a/n-thanks again 4 the reviews! i cant say it enough! i've been trying to post this chapter all day, but the error thing occured again. but we're good now, so here ya go :-)

Chapter 5: Gum

Just then there was a boom in the sky, and we looked up to see a show of fireworks. It was awesome. But I had a horrible headache. The fireworks lasted for a really long time, because Johnny was rich and could afford as many as he wanted.

"You wanna go now?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah," I nodded and we went to find Miley. We found her alright, but she was making out with Johnny. We decided we'd just text her so we wouldn't disturb her.

"Hey, Lil?" Oliver asked on our way home.

"Yeah?"

"You're…you're still eating, right?" he stopped walking and faced me.

"Yeah, of course. I had a granola bar for breakfast, and you saw me eat lunch, dinner, and ice cream."

"Actually, you didn't eat your lunch, you ate literally two spaghetti noodles, and I had to force you to eat a bite of ice cream. And you didn't want my smoothie! Orange is your favorite flavor!"

"Oliver, I just wasn't hungry. I'm not stupid." I assured him and grabbed his hand. Man was I being brave tonight. I have no idea where in the world I got the courage to hold his hand!

"I guess you're right." Oliver sighed, and we continued walking hand-in-hand.

"So how do you think Miley's feeling right now?" I changed the subject.

He laughed. "Better than me, let me tell you."

"Why? Didn't you have a good time?"

"Yeah, tonight was freakin' sweet. But I'm just worried about you."

"You don't have to be worried, Oliver." I gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

"I know, but I am." he said as we arrived at my house.

"Oliver, you are the sweetest guy I've ever met." I hugged him. "But I'm fine. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Lil."

The next morning I woke up and went running. I ran two miles without stopping and I walked a mile as a cool-down. I felt thinner already. As I walked to my house I saw a sleepy Oliver getting the mail.

"Hey, Oliver." I greeted.

"Hey," he answered sleepily, still in only boxers and a t-shirt. He didn't seem to mind, and believe me; neither did I. "Where were you?"

"Running," I answered.

"Really? How much did you run?"

"I ran two miles and walked one."

"Wow. Aren't you tired?" he yawned.

"A little." I admitted.

He yawned again. "You wanna come in for lunch? No one's home, they're all gone for the weekend.

"I would, but I gotta go home and shower. We'll meet up later, K?"

"See ya." he waved and went inside.

After I showered, I had some water, and did lots of crunches. I was feeling good, and I was fighting the hunger. I called Miley to see how her night went, but she was grounded for a week. She was probably out all night with Johnny, or Jackson probably found them, or something like that.

Since Miley couldn't do anything, I called Oliver. "Hey, wanna beach it up?" I asked.

"Sure," Oliver seemed excited.

"Great, I'll be over soon." I said and hung up. I decided to wear a tankini, I wasn't ready for the revealing bikini. I told my mom goodbye and walked to Oliver's. I walked right into his house without knocking, since he was the only one home.

"Hey, Lil." he said, pulling a shirt over his head.

"Hey," I watched as he searched his pockets and the counter. "What are you looking for?"

"I need money."

"For what?"

"Lunch, what else?"

"Oh." Right. I called him before he'd gotten a chance to eat. Stupid me!

"You look even paler than yesterday." He stuffed his pocket with money.

"Really? I didn't notice."

"You sure you're Ok?"

"Oliver, I'm fine! Trust me!" I said annoyed that he wouldn't stop asking.

"Well anyway, I got extra money if you want something at Rico's."

"Oh, it's fine, I already ate."

"What'd you have?"

"A turkey sandwich." Ok, so I lied.

"Always a good choice." he said, but it didn't seem like he believed me. "Are you lying to me?" Damn. I was never a good liar.

"No, why would I lie?"

"Lilly, I've known you my entire life; I think I know when you're lying."

"Oliver, why would I lie about something that stupid?"

"Look me in the eyes and tell me that you ate something." he came right up to my face.

I had some water, so that's eating something, right? "I ate something." I was staring right into his eyes.

"Really? 'Cause your breath is minty like toothpaste."

"I had some minty gum." I thought quickly.

"Lil, you hate gum almost as much as I do."

"Well, I didn't feel like brushing my teeth again so I stole my mom's gum. Why are you so crazy lately?" I snapped at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Because you're my best friend and I don't want anything to happen to you."

I smiled slightly and sighed. "Let's just go."

"Fine."

"Fine." With that, we walked out of the house in silence. We were halfway to the beach when I just couldn't stand the silence anymore. I couldn't think of what to say though.