Alrighty, so, welcome to my first ever Hannah Montana fanfiction! Let me explain a few details up here, then I'll do the rest of my chatting all the way down at the bottom.

The italics right below happened in the past. Think of it as in... yesterday. The italics below the second line (once it switches to the Stewart family) are the voices on the TV. Hope that clears things up. For more, just scroll to the bottom. Thanks! And, I hope you like this chapter.

Story: Behind the Lights
Type: Hannah Montana
Rating: T for mild language and suggestive themes. Not in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own disney, hannah montana, or any of their characters. I own the plot and Big Ron. That'd be all.
Special Thanks To (in no certain order): TotallyTerriblyTaylor; AdrienneMichelleHudgens; xxxjoejonaslovxxx; cutiekarli; tomatoes; rorygal2991; Music And Reading Lover; And everyone else who read, favorited or alerted this story. Thank you!

Behind The Lights

Chapter One

"Thank you for riding with us, Miss Mikayla. I hope you enjoyed your flight."

The fifteen-year-old teen lifted a hand to wave at the flight attendant on her way to the door of the airplane. After three long months of nothing but Antarctica snowdrifts and cold, she had finally returned to Malibu, California. Everything seemed to be ready for her return. Even the flight attendant. Which explained her eagerly waiting at the door as the teen turned to leave. The girl paused at the top of the stairwell, taking a soft breath. She was greeted by the scent of salt water and the hot muggy air that she had missed oh-so-much in the past three months. It was so good to be home.

Her hand made it's way to her carry on bag where she removed a pair of Chanel sunglasses. The large black lenses shielded her eyes from not only the sun, but also what she knew was going to be a crowd of screaming fans and the press cameras just awaiting her return outside the airport. At the bottom of the stairwell, she ran her fingers through her messy chocolate brown hair and then snapped her fingers in the direction of the luggage ramp. Two members of her fairly large entourage scurried off to gather her various matching purple and red suitcases. The rest of the members followed the teenager as she started for the exit of the building.

"Allow me, Miss Mikayla." The smaller of her two bodyguards reached for the door, holding it open for the teenager. The larger of the two bodyguards then stepped in front of the group, leading her out into a hallway. He didn't hesitate until they reached the main door to the airport. It was then that he spotted the sea of screaming fan girls and the paparazzi that were awaiting the girl's arrival. The amount had to triple in the past three months; it was overwhelming.

"Ron, is there a problem?" The teenager squinted over the top of her glasses, a small smirk forming on her delicate lips. Her manager scowled at him from behind her, tapping her watch impatiently and muttering something to the extent of 'time is money.' Ron, the bodyguard merely sighed, adjusting his sunglasses as he muttered a faint, 'no, miss Mikayla.' He didn't hesitate any more as he led the group out of the airport and into the sea of screaming fan girls and flashing cameras.

The one and only Mikayla Mckoi was back from Antarctica. And, the world deserved to know.

"Chocolate ice cream or vanilla, kids?" Forty-year-old Robbie Ray Stewart stood at the counter of the Stewart home. He had an ice cream scoop in one hand and a container of chocolate ice cram in the other. Looking over his shoulder, he glanced at both of his children. Miley and Jackson. It was Saturday, and it was also family night. They'd just started the tradition as of last week and both teens were now sulking on the couch. He rolled his eyes as neither teen answered and began to scoop chocolate ice cream into bowls. "Chocolate it is."

"I can not believe you made me cancel my plans to go to watch the fireworks at the beach to do… this!" The younger of the two children sulked as she glared at the television screen. Miley Stewart –also known as Hannah Montana- wasn't one to ever cancel plans. But, her father felt that the three of them hadn't been spending enough quality time together and had gone all 'crazy' on them. Hence, she was now spending her Saturday night sulking on the couch as her brother flipped through channel after channel on the television.

"Seriously, dad. Isn't it bad enough that I have to go to the same school as her now? And that she lives here? Are you trying to kill me?!" The other teen turned from his channel flipping, leaving the remote rest on the arm of the couch as he strained to see his dad, who was now heading this way with three bowls of chocolate ice cream and a bottle of whipped cream. Jackson grinned, momentarily forgetting about his misery as he stretched over the back of the couch in an attempt to reach his father. "Ooh! Gim'me!" Snatching one bowl and the bottle of whipped cream from him, as he got closer, Jackson Stewart was quick to start spraying his ice cream with the whipped cream.

