I Got Nerve

"Mama?" Miley asked, completely shocked, "Is it really you?"

"Yes'm, it's me, sweet pea."

"But...this...you're...you're 'sposed to be gone, Mama."

"Oh, sweets, I'm never gone." Susan Stewart smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind Miley's ear, "I'm always with you. Wherever you go, I am always with you baby girl."

The brunette smiled and wrapped her Mother in a hug, "I miss your hugs, Mama."

The woman nodded and kissed her daughter's forehead, "You need to wake up now, baby girl. Your family is worried 'bout you."

"Yes'm." The brunette said, nodding, "But wait...did Lil really kiss me? Or was I dreamin' that too?"

"Why don't you wake up and find out?"

Miley nodded and shut her eyes. Stirring slightly in her sleep, her eyes flickered open and she smiled at the sight of her family.

"Dang flabbit, I'm gonna kill that woman." Robbie said, "I'm sorry for sayin' so Lilly, but that lady can't goin' on hittin' people whenever she wants."

"But Miley hit my Mother." The blonde pointed out, "How is that different?"

"Because your Mama was insultin' Miley's family." The older cowboy pointed out, "Your Mama slapped Miles just 'cause she was tryna help ya. Does that seem fair to you?"

"No, I suppose not."

"Please don't try to get'er back, Daddy." The brunette pleaded, getting the attention of the family (and Lilly). They ran over to her and suffocated her with hugs.

"Sweet niblets, Miley Ray Stewart! You scared the hell outta me!" Robbie shouted, kissing his daughter on the forehead.

"I'm sorry, y'all." Miley apologized, raising herself up, "I didn't mean tuh startle anyone."

Lilly scooted closer to her and stared down at the brunette, her brown eyes full of tears. She leaned in and the cowgirl bit her lip, is she going to kiss me?

Instead, she wrapped her arms around the girl's stomach and pulled Miley into a tight hug, "Thank goodness you're okay!"

The cowgirl giggled, "You were real yellow-bellied 'bout me, weren't you?"

Lilly stared at her friend blankly, and the brunette rolled her eyes, "You were scared for me."

"Wha—? Pfft. Please, I was not... okay fine I was! Why is that such a bad thing?"

"It's not." Miley said, smiling lovingly up at the blonde, "I just think it's sweet, is all. You sure do care for me, huh?"

"Of course I do, you're my best friend! What a ridiculous question to ask, Miley."

"I don't think that's what she means." Jackson piped up from the back. Biting her lip, the brunette nodded and nudged the girl playfully. The blonde was frozen on the spot, not sure what to say.

"It's alright, missy." She reassured, "You can deny it all you want, but I know you. I know that look."

"L-look?"

"Yup. It's that same look Jackson gave to Luanne's best friend."

"Betty Sue…" He shook his head, "What a piece'a art she is, eh Miley?"

"Not disagreeing but you still ain't allowed to go anywhere with that girl! She's dangerous, she is."

The cowboy shook his head and then Miley turned back around, "Point bein', you like me. I ain't the pushy type, so you can deny it all you want. But you girl, are crushin' on me."

"I am not!"

"Yea, you are." Jackson smirked, "I can tell too. This is just like the time Miles had her first crush on a girl."

"You people are being absolutely preposterous! I am in no way interested in Miley...romantically."

"Then whyd'ya kiss 'er?"

"Wait, yer sayin' that was real? Not a dream?" Miley reached up and touched her tingling lips, "Yes'm, you like me."

"I told you I didn't!"

"Then whyd'ya kiss 'er?" Jackson repeated, crossing his arms.

"B-B-Because I was concerned about her."

Jackson and Miley laughed simultaneously at the pitiful excuse because who in their right mind would kiss someone because they were concerned?

"It's okay, kid." The brunette said, flashing a smile, "I ain't gon' rush ya. Just keep believin' what you wanna, but you like me." She teased, poking the blonde's shoulder.

"I do not! What a ridiculous, preposterous, ludicrous thing to say! I shall be going now, and I hope you get well soon Miley."

"Will do, Lil." The brunette confirmed, hugging her best friend goodbye, "Wan' go ridin' tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot. My Mother has organized a last-minute family gathering that I cannot get out of. I apologize, Miley." The blonde bit her lip, "Unless...you'd like to come with me?"

"Nah, it's okay Lil." The cowgirl reassured, "I think I've had 'nuff of that girl for the day. You go 'head, I'll talk to you later."

"Very well." The blonde said, a frown on her face, "I am sorry for what my Mother did to you, and I don't blame you in the slightest for being afraid of her."

"Miley? Afraid?" Jackson scoffed, "Miles isn't 'fraid of anythin', Lil." He explained, "She just holds grudges."

"Darn tootin'." The brunette answered, earning a laugh from the blonde. A smirk snuck its way up on Miley's face, "Hope ya have fun with yer uptight Mama, Lil."

The blonde laughed again and waved goodbye before exiting the house and walking the rest of the way to her own estate, where her Mother was waiting for her.

"Hello, Mother." Lilly greeted politely, dipping into a curtsy. She waited for a response, but all she saw was a disgusted grimace on Heather's face.

"You smell like fresh manure." The woman said rudely, "Come, wash it off. We cannot have you smelling like that when our guests arrive."

"Guests?" The blonde asks, "I thought this was just a simple family gathering?"

"Ladies do not think." She spat, "I have arranged for a couple of investors from the wealthy part of America to come over here and offer your Father a deal."

"Why?"

"Are you questioning my reasons, Lillian?" Heather scolded, "How rude. Real ladies do not ask questions but simply do what they are told."

"You are trying to move us out of town, aren't you?" The blonde frowned, "Does Father even know you are doing this?"

"No, and you need to stop asking questions, Lillian. It is quite rude, and I have taught you better than this. These ruffians must be rubbing you."

"Why must you be doing this?"

"Real ladies don't…"

"Why are you doing this?" She shouted, interrupting her Mother.

"Lillian! How dare you interrupt me! And shout at me, no less! Ladies don't..."

"Answer my question, Mother! Why would you do such a ludicrous thing like forcing Father out of a business opportunity he so obviously enjoys? Have your selfish desires clouded your mind, Mother?"

"Why are you so upset about the thought of leaving, darling? I thought you despised being around these...well I don't even know what they are."

"They're people, Mother. And you need to start treating them as such." She defended, "No one is more surprised than me that I actually enjoy being here. Maybe if you opened your heart to the people here, you'd start to appreciate the change of scenery." Lilly shook her head in defeat, "And what you did to Miley today? That was beyond rude. You insulted her Mother right in front of her, which was quite inappropriate."

"I don't understand what the issue is, Lillian."

"No, of course you don't." Lilly shook her head, "Miley's Mother is dead."

Heather's eyes went wide in surprise, dead? Was her daughter being serious right now?

"I won't be taking any part in this family meeting tonight. Do what you wish, but you will not be getting any help from me." Twirling on her heel, she walked out the door, leaving Heather to her own thoughts.

Dead.

Miley's Mother was dead.

Heather Truscott had insulted many people in her life, but she never expected one of them to be her daughter.

A tear slid down the woman's face as she watched her daughter exit the house and walk her way into town.

She could tell how much her daughter cared for her cowgirl friend, and indeed, she had let her selfish thoughts cloud her judgment.

As much as she loved the thought of being back in New York City, living in the tallest mansion in the whole state, there was only one thing that mattered more.

Her daughter's happiness.