AN: Yes i know you all hate me for taking so long to update and I'm sorry once again. This time no excuses, I'm lazy and get distracted wayyyy to easily to be a constant updater. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Krystle a.k.a. lucky-starz06 for yelling at me to write. So here you go.
The soft sounds of Taylor's guitar swiftly filled the room, her voice soon joining in, but two words into the new song, another song interrupted it. Lilly lunged for her purse to locate the source of the noise. Grabbing her cell phone as it continued to sing and vibrate, she answered a wide smile plastered on her face.
"Hi honey!" She exclaimed before excusing herself to Miley's balcony for privacy.
Miley laughed at her best friend before turning her attention to the song. She contemplated stopping the song and waiting for Lilly, and reaching for the pause button she paused herself.
"Maybe I was naïve, got lost in your eyes, and never really had a chance"
That line struck a chord in her heart.
"I had so many dreams about you and me, happy endings now I know…"
"Good Luck Miles," Miley read Lilly's text message off her cell phone screen as she hopped into her grandma's truck. She grinned happily as she hugged her driver.
"Nice to see you again Miley," Lorelei said as she pulled out of the small airport parking lot.
"Daddy says he's sorry he couldn't make it, he had some 'Hannah' business to attend to," Miley said apologetically as they merged onto the highway.
"Yeah I talked to him before I left for the airport," she answered as she signaled her exit off the freeway, "I made him promise to come down next month."
"You handle your man," Miley laughed.
The two continued their ride in silence until the hit the dirt road that led up to the farm house.
"Your grandma should be just about done with supper if you want to go ahead in and then we can get your suitcases after,"
"It's a plan! I'm starving, still not use to riding as Miley, the Hannah jet is a different story," Miley said jumping out of the truck and meeting Lorelei on the driver's side.
The two walked silently up to the house and were greeted immediately upon entering the home by Miley's grandmother.
"Oh Miley, we've missed you so much around here!" she said smothering her granddaughter in a tight hug.
"Missed you too," Miley squeaked, "I'm also missing oxygen in my system."
"You must be hungry now come on let's eat, I've got that catfish stew you like so much waiting especially for you in the kitchen," She said guiding Miley towards the kitchen while Lorelei followed closely behind.
The evening passed by uneventfully, the three women stayed up late bonding before Ruby shooed Miley to bed at quarter to midnight and Lorelei leaves minutes later. Miley dozes off and doesn't wake until the smell of eggs and bacon waft throughout the farm house.
She quickly washes her face and hurries to the kitchen to help her grandmother. Together they finish breakfast by nine AM.
"What are your plans for today Miley?" Ruby asked over coffee.
"Oh I don't know," Miley said coyly as she glanced out the window into the fields.
Ruby followed her granddaughter's gaze out of the window before knowingly responding "He's coming in at ten."
Miley glanced at her watch before rushing away from the table
Ruby chuckled as she drained the rest of her coffee from her cup and began clearing the table
Miley ran back into her room and began ripping apart the contents of her suitcase before finding the perfect outfit; a white knee length billowy skirt with a ribbed pale yellow tank top. She grabbed her brown suede boots and matching belt and ran to the bathroom. Hurriedly undressing, she turned the shower faucet on and stepped in shivering at the cool water that sprayed her body. Thoroughly clean she jumped out and quickly dried herself off.
Dressing in record time, Miley ran back to her room almost running into her grandmother as she entered the second landing of her house.
"Sorry!" Miley exclaimed as she closed the door behind her.
She quickly dug her IPod out of her purse and plugged in her dock; Miley Stewart did nothing without a proper soundtrack.
Kelly Clarkson's "I do not Hook Up" blasted through the dock speakers. Satisfied Miley dressed quickly and began her make-up process. She grabbed her travel blow-dryer and went to work on her long brown tresses. Ten minutes pass before a rattle could be heard outside. She rushed to the window and peaked. It was Travis Brody's beat up jeep coming up the dirty path. Miley continued to watch from her window as she parked his car next to the colorful chicken coop they had fixed up months ago. Once he disappeared through the egg shaped door, Miley went back to work.
One more layer of lip gloss later Miley deemed herself ready and bounded down the stairs for her destination. She hesitated before going outside. Looking up the stairs at her grandmother who had just exited her own bedroom, her smile encouraged her to proceed.
