To the people who got my message to leave a review, thank you. I'm SO happy that some people left a review! Ah, you guys don't know how happy you've made me...Anyways. Chapter six! I sorta liked this chapter. And there's a bit of Lilly-angst in the beginning, so...I've actually planned Lilly's character plotline to be like that, so don't go freaking out on me.
School started last Wednesday, and we've gotten a ton of homework, so I've been going back and forth. I'm supposed to be doing my homework, but I can't let you guys wait any longer. Y'all are too darn AWESOME!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hannah Montana or any of it's characters, the creators do.
P.S: Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus? I APPROVE. Even if they aren't, lol At least Liam such a jerk to Miley unlike Nick, or a fame-attention seeker like Justin (Although, I'm pretty okay with Justin/Miley, since they made up and all). But Niley? I DO NOT APPROVE.
"You happy there, Ms. Miley? I cleaned the bathroom, just like you said!" Lilly puffed as she carried the worn out Mr. Clean sponges along with two buckets of dirty water to the backyard. She tossed the water out to the dry grass area and threw away the sponges. She walked back to see Miley reading and watching TV. "There, I finished everything! Oh and look at the time. It's nine fifty-eight!" Lilly grinned a toothy smile and did a little victory dance. "Oh, and don't forget, I also made Belgian waffles with scrambled eggs, just like what you wanted."
"Oh great, good for you. Maybe with your spare time, you can find another job," Miley deadpanned as she flipped another page. Natalie Cole and Nat "King" Cole blared from the TV speakers, singing Unforgettable.
"I could if I could go to your party," Lilly pointed out again to what seem like the umpteenth time.
"Why do you even need to go to my party to find a job?"
"Because there are lots of people who work in the journalism area, and I want to work there. Maybe even a screenwriter who wants to co-write a screenplay. I can just give them a copy of my work."
Miley looked up from her book to see Lilly standing with her hands on her hips. Scoffing, she went back to her book. "Who would want to read your stuff? I bet it's as stupid as you are," she bluntly stated.
Lilly gasped and pouted. "Hey, you haven't even seen my work. And you don't even know me that well, geez. Who are you to call me stupid?"
"Huh, even Jackson, your 'best friend,' said that you're a naïve little girl who got easily got tricked by free tickets." Miley cleared her throat and flipped another page.
Lilly muttered under her breath and took off her apron. "I'm going out."
"Oh, if you are, buy some food at Safeway on your way out. We need some fruits, primarily bananas, strawberries, and pluots, 'kay? Money's on the island," Miley smiled as Lilly sneered at her. "Walk safely, wouldn't want you the house to get all dusty, now would we?" she teased as she whistled to the father and daughter duo from the TV.
Reluctantly, Lilly grabbed the cash and walked out the door, leaving Miley alone in the vacant two story house. How she wanted to choke her so badly. So what if she's a freaking international pop star sensation? Her sick arrogant attitude is what made Lilly want to jump off a cliff. Does she really think that she's all that? Damn, if all super stars were like 'Hannah,' Lilly should've known better not to give them anymore praise than they should get.
She stopped at the bus stop and waited for the bus that goes near downtown. It only took twenty minutes for the time to pass and Lilly sat in the middle row, looking out to the beach.
She missed surfing dearly. She missed skateboarding. She missed her family. Mom and Ian are no longer here and who the hell knows where Dad is, she thought sadly. For so long, she tried to blame her dad, but she just couldn't. Her dad was the one who wanted to build and produce the house in the first place, just so the family could stay together, be closer than ever.
But that didn't last for long. Ian joined the Marines five years after the house was made. He came back though, two years after, but only stayed for two weeks. Two weeks were nothing compared to two long, unbearable years. The two weeks came and went and Lilly and her parents were left alone again in Malibu.
About a year and a half later, news was sent to the Truscott family. It was from then on they found out that they were no longer a family of four, but only of three. Ian and his warship were bombed and attacked, sunk to the ocean floor, nothing but scraps of metal were found.
Lilly winced as the bus hit a bump on the road. She hated that feeling. The feelings of pure agony, hatred, depression, sadness, despair. She wished none of it came true, she wished Ian had listened to her parents and never went to war. What was the good that came out of war? Nothing! Not only does war lose lives, it also breaks families apart.
Maybe only a year or so after Ian's passing, Lilly's parents decided it was best to divorce. Her dad wanted to move on from his son's death, but her mom kept on clinging to the past, living each day as a heavy burden. They fought constantly and the Full House was no longer the house they wanted it to be.
Lilly was only starting her senior year when her parents' divorced. She and her mom kept the house while her dad went away without giving word to where he is now. If anything could get any worse than this, Lilly would kill herself. But she didn't.
After the divorce, it struck her mom real hard. She wasn't paying attention to her surroundings; it's as if she were the only one in the world. Co-workers tried to help her get some therapy, but she just waved them away. She even became distant towards Lilly, her own daughter. Lilly tried to help her with the housework and by working part time after school, but it didn't help at all.
One day, while Lilly was still in school, she got news that her mom got in a car accident. She almost forgot what that feeling was like, but she could compare it to the day when she found out Ian died. Only worse, if that was possible.
