Unsung

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters appearing on the Disney Channel's original series, 'Hannah Montana', created by Michael Poryes, Richard Correll & Barry O'Brien. Characters are copyrighted to 'It's A Laugh productions'. Original characters are copyrighted to the original author (QYM). This series is posted to Girls Loving Girls with full permission of the author. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.

Feedback: Every author in his or her own way makes it a point to ask for feedback when posting a story, well me I don't usually. But there are several reasons as to why a reader should consider taking the time to give it. The simple fact is that giving some form of feedback is truly the most important thing a reader can do after reading and enjoying a story. Hopefully in the process providing that author with at least one viable reason as to what you liked about the story. This small amount of time spent will no doubt inspire the author to write more and possibly at a quicker pace, knowing that they have a fan base who are waiting on their next works. So thanks for the feedback and please keep it comin.

Summary: In the ALL NEW 14th episode of 'Unsung', while still being forced to remain 'in the closet', for now, Miley's (Miley Cyrus) attention to the school's morning announcements sparks an idea of how her and Lilly (Emily Osment) can go together to the upcoming Holiday Dance. Later, Oliver's (Mitchell Musso) much anticipated date with the not-so-lovely Mikayla Gordon (Selena Gomez) has both Miley and Lilly interested in all of the surprisingly juicy details. And what is it that Rico wants with the girls?

Original Airdate: Monday, February 1, 2009 @8:30 p.m.
(following an ALL NEW 'Hey Mickie, Hey Mickie')

Story Codes: no sex

Monday morning found Miley snoring as her alarm clock went ignored. She slept on, worn out from the night before. After Lilly had gotten home, she had called Miley, and it was near midnight by the time they had gotten off the phone.

What woke Miley up in the end was furious pounding on her door. She sat up, smacking the alarm clock. “What?” she yelled in irritation.

Robby pushed the door open. “School starts in fifteen minutes, bud. You better get up and get moving.”

Groaning, Miley rolled off her bed and collected fresh clothing. Her shower was brisk – she didn’t have time to sit idly and think like she normally did. By the skin of her teeth she made it to first period just before the bell rang. Lilly wasn’t there, which Miley had to chuckle over. She bet the blonde would skateboard in at any moment.

Her assumption was correct – less than a minute later Lilly flew into the classroom, a stack of papers grasped in her hand, presumably the last night’s homework. Miley smacked her head on the desk; she knew she had forgotten to do something.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Lilly apologized, trying to get to her seat without further mishap. The teacher fixed her with a withering gaze but moved on quickly.

While notes were being written on the whiteboard, Miley scribbled a furious note to Lilly and threw it onto the other desk. Lilly unfolded it –

Hey Lil – Sorry about last night.

Lilly smiled; Miley shouldn’t apologize for that. It was rather enjoyable and she loved talking to Miley.

Miles, no worries. I stayed up late trying to do my homework. Not your fault.

Miley nodded slowly after reading the note. She tucked it into her pocket and turned her attention to the front board. A ball of paper hit her in the back of the head – she turned half way in her seat and found Oliver ginning manically at her. He jabbed his finger quickly at the ball of paper just behind her seat. Nudging it with her foot, Miley knocked it close enough to snag with her fingers.

Miles! That was so awesome Saturday night! Thanks!

Miley chuckled – Oliver was such a doughnut. Only an idiot would be able to look past all of Mikayla’s horribly obvious flaws. Of course, that explained Oliver. She had a hard time believing that the boy was truly interested in that date but she was happy she could set him up. Crumpling the note up again, Miley smiled. Oliver was a sweet boy. If anybody could change Mikayla, it would be him.

The bell rang, releasing the trapped students. Oliver was at Miley’s side a moment before Lilly was. He was still grinning happily – though his expression paled in comparison to Lilly’s. They ended up starting to talk at the same time, and Miley could have sworn they had practiced beforehand.

“Miles, thanks so much. Hey! Stop that! No! You stop that!” They began arguing, though how they managed to say the same thing for so long was a mystery to Miley. They stared at each other for a moment before launching into another round. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Oooo.”

