Chapter Two:

Enjoying the View

MILEY

Oliver's words swam around in my head.

When are you gonna tell her? It's Lilly. Your best friend. The way you look at her. You can tell her anything, right?

Right…?

I sat alone on the beach, waiting for some kind of sign or omen. I didn't really believe in stuff like that, but I really just needed some guidance. I had never felt this way about anybody. I knew there was only one person I could talk. One person that, no matter how much he annoyed me, would always love me and be there for me.

Jackson.

I quickly ran back to my house, not wanting the chance of anyone hearing this conversation. My dad wasn't home yet, but I still went into my room, closing the door behind me.

I picked up my phone and speed dialed him, hoping he wasn't in class. Jackson had moved out a few years ago to go live in a college dorm and I barely even saw him anymore.

"Hey, Miles," he said.

"Hey. I…I have a problem. A really, really big problem," I said, hating the way my voice sounded: sad, confused, tiny, like I was a little kid.

"What's up?"

"I…I'm in love with Lilly. Like, truly, honestly, in love with her. I can't stop thinking about her. When she's around, it takes all my willpower to not kiss her. I've never felt this way about anybody, especially not a…a girl! And it's…Lilly," I noticed how tenderly I said her name, "my best friend. I want her to know but…I'm scared to tell her…I don't what to do. I…I need your help, Jackson…"

He said nothing.

"Jackson?" I said after a moment. "You there?"

"Y-yeah…I was just…um…taking all of that in. Wow, Miles. That's um…wow."

I laughed. "Don't I know it. Oliver said I should tell her. He said that since Lilly was my best friend, she would understand, even if she doesn't feel the same way."

"Well, I think you should take Oliver's advice." Jackson said, his voice calm and soothing. "If you don't tell her, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"I know," I said softly. "I know." After a pause, I said, "Thanks, Jackson. I love you."

"Love you, too, Miles. Take care of yourself," he said, hanging up.

I closed my cell phone and sighed, flopping back onto my bed.

Scenarios of what could happen ran through my head and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

There she was, standing just a few inches away from me. Her golden blonde hair blew slightly in the breeze, her deep blue eyes bright.

"What did you want to talk about, Miley?" Lilly asked me, smiling.

"I…I just wanted to say…um…" I was about to say it when I saw a familiar figure standing behind Lilly.

Lilly glanced behind her and said, "Oh, don't worry! That's just John! Oh, didn't I tell you that we're back together?"

"Um…no," I said softly.

"Well, we are!" Lilly said, giggling. "Anyways! You wanted to say something?"

"Um…nah. Forget it. I can just tell you later." I said, trying to smile, trying to fight back tears.

"Okay! See you later!" Lilly turned away from me and into John's arms. "Oh, John, I love you," I heard her say, hugging him tighter as she did so.

He said nothing back to her, just glanced at his cell phone.

"Lilly! Lilly! He doesn't love you! He's not the right one for you! Lilly, Lilly! Lilly, I!" The last two words wouldn't come. I was screaming and yelling, but nothing was coming out.

Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, no! No, no, no!

"Lilly!" I said out loud.

"Yeah, Miles?" she replied.

I jerked awake, my eyes flying open.

"Lilly, you're…in my room?" I said slowly, inwardly praying that I hadn't said anything else out loud.

"Yeah, silly! We planned to go to the beach around this time, remember? The door was open, so I…came in. Ah! Sorry! That was rude of me, wasn't it? I'm really sorry!" Lilly said, her face starting to turn pink.

I laughed. "No, silly, you're my best friend! You're always welcome!"

There was a slight pause, with me biting my lip and lying on my bed and Lilly looking at me, her face going back to normal.

"Lills…I…I can tell you anything, right?" I asked, not really even hearing myself. The blood pumped through me and my heart was beating so loudly I would've sworn Lilly could hear it.

"Of course."

I looked at her. All my confidence, all my strength, all my everything vanished as she looked back at me and smiled.

