Just your normal average teenaged love story...

XXXX

The school year has started and the rest of the week seems bleak. Instantly thoughts drift back to the summer vacation. The trip hadn't been too eventful but it was fun traversing the Golden Gate Bridge. You made it almost halfway through before your father decided it was time to head back. The breeze certainly proved stronger there than here.

The water was a darker shade of blue beneath the massive metal structure. Here the water on the beach is lighter and doesn't seem as threatening. Here it isn't so cold. Alas thoughts drift back to the cause of this state of dreariness.

San Fran would have been more enjoyable if it weren't for your media hungry father. After countless interviews where reporters asked him about his family his publicist decided it was time to show the public that even though he toured he was still particularly close to his family hence the sudden necessity for a family outing. The fact that school's started doesn't help.

It's not so much the learning that's bothersome as it is the repetitiveness of things. Being such a curious individual learning is something stimulating except when it comes to math because that's always been a weak point. It's despicable, the fact that classes are written out in a schedule that has to be followed through, and the lack of choice over classes is equally detestable. But more importantly what's particularly bothersome is that there's no control over who is going to be in them.

You'll admit to being a shallow individual. Eye candy in class is needed and so far there's no one interesting in any class.

It's hard to believe that since there are a fair amount of lookers in school though that's probably for the better since distractions can't be afforded. Drama isn't something particularly wanted at this moment.

Enough of that is received at home and occasionally from friends. A girlfriend will only do more harm than good. A relationship isn't advisable at this particular moment so the first instinct is to resist certain urges. Not many teens can control their raging hormones after all. But being an individual who follows her own accord makes it a little easier.

Well that's not entirely true. Not having a girlfriend doesn't mean there's lack of action. You're a big flirt. Ask any of the attractive girls at school. The display of coquettish aspects to the fairer sex is quite common.

You're not a whore though. You don't drift from one girl to another as if changing underwear. Messing around is done but it's nothing serious and the other party knows this. They're just curious and right now you're more than satisfied being the object that satiates their curiosity. After all, you're used to being used.

"Hey Miley." Oliver, your friend, greets rather enthusiastically.

"Hey Ollie." it's lunch time and the short interlude is welcomed.

"What's up?" he asks. His face contorts with curiosity and interest as he does. "School's only started for about four hours and already you look like someone killed your cat." he then smirks knowingly. "No eye candy."

"It's not that." he raises his brow because he doesn't believe.

"Then what's up?" he's humoring you.

It's amazing, how people think you're the biggest horn dog in the school and possibly in entire state. Maybe he really just wants to hear about your newest conquest but not being the type to kiss and tell, all details of the affairs are kept secret.

He should know better than that and he should also know by now your problems are never discussed. Still that doesn't stop him from asking every time he sees you troubled face which isn't all that often since you're incredibly gifted with hiding cheerless dispositions. The art of hiding pain behind a bright smile is usually easy but you aren't perfect and sometimes the mask is forgone.

Oliver's curiosity can certainly be unnerving. Your head shakes because he's prodding on a topic that he knows should never ever be discussed, especially not on the first day of senior year.

"Hey guys." you're thankful for the interruption Joannie brings because knowing Oliver he'll want to pry.

She gives you a friendly hug and then goes for him. It isn't a surprise that she lingers making the hug last longer with him. She doesn't like him however she's confessed she does find him appealing. There are a few familiar faces behind her and a smile forms as the rest of your friends join in.

You're all sitting on the bench now discussing school and their teachers. Joining the conversation with your façade ready the table suddenly erupts in laughter.

"What? She looks like she's about to burst." you say. "At first I was wondering if she really was pregnant or just incredibly fat. You've seen her." a particular history teacher is being discussed and of course you're not trying to be an asshole. It comes naturally. But people find that offensive mouth hilarious because the truth no one wants to hear is often stated in a comedic manner.

"Lilly!" Joannie hollers her voice ringing throughout the cafeteria.

"Louder Jo I don't think they heard you in Canada." the sarcastic muttering is ignored as your ear is rubbed with your index finger in attempt to shake out the ringing.

"Hey guys." Lilly saunters over to the table and sits next to you.

Because they're talking to her it can be discerned who her acquaintances are and you realize the school isn't that big because she's talking to Rachel and Marissa. The commonality in friends is something that's escaped your knowledge.

"Lilly." the greeting is made. "How's it going?" the question is asked in order to start a conversation. She smiles as she starts talking about her classes. A fair amount of interest is being displayed and everyone figures this isn't the first time you two have shared dialogue. They aren't wrong.

"You guys know each other?" Joannie asks in utter shock and a nod is given. Lilly was in your P.E. class in freshman year. You aren't really friends but have acknowledged each other's existence by waving in passing.

"The school's not that big Jo." chuckling at your brunette friend lets her know it isn't your intent to be offensive.

