Sorry for the slight delay but here it is the next chapter. Thanks for all of the reviews so far.
'They Say That Good Things Take Time' – Chapter 16
Lilly was now approximately halfway into her first term at college and she was enjoying her new life where she set the rules and was fully responsible for her actions. She had noticed, with a slight grimace, that her bank account was gradually leaking out money in the form of food, clothes and books. To resolve this niggling issue, Lilly had motivated herself enough to find a Saturday job at the skate-park which was local to the college area. She was content as she could save the bus fare by boarding there herself and she was allowed to make use of the facilities during breaks and after hours. Her main role was to serve drinks, keep an eye on the customers and lock-up at closing time. She enjoyed this work as she got to meet a whole spectrum of people to idly chat to and pass the time, whilst earning the equivalent of just over minimum wage to keep her going during the week.
It was a cloudy day at the beginning of November, but Lilly thankfully noticed that it had not started to rain yet and the park was not that busy. She was planning on keeping to the drinks hut with a book balanced on her lap and a soda in hand while she attempted to study for a term-paper, which was due soon. Her co-worker was a fellow student called Tony, dressed in baggy jeans and a band t-shirt, often spotted on the half-pipe when he had a spare moment. He was in his second year of studies and was currently struggling to read Shakespeare whilst fixing the milkshake machine.
Lilly was soon distracted by a tap on the counter and as she looked up, she smiled in recognition of her roommate who had come to visit her, "Hey Jess, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just thought I would swing by and see old Lilly at work." Jess greeted with a smile, before peering over the counter to locate the origins of the occasional cursing and clanging of a wrench on metal, "What are you up to Tony?"
"Hmm? Oh hey Jess, how's it going? Just fixing this piece of crap. It's broken for the third time this month. Need to talk to the boss about getting in some new equipment." Tony mumbled before pulling himself out from underneath the device.
Jess laughed lightly and took a look around the park, "Not very busy today?"
"Nope." Lilly replied half-heartedly as she looked up from her text once more, "Not busy at all really. Just letting the hours drip by so we can rake up the cash, isn't that right Tony?"
"Yeah sure is." Tony replied as he took a seat along the serving hatch from Lilly. "I'm trying to save up for Christmas already. Sarah wants to go somewhere special, and like the idiot I am, I promised her a surprise." Tony finished with a roll of his eyes, whilst Lilly and Jess smiled at one another.
"Well, wherever you end up taking her, I'm sure she'll be very happy." Jess said.
"Hmm… I don't know about that, she is a woman." Tony responded with a cheeky grin settling across his features.
"Hey!" Both girls interjected and Lilly flicked a straw at him from across the booth.
Jess giggled, "So anyway, what are your plans for tonight Lils?"
"I was thinking on putting my feet up and chilling out with a DVD, maybe one of the Bourne movies?"
"Wrong." Jess interrupted cheerfully, "You're coming with me to check out this new bar that's opened up for students off campus."
Lilly raised an eyebrow in reaction to this, "Since when?"
"Since I got us both on the guest list for the night. It's meant to be an event with some new friends I met in my society, but I'm allowed to bring people along because I'm pretty tight with the vice-president now."
"Oh really?" Lilly replied with a smile.
"Yeah, he's pretty cute." Jess laughed and finished with a blush.
Lilly was grinning now, "Sure I'll come with you. It'll take my mind off this stuff anyway." She said and gestured to her book. "Besides, wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity for you to get with a hottie."
"Oh Lilly, please, he's just something nice for me to look at."
"We'll see about this after tonight." Lilly responded and began to stretch her arms as if warming up for exercise, "Just wait and see what match-maker Lilly can do."
Jess giggled nervously and looked toward Tony for support, who merely shrugged in response. Jess sighed, "Alright, well maybe I'll spend the evening as far away from you as possible. I dread to think what your match-making skills entail." She stood up from the bar stool she had been occupying, "Anyway, I better leave you guys to it. See you at home Lils."
"Yep, see ya." Lilly replied and waved at Jess as she left the park. "Well, this place is dead today." She sighed and glanced over at Tony. "Wanna take an early break?"
Tony nodded in agreement and dove under the counter for his skateboard. Lilly grinned and pulled out her own for some much needed recreational activity.
