AN: Now we see how Jackson and Miley interact with their friends.

Chapter II: Friends in Need

Miley and Jackson were able to get out of their house without running into their father. They were able to do that because either, one, he was already gone, two, he was passed out drunk in his room, or three, he was too tired to beat on them today. They both knew that they were always safe at school, because there were so many friendly faces that they could come to and talk about whatever was on their mind. There were two in particular that they grew especially fond of.

Melody, and her step brother, Michael.

They weren't exactly step-siblings, in the sense. Michael was living out here in Malibu with his older brother Charles, and Melody was his friend from their home town in Missouri. Michael and Melody met Jackson and Miley when they moved here about a year and a half ago. Jackson and Melody were really close, and Michael and Miley were really close. They had to keep what was happening to them a secret, otherwise they might lose the first true friends they ever had.

As school was going to let out Jackson saw Melody talking to her friends. Jackson sat back, and just watched her. She looked so pretty. She waved her long black hair back behind her shoulders, and waved her friends off. Melody walked over to Jackson, who barely snapped out of his trance before she approached him.

"Hi, Jackson. What's up?" Melody asked cheerfully.

"Um, nothing." Jackson answered. "I was just wondering if you needed someone to walk you home."

"Sure." Melody asked as they walked out the front door. "Jackson. I was wondering, is everything alright with you and Miley?"

"Yeah, everything's fine, why do you ask?" Jackson lied, knowing that Melody probably knew that everything at home was like living in hell.

"Because you keep acting like someone is out to get you." Melody asked. "I don't want to push on a subject that is non existent."

"Everything is alright. Really." Jackson persisted.

"Okay, I'll drop it." Melody smiled. Jackson smiled too, knowing that he fooled his friend for a little while longer. But in the back of his mind, he knew that he would have to tell her and Michael the truth sooner rather than later.

Miley walked towards her home, dreading the moment when she going to arrive because she knew that he was going to be there. Her father. She knew that he was going to be there waiting on wither her or Jackson to get home so he could "spend time" with them. Of course, his idea of spending time with his children usually meant beating them. Miley was so caught up in walking home, she didn't notice someone sneaking up on her.

"BOO!"

Miley dropped her books and looked around. She growled with anger as she saw a familiar teen with long blonde hair, wearing a San Diego Chargers jersey, a pair of old blue jeans, and pair of dirty black sneakers.

"What are you doing!?" Miley hissed at him. Michael laughed as Miley playfully smacked him in the arm.

"Trying to loosen my best friend up." Michael said. He scooped up Miley's books, and handed them to her and they continued their walk.

"I thought that you were already at home." Miley said.

"I was." Michael answered. "I got tired of waiting on Melody to show up, so I decided to ambush you."

"Cute." Miley said as she stopped in front of her house.

"Have you been okay?" Michael asked with a serious look on his face.

"Yeah. Why?" Miley asked. She knew what he was going to ask about.

"I was just wondering, if you were all right, because you have been acting really distant lately. I have been sort of worrying about you." Michael said bashfully, kicking at a patch of grass in front of his feet. If there was one thing that Michael had trouble with, it was the fact that he was really shy. Miley thought that was really cute. She knew that he was really dependable and would try to help her and Jackson out in anyway, but she just couldn't tell him. Not yet, anyway.

"I'm fine. I'll see you tomorrow." Miley said, waving at him. Michael waved, and dashed off. Miley swallowed and cautiously entered her house.

Miley stepped into her house, and saw no sign of her father. She knew that he either was not at home, but was somewhere else in the home. Miley slowly made her way to the steps leading upstairs and towards her room. She thought she was home free, until...

"Who was that boy you were talking to?" A drunken voice said. Miley jumped around and saw her father standing a few feet away from her. She could literally smell the whiskey on him.

"Just a friend dad." Miley said nervously. Robby must not have bought the answer that Miley gave him. Robby tried to grab her, Miley dodged him, and ran up the steps towards her room. When she reached her room, she found out to her horror, the door was locked. Robby stood behind her, laughing sinisterly.

"I knew that you were going to make a run for your door. That's why I locked it." Robby said. He reached out, and grabbed Miley's arm, and she winced in pain.

"Daddy, please!" Miley cried.

"It's too late for please, now." Robby said. Miley knew that she was in for a rough beating now.

Jackson walked into his home, and it was eerily quiet. In their home, that was a bad thing, a really bad thing. Jackson heard soft crying, and ran towards Miley's bedroom. He ran inside, and saw her huddled in a corner, crying softly. He looked at her face, and saw bruises all over her face. Jackson hugged his sister, knowing that was the only thing he could do for her.

AN: Wow. Next time, Michael finds out just what Robby has been doing to Miley and Jackson. R&R!