Miley walked stealthily to the chicken coop, reaching the door she slowly slid it open and stepped inside. Travis had not noticed her sneaking up behind him as he surveyed the chickens he had just finished feeding.
"Guess who?" Miley said as she covered his eyes with her hands.
Grabbing the hands that covered his face, Travis slowly turned around not bothering to guess.
"Miley?!"
"Surprise" Miley said lightly while she smiling brightly; happy tears glazing over her eyes. He bent down to pick her up in a spinning hug
"What are you doing here?" He asked happily curious setting her down.
"I missed you" Miley said simply as she leaned in for a kiss, Travis blissfully obliging.
They spent the rest of the day together; Miley helping Travis on the farm and just goofing around.
"So are you doing anything tonight?" Miley asked at the end of the day.
Travis hesitated as he thought about her question, "Actually I promised mom that we'd go out for dinner just the two of us, but maybe tomorrow night?"
"Uh…yeah, sure thing," Miley answered a tad disappointed.
"Goodnight Miley," Travis said kissing her on the cheek and climbing into his jeep.
Miley waved as the jeep slowly rode down the dirt road. Sighing she turned and went back into the house.
"Are you hungry sweetheart?" Ruby asked her granddaughter as she walked through the screen door.
"I guess," Miley said rubbing her stomach unconsciously.
"Ok well get cleaned up and I'll take you out,"
Miley smiled as she bounded up the stairs and into her bedroom. Surveying the contents of her suitcase that she had previously strewn around the room Miley put together another outfit; a pink strapless sundress and matching shrug.
She set the clothes out before taking another shower. After thirty minutes Miley deemed herself ready and met her grandmother, who was ready and waiting, in the living room.
They exited the farm house and hopped into Grandma Ruby's pick-up truck. They made small talk as they headed into town; ten minutes later brought them to one of the town's two restaurants.
The women entered and quickly found a small table towards the back. After a waitress took their orders, they continued with their small talk. Miley excused herself to the bathroom after having ordered dessert.
On her way back she spotted a familiar face in Travis. She happily strolled over to surprise him for the second time that day when she herself was the one in for a surprise.
"You lied to me!" She cried, interrupting his kiss with a curly haired blond.
Travis whipped his head around shocked. "M-Miley? What are you doing here?" He attempted casually.
Miley stared at him the hurt evident in her eyes.
"I can explain," He said.
"Yes please do," The blond piped in angrily.
"No, don't even bother, it won't be worth it," Miley seethed.
"Miley wait," Travis yelled chasing after her.
"I suggest you walk away Brody," Miley said from her seat in front of her confused grandmother.
Dejected, he gave up and did as he was advised.
Miley did her best to ignore the need to watch him walk away and kept her focus on the melting ice cream in front of her. Ruby peered at her granddaughter carefully surveying the preceding situation. Feeling it best not to talk about it, she finished her mousse and paid the bill.
The ride home was silent as was Miley for the rest of the night. Ignoring her grandmother's concerned questions; Miley ran to her room and immediately jumped into bed.
Miley awoke to a soft knock at the door the next morning.
"Come in," Miley yawned.
"Good morning darling, you feeling better?"
"Manageable," Miley answered with a small smile.
"Do you think you can manage a visitor?"
"I guess," Miley said steeling herself to face Travis.
"You can come up," Ruby called as she left Miley's room.
Putting on a brave face as she caught a slight glimpse of a blond head coming up the stairs; another knock at the door and a raspy 'come in'
"Hi, I know this is awkward but I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night," the visitor spoke.
The statement was met with silence as Miley looked up in shock at the female the voice had belonged to.
"My name is Allison Taylor," she said as she extended her hand to Miley.
"Miley Stewart," Miley said tentatively taking the girl's hand.
"I'm really sorry about last night, He didn't tell me about you. I know that's no excuse but,"
"No, I don't blame you," Miley said suddenly. "You didn't know," she said sympathetically.
The girl leaned over and gave Miley a hug. Miley hesitated before reciprocating.
They spent an hour just hashing things out before Ruby called up the stairs.
"Who wants breakfast?"