That evening, Miley Stuart was happily settled on a sofa, surrounded by her new friends and sipping a drink containing vodka, which a companion had bought for her using his fake identification. She liked this place, it had only just opened but it was chilled out and playing good music. There was a stage where a man was selecting music to play and a poster on the door told her that the bar would be holding open microphone nights as well. It was well decorated with complimentary dim lighting and, as she was in the presence of her new friends, she was feeling very relaxed indeed. Laughter rippled prominently throughout most of their conversations and Miley became so absorbed in spending time with these people, that she did not even notice the familiar blonde who was currently standing at the bar.
Lilly Truscott was scanning the new place with interest; she had instantly liked it from the very moment that she had entered the door with her roommate. They were now standing at the bar with a group of Jess' relaxed Christian friends, happily sipping cokes and engaging in mellow conversation. Lilly noticed the way that Jess' face lit up whenever a particular vice-president turned his attention to her and Lilly thought that Jess was going to explode when he had complimented her on her outfit earlier on. The blonde was standing slightly out of the conversational circle and happily taking in her environment when Jess turned her attention back to her friend.
"Alright there Lilly?"
"Hmm?" Lilly tore her attention away from a group of people who she thought she recognised from her course standing by the door. "Oh yeah, I'm fine thanks. This is a really nice place." She smiled.
"Yeah, it is." Jess agreed, "Do you want to go and sit down? I'm getting a bit tired of standing by the bar."
"Sure, let's do it." Lilly grinned and turned towards the area which was filled with comfortable-looking couches. She suddenly paused as her eyes flitted over a group of people in the attempt to locate some vacant seats. Lilly's eyes widened and she tilted her head to one side as they landed on a girl with long, brown hair, which fell in soft curls, delicately tumbling down her back. The flash of blue eyes which Lilly caught sight of, followed by the recognition of the full, pouting lips only made Lilly's skin tingle. A familiar laugh which emitted from the girl's throat and carried across the room to where the blonde stood was almost enough to make her legs buckle. Lilly's mouth parted slightly as her eyes wandered over the other girl's form, hungrily taking in every detail of what she was wearing, whilst trying to depict whether anything had changed during the whole year that she had not seen her. Lilly could not move as her heart crashed against her ribs within her heaving chest as she struggled to breathe after realising that she had been subconsciously holding air in for too long.
"Well, come on then." Jess prompted her stunted friend and lightly nudged her in the back.
"Erm… How about we sit somewhere else?" Lilly asked, yet she did not find the strength to draw her adoring gaze away from the other girl.
"What?" Jess muttered softly and went to stand beside her roommate. She cast her eyes over Lilly's face and did not fail to notice the troubled expression, or the flushed cheeks, and came to the conclusion that something was clearly wrong. "Lilly, what is it?"
"What?" Lilly finally tore her eyes away from where she had been watching the brunette delicately sipping from her drink.
"Are you okay?" Jess asked, her green eyes filled with kindness and Lilly gulped before shaking her head.
"Well, yes, I mean no. Not really. I don't know. I guess I am okay, but at the same time, I'm not." Lilly ran her hands through her hair before pressing her palms against her cheeks, desperately willing them to cool down again.
Jess turned her attention to the direction that Lilly had been facing, in an attempt to locate the source of the blonde's discomfort. As her eyes roamed over the small group of people on the couches, her mind quickly twigged as she recognised the brunette who was sitting among the other young people gathered there. She remembered seeing that girl before, and then she realised; this girl littered Lilly's side of the room in endless pictures that her roommate had of them both.
"Oh my gosh Lilly, that's your best friend, isn't it?"
Lilly slowly nodded her head and turned to look at Jess once more. "What do I do?" She quietly pleaded, her eyes flickering up to meet Jess' steady green irises.
"Well, what's wrong? Why don't you want to go and say hello?"
Lilly bit her lip nervously, "I don't know. I do really want to see her, but then at the same time, and I know that this sounds really stupid, I'm scared to. So much has happened between us and I haven't actually seen her for about a year now. What if she thinks I'm different? What if she thinks that I'm a complete freak? I mean, she never even replied to my message, she probably thinks I'm totally retarded. Look, she's got lots of nice, new friends now. I don't know if talking to her would be such a good idea…"
Jess had been watching Lilly patiently throughout the stream of thoughts that babbled without censorship from Lilly's mouth. After glancing over at the other girl once more, who looked perfectly pleasant, and then taking a look at her flustered Lilly, Jess came back with her answer. "Lilly, just go and talk to her. She's your best friend, and she'd never think that you're a complete freak. I don't even know why you'd think that. I'm sure that a lot of things have happened between you guys, that's why you're best friends silly. Look, I think you should at least go and say hi. I know you'll totally regret it if you don't."
