WARNING: LONG CHAPTER AHEAD! (It's a few hundred words over 5,000...) AUTHOR APOLOGIZES IF YOU DON'T LIKE LONG CHAPTERS...IF YOU DO, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE AND CONTINUE READING!
Two Years Gone
Chapter 9: You and Me Together
That night, I wasn't able to sleep, even with Todd holding me I knew that tomorrow was one of the most important days of my life. Todd and I could be killed if this went wrong. I wanted to turn Justin in, but in doing so I was threatening my own life. Was it worth it? 'Of course it is Miley, why are you asking yourself that?' I tossed and turned, tried to get some sleep but at 7, when my alarm normally goes off, I had 1 hour total of shuteye. I groaned and then turned off the alarm and got out of bed. To my surprise, Todd then got up with me.
"Babe, what are you doing?" I asked him.
"I'm going to be there with you today."
"If Justin sees you, the whole thing will be ruined."
"I'll get there right before your second period."
"Then why are you getting up now?"
"Is it really a bad thing that I want to get up at the same time as my girl?"
"No…"
"Then don't make a big deal out of it."
"This situation is a big deal Todd, we could die."
"What did I tell you? Stop worrying about it. Justin will be in jail today, he won't be able to harm you ever again.
"Can you leave? I need to get dressed."
"Of course I can and sorry for not being critical of the situation at hand." he said, walking around to my side of the bed.
"It's ok, I still love you."
"Love you too." he said, kissing me lightly and walking out of the room. (A/N: I just realized that they haven't said 'I love you' in like 3 chapters haha)
I slipped on a red and pink striped shirt and one of my miniskirts then went and knocked on Todd's door.
"Yeah." he yelled from inside.
"It's me babe."
"I'm still changing."
"Ok, ok, I'll go downstairs."
I went downstairs and started fixing French toast, our favorite breakfast. A few minutes later, Todd came down in the exact outfit I met him in.
"You remember this?" he said, coming over to hug me.
"Like it was yesterday… have I ever told you that you look really hot in that shirt?" I said, looking into his eyes.
"Every time. That's why I wear it."
"Ok just checking."
"Hey, Miles, quit staring at my eyes…you're creeping me out."
"But that shirt makes them so hot."
"I know…I'm irresistible."
"You're making me burn breakfast."
"Because I'm so hot?" he questioned, grabbing my waist.
"No, because your eyes distract me." I replied, pushing him off.
Grabbing my waist again, he whispered in my ear, "You know I won't let go unless you say I'm hot, right?"
"Ok, you're hot."
"I'm WHAT?" he yelled, acting like he couldn't hear.
"You're hot."
"Whose hot?"
"Todd."
"Who is?"
"My boyfriend."
"You're what boyfriend?"
"My hot, sexy, irresistible, boyfriend."
"Thank you for the sexy." he said, letting go.
"Anytime."
After 5 minutes, due to having to start the French toast again, we were able to eat.
"Thank you for making breakfast Miles."
"It was no biggie."
"You ready for today?"
"Don't remind me…"
"Ok then, let's rewind." he said, then making rewind noises.
"Thank you for making breakfast Miles."
"It was no biggie." I repeated, once again.
"Why do I feel like you've said that before?"
"Why are you acting so goofy today?"
"I want you to feel more relaxed for today."
"I told you not to remind me."
"Ok then, let's rewind." he said, making rewind sounds, again.
"Thank you for making breakfast Miles."
"It was no biggie."
"Why do I feel like you've said that before?"
"Why are you acting so goofy today?"
"Because I love to see you smile."
"Well, thank you. I think I need to go now though, but thank you for making me feel better. You're the best." I said, giving him a kiss.
"That is actually the reason I acted goofy."
"Liar…"
"Ok, you caught me…"
"GO ME!"
"Just get to school Miles; I'll see you after 2nd period."
"Ok babe. I love you.
"Love you too." then I walked out the door.
Not like I ever pay attention, but today during English I definitely heard the big ZERO! Thinking about Math made me quiver, but I was ready. It felt like the time went by so fast, the next thing I knew the bell was ringing and I was walking to 2nd period. Justin was already there.
