I have every intention to update all of my Liley fics before Christmas. Have faith in me!
The night sky, a mess of glitter spread on a canvas of black, cast a dark shadow over all beneath it. It accepted another soul into its depths and then it watched, seeming to shed an infuriating light on the small patch of unearthed ground in Miley's backyard. Every glance she threw at the sliding door brought the burial place into her sight and she wished she'd buried Nibbles in a more discreet area, but even then the creature would mock her. Mock her with her own irresponsibility.
She paced. Waiting. Knowing. Thinking. Miley knew Lilly was coming home that night and she went over countless excuses and apologies, but each one still resulted in her being careless. Everything she'd set out to prove to Lilly had been in vain because she let the party happen and didn't realise just how horrible the people who turned up were. Yes, they had money and a well-known name, but that, in no way, meant they were good people. Now, not many people knew Lilly, but, to Miley, she definitely had the kindest heart of all. Lilly was the only person worth knowing.
The soft patter of rain sounded overhead and Miley sunk into one of her leather armchairs, overcome with dread. The urge to cry was increasing as 7pm closed in, when Lilly would arrive home. Upon discovering Miley's failure to watch over Nibbles, perhaps Lilly would beg her mother to move away to a place Miley couldn't reach. She would be left alone and old habits would take wing, leading to Miley's definite destruction. Lilly truly had no idea how much Miley depended on her. It almost ached.
Miley closed her eyes as she listened to the rain and the small rumbles of thunder. They were only light noises, so when a small knock startled her, she knew the thunder wouldn't cover it and give her an excuse to ignore who was on the other side of the door.
She rose wistfully to her feet and trudged towards the door. Her fingers paused on the cold handle with an immense fear clinging to her mind. Her heart was racing with a powerful anxiety and she silently begged that mercy would be exerted on the undeserving just this once. She would make endless promises never to be such a fool again, but she knew Lilly wouldn't believe her. Not after this.
Sighing, Miley opened the door.
Lilly's face brightened the instant she saw Miley. The porch light created a faint glow on Lilly's features and Miley absorbed the image before her, awestruck by the unexpected radiance of the girl she hadn't seen in a week. The rain had left miniscule droplets in Lilly's hair and eyelashes that sparkled under the light, but what was even more captivating was the genuine smile on Lilly's lips. Her white teeth gleamed and her blue- so wonderfully blue- eyes had adopted a startling intensity. They removed all worrisome thoughts from Miley's head and the two girls flew into each other's arms, as if they'd been separated for a lifetime.
Miley craved to be held together, even if it was by the very person that was causing her to fall apart. She needed to know that Lilly trusted her enough to believe that she had learnt from her mistake, but the fright was greater than anything else. Maybe Lilly would dismiss all apologies and fall into an isolation that Miley would never penetrate. And, if that were to happen, then who would care? Who would care about Miley?
"It's good to see you," she said softly and Miley inwardly cringed. Of course, Lilly had to be happy. Of course, Miley would have to be the one to ruin it.
"Come inside." Lilly raised an eyebrow at Miley's response and stepped over the threshold into the darkness of Miley's house. The only source of light came from a small lamp by the sofa and Lilly glanced at the usually spotless house with surprise, finding articles of clothing littering the floor and unwashed dishes lingering in the sink. She sensed Miley's disturbance straight away.
"What's the matter?" she asked, touching Miley's arm briefly, who jolted at the feel of Lilly's warm fingertips on her chilled skin. Lilly lowered her hand with a frown.
"There's... There's something I have to tell you...and you might just hate me for it," Miley said, focusing on her bare feet, noting the chipping of her nail polish as she took a deep breath in preparation. It would be best if she told Lilly at that moment. She wouldn't be able to hold in the truth because she knew she was unworthy of Lilly's smiles and kind words. Miley had been at war with herself the night prior, wanting to call Lilly so she could confess everything, but she waited until they were face to face; it meant more suffering. Miley was worthy of suffering.
"Tell me," Lilly coaxed eagerly.
Miley met Lilly's concerned gaze and looked away, ashamed. "I was so lonely, Lilly. I couldn't take it. I invited some people over and had a few drinks."
"Well...I'm sure it was an improvement to the insanity that you were a part of when you first moved here. I'm only a little disappointed." Lilly's voice wasn't harsh and it only made things harder for Miley as she came close to defeat.
"That's not the worst of it, Lilly."
"Then what is?"
"I forgot to lock my door... Some guy got into my room and I went in to get away from everyone and found him there, by Nibbles' cage. I told him to get out, but I was too late...I'm sorry."
"Miley...? Do you mean...?" Lilly's eyes widened and Miley took her hand and led her to the glass door that displayed the backyard. She pointed to the grave.
"Nibbles is dead."
Miley's eyes slammed shut as she waited for Lilly to scream at her, to tell her she was a reckless monster that should never be trusted. She waited to be abandoned, to be written off as invisible. She waited to become a nameless ghost who was always there, but never acknowledged. Perhaps she was destined to live a friendless life, to be tested on how long she could go on for while being haunted by a constant solitude.
Miley felt the tears come all too quickly. Too soon to fight back. They weren't just for Lilly's lost hamster, but also her retched life and moronic choices. She knew what it felt like to have a real friend with more on their mind than just sex and alcohol. She enjoyed the sensations of bonding silences and proper embraces. She enjoyed feeling somewhat accomplished knowing that she actually had to put in a lot of effort to become part of Lilly's life and even though there were times where she realised she didn't know enough about Lilly, she still believed what they had could be everlasting. There was something about Lilly that most certainly drew Miley in. And now, it would all be taken from her.
Miley sniffled and opened her eyes, refusing to look at Lilly, who was standing quietly beside her still. She slipped to her knees and covered her face with her hands. Her thanks to the girl who had saved her life, who had joined her on pointless outings, was to kill something dear to her. Miley was an idiot.
But then, to the brunette's amazement, she felt her hands being pulled from her face and she found Lilly kneeling in front of her. Her eyes shone and she reached out and gently wiped away Miley's tears, smiling sadly.
"It's not your fault, Miley," she assured and Miley let out a relieved sob as she flung herself at Lilly, winding her arms desperately around the blonde with a consuming sense of gratitude.
Well?