Robbie Ray rolled his eyes. Sometimes, although his son was seventeen –going on eighteen- he acted as if he were three. Handing one of the other bowls to Miley, Robbie sat down between the two on the couch. Just as he did so, the remote slid from the arm of the couch to the floor, causing the channel to change once again. This time it landed on a news channel, which was in the middle of speaking about the weather. "So… what are we watching?"

"Muthing," Came the reply from his left. Jackson. Robbie rolled his eyes, looking over at his son who had already downed half the whipped cream bottle into his mouth. He slowly bent over, picking up the remote and changing the channel a few more times. The various voices of the newscasters kept flipping along with the pictures. Miley glared at the screen as she ate her ice cream quietly. She was seriously wishing that she was anywhere but then at that moment, but the ice cream helped… for now, anyways.

'…In Maryland today there was…'

'…tomorrow's high will be 63 with…'

'..and in other news…'

Channel after channel flipped by, and none of the parts of the news stories had seemed very exciting at all. Why weren't any of them showing movies? Or at least something that would've been worth their time. Miley sighed as Jackson groaned, muttering something that was incomprehensible through his whipped cream covered mouth. A few seconds later, she heard the bottle land somewhere near the kitchen counter with a loud clank. Jackson must've downed the last of the whipped cream.

'…two horses were found in the…'

…ready to see which popstar returned to malibu today…'

'…the laker's-'

A few more channels went by and they were nearing the end of the news stations. Miley's eyes went wide, however after listening to the tidbits of what news programs they'd skimmed through. "Stop!" Miley gasped, snatching the remote from her father as she let her spoon soon hit the bowl. Robbie raised an eyebrow as he looked over at his daughter who was frantically trying to change the channel back. Jackson muttered something else through his whipped cream, but Miley paid them no mind. Finally, finding the channel that she wanted, she leaned forward. A frown crept onto her face as she seen an all-too-familiar red sunhat and the back of a brunette's head… it couldn't be…?

"Why in the world would you want to watch this crap? It's like watching Uncle Earl-" Robbie started, but Miley was quick to cut him off.

"Shhh…" She lifted her hand, putting one finger over her father's mouth as she leaned closer to the TV yet again. Robbie Ray rolled his eyes, but listened to his daughter. The room was now quiet except for the voice of the overly peppy newscaster.

"In other news, an ultra popular fifteen-year-old popstar and new found actress returned to Malibu today. That's right, Mikayla –also known as pop star Hannah Montana's best friend- returned from filming her latest movie with Jake Ryan in Antarctica. She was greeted with a mass of screaming fans, and the press. An undisclosed source hinted that Miss Mikayla is residing in Malibu, California for the time being. Rumor has it that she may even be enrolling in school. Are she and the super hottie, Jake Ryan, an item now? Does Hannah Montana know that she's returned? And, are those rumors true? Miss Mikayla promises to answer all questions at her press conference tomorrow located right here in Malibu. The one thing that we do know as of now is that Miss Mikayla looks even hotter than before. Watch out pop divas, Mikayla Mckoi is back!"

By the end of this short message, Miley Rae Stewart's mouth was hanging wide open. The remote had fallen on the floor and her ice cream was about to join it. With wide eyes, Miley just starred at the screen as Mikayla's picture flashed across it before they went on to tell about Britney Spears. The girl wasn't listening by this point, however. Her mind was too busy with a million questions. Why was she –of all people- the last to find out that Mikayla was back? And, more importantly, were she and Jake Ryan an… item? Miley gulped at the thought, still staring at the screen. She had a feeling that the next few months were not going to be pretty. Especially since 'E' news had no idea about the drama between Mikayla and Hannah that went on behind the glamour and the lights of Hollywood. No idea at all…

Alright, so here's my time to talk. I'm not fond of this chapter, I'll admit that I originally had bigger things planned. But, I've been stumped with school work and I really hope that you'll forgive me. This chapter is boring, I know. And, it's shorter than I would've liked. I hope you all enjoyed it, though, and I promise that it'll get better! I'll have the next chapter up soon. Please review. The more reviews, the sooner I update. Thank you!