"Oh look, you wore my favorite skirt today. Is today something important?" he said, kissing my cheek.
"One, don't kiss my cheek. Two, didn't know this was your favorite skirt or I wouldn't have worn it and three, today is nothing important."
"Why are you so snippety today, I might have to give you your punishment early." he said, tapping his right pocket, which I knew contained the knife. I was about to speak when, "the sub" began speaking.
"Hello everyone, my name is Ms. Johnson and your teacher had a doctor's appointment today so I will be subbing all day. Now, Miley…is there a Miley in here?"
"Yes," I said raising my hand, like I knew nothing was wrong.
"Miley, your teacher asked me to give you something?"
This was it, the big moment, I could stop this all right now, or Justin could be arrested. I knew what I had to do, but could I get the words out of my mouth…
"Is it about the last project I did?" I said, 'Looks like I could get them out. Pretty dern well if I say so myself.'
"Yes."
I walked up to her desk, she handed me the project and I walked back, just like that.
"Ok class, now we're going to learn about the concepts of infinity."
That's when he started; he grazed my thigh, then held onto it and gave it a light squeeze. His hand then slowly climbed its way up my skirt. I hope that this was enough for the police to come in right now, I was tired of this, I was going to have to wash my thigh again, but he was going to get what he deserved. The next thing I knew, there was a knock at the door, Ms. Johnson went and answered it.
"Yes, officer."
"May we come in?"
"Of course."
As soon as Justin saw the badge, he froze and moved his hand immediately. The two officers then walked in.
"Is there a Mr. Justin Crandall in here?"
"Yes. That's me." he said, his voice cracking.
"We need to take you to the office, someone's here for you."
"And I need an escort?"
"For this situation, yes."
"Ok," he said standing up, then bending down and whispering in my ear, "Guess your day is over, baby. See ya tomorrow. Tell Todd I say 'Hi'"
Those were the last words I heard Justin Crandall ever say. When I later talked to Todd, he said that at around 10:30 he was taken away in handcuffs outside the school and didn't glace once at his car but had a look of revenge on his face and I didn't see that face until three weeks later, at his trial.
I had been called to trial just 2 days after Justin's arrest and I was told by my lawyer that without my testimony, Justin could only be behind bars for up to 10 years, but with it, he could be there for life. I knew I had to testify; I needed the fear of his touch behind bars where I knew he could never harm me again. So I rehearsed with my lawyer questions and answers for the trial. The day finally came, 3 weeks and two days after his arrest.
"The people would like to call Miley Cyrus to the stand." my lawyer, Ashton Parker said.
I walked up to the podium, took my oath and sat in the chair, seeing Justin's glare out of my peripheral vision following me the entire way. Ashton then began.
"Please tell your relation to the defendant."
"I'm his ex girlfriend." I spoke into the microphone.
"And please tell us about your relationship."
"It was the summer before 10th grade, or right before we got out of school, I had liked him for a while and he asked me out. He was my first boyfriend so everything he did was something brand new. Justin always was caring and nice, never laid a hand on me. Our relationship was almost perfect."
"What being the imperfection?"
"He cheated on me."
"And what was it like being hurt at such an early age?"
"It was hard, painful, I mean it was my first breakup; they're usually hard."
"And so how did the charges alleged come to be?"
"It didn't start until after I met my current boyfriend, Todd."
"And when did this begin?"
"April 23rd."
"And how long after you began dating Todd that you began to worry about the defendant?"
"It was, ummm… I'd say a week after we began dating."
"What tipped you off?"
"Well, Justin knows the exact thing that get me mad, such as the nickname he used to call me 'Miles' and calling me 'baby', etc. So, he acted really sweet one day and then as soon as I told him my boyfriend's name, he told me 'just tell your boyfriend he has competition.' And that phrase made me start being wary of Justin."
"What events happened the day of April 23rd?"
"While walking to some period during the school day, I was pulled into a janitor's closet on the 2nd floor."
"And the defendant was the one who pulled you into the closet?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"What happened next?"
"A knife was put to my throat."
