The brush that I was running through my wig slipped from my fingers and hit the hotel carpeted floor. I bent down to pick it up and saw my own face flash across the side of my vision, on the screen they were showing the interview. With a sigh, I sat down on the floor and put my head in my hands.

I had no idea what had possessed me to say what I had that morning. Maybe it was thinking about them before the interview. Or the girl with her name spelled just like my female ex best friends. Whatever had brought me to do it, the critiques that had been there last night were having a hay day. Such headlines as "Hannah regrets fame" and "Ungrateful Popstar". By now I could not care less about what they had to say.

The start of the show was Alexis making jokes about current news in the world. I raised my head before I would have to watch any more. Anyone who had not already found out by the critiques would see it for the first time tonight. After that though, the interview went just fine and I had preformed after she spoke to a little girl who played the flute.

"Off," I spoke to the empty room and the screen went black.

To say my agent Patricia was pissed off would be an understatement. She was forcing me to go to Tracey's party, (where there will be paparazzi at the gate) so I could tell them what I 'really meant' to say. Which I thought was a good idea for now, but they would only twist my words more when given such an opportunity.

I stood and walked to the glass doors, sliding them open. As soon as I put my socked feet on the cool cement, I took a deep breath of fresh air. I was in the penthouse on the top floor. Which made little sense to me considering the fact that I was alone.

Whatever could I use all the space for? My awards and clothes?

The sun was starting to set, and I figured that I should finish preparing my wig and put it on. I was already dressed (except for my shoes), my make-up was done, and I just wanted to get the night over with. But I did not want it to even start. After getting the party details from Tracey, I found out that it was going to be a larger party taking place at one of her many homes. That would mean mingling.

I would not even be able to leave from the party early, thanks so much to the photographers that would be stationed outside of the mansion. Karl would be following me everywhere; actually riding inside the limo with me for maximum security. His hotel room was across from mine. I would not put it past him to have his eye glued to the peephole at that moment.

I scanned the tops of buildings out over the city. So much like New York, yet so different. For one it was actually warm in Los Angeles in November, with the sun disappearing. I missed that.

A knock on the door caused me to swivel around and leave the balcony behind. Bouncing over to the door, I stood on my toes and glanced through the hole only to see Karl staring at the hole-at me. Unlocking the door, I opened it to have him scrutinize my brown curls.

"Ready?"

I sighed. "Almost. What are you doing here, Karl? Since when do you come to get me?" I dragged my feet over to the wig while speaking and Karl had closed and locked the door behind him.

He saw the open balcony door and flashed me a small glare. It most likely breached some safety measure of his. "Patricia," Was his reply as he slid the balcony door closed and put the lock on.

"Of course,"

I flipped the wig on and pinned it with a few bobby pins while Karl looked on. He never looked at me, but seemed to focus on a place just beside or above me. I pulled my socks off and dug around inside my unpacked suitcase, (what was the point of unpacking when I was leaving in two days?) until I found shoes to match my dress. Patricia had insisted on looking 'cute and innocent' which is difficult at twenty-three when I am fully developed. So I was wearing a white dress with white flats. Along with diamond studs, a pearl necklace, and a pearl bracelet.

It was a sweet effect, but did not feel like me at all. At least while I was Hannah, bright colors and shiny fabrics were what I went for. That outfit appeared alien to me with the wig on.

"Alright," I slipped on the white flats (with little bows) and snatched my phone off the vanity. No messages of any sort awaited my attention. "Let's go."

He picked up the key to the room that I was about to forget, along with a small bag that had everything I could ever need inside it. Tampons, make-up, a hair brush, and more bobby pins just in case. Oops," I held out my hand for it, but he just shook his head and put it inside his suit.

---

No one knew where Hannah Montana was staying while visiting the city, so I was able to get into the limo without anyone taking photos. It was strange; Oliver and Lilly used to say that other stars had to put wigs on to avoid the tabloids. All I had to do was take mine off.

The ride to the party was slow and boring. The house was on a hill and by the time we pulled up I had heard 'For My Life' sung by me and Katy Perry played twice on the radio since when we left. I had also tried to engage Karl in a conversation, only getting grunts and strange looks in reply until I gave up and slumped against the black leather seat. That was where I played with the window separating the driver from us until we arrived.