“You two, easy there.” She grabbed Lilly’s hand, tugging. “We need to find Rico.”

Lilly grimaced. “I guess you’re right.”

“But I want to tell you about Saturday night!” Oliver complained loudly. “You’re girls. You’ll be able to tell me if it went well.”

Miley nudged him with an elbow. “You really like her, then?”

“Well, yeah. She’s a hot girl, I’m a guy. Do the math.” He rolled his eyes at them. “So are you going to help?”

Lilly was sorely tempted to tease him, but held it in. “Sure.”

Practically dragging Lilly away, Miley waved apologetically at Oliver. “Sorry, Ollie, not right now. We’ve got something to take care of.”

Rico was waiting at Miley’s locker, arms crossed over his small chest. He raised an eyebrow expectantly. “Well?”

“We’ll do a few things for you, if it’ll keep you quiet,” Miley whispered.

Lilly nodded. “A few things. And nothing that’ll get us into trouble, got it?”

Rico rubbed his hands together. “Great. Blondie, you get to open my locker every passing period for me. Airhead can go to my next period class and clean my seat for me. And that’s just for starters.”

Miley grabbed the front of his shirt, fighting with herself. It would be so easy to put a fist into his conniving little face. “What’s your schedule?”

Rico pushed her hands away. “That’s more like it.”

“We’ll start tomorrow, okay?” Lilly hoped it wouldn’t start immediately. She’d need to do a little planning if she was going to work around getting his locker open and then getting her own stuff and getting to class on time.

“Tomorrow morning. Don’t be late, or sick.” He tilted his head at the two before strolling to his next class.

Lilly hit a nearby locker with her fist and immediately winced. “Man! They show people doing this in movies, but it’s stupid! Note to self! Don’t punch lockers!”

Miley rubbed Lilly’s sore hand, deep in thought. “I wish we didn’t have to pander to his wishes.”

“Pander?” Lilly asked, raising an eyebrow. “You are such a dork.” At Miley’s glare, she grinned hopefully. “We could always come out, you know,” she whispered, barely audible.

Miley sighed. “That’s a big step, Lil. I mean, we both had to struggle with it in other places. Let’s just keep it out of our school life, okay?”

Lilly sighed but didn’t push it. She wasn’t gung-ho about coming out in high school, but it was better than being blackmailed. As they walked to the next period, Lilly ran her finger along the lockers, enjoying the small thunking noise as she changed from locker to locker.

Lilly left Miley at the door of her second period, hating that they had even one period apart. Miley hurried off, trying her hardest not to be late to class. The beginning of second period meant the morning announcements – Teachers were required to keep their classes quiet for them, though few bothered enforcing it. While Miley’s teacher maintained the peace, Lilly’s could care less.

Miley listened with half an ear, doodling on a folder with her pen. She drew little hearts and smiled bashfully. The announcements did catch her attention, though, at the first mention of a dance.

“Don’t forget the Holiday Dance is less than two weeks away. Buy your tickets during your lunch period. The price is ten dollars a ticket…”

Miley zoned out, thinking. Would she be able to go with Lilly to the dance? It seemed like it would be easy enough – one of them would just have to go in drag. Nobody would know the difference. It remained on her mind until school was let out. She pulled Lilly aside before Oliver showed up.

“Lilly, did you hear the announcements this morning?”

Lilly shook her head, curious. “Not at all. Never do.”

“There’s a dance coming,” Lilly’s eyes lit up. “I was thinking about how we could go together. I’ll go in a tuxedo.”

“Oh, Miles, I didn’t know you went for dressing in drag!” Lilly teased quietly.

“If we hid my hair, under a top hat or something, I think we’d be fine.” Miley tugged on the tips of her hair anxiously. “Would you want to go with me?”

“Of course!” Lilly nearly squealed. “And since you actually know colors, we can match my dress to your tie over the phone.”

Miley giggled. “Boys are so colorblind.”

Lilly nodded. “Especially Oliver.”