"Bring forth Exhibit A, the defendant's knife. What happened next Miley?"
"He began telling me that I needed to learn. I needed to learn about what would happen everyday in the future and also if I didn't listen, he threatened to kill my boyfriend."
"Do you know why this was provoked?"
"He said something about 'messing with him.' I'm not completely sure but maybe it was because I broke his heart. I really don't know, so don't quote me on that."
"What happened next?"
"He…he set his hand on my bare thigh, because I was wearing a skirt and slowly went through the steps he would take every school day after. When he placed his hand on my thigh, he gave it squeeze saying that this was my queue to keep quiet and that if I moved, Todd was dead. He then began…" that's when I started crying, this part always choked me up.
"Ms. Cyrus when you are ready, please continue." the judge interrupted. "Bailiff, please get some tissues for the lady."
Three minutes later I believed I was ready, "Ok, I'm think I'm ready."
"Continue." the judge said.
"That's when Justin began traveling up my skirt with his hand, he told me that this was to 'ruin me from the inside out' and forced me to stay with Todd, knowing that everything Todd did, would…remind me, remind me of…one second." I said, crying again, "Remind me of him, his touch, his voice, the pain and suffering associated with his actions. He also told me that if I didn't listen he would cut me and lifted the knife to my thigh slicing it ever so slightly, forcing it to bleed."
"Bring forth exhibit B, photo of knife wound. And Ms. Cyrus, did anyone know about these allegations?"
"No, I was afraid, afraid of what would happen. I never doubted that Justin could kill someone after that day, that first cut."
"Who did you first tell?"
"Todd, the day of my 18th birthday party."
"And why that day specifically?"
"Justin told me he was coming and that if I didn't let him, I would pay. Not wanting to know what would happen, I let him come. When he came, he gave me my birthday gift; Todd being right in front of my eyes as Justin slowly went up my leg."
"How did that feel?"
"Him going up my leg?"
"No, having to go through the pain of Todd not knowing what was happening under the table right in front of his eyes."
"It was utterly damaging. That's what made me crack. I can tell you that if Justin had never come that night, we wouldn't be sitting here right now. I could have made it, but that pushed me over the edge."
"Whose idea was it to go to the police?"
"Todd's."
"Why didn't you decide to go previously?"
"Justin said that the touching would only last until my graduation, I decided that for the sake of Todd's and maybe even my life, it would be best to just go through with the pain."
"If you could say something to the defendant, what would it be?"
"That he ruined my life, and that's what he wanted, so he can rot in his cell knowing that his life long dream came true. I'll never be able to…to…look at him the same; he destroyed my relationships, my future. He'll always be the Justin that I saw the day he cheated on me, someone who will always break my heart and until he's put behind bars, I don't know if I can fully live."
"He hurt you that badly?"
"Yes, sir. He tore my world up piece by piece, just like he had envisioned."
"That's all I have to say." Ashton told the judge, heading back to his seat.
"Ms. Campbell." the judge called, Justin's lawyer to question me.
"Miley, may I call you that?" she began.
"Yes, you may."
"Thank you, you say that Justin never laid a hand on you while you were dating."
"That is correct."
"Ok, how long have you been dating your current boyfriend?"
"2 years and almost 3 months."
"Where you aware of his past?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Bringing forth Exhibit C, a collage found in Todd's room."
"You searched his room?" I exclaimed.
"Oh, he didn't tell you?"
I glanced at the collage, girls faces posted all over the board.
"From our sources, these are all the girlfriends Todd has been with the past 2 years."
"That's not possible." I said, beginning to stutter, looking for Todd, who had left the room.
"But it is. For quick questioning, Ms. Melanie Brooks. Ms. Brooks, how long did you date Todd Lewis?"
"3 months, from mid October of last year to January of this year."
"Who broke off the relationship?"
"I did, I found out about Miley."
"Thank you Melanie.", turning back to me, "How do you feel about that Miley?"
"It…it's news." I said, trying to not break down.
"Would it make you feel better knowing that Justin set him up with her?"
"Not really…" I said, then starting to cry
"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?" Ashton exclaimed. "This has nothing to do with the crime the defendant in being accused of."
