are moving in on Saturday."

"I can't share a house with him dad. I really can't." I said. "I'm sorry. I know you love Claire, but unless you made Johnny live in the garden shed or something..."

"I'm not going to make him live in the garden shed." He sighed. "I'll tell Claire that the moving in is off the table."

"Dad, I can't make you do that,"

"I know. I'm doing it regardless. I'm your father, I'm supposed to look after you – making you live with the boy who did such things is hardly fatherly, is it bud?"

"But Claire –"

"Will understand."

"Dad..." I said elongating the word with my regret. I'd just basically ruined my dad's first real relationship after my mom... and he was being so nice about it which just made me feel worse.

"Don't protest." He warned, kissing the top of my head. "If I weren't dating his mother, I'd kick that boy's ass into next week."

"I wish I could."

My dad just held me then, stroking my back comfortingly. But eventually, I felt okay enough to retract from his hold and get out of the car. I examined the damage to the front of my car from hitting the wall. It wasn't too bad, but it'd still require some work to fix it.

"Miley?"

"Mhmm?" I responded, gliding my hand across the no longer smooth metal.

"Have you been fighting?" He asked seriously, getting out of the car to get a closer look at my jaw.

"Huh?" I said before realising. Mik's fist must have left a pretty hefty bruise. "Oh, no, I fell down in the parking lot." I lied. My dad didn't need to know Lilly's best friend had punched me.

"Oh honey," he sighed, putting his hand on my shoulder and offering a weak smile. "It's not been your day today has it?"

"That," I said. "Is the understatement of the year."

-X-

[Lilly]

I knew it was Johnny. I just knew it. Everything just added up. Why I didn't realise before I saw that smug grin of his? I wiped that off his face pretty quick with my fist. My heart wasn't in it though. I just felt so empty, so drained. I hated how I'd treated Miley today. It had been so hard to ignore her, to tell her I didn't want to talk to her... to end things with her. How I managed not to crumple into a sobbing mess right then and there I don't know.

Detention was full of people glancing my way every so often. Even though there was no talking allowed, people still found ways to communicate; passing notes when the detention duty teacher wasn't looking, or even if it were just through eye contact and hand gestures.

I suppose I should have done work, but I had no motivation. Instead I just doodled in my notepad, the pen moving of its own accord as I stared into space. It was taking a lot of effort not just to grab my bag and walk out of here. It was taking more effort not to run out and all the way into Miley's arms. I'd hurt her. I knew that. I wish I hadn't. I wish I could have made it easier; less public. But... my mom turning up just... well, it just made me angry and desperate and so fucking upset!

That's why I was doing this. For one reason. My mother.

[Miley]

I woke up the next morning happy. Then I remembered. That happy feeling quickly dissipated and I felt the rawness of my throat accentuated by my dry mouth. I'd cried so fucking much. I'd have the day off school like my dad had suggested, but I wanted to see Lilly, I wanted to see if she was upset about this as I was – if she truly meant what she said. Plus, I didn't want Johnny to win by getting to me. I didn't want the whole school talking behind my back, if they had something to say they could say it as I walked past, not while I cowered in bed.

I showered and got dressed, heading downstairs and slumping in the chair, resting my head on the cool marble of the kitchen table. I hadn't gotten that much sleep last night.

"She loves you, you know,"

I lifted my head at that. Maurice was offering me a weak smile and a bagel. I took the bagel from his hands but had no intention of eating it. "What..."

"I know Miley. I could see how you both looked at each other; I'm not blind," he placed his cool palm on my forearm. "She loves you. That much is obvious,"

"How can it be true if she ended things like she did?" I sighed and hung my head but Maurice took hold of my jaw and made me look at him.

"Miley. That girl loves you. If she's ended things, I'm pretty sure there's something you don't know about."

"Like what? Johnny posted photos all over school of Lilly and I kissing. Then the same day she ends things. Surely it's something to do with the photos and the whole school knowing... but we both knew that one day it wouldn't be our dirty little secret anymore..."