Lilly nodded and looked at Jess with a nervous smile, whilst trying to ignore the fact that her palms were beginning to sweat. "You're right. I do really want to talk to her. It's just… difficult."
Jess nodded, "I know. Now go on, you might really make her night."
Lilly turned away from her friend to look across the room, past the short distance which separated her from Miley Stuart, and tentatively took a step forward.
Miley grinned as the group she was sitting with burst out into a peel of laughter.
"Guys, it's not that funny." An embarrassed-looking boy protested as he stared shamefully at the floor.
"Erm yes it is." Miley interjected before slowly rising to her feet, "I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
Miley turned around quickly when she was suddenly stopped by another body that was standing very close to her own. She jumped slightly out of shock and put her hand to her chest where her heart had started fluttering from the surprise. "God, sorry." Miley muttered as she noticed a similar reaction when the other girl's body jolted slightly, "I didn't see you there…" She raised her eyes to briefly meet the other person's face in apology, when she stopped in her tracks.
Miley's mouth fell open as she took in the appearance of the girl in front of her. The long blonde hair had been cut slightly shorter than the length that Miley was used to, and it had become somewhat darker in colouring than she remembered, from lack of the Malibu sunlight perhaps, Miley reflected. The bold blue eyes which stared back into her own were uncharacteristically filled with nerves and trepidation as the other girl scanned Miley's features. She was biting on her lip and her cheeks were pink, but her face still retained the same striking features that Miley remembered so well. As for the blonde's body, well, Miley did not allow herself much time to examine that, but she noticed that although the girl had not grown taller, she had filled in her curves further than Miley remembered and that made the brunette gulp.
"Lilly…" Miley breathed, the sound coming out more slowly and huskily than she had anticipated.
"Erm, hello Miley." Lilly responded with an anxious grin, "Long time no see."
"Yeah." Miley said, unable to take her eyes off her best friend. "Come here." She suddenly said gruffly and pulled Lilly into her arms.
The two girls stood for a few moments, arms wrapped around each other, revelling in the embrace which they had both missed so much. Lilly's mind was racing as quickly as her heart was beating and she secretly turned her face into the soft, brown curls to breathe in Miley's scent. Yet, as hurriedly as she began that action, Lilly stopped herself and her brow crinkled over Miley's shoulder, her mind drenched in confusion.
Miley was smiling as she held her best friend in her arms, Lilly did look a little bit different now, however all that mattered was that her best friend was here with her again. Miley secretly felt relief in the affection which rose out of seeing her best friend, but the butterflies were lying dormant in her stomach. This was a good sign and perhaps now their friendship could go back to normal.
"Wow." Miley remarked as they pulled away from their embrace and stood in front of each other once more, "Look at you. I can't believe it's actually you, after all this time. I love what you've done with your hair tonight by the way, it looks really cute."
"Oh, thanks Miles." Lilly shyly responded as she put a hand up to fiddle with the loose curls she had woven in earlier that evening, "You look really great too. You haven't changed much at all though." Lilly was blushing now, "Maybe you're a bit taller, and you've got new clothes, but everything else is the same."
Miley laughed, mostly from surprise at seeing Lilly acting so coyly when normally she was brash and confident, "Thanks Lil. I'll take that as a compliment. I don't think I've changed much either." Her eyes were twinkling and she scanned the room for an empty couch, "Hey, do you wanna go sit down and catch up?"
"Sure, I'd love to." Lilly gushed and then mentally slapped herself as Miley led their way over to an empty couch in a corner.
Lilly sat down next to her friend and swallowed nervously as she noticed how dim the lighting was and the romantic atmosphere which could be derived from their setting. The lights draped Miley's features softly and made her ocean blue eyes burn warmly, whilst the shadows highlighted her smiling expression and Lilly could not help but smile back because Miley looked so beautiful.
In an attempt to wash away the disturbing feelings that Lilly was experiencing, all directed toward her best friend, she began a shaky conversation, "So Miles, how are things?"
