Chapter 16: I Believed Them

Jackson took me to Rico's because he was about to go to work anyway. He was acting a bit different, like he was sad or something.

"Hey Jackson, are you okay?" I ask as we get to Rico's. Instead of jumping over the counter like he usually does, he walked around. Before he was able to answer that question, Jake came over.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Jacob," Jackson and I said in unison. Jackson was speaking in his sad tone.

"Miley, I need to tell you something," Jake said, pulling me over to a ledge, closer to the beach. We sat down and Jake opened his mouthed to talk, but some paparazzi came over and started taking pictures. Annoyed, we smiled and Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulder. After a minute, Jake said "Okay, you got enough shoots, can we have a little privacy now? Thanks." Once they had left, Jake continued. "Alright, well… Frankie Muniz was gonna do this movie, and he dropped out. My mom got me the part and told me yesterday. I fly to Romania tonight."

"You're leaving… again?" I managed to ask.

"Yeah, but this time… it's only for… four months," Jake said, saying it as if four months was two weeks.

"You can't just leave, we just got together."

"Hey, it's not my fault I got a big part in a movie," Jake said shrugging.

"I guess not. Well, it is four months…" I said sighing. "So I'm gonna give you a little something extra to remember me by."

I started to lean in as if I was going to kiss him, and when Jake started to lean in, I pushed his shoulder.

"Whoa!" Jake said as he fell off the ledge. I grinned.

"That's how I plant one." I jumped off the ledge and landed gracefully next to a sand covered Jake on his back. He glared at me.

"Are you mad that I'm leaving?"

"Ya think?!"

"Sorry," Jake says as I help him up. "If it was my choice, I'd stay here, but my mom already had it planned." He brushed the sand off his body and said, "Do you and Jackson wanna meet me at the airport tonight?" he asks.

"Sure."

"Alright then, see ya at 8."

"See ya at 8."

Jake left, and I went back to Rico's.

"So did he tell you?" Jackson asked.

"Yeah," I said and realized something. "Wait, how would you know about that?"

"He told me last night," Jackson said, serving someone a smoothie.

"Oh… so are we going to the airport or what?" I ask.

"Course we are," Jackson said with a smile.

So tonight, Jackson drove me to Malibu International Airport. After he parked, we went inside the building to find Jake. He was standing next to his parents. Jackson and I walked over and the first thing I did, was pull Jake into a huge hug.

"Well, we should be going now," Mr. Ryan said while checking his watch. "Bye Jake."

"Bye sweetie," Mrs. Ryan said, kissing his cheek. "Now remember, listen to your director while you're on set. When you get off the plane, your chaperone will be waiting there. Call when you can."

"All right mom."

"I love you," Mrs. Ryan said.

"I love you too," Jake said. His parents walked away; out of the airport.

"They're seriously letting you go to Romania bye yourself?" Jackson asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, but you should meet my chaperone; not exactly fun."

"Oh, sorry man."

"No problem," Jake said. "I'm gonna miss you guys."

"We're gonna miss you too Jacob," I said.

"Miley?" Jake asked.

"Yeah Jake?" I ask. He held my hands and looked me in the eyes.

"Promise you'll wait for me?"

"Only if you don't bring some Romanian chick back to Malibu."

"I promise."

I pulled my hand away and spit into it. He shook his head while smiling and spit into his hand and we shook our hands.

"Flight 27 to Romania is now boarding," the intercom said.

"Well, this is goodbye," Jake said. He and Jackson man hugged, and then he turned to me with open arms. I automatically went into his warm embrace. He pulled away.

"I'll see ya guys in 4 months okay?"

"Okay," I replied.

"Bye Jacob," Jackson and I said in unison as he walked towards the direction of his plane.

We walked to the car in silence. Tears slid down my cheeks as Jackson drove us home. I went straight to my room and turned on the radio. I laid down on my bed, closing my eyes and listening to the familiar song.

Hear me
Hear me

You gotta be out there
You gotta be somewhere
Wherever you are
I'm waiting
'Cause there are these nights when
I sing myself to sleep
And I'm hopin' my dreams
Bring you close to me
Are you listening?

Hear me
I'm cryin' out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you to please
Hear me
Hear me

Hear me
Can you hear me?
Hear me

I used to be scared of
Letting someone in
But it gets so lonely
Being on my own
No one to talk to
And no one to hold me
I'm not always strong
Oh, I need you here
Are you listening?

Hear me
I'm cryin' out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you to please
Hear me

I'm restless and wild
I fall, but I try
I need someone to understand
Can you hear me?
I'm lost in my thoughts
And baby I've fought
For all that I've got
Can you hear me?

Hear me
I'm cryin' out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you to please
Hear me
Hear me
Hear me
Hear me
Can you hear me?
Hear me
Hear me
Hear me
Can you hear me?
Oh, oh, oh, oh...
Hear me
Hear me
Hear me

Last time Jake left, as in the sixth grade. It was totally different; I thought it was for good. This time, he'll come back, and we will finally be together again.

"Hey bud," dad said as he entered the room.

"Hey dad," I replied.

"I heard about Jacob, and I thought you need some of my famous loco hot cocoa."

"Thanks dad," I said and took the cocoa. Then he left.

As I drank the cocoa, I looked at a picture of Jacob and me from sixth grade. I never took it out of the box until recently, because I was still mad at him for leaving. I finished the cocoa and went straight to bed.

"Miley," mom said as she shook me gently to wake me up.

"Uh…" I said tiredly. I opened my eyes and sprang up. "Mom!" I hugged her tightly.

"Hey honey," mom said, hugging back. "I heard Jacob."

I let go and laid back in bed. "Oh."

"You don't have to worry Mile, those four months will be over before ya know it."

"What if he finds someone else?" I ask.

"He promised, didn't he?"

"Well… yeah…"

"Then don't worry, Jacob's a sweet guy."

"How do you know?"

"You didn't think I'd forget your first boyfriend, did you?"

"No."

"Plus, he's a good actor if I do say so myself," mom said. "Dude, I slayed you once, don't make me slay you again."

"Okay mom, I get it," I said while laughing.

"Well sweetie, I have to go see your father and Jackson," mom said. "I gotta remind that man not to give you hot cocoa before bed."

"Bye mom, I love you," I said.

"I love you too Miley," mom said before disappearing.

I woke up the next morning. The sun was pouring into my room from my window. I got up and looked out my window and onto the beach.

Four months will be over before ya know it.

Mom's words played over in my head.

And I believed them.

The End.

A/N: I can't believe the story is over! Lol. I really hope you guys like the ending. I'd like to thanks all you guys that reviewed, you're awesome! So… sequel? Btw, have any of you seen the Achey Jakey Heart commercial. I have, it's so awesome! I had to watch TV all day though cause they barely showed it. I can't wait for the 24th, apparently, Jake's gonna find out Miley is Hannah!!!