It's been one whole week since Lilly finally talked to Oliver. Now that they were on good terms, she had no problem ditching Jacqueline in English class to sit next to him. He was her friend, and she talked to him – a lot. People were starting to take notice, and instead of envying Lilly for being so close with the cute new boy, they looked at it as something to bring her down with. They looked at it as her flaw.

It didn't go unnoticed by Lilly. Still, she couldn't understand what people found so bad about Oliver. He was sweet, funny, and cute. Perfect qualities for a boy. So, what's the big deal? Miley liked him, even though they've yet to talk anywhere else besides school. The only person Lilly understood who had a problem with her friendship with Oliver was Jake. He's her boyfriend, it's natural for him to get jealous.

Much to Oliver's dismay, Lilly has yet to break out of her hard exterior. She's still the girl at school that everyone feared, with cute outfits and the latest designer bags. Oliver couldn't help but laugh at everyone – if only they knew her. Really knew her.

They walked down the hallway together – their next class was Trig. Lilly was laughing at something Oliver had just said, when a girl Lilly hadn't even realized attended their school approached them.

She stopped laughing abrutly, and put on a hard face. She place one hand on her hip, and looked at the girl with raised eyebrows.

The girl, who looked maybe a year younger them, had pin-straight white blond hair and dull brown eyes. She smirked. "Wow, Truscott." At the use of her last name, Lilly gaped. Who did this girl think she was?! "I'd expect better from you." She continued, shaking her head. "Hanging out with a scholarship case?" She shook her index finger. "Tisk, tisk."

Lilly kept her composure, but on the inside she was screaming. So many questions and thoughts ran through her mind all at once. She felt as if she was going to collapse, no one ever spoke to her that way before. And Oliver. He wasn't a scholarship case! She glared at the girl head-on, showing no fear. "Before you mess with the wrong people, I suggest you get your facts straight. You're not as great as you think you are, trust me." She shook her head. "I have sympathy for people like you. Making up rumors just so you can look good?"

The girl's eyes widened. "Oh, so you think I'm making it up?" She laughed menacingly, shaking her head slightly. "Oh, this just keeps getting better. You didn't even know, did you? Looks like your new little boyfriend hasn't been completely honest with you."

"Get out of here!" Lilly shouted at the girl, getting more and more frustrated with her the more she spoke. "You and your nose job. I can't stand to look at you anymore!"

The girl's smirk suddenly disappeared and she turned quickly on her heel, stomping down the hallway.

Lilly groaned. "People are so annoying!" She looked at Oliver pleadingly. "Sorry about that, people love to start rumors. They have nothing better to talk about." She laughed, shaking her head. "Pathetic."

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, Lilly."

She looked up at him, "Yeah?"

"Well.." He bit his lip. "I kind of.. am here, you know.. on scholarship."

Her face drained of all color, and she looked at him like she had just seen a ghost. "You.." She pointed a finger at him. "I.." She let out a long sigh. "You could of told me that sooner!" She shouted, hitting him on the arm.

"You're not mad, are you?" He asked, looking hopeless. "I didn't realize that was such a big deal here."

She sighed, and rubbed her temples. "Of course it's a big deal here. If you haven't noticed, people around here have money. A lot of money. And they're snobs, really big snobs. They judge you on your bank account!"

He looked at her, looking a little nervous. "Do you judge on.. bank accounts?"

She shrugged. "Well, I mean, yeah, I used too.."

He sighed. "So what, because I'm not rich like your superstar boyfriend you don't wanna hang out with me anymore?"

Lilly gaped. "No! I never said that! And don't bring Jake into this!"

"Then what is it?!" He demanded.

"What's what?!" Lilly asked, genuinely confused. "You're not making sense!"

"I don't know!" Oliver shouted, flaring his arms.

Lilly couldn't help but let a small giggle escape. He looked at her, and he started laughing too. She shook her head. "Oliver, I don't hate you. You're not so great for my image, but.."

He looked at her, unamused.

She shrugged. "What?! I've spent sixteen years at the top, and you're great and all, but I'm not about to lose it."

A grin formed on Oliver's lips. "Lilly, I didn't know you felt that way. You think I'm great?" He asked, sounding cocky.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. All I'm saying is that if you deny having a scholarship.."

"So, you're embarassed by me?" He asked, sounded offended.

She sighed. "You know what? We're like.. really late for Trig. Miley's probably wondering where I am."

He shook his head. "Who cares about Trig!"

"You if you want to keep your scholarship." He looked at lost for words on this one, and Lilly took this opportunity to grab his arm and drag him off to class.

--

It wasn't making up an excuse for being late to Mr. Fuller that made Lilly nervous, that was the easy part. The part that made Lilly nervous, actually nervous was the stares of disgust she was getting from all of her classmates. So, maybe Oliver was here on scholarship.. and maybe because she's supposed to the great Lilly Truscott they over-analyze the fact that she's giving him the time of day. Oh, and not to mention showing up to class with him, twenty minutes late, isn't helping with the rumors.

