Chapter 5

Holding Hands

Even if Oliver just started out school, he and Lilly got along well. Of course not much incidents happened where they'd feel uncomfortable, but over all, Oliver actually behaved and worked on their economics project.

It was due in about a week, which meant the ending of school was coming, plus Christmas and Oliver had nothing planned for Christmas. He didn't even get anyone presents yet, well apart from his own family who will be in California visiting him.

Oliver, Eric, and Lilly were working on their project at this point. They sat in Lilly's kitchen, arguing about how to display the consumption of goods and services. All they had to do for that little idea was to make a game board, but Eric was being possessive once again and wanted to make it his way.

"It's just business pictures, it means nothing." Eric pointed out as he pulled out pictures Lilly printed out for the project.

Oliver shook his head. He found their arguments getting rather annoying and it was stupid. If Eric wasn't such a perfectionist, then it would be easier. Oliver doesn't even know what the heck their project is about. All he knew was that they had to summarize what economics meant and what they learned in the class, it was like another business class to him, so he never really cared about it.

"If you weren't such an ass, then I would care enough to get good pictures." Lilly snapped as she took the essay Eric typed up from the table and attempted to crumple it, but didn't.

"Well, its times like this where I need to step out." Eric said, frustrated, and got up from his seat to walk into her kitchen and to the back door.

Lilly leaned back on her chair and looked to the side. Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. She extended her legs and took deep breaths before closing her eyes. She creased her forehead and put her index fingers against her temples

She hated big arguments like this with Eric. It just got her even angrier. She tried making peace with him, but he wouldn't keep up. He just liked being alone, and she got that since, well, he is a loner at school.

Just as she was going to take another deep breath, she was startled with a hand on her thigh, lightly squeezing it, with a voice following it.

"You shouldn't let him get to you like this. You know, it would be better if you just agreed with him." Oliver said.

For a second, Lilly forgot Oliver was there. Of course, with Eric being such an ass, it got her distracted. Working on the project and getting distracted helped Lilly with her thoughts on Oliver.

"I will it's just so stressful. With the project due soon, it gets Eric all bitchy, and tries to get me to back off." Lilly opened her eyes to eye Oliver.

Oliver let go of her thigh. "Maybe he likes you, that's why he puts more of his anger on you." Oliver started forming a sly smile.

Lilly's face scrunched and she flirtatiously punched his shoulder. "Ew, like that will ever happen." She rolled her eyes.

The day Eric would ever like Lilly, is the day when Eric stops being goth/punk like and more preppy. It just wouldn't match and Eric wasn't much of her taste either. To her, Eric was just an irritating perfectionist with no life.

"Who knows, you're beautiful Lilly. You're sweet and kind, a lot of people like you." Oliver's eyebrow rose as he said that. He reached for her hand and pulled it from the table and onto his lap. "Maybe that's why he's so bitter to you."

This caused Lilly to helplessly blush and turn away. She pulled her hand from him, only to cross her arms over her chest. Gosh, Oliver is such a flirt and she liked it. A lot.

"Ew, cut the crap you two, we're supposed to be working on a project, no flirting!" Eric said as he stepped into the room.

Lilly sighed as she looked over at Eric. He pulled his chair from his seat again and Lilly thanked that he got there before she couldn't say anything else, but then again, she wished he wasn't there period. Aye, so many complications.

The three of them started working on their project again, getting off topic occasionally since they were almost done with it. Lilly then realized she forgot their poster board in her room and she wanted to get it before Eric realized and would snap at her again. This was the first time they never fought for more than two hours and she wanted to keep it that way.

"Why don't you two keep on working on the project, I forgot something upstairs." She sighed and got up from her chair.

She glanced at Oliver and he caught her eye. At an instant, she felt flushed and so she headed out the dining room and upstairs. Throughout the time Oliver's been back, Lilly realized she only kept Matt because she wanted to forget Oliver, which was stupid.

She wanted to avoid her feelings for Oliver, but just seeing him there made her heart flutter. She liked him, she really did and she just wanted to be with him. Matt, she knew she should spend more time with him, but maybe she would break up with him later on in life. She's happy at the point now. He's stuck at school which meant that she hardly had time to see him with finals and all. She just had to figure out her own feelings and she'd be good.

Lilly went into her room and headed for her desk, which was next to her window, and took a package which was set beside it. She put it on her table and pulled her chair out. She sat down and cupped her face.

Ugh, it's Saturday morning. Project's due on Monday and I hate the arguing, but at least he's not fighting with us anymore. Stupid Eric. She sighed.

As she got up, she knocked something out of her shelf. She bent to pick it up, and as that happened, her necklace came out from under her shirt. She ignored her necklace and took the thing from the ground, which was a note. She stood and opened the note, realizing that it was a note from Oliver. A note he'd written to her before he left for Seattle.