"Maybe the change was harder than she expected," he offered. "You've got to remember Miley, you're a popular girl who is used to attention, hell, you enjoy attention. Now Lilly... maybe she never expected to be the centre of attention like this, maybe she wasn't ready to come out so publically."

I pondered this for a few moments. "But why wouldn't she just talk to me about it?"

"Maybe that's not all there is to it?"

"But what else could there be?" I asked growing impatient at Lilly's behaviour and my lack of figuring out its reasons.

"I don't know, Miley. I really don't."

-X-

I got to school late. I didn't want everyone's eyes on me like yesterday; I don't think I could cope with that again. In fact, I knew that I couldn't. Those scrutinizing eyes and those hushed whispers were too much for me to cope with. Sure, I was a cheerleader, the queen of the school, I was used to people looking at me, talking about me, hating me... this was different. This wasn't just a social status; this was me; my personal feelings and my new preference that was the topic of conversation. It just wasn't as easy to cope with.

School dragged. To most people it did regardless of anything happening in their life, but today, every hour that passed was like an age. I kept my head down and tried to concentrate on my work despite how hard it was to ignore even the teacher's gaze. I saw Lilly once the whole day. At lunch. I saw her buy an apple then she disappeared, presumably to go eat it away from staring eyes. I should have done that. I should have brought sandwiches from home and eaten them in my car. That would have been the smart idea. But no, Miley Stewart was not smart – how could I be if I'd been oblivious to someone taking a photo of me making out with my girlfriend?

I went to go sit with the other cheerleaders at our usual table but they all glared at me. I sat down regardless and they all made a point of standing up in unison and sitting on another table, forcing its current occupants away. Even they didn't come and sit with me; instead they stared at where they'd been sat, then at the only seats remaining – on my table, then left. They'd rather not eat than sit with the lesbian.

Fine. That was fine. What did I expect? I knew that if people found out, the whole hierarchy and school systems would be ruptured. I knew that. It was typical. It was cliché but here I was, the Queen being shunned by her people. I guess Traci's the new Queen now. I glanced over to where she and the other cheerleaders were laughing at my misfortune. The skaters were right; we really are cheerbitches. But then, I was never truly one of them. I was still a Tennessee girl at heart; I never lost sight of that despite my popularity and wealth sustained from Hannah. I enjoyed cheerleading, I like the attention too – it helped my come out of my shy, quiet shell and I loved all the 'friends' I had. I'd only had a few back home, but here, everyone seemed to love me. They might be just saying it to my face, but I didn't really care at first. Lilly made me see just how different I was from Traci, Amber, Ashley and the rest of them. They truly where the stereotypical selfish cheerleader. And now, my Lilly was no longer mine.

I bit back tears. I wasn't going to cry in front of all these people. I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction. Nor was I going to leave. I ate my lunch at a normal pace then cleared away my tray and went to sit outside in the sun. I went to a secluded spot by the oak tree out at the front of the school, sitting down on the grass and leaning against the bark of the tree.

I sighed. It was only lunch. I had three more hours before school let out. I wish I could at least get a few minutes alone time with Lilly, let her explain what the hell was going off in her mind. She confused the hell out of me. Did she care? Maurice said she loved me. That it was obvious. So why wasn't she even looking at me? Not even a small smile or anything... it hurt. It made my chest ache. It made my heart sink in the empty chasm it beat against.

-x-

"Miley!"

I turned to the familiar voice, as did many others in the parking lot – wanting to get the latest gossip. I didn't care. They may as well hear it from the horse's mouth rather than the rumours that would surely be circulating.

"Hi Mik," I greeted as she bounded up to me, her dark hair bouncing on her shoulders. "How is she?"

"Not good." She said solemnly. I couldn't help but be comforted by that; she was suffering too, that meant she did feel something for me. "She's hardly speaking to me anyway but if I even mention you, she turns silent. I swear, its' like trying to get blood from a stone. I would hit her if she weren't my best friend." She chuckled half-heartedly before turning more serious and placing her hand on my forearm. "How are you?"

