AN: This is a Liley story. Don't like, don't read. Rated M for safety.

AN 2: If you get a chance, check out Sophi20's website, it is dedicated to Emily Osment. There is a link on her profile, but it is www(dot)emilyosmentsupport(dot)com. Thanks :)

Thanks to Sophi20 and freakinacage1234 for prodding me along in getting this chapter done :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Hannah Montana or its characters. Story originally by Sophi20.

Chapter 8

The week flew past and it was already Friday. Lilly and Miley spent most of the time in detention talking, getting to know each other more. Molly was with them much of the time as well, of course, and all three had come to enjoy their time with each other, able to have fun without drawing unwanted attention to the classroom.

The memory of one particular afternoon always brought a smile to Lilly's face. Being an art classroom, it was a bit larger than normal, and Lilly was allowed a bit more flexibility with her furnishings. As such, she had a couch along the wall under the windows. It didn't get used often, but she found that sometimes having something soft and comfortable to sit on helped people relax and be more creative.

On this specific Wednesday afternoon, Miley had come to detention and immediately told Lilly…

"Ms. Truscott, I have the worst headache."

"Oh, honey, come over here and lie down on the couch. I'll close the blinds."

After Miley was situated, Lilly said, "I have to run and get Molly, but I'll lock the door so you will be safe by yourself. Just don't open the door for anyone." Getting a grunt of acknowledgement, Lilly quickly left.

On the way back from picking Molly up, they stopped by Lilly's car and grabbed some aspirin out of her glove box, as well as the blanket Lilly kept in the car specifically for Molly.

Seeing this, Molly asked, "Mommy, what are ya doin wit my blankie?"

"Well, Miley isn't feeling well and I thought she could use it. Is that okay if Miley borrows your blankie for today?"

"It's fer Miley? Oh, that okay, den. I like Miley"

"Thank you, sweetie. I'm sure Miley will appreciate it."

Back at the classroom, Lilly unlocked the door and they both walked in. Handing the blanket to Molly, Lilly grabbed her water bottle off her desk and walked over to Miley. Gently brushing the hair from Miley's forehead, she asked, "How you feeling, Miley?"

"Like there are fireworks going off in my skull," she moaned.

Chuckling slightly, Lilly helped Miley sit up so she could swallow the aspirin, offering her water bottle for Miley to take a drink from. After Miley had washed the pills down, she thanked Lilly as she laid back down, groaning slightly. Lilly stepped aside as Molly walked up.

"Miley?" she whispered.

Opening her eye and turning her head, Miley saw the girl standing next to her, holding a blanket. "Yes, Molly?"

"Would you like to use my blankie?" she asked, still whispering.

"I'd love to use your blankie, sweetheart. Thank you," Miley said with a smile.

Grinning in return, Molly quickly handed it over. After Miley got settled under the blanket, eyes closed once again, Molly started to walk away. After about three steps, she stopped, turned around, and hesitantly walked back over to Miley. As best as she could, Molly reached over and hugged the prone girl. "I'm sorry you don't feel well."

Opening her eyes, Miley reached out and hugged the little girl in return, but instead of releasing her, she lifted her up and laid her on top of her. A little rearrangement was necessary, but soon the girls were snuggled together with the blanket over them both. Molly's head was cushioned on Miley's chest, with Miley's arms wrapped securely around her back. One hand casually played with Molly's hair. Leaning down, Miley gently kissed Molly on the top of the head. "Thank you, sweetie." Molly just snuggled closer.

Seeing this whole exchange, Lilly felt her heart catch. Walking away, she busied herself with quietly preparing for tomorrow's classes. After about an hour, she walked over to check on the girls. They were both very much asleep, and she placed a gentle kiss on Molly's cheek before adding another to Miley's forehead, being unable to resist. She also couldn't resist grabbing her camera and taking a picture to capture the moment forever…

Today, however, was the last day of detention, and even though Lilly wanted to spend the rest of the afternoon with Miley, she had promised Joannie and Susan she would have dinner with them. To her surprise, they actually wanted her to get a babysitter for Molly so it could be just the three of them. This made Lilly happy, since she did promise Miley she could babysit Molly from time to time. Plus it gave her an excuse to be with the younger girl for more time than she could normally explain.

