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CHAPTER THREE

Half Hearted Apologies and Best Friends In Love

As soon as my dad came to the realization that I had asked an entirely inappropriate question, I'd been sent to my room. Lilly had excused herself quietly, not wanting to be with me while I was both angry and in deep trouble. After the Canter's left, about an hour after the horrifying incident, both Dad and Jackson stormed into my room without so much as a single knock.

"What the hell was that about, Miles?" Dad demanded, crossing his arms. His hair didn't even look its usual perfect self. He was beyond angry. Jackson glanced at Dad, then imitated him by crossing his own arms.

"Miley! That's my girlfriend and my girlfriend's father. Now they're going to think I have a spoiled brat for a sister!" Jackson yelled. Dad nodded in agreement with Jackson, something I was unfamiliar with. In fact, this was the first time that I could remember when Dad was completely on Jackson's side of the argument. It was the first time I couldn't blame him.

"What's going on with you lately? I just don't know what's going on in that head anymore!" Dad ranted. His voice slowed and he sat down beside me. I scooted away, afraid that he'd slap me or something. Jackson was still glaring at me angrily, but Dad had settled down a little. "I really wish your mother had left an instruction guide or something."

"Well, she didn't. Look, I don't want to talk about it. I know I shouldn't have blurted that out like that. I know that I should have been more considerate of Mr. Canter's feelings. I was just in a really, really bad mood. I'm a teenage girl. You have to expect it once in awhile," I told them, trying to laugh.

"It's ok, Miley. It really is. You're going to have to go with Jackson to the Canter's house tomorrow, though. You're going to have to apologize to Mr. Canter. And you're grounded for a week. That includes anything and everything having to do with Hannah," Dad decided. I could whine, but I knew it was pretty fair.

I was dreading school the next morning. Lately, Lilly and Oliver had been completely leaving me out of their conversations. Lately, it had all been about their families and the shows they watched and Oliver's hair. Apparently, Lilly had just realized how full of body it was. Oliver had just realized how attracted he was to Lilly. He told me that a week before, but I didn't dare say anything to Lilly. I wasn't about to betray Oliver's secret. Plus, I didn't want to become the third wheel to their relationship.

I imagined it now. First, my best friends would hold hands. They would be shy in front of me and even to themselves at first, but that would pass and soon enough, they'd start kissing in the hallways. A teacher would give them a stern look and a warning and they'd giggle. I'd be alone. It'd be after a football game in our junior year that my best friends would sleep together. I could see it now. We'd all be sitting there, rooting for the team. Afterwards, they would give each other looks of longing and I would excuse myself. Lilly would tell me later about the love they would make on the football field. I would still be a virgin.

It almost brought tears to my eyes, thinking of it like that. I shook the thoughts from my head, then glanced back and forth from Lilly to Oliver. They were looking at each other. Oliver was blushing, but I wasn't about to say a word. The thoughts alone were about to kill me. Saying something, even a joke, would make the pain so much worse.

"Miley, you haven't said a word all morning," Lilly noticed, twirling a braid. "What happened after I left last night?"

"What happened last night? Did I miss something when you two ditched me?" Oliver demanded. He asked both of us, but he wanted Lilly to answer. I could almost tell.

"Miley asked Jackson's new girlfriend's father where his wife was. I think she's dead or something. Good going, Miles," Lilly explained. I put my head in my hands. My dad wondered what was going on in my head. I wondered if he'd understand if he spent all his time around two friends who were bound to marry and have children.

"Miley, you can be such a bitch," Oliver joked. Lilly laughed and nodded her head. She had to agree with every single word that came out of his mouth. I remembered a time that didn't seem so long ago that she argued with everything he said. Sometimes she even told him not to speak at all. I missed those days more than anyone could even imagine.

"Yeah, I'm a terrible person," I admitted, "I'm gonna go to class now. Me and Rico can have a nice, before class chat about whatever we learned yesterday. You guys make sure you don't reproduce right here in the hallway."

With that, I dramatically threw my bag over my shoulder and headed through the crowded hallway and into class. Sure enough, Rico was preparing his pencils and books for a class that wouldn't start for another fifteen minutes.

"You know, Rico," I began. He didn't even look up, but I knew he was listening. "I'm thinking me and you could end up becoming very good friends."

"That's what you think, babe."