A/N: Long time I know. Just got back from a fun little trip though. Now here is the next chapter and longer.
"But I think we should tell her sometime soon." I heard my dad tell my mom.
"I'm not so sure, I know Miley would be pretty upset if she knew."
"We've hardly talked to her for years now and I think it's about time we actually sat down together. I mean I finally got some time away from the bar and you got a few days away from your place, so why not give it a try?" he said in a pleading tone.
The bar? What the hell?
"I suppose we could. But why did you have too leave her that note, Robbie Ray?" my mom wondered.
"Well excuse me if our daughter would be going to bed and wondering why her parents weren't back from work yet."
"Fine you're right, guess I just figured that being out this late might make her think we weren't working." my mom sounded rather stressed, but their voices were calm now.
"We were working our butts off, that's for sure." dad said.
"I know, the weekends are the busiest. I just hope we don't have to stay late again. We both have managed to avoid it for years, leaving the employees to work. But these places have gotten more popular that it just might keep happening." my mom sighed.
A bar. Well that's nice to know, my dad works at a bar. But what about mom? And how can we have a house like this? That's not the best job for a beach house.
"Which is why we should tell Miley, if our days grow later into the nights." dad said.
"You're probably right. I guess I've been over reacting. I suppose I'm just upset we've been ignoring her so much lately."
"We haven't been ignoring her darling, we just haven't had the time to talk. When we do talk, usually it's about school, but it should be about her life too." dad said.
"I know, we should ask Miley about her social life more. I do like to know how she's doing in school, so that's why I bring it up all the time, now I guess I would like to know more about Miley and not just school. Especially since she brought a friend over." mom said. That was nice to know she cared at least.
"I know and did you see the look on Miley's face when you stopped and asked about her friend?"
"Yes I did, thank you and I hate myself for doing that to her. Causing her to look so shocked, just cause I'm hardly there for her. Well like you said, we should talk to Miley, especially now that we've got a good few days off."
"And about our jobs right?" my dad reminded her.
"Yes, about our jobs too. You know as I think about it, I don't think she'll flip out, because you notice what Miley wears everyday right? As well as how she acts."
"I sure do. I bet she thinks we're too busy to notice, so that's why she keeps on doing it." my dad said.
Unbelievable. Everything I thought I did behind their backs didn't go unnoticed. They just kept leading me on.
"Alright, well we can talk with her tomorrow. I'm tired out from tonight." mom sighed.
"I can't blame you, from what I've seen, you're great at what you do." dad told her and it sounded like he was smiling.
"You don't mind the job I do, do you?" mom asked him quietly.
"Come on honey, do you have to ask me that every night? I don't mind at all." I heard a little movement and some brushes of clothing, I think they just hugged each other. "You're a great artist and I've got one of your tattoo's to prove it."
"That's great, how do you think I came to manage the store in the first place." mom chuckled. "And you're great at managing that bar as well. It's good that it's getting so popular." my mom told him, then I heard a small kiss. "Well I'm really tired now..."
That was more then enough info. I took a few quiet steps away from their door and then walked back downstairs and sat next to Lilly again. She looked over at me.
"So what'd you find out?" I heard Lilly ask, but I didn't answer. My brain was still overloaded with this job info. "Miles, you ok?"
I was staring off into space. "Oh god, I'm such an idiot Lilly." I turned to her.
"What are you talking about? And why are you calling yourself an idiot?"
"I have no idea. That's just it, I have no idea what to say about all the shit I just heard."
"Ok, well you're not an idiot, you're just in shock I guess. And I take it you found out what your parents do at work?"
"Hell yeah and it certainly isn't what I would see them doing. I mean they don't even look the part."
"And what part is that exactly?"
"Oh yeah, sorry Lil. Well first of all, my dad's a bartender. But not just any bartender, he's the manager. He manages a fuckin bar Lilly! It may not sound as bad as it seems, but they've been keeping that from me for years. Plus if that gets out, everyone is gonna blame things on my parents and think they raised me to act like this, like why I am the way I am and do what I want. Oh god..." I rubbed my temples in frustration and closed my eyes as I leaned my head back on the couch.
"Hey it's ok, it's ok Miles." Lilly put a hand on my arm as she spoke softly to me. "It hasn't gotten out so far, so why would it now? And does your mom do the same thing or something else?"
"Ha no, she works somewhere else. They agreed they were going to tell me all this tomorrow morning, cause they have a few days off. But damn, I can't even think about...I mean I don't wanna think about what...Ugh!" I ran a hand through my hair, then told Lilly. "She's a tattoo artist Lilly. A tattoo artist! The manager there as well. How the hell did they both become managers of these places? And what the hell am I supposed to say to that when they tell me? Ok I'm probably too dramatic about that, but I mean this is my mom and she's seeing...well who knows what, every day and tattooing a person who knows where. I never knew my mom was an artist and she chose this."
"Miley, Miley, take a breath and just relax for minute ok?" Lilly told me and rubbed my stiff shoulder, then it loosened up.
"You're right you're right, sorry it's just a bit overwhelming." I took a deep breath.
