I've decided to add the epilogue at the bottom of this. I couldn't think of a way to start this, but when I finally decided what to do in the next installment of the series, it all played out in my head. So, enjoy!
Jake sighed as he watched the video playing on his computer. His friends heard and stood behind him, watching the video as well.
It wasn't too long until it zoomed in on Miley. She glared slightly at the computer and Jake laughed. That just reminded him of how far he'd come since school. So much for that.
"You haven't told her yet?" Jared asked disappointedly.
"I'm waiting until after her concert tonight," Jake explained, closing his laptop. "I don't want her all depressed for her final show."
"Good luck." Jason patted his back consolingly as the three boys left their room.
It was Hannah's final concert on her tour, and the guys were opening. Jake had saved his best songs for last. The reason for which he would tell her later. Their first concert in Rome (and technically their first concert EVER) they'd done Baby It's You, That Girl, and Shangri La. The second one they sang Best Day of my Life, Feelin You, and Right Where You Want Me. So tonight, that left Pop Princess, more than appropriate for a final concert, Juliet, She's No You, and Beautiful Soul. She'd mentioned on their date that that was her favorite song of his.
The guys were forced to share a dressing room, and space was cramped. It took nearly ten extra minutes to get dressed. They all had AE clothes on, just to show American pride (and since they missed Fourth of July).
Jake had on a sky blue tee with Am Eagle printed in a distressed fashion across the chest and side, as well as an eagle under the word. A midnight black button front shirt was over that, the top three buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up a quarter way, and a gray blazer topped that. His jeans were a medium blue that faded to light. And he wore, of course, black and white Converse sneakers.
Jason's out fit was a yellow tee with a gray eagle across the chest and some white writing behind it. He had on a white, long-sleeved Henley with gray stripes under the tee, and medium blue jeans. He had on gray runaround sneakers, and a leather four leaf clover necklace was around his neck.
Jared wore a white tee with a black eagle on the lower left side over a plain black, long-sleeved polo, and light blue, sanded jeans. His shoes were a mix of Jake's and Jason's. Black runarounds.
"Well, don't you guys look spiffy," Miley commented when the guys came out, Lilly nodding her head in agreement next to her.
"We wanted to go out in style," Jake proclaimed, popping the collar of his black shirt. Miley barely held back a laugh.
The Gladiators were called to the stage a few minutes later.
--
As soon as her concert was over and she came out of her dressing room, Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the crew.
"What's up?" she asked quizzically.
"Let's go for a walk," he offered. She shrugged and let him lead her to the door.
They walked along the sidewalk in hats and sunglasses, though it was ten at night, hand in hand, quietly chatting and not making their appearance known. Miley gasped when she saw where he'd taken them.
In front of them sat one of the most beautiful pieces of art ever created. The Trevi Fountain. She hadn't actually had time to visit it, what with a tour to rap up. She looked up at Jake and gave him one of the biggest grins he'd ever seen on her.
"I walked by here earlier and realized it was close to the concert hall," he explained as she walked over to the fountain to admire it further.
"Wow, it's so beautiful." There were lights lit up from the water, making the marble appear to be gold. She pulled out her phone and took a picture, since it was the only camera she'd brought.
"It's prettier now that you're here," he remarked, hoping to sound extremely corny. She just smiled and laughed slightly. She had placed her sunglasses on the brim of her hat, and Jake had his hanging from the collar of his tee shirt.
He reached out and gently tugged her hand. He sat down on the edge of the fountain, and she followed, a little confused. "So, what's up?" she asked, her tourist moment over.
"Uh, well, I have something I need to tell you, and I'm not sure how you're gonna take it," he admitted, scratching the back of his head the way he always did when he got nervous.
"What?" She sounded concerned, and she extended her free hand, taking the one behind his head. He smiled at her thoughtfulness.
"Well, yesterday, Randy called us into his room." She nodded, completely lost. "And uh, well, he told us that the director of Teen Gladiators called, and well, they're doing a sequel."
"That's great!" she stated, obviously not catching on.
"It's in Egypt," he added, sighing.
"Oh. Well, when do you leave?" she asked, trying not to sound disappointed.
"Tomorrow. We have a flight around the same time as yours." They sat in silence for a while. "So, what are we gonna do?" Jake asked, turning to face her again.
"Well, long distance relationships usually don't work out," she noted pointedly. He nodded, fully expecting that. "I'm willing to risk it," she finished, staring at him for a reaction. His head shot back up, a surprised, happy grin on his face. She matched it, a little bit more sadly.
"Really?!" She nodded her head, smiling a bit shyly. "I was hoping so. I have something for you, and it's really cheesy," he explained, reaching his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulling out a necklace case.
Miley's excited smile was immediately replaced by a look of utter confusion when she opened it and saw a simple delicate chain with a small blue key attached to the end of it.
"Uh, Jake, what is it?" she asked, trying not to sound ungrateful, but finding it hard to be grateful for something she had no clue as to what it was. "A keychain?" she tried uncertainly.
"No, look. Ya see that heart?" He pointed to a delicately engraved heart at the top of the key.
She squinted hard. "Yeah. Is there writing in it?" she asked, noticing three words on top of eachother.
"Mmhmm, it says Leslie Jacob Ryan," he explained. Looking even harder she noticed that.
"Your first name is Leslie?" she asked, turning a shocked look on him.
"Not the point." He flipped the key over, and Miley noticed more writing.