The principal drove her to the hospital to find that Ms. Truscott was in a coma. It was too late, Lilly thought, too late. What was the point if she wasn't to respond back to her? She waited all day, all night. No response. But one day, she woke up.
But that didn't last for long either. Her mom woke up to see Lilly holding her hand with bloodshot eyes. Only her eyes spoke and Lilly understood what her mom meant. Time to let go of the past.
She didn't want her daughter to cling on to past miseries, just like she did with Ian's death. Just let go and everything will be fine, she told her silently. And she did. And it hurt just as it did before. What was she to do now?
Lilly remembered the immense pain she felt on those last weeks of high school. People gave her the eye, gave her pity, too much pity that it sickened her even more. So if this was the price of her continuing her school life, there was no point in finishing it. By graduation, she decided not to continue in college, even if she only got a semester's scholarship to UCLA. What's the point if people were still going to pity her loses? It'll hurt her and she couldn't be able to let go of the past. There were always lonely nights in a vacant house…it was like hell on earth. She eventually cried herself to sleep every night.
Then Jackson came along. He was the one who turned things around for her. He made her skate, surf, go out to the beach, do other outdoor stuff all over again. Jackson turned her life around and changed her. But what Lilly couldn't understand was how could he just backstab her like that so easily? Was she so blind?
When he sold the house behind her back, she couldn't believe it. How could he? How could he just simply do that to her? He knows that that house was the only thing that kept Lilly together with her family spiritually. She never left the house, which is why she got so excited when Jackson gave her the free tickets.
God damn it, I so freaking stupid! She stepped out of the bus and took in a deep breath. Fuck Jackson and his stupid sister. Why were they always ganging up on her?
"Well, baby, I can't wait to see you in two days." That voice, it sounds so damn familiar. "It wouldn't hurt to give me one more kiss, would it?"
Lilly looked left and right to see where that voice was coming from. Finally, she saw a glimpse of a dirty blonde head leaning into a long, bleached blonde head of hair underneath an umbrella to shade them from the sun. Him. Jackson. God, the nerve of him! Does it run in the family or something?
Breathing became tenser, jaw clenching, eyes glaring, steps became heavier and louder at each step she took. "Jackson!"
The boy whipped his head around with a horrified look gulped. "I'll-I'll uh, I'll see you later, Gracie," he laughed nervously. "Bye!" He knocked his plastic chair over and jumped over the little green gate and ran towards the narrow one-way street. How the hell did she find out where he was?
Lilly screamed her absolute loudest and hollered his name again. Who the hell cares what the bystanders think about her. She ran after Jackson as fast as she could, jumping over little obstacles people dropped while Lilly pushed them out of the way.
"Jackson!!! You little piece of crap! Get back here!" she puffed out. Running in flats isn't exactly the best thing to wear when chasing after someone in an uneven road. God, the title "King of the Jerks" fits him well, same to his sister, but only "Madam Queen of the Jerks."
He turned a sharp corner, which he nearly tripped over a trash can and made Lilly catch up a couple feet behind him. Lilly still screamed his name and cursed loudly after him. People around them looked around in suspicion, wondering if they should intervene between the two sprinters.
Luckily for Lilly, Jackson tripped over a manhole and rolled over to the sidewalk, knocking over the recycling bin. Quickly, she took off her shoes that kept on slipping out whenever she took a step (now just imagine her running in them!). "Alright, Jackson, you backstabbing piece of sh –"
"No wait! I-I-I can explain, just let me explain it to you!" Jackson pleaded as he covered his face. "Please, Lilly, just listen to me!"
Lilly didn't even bother to listen to him. She instantly hit him by the slightly pointed heels on her flats again and again, making sure Jackson cries in agony. "How" –hit– "could" –hit– "you" –hit– "do" –hit– "this" –hit– "to me?!" She screamed again, grabbing plastic soda bottles that have fallen on the floor and hit them on Jackson. She then threw them away and pulled him up by the ear.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! L-Lilly! OW!" Jackson cried out, trying to pry out her fingers from pinching his ear. "Let go! Ow!!!"
"You're pathetic, you know that? You lied to me. You used me. Most of all, you hurt me. You're a fucking piece of crap! Damn it Jackson, I trusted you and this is what I get?" She threw him to the ground and he fell face first. "Fuck you Jackson!" Most bystanders standing around 'oooh-ed' at Lilly's statements.
"J-Jackson…Are-are you okay?" a timid voice came from a good fifteen feet away from the quarreling twosome. "Is-is this your ex?"
"No, baby, no! But just stay there, 'kay? Just stay there; everything will be taken care of – OW! Lilly! Stop pulling on my ear!"
"Oh, is little Ms. Bleach Blonde scared of her stupid backstabbing boyfriend who's going to die?! C'mon, Jackson, you're coming with me!" Again, Lilly dragged him by the ear while people stopped and stared.
"Oh my god, oh my god, J-Jackson, I-I think I'm gonna…" The bleach blonde's voice seemed faint and a light thud was heard as she hit the recycling bin that rolled across the street. Lilly looked back and forth, from Jackson to the girl lying on her back on the ground. Shit.