"I'm getting there."
"Then get there fast." the judge said.
"Yes mam. Well, I would like to say that the defendant has decided to change is plea to guilty."
"Why was this not discussed previous to your questioning?"
"I know why, to ruin my life even more." I spoke, tears now streaming down my cheeks.
"Ms. Cyrus, now that the defendant plea has been changed to guilty; the rest of your testimony isn't needed. You may leave the courtroom." Ashton came and escorted me out of the courtroom and there sitting with his head in his hands was the guy I now hated more than the one who had just pleaded guilty.
Walking straight past him, Todd began chasing after me, "Miley, Miley, let me explain."
I turned around screaming, "EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN! NO, TELL ME! WHEN DID THIS START? HOW LONG DID YOU LIE?"
"It started…after our two month anniversary."
"WHY? WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU HURT ME MORE?"
"I was scared."
"SCARED ABOUT WHAT, IF I WAS THE ONE? WAS THE FIRST GIRL NOT GOOD ENOUGH TODD, WAS SHE NOT THE GOOD ENOUGH SO YOU MOVED ON, YOU MOVED ON, YOU WENT TO SOMEONE ELSE! HOW CONVIENENT OF YOU BEING 3 HOURS AWAY!"
"I…I…"
"YEAH YOU SHOULD BE SPEECHLESS! YOU'RE MORE LIKE JUSTIN THEN I EVER THOUGHT. GO INTO THAT COURTROOM AND SIT NEXT TO MELANIE, SIT NEXT TO HER AND TELL HER ALL THE THINGS YOU LOVE, TELL HER HOW HER PICTURE DON'T DO HER JUSTICE, TELL HER THAT YOU'LL BUY HER A NEW DRESS, TELL HER THAT YOU LOVE HER, TELL HER THAT YOU WANT TO MARRY HER, THAT SHE'S YOUR FIRST GIRLFRIEND, YOUR FIRST 'I LOVE YOU', YOUR FIRST KISS, LIE TO HER FACE, LIKE YOU LIED TO MINE FOR 2 YEARS. BETTER YET GIVE HER THIS RING." I said, throwing it onto the ground, "TELL HER THAT I WISH YOU TWO LUCK, YOU DESERVE HER!" with that I walked away.
"Miley, Miley, please, please let me talk to you."
"TODD WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT JUST WAS? I GAVE YOU TIME TO SPEAK AND YOU JUST SAID 'I…I…'."
"Miley, I really need to talk to you."
"TODD, YOU HURT ME NOW MORE THAN JUSTIN EVER DID, EVER WILL, BECAUSE YOU LIED TO ME, FOR 2 YEARS, YOU WASTED 2 YEARS OF MY LIFE. YOU MADE ME FEEL THINGS I'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE, I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU. I GAVE YOU MY HEART, I TOLD YOU THINGS I HAVEN'T EVEN TOLD LESLIE AND YOU BROKE IT, BROKE MY HEART, BROKE MY WORLD. I CAN'T TRUST YOU ANYMORE. JUSTIN MIGHT HAVE AS WELL SHOT YOU; I SHOULD HAVE TOLD SOMEONE ALONG TIME AGO, I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH EITHER YOU OR JUSTIN."
Getting defensive, Todd raised his voice, "Never compare me with him again."
"What are you going to do Todd? Break up with me, because that ship has sailed."
"I need to talk to you, rationally, without you freaking out."
"How is that going to happen Todd, really how will that happen? You broke my heart; I can't look at you the same."
"Please give me a chance."
"Tell me one reason, tell me one good reason."
"Because I still love you, I made a mistake. You are the one I love, those other girls…"
"How many were there?"
"Three."
"Up until when?"
"I came back, that's why I came back, because after I dated them, I knew you were the one. My one and only."
"And it only took you three girls during our relationship to figure that out. I still haven't heard a good reason Todd."
"Because the last 3 months have been completely honest."
"Oh yeah, thanks for telling about the three girls when you got home."
"Miley, you aren't making this any easier."
"If you hadn't done anything, we'd be in a much simpler situation, wouldn't we?"