It was lunch time at school, and for some unknown reason Lilly was in the lunch area where the students sat. Well, that's not true, Lilly knew it was to be closer to a certain special student, but she couldn't tell anyone that. She could hardly admit it to herself. She found a table and sat down. Conveniently, it was two tables away from Miley's.

Once Miley saw where the teacher sat down, having followed her the whole way with her eyes, she got up with her tray to walk over. Plunking her tray down next to the teacher, she made sure some space existed between them.

Mikyala saw this and decided to sit with her BFF, trying to figure out why she would sit with a teacher. Regardless of how young, fun, and cool Ms. Truscott was, she was still a teacher.

"Hey, Mik. You know Ms. Truscott, right?"

"Yes, I do, we both take Art class with her," Mikayla replied, having to consciously resist adding 'duh' onto the end.

Lilly tried not to laugh out loud, but she covered her mouth just in case.

"Right. Well, she is just helping me get an Art scholarship. That's what we're talking about," said Miley, trying to keep Mikayla from becoming suspicious.

"Okay, cool. How come you have not mentioned it to any of us, though?" Mikayla asked the teacher, a little hurt by it.

Lilly cleared her throat before she spoke. "Well, Mikayla, from the way I've heard all of you speak about Miley, I assumed she would have greater chances of getting it. You see it is a competition, if you will, between the best young artists from all of California as well as some other states. I am not saying I won't mention it further on, but first I must see your individual artistic abilities. Not only that, I was quite impressed with Miley's knowledge of Jackson Pollock, as well as her explanation of why he is one of her favorite artists. At the other extreme you have Jake, who, quite frankly, I think took the class for Miley and you. And probably he expects an easy A, which he will not get if he doesn't get his act together." Lilly tried to be as honest as possible, which in this case was easy, since that is how things happened. The fact that Miley was cute was just a bonus.

"Oh, okay. I guess that makes sense."

"By the way, Miley, I was going to ask if you had any plans tonight."

"Um, no."

"Yeah you do. The party, remember, at Tiffany's house?"

"Hold on, Mik. Why Ms. Truscott, do you need me to babysit Molly?"

"That was what I was hoping, but if you have plans, I'll find someone else. It's fine, and it is kind of last minute."

"No, it's fine. I'll skip a party for Molly" and you. "I mean, you need to have fun, too, Ms. T. And, well, I love Molly."

Lilly's smile was so large that she thought her mouth was going to fall off.

Mikayla noticed the entire exchange and made a note to ask about it later. For now, she butted in and asked if she could babysit, too, as long as it was not a problem with Ms. Truscott.

"Oh come on, Mik. You have never liked children. I still remember when you tried to help me with Tammy and you couldn't stand her crying. So I don't think so, besides which, you hardly even know her. Plus, you will never say no to a party no matter how much you may want to." Miley tried her best to divert Mikayla, wanting to spend time alone with Molly. It was something she looked forward to, not only because she truly did adore Molly, but for obvious reasons that only she knew.

"Okay, fine. I won't help out then," Mikyala said, hurt by Miley's comments.

Lilly noticed this and tried to reason with the other girl. "You know, Miley, Mikyala could actually be of use to you. I mean, you have never really stayed with Molly all by yourself, I have always been around. It would be helpful having someone else there, especially someone you trust and can count on if something was to happen."

"Fine, Mik. You can come, but you'll stay 'til the end, no ditching us. Got that?" Miley warned the other girl, letting her know she could not back out at the last minute just to have fun. If she was going to commit, it would be full force.

"Got it," Mikyala replied to the other girl. While she was saying that, though, she noticed that Ms. Truscott's left arm seemed to be angled towards Miley's right leg or thigh. She thought her mind was playing tricks on her, since that could not possibly be. Could it?

But, indeed, Lilly's left hand was giving Miley's thigh a soft, comforting squeeze that made Miley tense up, in a good way. Just that simple touch made her feel like she was in heaven, and even though it was short, it left her wanting a lot more than either could give each other at the moment.

The number of questions Mikayla had for her best friend seemed to be growing more and more, and soon it would be time for her to get some answers.

AN: Sorry for the delay, again, lol. I just started taking Speech and Psychology, which are requirements for the electrical apprenticeship, this semester, and they are taking up a good bit of time. Which also means I probably won't be able to reply to reviews, unfortunately, which you may have noticed. My update predictions haven't been going that well, but my best guess right now is next weekend for the next update. Thanks for reading, and for all the reviews. Review if you feel like it.