She shook her head at the chicken-scratched note and set it aside. She was about to take the package of the supplies when a voice behind her, startled her.

"And I thought you were going to be fast." Oliver said as he entered the room.

Lilly turned her head and softly smiled. "Sorry, I got distracted, sorry. She took the package and walked over to her bed.

"Oh really? Whets distracting you?" Oliver replied as he sat next to her.

You. "Nothing." Thinking about you distracted me and I can't help it. "It's just this project and ah, I can't seem to get my mind straight." Lilly forced a smile.

"Okay." He nodded.

Lilly sighed and looked away, just waiting for the awkwardness to drop. She hated the feeling she got when she thought of Oliver while he's there. It just made the atmosphere feel… weird.

Oliver eyed her, up and down, until he laid them on her chest. There, he saw a pendant so familiar when he realized it was the necklace he gave her. He grinned. He was just happy to know that she still wore it. It meant a lot to him and the fact that she still kept it really meant that maybe he still had a chance with her.

"And you still wear it." He replied as he reached for ward to put the pendant of the necklace between his forefinger and his thumb.

Lilly blushed and turned away. "Yeah, it's something special to you and I never bothered taking it off, well for showers of course, but you get what I mean." She replied, only to feel heat move to her cheeks.

"No, it's good. I'm happy you still wear it." He grinned and moved closer to Lilly, with his face dropping toward the pendant.

He fingered the pendant and lightly pecked it before reaching for her shirt with his other hand and lifted the neckline to place the pendant inside her shirt. This made Lilly's blush deepen. She never let anyone get that close to touching her, well to Oliver, it was an exception. Since he did get… a little too close to her back in Seattle.

"Stop it." She put a hand over her face and shook her head.

"Stop what?" He asked as he let go of her shirt.

"Stop this!" She exclaimed and took a hold of his hand.

Oliver's eyes widened and stared at her questionably. He had no idea what Lilly was saying, so it just confused him. All he did was hide the necklace; he never knew he had to ask about it.

"You're over reacting." He said and squeezed his hand in hers.

Lilly shook her hand off and poked Oliver in the center of his chest. "You're over reacting." She said and moved on the bed so that she fully faced him. She crossed her legs on the bed and placed her hands on her thighs.

"See, stop being over dramatic. You'll get white hair." He stuck his tongue out and Lilly shook her head.

"I have blonde hair idiot." Lilly pointed out and Oliver laughed.

"So!" He reached forward and cupped her cheeks. "R-e-l-a-x! You seem so tense when we're alone like this." He brought her face close to his. "I just wished you wouldn't be such a drama queen." He said.

With their faces just inches apart, Lilly felt another blush rising to her cheeks. She never thought Oliver would be like this. She thought she was playing it cool, but she was over reacting and it was obvious.

She shook her head, trying to get his hands to drop, but Oliver held her tightly. He moved her face closer to his and looked her deep into her eyes.

"Lilly, just be yourself. Try not to make this as awkward as it can be. Remember, I'm your best friend now, so there's no need to be fake. I just want to feel comfortable, but with you acting like this, it's hard." His spoke softly with his breath lightly brushing her lips.

She could smell his warm sweet breath and it slightly made her feel dazed. She suddenly had the urge to close the gap between them, it has been a long time since they kissed, and the memories flooded her mind. How great of a kisser Oliver was, but it would be embarrassing since she did have a boyfriend.

"Oliver, I'm sorry." She whispered, but Oliver only shook his head as he leaned forward.

"Don't worry about it." He was about to close the gap when they heard something knock against the wall and onto the floor.

"Lilly!" A voice followed it and the snapped apart.

They looked at the door and then Miley entered the room, looking flustered and angry, as if someone set her off. She saw the two and shook her head as she stood in front of Lilly.

"You have a very pissed off partner down stairs continuously complaining that its taking you two a long time to get your crap. I suggest you do something or I'll hurt him or something." Miley said and Lilly nodded.

Without a word, she took her package and headed out of the room, leaving Miley completely confused. Miley glanced at Oliver, who was then looking dazed.

"What happened here?" Miley asked and Oliver shrugged.

"I have no clue. You know what? I think I'm going to head out. I'll come back later; I don't think I can handle Eric's whiney voice." Oliver got up from the bed.

Miley sighed. "How about I come with you? I'm a little annoyed by the way he greeted me." She rolled her eyes and Oliver chuckled.

"Sure, why not, it would be like old times." He grinned and the two headed downstairs for the dining area to tell Eric and Lilly that they were going out, but once they got there, Eric and Lilly were in a full blown argument.