"We had P.E. in 9th grade." the blonde informs with a small smile and they nod as they absorb this newest bit of information they received. Lilly then continues her story about school and you're listening, offering a comment once in a while and sometimes she laughs. Being comedic comes naturally for you.

"Oh," is said, effectively catching Lilly's attention. "This is Sarah and that's Oliver." she's introduced to the people she doesn't know after you see Oliver's eyes urging for an introduction. "Meet Lilly." she smiles at them and gives them a small wave.

Lunch ends and you're on your way to class. The school day finishes and the realization about how uneventful it's been can't be denied. It isn't a surprise to find Oliver leaning against your locker. A small nod of acknowledgement is thrown his way and from the unease and anticipation in his eyes you can tell he wants to talk about something.

"So…" he starts and your eyes roll at his pathetic attempt to start a conversation.

"Rachel or Marissa?" the game hasn't been played in a while. Figuring this is the perfect opportunity to find out if your instincts are still sharp the question is asked.

"Marissa." he replies automatically. "You?" he asks.

"Rachel." after the necessary items needed for the day's homework assignments are placed in the bag the locker is shut. "Joannie or Sarah?" you're working toward the goal line.

"Joannie." he replies after mulling it over and now you're doing the same.

This is actually a hard question. Sarah has that girl next door thing to her that's absolutely endearing whilst Joannie has that athletic kick-ass thing going for her and it isn't an easy decision because they're both attractive in different ways.

"Both." your mind can't choose and Oliver laughs.

"You can only pick one." he reminds though he shouldn't have to because you're the one who introduced the 'Who would you rather' game to him in the first place.

"Sarah." the scale should be balanced.

Passing through the hall the set of familiar jet black hair isn't missed. The owner of the flowing locks pauses as she meets your stare. No one else notices this momentary pause in her movement apart from the person paying especially close attention to her; you.

Regaining her senses she looks away and continues to walk as if nothing had transpired. After following her lead you don't stare after her form as she disappears into the halls, opting to wonder if she's thinking about the past as you did on those rare occasions her dark colored tresses were seen. This was a turn of events that could never have been predicted.

"She's pretty cute." Oliver says after following your line of vision. "New meat." he states.

He's oblivious to the past you shared with this girl so he doesn't know that she's first friend when you made after moving from Tennessee to Malibu. That was years ago. Now you aren't 7th graders in middle school but seniors in high school. Time certainly passes rather swiftly.

"Her name's Ashley." Sarah informs since she too has no knowledge of the prior. "You guys heading home?" she asks and Oliver nods his head. "Want to meet up at the beach later maybe?" she asks and immediately receives a nod since there isn't much to do on the afternoon after the first day of school.

"Sarah or Lilly?" you try focusing on trivial topics.

"Lilly." he answers rather predictable.

"Joanie or Lilly?" the question is asked before he can turn the tables.

"Lilly." Oliver certainly is obvious.

"What about you?" he inquires.

The walk toward his car is rather lengthy since he is parked rather far from the entrance. It's a consequence for arriving at school close to the tardy bell. Sometimes it seems as though the doughnut can't do anything right.

"Lilly all around." the reply is given after sliding into the vehicle. He smirks in agreement because he likes your taste in women.

The reasoning for picking Lilly isn't as shallow as Oliver's for this isn't based solely on her looks. True you would pick Lilly over Joannie and Sarah because she's prettier than the two girls but also she would be the most likely choice because you remember from P.E. class she's as athletic as Joannie and as accommodating as Sarah.

"Ashley or Lilly?" he asks and the car walls suddenly feel like they've collapsed on your lungs.

Her name is a reminder of the past and you've never been one to look back and think about what could have happened if things were done differently. It's a pointless task. Nothing can be improved by dwelling on something that's passed so it's an activity that you've avoided vehemently.

"Ashley." the past, the memories, and the guilt compel you to answer her name without thought. Oliver's clueless as to why.

"I pick Lilly." he answers as he starts the car and begins to back it up before driving out of the school parking lot. He really is predictable.

"I knew you would." the amused reply is given as the rock song booms from the speakers. Opting to focus on Oliver and his apparent crush on the girl you met in the 9th grade all thoughts are pushed back into the recesses of your mind.

"Am I that obvious?" he asks as he grips the steering wheel. There's an awkward smile on his face. You chuckle heartedly.

"Nah," and he really wouldn't have been if he weren't dealing with someone so observant. "I'm just really good at reading people." the indisputable fact is given and he nods in agreement.

"Do you think," he starts but you interrupt.

"I don't know her that well." the foreseeable question is answered. Oliver was just about to ask whether Lilly would go out with him or not. Frankly you aren't certain.

"She seems really cool though." the helmet haired boy observes.

The pointless conversations and laughs you shared with the unfamiliar blonde prompt the bobbing of your head. True the girl's a stranger but you're convinced by the awareness of character you've developed over the years that she's a decent person. So far Miley senses haven't tingled around Lilly.

XXXX

This is the first time I'm writing in second person. It's kind of difficult. So what do you think so far?