"Hardly functioning," I scoffed. "I'm so confused Mik. Why is she being like this? We both knew it'd happen one day..."

"I know. I'm trying to find out I swear." She said before looking around at the crowd who were obviously eavesdropping. "Fancy going somewhere without immature douchebags listening in?" she directed more at the crowd than me.

"Sure." I agreed and we both climbed into my Audi, Mik shoving her board down in the footwell, and I flashed back to when Lilly was first in my car. I sighed and shook the memories from my mind and left the car park, not knowing where to drive to.

"Go to Lilly's."

"What?" I asked shocked at what she'd asked. "I'm not in the mood to have the door slammed in my face."

"Well if you don't go, I will." She said simply. "I'm not having Lilly throw this chance away. I've never seen her as happy as when she's been with you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I know she loves you. That much is obvious."

"That's what my housekeeper said,"

"Well it's true. I think I knew before she did, I could just see how her eyes lit up when she mentioned your name, or how she smiled when she told me about you two kissing,"

"She told you about that?"

"She's my best friend. She tells me everything," she explained, running a hand over the shaven star in her hair.

"Until now, that is."

"Until now."

[Lilly]

I sighed for what must have been the millionth time today. Today had dragged. It was so hard to ignore Miley. I don't think she spotted me most of the time. But I sure noticed her. Everywhere I turned, there she was. Taunting me. Tempting me.

I wanted so badly to just run up to her, hold her close and tell her I was sorry. Sorry that my mother is a bitch and a homophobic one at that. I wished I didn't care what my mother thought; but I did. I only had my mother now. My dad had fucked off and had a new family. I didn't have aunts or uncles, at least not ones that I talked to. I only had my mom now.

She'd threatened that she'd send me to go live with my dad unless I 'straightened up' but I knew that wouldn't happen. My mom was alone too. She wouldn't send me away, especially not to the man who had broke her heart. If she were to send me away, and it wouldn't surprise me if she did, it would be to one of those 'anti-gay camps' or something. Ugh, I shivered at the thought.

"Lilly, we need four House Mezes, three vegetarian risottos and check on the chicken!"

"Yes chef!" I yelled.

-x-

[Miley]

"There's no one home," said Mik as she climbed back into my car. I'd parked up out of sight of Lilly's house so that Lilly wouldn't not answer the door when Mik knocked because she knew I was there. It seemed that idea was a waste.

"You sure she wasn't just ignoring you?"

"I climbed the tree in her back yard and looked into her bedroom." She explained. "She's not home."

"Where could she be?"

"I've no idea..."

I put the car back in drive and did a U turn. "Where do you live Mik? I'll take you home." She gave me directions to her house and sat mostly in silence, listening to the radio. Yet again, one of my songs came on the radio and I got an idea. "Mik?"

"Mhmm?"

"Can I trust you?" I asked softly, contemplating whether my idea was good or not.

"Miley, you're one of us now as far as I'm concerned. You can trust me with your life," she smiled and I smiled back.

"Thank you Mik," I took a deep breath. "I have an idea. But only if Lilly doesn't speak to me tomorrow at all. You have to promise not to say anything to anyone. Not even Oliver."

"Oliver's my boyfriend..."

"Trust me, once I tell you, you'll know why I'd rather not have him know," I said, remembering how obsessed Oliver was with Hannah Montana.

"Okay..."

"I'm Hannah Montana." I said, indicating to the radio which still played my song. It was silent as she stared at me then she burst out laughing.

"What the fuck? Ha! Yeah, sure, course you are,"

"It's true." I protested.

"Okay okay, sure I believe you," she laughed. "You sing and dance on stage throwing your clothes around, sure."

"Honest," I said and started singing along to the radio. That stopped her laughing.

"Holy fuck." She said open jawed. "You sound just like her."

