Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
(Miley's P.O.V.)
Lilly hasn't been the same since that night. Now she's hostile, she won't let anybody help her with anything, and she won't speak again. It's hard, when we go to help her she pushes us away, sometimes literally. She won't even eat anything we make for her, the only things she'll eat are things she microwaves her self.
Dad's tried to get her to eat other things but she refuses, we don't know why. She works on walking, frequently using the pool. I've tried to help her but she either pushes me away, or just gets out of the pool. It hurts, I miss my girlfriend, heck I just miss the friend she use to be, she's not the Lilly I knew. No, I think my Lilly died in that nightmare, and the girl that was left behind is nothing but a shell of what she use to be. She stays completely to herself, sometimes even going so far as to lock her self in the bathroom for hours. We've tried everything to get through to her, but nothing works. She's even stopped staying in my room, choosing instead to sleep in her own room.
Oliver's come over a couple of times since the incident, but after several attempts to break Lilly out of her shell, he gave up. He hasn't come back again. I've talked to him a couple of times over the phone, but that's it. He can't stand to see Lilly like this, so he told me he'd come over again when and if she ever went back to her old self.
Right now Dad's on the phone with a therapist. We can't get Lilly in a car anymore, so we have to have anybody who's suppose to help her, come here. Well dad just hung up the phone and from what I can tell, the therapist agreed to come to the house.
" What did she say dad?" Dad looked over at me from his place on the couch.
" She said she'd be here in thirty minutes." I got up from the table, walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. He looked tired.
" Well that's good. Do you think she can help Lilly?" I knew it was unlikely, but I still hoped.
" I'm not sure honey, I'm not sure." He patted my knee, and got up to make us a quick lunch before the doctor arrived. About thirty minutes later, we heard a knock on the door. Dad quickly went to answer it, while I went up to get Lilly.
When I got back downstairs I saw an older woman who was rather plump, she looked kind enough, I vaguely felt guilty setting Lilly loose on her. I highly doubt this woman can do anything for Lilly, but I'm quite sure Lilly can upset ' her '. It hardly seemed fair. After a few seconds, of pondering this womans fate, I introduced myself.
" Hi I'm Miley Stewart. Lilly should be down in just a minute." The doctor smiled at me and introduced herself in return.
" Well Hi there Miley, I'm Dr. Hathaway. I'm looking forward to meeting Lilly, I hear she's quite a handful." The woman smiled and extended her hand in greeting, which I shook happily.
" It's nice to meet you Dr. Hathaway, and yes Lilly is rather unsocial these days." I had just finished my sentence when I heard a rather loud, obnoxious thumping coming from the staircase. Lilly was most definitely ticked off. When she's mad she always stomps loudly.
" Ahh that must be young Lillian." The doctor chuckled a little, obviously aware of Lilly's foul mood.
" Yes ma'am, but I must warn you, she absolutely hates being called Lillian." The woman smiled and laughed.
" Thanks for the warning, I'll keep that in mind. I don't think I want to make her any madder than she already is." The doctor smiled. Just then our little ray of sunshine entered the room, clearly displaying her foul mood.
" Hello, I'm Dr. Hathaway, and you must be Lilly." The woman smiled and walked to where Lilly was standing. Lilly gave her a look that said Duh.
" Let's go sit on the couch. Shall we ?" Lilly nodded in a bored manner and followed Dr. Hathaway to the couch, and sat down between my dad and the doctor. Dad patted Lilly's knee a got up before she could react to his display of kindness.
" Dr. Hathaway, Miley, Lilly would you like something to drink?" Dad knew Lilly wouldn't accept anything but he ask anyway just to be polite. I just shook my head no, and as anticipated so did Lilly.
" Yes Mr. Stewart, that would be lovely." The doctor was a very polite and well mannered woman. Lilly rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, while slouching back into the couch. The doctor noticed Lilly's display of disgust, but didn't mention anything.
" Good. We have Pepsi, Orange Juice, Root Beer, Milk and Dr. Pepper." Dad also noticed Lilly's reaction, but chose to ignore it.
" Pepsi, would be delightful." The doctor smiled.
" Alright, one Pepsi coming right up." Dad said over his shoulder, as he made his way to the kitchen. He returned a couple minutes later caring Dr. Hathaway's drink and a bowl of potato chips. " Alright, here's your Pepsi. I also brought some potato chips in case you or Lilly get hungry." Dad set the things down in front of her.
" Thank you." Dr. Hathaway smiled up at my Dad.
" Your Welcome. We're just going to leave you two alone now." Dad smiled back and motioned for me to follow him, as he left the room. I nodded and left as well.
