CHAPTER 16

((I'm back! Sorry I can't update as much during the week as I do on the weekends…but that's for obvious reasons…and I for one take school seriously…here is the next chapter…right now school is getting out…they missed that last few months…they'll make them up don't worry…here it comes…the next chapter…XOXO, CHRISTINE))

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Yeah
That's the way it is
You're bringing on the Heartache

Gypsy, sittin' lookin' pretty
A broken rose and laughin' eyes
You're a mystery
Always runnin' wild
Like a child without a home
You're always searchin'
Searchin for a feelin'
But it's easy come and easy go

Oh, I'm sorry but it's true
You're bringin' on the heartache
Takin all the best of me
Oh, can't you see?
You got the best of me
Whoa, can't you see?

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Jake was released from Denver a week later, after he was deemed healthy. He still had no memory and was having problems remembering Miley. He had made some progress, though. He could remember her name starts with an M. It hopefully wouldn't be too long before he could remember her full name. They all flew on the same flight back to Malibu. News reporters were everywhere around the airport, trying to get statements. Jake was confused. At age twelve, he was famous, but he didn't have paparazzi following his every step.

"But why are they here?" he kept asking.

"Say nothing, Jake," his mother warned him. Miley, Lily, Oliver, Jackson, and Robbie Ray walked silently behind them. Miley acting as Hannah Montana would be traumatically confusing for Jake.

Since school was now out for the summer, Jake didn't have to worry about facing all the other kids at school. Instead, they all tried to peer through his windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the miracle. Thrice times, his mother had to phone the police to get stalking people off their property, and those wouldn't be the only and last times.

Miley spent day after day with him, desperately trying to jog his memory. He hadn't shown any sign of improvement, except that he now remember Miley's name, and he remembered that she was his friend. Lily and Oliver were beginning to become familiar too, but Miley was the one who stuck out most in his brain. She was the one who was with him almost twenty-four hours a day.

Mr. Ryan was still in the rehabilitation hospital as they were exercising his spine. It was comforting to Mrs. Ryan to be able to leave the house and visit him without leaving Jake alone. Miley was always with him. Usually, she would have been angry and jealous, but Miley's attempts to bring him back into the world of memory were far better than any of hers. Jake remembered her.

"So, Jake, do you want to go to the beach, today?" Miley asked him. "You can go incognito to avoid other people harassing you."

"Why would I need a disguise?" Jake wondered, confused. "It's not like I'm that famous."

"Believe me," Miley replied, "it would be a good idea."

"If you say so. Sure, let's go."

Miley lent Jake Oliver's wig and gave him a pair of black sunglasses. She led him down to the beach to the normal spot they always used to go. "Anything come to mind?" she asked.

"Sorry," Jake apologized, "but no. I just wish I could remember, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Miley replied, sadly. "Come on, let's go get something to eat."

Miley had never noticed the particular details of the beach, the painting on the walls, and the colors of the tables. She never noticed the pattern of the palm trees, but now, sitting here in the midst of a man in need of a memory jog, she noticed everything and everyone. What if she woke up tomorrow morning not remembering a thing? How would she feel? She'd feel scared and alone, like no one could ever help her. That's how Jake must feel. Miley was trying so hard, but he could see her frustration, and that's what was causing him to incessantly apologize to her. She had to hide it. She had to hide her frustration with Jake.

"It's okay, Jake, really, I know how hard it must be for you," she said. "Don't worry. I will always be there for you." She was hoping he would say something back. Something along the lines of, I love you or something like that.

"Look, Miley, it's been really nice that you've tried to help me," Jake started, "but I just don't know what I feel right now. I mean I like you as like a best friend. You're always there for me, but I just don't know if I like as something more. I mean I know I did, but I just don't know. I'm so confused. It'd be really nice if you could just…not hint at something more than really good friendship right now. Maybe later, but right now I'm too vulnerable, and I haven't sorted out my feelings yet."

Miley began to tear up as he said this. She nodded, trying not to cry, failing miserably. "I understand," she replied, confirming. She burst into tears.

"Look, Miley, I'm sorry," he reached out toward her hand, wanting to grab it.

"It's okay Jake, really," she sobbed, as she stood up from her chair. "I have to go."

"Is it me?" he asked, "Am I pushing you away?"

"I love you, Jake," she declared, running away.

((that's all folks…at least for this chapter…hahaha…I am not done, yet…how long do you think I should continue for??? Please include REALISTIC answers in a review…yes I know it was short…deal with it…XOXO, CHRISTINE))