"Yeah I couldn't blame you, I mean that's a lot to take in. But don't suddenly worry about the word getting out, because it hasn't so far."
"That's true, thanks Lil." I whispered and kissed her gently. Then she broke apart after several seconds.
"Oh I gotta get home, but we'll talk more tomorrow K?"
"Yeah ok." I sighed and walked to the front door with her, "Oh wait, we forgot to exchange phone numbers." I remembered out loud, then we gave each other our phones and put our numbers in.
"Cool, see you later Miles." Lilly said and I gave her a goodbye kiss, then she left.
I turned around and walked over to the couch, plopping down on it with a loud thud, then I got lost in thought for a minute. Many different thoughts actually; my parents and what the hell am I supposed to say to them, their jobs, kids at school. No, Lilly said not to worry and I should keep it that way, I was just in a panicked state. But most importantly, I thought hard about Lilly... what were the two of us now? I'm sure we'd talk about that tomorrow, in fact that's the first thing I'm gonna bring up in order to get my mind off my parents. Just now they happened to walk downstairs as I thought of them.
"What the hell? I thought you guys were in bed?" Oops, shouldn't let my anger show.
"Now Miley, don't talk to your parents like that." my mom told me as both she and dad walked over and sat in some soft chairs just beside the couch. "And yes, we were about to be and so should you, but we decided to come talk to you about something since we heard Lilly leave just a few minutes ago."
Perfect, they decided to give me this crap late at night. Well I'll take it then, I sighed as I spoke. "Alright what did you wanna say?"
"Well we would like to tell you what our jobs are." dad told me, while looking at mom.
"After 3 years huh? Took you long enough, but I'm listening." Sarcasm can be a good thing, but you have to make sure it's the right situation and with the mood we were in, this wasn't the right situation.
"Miley would you please stop and listen to your father?" my mom told me sternly. I rolled my eyes and looked at him.
"I know its been a long time and we've been working so much. In fact a little too much and we didn't mean to hardly be able to talk to you. We wanted to know about school, but we realize know that your life is real important too, so we should ask about that more often. In fact your mom and I just got the next few days off of work, so maybe we can all spend some time together and catch up on things."
"Daddy, you forgot something important, you haven't told me what your jobs are yet. You know, the whole reason you guys came down here?" I told him. While sitting on the couch still, I had my arms folded and looked pretty pissed off. Playing them like this was easier then I thought, then again it worked well at the fact that I'm just plain mad.
"Oh yeah, I just thought I'd let you know that before you know what we do..." he looked at my mom before continuing. "Now Miley, don't take this the wrong way because this is all we could find at the time. Right now I'm-"
"Save it." I stood up and just lost it. "You're a fuckin bar manager and you're a fuckin tattoo shop manager!" I pointed to my mom and looked at her. "I didn't know you were an artist, why didn't you tell me?" They were completely silent, just giving me questioning looks. "Your damn door was open a little and I heard everything!"
My dad stood up, anger in his eyes. "Miley Ray! Don't talk back to us."
I didn't care. "Why didn't you guys tell me the fucking truth?" I threw my arms part way up in frustration. "It's almost midnight, I'm going to bed." with that last word I ran upstairs to my room, obviously leaving my parents speechless.
Once I was in my room I immediately slammed my door and started pacing back and forth a few times. I was so mad I could cry... but that isn't me... I don't cry. I never cry. I finally landed on a thought that just might work. Lilly said I'd never be alone and I believe her. So I went to the other side of my room and opened a door that lead outside. I also had a mini deck outside my room, then I closed the door behind me. I looked down at the ground beneath me, it wasn't that far of a jump. I climbed over the small railing and climbed down it, getting closer to the ground as much as I could and then let go. The landing wasn't as bad as I thought, but not muffled, so I quickly went on my way and away from my house. Lilly's house was just a few blocks from mine and luckily I know what it looks like since I dropped her off when we first met.
As I started walking at a fast pace, I noticed that besides the breeze, it was a nice night out for a walk. The dark night was lit for me by the moonlight, which seemed cool too. Within a few minutes I arrived at Lilly's house. I made my way around to the backyard and then text her.
Lil, are u asleep?
About a minute later I got her response.
Not anymore and I mean it this time. What's wrong?
Just turn your light on, I'm in your backyard.
Within a few seconds I saw her opening her window. "Miles what are you doing here? Are you ok?"
"Wow that was fast."
"Of course, cause you just text me at midnight saying you're at my house." Lilly said in a loud whisper. "Now would you answer me? Are you ok?"
"I-I'm not sure, I think so. I just got in a fight with my parents and really talked back. It's just complicated. I ran to my room and didn't know what to do, then thought of you and that you told me I'm never going to be alone."
"No you're not, I'll be right down. Just walk around to the front door." Then she shut her window and I walked to the front of the house.
Within a minute she walked outside and over to me. "Damn girl, you sure are fast." I gave her a small smile.
"Yeah well anytime you need me I'll be here, so don't worry." I glanced over her quick and it looked like she managed to put on some shoes, jeans and a jacket within the minute. She really was right, she'll always be here. "Oh and take this," She held out a light jacket for me, she was wearing one as well. "I remembered it was a little cold outside so I grabbed this extra one on my way out."