Lilly sat down in her seat, right next to Miley. Oliver sat in front of her. She tried to get comfortable, but she felt uneasy. She didn't dare to look, but she couldn't help but feel like all eyes were on her. And it wasn't in the usually way that made her feel like the queen of this place.

It was then that Lilly felt her purse vibrate. Glancing at her teacher to make sure he wasn't looking, she carefully took out her cellphone. One new text. It was from Miley.

What took you so long?

She quickly wrote back.

Tell you later.

Miley glanced up from her phone, and gave Lilly a look of impatience. Lilly shrugged, hoping Miley would get the hint that the story was a little too long to write in a text.

Lilly was relieved when class finally ended. It was friday, last period, and she was free for the weekend. It was exactly what she needed. She headed to her locker, Miley by her side.

"So.." Miley began, fiddling with her lock. "What are the plans for this weekend?"

Lilly shrugged. "I was hoping you'd have something." She opened her locker, taking out books she would need.

Miley stopped what she was doing, and thought for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe we could start planning a halloween party. It's only a couple weeks away."

Lilly froze. "It's October?"

Miley nodded slowly. "Today's the first."

When Lilly said nothing, Miley got confused. "Why?"

"I just didn't realize." She replied. It was half of the truth.

Miley zippered up her bag. "Oh." She said simply. Miley's eyes suddenly moved upward, and she smiled. "Hi, Jake."

Lilly turned around, only to be captured in Jake's lips. It was a short peck. She gave him a half-smile. "Hey."

He grinned. "Wanna hang out today?"

"Um." She bit her lip. "I told Miley I'd get my nails done with her today."

Miley furrowed her eyebrows. "You did?" Lilly glared at her. "I mean, right! Sorry, Jake."

Lilly looked at him innocently. "Unless you wanna come. That'd be so much fun! Guys get manicures all the time!"

"Um.." He looked uneasy. "Why don't you just call me when you're done?"

She shrugged. "Okay, are you sure?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I'm positive."

"Alright. Bye!" She pecked him quickly on the lips. He smiled, waved good-bye to Miley, and walked off.

Miley rolled her eyes. "Let's go, Lils. Before you get yourself into trouble."

--

Miley and Lilly were walking out to the junior parking lot, talking about nothing in particular. Lilly spotted Oliver, and told Miley she'd talk to her later. Miley gave her a knowing glance, but Lilly shrugged it off.

She approached him. He was with that Kyle kid again.

"Lilly." Oliver nodded. He still seemed upset from their conversation earlier.

"Hey, Oliver." She looked to the boy next to him, and flashed him a smile."Hi, Kyle."

He looked taken-a-back. "H-hi.. Lilly." He stuttered. She found it kind of cute.

Oliver rolled his eyes at his friend. "What's up?" He asked her casually.

"I just wanted to.." She looked at Kyle, who seemed to be listening to her very carefully. She sighed. "Can you give me a ride home?"

He glanced at Kyle, who seemed to get the hint. "Oh, right. Bye." He waved, and walked off to his own car.

Oliver sighed. "Don't you have your own car?"

Lilly nodded. "Yeah, but Jake drove me in today. And I told him I was going with Miley."

"Why?" Oliver asked. His expression was somewhere between confusion and happiness.

She sighed. "Are you gonna give me a ride or not?"

"Fine." He gave in, and unlocked the doors. Lilly entered on the passenger side.

"You know," Lilly started, fiddling with the radio. "For a scholarship kid, you have a pretty nice car."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not poor, you know." He hit her hand away from the radio. She looked at him, offended. "My car, my music." He smirked.

He had the upper hand on this one. She put her seat belt on as Oliver started pulling out. "We should go somewhere." She suggested, randomly.

He kept his eyes on the road. "I thought you wanted to go home."

She shrugged. "Some place private."

A this, he turned his head to look at her. His eyebrows were raised and there was a little grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes. "To talk."

"I know, I was joking." He chuckled. "What do you wanna talk about?"

She sighed. "Well, you heard my story. I think it's time I heard yours." When he didn't reply, she shrugged. "It's only fair."

He pursed his lips, and answered after some time. "I guess it is."

"Great." She grinned. "So, where too?"

He pulled into her drive way. She sat up, looking out the window. "I thought -"

"Not today."

"But -"

"Later, okay?"

She gave in. She couldn't make him do something if he didn't want too. She sighed, and unbuckled her seatbelt. She reached for the door. Turning around, she gave him a weak smile. "Thanks for the ride." She mumbled.

He barely looked at her. "You're welcome."

She stepped out. Before shutting the door, she turned to him. "Oh, and for the record – I don't hate you. Sorry if I made you feel that way."

He shrugged. "It's alright." He looked at her, and this time gave her a real smile. "Have any plans tomorrow?"

She grinned. "I guess I do now."

"I'll call you." He told her.

She shut his car door, waving and running into her house.

--

Not my fav. But still, reviews would be nice :)

- Steph