Disclaimer: Nope, don't own HM.

Chapter 10: Who Knew School Could Be A Lot Worse?

You get the best of both worlds,

I groaned as I woke to my alarm going off. I reached over and hit the button to turn it off. I turned over and lay there with my eyes open. Monday. Monday morning. That only means one thing in everyones' book from the ages of 5 to 18.

School.

I gulped. I had no idea how I was going to do this but like Lilly would always say one step at a time. I quickly got changed and ran downstairs to the sound of sizzling bacon, my Dad reading the paper and Jackson eating toast.

"Good morning." I said announcing my entrance.

Dad and Jackson looked up and said hello while my Dad placed a strip of bacon on a plate with some eggs on toast. I sat down and gobbled it all up.

"You know you don't have to do this." Dad said.

"I want to." I said grabbing my bag.

"Good luck Bud." My Dad said.

"Thanks Daddy." I said running out of the door jumping on the bus.

"Hey where's your friend?" Steve our bus driver said causally as I jumped on the bus.

I felt tears come to my eyes as I remembered that Lilly and I always caught the bus together, ever since we had became best friends.

"She…..she……" I started but I couldn't finish it.

Steve looked at me with concern on his face.

"You okay Miley?" He asked.

I nodded and wiped my eyes.

"Alright, take a seat." He said starting the engine as I walked down the aisle.

Left and right, teenagers were having fun. Laughing, talking and sitting with their best friends. It actually hurt that I can't do that with my best of best friends. Slowly I sat next to Oliver and the bus pulled out of the bus stop.

I looked over at Oliver. He was looking out the window and gripping his bag until his knuckles had turned white.

"You okay?" I whispered.

He just nodded. The rest of our ride was in silence.

Half an hour later, the bus pulled up to school. Oliver quickly got up and was one of the first people off the bus. Me, on the other hand, was still sitting on my chair.

You can do it! I told myself over and over again. I slowly got up and moved carefully down the bus. I hopped off the bus and walked into school with Oliver who had been waiting for me.

While walking down the corridors, we got a lot of stares. I guess people are so use to the three amigos that they were shocked to see only two. Plus I guess it helps we haven't been in school for the past week.

I looked down to avoid the stares. I really didn't need this right now. Suddenly I bumped into someone. I collapsed on the floor; the contents of my bag went everywhere. I quickly scrambled around to get my books. When I looked up to see none other than Amber and Ashley looking down on me. I gulped.

"Hey Stewart, where's the third loser?" Amber said folding her arms.

"Um, um, I, I…." I stuttered.

"Don't have an answer?" Ashley said.

I gulped again. I was trembling. Not because of Amber and Ashley but what they were discussing.

"Stop it!" Came a voice.

I turned around and saw 'Saint' Sarah. Thank GOD! Someone to help me. There was no way I could hold my own right now.

"Just leave her alone!" Sarah continued.

"Well looks like the hillbilly has a passé." Amber laughed.

Sarah just scowled at them until they turned around and left.

"Need a hand?" Sarah said extending hers.

"Yeah, thanks." I said taking it and getting pulled to my feet.

We started to walk to my locker.

"So where is Lilly? I was hoping to catch up with her and ask her about our English assignment." Sarah said.

Poor Sarah. She had no idea. I gulped, the hallways were emptying. The bell for Tutor Group was about to ring but I had to tell Sarah the truth. I trusted her. She was probably one of the only students here who I could tell anything to and be understood.

"Lilly won't be coming back." I whispered opening my locker.

"Why?" Sarah said looking and sounding confused.

I checked to make sure we were the only ones in the hallway. Luckily for me, we were. I turned back to Sarah.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked her after putting the last of my books into my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

"Sure, what's up?" Sarah said walking with me to our Tutor Group.

"Lilly…..Lilly…." I said trying to get the words out.

Sarah waited patiently for me to get the words out. She could see that something was wrong and didn't push it. That was one of the things I love about her.

"She's dead." I whispered.

Sarah put her hand to her mouth in shock.

"Oh my GOD! I'm so sorry!"

"Thanks."

"But how? Why? When?"

I gulped. I really didn't want to answer the how question and I didn't know how to answer the why question.

"A few weeks ago. Her parents found her dead."

We began walking again.

