"Mi, you need to get up and get ready for school." My mom was standing at the door smiling, she knew what a big step I was taking, and I think maybe…just maybe she's actually proud. I picked up my phone and checked the time 6:12. I groaned and lifted myself up out of bed. I think that was the hardest actually moving and putting in effort. I went to the bathroom to look at the damage I was dealing with and it was worst than I though. My hair was in knots and could be mistaken as a birds nest. My eyes were half open with mascara smeared down my face, I was a mess. I went back into my room debating if I should just lie back down and rethink it tomorrow but I knew if I didn't do it now, I never would. I grabbed my IPod off my desk and turned on "…Slowdance on the Inside" by Taking Back Sunday. Then went back into the bathroom to comb and straighten my hair.

"This glass house is burning down; you light the match I stand my ground. I'll give you anything you want if wished the worst on what I was…" I sang along as I finished applying my makeup. My eyes were a light grey instead of a clear blue. I signed then decided I couldn't do anything about them and turned the light off as I exited the bathroom and went down the stairs to see my mom in the kitchen waiting for me.

"Hi Honey. I made you some toast" I gave her a weak smile and accepted it, because I knew she'd appreciate it.

"Well, I have to go…I'll see you later mom." I grabbed my car keys out of my purse and walked out of the house and over to my car. My poor jeep, it's in dire need of a car wash. I took a deep breath before turning the keys to start my car, man I was nervous. I finally pulled out and headed off to school.

As I was walking down the hall I could feel everyone's eyes on me. And I could hear their whispers as they gossiped about everything I was. But what they didn't know was I'd changed.

"That's Miley, the one who disappeared for like 10 months" I heard a girl with red hair tell her friend. I tried not to pay attention to them but it was hard when you were all people talked about.

"Is that Miley?...she's defiantly changed"

"I heard she died…"

"I though she moved away, what happened to her?"

"Isn't she the girl whose brother died?"

"Oooo she must be the girl who's brother killed himself."

I went into the bathroom after 4th period, I needed time to think. Everything was different, and I wasn't sure how to handle it. I had no friends and everyone looked at me like a charity case. Besides, why would anyone want to be friends with someone like me? I walked out and went over to the food stand to buy myself a bag of chips for lunch. I reached in my wallet and pulled out $0.75 about ready to pay for my food. "No its okay, its fine…just take them." I just looked at him and held my hand out ready to drop the money in his hands but he wouldn't accept it.

"Can you please just take the money?"

"No its fine you can have them…" I rolled my eyes and place the money on the counter then walked away. I hate being treated differently. I knew today was going to be hard but I never expected this. I had no one to sit with so I sat by myself under a tree. When I finished eating my chips I pulled out my book and read in till I heard the bell ring. As I was walking to class I heard my name being called. I turned around to see Demi. She was my best friend…I mean was. She was so pretty her curly hazel hair and cute style. She was wearing leggings with a blue cardigan with white stripes.

"Hey.."

"Hi."

"So, how have you been?" this was such an easy question. I just don't understand why it was so hard for me to answer. I paused to really think about it but I still couldn't find an appropriate answer.

"I've been better." And I tried to show her a weak smile. But she wasn't buying my bull crap.

"You know, you're not the only one who was sad." She looked up at me. "I loved him too" I looked down then shook my head.

"It was a different kind of love" I was getting uncomfortable. I've never actually talked about him in till now.

"Love is Love Miley." I sighed she knew me too well. And I'm sure she knew that I was hiding something from her now. She could see through my wall that I've worked so hard to build up. Because she was the one that knew me just as well as Trace. "Miley, please…just let me help" I closed my eyes and counted to three hoping this would all go away but when I opened my eyes again she was still there along with all my problems. Demi wrapped her arms around me and whispered in my ear that it was going to be okay. I hadn't realized the wet substance flowing down my cheeks were tears in till I closed my eyes again and felt the water flow.

I was late to my 5th period class but the teacher saw my tear stained cheeks and decided not to give me a tardy. I was thankful and glad that I only had 5 classes. I just wanted to go home. I was tired and exhausted. Demi met me after class and walked me to the car. We didn't say anything in till I pulled out my key. "Do you want a ride?" She smiled and got in. That's what I loved about Demi…she already knew me. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to take her straight home without going to Starbucks. She smiled as I pulled into the drive thru. "Carmel Frapacino?" I laughed. She smiled and nodded. After I pulled into an old parking lot by an abandoned building. And as I sipped my cold drink I thought of how much I've been a bad friend. "I got your messages..."

Demi looked up at me "you never replied back to them" I sighed.

"I know…and I'm sorry it's just the past months have been really tough." She looked out the window and then at me…she smiled.

"You're my best friend you know that right?" I smiled then nodded yes. "Miley, what happed the night Trace died." I looked past her out the window there was a tree swaying; the leaves were falling as the seasons were changing. I can't believe I've missed so much. I looked back at Demi.

"I don't know, he just went missing and then the next thing I know there is a police man at my door saying they found my brother and he was dead." She looked down and I saw a tear hit her leg. "I'm so sorry. But he loved you too, I know it." She looked up at me with creased eyebrows.

"How do you know?" her voice was raspy.

"I could just tell, the way he talked about you, the way he'd look at you…everything" and she knew I was telling the truth because she could tell too. And I knew she was just as sad about his death as I was, because she loved him too…