"I was rushing! Gosh, what's wrong with you?" Lilly snapped at Eric as she handed the poster board at Eric.

"It's nice, just forget about it." He said in a pissed off tone which got Lilly even more mad.

"Look if you-" Lilly was about to hit Eric in the head with her fist when Oliver grasped onto her hand and put it behind her back.

"Umm, can you two just be friends and not argue? We're almost done, so be happy for that." Oliver said calmly and Lilly loosened her hand from his grip.

"Sorry." Lilly said and sat down across of Eric.

She glanced at Miley who was standing behind Oliver, but staring at Eric evilly. Lilly smiled at that and sat back in her seat.

"Okay, anyway, I'm going out for a bit. I'll get back soon." Oliver said and Lilly snapped her gaze at Oliver.

"Why?" She asked possessively.

Oliver shrugged. "I need some fresh air." He replied and turned on his heel for the front door.

Miley didn't say anything at all and followed Oliver toward the door. She closed the door as they got out and then you could hear both Eric and Lilly arguing once again. Oh the perks of having group projects.

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Oliver and Miley were at Rico's, drinking some drinks and not talking at all. The walk was silent, and it was awkward, but Oliver didn't care. What happened at Lilly's house is what captivated his mind and he didn't want to forget he image. He was close to kissing Lilly, but Miley ruined it. His reason for going out on the walk was to get the tension down. He knew that just because of that, he made it even more awkward for the two of them and he regretted it.

"Hey, want to sit on the railing of the board walk?" Miley randomly suggested which caught him off guard.

Without thinking, Oliver agreed and the two left their seats at Rico's and went on the board walk. It was a low railing so the two easily got on the railing and stared out at the ocean. No one spoke a word again, and it was weird, but then Oliver started to talk about something.

"So how's the love life going on?" Oliver asked.

"It's going okay. I broke up with Jake again, if that counts." Miley chuckled and sighed.

Oliver glanced at Miley sideways and frowned. "He's an idiot for-"

"No, it was my idea. He was going off for a movie again and I didn't want to tie him down. He's sweet, but we do need space. It's okay though, if he cared for me and I cared for him, we'd probably start dating when he gets back." Miley smiled and looked at Oliver.

"Yeah." He nodded.

It was the second time they had alone time like this and he didn't know what to say. He didn't exactly want to be the one telling her about his love issues, especially since Lilly didn't mention to her that he and Lilly had a thing over the summer, but again, he needed a friend to talk to. It was only so little time where he just needed someone to talk to and now it wasn't time… but then the almost kiss was haunting him and it was almost like summer time all over again.

"So, will you tell me about your mysterious girlfriend you had in Seattle?" Miley suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Oliver was startled and looked out at sea.

Why Miley wanted to know of the girl he fell for, he didn't know. Maybe she was trying to find him a new girlfriend, or she was just interested in talks like this. If he gave off too much information, then he'd know that he would let it slip that it was Lilly all along. He did let off not giving her the name of his last girlfriend away, which meant that if he brought up that it was Lilly now, she'd hate both him and Lilly equally.

"Well, first off… I don't remember telling you of a girlfriend I had." Oliver eyed her and Miley shook her head.

"Well, there must be at least one person who made you the way you are now." She said while smiling brightly. "You're sweet and you actually have manners. Who was that person that changed you into who you are now?"

Oliver chuckled. She thinks he's sweet and nice. He knew he changed, but he never thought he'd change to the extent where Miley actually complimented him. It was a big change indeed. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to give her a little information about him dating Lilly.

"Summer time. I met this girl and we hit it off instantly. I met her at a party and it was out of random and… we just clicked you know?" Oliver explained as he glanced upward to think more of how he and Lilly got together.

"And? Details, how she looks like, her personality, tell me please." She said and Oliver laughed.

"Come on Miley? What more can I say? She was just perfect." He said dreamily. "I really cared for her, but then I found out that she lived in another state so we eventually broke up." He frowned.

"Oh, I'm sorry, that's so sad." Miley replied.

"No, it's okay, there's someone out there that reminds me of her and a part of me wants to be with that person, but it seems too soon." Oliver said, but then felt like taping his mouth shut.

He wasn't supposed to say that. Not that, that was the last thing he wanted to say period. Ah, he's so stupid.

"Damn, I mean-" Oliver started and glanced at Miley to explain himself, but Miley reached forward and grasped on his hand.

"It's okay, don't need to say anything." She smiled.

Oliver stared blankly at Miley and pulled his hand away from her. "Okay, well, I guess it's time for me to go back to Lilly's house." Oliver said trying to get away from the awkward moment it left him.

"Yeah, sure." Miley's voice faded and Oliver jumped from the railing.

A/N Hope you liked this chapter! More coming up soon :D