White Houses

Chapter 2

now we're spinning empty bottles

it's the four of us

with pretty eyed boys girls die to trust

I can't resist the day

no, I can't resist the day

"Are you the slowest packer alive?" Miley whined, falling onto Lilly's bed dramatically, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"Okay, first of all, you've been waiting for me for a total of like three minutes," Lilly laughed, stuffing a few sundresses into her duffel bag. "Secondly, I only started packing about ten minutes before you came over to annoy me. And I know for a fact that you started packing the second you got home from Jake's last night, stayed up until three in the morning, got up at six to continue, and finished just before you came. That," she said pointedly, pulling the zipper shut on her duffel bag, "Not only makes you the slower packer out of the two of us, but also the most annoying and, not to mention a huge exaggerator."

Miley pursed her lips tightly, as if she were trying to think of something snappy to say back to her blonde best friend. After a few moments of silence, she stood up quickly and heaved a sigh. "Can we just go already?"

Lilly laughed. "Don't hate me just because I'm better at everything," she winked, throwing her duffel bag over her shoulder and sliding past Miley into the hallway.

"You are not better at everything," Miley huffed, following closely behind. She cleared her throat, "Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days…"

"Okay, okay," Lilly sighed. "You can remain the best pop star."

Miley smirked. "Thank you."

A horn honked outside and Miley squealed, throwing her arms around Lilly's neck. "Best summer ever!" she yelled, throwing open the front door to go meet Jake and Oliver.

Lilly smiled softly and picked up her duffel bag again. "Mom?" she called.

Heather Truscott came running out of the kitchen, wiping her hands hastily on her "Kiss the Cook" apron. "Are you leaving already?" she sighed. "Are you packed? Did you forget anything? Do you have a toothbrush?"

"Mom," Lilly laughed, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck. "I have everything. Don't worry, I'm going to be totally fine."

Heather pulled her daughter close. "I'm still not sure this is such a good idea… going off on your own for an entire summer…"

Lilly sighed and patted her mother's back. "It feels weird to me, too, Mom. I won't be alone, though, don't worry."

"I know, sweetie, I trust you," Heather replied. "It's just still a little scary."

"Don't worry, Mrs. T," a voice called from the doorway. "I'll be there to scare any big bad criminals away from your little girl."

Heather and Lilly turned to Oliver, who was leaning in the frame of the front door. "Oh, Oliver," Heather said, reaching to give Oliver a hug. "You are the only reason I am letting Lilly go on this trip. Take care of her."

"Of course," Oliver said, winking at Lilly over her mother's shoulder. "She will never leave my side, Mrs. T, you have my word."

Heather finally released Oliver and took a step back. "Okay, believe it or not I am going to let you actually leave now." She pressed a quick kiss to Lilly's cheek. "Have fun, be safe, and please call me every once and awhile. Love you!"

Lilly smiled and waved as Oliver hoisted her duffel bag over his shoulder and ushered her out of the door. "Love you, Mom."

She slammed the door shut behind her and ran to the car, just as Oliver was slamming the trunk shut.

"Hop in!" Jake yelled from the front seat. "Best summer EVER!" he yelled as Lilly and Oliver slid into the backseat and he flew out of the Truscott's driveway.

"Omigod, Jake!" Miley squealed, clapping her hands together as Jake's black Range Rover approached the house, "This is adorable!" She was so close to the window that her nose was practically pressed against the glass.

The house was adorable, like one of those cute little summer homes in movies. It was white, two stories, with big bay windows that faced the beach and pale blue shutters. The four friends were practically at the door before Jake even had time to park the car.

Jake laughed and tossed the keys to Oliver. "Have at it," he said, popping open the trunk. "I'll get our stuff, I've seen it all before."

"Oh, it's even cuter inside!" Miley squealed, glancing around the open, airy kitchen. "Let's go pick bedrooms, Jake said there were four!"

Miley ran off quickly, squealing all the way, and just as Lilly turned to follow her, Oliver caught her arm, spinning her around to face him. "Hey," he whispered, that trademark lopsided grin on his face. He pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger on her face. "Are you happy, Lil?"

Lilly creased her eyebrows in confusion, intertwining her fingers with his. "Of course I am," she replied, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Oliver shrugged, squeezing her hand lightly. "You seemed really upset last night," his face was frighteningly serious. A moment of silence lapsed and then he smiled lightly, pinching Lilly's cheek. "And I don't want to have to transfer to Berkley at the last minute," he joked.

"And I don't want you to be there," Lilly countered. She sighed. "I'll be fine, Oliver. Just… all this change is going to take a little getting used to, I guess."

Oliver smiled and nodded understandingly. "Well, at least for the summer, nothing is going to change, Lilly. Nothing."

Lilly smiled as Oliver pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "Thanks, Ollie."

She began to walk away again, but Oliver's voice stopped her. "Lil?" he called. She turned around to face him. "If you really wanted me to, I'd transfer to Berkley in a heartbeat," he said, and that deadly serious look was back on his face.

Lilly smiled. "I know."