Jackson pushed Lilly away and picked Gracie up piggyback style. "Dear god, she has this anxiety problem with her heart, quick, Lil, you've got to help me!"
Lilly herself forgot what she was doing before and helped as quickly as she can. "Okay, okay, wait, lemme just get a cab. C'mon!" She led Jackson through the main street and excused people out of the way. "Coming through, person with a heart issue coming through. Move it! Seriously people!" Little children cried as she pushed them away. "I'm sorry," she passed by a few adults, "but we have a serious issue here!"
"C'mon Lilly! Get a cab or something!" Jackson pleaded. "Hurry, my thighs are starting to cramp up!"
"Okay, okay! Hold on!" Lilly whistled a few cabs to stop, but none ever stopped to even look at her. "Damn it!" Impatiently, she counted to three and jumped in front of one cab. It honked right at her face and Lilly apologized. "Jackson, here, I got you a…cab…" Lilly looked around to see where Jackson and the blonde went. Damn it. She did not just fall for it again, did she?
Hell yea, she most definitely did. She waved to the cab driver who was glaring at her to drive on. Was she really that stupid to fall for Jackson's stupid tricks again? Not wanting to believe it again, she looked left and right and up a few corners along the way. Shit. He bailed on her. Again. And this time, his bleach blonde bombshell was in it with him.
Screaming, she made her way to the community park and sat on the creaky old bench. Twice, he tricked her. No, three times. He lied to her. He gambled again after he promised to her that he wouldn't anymore. No, four times. He lied to her again right now!
Losing her brother, losing her family, losing her mom, lost and betrayed by a friend, losing Full House…losing her life. What else does she have that's valuable? All she could think of was nothing. That was it; she has nothing left to lose. Everything she owned or had, gone.
Furiously, she wiped away her tears and put on her flats again. Her feet were scratched from running to get the cab for Jackson. Of all the things she does for a friend, she gets this as her reward. It isn't fair, she thought, it isn't fair.
Screw this shit. Eventually, she decided to walk back home instead of taking the bus back.
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It was seven fifty-six. This was it. She is ready for this. Whatever the answer maybe, she will take it like a good sport.
She fixed her skirt and clutched her purse to her side. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the restaurant and waited for the maître'd to call her up for her reservation.
The restaurant was practically filled and in the front was a line that crossed the next restaurant. She never knew it would be this crowded. Did someone tell the manager of the building that Jake was going to be here? She hoped not. Maybe she should move, go to the private balcony where they could see the moonlight accompanied with the stars and the calming waves a couple feet away from them.
People started to whine and cramp up the atmosphere from the main door. Yep, she should move up.
"Excuse me, waiter, is it possible that I may use the private balcony? It's not reserved, right?"
The waitress nodded and led her up the flight of stairs. It was a beautiful scenery of the starry night sky. The waves crashed underneath them as the moon shone on the serene waters. Miley sighed contently. Her gut was telling her that this whole thing has got to be a miracle. Who knew she got this far in her plan?
"I will escort the rest of your party up here the moment he arrives," the waitress bowed and left the menus on the table. The breeze was nice and cool, not windy and gusty. The humidity of the afternoon was slowly starting to ease down.
When should she ask? After the dinner? Or before the dinner and so then they could just eat in happiness? No, she should just play by ear and find out when would be the right time. Deep breaths, Miley, deep breaths. 'What if' questions rang through her head again and again as she kept on refolding the clothed napkin sitting on the plate. No, the more she thinks about what will happen, the more anxious she will get. Just go with the flow, go with the flow…
She looked around to see the balcony. There were only three tables outside, including the one Miley was sitting on. They had the middle table, and they would be all alone outside. No one would bother them Sighing she glanced at her watch. It was only eight fifteen. Where was Jake? Chill, Miley, it's only been ten minutes.
"Excuse me Miss, your party is here," the waiter from before shook Miley out of her worrying and stepped out of the way to let the blonde man get through. "I'll be back to get your orders."
"Jake!" Miley hugged him tightly. He breathed out and chuckled. "I'm sorry, did you have a hard time getting here?"
"Nah, these sunglasses worked perfectly fine. People were busy to even notice me," he shrugged as he slipped his Ray Bans into his jacket pocket. "Did you wait long?"
Miley shook her head. "No, actually, you're pretty early this time," she smiled.
"Really? Ah, that must be a new record then."
She bit her lip and smiled nervously. Frick, she needs to calm the hell down. Her heart was beating abnormally, like when she had her first concert awhile back. Stop it, anxiety sometimes makes the situation worsen.
"So, are you gonna order the usual?" Miley flipped open the leather-covered. The dessert section gave her a wonderful idea. She should ask when the dessert comes around. Yes! That's a perfect idea! Miley smirked to herself and put the menu down. "I think I might order the small home cooked dinner."
"Ah, I'm goin' with the home made Jambalaya. They make the best ones here." Jake gave a toothy grin, just like how Miley remembers it back in the day. "Alright, I'm ready."
A different waiter came over and wrote down their orders. "I will be back with your drinks. Thank you very much." He bowed again and excused himself back inside.