"Yes…"
"And I don't care about why you did it but what gave you the nerve to do that, you knew my parents were getting a divorce, you knew and you decided to stab one more knife through my heart?"
"No, that's not what I intended at all."
"That because you intended for me to never figure it out."
"No, I was going to tell you."
"When, our wedding night?"
"I was finding the right time."
"This wasn't your perfect setting, was it?"
"No."
"Still haven't heard a good reason."
"Miley, are you kidding me? Do you need me to get on my hands and knees and beg you take me back? Do you need me to skydive with an 'I love Miley' sign hanging from my parachute? Do you need me to get a tattoo? I'll do anything, Miley, you have no idea how much I didn't want you to find out this way."
"But it did Todd, this was how it was supposed to happen. It happened this way for a reason."
"Miley, I've told you. I can't lose you, I can't."
"Oh believe me, you lost me the moment Melanie spoke."
"Miley…"
"Goodbye Todd and don't come running after me this time."
Ashton followed me to the car and drove me home, me crying the entire time. I thanked Ashton for bringing me home and ran up to my room. It has now been 27 hours; no sleep, no food, no water, no Todd, but still tears. I haven't called anyone and dad's trip to Europe for 2 months couldn't have come at a better time. Alone, the way I was supposed to be the rest of my life. The door bell rang and I went down to get it, my mistake.
As I came downstairs, seeing who it was, I immediately turned around. Unfortunately, the key let him in.
"I'm not here to talk to you Miley, I heard you loud and clear yesterday. I'm getting my stuff from my, now your room." he said, tears running down his cheeks. I didn't respond.
He went upstairs and an hour later came back down.
"I'm leaving, see you around." and with that, he was out the door.
I never thought this would happen, that he would get his stuff and leave. I thought he would come, make everything better, Put me in his arms and never let go, but it was over, he just left. I ran back upstairs, my legs collapsing beneath my crying body before I hit the bed of my room, but if I had, I would have crushed what I was wanting to see, a letter and behind it clothes, his clothes, my favorite set of his clothes, the ones that I first met him, first knew he would always be mine.
Miley,
I'm sorry for leaving like I did, but I know that you need space right now. What I did wasn't and never will be ok with you or even me. What I did was wrong and you didn't deserve it. If you never forgive me, I'll completely understand. I ruined your trust for me, but the reason I'm writing this is to tell you that I'm ready to gain it back, start from scratch, tell you the truth. When I told you that I could wait for you, I wasn't lying; I'm waiting because Miley, I found my other heart. I found the piece of me that I was missing and I never wanted you to find out this way. I was going to tell you right after the trial, but I'm sure you don't believe me, this letter is probably pointless. You've already forgotten, moved on, I would have too, but I hope you can find a place in your heart to come see me. And Miley, here's the ring you threw at me, it belongs to you and whatever you do with it, is up to you, but once I give someone a gift, it's their gift for life. I still love you Miley. Please give me another chance.
Todd
The letter caused me to cry even more. Why did he tear me apart like this? Why did he cause my heart so much happiness and pain at the same time? Why did he hurt me so bad?
"What did I do to deserve this?" I questioned, shouting at nothing.
"You didn't deserve this, you're perfect." I heard a voice from behind me say.
"Why are you here?"
"I forgot something." Todd said.
I thought he was going to come over right then and give me a kiss, have everything melt away, but he walked over grabbed the cologne off of my dresser and walked out of the room.
"Todd, wait." I said, catching myself right after I said it, what had I just done.
"What Miley?" I asked, seeing my face, he started crying again.
"The letter."
"What about it?"
"I still love you." I said, tears falling harder then they ever had.
"Why?"
"Because I learned a few months ago that sometimes you hurt the people you love the most because you know that through the hurt there can only be more love. I realized that even though you hurt me, more than you could ever know, I could never live without you. Because I saw no pain through the love you gave me, you never hurt me until today."
"Miley, I hurt you for 2 years without you knowing."
"And that's just something I'll get over, over time. I'm giving you another chance Todd, and I think you should take it."