"That's cause I am her!" I said firmly, parking up next to Mik's green VW Beetle on the driveway, recognising it from when Lilly practically kidnapped me to Silver Point. I shook away the memories. "If she ignores me again tomorrow, I want you to get her to come to Jupiter. You know, the club on Walker Ave?"

"Yeah, I know the one... why?"

"I'm doing a gig on Saturday night. If she won't listen to me at school, I'll make her listen."

"By announcing your love in front of hundreds of people. I don't think this is the smartest idea Miley,"

"It might not be the smartest but it's the only one I've got. Tell me you'll do it Mik; I can't think of any other way to talk to her,"

"Hmm, okay."

-x-

[Lilly]

She'd been trying to find me all day. I had to keep diving into classrooms to avoid her when I spotted her in the corridor. If she cornered me I don't think I'd be able to hold back. I'd just fall into her arms. If I let myself back into her embrace, I'd never leave again and my mom would hate me forever and probably have Miley expelled or pull me out of school or something. If she can get me to quit psychology, I don't doubt she'd find a way to get me out of school. I couldn't have that. I couldn't go to an entirely different school, participate in lessons and watch their cheerleaders saunter down the corridors... I couldn't do that and not be reminded of her.

I sighed, holding my geography text book as I leant against the wall, watching as she headed into psychology. We only had psychology twice a week; Mondays and Fridays. I sighed again, longing to follow her but I resisted, instead turning on my heel and heading outside to study boring geography in the sun... visions of her searching for me made my heart ache.

[Miley]

Psychology. She couldn't avoid me in here. She might be able to disappear from sight in corridors but there was nowhere to hide in the classroom we shared for 5th period psychology. I went and sat in the seat next to hers, this way she'd have no chance of ignoring me. She would talk to me. I'd make it so.

I pulled out my notebook and put it on the table along with my textbook and flicked to our ongoing topic of relationships. Oh the irony.

"Well, now that we're all here." I looked up to see Mrs Stevens shutting the door.

"Um Miss, Lilly isn't here yet," I said before she could begin teaching. Murmurs began throughout the class as I mentioned her name, the odd soft giggle in my direction. People were so immature.

She looked up to find me sat alone in the corner and smiled. "Lilly is no longer in this class."

"She's what?" I blurted. I couldn't believe what she'd just said.

"Lilly is no longer in this class," she repeated and picked up her teachers edition of the text book. "She dropped the class. Now, can I please teach?"

I slumped into my chair. She'd dropped the class. Was she that determined to avoid me? So much so that she'd drop her best subject? The one subject she didn't even have to try in to get A's? Why would she do such a thing? I bit back tears. She really can't love me. Maurice and Mik were wrong. She obviously didn't love me.

"Today we're moving on from the maintenance of relationships to the breakdown. Now, does anyone know the six stages of breakdown?"

"One: have photos taped around school," muttered someone. Everyone laughed. Even Mrs Stevens couldn't hide her amusement.

"Hilarious." I said indifferently, not allowing the hurt into my voice, and stood. "Utterly hilarious." I stuffed my notebook back into my bag and picked up my textbook. I almost ran from the classroom, hearing Mrs Stevens calling after me, threatening me with detention if I didn't go back 'this instant'. I didn't care. I didn't care. I don't give a fuck anymore. I just want Lilly back. If she'd have me that is; it seemed she didn't care enough about me to even talk to me and explain...

Tears finally tumbled down my cheeks as I pushed open the door and ran to my car. I flung my bag and textbook onto the seat and fumbled to get the key into the ignition as fast as I could. I needed to be on my own and not feel watched.

[Lilly]

I saw her run out of the doors, rubbing at the tears which fell down her cheeks. She ran straight to her car and quickly zoomed past me, looking too distraught to notice me sat here watching. My heart ached at the sight. It was so damn hard to watch her cry and know that every tear was my fault.

[Miley]

'Get her to come to the club tomorrow night.'

-x-

AN: Review, please? I know Lilly is out of character but having your mom hate you has gotta put a downer on your personality.

Oh and check out my tumblr. Link on my profile :)