Robby Ray dropped the four off at the beach where a huge stage and dance floor had been set up; Rico's had been transformed into a smoothie bar, and the lights and music were rocking the beach.
Oliver stepped out of the limo and offered his arm to Miley. "Milady?"
She smiled at him and took his arm. "Ooh, I never thought I'd say this, but it sure is cold at the beach tonight."
He debated quickly in his head and then put his arm around her, pulling her in a half-hug towards him. She took a long moment to inhale and then looked up at him. He had actually managed to grow quite a few inches taller than her since they'd reached high school. She relished the feeling of being held. She was concentrating intently on splitting her focus between walking straight and his arm on hers. This was very difficult.
They walked towards the dance floor and stood on the edge, swaying awkwardly to the music.
Miley turned to him and started to say, "Do you—" just as he said, "Miley—" She waited anxiously for him to continue.
"I can't do this," he said, turning away and walking quickly towards the smoothie bar.
Miley stared after him in disbelief, feeling a wave of hot tears rush at her from some unknown place.
♥♥♥
Lilly realized that she hadn't seen her friends in a while and went off in search of one or hopefully both of them. She found Oliver by the smoothie bar, slurping noisily, a half a dozen empty glasses cluttering the counter near him. "Oliver!" she exclaimed. "Where's Miley?"
"Lilly," he said wetly, putting down his smoothie. "I couldn't do it. I tried to tell her, but I just—I couldn't."
"So you ran off?" she was incredulous.
"Yeah. Then I guess she took off, too."
"Oh my gosh." She put a hand to her forehead. "Oliver, you do realize that she probably thinks you don't like her now, right?"
"Oh no," he wailed morosely. "I'm ruined." He pitched forward onto the counter, burying his face in his arms.
"Okay, okay, calm down. " She patted his back and thought quickly. She ordered several glasses of water and ordered him to drink them. Then she told him not to move while she went off in search of Miley.