Miley chuckled warmly, "Things are really good thanks Lil. What things are you referring to in particular?"
"Erm… well, how was your summer for a start?"
Miley frowned slightly in contemplation and her eyes were soon filled with a whimsical sadness, "It was okay really. Kinda sad now that we've retired Hannah Montana. I mean, I know it's indefinite, rather than permanent, but still, it's like a huge part of my life has just gone, ya know?"
Lilly nodded sympathetically, "I know Miles. How are you finding it being a regular person?"
Miley smiled, "Oh Lilly, I've always had that normal life. But I have to admit, it's really good having time to do things by and for myself again. I have so much free time too, so that means plenty of time for studying and catching up with friends without having to worry about Hannah plans." Miley turned her body around to face Lilly to give her full attention to the blonde, "Anyway, enough about me. The last few years have been all about me, what I'd wanted and what was going on with Hannah. Tell me all about your summer."
Lilly cleared her throat as she adjusted herself on the couch, equally turning her body only to get momentarily lost in Miley's glittering, blue eyes. She blinked slowly and began, "Well, let me see… As you know I went to Thailand with Matt, and we had a really good time. We just toured about with this group and saw lots of sun and surf. I got to ride elephants through the jungle and go on this tough hike to all these different villages and met some really cool people." Lilly shrugged as she paused in her story, watching Miley's expression, as if trying to decipher how she was feeling.
Miley was smiling, "Sounds really great Lils. I'd love to go somewhere like Thailand. Daddy told me that they loved Hannah there but we never really got round to considering it. So, what people did you meet Lils?"
Lilly felt strangely uneasy when Miley put a lot of stress on that word, and she could only fiddle with her hands in front of her as she felt Miley's eyes piercing a hole in the side of her head.
"Well Lilly? You're being awfully quiet." Miley teased.
"Yeah, sorry, I know I'm being quiet. I guess I'm just in a bit of strange mood tonight." Lilly replied through a nervous laugh. She willed herself to be normal around Miley, yet it seemed that her typical behaviour around the brunette had been warped, whilst her inability to control this was making Lilly quietly insane. "So anyway, people…Well, I met a girl from Spain and a couple from Belgium and then there was this guy from England…" Lilly trailed off at this point and discreetly shot a side glance at Miley.
The brunette's expression was unfathomable, yet Lilly could not help but notice her slight shift in her seat or the unsettled flicker which took place in the depths of her oceanic eyes. Miley's lips soon spread into a sly smile, causing Lilly's stomach to twist forlornly as her body heated up slightly further, and the blonde willed herself not to give away what she was beginning to feel.
"A boy Lillian?" Miley finally spoke, the words dripped off her tongue slowly but her eyes were sparkling, "Do tell me more."
"Well, there's not a lot to say really." Lilly replied and then cleared her throat.
"Yes there is!" Miley squawked, quickly losing her cool composure and laughing as she playfully nudged her friend. "What's his name for a start? Was he hot? Did anything happen?"
Lilly's mind was racing at this sudden shift in Miley's behaviour, until then she was still sure that Miley felt the same way about her, but now everything seemed different. At this point in time, Miley was another friend who was trying to pump the gossip out of her, and Lilly could not help but feel disappointed by this.
"Erm, his name is Danny and yeah, I guess you could call him hot."
"Oooh, do you have his picture?" Miley asked, with a smile still spread across her features. Everything seemed so much easier to the brunette all of a sudden as she probed her friend for information about this new interest in her life. Finally the two of them could resume a platonic friendship, now that she had Will and Lilly had an admirer, albeit from afar.
"Well, no I don't really. I think I have some on my computer of the group and stuff but not his personally." Lilly answered, internally frowning at herself for wishing that Miley would be more upset by this information.
"So, what exactly happened between you guys? I'm detecting a little bit of a summer romance thing going on here."
"I don't know if I really want to talk about Miles." Lilly replied as dread began to filter through her veins and she attempted to blot out memories of that night.
Miley's expression quickly became serious and thoughtful, she eased her interrogative manner at once when she noticed the fall in the blonde's disposition and the worrying creases which formed on her forehead. "Gosh Lilly, I'm sorry if I'm being too nosey. I'm gonna back off okay; it's really none of my business. But, are you alright?" Miley spoke softly and gently reached out to put her hand over Lilly's.
