"Friends hang on through the ups and downs 'cause they've got someone to believe in."
True Friend by Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana

"Yeah, we'll move to California so we could work for the record label. Duh." Jason said excitedly like a little boy who just had an overdose of sugar. Nate looked at his brothers back and forth, speechless. He didn't know what he wanted to say after that. At first, he wanted to yell, complain like a whiny child that he didn't want to move. But Nate decided against that to save himself from humiliation from his brothers. Instead, he looked down at his shoes and kept his mouth shut.

"Whoa, what happened? First, you were just fine and then it's like you died inside or something." Shane said, waving his hand in front of Nate's face. He then stopped and sighed, realizing the problem. "Oh, I think I know why Nate's like this." He announced, folding his arms across his chest. "You just couldn't choose between them." He said, sighing. Jason frowned, putting on a serious face.

"You mean between Miley and Alex? You're still cheating on them?" he asked, truly disappointed in his younger brother. Nate shrugged weakly; still not brave enough to look up at his older brothers. "Nate, you really shouldn't cheat on two girls. I thought you were smart enough to keep one girlfriend! It's wrong, mean, and unfair!" Jason said, looking dejectedly at Nate.

Nate shuffled his foot against the floor, burying his hands inside of the pockets of his jeans. He murmured incoherent things as his eyes continued to stay glued to the floor. Shane and Jason looked at each other and frowned before placing their attention back on their troubled younger brother. "Nate, you're just going to end up hurting them. Save them the time and just finish this." Shane said, sounding so tired and glum. As expected, Nate still didn't speak up, leaving Shane to his final words. "You know, you're going to have to break up with them when you leave for California."

"I can do lost distance relationships!" Nate burst out, finally talking for what seemed like a century. Shane raised an eyebrow while Jason scoffed.

"You can't keep one girlfriend. What makes you think that you can handle a long distance relationship?" Jason asked. Nate scratched his head furiously, feeling absolutely frustrated.

"I can keep a long distance relationship." He muttered before childishly looking away with his arms folded across his chest again.

"Nate, you have to pick one of them." Shane insisted, placing a hand on his arm.

"Why?" Nate whined.

"I think you know why."

Nate looked at Shane and Jason, finally meeting their eyes with his. Shane and Jason felt a pang of sorry as they stared into Nate's brown eyes. That shimmer in them faded away and was replaced by an outline of guilt and frustration. The usual intense yet beautiful color of his eyes looked dull and lifeless. His eyes looked like they were screaming defeat, rock bottom, hopelessness. And they were the perfect example to what Nate really was feeling right now.

"So…when's the flight?" Nate whispered, frowning.

OMJ

"Good morning, future artists of America! I am proudly hear to announce that the scouts from the Fine Arts Academy in New York are gladly here to see if any of you are good enough to join their summer program and will receive a full scholarship for their classes next school year! Five students from each grade were chosen to represent our school and their selves with their art, but only three will get the chance to join the summer program and the scholarship. Can those twenty students please go to the gym after homeroom to present their artworks? Thank you." The intercom announced.

Alex smiled brightly as she watched the clock ticked by. She bit her lip to prevent herself from smiling too widely as she barely could contain herself in her seat. She had the biggest urge to run wildly around the campus and yell out ear piercing screams of joy. Alex began to tap loudly against her wooden desk and shake her leg. This excitement was just too much for her own good.

Today was her time to shine. She was having a once in a lifetime opportunity getting thrown at her, her life's long dream of becoming an artist is just minutes away to becoming fulfilled, and as long as she is the infamous Alex Russo, she was going to let no one get in her way of ruining her day. Even after the fearful death glares, hurtful gossip, and harsh insults that had been centering on her for the past moments, Alex knew that she was capable of ignoring that. Today was her only day to hold her head up high and show everybody that she can't be torn apart.

