AN: As things become romantic between the four friends, Robby Ray comes to crash the party.

Chapter VIII: A Father Scorned

Michael felt the sunlight hit his face, and he calmly sat up, but he felt something heavy preventing him from doing so. He looked over and saw that Miley was sleeping right next to him. She had her hands wrapped around him, breathing peacefully. Michael smiled and slowly eased her way from under her. He gave er a quick peck on the forehead, and went into his bathroom to wash up. He still haven't told Miley how he really felt about her, and seeing Jackson and Melody hook up might just give him the nerve to hook up with Miley. Michael heard Miley wake up, so he dried himself off, and walked back into his bedroom to join her.

"How are you feeling?" Michael asked, sitting next to her. Miley looked at him, and smiled sadly.

"I'm fine." Miley said. She looked at him, and sat up. Michael could tell that she was on the verge of tears.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked, concerned for his friend. Miley looked into his face, and tears began to fall.

"My father, he hurt me and Jackson a lot, and he hurt me really badly." Miley began. "One time, he pinned me down, and forced his hand up my skirt. I tried to fight him off but he was way bigger and way stronger than me. Another time, he beat me unconscious with a broom handle. I can't go back, I won't! I won't!"

Michael had no idea what to do with his screaming friend. Michael just pulled his friend into a tight hug, and let her cry into his shoulder. Miley soon calmed down, but Michael knew that if he saw Robby Ray again, he just might kill him.

Robby Ray looked towards Michael's house, and he soon saw his children, along with Melody get into Jackson's car and pull off. Michael was seen standing on the porch, dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. Michael waved towards the car pulling away, and he went into the house. Robby Ray took another swig of whiskey, grabbed his pistol, and went towards the home. He had a smile on his face, as he knew what he was going to do.

While Jackson was at another side of the mall, Miley and Melody were conversing in the food court. Melody knew that Michael and Miley were made for each other. Jackson and Melody finally hooked up, and Melody knew that she had to get her friends together.

"Do you like him?" Melody asked her.

"Like who?" Miley asked, as if she didn't know who Melody was talking about.

"Michael, as if you didn't know." Melody said, playfully punching her in the arm.

"I kind of do, but it scares me that if I told him how I feel, he won't feel the same way." Miley said sadly.

"If you don't tell him, how are you going to know if he feels the same way about you?" Melody asked her.

"You think that I should? With everything that has happened to me and Jackson, do you really think that I should?" Miley asked her again.

"Yeah, I think that you should." Melody answered, smiling. "You never know, he could be gone tomorrow, so you better tell him now."

Miley smiled, because she knew that she loved him, and she knew that she had to tell him that.

But was it too late?

Michael was busy cleaning up his room, when he heard a noise outside. Dropping a pile of dirty clothes, he went out near his room to investigate. No sooner than he left the room and entered the adjoining hallway, a sharp blow rendered him unconscious. Robby stood over him, smiling sinisterly.

Let the fun begin. Robby dragged Michael's unconscious body downstairs. Michael was in for some serious trouble...

Michael awoke after realizing that Robby had tied him to something. He looked around, and realized he was tied to the kitchen counter. Robby stood over him, and without warning, hit Michael across the face with the butt of his gun.

"Where are they?" Robby demanded to know in a drunken voice. Michael, in an act of defiance, spat into his face, which only seem to make Robby Ray even angrier.

"Why would you care!?" Michael screamed at him. "You are only going to beat them more!"

Robby hit him again. "I am their father! I can do whatever I want to them!"

"Whatever, if I wasn't tied to this table, I'd beat your ass myself!" Michael screamed at him.

Robby was about to hit Michael again but he heard the doorknob rattle. Robby knew that someone was about to come in, so he hid and laid in wait for whoever was about to come in. Michael got free of his restraints and made a run for the door. Robby saw him running and let off a shot, hitting Michael and causing him to fall to the floor, bleeding from the gunshot wound in his stomach. Michael looked up, and saw Miley's face hovering over him, before he could do anything, he closed his eyes for perhaps the last time...

AN: Final chapter is up next!