Sooner ended up being the next morning. "Listen, Miles," he said, meeting her at her locker. "I've got to be completely honest with you…"
Miley interrupted suddenly. "Cut the chatter; my erstwhile suitor is headed this way—make like a boyfriend!"
He groaned. Partly in frustration, partly because, well, he was sixteen, and he had other things on his mind concerning his best friend besides simply being honest with her.
Without completely thinking his actions through, he pushed her back against the lockers, put a hand on either side of her, and laid a kiss on her that startled them both.
All the frustration he felt at keeping silent and all the pent up feelings he had for her were expressed as heat and passion. He put everything he had into that kiss, and when he was done he said harshly, "See ya around, baby," and left for class.
Miley remained against the lockers, her mind whirling and her lips burning. "Lilly!" she gasped. "I think something very strange just happened—Oliver kissed me!"
"What?" Lilly asked quickly. "Did he say anything?"
"Nope, just—just the kiss."
"Ugh, what a boy."
"I'll say," Miley agreed dazedly. "Just pushed me right up against the lockers and went for it."
Lilly gaped. "That's so hot!"
"Wow," Miley answered, still rooted in place, fanning herself absentmindedly.
♥♥♥
In class, Lilly sought out Oliver. "Hey, heard you got some action." He cut his eyes moodily at her and glared. "Not in a joking mood, okay, I get it. Look, I really think you should tell her—"
"Yeah, I know you do," he cut in crossly. "And I tried to. But she interrupted, ordering me to pose as her boyfriend again. I don't know if I even want to talk to her now, she'll just use me again and go, 'I owe ya one!'" He did a cruel imitation of Miley's voice and continued to sit irritably in his seat.
"After that kiss, sounds like she owes you like a hundred."
"Beg pardon?" he said flatly, yet mildly interested.
"She may not know you like her, but she's still reeling from whatever you did to her."
Although he was trying to maintain his sour composure, he couldn't help smirking. "I still got it!" he said proudly.
"You still got it bad," Lilly corrected him.
He nodded grimly. "Yes, yes, I do."
♥♥♥
Lilly caught up with Miley later on. "Hey," she said, "still reminiscing?"
"Lilly, I can't concentrate! I just keep thinking about—about Oliver!"
"Interesting," Lilly mused, nodding.
"Not just the kiss" (she blushed as she said this) "either; he's been acting strange all week." She looked genuinely concerned.
"I think posing as your boyfriend has kind of thrown him for a loop," Lilly said wisely.
"Well, me too," Miley countered automatically. "Wait, why for him?"
"Well," said Lilly carefully. "It kind of seems like you're taking him for granted; just using him as a cover story because he's a boy. But he's also your friend, and he deserves better than that."
"So you think I should…dump him?"