Alex had to admit that from being the most envied yet popular girl at school to the most hated was a huge step back for her. She was used to the smack talk but just not the ones about her. She hated the burning looks, the ego crushing words, and the plain heartlessness that everyone was showing her now. Alex cared – she cared a lot. But was she going to show all of those losers that she did?

Hell no.

"She doesn't even draw that good. I bet she paid the school to choose her to go. God, I bet her stupid little picture she brought today is some kind of retard paint splatter or a piece of crap on paper." Alex heard someone whisper. She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, knowing that she needed to be calm and collected.

This is my day. This is my time. This is my spotlight. Alex thought, trying to build up her self-esteem. He's my Nate…wait! Alex shook her head. She also promised herself today that she wasn't going to think about Nate. Today was focusing on her art, not her on-and-off boyfriend. This is my chance. This is my opportunity. This is my dream. He's my Nate – god, Alex! She groaned silently and rested her head against the desk. No Nate. No Nate. No Nate. I love Nate…ah!

Alex decided to stop thinking. Anyways, thinking never worked out well for her in the past. As her mind began to drone out of all of its thoughts, Alex looked aimlessly around the room, ignoring all of the sounds around her. She turned to her side to see Miley fidgeting with her long hair, pretending to listen to the teacher as well. Alex stared at her former best friend, feeling like multiple needles were getting injected into the pit of her stomach right now.

Miley caught Alex's glance. The two girls immediately looked down at their desks shyly. Alex kept her eyes plastered on her hands, afraid of Miley's stare. She didn't think that a look could actually make her want to cry and crawl into a hole. But Miley's stare made Alex feel exactly that. Miley on the other hand, looked back at Alex. She pursed her lips, trying not to frown. She didn't want to give Alex the impression that she was sad as well. That she was also suffering also.

Alex and Miley wondered: what happened to them?

Even though the answer was pretty obvious. Nate.

But Alex Russo and Miley Stewart were the kind of best friends that were known to be with each other until the ends of the Earth - literally. If one would go, the other would have to go along too. It was like it was a rule for them to not be separated. Side-by-side, arm-in-arm, walking in a certain pattern. They were supposed to stick to each other through everything. Through turmoil and mayhem, tears and screams, bad and worse, they were supposed to be right besides each other.

In the past, they were so strong and so sure that nothing could separate them. No matter how many silly or serious disagreements they had, how many family problems or midlife crises they would face, or how many times things just simply went wrong, nothing could separate them. It was like the golden statement that Alex Russo and Miley Stewart are not allowed to not be friends.

Flashback

"Oh, Alex, I'm sorry! You know that I had to tell on you! The teacher was going to make us sit in for recess if anybody didn't confess!" seven-year-old Miley wailed, trying to keep up with Alex's fast pace. Alex held her nose high in the air with her arms folded neatly across her chest. She quickly walked, trying to move away from Miley. "Alex, don't give me the silent treatment! You know that it drives me insane when you don't talk!" Miley complained, still trying to keep up with Alex.

"I'm not talking to you since you went against best friend code and told on me. Best friends don't do that." Alex huffed, childishly looking the opposite direction Miley was in. Miley pouted, widening her big blue eyes in front of Alex. Alex tried not to give up. She fully turned around and held her nose in the air again. Miley walked over in front of Alex and gave her the puppy dog eyes again.

"But I told the teachers that I'll sit in with you." Miley tried, giving Alex the most innocent look a seven year old could possibly make.

Alex sighed and smiled. "Really?" Alex asked. Miley nodded her head. Alex grinned. "Aw, Miley, now that's what best friends do! I forgive you!"

"Yay!" Miley cheered, throwing her arms around Alex's small body and engulfing her in a big hug. Alex laughed and hugged her back. "So we're still best friends?"

"Forever and ever."

End of Flashback

They were supposed to be best friends forever and ever.

Miley breathed in a shaky breath and looked out the window. She looked at her old middle school across the road, watching as the wind gently pushed the swings in the playground. Miley smiled in what seemed like forever. She leaned back against her seat and grinned at the swings, just remembering how many things happened in that simple playground.