“What about me?” Oliver poked his head into their conversation. “Come on! Hurry up, I want to tell you!”

“Wow, Ollie, she must have really caught your attention!” Miley wasn’t sure how to feel about that. She truly wanted Oliver to be happy, but she couldn’t get over her dislike for the ornery pop star so easily.

“And how…” He trailed off, eyes glazing over.

“Lilly, I think this requires immediate action.” Miley winked at Lilly and discreetly went to poke Oliver’s side. Lilly caught on and mirrored the action on his other side. When they made contact, Oliver jumped a foot in the air. He howled loudly and squirmed.

“Girls! Stop it!” He was almost in tears, laughing uncontrollably.

Miley called off the attack. “Let’s get to your house, Mr. Oliver, if you’re so desperate to tell us.”

Oliver perked up. “Let’s get going already!”

Lilly chuckled, linking her arm in Oliver’s and her other in Miley’s. With both arms occupied it looked like a friendly activity. Miley had to commend Lilly for thinking ahead. Now they could maintain contact without worrying.

They were about ten feet from Oliver’s house when the dam broke. “She’s so great!”

When they reached the front door, Miley was seriously regretting coming home with Oliver to listen. She didn’t like hearing her rival praised so lavishly. Lilly removed her arm from Oliver, giving her full attention to Miley now that there was no one around to see.

Up in Oliver’s bedroom, he recounted his evening…

--

Wednesday Evening – 5:30 P.M.

Oliver dug through his closet, trying to find something suitable. He really wanted to impress Mikayla and he knew it was going to be a struggle. Slipping on a pair of khaki slacks, normally only worn for Christmas dinners and special occasions, he studied himself in the mirror. The pants would have to do. As for a shirt, he pulled on a navy sweater, shook his head, and pulled it off. He dug through his closet and finally found a dark green polo shirt. That would work.

He ran to the bathroom and scrubbed his teeth until they sparkled. His face got scrubbed, his nails cleaned. He tried to fix his hair and found it a battle not worth fighting. If he touched it, it might get worse. So he settled on swishing mouthwash around for a while, hoping to use enough to keep his breath fresh all evening.

After he was clean and fixed up, he dove into the hall closet, trying to find a pair of formal black shoes. His pair was at the very back and slightly dusty so he grabbed a pair of socks from his laundry basket and set to rubbing them as shiny as he could get them.

A honk from the driveway sent his heart a-thudding. He practically tore his laces as he tried to tie his shoes. The second honk sent him flying out the door with a loud holler to his mother, telling her he’d be back before midnight.

Mikayla was waiting in the limousine. She had put on a bleached-blonde wig, the hair styled to about her mid-back. Behind her large sunglasses, her eyes were disapproving. She took in his outfit with a grimace.

“I suppose it’s passable.”

His shoulders fell but he tried not to let it get him down, “You look great.”

It was true – she wore a tight black skirt with a white blouse. The top few buttons were open, revealing the smallest v-shape of flesh possible. It tantalized Oliver, but he kept his distance. He did, after all, want a second date.

“I know.”

Not discouraged, Oliver continued trying to make small talk. Mikayla continued to give short answers. The ride to the restaurant was fairly short, thankfully. Oliver was running out of harmless questions to ask.

“So, come here often?”

“No.”

“Good, good.” He nodded his head agreeably. The limo lurched to a halt, sending Oliver sprawling to the ground. Smiling with good-natured embarrassment, he picked himself up and went to the door. He opened it and helped her out of the limo.

She touched his hand as she stepped out and stared at him, stunned. There was something more to this oaf and she didn’t like it. He treated her like she was a person and he was being so nice. There was something wrong with that.

“Well?” She tapped her foot. “Open the door for me.”

Oliver smacked his forehead – what was he thinking? He ran to the restaurant and pulled the glass door open for her. “After you.”

She sauntered over to the host, leaning on his podium. “Reservation for two, under Key.”

Oliver tailed after her like a faithful puppy, “Should I call you Key for the evening?”

“No.” She shrugged off his interest.