"Property of Miley Ray Stewart…" That's when it all clicked. She gasped slightly, once again facing Jake. He looked up into her surprise-filled eyes. "The key to your heart?" she asked. He nodded. "You're right, that is really cheesy," she agreed, hoping to keep a steady face.
He turned away, hurt. She almost felt bad. "But it's also really, REALLY sweet," she added and he turned back to her, a boyish grin slapped on his lips.
"Really?" he teased.
She laughed at him. "Really," she responded in the same manor. She looked down at the box. "Well, are you gonna put it on?" she asked expectantly.
"You don't know how to put a necklace on by yourself?"
"Every girl knows how. We only ask cause it's supposed to be a romantic gesture," she explained, his ignorance getting on her nerves.
"Aw haven't I been romantic enough?" He pretended to pout.
She crossed her arms and fake-glared at him. He sighed, still continuing their charade. He unclasped the necklace and Miley leaned forward, brushing her wig over her shoulder after he had the chain around her neck. He clipped it closed and she let him fix her wig.
She bit her lip, debating on whether or not she should go through with her thank you idea. She shrugged, concluding that she'd let her instincts worry about it. She leaned forward and pressed her mouth onto his.
His hands went to her sides, and hers went to his hair. And she didn't think about anything. She opened her mouth, only to find Jake's tongue getting ready to ask what hers was about to.
She inched herself closer to him, and his arms met around her back. Their mouths moved over eachother, neither wanting to pull back and face their reality. When they did finally stop, Miley was the first to speak.
"The saying is, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do', not the French," she reminded, trying to sound mad. Only she knew that she was being hypocritical. He just smirked, and she smiled back shyly.
--
(No here's the epilogue)
--
The next morning was gloomy. Lilly and Miley slowly packed up their suitcases. That is, until Robby Ray came in and told them they needed to be checked out in ten minutes.
They took taxis to the airport, Miley staring silently out the window. If only she hadn't been so stubborn, she and Jake would've had more time together. She absently fingered the blue metal key around her neck.
Jake, in the taxi behind them, was matching her actions… minus the key thing. When they arrived at the airport, the couple exchanged sad smiles. Even Robby Ray felt sad for them.
Everyone checked through security procedures, Jason holding everyone up due to his cross necklace. He hadn't realized the cross was made of metal. The whole group had a good laugh at that-after they were done being mad at waiting.
Miley had to take hers off too, but it was the first thing back on. Even before her shoes!
The 'Hannah' party didn't even need to be at their gate for another half hour. They'd all just come to see off the Gladiators. Only Jason and Jared would be going, though. Jared's character had been sent away to college, seeing as Jared was actually going to college.
Miley and Jake sat, secluded, from everyone else, her head lying on his shoulder. He played with her hand, every so often bringing it up to kiss it. Her dad pretended not to notice by watching the news. Something about Tyra Banks pretending to be Obama's wife, or something.
"Flight 469 to Cairo now boarding." The announcement came like an assassin. Jason said his goodbyes first, and boarded the plane, patting Jake's back like a supportive brother.
Jake held Miley's hands in his. The brunette turned to her group of friends/family with a pleading look on her face.
"Hey, anyone else as hungry as I am?" Robby asked, pointing behind him to the Burger King. Everyone-even Roxy-agreed, complaining of rumbling stomachs, and they all left. Miley turned back to Jake.
"Promise to call everyday?"
"Every single chance I get," he assured. She smiled, but her eyes were still sad. He reached up with one and cupped her cheek. Softly, he ran his thumb over her cheek bone, wiping away a stray tear that had fallen. She sniffled slightly, nuzzling her face into his hand.
He pulled her face up to his, both of their eyes closing as their lips met. He easily opened her mouth. Her hands were on his arms, rubbing them slightly. The hand that wasn't on her face was at her side, running up and down it gently.
"Final call for flight 469 to Cairo, Egypt." It was as if she'd spoken directly to them. Jake reluctantly pulled back. He walked backwards to his carry-on bag.
After handing the woman his ticket, he stood at the gate, turning to look at Miley. Everyone had joined her again. He waved, and they all returned it.
And that was it. They all ran to the window and watched the plane zip down the run way and into the air. Miley wiped away another tear as her friends and family hugged her tight. They all grabbed up their bags and walked towards their own gate.
--
They'd been in the air two hours, and Jason slept soundly next to me. I looked down at the notebook on my tray table and continued to write, my creative juices pumping through like they hadn't in weeks.
After finishing up the chorus (which was as far as he'd gotten), he stared out the window letting it play back in his head.
If ya see my girl
Just tell her I miss her smile
Tell her I'm counting the minutes
Gonna see her in a little while
Oh cause
I know when she
Hooked on to me
She's the one thing
That I could never live without
Oh, oh, oh, whoa
And tell her I love her
Oh, yeah, just tell her I love her
So, there it is. The FINAL ending! After nearly 13 months it's OVER! But, I've decided on something! The reason for my particular wording in the AN at the top. I'm not starting the sequel right away. I'm gonna make a PREQUEL! EEK! The trailer will be up for it by tomorrow afternoon, so go check it out when you can. And Cole, that was it! ;)
Luv Wendy! :)(:
PS, I wrote the last half of this without using my mouse AT ALL! It died and there weren't any batteries around, so I had to open up Word with the keyboard, get to the document with the keyboard, and finish this whole thing up… WITH MY KEYBOARD! But now I have batteries and I'm gonna go post this! Hasta!