She didn't know if she hated Alex. She definitely didn't like her nor had enough love in her heart to forgive her right now, but she knew that she didn't hate Alex. They've been through too much, shared too many secrets, been together for so long for her to hate. Miley's smile twisted and her face made the expression of confusion. She didn't understand what she felt with Alex. It was like a dislike of some sort, not a hate but not a love.

Miley sighed as she continued to stare at her old middle school. It was like all the moments and memories with Alex had no meaning anymore. The many times Alex cheered Miley up, stuck up for her against bullies, took her place in the worst situations, seemed like it was unimportant now. Miley cringed, knowing how unfair that was. Alex was the only person who could save Miley when she was down. How could she be that cruel and forget all the good things Alex has done for her? But then again, Alex had her share of unfairness as well.

She freaking stole her boyfriend.

The pros listed in Miley's head again. They had been through the pimples, the periods, the crushes, the personal issues, the heartbreaks, and the heartaches, all together. So many things, so many remembrances were shared with each other. Miley – and Alex – knew that they couldn't just simply throw that away.

Miley ran her fingers through her hair, not knowing what to do, what to say, or what to feel.

Flashback

"So here we are." Miley whispered nervously as she and Alex stepped into the new building. They watched as what seemed like giants, dodged them, trying to get to their classes or lockers. They looked around at the new environment, already scared half-to-death. "Middle school." Miley said. Alex bit her lip, hating the fact that she seemed like a stupid bystander in the middle of the hallway, looking clueless. She stepped in front of Miley and gave her a cheery smile.

"Miles, this is just middle school. What's the worst that could happen? Getting pimples? Come on, we can survive something as simple as middle school. The only thing different is that we get lockers and we have transitioning classes and everything is so much bigger…" but the more Alex thought about it, fear overcame her mind like Miley's. Well, she definitely wasn't the overconfident eleven year old she was in fifth grade.

Miley grabbed Alex's hand. They intertwined their fingers and closed their eyes, taking a slow and deep breath. "We can do this. We're going to do this. We're going to get through this." Miley said quietly, trying her best not to hyperventilate in the situation. She could feel Alex's grip tighten around her. She could tell that Alex was just timid as she was. "We can do this, Alex." Miley repeated, trying to sound more confident than she normally is.

"Yeah, we can do this." Alex agreed. Then the two girls walked up the stairs and took a step into the first homeroom classroom.

And they did experience all of it together.

End of Flashback

The bell rang, interrupting everyone's thoughts. Alex felt her skin tingling in excitement, knowing that it was time to show her artwork to the scouts. She jumped out of her seat – and for once in her life – she was the first one out the door. Alex pushed through everyone in the hallway as she rushed to the gym. The blood pumping quickly in her veins was the only thing keeping her lively right now. Her heart thumping overtime was driving her mad, but she knew that it was the only thing that could get her full-on Alex Russo confidence going.

Alex opened the large gym doors to see that she was the only one in there. She smiled and walked over to her presentation. She pulled the sheet off of it, wanting to make sure that it was as perfect as she made it that day. To her complete horror, it was completely demolished. Alex's mouth dropped open as she stared at the destruction in front of her that used to be her art. Alex felt her lip trembling and her eyes watering.

Why would somebody do this to her?

She stared at the work, noticing that a bunch of people spray-painted harmful words around it. Whore. Slut. Ho. Man stealer. Backstabber. Traitor. Home wrecker. Bitch. She felt like she was about to break down again. People would assume that it was Miley who did this to her, but Alex knew better. Miley – not matter how mad she is – wouldn't do something this low. Alex took a deep breath and threw the sheet over her destroyed artwork, promising herself not to let a single drop of water fall out of her eyes. She was not going to let anyone rain on her parade today.