This single action alone made Lilly want to weep, she was feeling as if someone had come to take her apart and then carelessly put her back together with her insides in the wrong places. "Yeah, I'm fine Miley, don't worry. He was just a bit of a jerk and I almost made a huge mistake."
Lilly looked up into Miley's eyes which were filled with the same compassion that she always received when a boy had broken up with her or something in her life had gone wrong. Lilly smiled a very small smile at the pleasant sense of nostalgia that washed over her briefly and Miley took this as her cue to shuffle nearer to Lilly on the couch, until their thighs were lightly grazing. Lilly desperately tried to ignore the closeness between them, as well as the fact that she could smell Miley's hair which hung precariously near her face. The scent was a mixture of the brunette's favourite perfume, which Lilly recognised as it had not changed over a year, with the smell of a new shampoo and Miley's own personal fragrance; the one that layered her bed covers and lingered in her room. Lilly sighed and rested her head briefly on Miley's shoulder to savour the moment longer and, in relief, the brunette pressed her lips against the top of Lilly's head; a gesture so familiar to the blonde that it instantly calmed her.
"I missed you Miles." Lilly whispered as she detached her head from Miley's comfortable shoulder.
"I missed you too Lillypad." Miley replied gently and smiled warmly, inviting the blonde to disperse the cares which she had temporarily filed away.
"Sorry I kind of freaked out on you just then. It was just a bit of a weird experience with him." Lilly looked at Miley for support whilst she chewed her lip anxiously. Miley did not say anything, she did not need to and Lilly cleared her throat to continue nervously after Miley squeezed her hand in affection. "It was the last night on one of the islands that we stayed at called Koh Samet. We had all gotten very drunk and I couldn't really walk properly so he offered to help me back to my room…"
The sand was swaying beneath Lilly's feet as her body jilted and her eyes remained half closed since the effort to prop them open seemed too much at this stage. The boy was laughing at her side as he clung onto her arm, yet it was his chaotic movement that threatened to knock her over more than if she were allowed to walk on her own.
The next thing that Lilly saw was a foreign bedroom before she felt herself lowered onto the single bed. The boy was hovering next to her and laughing from some drunken antic that he had participated in earlier. She did not know what was quite so funny but found her body trembling as she laughed uncontrollably along with him.
A few moments later, the heavy heat of his body was pressed down over her own whilst his wet mouth was leaving warm kisses over her face and neck. Clumsy hands were moving up her stomach until they were stroking her breasts, and it was only when he got to this area of her being that Lilly's brain suddenly kicked in and she began to protest.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Hmm?" The boy raised his head to meet her face with confused brown eyes.
"I think you should get off."
The boy did not argue and immediately slid his body off her and sat nearby, his face wearing a puzzled expression. Lilly's head was beginning to throb as she struggled to sit up in bed.
"What just happened?" She asked him, her voice was thick from the effects of alcohol and her stomach was beginning to churn dangerously.
"I dunno. I thought you wanted this." He replied simply, but not hurtfully. The boy merely looked bewildered and his eyes were having trouble focusing on her face.
"No." Lilly stated plainly. "I don't want this actually." She then frowned as she realised the awkwardness of their situation and how her stomach was really beginning to hurt.
"Okay." He replied and flopped backwards onto the bed. He let out a slight groan and Lilly could barely understand him as he mumbled, "Let's just go to sleep then."
As she lowered herself back onto the mattress next to him, the room started spinning above her too quickly for her to feel well. She lurched up and off the bed, one hand clamped over her mouth as she stumbled into the bathroom…
Lilly sighed as her eyes connected with Miley's again for the first time since she had finished her story. "He was a nice guy. I just wasn't ready for all of that. It was all wrong time, wrong place and me being that drunk was not going to make me happy. The worst part was waking up next to him, with a pounding headache and wondering what my brother was going to think when he saw me leaving his room." Lilly cringed openly, "Obviously he knows the truth now, but he looked like he was gonna kill that guy the next time he caught sight of him." Lilly turned and smiled apologetically at her friend, "So now you know the story of Lilly's love life. And it's pretty lame."
Miley smiled sympathetically at this, "Not lame at all Lilly. It was a very brave thing for you to do to just say no like that, especially when you were drunk and not in your right mind."
"Yeah, well, I think he got the message. He's never called me or emailed me since we went home." Lilly replied, yet she had never felt sad about this matter.