The Dr. stayed for about an hour, attempting to reach Lilly, but to no avail. Dad and I re-entered the room when we heard the doctor call out to us.
" Well Ma'am, how'd it go?" Dad sounded doubtful, he was sure it wouldn't work, and unfortunately he was right.
" I couldn't get anything out of her." Dr. Hathaway sounded rather sad, as she looked first at my father then at Lilly, who was still slouched back against the couch looking disinterested. The doctor shook her head sadly.
" What can we do?" There was a defeated tone to my dads voice.
" To be honest sir. I would leave her alone, don't speak to her for a couple of days." The doctor sounded sure of herself, but dad looked doubtful.
" Why? I can't see how ignoring her could possibly help." They were now standing at the door, far enough away from the couch that Lilly couldn't hear there conversation.
" I think it might help a bit. You see if I'm correct she doesn't really want to be alone, but she doesn't want anybody to know that. In fact I'm not so sure she knows. She just thinks she wants to be alone." The doctor said all this rather fast, it was kind of difficult to understand.
" Um, I'm not sure I understand." Dad looked, and sounded utterly confused.
" Well you see, she thinks she doesn't need you, because she's been doing fine on her own, but the truth is she's never really been on her own. Somebody has always been there for her, if and when she really needs it. She doesn't know what it's like to really be on her own. The way I see it, if you leave her alone for a couple of days, she'll realize that she doesn't like it, and that she really does need help." The doctor looked proud of herself.
" As strange as it sounds, that actually makes sense." Dad sounded shocked.
" I hope it works. It was nice meeting you, and the girls." The doctor was now opening the door and getting ready to step out.
" It was nice meeting you too, and thanks for the help." Dad extended his hand to the woman and she shook it.
" Yes it was nice meeting you." I extended my hand as well, and she shook mine also.
" Thank you. Don't forget, try not to speak too Lilly. The woman smiled and stepped outside.
" We'll remember." Dad smiled and waved at her, before closing the door and turning to me.
" Ok Miles remember, don't speak to her." Dad gave me a tired smile.
" I won't dad." I returned his smile and gave him a quick hug.
The rest of the day went by slowly, it was weird not speaking to Lilly. At first she didn't notice, but after awhile I noticed her watching us curiously. When it came time to go to bed, she went right to her own room, as usual. Dad went to bed shortly after Lilly. I however stayed up a little later, watching t.v. with Jackson. We stayed silent for the most part, except for the occasional chuckle when something funny happened on the t.v., so I was shocked when Jackson spoke.
" Miles?" Jackson sounded somber.
" Yes?" I didn't mean to sound disinterested. I just didn't have the energy to change the sound of my voice. Jackson turned to face me, and stared at me for a moment, before replying.
" Everything, will work out, you'll see. Lilly's strong she'll pull through, don't worry." He used a kind reassuring tone, while patting my knee.
" I know. Thank you." I leaned in to give him a hug. Normally he would of pulled away, but lately he had really grown up, and shown a more adult side to his personality. I liked this side of him, it was comforting.
" Your welcome. Now I'm tired, so I'm going to go to bed. You look tired too Miles, why don't you try and get some sleep." Jackson pulled away from the hug and got up.
" Yeah your right, I am tired." I got up also, and followed my brother up stairs.
" Good night Miles. I love you." He opened the door to his room. I was a little shocked at his statement, he barley ever said he loved me.
" Night. Love you too." I smiled at him, and we both entered our respective rooms.
The next few days, went by without much happening. None of us spoke to Lilly, in hopes the doctor was right. So far there's no change in Lilly's attitude except she looks more confused. Last night she went outside to get some fresh air. When she went to come back in she tripped and fell, landing hard on the cement. It took all the strength I had not to help her, but I knew I couldn't, all she would do is push me away.
After a few minutes of sitting on the ground, she finally got up and made her way in side. Her knee was bleeding and she was limping slightly. I could tell Dad was having a hard time not doing anything also, but he knew as well as I did, that it would do no good. Lilly got herself cleaned up and went to bed.
Right now were all sitting on the couch watching t.v., Dad's on my left, Jackson's on my right and Lilly's sitting on the other side of him. I've caught Lilly looking at us several times. She looks curious and lonely. Normally that wouldn't be a good thing but in this case it might be, it could mean the doctor was right. I sure hope so. I'm not sure how much longer I can take ignoring her.
Lilly just got up and headed for the stairs. We all watched her leave in silence, unsure of what to say or do. Dad and Jackson both looked at me then back at the stairs where Lilly had just disappeared.
