A/N-you guys know i love ur reviews! sorry i didn't get a chapter up yesterday, i went to 6 flags and i was just too tired when i came home. but anyway, i know this chapter is short and it sucks, but whatever, it's all i have lol

Chapter 9: First Step

I like you, Lilly. How hard was that to say? I like you. Three words. Just three! I'd be fine getting out the 'I like' part. But I'd end up replacing 'you' with 'chicken' or 'being your friend'. Why can't I just say how I feel?

Because I'm a wimp, that's why. I'm afraid of rejection, I'm scared of ruining our whole 15 years of friendship, and I'm terrified of breaking up. Overall, I'm just a loser. And poor Lilly thinks no guys like her. I don't understand how someone could not like her.

"Oliver?" I heard a familiar voice and opened one eye. It was Miley's dad. "You Ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks."

"Alright, boy, I'll see ya later. I gotta go catch up with the ice cream man." With that, Mr. Stewart took off. I smiled and shook my head, closing my eyes once more.

"Oliver!" Ah great, it was Miley. "I saw you guys, what happened?" Miley's eyes were wide as she sat next to me. I was still lying down.

"Nothing. Nothing happened."

"Well why not?"

"We're just friends, Miley."

"Oliver, I see the way you look at her! Do you honestly think I'm that dumb? Everyone can tell!"

"What? No! Like who?"

"Even Jackson and my dad think you like her."

"Well why don't we just put it on the news?" I answered sarcastically.

"So you admit it!" Miley pointed at me. Oh man, I did, didn't I? I didn't even realize! Oh gosh, now she knows! Unless…

"I was just being sarcastic, Miley. No, I don't like her."

"Oliver, why can't you just admit it? I'm not gonna tell her." I gave her a look that said 'are you kidding?' "Ok, so maybe I would have if you told me earlier. But I won't if you don't want me to. If I do, I give you permission to tell the world my Hannah Montana secret."

I looked at her, considering whether or not to tell her. I mean, she already knew, I just never fessed up. I sat up a little, propping myself up on my elbows. "Fine."

"Fine what?"

"I like her, Ok? Happy now? I've always liked her. She's amazing."

"Awe, Oliver!" Miley hugged me. "When are you gonna tell her?"

"I'm not." I lay back down.

"What? Why?"

"'Cause I'm a wimp."

"While that may be true, that can't stop you from telling her." I knew she was right, but I was still scared. "Oliver?"

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking!" I replied. I knew I had to tell her at some point. I sighed. "I'll tell her…when the time is right."

"But what if you already missed your chance? What did you guys say anyway? Tell me everything, and I'll tell you what would have been a good time to tell her." So I told her the whole conversation Lilly and I had at the beach just before and Miley's mouth dropped.

"What?"

"Oliver, that whole conversation was screaming for you to tell her! You could have said it at any time!"

"I know! I'm an idiot! You don't have to tell me twice!"

"Apparently I do if you still didn't tell her yet."

"I'll tell her, Ok?"

"You better."

"I will."

"I'm serious, you better, Oliver."

"Ok, Miley."

"For real, Oliver!"

"Miley, I will!"

"Ok, good. Once again, Miley Stewart has made the world a better place for love! Talk to you later, Oliver."

I rolled my eyes as she walked away. I will tell her. No matter how she feels, I will tell her…When the time is right.