"Wow, these guys are a lot more formal last time I came here. Wonder what happened?" Jake eased the tension around them. "So, I heard that you have a party coming up? Is it going to be big?"
"Nah, I don't think so. It'll be the same as usual. And of course, the paparazzi. Who could forget about them?"
"Yep, they bring life to the party," he sarcastically replied. "Yea…"
Miley giggled and cleared her throat. "So, any news on your co-stars?"
He cleared his throat and fiddled around with the utensils on the table. "Not really. They're still trying to pick which one to be my 'lover' in the story."
"Ah. Too bad Hannah can't do it," she winked, "or else it could've been way easier for the directors to choose," she teased. She wished she could do it, but she already has a new album coming out, along with a movie in a few weeks. She definitely needs a break from those sleepless nights. "Listen, Jake," she gulped.
"Yea?"
"I-I have to tell you something…"
"Okay…" He huffed and set his hands on the table.
"But, uh, it has to wait until after we eat dinner though." Damn it Miley that was stupid! What was the point in telling him then? Argh!
"Why do we have to wait until then? I mean, we're waiting for our food right now. Might as well just say it to me now."
Miley shook her head. "No, you have to wait." Crap what did I get myself into…
"Aw, c'mon," Jake pushed, "please? Say it now?" he pouted playfully.
She chuckled and shook her head again. "No!"
"Well, could you give me a hint then? Just on what it's about?" he pressed on.
"Well…about you…going to Europe…and other stuff." Miley looked away to ocean. Couples walked along the beach line, laughing and running as if they have nothing to lose. Jake stayed quiet and looked at Miley. "But yea, just that. Nothing else…"
"Oh…yea. I've gotta agree with you. It would be nice if Hannah came with me," he winked to her and she blushed.
The waiter finally came with their food and drinks. "I hope everything you see here is good. If you need anything else, just wave. Enjoy."
"Wow, that was certainly quick," Miley thought aloud. "Mmm, your Jambalaya looks pretty good."
Jake nodded as he got to his first bite. A short dinner conversation passed on between the two as they ate quietly. Jokes and stories from high school were reminisced and laughed at. Before they knew it, their plates were empty and they were stuffed.
"Wait, we have to order dessert! We've never left this place without buying the cheesecake!" Jake exclaimed as he waved to the waiter nodding towards them. He talked to the waiter and pointed out which cheesecake they usually order while Miley stared at him
This was it. It's time. She took in a breath from her nose and out her mouth. Okay, everything is set. When the dessert comes out, she'll ask. The box in her lap seemed to weigh her legs down against the seat.
Her heart was beating harshly against her ribcage as she inched the velvet box up to the table. Screw this; I'm going to ask him right now.
"Jake," Miley started right when Jake closed the dessert menu, "I…the thing I wanted to tell you…"
"Oh yea, about that. What is it?"
"Well, y'know how long we've been together and, uh, our," she gulped, "history back then…well, the truth is, I want to stay with y –"
"Hold on, lemme just take this," Jake held his hand up and excused himself. Damn it! She didn't even finish the first line yet! What kind of phone call was so important to him more than her?
A few minutes later he came back and apologized. "Sorry, that was the producer of the movie. They already picked my co-star! But enough about that, what were you going to say?"
"That's great! But…yea…um…I want to stay with you…for –"
"I'm really sorry, just, just hold on a sec."
Okay, for real now? Miley wanted to chuck that stupid phone out to the water beneath them, and she should have. She was all ready the second time, for Pete's sake! From the corner of the balcony, she heard Jake's voice starting to rise in temper.
"What? You said in a few more weeks! This-this is unexpected!" Miley stood up from her seat and held the tiny box in her hand tightly. She heard him sigh in anger stuffed his phone in his pocket. She did not like where this was going…
"Hey, is everything alright?" She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. He pushed it away.
"No! Right when they already got my partner, they wanted to get on with it right away." He turned to Miley and looked at her straight in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Miley, but I have to go now." He hugged her tightly and just like before, he was gone right before her eyes.
What…the…hell? No, Miley was not going to let this be. She ran after Jake inside the restaurant with her purse in tow. How, what is going on with him? Why is he just ditching her like this now?
"Hey, Jake, wait! Why are you leaving like this?" They pushed a few people out of the way and stood on the sidewalk, next to the valet.
"Look, Miley, I'm sorry, but my manager said they moved my flight up. I have to go now or else I'm screwed." The black convertible screeched to a sudden stop next to them. Jake grabbed the keys from the young valet and walked over to his car door. "You have to understand, this means everything to me."
Miley knitted her eyebrows together from crying in front of him. So filming movies is more important to him than having a best friend? Wow, she should've seen this coming. "Jake…"
"I'll call you later," he winked and ducked his head into the car. The tires squealed against the blacktop and left Miley with the smoke coming from the friction of the tires.