" Miles, I think it's time we talk to her." Dad sounded concerned.
" I agree." Jackson's voice carried the same concern.
" Yeah, let's go." I was worried too. Lilly looked really upset when she left. I got up and headed for the stairs, like Lilly had just moments ago. Dad and Jackson followed closely behind.
When we got to the stairs dad headed up first, followed by me, then Jackson. The minute we got up to the second floor, our ears were assaulted by the sound of loud uncontrollable crying. We immediately rushed to Lilly's room. Dad turned to us when we got there.
" Guys why don't you let me talk to her first." Dad looked serious, so Jackson and I both nodded in agreement. Dad opened the door and walked in, Jackson and I both stayed in the doorway, watching and listening from a distance. I wanted to be right beside my dad, but I knew Lilly needed a parent more than a girlfriend right now, and Dad was definitely good at being a parent.
" Hey Kiddo, what's the matter?" Dad sat down on the bed beside Lilly and spoke in a soothing tone. Lilly didn't respond, she just kept crying.
" Awww come here, it's all right." He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Lilly tried to push him away, but he didn't budge. When she saw it wasn't working she started sobbing even harder and punched at his chest, she was hitting pretty hard, but he didn't seem to mind, he just kept holding her.
" Shh it's ok." He started rocking her, and talking in a calming voice. She just kept beating on his chest, after a few minutes of this, she started yelling.
" L-LET... ME... G-GO." Jackson and I were both shocked when she spoke or rather yelled. Dad however didn't seem phased. She was still hitting him and sobbing, but she seemed to be weaker.
" Not a chance kiddo. I love you too much." Dad was starting to cry a little. Not because he was physically hurt, but because Lilly was upset.
" Pl-Please?" She was talking quieter now and she wasn't hitting as hard. Dad just shook his head and kept rocking her. After a few minutes she stopped hitting him altogether, and leaned in to him, eventually hugging back and burying her face in his shoulder. " P-Ple-Please... d-don't... l-leave me." She was still crying, but she didn't sound angry any more, just scared.
" I won't I promise." Dad kissed the top of her head.
" Y-You... s-sure?" Lilly still sounded fearful.
" Yes honey I'm sure. We'll always be here for you, but if you shut us out, we can't help you."
" I k-know. I... th-thought... if... I... lear-learned... to... d-do... th-things on... m-my... o-own... I... c-cou-could... s-stop n-needing... a-and... lo-loving... y-you... g-guys, a-and it... woul-wouldn't... h-hurt... if... I l-lost y-you, b-but... I... w-was... wr-wrong! wh-when... y-you...st-stopped...t-talking...to...m-me...I... d-di-didn't... k-know... wh-what... to...do." Lilly was still sobbing and holding on to my dad for dear life.
" Well you don't have to worry about that, we're not going anywhere. I love you, Jackson loves you, and Miley loves you. Your like a second daughter to me, a second sister to Jackson and Miley's your girlfriend. We all love you. Don't ever doubt that." Dad motioned for Jackson and I to come over. When we got to them, we both wrapped our arms around them. Lilly pulled away from us, after a couple of minutes.
" Th-Thanks... g-guys... I... l-love...y-you, a-and... I-I'm... s-sorry." Lilly gave us a small smile.
" It's ok kiddo. Now it's getting late. It's time for bed." Dad gave her a comforting smile as he got up to leave.
" Yeah don't worry about it Lils, and I love you too, dad's right you are like a second sister to me, and I don't like to see you hurt. Now I'm going to hit the hay, see ya tomorrow." Jackson smiled and ruffled her hair, as he to got up and left. Lilly giggled a bit and looked at me.
" No worries honey, like they said, I love you, and I want what's best for you. Now I'm going to bed too, it's late." I leaned in and gave her a quick hug, before I got up and headed for the door. I turned around in the doorway and looked at Lilly, she looked sad.
" Lils?"
" Y-Yeah?" Her voice was shaky.
" You coming?" I smiled at her, hoping the answer was yes.
" Re-Really?" She sounded hopeful. I nodded. seeing that I didn't mind her sleeping in my room again, she quickly got up and ran over to where I was standing. I chuckled and walked behind her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder. She giggled and leaned back into me.
" Walk." I whispered in her ear. She giggled again and did as I ask. We slowly and carefully made our way to my room, with my arms still wrapped securely around her waist.
" I... m-missed... th-this." Lilly spoke in a hushed tone.
" Me too honey. Me too." I kissed the side of her cheek. We were finally at the door of my room.