Chapter Four: Again (Miley's POV)

"Lily?" I chirped joyfully. "You still there?"

I really couldn't believe it. Jake and I were back together! If it had been a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have even considered it. But sweet nibblets, things sure have changed!

The first time we broke up, he had some growing up to do. Then he came back, but I had some growing up to do. And then there was Mikayla, and Trey, and that horrible girl from that show about those rich kids with problems, and then there was even Johnny Collins for a while...But now, for the first time, I felt like we were both at the same level. And it felt so darn tootin' good!

"Yeah, yeah," Lily replied. "I was just breaking the news to Oliver."

" 'Breaking the news'?" I said jokingly. "You make it sound like a tragedy or something."

"Of course not!" Lily replied quickly. "it's not a...it's great! Tell me all about it!" She was now so loud that I had to pull my phone away from my ear. Sweet nibblets, what was wrong with that child today?

"Well," I sighed happily. "Here's what happened..."

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"You look really great, Mi---Hannah," Jake said.

"I know," I replied. "You've said six times on the way over here." He looked away. "Not that I mind."

"So how about we make it seven?" he asked charmingly, flashing me a heart-melting smile. "You look great, amazing, fantastic and beautiful. As always."

"Eeep!" I squealed happily to myself. Could he be any more perfect?

Watch your step there, Miles, said a voice in my head. Don't you remember what happened last time?

And the voice sounded oddly a lot like Oliver.

Why was I letting him get to me? Why was I letting him fill me with doubt? Jake had changed. He had become a better person.

People don't change, the donut-like voice said, reappearing. You know you can do better than a guy who broke your heart. Twice.

Go away, stupid voice!

"There's something I want to talk to you about, Miley," Jake said in a low, serious voice. "Come with me." He took me by the hand and pulled me towards a secluded room, away from the party guests and the press.

"What's up, Jake?" I asked hopefully.

"I haven't been completely honest with you about why I came back," Jake replied, looking me in the eyes.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! Oliver was right! Oliver was right! He's still the same jerk he was six months ago! I am such an idiot!

"I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time I was in England," Jake continued.

Here it comes. Why didn't I listen to Oliver? I should have just trusted him! Jake got bored with all those British girls, and he's back to London, and he'll forget all about me for the next six months.

"Even before that," Jake went on. "When I was with Mikayla, all I could think about was you."

Did he really think I was going to buy all this? I knew he'd be gone before summer started. And I was not going to let him ruin my vacation.

"Ah, sweet nibblets. I know what you're going to say," I replied, putting my hands on my hips.

"Really?" Jake asked, surprised. "You know that I got offered a spin-off and that I'm moving back to California? And that I really want to get back together with you?"

"Bigbadblondplayersaywhat?" I said, my jaw dropping.

"I'll only take the job if you want me here," Jake said, taking my hands in his. "If you want to forget about me, just say the word and I'm gone."

I just stood there, my mouth hanging open, staring at him. "I really care about you, Miley," Jake continued. "And I really think we're ready this time around.

I. Could. Not. Believe. My. Ears. THIS WAS INSANE! I wanted to tell him a million times yes! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I wanted to tell him that I cared about him too, and that I wanted to be his girlfriend so bad! Everything I ever liked about him was seemed to have been amplified a hundred times, and all the things that had torn us apart were gone. I wanted to tell him that I was ready, that we were ready, to give it a real shot this time. But all I could do was stand there with my mouth hanging open, looking as stupid as a vegetarian at the Beef 'N' Waffle.

"Miley?" Jake said, waving his hand in front of my frozen face. "It's not that I mind here standing here feeling like an idiot after I just poured my heart and soul out to you, but you think you could say something? Anything?"

I was at a total loss of words. But as people always say, actions speak louder than words.

So I grabbed the collar of Jake Ryan's collar and planted one on his unsuspecting lips.

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"So that's what happened," I said, sighing again, after having shared the whole story (leaving out the moments of doubt, of course) with Lily. The other side of the conversation, however, was dead silent. "Lily?"

I heard some shuffling. "Oh, yeah...right," Lily said, her voice flat. "That's gr-great!"

"You don't sound so sure," I replied, frowning.

"I am," Lily said. "Really. If you're happy, I'm happy."

I hope she really meant it. Because if my own best friend wasn't sure, how could I be?

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Oliver is worse than a girl. He really, truly, honestly is.