Did-did something just happen? What the hell just happened? Jake just left her? Without saying anything else? Wha-what just –
"Excuse me Miss, your car is ready." Her car keys jangled in front of her face and she grabbed it away from the man's hands. She glared at him, wiped her tears away. Without a thanks or a tip, the valet was left speechless. Screeching tires once again rubbed harshly against the pavement, leaving everyone else to contemplate on what just happened in front of them
The valet was sure that thick tire marks were going to show on the street's blacktop the next morning.
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She came home really late. It was almost ten when she came home. What was she doing the rest of the time? Oh, right. Just thinking about what life would be like without miseries. It was a nice long (really long) thought.
Her feet were starting to ache as she took off her shoes and slipped on her slippers in the house. She spent all her money for the bus ride home instead of buying fruit, just like what Miley told her to do this morning. Oh well, she could explain, right?
It was beginning to seem pretty dark outside on the backyard. Lilly turned on the lights and saw a figure standing outside, looking out to the beach. The light from inside the house gave Lilly a better view of what Miley was wearing. All formal with a black knee high skirt and a gray blouse. Her brown hair was wavy and long, falling heavily against her back. What was she doing alone outside this late at night? Lilly decided to find out.
"Hey, it's cold out there. Maybe you should get in," she offered, opening the patio door. The other girl turned around with an angered face that scared Lilly and made her shudder. Lilly watched the girl's every move as she stepped aside to let her in and sit on the kitchen table behind her. "So, what's the occasion?"
Miley stayed quiet and kept looking and playing at the black box in her hands. Why did he just leave like that? She knows it's for the movie business, but Jake wouldn't just leave so abruptly like that. It's…not really like him. He would've stayed until they said their good-byes formally. It's not that Miley's upset that she didn't get to ask (well, yes, she was, but it wasn't really the bigger picture now), but she was frustrated by Jake's sudden farewell.
"Here, looks like you need some." Miley looked to Lilly who was handing her a can of beer. She licked her lips and pulled the can tab open as it made a loud hiss then pop. Miley slurped up her drink and set it down hard against the table. The beer did nothing for her.
The blonde sat cross legged in the chair across from Miley and set the can down. "Your brother," her voice filled the house, "is the only person whom I could trust. And he broke it. After a good five years, he freaking broke it. How could I trust him now?" Her voice, as well as her eyes, started to sting. Miley glanced up to her.
"The house, too," she continued. "I mean, he'd know that this was the only thing I'm connected to after all of that had happened. And he still wants to do that to me. I don't owe him anything. I don't owe anything to anyone." Lilly stopped. "Except for you thought, but really, anyone else…"
Miley took another can and gave it to Lilly. "Just drink. Jackson's stupid. You've learned your lesson; don't trust him again."
Lilly squeezed her fists together and shook her head. She has to move on about this. "So, did you ask?"
"What?"
"You're all dressed up and stuff, and I'm pretty sure those lines you were practicing were for yourself," Lilly sipped loudly.
"No, they weren't. They were for a friend. I was there with him."
"Oh…then why are you so sad?"
Miley rolled her eyes. "None of your business okay?"
"Okay, fine…" Lilly played around with her can and scrunched her nose. "Mind telling me what happened?"
The brunette sniffed and sighed. "My friend, the guy, he wanted to propose to the girl but, uh…" Miley gulped and inhaled. "He loved her so much for the longest time…but the thing is that the chick had to go off to the other side of the world, and he wanted to say it to her before she goes away."
Lilly perked up. "Then what?"
"He said it, but the girl never listened. She was always interrupted by a phone call."
"That's rude! She should always turn off her phone during a romantic dinner."
Miley nodded, but Lilly didn't notice. "In his mind, he always repeated, "I love you," "Don't go," "Stay with me."
"But he couldn't tell her right away, right?" Lilly interrupted again. Miley stopped and raised an eyebrow. "And you said this girl had her phone on the whole time. So she must've been the kind of girl who thinks that work goes first before love."
"Uh-huh," Miley sat up straighter.
"Or, maybe, she was calling in on different guy, then ditched the guy who was sitting in front of her, leaving him all alone in the restaurant, telling him it's work, it's just work. Business before love. But really, it's just about another guy…"
Miley shot her eyes out. "You think it's another guy?" her voice seemed a bit strangled, with a bit of jealousy. Jake, lying to her about another girl? No way…but then again, it is Jake Ryan…"How do you know that?"
"Psh, I'm a writer, didn't I tell you?" Lilly waved her hand.
Miley scoffed and leaned back in her seat again. "Ha, like you know how to write…" What the hell was she so worried about? She got worked up over a 'writer's' imagination… which was partially true…
"Do you want me to tell you more?" Lilly asked, annoyed by her sudden rejection. The other girl craned her neck back to stare at the ceiling.
"So the guy's thinking, 'I can't live without you, I need you in my life.' But, because of the girl's unawareness, the guy keeps it hidden, not wanting to lose her forever."
Miley quietly admitted that Lilly was right. She didn't exactly want to say it to Jake. She was partly afraid of what he would say…
"S-so then what happens to the guy?" Miley asked, worried about the outcome. "What's gonna happen if he doesn't say it?"
Lilly looked straight into her dark blue eyes. "Well, it's not like he's going to die from her rejection. I mean, it'll hurt, but he'll get over it in time. I mean, he's a dude!"