"Did you want to stay?" Miley asked with a smile to her new friend.
"Sure, thanks" Allison answered returning the smile.
"I'll meet you downstairs then, just have to change," Miley said gesturing to her pajamas.
Allison nodded in understanding and left Miley to change. Five minutes later Miley joined Allison and Ruby at the breakfast table along with Lorelei who had come to fix a pipe for Ruby that morning. The four women bonded over breakfast before turning their attention to the window as they watched Travis riding up to the farm.
Miley sighed while Allison's eyes hardened.
"So Allie, did you want to hang out for a little while today?" Miley asked.
"Sure, what did you have in mind?"
"Well I'm in the mood for an escape, can you ride?"
"You're kidding right?" Allison laughed.
"Ok just give me a minute to change; and we can go" Miley laughed.
Five minutes later Miley came down in an old pair of jeans and a black hoodie.
"Let's ride!" She exclaimed leading Allison out the door.
"Don't be gone too long please!" Ruby yelled out the window at the two girls retreating forms.
Avoiding the chicken coop as they walked to the stables, the girls gave a slight giggle as though they were getting away with something.
"You can take Peanut," Miley said gesturing to a chestnut mare that was in the stall next to her own horse, Blue Jeans.
The two girls saddled the horses in silence before being interrupted by someone's cell phone ringing. Allison apologized as she quickly silenced it.
"That reminds me, I need to grab my phone. I'll be right back," Miley said as she dashed out of the barn.
She succeeded in getting into the house undetected but wasn't as lucky on her way out. Travis was outside getting something from his jeep when he spotted Miley leaving the house.
"Miley! Can we talk?" He said running to block her escape. "Please"
Miley nodded her head to tell him to go on.
"I'm sorry," He began.
"For what?" Miley asked curiously.
"Ok well we never said we were official so I thought"
"You still don't understand do you?" Miley asked giving him a 'if looks could kill' stare "I understand that we never really decided anything, but you kissed me and had me believing that maybe we could manage it. After 3 months apart, that we could do the long distance thing. I'm not mad that you had a girlfriend, if you had told me I would have understood. But you didn't; you just let me believe that you could feel the same way as me," she finished and began walking away
"Do you think you could give me another chance?" he asked stopping her in her tracks.
"No" she answered whipping around to look him straight in the eyes ignoring her own tears that had managed to silently stream down her face.
"Where does that leave us then?"
"There is no us, there is just Miley and Travis," She answered before walking away with an air of finality.
"Are you alright?" Allison asked from the spot by the door where she had watched everything happen.
"Never been better," Miley answered wiping the tears from her eyes. "Are you?"
"I can truthfully say yes," She answered smiling at her new friend.
"Good. Now let's go."
The two girls mounted their respective horses and took off out the back entrance with Miley and Blue Jeans in the lead.
"Miley? What's wrong?" Lilly's voice came, interrupting Miley's flashback.
"Huh…what? Oh nothing. Why do you ask?"
"You're crying," Lilly said pointing her eyes.
There was a mini stare down between the two best friends before Miley gave up and told her what happened.
"How come you never told me what happened?" Lilly said hugging her friend.
"I just wanted to forget about it, just leave everything back in Crowley Corners. But then that song just brought everything back. I'm fine I promise, looking back on it I'm glad it happened," Miley said as she hugged back. "I love Jake; Travis was just an obstacle that I needed to go through to make me realize what I did have."
Lilly smiled once more as she gave her friend another hug.
"Miles! Lilly! It's time for dinner!" Robby Ray's voice came from the hallway.
"We're coming daddy!" Miley responded getting up and stretching.
"Here," Lilly said handing Miley a tissue from the box on her desk.
"Thanks," she said as she wiped her eyes.
Discarding the tissue in a small trashcan beside her desk, the girls headed down for dinner leaving Miley's radio playing.
Have you ever thought just maybe you belong with me? You belong with me.
AN: Hello again! I apologize again for taking so long to update. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter because once I stopped being lazy this took me forever to do! I can't tell you how many times I became frustrated and deleted everything and started over. I also tried my best to not be cliche so please tell me if I succeeded or failed.
Thanks again for reading and reviewing *cough hint cough*
XOxo Sam xoXO