When we pulled up I saw a large gaggle of photographers. Most cars were entering without even rolling down their windows or seeming to acknowledge their existence around their limos and sports cars. But when we got into line to get in, Karl opened the door and stood, motioning for me to follow. I got out of the limo and people began surrounding me, my vision consisting of white flashes as Karl and someone else kept them at bay.

"Hannah! Do you really regret fame?" Was the only question I heard while they all shot photos of me. Everyone was asking questions at once, so when I opened my mouth to speak they all quieted down. "I do not regret my career. It was the decisions leading up to it that I wish I could have changed. There was no reason for me to push those friends out of my life. I am more than grateful to my fans, current friends, and family for sticking by me. I would be nothing without any of them. But that does not mean I do not regret losing the two best friends I have ever had."

As soon as I was finished, more questions started flying. One in particular got my attention. "Are you happy?" And I pretended not to hear it.

"Remember to watch my televised concert tomorrow night, airing live at six-thirty," I gave them a funny pose that I hoped would satisfy them. "I am sad that the tour is ending, but it will be nice to get back home. Goodnight." I scooted back into the limo with Karl pushing the cameramen away from the door so he could close it. He walked alongside the limo and through the tinted windows I could see them following him, trying to get another look at me. I couldn't blame them, dressed like this, I looked ridiculous.

We got to the gate, (along with people keeping the paparazzi out) so we were able to drive and (in Karl's case) walk through them and past the gate. Then he slipped into the cab of the car before we drove to the front of the mansion. It was a large brick building with several windows and floors.

I stepped out and a few people standing around greeted me with wary eyes. I moved past them and up the stairs to the large double doors, made for a giant. I thought about ringing the door, but that would be silly. So I opened them, Karl at my heels as I opened the door and was engulfed in a huge smile.

"Hannah I am so glad you came!" Tracey said and I smiled. It might not be as bad as I thought it would be. But then I had a flash of how Lilly would have greeted me; with a hug instead of an elegant quirk of the lips.

"Me too Trace. This is a lovely party," Was all I could say, before she had grabbed my arm and began to lead me away from the door.

"I knooow, right?" She let go of my arm, but it was clear that she wanted me to follow her. We went through a wide hall full of people into the biggest, shiny kitchen I had ever seen. Silver glinted everywhere. "It is a space theme,' she pointed up and I looked, fake stars lining the ceiling. "The living room is the best. We've got a live band that just signed with Epic records."

I nodded, trying to seem interested in what she was saying. "How?" That was usually the best question to ask. But she did not answer me, spotting someone else she knew and moving away to greet them. I turned to Karl, seeing him eye the alcohol table. Wine, champagne, vodka, it had a little bit of everything. Just waiting to be consumed. I snatched up some vodka and held it out to him. It might have been a bit strong for me but I figured it was something he would drink.

He gave it a dubious look. "Go ahead," I shoved it into his stomach and he grabbed it before it fell to the ground and shattered the glass. "I'm safe here. It's your night off," I remembered what Roxy used to say while she was my bodyguard; that she was never off-duty. I really hoped Karl did not feel that way. Then again, I knew Karl was not anything like Roxy. If he was; he would have fallen in love with my dad, ended up marrying him, and went on tour with him that year, not me.

Before he could say anything, I slipped away and navigated myself through an archway into complete darkness. There was some sort of tarp or black fabric in front of me, and I pushed it away to reveal the best decorations I had ever seen. The only light came from a small stage set in the middle of the room, a single white light shining up on the person singing. He had his back to me and I peered up, noticing the ceiling and rest of the walls covered by stars and a large moon that cast a silvery glow on everything in the room. It was the size of my old school gymnasium.

I was about to turn around and leave to go back into the kitchen when the person on stage turned around and was illuminated by the single light. If there had not been someone behind to catch me, I would have hit the floor.

From the back all I had seen was the jeans, back of his shirt, and spiked brown hair. Now, though, as he faced me, I saw the way his jaw line pointed. His smile. Even from across the room and it being five years since I last saw the boy, I knew that it was Oliver.

---

Authors note;

I am sorry that it took awhile for me to update, but my laptop wouldn't charge.

That was where the story was, and therefore I was unable to send it to my new Beta.

Crys (.idiot-21) thank you for such a thorough and speedy response. You go girl. :D

Be looking for an update tomorrow. All the chapters are done. ^^