Miley grimaced. "So you think just because he's a 'guy,' he could just get it over with so easily? He's known this girl since high school! They've been through break-ups and make-ups, a whole lot of history!" God, Miley's not that shallow about getting over guys! Who the hell does Lilly think she is, thinking that Miley could easily change her mind?
"I'm not finished yet!" Lilly snapped and pouted. Miley sat back in her seat again, but still listened intently to her story. "Anyways, in the mean time of him getting over it, he goes on a trip. He buys a sailboat and goes off to the sea, letting the wind take him wherever it wants him to go." Lilly illustrated the picture in the air with her hands waving around. "But then, the wind becomes stronger and takes him to a deserted island. Tall palm trees, a bunch of wild fruit, exotic animals and plants inhibit the island."
Miley scrunched her face together. Where the hell was this going?
"But then, he notices that this island wasn't just an ordinary island; it's a treasure island! Eventually, he forgets about his rejection and his former love." Lilly slammed her fist against the palm of her hand. "So the man, our hero in the story, sees life in a new view. Life is unpredictable and insightful, eh?"
Miley shook her head and stood up. "You're pathetic. I'm going to bed. Clean this mess up." So much for actually wanting to listen to her 'intuitive' advice. Boy was she stupid for actually listening in on her and being curious about the topic.
Lilly made a face behind Miley's back as her heels clicked up the stairs. Geez, she was the one who wanted to know how it ended. What were we even talking about in the first place? Damn, she's moody. She collected all the cans and dumped out on the recycling bin. A black box stood out from the rest of the bottles that were sitting in the blue dumpster.
Huh, what's this doing here? Lilly picked it up and opened it. The silver band shone in the kitchen light, nearly blinding Lilly. "Whoa! No way!" Taking it out, she bit it to make sure if it's real. "It is!" She wore it on her middle finger, but it was too big for her. Clearly it was a male's engagement band. What was Hannah, wait no, Miley, doing with this?
Lilly finally realized. "So she was the one who asked…I was right before…She did ask the guy…And the guy in the story was her! Not her friend!"
"Shut up and go to sleep, damn it!"
Lilly ignored the other girl's protest from upstairs. She could keep this ring and sell it on eBay and make easy money. And then she could pay that money to Miley along with the money she's going to make in her (hopeful) job! "You are one smart girl, Truscott."
Tomorrow morning, she was going to get the money she needs and make another deal with Ms. Montana, no wait, Miley, again.
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"So, how're the waffles?"
Miley stabbed one of the waffles and examined it. "These are waffles? Seriously? You can't even eat them!" The 'waffle' clunked to the plate as she stood up and threw it away.
"Well, your depressed mood last night made me mess up," Lilly excused.
"You weren't even paying attention, geez." How the hell did she come up with that? The guy buys a sailboat and finds a treasure island? What does that have to do with the main point?!
"Fine. But what about this?" Lilly held out the ring she found last night. Miley turned around and caught her breath.
"Where-you…Give me that." As quick as she could, she grabbed it from her hands and threw it out the grass area in the backyard. "Don't even bother to look for that." Miley pushed Lilly out of the way. "Clean up this mess, I'm going to work."
The blonde watched her every move as she grabbed her wig and keys sitting on the cabinet set beside the door. God, what was her problem…So much for the eBay idea…
Frustrated, Miley slammed the car door. There she goes again, going into other people's business. What is her problem? What does she need to do to make her stop bugging into her problems?
Her Hannah phone rang and shook her out of her angry thoughts. "Hello?"
"Geez, Miley, no need to be snappy," Marge said from the other line.
"Sorry, long morning. What's up?"
"Well, Stan's flipping out because you made it on another tabloid. Congratulations, you are the only one who could physically kill him without even touching a hair on his skin."
"What?! What did I do? I didn't go out as Hannah for awhile!"
"Yea, but you did. Last night. With Jake."
Miley winced. Her manager's voice seemed to cut through her ear canal, even if she didn't scream it out. "Fuck…I forgot…" They must've made a big fuss over at the restaurant, or someone in the building ratted them out. Shit.
"Well, I'm not going to yell at you now, because Stan will do that for me. If I were you, I'd get my ass here right now."
Sighing Miley turned on the engine and put her wig in her purse. "Alright, I'll be there in thirty." She hung up and drove all the way to her management's building.
"Miley, get in here, now." Marge dragged Miley all the way to her publicist's room. "You do not know how long he has been yelling at the phones. What the hell were you thinking, going out with Jake? I told you that boy's trouble!"
But before Miley could respond, Marge pushed her onto one of the chairs inside Stan's room. Now Miley is scared shitless.
"Miley," his voice low and dangerous. The door was closed and telephones' ringing were muffled. The balding mid-aged man slowly turned around to show Miley his tomato red face. "Could you-could you please explain this to me?" He smacked down the cover of the newspaper, and on it showed Jake hugging Miley tightly and on the bottom left corner was a smaller picture of Miley holding the engagement box in her lap. It was dark, and you can hardly see it, but the newspaper circled the box and pointed out to the readers what it really was.
