AN: A concerned Michael checks on his friend Miley, and discovers what Miley and Jackson are hiding. This chapter focuses on Miley and Michael, so you might not hear about Jackson and Melody.

Chapter III: A Secret Revealed

Miley awoke early in the morning, feeling beaten, and bruised. She kicked off her blankets, and began getting ready for school. Miley slipped on her jeans, her sneakers, and her t-shirt. She looked in the mirror at her face, and saw that she was nursing some bruises that were only visable if you were looking for them. She dabbed on some makeup, grabbed her books, and she began to walk to her front door, not knowing that Robby Ray was waiting on her.

"Where are you going?" Robby asked her, causing her to jump out of fright.

"To school." Miley said, trying to get to the front door, but Robby blocked it.

"I made Jackson leave early." Robby said stalking her, causing her to backtrack. "Made him think that I left early. So it's just you and us."

Miley noticed that he had a look in his eye that made her think that he was going to do something worse than just merely beating her. When she tried to run, Robby grabbed her, and pinned her to the wall. Miley began to squirm and quietly squeal as Robby Ray's hand began to touch her inappropriately.

"Please, stop this!" Miley pleaded. Robby began to drag her upstairs, smiling sinisterly as he did so.

"We are going to have some fun..."

Michael was at his locker, getting ready to go home. As he turned around, Michael saw Jackson walked up to him, looking concerned.

"What's up?" Michael asked him.

"Look, I have to stay after school, can you do me a really big favor, and check up on Miley for me?" Jackson asked him.

"Sure, why wasn't she in school today?" Michael asked.

"I don't know." Jackson answered. "Please check on her."

"Sure. Is everything alright?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, sure." Jackson said, walking off. Michael shrugged his shoulders, closed his locker, and walked out of the school.

Michael walked up to Miley's and Jackson's front door, and knocked. He looked towards the street, and back at the house when he saw someone quickly open and shut the blinds on the house. Michael smiled as Miley opened the door. Miley looked at her friend, and she seemed to have brightened up at the sight of him.

"Hey, Miley. Jackson had to stay after school, so I just came by to check on you." Michael said, stepping inside. Miley smiled and sat on the couch. Michael sat next to her, and asked her what was on his mind.

"Miley, are you alright, because I've noticed that you weren't at school, and I've also noticed that your face is covered in bruises."

Miley smiled, and said, "I'm fine. I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed at home, and my clumsy self fell down twice."

Michael didn't buy it, and he decided to press the issue. "Miley, really, what's going on?"

Before Miley could say another word, She heard the front doorknob rattle. Miley, hopped up in fear, because she knew that it was her father, arriving at home. Miley grabbed Michael by the arm, and dragged him towards the back door.

"I'm sorry Michael, but you have to go." Miley said fear evident in her voice.

"But-"

"Michael, please. I'm sorry, I really am." Miley shoved him out of the back door, and slammed it. Instead of leaving, Michael walked to the kitchen window, and peeked in, in a position that he was able to be seen, and watched the scene unfold before his very eyes.

"Was there someone in here when they weren't supposed to be?" Robby asked her.

"N-No sir." Miley lied. Robby reached back and slapped her causing her to fall into the couch.

"You little bitch!" Robby screamed. "I know that someone was in here! I can still smell him!"

Miley looked up just in time to see Robby slap her again. Miley could feel her lip being split open. Robby stalked off, and Michael literally had to fight the urge to run in and kill Robby Ray, and to scoop Miley in his arms and run off. Michael sneaked off, and when he was a good distance from the home, he sprinted all the way home.

AN: Wow. Okay, next time, Robby meets Michael, and he gets a very interesting proposal. R&R!