The host led them to a secluded table. Oliver whistled softly. The restaurant looked clean, inviting, and most of all, expensive. He was glad he’d saved his allowance.

“Well you can call me Oliver. My name isn’t really Mike, but that’s what Mi… my friend Hannah told me to call myself. She doesn’t want her secret out, y’know.”

“Mm.” Mikayla fiddled with the napkin, not paying a watt of attention to Oliver.

“I mean, Lola is a funny name, and so is Mike. Couldn’t we have chosen better names? But mine was made up on the fly when we met that tennis player. I don’t think too quickly under pressure. I just kinda saw that mic stand. And bam, Mike Standley was born.”

“Mm.”

“There’s a Doberman in your ear.”

“Mm.” Mikayla snapped to attention. “Excuse me?”

“Please, Mikayla, can you give me a chance? I think you’re really pretty, but that’s not why I was looking forward to this date. I wanted to get to know you. Not the you that everybody sees, but the real you. Hannah has a real personality and an alter-ego. I just figured that you did, too.”

Inside, Mikayla wanted to smile and start talking. But it was so hard – there were years of hiding and self-defense riddled into her mind. Not even this sweet-talker was going to break her mental barriers.

“I see. You can call me Faye for tonight.” She relented, deciding to throw the boy a bone.

“Faye. Pretty.” Oliver picked up the menu, “Do you want any appetizers? I’m more of a main course man, myself.”

She shrugged, looking down at her menu. Peering through her eyelashes, she gazed at him covertly. He was kind of cute, she had to admit, and sweet. She bit her lower lip. She hadn’t let anybody close to her for years. Maybe it was time to make a friend.

“Do you really think I have an alter-ego?”

He glanced up and smiled gently, “Of course.”

Her normal air of confidence had faded, leaving behind an unsure teenaged girl. Without Mikayla to hide behind, Faye had no shield. As cocky as she acted in public, she was still human. She still had doubts.

“Faye, I really want to know you. Well, I’ll admit, I also want to kiss you.” Oliver grinned as he reached across the table and placed his hand on hers, “If you’ll give me the chance.”

She looked away and didn’t answer aloud. But she knew, in her heart, that she’d call him again. It was sweet of him, really, to believe in her so blindly.

--

Oliver finished his story, smiling broadly. Miley, for one, was in shock. Mikayla was… human? It just didn’t seem possible. Struggling to find the words to express herself, Miley babbled for a second – unintelligible gobbledy-gook.

Lilly spoke first, cutting off Miley’s yammering. “Are you seeing her again?”

“I hope… She didn’t specifically say we were going to, but I can hope, right?”

Miley stared between her two friends, still in shock. “Oliver, how can you like her! She’s a witch!”

“Correction, Miles. She pretends to be a witch, just like you pretend to be straight. I’m certain there’s more to her than that.” He sighed with a goofy smile welded to his mouth. “I thought you’d be happy for me! I think she’s the one I want to marry.”

“Oliver, you’re sixteen. I’m pretty sure she’s going to be old news to you by next week, when the next Angelina Jolie movie comes out.”

Oliver shook his head vigorously. “Why can’t you just let me have this?”

Lilly nestled her hands on Miley’s shoulders – she had gone to stand behind Miley moments earlier, sensing a storm brewing. She kneaded her hands, trying to calm Miley down before something happened. It worked.

“If you want…” Miley nearly started drooling at her girlfriend’s magic fingers. This led her to think of other uses for her magic fingers, which led her to blushing furiously.

Oliver shot Lilly an appreciative look, oblivious to Miley’s train of thought. “So, did the interview go okay? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to support you.”

Miley shrugged. “It went as well as I could have hoped. I still have to wait and see how the public responds to it.” They sat in silence for a few minutes before Miley perked up and turned her attention to Oliver. “Can you help me out? I want to take Lilly to the dance, but I need someone to help me get a tux.”

Oliver gave her a mock salute, “My time is yours.”