Miley gulped and stayed quiet, letting Stan do all the talk. "Miley, what is wrong with you?! First it's Hannah, now, it's you! What the hell were you thinking?"
God, what was she thinking? She put down the newspaper back on the desk. How could she forget about Jake and the paparazzi? God, she wanted to die now.
"I'm responsible for you, Miley. After your dad gave up on you, I'm now in charge of how it goes. Marge here is your assistant manager. Do we need anything else to keep you on the DL?" Miley shook her head and apologized quietly. She was acting rather rash the other night. "Good, now…" Stan puffed and cursed to himself. "Good grief, my blood pressure should be above the normal rate…"
"C'mon Miley, let's go," Marge pulled her out of the chair. "You got lucky this time." The door clicked behind them and both walked through the bustling cubicles. "What were you doing with Jake?"
"That box I was holding, I was…asking his hand in marriage." Miley prepared herself from what Marge would say.
Instead, she laughed. She laughed so hard that she was near to tears. "You asked him to marry you?" She laughed more.
Miley slapped her manager's arm. "Screw you, Marge! I didn't even see any paparazzi out there." But Marge kept on laughing. "It's not that funny, Marge, seriously! What the hell's so funny?"
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Lilly looked around the grass. She only found rocks, but no silver band yet. Frick, where did she throw that little sucker to?
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Lilly jumped and caught her breath. "Dang, you scared me." She looked around aimlessly and slowly stood straighter. "Oh, I was just…picking out weeds! I have to keep the grass healthy, right?"
Miley shook her head and walked back inside the house. "I told you not to bother to find the ring. It's pointless."
Lilly followed suit and grabbed the bucket of water and a mop leaning against the wall. She walked to the living room and set the mop in the bucket and began to swipe the floor. "So, I saw the news about you in the newspaper. Guess I was right, huh?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Miley opened her book and sat cross-legged. She already had it from Stan and enough coming from Marge. Damn, it took her forever to stop laughing.
"You and Jake Ryan, huh?" Lilly continued. "Wow, I never saw that coming. How long have you guys been together?" Miley ignored her and flipped through the pages. "I thought Hannah Montana didn't like those kinds of guys, but he is kind of cute. His body is ah-mazing." The mop splattered across the floor and Lilly continued to push and pull. "And that black box you were holding in the picture was it the same from the one I found last night? I'm pretty sure it was."
"Can you just go to your room now?"
"Nope, gotta finish what I started right?" Lilly smiled teasingly as Miley groaned silently. "And we wouldn't want you to slip and fall because of me, would you?"
Miley was close to say "Fuck off," but she held it in and walked away from her. Like before, Lilly made a face behind her back, nearly flipping her off. Dang, always so damn moody.
Furiously, she wiped the coffee table and nudged into the yellow envelope she saw the other day. She suddenly remembered everything. Of course, Hannah Montana's Masquerade party!
"Hey, can I still go here?"
"No."
"Aw, c'mon! Please? I could find people who are interested in my work! Then I can pay you sooner…Please?" Lilly pouted.
"No."
"Aw, please? Why not?"
"You're a pain."
Lilly gasped. "How am I a pain, Ms. Moody?" Crossing her arms, she tapped her foot. Pain? She's a pain? What the…She doesn't even know me. "Look, I won't do anything drastic there. I'll behave," she offered.
"Huh," Miley acknowledged the thought. "Eh, don't want to."
"Seriously, you won't even see me groveling around the stars! I'll stay behind the lines, really!" Miley still ignored her. Growling, Lilly nudged past her, making Miley spill her drink all over her shirt. "Bitch."
"Hey!" Miley yelled. "Damn it…this shirt's new, y'know!" What the hell was her problem? Quickly, Miley took the invite and put it in one of the coffee table's drawers. There, that should teach her not to mess with her stuff.
From the railing upstairs, Lilly watched her every move. She put the envelope in the second to the bottom drawer. Yes, she will get it. Tonight, she will get it and keep it with her until tomorrow.
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Miley woke up early the next morning without eating any breakfast to get ready for the special evening. She left a note on the fridge for Lilly to remind her to clean the kitchen and bathroom, to go grocery shopping (money on the island), wipe the piano clean from dust and the windows (from top to bottom), and do the laundry (since the new washer and dryer came in and was installed last night). That should keep her busy, Miley thought.
And she was right. Lilly got a headache after she saw the list of things to do. Dang. She would have to start early in the morning to finish all that first then go buy a costume for the party. She could do this. She's been through everything, and she can take this challenge. This was nothing compared to the obstacles she faced before
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Lilly finally arrived at the front of Skillet, the place where the big even was going to happen. Her body ached all over the place and she felt her legs and back creak as she took each step. Her chest felt like she was being drowned because of the corset's tight fit. She felt like she went way too far for the costume idea, but if she had to get into the idea of Masquerade, she had to go all the way.
All she needed to do was just to get into the party; easy right? According to the long line outside of the building, it wasn't. People dressed up as can-can dancers, Cirque du Soleil, Zorro, and any other kind of exotic characters lined up to get into Hannah's masquerade promotion party. Thanks to the people up at the front who forgot to 'bring' their invites, Lilly was losing patience by the second. She was also getting a bit hot with the costume she was wearing.