She sunk down against the wall and groaned miserably. She had nothing to present, meaning an automatic no from the scouts. What was she supposed to do? What was she supposed to say? Then a small smile appeared on her lips. With all her willpower, Alex got up and searched through her backpack, remembering that she brought her sketchbook to school today. She pulled it out at the same time as the other students and the scouts filed into the gym. She quickly glanced back at her old presentation and kicked it out of the way, pressing her sketchbook closely to her chest.

"Hello, dear students. I am Miss Auburn, high master at the Fine Arts Academy. Our other instructors and I are glad to be here at your school to see the works of the unknown and young artists of the new generation. So let's begin!" Miss Auburn said. The scouts separated and began to look around the gym, asking the artist many questions about his or her masterpiece.

Miley and Nate entered the gym quietly from opposite doors. Even if Miley and Alex weren't best friends anymore, Miley was still curious about Alex's art. She's never seen Alex's works in her entire life. For Nate, he just wanted to supports Alex. He knew that this was really important to her. Also, this might be his chance to tell her the truth. Both didn't see each other, but they clearly saw Alex. Miley rushed towards the crowd, blending in with the students and scouts while Nate hid behind the bleachers.

Miss Auburn walked directly over to Alex. She raised an eyebrow and looked behind her, seeing nothing but a large rag over a pile of clutter. "And you are?" she asked. Alex gulped.

"Alex Russo." She squeaked, giving her a weak smile.

"Ah, Alex Russo. You have been spoken highly from your teachers about your artwork. But, umm, where is it?" Miss Auburn asked. Alex bit her lip. She opened her sketchbook to a random page and shoved it in Miss Auburn's hands.

"Here, it's not that good but-"

"Why, this is truly beautiful, Alex." Miss Auburn said, taking off her glasses to get a closer look of the picture. She softened out the creases in the page and smiled genuinely at Alex. "Can I ask why you made this picture?" Alex peered over the page, trying to find out which drawing she opened up to. She frowned once she saw that she opened up to the picture with her and Miley on it, the one Nate loved the most.

Miley's eyes widened as she caught a glance of the drawing. It was her and Alex. Lifelike. She gasped but quickly turned around, trying to remain quiet. She looked inconspicuously behind her shoulder, trying to hear what Miss Auburn and Alex were talking about.

"Well…normally all of my drawings were made out of boredom, but this one is special. You see, that other girl in the picture is – was – my best friend. All the colors, purple, black, pink, blue, green, they all mean something. All the mixture of colors in the back round resembles what we've been through and all of the emotions we had to face with each other. That's why we're on the center of the picture. The fact that we're still smiling, still hugging, looking like we're laughing, means that no matter what we've been through and experienced in the past, we're still the best of friends, and nothing could tear us apart."

Flashback

"So what's for my sixteenth birthday?" Miley giggled as she and Alex walked out of the restaurant that hosted her fifteenth birthday. Alex rolled her eyes and laughed, linking her arms in between Miley's.

"That's a whole entire year away, Miles. Can't you wait? I already got you a gift card to, like, every store in the mall. Plus, since I love you, I was the one who had to pay for every single one of those gift cards!" Alex said, playfully nudging Miley in the ribs. Miley laughed and shook her head.

"Okay, okay, I'll wait. But I know what you can give me next year, and you don't even have to spend money on it!" Miley said. Alex's face brightened up.

"Oh! A free gift! I like it!" she responded, smirking. Miley laughed again.

"Well next year, I want to see a piece of your art." Alex frowned and rolled her eyes again. "Oh, c'mon, Alex! It's just one picture of yours I want to see! It's not fair that I'm your best friend in the world, and I'm not even allowed to see your art! Talk about best friends."

"Ugh, fine, I'll let you see my work. But only next year on your sixteenth birthday. I need to make something special just for you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

End of Flashback

What Miley didn't know was that her promise she made with Alex half a year ago was right there before her eyes.

