Keeping Faith, Moving Mountains

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Glee' or 'Hannah Montana'. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Miley Stewart transfers to William McKinley High School, and life happens. secrets are hard, boys are confusing, and some friendships last forever. AU.

Author: tlyxor1.

Author's Note: I don't even know. I haven't watched HM since I was - like - 13 (2008), and Dad cancelled our cable, but last year, I was listening to some of MC's music, and this happened. idk. :S

Prologue

When she'd imagined high school, Lilly and Oliver had always been by her side. Those had been daydreams though, with copious amounts of independence, and boys, and a 4.0 grade point average, and in truth, the real thing would never catch up to her imagination. The fact was, they'd drifted apart throughout the last school year, and though none of them were at fault, a part of her resented the change.

With a sigh, Miley dropped out of her brother's car, waved to him over her shoulders, and made her way into her new school. It wasn't much to look at, but at the very least, it didn't have Amber and Ashley, and she thought it would be nice to arrive in a school with no preconceived notions about her.

She stopped at the office to retrieve her timetable, among other things, used the supplied map to reach her locker, and proceeded to empty her bag of the bits and pieces she had no desire to carry around all day. Then she closed her locker, turned, and watched, bewildered, as a girl was doused in slushie before her eyes.

She blinked, silently hoped the sight would disappear if she wished hard enough, and frowned when it didn't. Her peers around her were laughing - actually laughing - and Miley frowned to herself, sucked up her courage, and followed the girl into the restroom.

She was not oblivious to what her choice meant, but her father had raised her right, and she wouldn't turn her back on a blatant display of bullying.

She'd had enough of that at Crowley Corners, thank you very much.

"Hi," Miley greeted, uncertain. "You… ah… is there anything I can do?"

The girl, in a blue knit cardigan, a plaid mini skirt, argyle socks and Mary Jane shoes, was short, but her eyes were big and brown, and her hair was too - brown, that is - beneath all that red, anyway, with a Star of David around her neck, and an incredulous expression on her face.

"No, that's okay, though the offer is appreciated," she answered, and then proceeded to bow her head over one of the sinks, "I'm used to slushie facials."

"That seems…" Miley paused, and floundered for an appropriate adjective, "Wrong."

The girl gave a derisive, or perhaps bitter, laugh.

Miley didn't find it funny.

"Welcome to McKinley High."