White Houses

Chapter 4

summer's all in bloom

summer's ending soon

it's alright, and it's nice not to be so alone

but I'll hold on to your secrets in white houses

Oliver looked over at the digital clock on the bedside table, barely making out the big read numbers. Three a.m. He sighed, glancing down at the blonde who was cuddled beside him. Moving away very gently so that she wouldn't wake up, he pressed a gentle kiss to her temple and stood up, stretching as he started for the door.

He was about halfway there when he heard her stir. "Ollie?" she murmured softly.

He turned around to see her propped up on one elbow, her long hair like a curtain framing her face. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and he grinned, wondering how she managed to look beautiful even after just waking up. "Hey," he whispered.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly, sitting up.

"I was just going to bed," he replied. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

Lilly stuck her lower lip out childishly. "Don't go!" she cried, moving so that she was sitting Indian style and crossing her arms tightly across her chest. "I forbid you."

Oliver laughed. "As much fun as it is for me to watch you sleep, baby, I'd like to do some sleeping of my own."

Lilly crawled to the edge of the bed and grabbed his hand, pulling her toward him. "Sleep with me," she whispered, then, realizing what that implied she quickly added, "I mean, stay with me. Sleep in this bed."

"Lilly," Oliver started quietly, running his thumb over her knuckles.

"Don't you 'Lilly' me, Mister," she said, placing a light kiss on his hand. "There are no parents here who are going to come in and get the right idea. You have no excused, you're trapped!" She looked up at him, her big blue eyes pleading. "Please," she begged softly. "I just want to be with you."

Oliver sighed and pulled back the covers, motioning for her to get under. She squealed and clapped her hands together quickly obliging. "How can I say no to you?" he laughed, sliding in next to her.

Lilly smirked as she laid her head on his chest, tracing an absentminded pattern on his arm. "You can't," she said. "You and me, it's just the way things are supposed to be."

Miley stumbled down the stairs at noon the next day, her hair sticking up in random places and her eyes red and bloodshot. As soon as she was close enough, she fell heavily onto the couch.

"Good morning, sunshine," Jake laughed from the kitchen.

Miley let out an "oomph" in return.

Jake sat down at the end of the couch, putting her feet in his lap and rubbing her leg gently. "Does somebody have a hangover?"

Miley started to sit up but quickly realized it was a bad idea. She clutched her head in pain and fell back down, groaning. "Jaaaaaaaake, I feel awful," she moaned, pressing her eyes tightly shut and burying her face into the pillow.

"Well, Hannah Montana," Jake said, winking at the girl next to him, "Not all of us celebrities are fortunate enough to lead a double life, so I wouldn't know what having an underage hangover feels like. Press is always watching, you know, and Jake Ryan is a good boy."

Miley rolled her eyes. "God, don't go getting all Dr. Phil on me," she muttered. "Adam told me it was fruit punch and, yes, I figured there was some alcohol in it, but not that much alcohol." Jake tensed up at the mention of Adam and Miley sensed this. Braving the intense pain that shot through her head, Miley slowly sat up and let her head fall onto his shoulder. "Hey, Zombie Slayer," she murmured. "You okay?"

Jake sighed and slid his arm around Miley's waist, hugging her close to him. "I'm fine, Miley," he said, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her hair. He stood up, letting her fall back down into a laying position. "Now, do you want coffee or water?" he asked, making his way into the kitchen.

"Both?" Miley asked. "And do you have any-"

"Advil?" Jake laughed, coming back into the room and pushing a glass of water into her hands, setting the coffee on the table. He dropped two pills into her hands and she gulped them down quickly. "I'm one step ahead of you, babe," he winked.

Miley rolled her eyes, trading the water for the coffee. "Hey, where are Lilly and Oliver?" she asked, squinting as she glanced out the window toward the beach. "Are they already out there?"

Jake shook his head. "No, I guess they're both still sleeping," he replied. "And I would know because I've been up since like five because I had to call into Ryan Seacrest."

Miley sighed and set the mug back on the table. She slowly swung her legs onto the ground and stood up. "I'm going to go talk to Lilly," she said, stretching. "Hopefully her party experience was better than mine."

She started to make her way toward the stairs, but turned around, making her way swiftly back toward the movie star. He stood and she wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her head in the crook of his neck. Jake was shocked at first, but quickly responded to the hug, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him.

He grinned. "Not that this isn't fun, but what is it for?"

Miley pulled away, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "You're just a good friend, Jake-y," she laughed. "Thank you."

As she skipped up the stairs, he shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "I would do anything for you," he muttered.

Lilly smiled when she woke up, seeing Oliver sleeping soundly next to her. Propping herself up on her elbow, she hovered over him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

He sighed contently, but did not wake. She giggled and pressed a kiss to his forehead, his nose, his cheek, his chin…

He smiled and opened his eyes. "I could get used to this," he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. He captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

"You're going to have to," Lilly said, between kisses. "I'm planning – kiss – making you sleep – kiss – in here – kiss ­– from now on."

Suddenly the door flew open. "Lilly, wake up, I – OH MY GOD!" Miley screamed and quickly pressed her hands over her eyes. "Are you two doughnuts having freaking SEX?"

Lilly blushed and detached herself from Oliver quickly, sitting up. "Miley, god, no. Everyone in this room is fully clothed."

Miley hesitantly put her hand down. "Good," she said quickly, heat rising to her cheeks. "I just came to talk to Lilly and then I saw you kissing, but you're not having sex, but WAIT!" Miley squealed and clasped her hand over her mouth. "You were kissing, oh my God, are you two together?!"

Lilly looked at Oliver expectantly. "We never actually made that official," he said quietly, scratching the back of his neck. "I, uh-"

"Oh, sorry," Miley said quickly. "I can see that I'm interrupting a 'moment,' so I'll just go back downstairs."

She quietly shut the door and Lilly smiled at Oliver. "So, am I your girlfriend now?" she asked.

Oliver shrugged. "Nah, I was thinking we could just be hook-up buddies."

Lilly smacked his shoulder. "Oliver," she whined. "Doughnut."

Oliver laughed and laced his fingers through hers, kissing her on the cheek. "I'm kidding, Lil. Of course you're my girlfriend, if you want to be."

Lilly smiled. "You don't even have to ask."