“Thanks.” She got to her feet, stretching her arms behind her. “Lilly, we’ve gotta go do some planning. Oliver, as much as she bothers me, I hope she calls, I really do. I’ll be calling later to talk about the tuxedo.”

“Bye, Ollie.” Lilly waved as she followed Miley from the bedroom. They exited the house together.

“Miles, we need to do something about Rico. We have to out-weasel a weasel.” Lilly grumbled as they made for Miley’s. “I don’t want to open his locker everyday!”

“At least you don’t have to clean his seat. He had better have meant the chair. I ain’t goin’ near him.” Miley stared up at the clouds, trying to think as she walked.

“We could set him up.” Lilly suggested, “I happen to know quite a few little senoritas…”

“And then what?”

“I don’t know… I mean, we could have her dump him and hurt him, or something. Or we could have her call him off,” Lilly reasoned.

“Not good enough, but thanks,” Miley chuckled. “We need something that’ll definitely get him off our backs.”

They reached the Stewart house and headed for the kitchen, still chattering off an on about what to do about Rico. Lilly plopped down at the island, letting her eyes close halfway. Miley went to a cabinet and pulled out two glasses and poured some orange juice for them.

Lilly sipped from hers, losing hope. “There’s just nothing we can do short of coming out.”

“And we already agreed we’re not doing that, right?” Miley insisted.

“Agreed,” Lilly muttered, once more disappointed.

“I mean, the last thing people need to see, especially Rico, is us coming out right after Hannah and Lola did. It would be really simple to piece it together.” Miley fidgeted.

Lilly huffled quietly, “I just wish I knew how Rico knew to listen to us! I mean, we weren’t acting like a couple at the beach.”

Miley shrugged noncommittally. “He’s a sneaky little devil.”

A clattering on the back porch caught their attention; Jackson staggered in looking like a mess. He had mud caked through his hair, a black eye, a nose bleed, a split lip, and his shirt was nearly torn from his body. His pants, thankfully, were mostly intact.

“Jackson!” Miley rushed to his side, “What happened to you!?”

He chuckled lowly, not wanting to sound too depressing, “I got Rico off your back for you.”

Lilly joined Miley at preening over Jackson. They helped him to the couch and Lilly went to get some ice from the freezer.

“What do you mean?” Miley whispered, trying to get Jackson’s hair in order.

“I couldn’t let him blackmail you. So I went to him and I said, Rico, you can push me around, but you can’t mess with my baby sister. He agreed to stop blackmailing you if I worked for free for the next three months.”

“So how come you’re so beat up?”

Lilly returned with the ice and a wet washcloth. She gently wiped his face as he answered.

“Well… when I first approached him, I was going to beat the snot out of him.” Jackson ducked his head. “He had anticipated that reaction from me and had two big guys with him.”

Miley wanted to whack Jackson’s shoulder but she refrained, afraid she might injure him further. “You didn’t have to do that, Jackson. We would have figured something out.”

“Miles, I got you into that mess. I just had to get you out of it.”

Miley hugged Jackson around the shoulders. “I think you need a shower, boy.”

He nodded. “Am I forgiven?”

“Yeah, I think you are.”

Hobbling away, Jackson couldn’t help but smile. He winced, losing the smile as his lip split again. “Thanks.”

Lilly fell onto the couch beside Miley. “So, why didn’t you tell me it was his fault?”

“I didn’t think you needed to know. I mean, he was feeling bad enough,” Miley explained mildly. She wrapped an arm around Lilly’s shoulder. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“I guess not. You’ll have to make it up to me, though,” Lilly snuggled closer. “Take me out Friday night.”

“I’m sure Hannah could get reservations somewhere nice. I think the best part about coming out with them is that we can be out in public and still together.” Miley laid her head on top of Lilly’s.

“I didn’t think about that!” Lilly crowed, delighted.

“So where do you want to go?” Miley reached over to run her hand along Lilly’s knee.

“Somewhere with good French food.”

“You like French cuisine?”

Lilly snaked her hand under Miley’s arm to give Miley a sideways hug. “Don’t know. But I’ve always wanted to try.”

“French food it is.”