Miss Auburn looked at Alex, giving her a warm smile. She handed her back the sketchpad and quickly scribbled things on her clipboard before walking away. Alex sighed, not knowing if that was a good smile or a bad smile. She placed the sketchpad back into her backpack and turned around. Of course, she bumped into someone. Alex looked up to find Miley, looking like she wanted to escape badly.

"Miley? What are you doing here?" Alex asked, absolutely bewildered. Miley looked around the room, trying to act cool and collected, but in the inside she was freaking out.

"Uh, what? Am I not allowed to be in here? It's a free country." She snapped back. Alex nodded her head, knowing that she shouldn't bother being nice to Miley. It wasn't worth it if she was only going to be rude back. Alex brushed passed Miley, heading towards the gym doors. Miley bit her lip and groaned. "Alex, wait." She said, jogging up to her. Alex froze, surprised. She turned to face Miley, giving her a confused look. "Um…I liked your drawing." Miley said, giving her a small smile. Alex smiled back.

"Yeah…it was supposed to be your sixteenth birthday present." Alex confessed, feeling her cheeks redden. Miley's eyes lit up, but she tried to keep that normal look on her face. Miley nodded her head, and Alex did the same.

"What was under the blanket?" Miley asked, pointing at Alex's old work.

"Oh…it was originally my first masterpiece, but somebody ruined it, so I ended up using our – my – picture." Alex said. Miley looked at the blanket, wondering what was under it. "Well I gotta go. I'll, uh, see you around, Miley." Alex said, giving her a small smile. Miley smiled weakly back as she watched Alex exit the gym.

Curiosity struck Miley again, and she walked up to the clutter and pulled the cloth off. She gasped at what she saw. She couldn't believe that someone would actually do this to Alex. But underneath all of those spray painted words and sharpie scribbles, she looked at the wonderful masterpiece Alex created. She heard laughing behind her. Miley turned around to see some of her friends from the cheerleading squad, giggling evilly. "That bitch got what she deserved for what she did to you, Miley." One of them said while receiving a bunch of high fives from the others.

Miley felt like her blood was boiling up inside of her. She threw the blanket back over Alex's old artwork. She frowned at her friends, giving them a look that could kill. "You're kidding me, right? Do you have any idea how much effort Alex put into this? I can't believe that you have enough guts to do that to her! She will definitely kill you guys if she finds out that you were the ones that did this to her." Miley said angrily.

"Hey, we did this for you. Russo doesn't deserve to go to that stupid art school."

"First, she does deserve to go to that school. Second, hasn't anyone told you that revenge is only for the low-minded?" with that, Miley exited the gym, smiling victoriously to herself as she heard the cheerleaders gasp. She pushed open the gym doors and jumped to find Alex, smiling at her.

"You really think so?" she asked. Miley sighed and gave Alex a half smile.

"I know so." She said. Alex threw her arms around Miley, hugging her tightly.

"I am s-so s-sorry!" she wailed, practically repeating what she said earlier on. Miley frowned, but hugged Alex back. "And I could understand that if you never want to see me again, if you never want anything to do with me, if you even hate me, but please just know that if it wasn't for you…then I would have been broken years ago."

"Hate you? Why would I hate you?" Miley asked.

"Don't you hate me?"

"Of course not. I don't like you…but I loved you too much for me to hate you."

Nate walked out of the gym and froze to see Alex and Miley hugging. A huge smile leaped onto his face as he neared the two girls. But he knew that he shouldn't be smiling. He was about to tell them the worst news ever. Nate felt his stomach stirring up and his knees wobbling. He didn't know if he could do this or not. Nate took a deep breath, knowing that he needed to be a man.

He needed to tell them today.

"Hey…" he said, smiling at the two girls. Miley and Alex pulled away and looked at Nate. "Can I talk to…both of you…"

A/N: And once again you've stumbled across another cliffhanger :) This chapter was sort of different becuase I wanted to focus on Miley and Alex's relationship, hence the song choice of the chapter. Thank you guys for your kind reviews. It makes me smile to read them. You rock! Expect just a couple more chapters left though.