Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone you recognize.

AN: sorry this is so short, but it's better than nothing right? Hope no one kills me after reading this chapter xD.. but you wouldn't, right? Cuz I mean... you wanna know how this ends, right? Hehe. Sorry it took so long to update, but it's here!

Chapter 11

Everything I did and saw and smelled and touched reminded me of her. I couldn't even go to the beach anymore without staring into her eyes every time I stared out into the deep blue sea or the light blue sky. I couldn't walk past Rico's anymore because everything there reminded me of her. The table where I asked her out on our date, the stool where she sat and I stood in between her legs, the counter where I sat while she sat on the stool in front of me in between my legs, the open area of sand where I would play beach soccer and she'd cheer from the sidelines because she sucked at every and all sports. Everywhere I went had this smell that reminded me of Miley. It was stale and barely noticeable, and I don't think it's possible but it was her smell, I mean how could it be possible if and when the wind's always blowing? I couldn't even go to my spot anymore because the guilt got to me every time my mind drifted off to Joannie. Everything I touched jolted something in my head and flashes of memories and words flew into my head. Even things I don't remember being near or even touched around her brought back memories, just the slightest touch and the day she leaned up against that object would pop into my head. It was like EVERYTHING was torturing me with memories of her.

I didn't even feel safe in my own home. The living room brought back memories of her and me when we'd just cuddle close together and watch TV, before during and after we went out. The memory of how horrified I'd been when my mom slipped out that I was already sleeping with other girls and thought it was Miley popped into my head and I shook my head angrily. Why hadn't I figured it out then how much she really meant to me? Why was I so stupid and stuck on Joannie that I hadn't realized how my feelings that day really was? I was so scared that she'd leave me for good, but I brushed it away as losing her as a friend, not as a girlfriend. I didn't think to care of her as a girlfriend then, she was just some girl I was messing with to get Joannie jealous, but when I think back I was scared of losing her forever, friend and all.

The kitchen made me smile sadly at the memories it brought upon me. Like that one day, when we woke up after a long night of just cuddling and talking, my stomach was being a jerk and rumbled like crazy. Miley took it upon herself to cook the most delicious breakfast I'd ever tasted and sat there and watched me with an amused look on her face as I stuffed mine. When I looked up I smiled sheepishly at her with a mouthful of eggs and bacon and she laughed so hard she started rocking in her seat doubled over in laughter. By the time she was finished the contents in my mouth were already swallowed down and I was just sitting there staring at her. A small giggle escaped her lips when she reached over the table and wiped some ketchup off of my chin with her finger. I blushed and looked away when she popped said finger into her mouth and sucked it clean with a wet smack as she pulled it out with a wink.

I made my way across the kitchen and out the sliding door that led to the back yard. I stopped on the wooden deck, almost like Miley's but not as big, and scanned the dead crumpled up leaves surrounding the huge oak tree in the middle of the small yard. My eyes followed the trail of leaves broken apart until it led to a huge tire that was hanging onto the lowest branch by thick, newly replaced ropes. Tears lined my eyes as the memory of Miley and me swinging on that tire flashed through my head, before we got in a relationship. We were feeling a little adventurous one day, like the little kids we were before life decided we had to grow up, and found ourselves right on this very deck staring at the tire swing as if it were a space ship. I knew what she was thinking before she brought it up, and told her it was a bad idea since the old ropes were all worn out. She called me a baby and raced to the tire. I stood there for a moment, just watched as she climbed onto the black tire like an overeager little child, and took in the beauty of her childlike innocence. From the tire swing she called me a grandma and told me to jump on the tire with her. I knew it was a bad idea but I did it anyway. I swear I felt the rope give a little when I sat on the tire, too, but it didn't break off or anything. The tired swung back and forth for a few minutes before the rope finally gave out and sent the tire flying to the right as we were swinging that way. We both screamed and held onto the edge of the tire as hard as we could as we went sailing through the air until it just dropped on the grass with a dud. We were both panting and out of breath but after a while we just broke into laughter. I made Oliver help me take off the old rope and replace it with new ones two weeks ago.

I stepped off of the deck and walked towards the tire. I dragged a finger around the rubber as I circled it. When I stopped I looked up at the back of my house and stared at my balcony on the second floor. Usually there would've been white Christmas lights wrapped around the railings, but it was taken down. A tear slipped down my face when I looked back and realized how foolish I was. Her feelings were there all along, and I was just now finding out about it. God, why did I have to be so dumb?

My room brought back the worst memories. The one that hurt the most was when Miley had slept over and she thought I was knocked out as she declared her love to me, before we got together. I didn't think anything of it then so I didn't worry too much about it. I thought she meant as a friend, since we just had a regular sleep over like any other day. I should have known. The tone of her voice was barely audible, as I kept my eyes closed and breathing even, but it held so much emotion.

Then my mind drifted to all those times where she'd come to me after all those failed relationships she had with guys. She always said they broke her heart, but I should have known better. Miley doesn't get her heart broken. She doesn't let anyone in close enough to break her heart. She always breaks hearts before hers could even get broken. Then... I thought of all those hugs she'd have me wrapped up in. So warming and inviting and protecting We'd hug longer than friends should, longer than her and any of her boyfriends ever did. And the kisses on the cheek that got closer to my lips every other time until she was practically kissing the corner of my lips in greeting.

"Why haven't you seen it? The failed relationships, the sleep overs, the cuddling, the hand holding, the lingering of hugs and kisses, just everything. It was so obvious, everyone saw it."

Fuck, I broke her and gave her hope and led her on and... fuck I broke her.

I broke my best friend and I couldn't stay around to watch the effect my stupidity had on her.

I was leaving.

I took one last look at my surroundings before jumping into my car and leaving this state. This city. This house.

For good.

AN: There'll be probably one or two more chapters before it's finally over. Now that I know what I'm going to do next, I'll have the updates up sooner! I was SERIOUSLY dead with this chapter, but an idear popped into my head and wallah! Hehe. Anyway... I know I probably don't deserve it but... review, please? K, thanks!

PS: sorry if there are things that don't make sense. My eyesight's all blurry right now cuz i'm so sleepy. Just point them out and i'll take care of it. K, thanks.