If only I got to the stupid costume store earlier, she thought. And if only stupid Miley wouldn't make me clean the damn house all over again. Why did she have to leave so quickly and leave me to do all the work again? Oh, right, because she was the one hosting the the time Lilly was second in line to get into the party, the bulky bodyguard stopped everyone's defiant arguments.
"Ok ladies," he looked to Lilly, "And gents, please, make through for Ms. Montana." Screams were louder when Hannah (in her short, yet stunning costume and mask) stepped out of the shiny black limo. "Ok, back off!" The African-American bodyguard boomed to the line. The crowd went quiet in an instant and backed off like what they were told.
"Thanks, Harry," she patted his back and waved to the people waiting in line. Someone behind Lilly fainted and Lilly rolled her eyes. Wow, she mouthed.
"Oops," her stub underneath her bottom lip nearly came off. She pretended to yawn and took out her envelope as a ticket to get in. Okay, maybe not her invitation, but Miley's fake one. It was a free copy of what the invite would look like and Hannah's publicity agent sent one to Miley just in case. So, curiosity got to her and Lilly thought it would be a perfect chance to steal it away from Miley's grasp when she was out and go to the party.
Except she didn't have enough time to get a dress, hence the mysterious man's tuxedo that she's wearing with the white mask that covered her eyes and forehead and a short bowler's hat, since they ran out of the tall hats that was supposed to come with the tux.
Hannah (who is really Miley, Lilly reassured to herself), walked in the building and the crowd behind her pushed forward to see more. The bodyguard pushed them back with his bulk of a body and Lilly's hat fell. Thank god I'm wearing a wig, she sighed. Screw the hat; it looked terrible with the outfit, anyways.
Harry pushed the two people who were confronting him away, nearly punching them to go get a taxi because they didn't have the invites to get in. Lilly gulped timidly as she approached the bulking young man who seemed to be three times Lilly's height and weight put together.
She cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "Hey, I have the invite right here." Harry snapped the envelope away from her hands and ripped it out. He glanced back and forth to Lilly and the invitation.
"Congratulations," he deadpanned, "you are the first one who has the right invitation. Go on right in." Lilly took in a deep breath nodded her head towards him as he gave the crumpled up paper back, thinking that everyone in the male world does that to appreciate what he gets. Apparently, Harry doesn't think so. "Get in there and don't make me change my mind," he snapped at her. Lilly jumped and pushed right in.
"Damn," she muttered under her breath. Fog machines blocked her view along with the disco lights that blinded her eyes altogether. Her ears started to ring as the blaring music caught up to her. Colorful costumes passed by her as she made her way down to the short set of stairs.
"Hey," a girl came up to her. She was wearing a showgirl's costume and Lilly first thought that she was crazy for going up to her like that. But the thought of the masquerade party came back to her. "Wanna come to the back? I'll show you a few tricks I've been dying to try out," she winked seductively. The thought of her wearing a man's costume nearly left her mind.
"Uh…um…C-c-can you hold that thought? I need a drink."
"Sure, I'll be waiting," she winked again. Lilly gulped and ran to the bar stools. Now that was a close call.
"Can I have some water?" Lilly asked one of the bartenders.
"You sure you don't want anything else?" he asked as he offered her the cup.
Before the man could get her response, she sped off quickly to find someone who works in the publishing firm. Of course, that's why she came there in the first place: to look for someone who works in the journalism area. She brought with her a flash drive that had a copy of an essay she was working on earlier this month (before Hannah-slash-Miley came around and stole her house from her).
Walking around aimlessly, random types of women stopped her and played around with her faux hair. Some went further than others and nearly went down her pants. Freaking out, she tried to run to a safe place to hide and cower away from them. Eventually, she went outside and saw a small stage set up that was surrounded by metal structures and at least more than ten speakers hanging from it. Behind it were a big cutout of Hannah's face and a smaller cutout of the CD album she's promoting and the movie Hannah starred in.
Lilly rolled her eyes as she saw plenty of people going up to her for an autograph. If only they knew the real her and her big secret. Oh, and of course how OCD she is about a clean house. She's a freakin' freak when it comes to cleaning!
Just live it through, Lilly, she thought to herself. Just until I can pay the six-thousand dollars back. She sighed. This is hopeless; I can never pay her back. I can't believe she used me! Either you pay me back and live homeless or clean the house and do housekeeping until I say so! She mocked. Lilly sneered and shook her head.
Well, she thought. As long as I don't see Hannah and she doesn't see me, it's all good.
So, the last part was part of the introduction. I didn't really change much, so if you read it and were like "OMG DEJA VU" well...yea. So, are we all good with this so far? Because I am SO psyched for you guys to find out what will happen up next. Because from there on, things will get soooooooooo interesting. I swear. The Liley will come.
Should I ask again for the people to leave a review? No...I COMMAND you to leave a review! ROFL, jk. It would be nice, though, because I would be a lot more happier! =)
Up next more party time! And find out what will happen after "The Kiss." I want to hear what you guys think so far!