"Well, don't worry about it Lil. He's obviously not good enough for you." Miley said brightly.
"Aw shucks Miles, how come you always have to be so nice all the time?" Lilly asked as she felt her cheeks heat up.
"I'm not being nice at all! I'm just telling you the truth Lillypad." Miley grinned and lounged back in her seat.
Lilly smiled as she watched her friend's actions, yet she was housing a secret longing to ask that dreaded question which she had never dared to raise in any of her emails or phone calls to her best friend. Suddenly Lilly was very interested in knowing how Miley felt about her, but to be blunt and outright would be insensitive, and Lilly had known Miley for just long enough to have been taught the benefits of subtlety by her earnest friend.
"So Miles," Lilly broached after clearing her throat anxiously once more, "what's going on in your love life at the moment?"
Miley was temporarily shocked that Lilly had been brave enough to ask that question, but she was also secretly pleased that it had come up. Now she could at last prove to Lilly that everything was normal between them once more, especially as she had evidence to back her statement up in the form of a small photograph residing in her purse. Miley turned back to face her friend, whose silent fear shone out at Miley from her sky-blue eyes. Miley smiled gently at Lilly as she released the blonde's hand and settled herself more comfortably on the couch, looking quietly confident and feeling her blood pump faster as she was about to set free her private truth.
"Actually Lilly, I'm kinda seeing someone at the moment." Miley stated.
Lilly felt as if something inside of her had suddenly broken and she had to audibly gasp for breath as the shock of Miley's words stung her. "W-what?" She murmured before seeing Miley quirk an eyebrow, as if to question Lilly's reaction. "Wow Miles, that's great." Lilly faltered as she began to compose herself, "Who is it?"
Miley giggled at Lilly's question, "It is a boy Lilly." She smiled, "His name's Will and we met in the first week of lectures. We're officially going out." Miley squeaked and Lilly suddenly hated the way the brunette's features lit up with happiness as she imparted this cruel sounding information to her best friend.
"Oh, cool. That's great Miles. I'm really happy for you." Lilly replied and forced a smile to loosen her frozen lips.
Miley failed to notice this fake expression or the storm clouds in Lilly's eyes as she excitedly delved into her purse to find her treasured picture, the confirmation that her life had twisted back around and she could consider herself "normal" again. She passed the dreaded item over to her best friend who gazed at the image of the boy and girl sadly. Miley looked happy in his arms as they sat in the photo booth to get their couple picture taken. He was such a handsome boy too, Lilly mournfully reflected, with his warm grey eyes, beautifully carved face and strong looking arms. This Will boy could give Miley everything that she could not.
Just as Lilly felt tears prickling the edges of her eyes and she wished herself as far away from her beloved brunette as possible, her saviour appeared in the form of her roommate. Jess had suddenly materialized in front of them and hovered awkwardly over the couch as she shyly approached Lilly's best friend.
"Erm hello." She greeted coyly and Miley at once raised her eyes to study this newcomer.
"Hey." Miley replied softly with a small smile as she scanned the unknown girl in front of her.
"Hey Jess." Lilly said from Miley's right and smiled up at her roommate who did not fail to notice the wetness of Lilly's eyes. "Erm, Jess, this is Miley and Miley this is Jess, she's my college roommate."
"Oh hey Jess, it's really nice to meet you." Miley said and stood up to shake her hand courteously. Jess was smiling too as she replied with similar sentiments, while both girls secretly measured each other up.
Lilly slowly got to her feet also to stand uncomfortably beside Miley when all she wanted to do was fall to her knees and sob in a little ball on the floor, only for Miley to pick her up, to take her in her arms… and then what?
Jess glanced over at Lilly and cleared her throat to bring her friend out of her trance, "Erm Lilly, I just came over to get you because I think I'm gonna head off now. You don't have to come obviously, but I just thought I'd tell you my plans."
Lilly nodded slowly in response, "Yeah, I think I'll come with you. I feel really tired." She turned her attention back to Miley, inwardly glad of Jess' distraction as her tears had been allowed to discreetly subside. "It was really good to see you again tonight Smiles."
Miley grinned as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lilly, "I'll see you again soon Lilly, but next time it will be on purpose, I can promise you that." She replied and gave the blonde a friendly wink as they parted. Lilly nodded gently whilst smiling softly at Miley, before dragging her heavy feet after her roommate and walked steadily home with her in silence.
