Only a few chapters to go, thankfully. I'm working as hard and fast as I can. Just as a reminder: This is written with no thought towards timelines and such. I know there are errors in some of the chapters, I just don't mind them. I don't own Hawaii or Hannah Montana. I wish.

Only one more chapter or so.

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Morning light blistered through the barely parted curtains. Miley blinked, the backs of her eyelids burning unpleasantly. She sat up and rubbed a fist over her eyes, knocking sleepy-seeds free. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly rested. A groan from beside her reminded Miley of the previous night's activities – a blush flared against her cheeks. It continued down the length of her body which, to Miley's growing embarrassment, was still nude.

Lilly rolled over slightly and the sheet slid down her torso. Miley gazed affectionately at the expanse of skin now revealed. She hated how inexperienced she was – Lilly deserved better than her fumblings. But over all, she was glad that she had tried her hardest all the way to the end. And besides, she reasoned with a small smile, she had years to master the art. And next time, she'd be just a little bit better.

Careful not to rouse Lilly, she rolled off the bed and hurried to the bathroom. She showered off quickly and redressed in her Hannah Montana clothing. Teeth brushed and breath fresh, she knocked quickly on conjoined door. Mr. Montana answered it, fingering his moustache.

"Ready to go?"

Miley shushed him quickly, "Shh, she's asleep."

Robby nodded and lowered his volume, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Miley thought a moment, "I'll meet you in the hall. I just want to jot a note down for Lilly."

Robby flashed a thumb's up and closed the door. Miley hurried to the nightstand and uncapped a nearby pen and jotted down a few thoughts on the hotel's complimentary pad of paper.

When Lilly woke up roughly an hour later she smiled, expecting to find Miley knocked out beside her. As she grew aware of her surroundings, she noticed that Miley was quite absent. Grumbling slightly, Lilly glanced at the digital clock; it all made sense after that. Miley did have a c.d. signing to go to. Her eyes fell on the note.

Lil –

Sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up, but I hope you slept well. Take your cell with you when you go out so I can find you later. I reserved a surfboard for you at the hotel's rental shack. You can pick it up whenever you want. It's under your real name, just in case they ask for identification. If you're thirsty or hungry, just order and put it on the tab, kay? I should be done around three.

Love,

Miley

Lilly yawned, stretching her arms above her head. Scratching her neck idly, she strolled to the bathroom and proceeded to take a long, hot shower. As the warm water caroused down her body, she took a few moments to think back to the night before. Granted, it wasn't perfect. But boy… Lilly blushed at the thought.

Once she was done shampooing her hair, she paused under the stream of water, letting her face get a jet-clean. She had to admit, though, Miley could have done terribly and Lilly wouldn't have minded a smidgeon. After all, she reasoned, it wasn't like either of them had any experience. Rinsing her hair out, she conditioned and soaped without much thought but a goofy smile on her face.

When she was dry, she pulled on a bikini and board shorts. She tucked her cell phone and the room key into a small hand bag and hurried to the elevator. When she was back in the lobby, she found the main information desk where a concierge pointed her in the right direction to find the rental shack.

Stepping out into the fresh salt air brought a wide grin to her lips. With a bounce in her step she tumbled through the hot sand to the wooden shack near the life guard station. She fell into the counter in her hurry and bowed her head as she panted madly. Several moments later, she gazed up.

"Aloha."

"Eep." Lilly found herself nose to nose with an extremely good looking young man. He was a few inches taller than she was with wind-tossed black hair. His shirt was a dull blue color with the words "Surf Shack" printed neatly on the front.

"Eep? I don't think we carry those here." He laughed, running a hand through his ear length black hair.

"Ipe…" Taking a deep breath, Lilly tried again, "I'm here. For a surf board."

"You surf?" He questioned.

At first she didn't answer – she was too busy staring at his startling green eyes. "Yeah."

"Where are you from?"

"Malibu, California," she managed. Mentally, she chided herself angrily. She had a great girlfriend. A loving, great girlfriend. And she just had to be completely smitten with the first island boy she met.

"That's tight." He extended a hand for her to shake, "I'm David Stone."

"Lilly Truscott." She shook it hesitantly.

"Listen, I get off in like five minutes. Wait for me?"

She nodded mutely, eyes trained on his friendly smile. He handed her surfboard over the counter and she accepted it. As she headed down the strip of beach, she paused and whacked herself in the forehead with the flat of her palm.

"Smooth going, Truscott." Grumbling, she sat down and waited for David to come out.

A few minutes passed with her mental berating – David appeared at her side with a surfboard of his own. He had shed his t-shirt and Lilly practically drooled over his well-toned abs.

"Stop it," she hissed quietly. What was her problem? She couldn't figure it out. She loved Miley, didn't she? Didn't she?

"Huh?" He cocked his head in confusion.

"Nothing." She shook her head.

They headed out onto the water and Lilly found herself having a great time despite her nagging thoughts. And as noon approached, she found herself agreeing to have lunch with David.