"Not taking it was never an option." he said, running over and giving me a hug. "I still don't understand why though?"
"You're my other heart Todd, you're my other heart and I think you forgot something."
"What? How did I…" but before he could finish, my lips hit his, not resisting for a second, he deepened the kiss, as I deepened as well. The kiss lasted no longer than 2 minutes and as we separated Todd spoke again, "I love you."
"Ummm…Todd, we're starting over, from scratch, you don't say I love you after the first kiss."
"Oh, well then." he said, "I'm sorry."
"Oh, don't be. You're just off on timing, if you didn't know you say I love you after the second kiss."
"Ok.." he said kissing me again. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Wiping the tears still in my eyes, he began wiping them away, "How long have you been crying?"
"27 hours, now 28. You?"
"About 2 seconds after you left to two seconds before us happened again, how long is that?"
"4 seconds shorter then I've been crying."
"You know, Miles, can I call you that?"
"I said that it only belonged to you, didn't I?"
"Yes."
"You just answered your own question."
"Ok, Miles. I never meant to hurt you."
"I know. I really don't want to talk about."
"Miley, I can't look at you another second without telling you the whole truth."
"Fine, but if we break up again, don't say that I didn't warn you."
"That won't happen and, it was Justin."
"I know."
"No, you don't. I…I…never had a chance to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"He, he, threatened me too."
"What are you talking about?"
"He told me that if I didn't date other people while I was gone, he would kill you, in front of my eyes."
"Todd…"
"No, let me finish."
"He made me come back, he told me to stay here at your house and get closer to you. Miley, he got to me first, the day after I got to my new house. He told me that he would hurt you, touch you, threaten you and said that if I did anything, you were dead. I was up against a wall; our lives were in each others hand. He said that if he was ever put on trial that he would get someone to testify, get you to break up with me. He controlled my life Miles; he knew what was going to happen, before it happened. He told me what to say and when to say it. The night of your party was pre-planned. He knew you would crack, knew you would tell me and that's exactly why he did it. He forced me to get you to tell the police and that's why I asked what you told to officer on the phone, I was supposed to tell him and Justin was infuriated; so Miley, after class that day, he was going to kill you. If you hadn't gone along with the plan, you'd be dead right now. I couldn't tell you or you would have died. He said I wasn't aloud to tell you until after the trial, when we'd already be broken up. He knew he was going to jail, his only plan was to break us apart, that's all he wanted. Miley…are you ok?"
"Why did I get so mad at you?"
"Because you didn't know."
"Every time we've broken up, we didn't need to."
"But now you know the truth."
"Are you sure it's the truth Todd?"
"You don't believe me?"
"I'm not sure. I've been hurt so much, I don't know."
"Ok, I understand. I need you to talk to someone." he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello…ok can you tell her the truth please…thank you." he then handed me the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello Miles."
"Justin…what did you do?"
"I set you both up, made you both hurt the other, without being able to tell the other, it was perfect, perfectly planned. I'll be in jail the rest of my life, but Miley, it was worth it because you two aren't together anymore, my job is done, and my life has been worth living."
"You're right, how could I forgive Todd for what he did?" I said, lying through my teeth knowing that if I told him the truth, he would come back, somehow, someway.
"Exactly Miles. He lied to you. He knew the entire time and you believed him."
"I believed him, thank you Justin, for showing me, showing me he wasn't the right guy.
"That's all I wanted, goodbye for good baby."
"Bye Justin." I said then hung up. "Ok, I believe you."
"Isn't he a psycho? Who could have thought of that plan?"
"Apparently Justin."
"He'll never hurt us again, baby girl, never again." he said holding me tight in his chest
"Thank you for not giving up on me."
"Well, Justin never heard the conversations we had at night or on dates or any of the times it was most important, the times we loved each other the most. I'm always on your side and I knew that those conversations would make you not give up on me either."
"And you were right. I think I'll regret ever saying this but Thank you Justin, wherever you are, for what you did."
"Why?"
"Because he actually brought me and you closer. I'm now certain that it will always be, now and for the rest of our lives, You and Me Together."
A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter! Please Review!