As Jess brushed her teeth in the bathroom down the hall, Lilly was gazing forlornly out of their bedroom window to the stars above. She was feeling small and insignificant after seeing Miley that night when she used to feel larger than life after time spent in her best friend's presence. Something inside Lilly had shifted, and she could not quite work out when this had happened, but the way that she felt about Miley would never be the same again. Lilly had never felt anything like this before, her heart was throbbing painfully as if it were too big for her ribcage to contain and every breath she took that night was shaky, almost threatening tears. Her mind was clouded with thoughts whilst her chest heaved with emotions; all linked up with this one other person in her life, who could no longer return these feelings. Lilly sighed heavily as she realised that it was all too little too late and she wished that she had felt this way sooner. Things were beginning to become clearer to the slow-minded blonde. The pieces were all descending dramatically into place, one by one, like the final grains of sand in an hourglass which reluctantly, but fatefully, must fall.
Lilly's body twitched as her roommate suddenly re-entered the room and clambered slowly into her bed which was along the opposite wall. Lilly stood up to make her way over to her bed, to climb underneath the warm covers and settle slowly down, ready to drown out her worries in sleep. As she lay back and pulled the blankets up to her chin, she heard the creak of the mattress from the other bed and her roommate sighed. Jess still had not turned off her bedside light and, as Lilly turned her head to see why, she noticed that her new friend was watching her carefully.
"What's wrong Lilly?" Jess asked her softly, her voice laced with compassion and understanding, causing Lilly's heart to leap into her throat as if begging her to let out the anguish that she was burying within her.
Lilly shook her head, making the pillow beneath her rustle soothingly, yet her voice was tight with tears. She breathed in sharply and winced as she felt her eyes dampen and small tears ran lightly down her cheeks to give away her weakness. "I'm sorry." Lilly whispered as she raised a shaky hand to brush away the salty traces of her misery. "I don't normally get like this, I promise." She attempted a shaky laugh.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Jess spoke soothingly, as she propped herself up on her elbow, giving the blonde her full attention and silently motioning for her to continue.
"It's just… hard, after seeing Miley tonight, I just don't understand."
"Why was it hard for you Lilly?"
"I d-don't know." Lilly stuttered and pressed the palms of her hands into her face. "Well, I'm lying. I kind of do know really…" She trailed off and dared a quick glance over at the other girl who was watching her sympathetically. "I want to tell you, but I'm scared that you'll hate me." Lilly finished lamely.
Jess frowned slightly in confusion at Lilly's words, "Lilly, I don't know what you're talking about, but I don't think I could ever hate you." She answered gently. "I understand if you don't want to tell me, but I wish you would because I would really like to help you." She spoke slowly and quietly and Lilly nodded as she prepared to put her faith in the other girl.
"O-okay. So, it's obviously about Miley." Lilly began, and just the mention of her friend's name now caused her stomach to swoop in a way that it never used to a year ago, "My best friend, who you met tonight." She glanced over at Jess who merely nodded and Lilly continued, "Well, last year she admitted something to me, which I found very scary at the time. She told me, well, that she kind of had, you know, feelings for me. Ever since then I've felt bad for her and wished for her to get over it, for her sake because it must be horrible, all of this unreturned stuff. It just made things kinda awkward between us, even though I never wanted it to. She was still my Miley, my best friend in the whole world…" Lilly sobbed at this point and buried her face into her hands once more as she wiped away another wave of tears. "Anyway, so we didn't see each other for about a year and we missed out on a lot of quality time. Then tonight, well, I saw her. And everything had changed. My pulse rate was going faster than if I had been running all morning and my heart felt like it was swelling from all of these feelings I was having. And then she hugged me and I thought I was going to melt…" Lilly both chuckled and grimaced as she reflected on how it felt being around Miley now, at her different feelings and how new and scary everything had suddenly become. "I've never felt like this about anyone else." Lilly stated and winced slightly as she rolled the next words around inside her mind before producing them. It was a big statement that she was about to make but, in her heart, it did not feel wrong. "It's more than I've ever felt for any guy that I've dated, more than just a crush." Lilly paused before turning over to face Jess directly, and looked deep into her eyes as she finally bared the absolute truth; "I'm falling in love with her."