"What is it, Miles?"

"Oh…you know Adam and Taylor?" I said, blurting out the first thing that popped into my head. She nodded. "Well, Adam's totally cheating on her. He's been hanging around with this other girl, all kissing and hugging her, every night."

"What a dick," Lilly said, her expression turning to disgust.

"Mhm," I said, mentally punching myself for not being able to tell her the truth. My cell phone rang and I answered it without even looking at who was calling. "Hello?" I said, out of it.

"Miley? You okay?" Oliver said.

"Yeah…fine. What's up?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you and Lilly wanted to go to the carnival with me. I, um, didn't really feel like going alone…"

"Yeah, let me ask Lilly," I said, covering the phone and turning to Lilly. "You wanna go to the carnival with Smokin' Oaken?"

Lilly smiled. "Sure."

"Yeah, we'll meet you there," I said to Oliver.

"Okay. In front of the Ferris wheel," he said, hanging up.

Lilly looked a bit distracted.

I softly touched her cheek, without even thinking about it. Her head jerked, her beautiful blue eyes met mine, and I quickly took my hand back. "Um, it's okay, Lilly. Not all guys are like that, I promise," I said softly.

"I know! Um, come on, let's go, before Oliver pees his pants," Lilly said, getting up and extending her hand.

I gladly took it, the warmth of her hand going through my whole body.

!

The Ferris wheel stopped, me, Oliver and Lilly stuck at the top.

"Ah! This is the best part!" Lilly said, getting off the seat, holding onto the chain links that kept us from falling out. A slight breeze flew by, blowing Lilly's long blonde hair behind her.

I longed to get up and stroke it, to grab her face and kiss her. To whisper into her ear that I loved her so, so much and that I would never even think of hurting her. But…I couldn't. I looked over at Oliver, who was looking at me.

He raised his eyebrow. I shook my head. He nudged me. "I couldn't, Oliver. I just couldn't."

Lilly glanced at me, but I couldn't even look at her. She looked at me for a second longer before turning her attention to the world below again.

"Miley, come here. Come look," Lilly said. I got up and stood next to her. The carnival was laid out neatly beneath us, little people walking, laughing, just…living. Lilly leaned close to me. "This is all that matters, Miles. Enjoying the view. Forget what you couldn't do, and focus on what you can do." She turned her head and smiled at me. "I'm always here for you, Miles. Just like you've always been there for me. Okay?"

I couldn't speak. Hell, I could barely breathe. Lilly was standing mere centimeters from me, parts of our bodies touching. Lilly's smile was unwavering, and I couldn't move until the little cab jerked and the ride started moving. "O-okay," I said finally.

!

"Lilly, wait!" I called out as Lilly turned to go on the path that lead to her house.

She turned around. "Yeah?"

"I, um, wanted to tell you something," I said, brimming with confidence, but, at the same time, filled with fear.

"What is it?"

"Lilly…I…this has been bugging me for a while…" I said, not even knowing how to say it. "Like, it might be weird and it's just…I really need to say it and I, um, need you to know…" I was babbling. I couldn't do it. I couldn't.

"Miley, just spit it out!"

"Lilly, I'm in love with you!"

The sound of my confession echoed in the air. The silence and the tension was enough to make me sweat and take a step back, scared to even hear Lilly's voice.

"I," Lilly said, the letter piercing the air. It sounded like a jet plane taking off after the long hush. I braced myself for what was coming next. "I need to think," Lilly finished, and she turned around and took off.

I stared at the path for a long time after Lilly had left. I didn't know what to do, didn't know what to think. I didn't even think I could move from the spot.

But, finally, I did. And the first thing I did when I got home?

Cried.

!

a/n:

I really hope you guys enjoyed chapter two! I promise, a lot of good stuff is coming. Sorry for the long wait. Gosh, I honestly promise that this story won't die and I'll continue it until the very end!

to my reviewers:

You guys rock my socks!