"How did she die? If you don't mind me asking. Was it a car crash? Murder? Accident?" Sarah asked looking at me straight into the eyes.

I took a deep breath in before shaking my head.

"Then what?" Sarah asked. She was clearly confused.

"Suicide." I whispered in a croaky voice.

Sarah looked as though she was about to faint.

"WHAT?!" She half-whispered, half-shouted.

And so I told her. Everything. From our last day together, to the day I found out and the aftermath. It actually felt good just to get it off my chest. Sarah was a good listener and when I finished she looked like she was about to cry. There was an awkward silence after I had finished. Nobody knew what to say next. Sarah looked around everywhere but in my direction and I just kept looking at the floor. How were you suppose to respond to what I had just said? As though it was the answer to our situation, the bell went. Signally for us to head off to Tutor Group.

"Well, I guess we be off to Tutor Group!" Sarah said breaking the very long, awkward silence between us.

"I guess we better." I said

We walked the rest of the time in silence.

"Sarah! Miley! Late!" Mr Corelll said not looking at all serious.

"Sorry Mr C." I said.

Mr Corelll gave me a smile. Did he know? Perhaps he is just being is usual friendly self. Funny enough I found myself wishing it was the latter.

"Take your seats. You're just in time, we're about to do the roll." He said gesturing for us to take our seats.

Slowly we did. Sarah kept looking at me with nothing but sympathy on her face. Every time she looked at me, I gave her a weak smile. Soon Mr Corelll did the roll. I couldn't help glancing at the empty seat that was behind me. It drew everything towards it. It was like it was a vacuum. I couldn't help myself. I wanted to turn away but I couldn't.

"Lilly?" Mr Corelll called out.

Just hearing her name made all the feelings rush back today. That's like the fourth time today and the day hasn't even begun!

"Lilly? Is Lilly here today?" Mr Corelll asked the class.

Guess that answered my question. He didn't know after all. I was glad. I didn't want Mr Corelll pulling me aside to talk to me. Maybe even send me to the councillor. I really hope that doesn't happen.

"No, she isn't here." Oliver said.

I turned around. Oliver had his fists clenched and he was looking down at them. I was shocked that he had even spoken.

"Thank you Oliver." Mr Corelll said marking Lilly absent.

The rest of the day continued like this. I had over estimated my ability to handle school. I thought I could but I was so wrong.

Every class I had that Lilly and I were usually partners, I had to team up with someone else. Luckily for me either Sarah or Oliver was in my class. So I guess it did turn out okay. It just that I missed having Lilly as my partner. Oliver and I sat at lunchtime, alone. Just the two of us. The Golden Trio, as Lilly nicknamed us after getting it from Harry Potter, had gone down to the Despair Duet.

By the end of lunchtime, I wanted to go home. couldn't put up with this anymore. I guess coming back to school was a mistake. I thought that Oliver could do it, so could I. But Oliver has been hiding his feelings a lot lately. I guess I have been too. But something kept telling me to go on and so I did.

By the end of the day, I was walked very slowly to my locker. My feet dragging themselves along the floor. By the time I reached my locker, I was one of the last people in the building. I opened my locker and grabbed everything I needed.

I looked side-ways and saw Lillys' locker. I could just see her trying to undo her locker. The scene changed, Lilly was talking and laughing with Oliver just like old times. The picture brought tears to my eyes.

Then suddenly I had an idea. What if Lilly hid something in her locker? I looked around to double check I was indeed alone before I started on her locker. I remember her pin quite clearly. 1837, the year Queen Victoria became queen. Figures. She was her favourite queen. It was so typical Lilly.

I opened it. I looked inside it. There was nothing but her school books, Lillys' PE gear, a couple of reading books, an empty drinking bottle and some random stationary. I had a quick look around inside it. Nothing to suggest why she had decided to do what she did. I closed the door with a bang and locked it again.

But then that's when I noticed it.

A girl about my age walking towards me. She was wearing a white Abercrombie and Fitch hoddie with the words 'Fitch, New York 18' embroidered in crème letters on it (A/N: Based on my hoddie) and black jeans. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. I let out a gasp of surprise when I saw her. I would recognise her face anyway.

A/N: I hope you liked that chapter. Can anyone guess who it is? She has been mentioned before. Please remember to review! =)