Lilly was extremely uncomfortable. Was she cheating on Miley by going to lunch with a hot guy? And he was interesting. He had a lot of the same interests she did. It was different with him; with David they talked about surfing, movies, books, etc… Lilly hated that she was comparing him to Miley, but he just had other things to offer her. Miley was great, Lilly would never argue otherwise, but she was very much a girl.

"David… I've had a great time, but…" She started as they returned to the beach.

He reached for her hand, "You've got a boyfriend back home?"

She jerked her hand away slightly, "Almost."

A little hurt, he grabbed her arm and turned her so that she was facing him, "Lilly."

She refused to meet his eyes. Miley's face kept flashing in the back of her mind. "Dave, you're a great guy, really."

He leaned over and planted a kiss on her. Lilly struggled, bracing her hands against his shoulders. She pushed him away roughly after a few seconds. He stared at her, looking for something in her eyes. "Sorry, I'm not normally that forward, but Lil… your boyfriend would never find out. It's a vacation fling."

"Dave, my girlfriend is on the island with me." She made sure he got the point by smacking him. He clutched his cheek and sighed. She really was a hot chick. Storming away, Lilly turned her surfboard into the rental shack and returned to the hotel room. She was fuming mad.

She understood that he liked her, but that gave him no right to do that to her. And especially with Miley so nearby. It didn't help, she realized, that the kiss wasn't exactly as disgusting as she would have hoped. Flopping on the bed, she glanced to the clock. 3:30. Miley should be back soon.

Almost as if it were preplanned, the door swung open and Hannah Montana stumbled in. She smiled at Lilly, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Lilly gazed up at her and tried to smile. They stared at each other for a moment.

Finally Lilly had to break the silence. "Miley, I have to tell you something."

"I saw." Miley blurted out.

"Saw?"

"You and… that boy…"

Lilly ducked her head, "I pushed him away. Did you see that?"

"No." Miley admitted slowly. "You did?"

"Yes!" Lilly exclaimed. She pulled a pitiful face, "Miles, please listen to me?"

Miley nodded unwillingly. She was still almost shell shocked.

"Ok, so this morning I got up and went down to the rental place and he was working there. And he went surfing with me which lead to him inviting me to lunch, and you were busy and I didn't think he'd actually try anything with me…"

Miley relaxed slightly, "That's all?"

"If it makes you feel any better, I was thinking about you and how bad I felt for going with him… I was miserable." Lilly sniffed dramatically, trying to play down the moment. "Am I forgiven?"

Miley nodded, "I was just scared…"

"Scared?" Lilly questioned. She opened her arms, inviting Miley for a hug. Miley slid into her embrace without a word. Lilly rubbed Miley's arms patiently, waiting for Miley to open up.

"Was I that bad? That you had to find someone else?" Miley whispered.

"No!" Lilly exclaimed. "I mean, neither of us has, y'know, done it before. So I would never expect you to be perfect. We both know how bad I'll be at first."

Miley chuckled, "Pretty bad?"

Lilly looked ruffled, "I was just trying to make you feel better. You know I'll be amazing for you."

Miley tilted her face up for a kiss, which Lilly willingly gave. Lilly felt that the world was right again and that David could never measure up to what she already had. As evening rolled around, Lilly was increasingly curious. Would Miley initiate something? Or could she? Would Miley respond?

The two girls were piled onto one bed, watching television. Miley had talked Robby into paying for a movie, so they were currently engrossed in watching Sleepy Hallow. Lilly decided it was time to make a move. She wriggled slightly, making sure to brush her chest on Miley as she resituated. Miley barely noticed.

Not discouraged in the slightest, Lilly slipped her fingers beneath Miley's chin and turned Miley's face towards hers. Capturing Miley's lips in a searing kiss, Lilly sent her hands to Miley's body. It was her turn to be slightly awkward, but she at least knew what actions were acceptable from the night before.

Soon enough their clothes were in a pile on the floor.

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"Thanks so much!" Lilly bounced in her plane seat. That short vacation was more than she could ever repay Miley for.

"Lil, you're scaring the flight attendant." Miley giggled.

Lilly leaned her head on Miley's shoulder, "I can't help that I have the world's best girlfriend."

Miley kissed the top of Lilly's head, "Well, neither can I."

Robby hid a soft smile behind his hand. It did his heart good to see his little girl so happy. He watched them covertly as the plane took off, noticing how they always seemed to have one part of their bodies touching, whether it be holding hands or pressing their thighs together. Eventually, though, he closed his eyes, and dozed off. When he woke again, the plane was circling the Los Angeles International Airport.

"Daddy, can Lilly come back to the house for a little while?" Miley begged quietly.

"Please, Mr. S." Lilly joined in the act. "I know it's a school night, but I won't stay late."

"Well, how can I say no to that?" He joked. "Alright, Lil, if your parents don't mind."

She squealed happily and resumed bouncing in her seat. Nothing in the world could bring her down. Nothing. When they arrived at the Stewart house, though, that nothing suddenly became a someone.

"Howdy, y'all!"