Jake, Lily he and I had been sitting in my living for the past hour and a half, and for an entire ninety minutes, Oliver had been glaring at Jake through narrow eyes.

And if looks could kill, Jake would have died a long and painful death.

I can't even understand what his problem is. I get that he doesn't like Jake, but he should at least try to be nice to Jake for my sake, right?

Wrong.

"That was such a nice movie, wasn't it?" Jake said as the credits rolled, his arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah," Lily replied blandly.

"It was," I agreed.

"Grr," Oliver grunted. Like I said, worse than a girl.

"Well, I hate to break up the fun," Jake said. Letting go of me and getting up. "But I got to get up bright and early for my new job tomorrow." He winked at me.

"Don't let us keep you, now," Oliver said coldly. Lily flicked him in the head.

"I'll see you tomorrow night, right?" Jake asked me, taking my hand.

"Of course," I replied, then leaned in and gave Jake a light kiss on the lips. He let go of my hand and walked out the door.

"Thank God that's over," Oliver said, sighing heavily.

I shot him a dark stare.

"He meant the movie," Lily quickly added. "Right, Oliver?"

"Actually, I was talking about---" Lily elbowed him viciously in the ribs before he could finish his sentence. "Yeah," he said, rubbing his side. "I meant the movie. Nobody else. I mean, nothing else."

I really couldn't take this. I love Oliver...I mean as a friend, or a goldfish...but I wasn't going to stand for this. I know that he always kinda thought Jake was a bit...self-centered, but why couldn't he see that Jake had really changed?

"Okay, Oliver what's your problem?" I asked crossing my arms.

"What are you talking about?" Oliver replied stupidly.

"Oh, don't play stupid with me, you donut," I said, narrowing my eyes. "What's your problem with Jake?"

"Do you really want to know what my problem with that pretty boy is?"

"Oh look!" Lily yelled, turning on the TV and pointing at it. " 'Are You Dumber Than A Dog?' is on! Let's watch!"

"Yeah!" I said loudly to Oliver, ignoring Lily.

"Jake Ryan is a self-centered, egotistical, self-absorbed jerk who's favourite thing in the world is his own reflection!" Oliver said.

"Oh, maybe we can watch 'Barney Bitman'!" Lily said, trying to yell over us.

"Jake used to be like that!" I argued. "But he's changed!"

"People don't change," Oliver spat, pushing Lily over, who had been sitting between us, so that he could see me better. "He's just playing you!"

"Do you really think I'm that dumb?" I yelled. "Do you really think I wouldn't see that?"

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time," Oliver said angrily.

"Say what?!?" I yelled back.

"Hey guys how's it---" Jackson said, suddenly coming in from work. He stopped in his tracks and looked from me to Oliver. "Oh, I forgot, I have to..."

"Drive me to the dentist?" Lily suggested, getting up off the floor.

"Right!" Jackson replied, and he and Lily quickly fled out the door.

"So how long have you thought I was an idiot?" I spat, infuriated.

"I-I don't think you're an idiot," Oliver said, calming down. "It's just..."

"What?" I yelled.

"You can do so much better than him," Oliver said softly, now sitting very close to me.

"You really think so?" I asked, lowering my voice.

"Of course," Oliver replied, looking me in the eyes. "But you do have a tendency to fall for guys who are...let's just say, very special."

"Oh," I said, looking down. What was wrong with me? Why had I yelled at my best friend like that? I should have known that he'd always be on my side. Even if he was a major donut, he was my donut. And he'd always be. "I'm so sorry I yelled at you."

"Don't be," Oliver said, putting my hand on his arm. "I shouldn't have started on Jake like that. If you want to be with him, it's fine with me."

I looked up at him. "Really?"

"Well, honestly," Oliver replied. "No."

"I'm glad at least you're telling me the truth," I said smiling at him. I could have sworn I saw him blush.

"You know I always will," Oliver said. "But I don't want to see you get hurt again. You don't deserve that. And Jake Ryan really doesn't deserve you."

"Thanks, Oliver," I said, our eyes meeting. We both quickly looked away. It was like all of a sudden, I truly realized what an amazing friend Oliver was. I knew I could always count on him, no matter what. It was like I had never noticed all these wonderful things about him before; like the way he never lied to me, the way he his eyes sparkled every time they would meet mine...woah, what was up with that? Why, all of a sudden, were things so...real?