Aaaaah. Only one more chapter after this! -Alyssa tears up-

Haha. Not really. I'm actually really relieved that this story is almost finished. Then I don't have to update anymore. But, anyway. Enjoy the penultimate chapter.

"Lils, did you know I'm a secret agent?" Jackson grinned, karate chopping the air. "Like my sweet moves?"

Lilly giggled. "Of course, sensei. Pretty sweet."

"You're impressed, no?"

"Hmm," Lilly pretended to deliberate. "I don't know about that one." Jackson's pouted comically.

"It's alright," he said after a moment. "I didn't drag you away from your oh-so-brilliant friends to show off my ninja powers."

"Oh?" Lilly raised an eyebrow. They were in the courtyard of the school now. "And what did you take me for?"

"To talk, of course," Jackson said matter-of-factly. He sat down on a patch of grass and motioned for Lilly to join him.

"What happened to your 'no freshman/junior communication rule?" Lilly asked.

"You're a special freshman," Jackson replied honestly. His voice and eyes softened. "Lilly, I need to tell you something...It's kind of important."

"Umm...ok..."

"First off," he began, "I would like to commend you on your privacy skills. You kept that yellow notebook of yours very secret while I was trying to get it."

"You were trying to get my life journal?" Lilly asked in surprise. " Jackson!"

Jackson held up a hand. "In my defense, you yourself are a very secretive person. You made me curious." His eyes softened again. "That's one of the things I love about you."

Lilly's heart stopped when he said the word 'love'.

" Jackson, I-"

"No," he interrupted. "Let me finish. Lils, you're cute and smart and funny...I know you're my sister's best friend...but I can't help but feel like..." his breath caught and he had to pause for a moment. "I can't help but think that maybe...just maybe...you're, you know...the one."

Lilly had to process what he said for a moment before she could react. Jackson loved her. Moreover, he thought that she could be the one. Her breath increased as she understood the meaning of what he'd just said.

Jackson, however, didn't seem to understand her silence.

"Well...if you don't feel the same..." his voice was etched with sadness. "I'll just...go then..." He stood up, and it took Lilly a minute to process what he meant.

" Jackson!" she called after him. "Wait, please."

She jumped up and caught his arm.

"Jackson," she steadied her voice and looked at him with as much intensity as she could put into her stare so he would know that she was serious. "I love you. Ok? I am completely in love with you. I have been for awhile."

Jackson lifted his hand to her face and cupped her cheek.

"Please tell me you're serious," he whispered.

She looked into his eyes for a second before making a decision. She leaned up and kissed him gently. After she pulled back, his eyes remained closed.

"Does that convince you?" she asked softly. He snaked his arms around her waist and drew her up against his body. He kissed her forehead.

"Yes...will you be my girlfriend?"

Lilly laughed. "Of course, loser." She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

It wasn't until a couple of people near them started applauding that they realized that they were still in the middle of school.

-----LJ-MO-LJ-MO-LJ-MO-LJ-MO-----

"You're what?" Miley asked.

"Umm...in love with you?" Oliver's brown eyes shone nervously.

"I...wow...umm..." Miley blushed brightly. "Are you sure Oliver?" Oliver frowned.

"What do you mean? I'm pretty sure..."

"Well...are you sure it's not just..." Miley looked around quickly to make sure that they were alone. "Are you sure that it's not just the fact that I'm Hannah? You used to think you were in love with her too..."

"No Miles," Oliver smiled. "I'm sure it's not that. I think you're much cooler than Hannah."

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult," Miley laughed.

"Compliment. Trust me on that one," Oliver replied. "I like Miley much better...but the question now is...how do you feel?"

Miley sighed. "I don't know, to be honest. I mean, up until a month ago, I thought I loved Jake. But I don't. I don't even like him as a friend anymore. And then I started feeling differently about you...I'm confused."

"So," Oliver frowned, "what should we do?"

"I think that we should, you know, go out a few times," Miley suggested. "See how we deal with changing our relationship before we try anything drastic."

Oliver agreed, slightly disappointed. This wasn't quite how he had expected this to go.

"Oliver," Miley said softly, motioning for him to come closer. "Don't be disappointed. I know that I could fall in love with you. In fact," she looked down, embarrassed, "I think that I've already started. We just need to...I don't know. Take it kind of slow."

Oliver smiled happily. "I can do that. Except...let me try something?"

Miley nodded, wondering what was going to happen. Oliver nodded and walked closer to Miley, slipping an arm around her. His eyes searched hers for permission to continue. She nodded. Oliver leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to hers. Miley's eyes slid closed. She was amazed at the feel of being with Oliver. She never expected to feel the electricity that she could feel coursing through her veins when he kissed her. It felt right to be with him, she knew that.

"Alright," Oliver said dreamily as he pulled away from her. "I can take it slow. Now I just have something to look forward to when you make your decision."

"You'll wait for me right?" Miley asked worriedly. "I swear it won't take long for me to adjust...but you'll wait, won't you?"

"Miley," Oliver said gently, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I would wait forever. I love you remember?"

"Thank you Ollie," Miley smiled, blushing again. "For everything."