"That's so sweet, thanks Lil." I gave her a quick hug, then took the jacket and put it on. "I take it nobody heard you run out then?"
"Nope, I was pretty quiet about. Alright lets take a walk then, where do you wanna go?" she knew what I needed, I kinda liked the idea that she could tell I needed a walk, in order to blow off some steam that was building inside me.
"Um, I would say the beach but if my parents figure out I'm gone then that's the first place they'll look." my parents. Shit. My mind went and focused on them again and how I blew up at them. I felt a lump in my throat and tears wanting to spill. Though I held them back and just turned my head from side to side as if I were thinking and looking around. "Oh, how about we go to that little park by the school?"
"Sounds good, they've got some benches there."
"K lets go." I sniffed as quietly as I could and we started walking. It was about just a few minutes by car, so a bit longer on foot. Although I wanted to get there and just rest next to Lilly, so I picked up the pace.
I started talking as calm as possible. A conversation that would have Lilly talking mostly. "So, everything has been about me lately, what about you? What's your family like?"
There was a short pause for a moment for her to think. "Well I've got an older brother, he's older by about 4 years, and then my mom. My dad um...well he died when I was younger, about 10 years old and my mom hasn't married ever since then."
"Gosh Lil, I'm real sor-"
"Hey it's really ok. My brother and I get along real well and he's very protective, so in a way he fills that empty father position. He'll never replace it completely of course, but he's very good at keeping our family safe and the household calm, so he comes close. Oh he goes to the college close to us, but lives at home, so it's pretty nice to have him around."
"That's cool, it's a good thing you've got someone always there for you. Oh look here we are." I said, just as we were walking up to the park and then we both sat on a bench just outside of it. There was a soft glow of white light, coming from a tall street lamp just above the bench.
"You have someone here too, I'm here whenever, like now for instance." Lilly told me seriously.
I smiled a little. "Yeah sorry it's so late, I just needed to get out of the house you know."
"I know and don't worry about the time it's fine. So what's on your mind? Must be pretty big. It's not every day that I see the tough ones have a break down, like you."
Shit am I starting to cry? I'll play dumb. "Hm?"
"Miley it's ok, don't hold things in, everyone has to cry sometimes." Lilly told me softly.
So much for dumb. I touched a finger on my cheek and felt that it was wet. A tear had gone unnoticed by me, but not Lilly. After looking at my finger, I closed my eyes, leaned over and rested my head on Lilly's shoulder. Then relaxed completely and let the rest of my tears flow in silence. "Why..." I whispered, barely audible.
"Shh, don't talk until you're ready." Lilly whispered to me, stroking my hair in comfort.
Not even a half a minute later I began to sniff and my crying wasn't so silent anymore. I rubbed my eyes and started talking to slow things down. I hated it. "Ok, I'm fine, I'm fine. But, why did I have to act like such a bitch to my parents?" my voice sounded slightly chocked, but I tried to hide it.
"I'm sure you weren't a bitch, you were just caught off guard, it's some big news to take in. And no, you're not fine. Miles you gotta calm down first and just talk when you're ready." Lilly told me, which was true I wasn't ready. I could feel it and she could tell. It amazed me.
I took a few more deep breaths to calm down, then I could talk easier. I leaned up from Lilly's shoulder and looked at her, also trying to wipe my tears away quickly. "You don't get it, you didn't hear me yell back at them..." Lilly brought the sleeve of her jacket to my cheek and gently dried my cheek as I spoke. "...thanks...Well I yelled and swore at them and about their jobs. I-I don't have anything against what they do, I guess it's just shocking to find out that they work in those places."
Lilly kept deep eye contact with me. "Hey, it's just gonna need a little time and getting used to alright? I'm sure It'll all be fine in no time. You're strong, tough, you can get through anything and I'll be right next to you, so you won't have to go through it alone."
"Ok, thanks Lilly." That was all I could think of saying. All I wanted to do now was forget about this shit that just happened and get lost in Lilly's eyes and next thing was her lips. I captured them in a searing kiss and got lost with them, trying to escape everything else and only think of her. After a minute I broke it. "Lil I can't go, well I can, but I just don't wanna go home tonight. Can I stay at your place tonight?"
"Yeah no problem, but will you promise me one thing first?"
"What's that?" I sighed.
"Call your parents in the morning and let them know you're fine."
"Alright I will, but only cause it's you asking." I gave her a hug, then we got up and walked back to her house.
Once at her house, Lilly spoke up. "Ok I guess you can walk behind me and quietly, like I did before." Right after that was said, the light on her porch turned on. "Shit, Miley go hide." Lilly whispered. I ran to the side of her house, hiding, as well as listening to the conversation that followed. "Hey Ethan, what uh...what are you doing awake?" Lilly spoke nervously. Oh great, it's her brother. I don't mind meeting the guy, but not exactly in this situation.
A/N: I've got great stuff for up coming chapters so stick around and thanks so much for all those reviews!
