Chapter 6

Truths and Lies

It turned out that Oliver, Lilly, and Eric's project turned out to be successful and they were all credited with the same possible points, hopefully enough points to get Oliver off that class and into the next semester with new classes. Oliver didn't even understand what the huge deal with the project was; it was just a simple project to him, gone bad because Eric wanted to do it alone. Oliver didn't get what the project was about. He just typed up whatever Eric told him to, glued together what Eric wanted him to glue, and he was a good guy on Eric's side.

Anyway, with the project out of the way, Oliver wanted some alone time with Lilly. He wanted to get her to like him again if she didn't like him; he just missed being the person she could go to when there was trouble. When Lilly's off with Matt, it only made him wonder what the two did, if they'd ever gone as far as he and Lilly went in just a week. He can't imagine Lilly getting that close to Matt, but of course, if she did decide to, it wasn't his choice. It was her body in the first place and he had no say in anything at all, even if it meant seeing someone he really cared for with someone else.

It was about a week and a half until Christmas and Oliver has yet to buy Lilly a Christmas present. He didn't know what kind of present would be the perfect present and with that, he was pretty much screwed.

He walked around the mall, looking through windows for something that matched Lilly in any way, but couldn't find anything. He wanted the perfect gift, but is it worth trying to buy Lilly the perfect gift even if they're not even together? It was almost like he's wasting time, but he couldn't could he?

"I'm pathetic." Oliver sighed as he stopped in front of a toy store.

He peered through the window and saw one of those build yourself sort of dolls. Those were always cool and it would be nice to just make Lilly a toy right?

He shrugged and shook it off. She'd probably find it stupid, plus she has a lot of stuffed animals already, she would hate it if he got her another one.

He shoved his hands into his jacket he wore and watched a worker stuff an animal for a little girl. The girl was making a white bear, probably a girl bear with all the girly products she had in her little basket, but it looked like she was going to put too much onto the bear and Lilly disliked that sort of stuff.

"How can I find her the perfect present when I'm a dude? Dudes suck at picking stuff out for girls." He sighed and clenched his fists in his jacket pockets. It was cold, but still he was getting annoyed. The end of the school was the end of the week and Christmas is the following week.

"Buying a present for a girl?" Oliver heard behind him and he turned around to see Miley behind him, wearing a big jacket and holding a few bags from shopping.

"Yep." He shyly said.

Of course it was embarrassing. He never was one to shop for a girl and now that Miley's here, she might realize it's for Lilly or herself since those are the only girls he really hung out with. Miley already caught on that he got a girl in his mind, but she didn't know who.

"Who is this for?" Miley asked as she moved to stand next to him.

"This girl." He shrugged and Miley smirked.

"Well, if you need help, just say it, if you don't need it, then I'll be going to my car." She shook her head and started heading off.

Oliver thought for a moment and stared as Miley started heading off. If she could probably suggest something a girl would want, she would do it. She probably knew what Lilly might want, but still, it was weird, the relationship with Lilly and Oliver was still a secret, if only it wasn't so hard to just tell Miley it was a present for Lilly, then everything would be easy.

Screw it. Oliver thought to himself and called for Miley.

"Miley wait!" Oliver shouted and jogged toward Miley who was nearing the exit of the mall.

Miley turned around and looked at Oliver. "What?" She asked.

"Okay, you know how you're a girl right?" He asked making Miley roll her eyes.

"Yes, last time I checked, I was a girl." She replied only to put down a few of her bags near her legs.

"So what would be a good gift for a girl? Nothing too much, just perfect you know?" He asked and thought of something that would probably match something Lilly would like or nothing too descriptive at least.

"Not too perfect?" Miley sounded a bit confused, and then she bent to pick up her bags again. "How about a charm bracelet? That's something nice for a girl." She suggested.

"Why a charm bracelet? What if she's not into jewelry?" Oliver asked.

He realized the only jewelry Lilly ever wore was his necklace and on occasion her earrings and of course the belly ring. Maybe a belly ring would be a nice present. Now it made him wonder if Miley knew about that ring. Ah so many secrets from the friends, it was stupid.

"Then get her a doll? I don't know." She shrugged and looked around for a place to sit, but saw nothing. All the seats and benches were taken with adults holding bags and such; oh the holiday is making everyone crazy.

Oliver looked at Miley's stuff and took them from the ground. "You don't know if someone will steal them." Oliver winked and Miley shook her head.

He started walking off with Miley's stuff and Miley followed closely behind him. It made her want to question what he was going to buy this girl, but she didn't want to seem like a bother. It would only be fair since she was doing a little Christmas shopping as well.

"How about I take you to the women's section in a store and you can pick whatever you want with my help?" Miley suggested, but Oliver shook his head.

"I don't know!" He sighed and looked around the mall as they passed by a few stores. "What I want to give this girl has to be something special, but nothing 'cliché' I guess? I just don't want to give her a typical present." He sighed and stopped in front of a jewelry store.

"I told you Oliver, a charm bracelet, but if not, then what else could I suggest?" Miley shrugged.

"I don't know what do girls usually prefer from a guy?" Oliver asked and Miley grinned.

"I think just being with that person is good enough. They wouldn't need a present from you because they care about you, you know? I don't know, you think of a present, but I have to go." She took the bags from Oliver and started heading off. "I'll see you later Ollie." She called and left Oliver standing there, still a bit confused.

"What would Lilly do with a charm bracelet?" Oliver asked himself and shook his head. "But Lilly wouldn't like the second gift because we're not together." He sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets and headed for the exit as well.

----

"Hey, that's not fair, you cheated." Lilly pouted as she sat next to her boyfriend in her living room as they watch TV.

They were cuddled together on the cough as Matt was teasing Lilly about a random move she pulled in the skate park earlier when they were playing around. Matt had an arm around Lilly with his other hand laced with Lilly's. It was almost as if they were tangled up together, but that's how it was and Matt seemed to like it.

"I didn't cheat okay? All I did was some flips and the boys liked it. I told them to pick the better person." Matt said and kissed Lilly's forehead.

Lilly tightened her grip on Matt's hand as she put her head on his shoulder. "But it's still not fair, you're a boy and I'm a girl. Of course the boys are going to pick the boys." Lilly pouted and Matt sighed.

"Fine, fine, you were better." Matt said and kissed Lilly's cheek.

"That's what I thought." Lilly grinned and pecked Matt's chin.

At times like this, it was easy to win over Matt when they battled over random things. Of course Lilly liked it, but she wanted a challenge. When she was with Oliver, she'd put up a fight, but Oliver would still be cute about it. As for Matt, he was too easy, but at least it got her to forget about Oliver.

Lilly pulled her hand away from Matt and Matt stared at her. He grinned and put his free hand around Lilly and kissed her full on the lips. Lilly kissed him back, only to find herself falling backward into the couch. She never kissed Matt like this before and it felt uncomfortable, but just as long as he didn't take it too far, she'll do whatever he wanted.

Lilly cupped Matt's cheek as Matt got into the kiss. As much as Lilly wanted the kiss to end, she didn't do anything and allowed Matt to do what he wanted, putting his hands on her hips, and trying to be as smooth as possible.

Just before the kiss could go any further, Lilly's mom's voice entered the living room, making Lilly push Matt from her and sit up as quickly as she could.

"Hope nothing bad is going on in here." Lilly's mom stared straight ahead as she went to get something from a cabinet.

Lilly blushed as she stared at her mom, wishing she just didn't let the kiss happen. She bit her lip hard and watched her mom go through the cabinet and pull out a few notebooks.

"Don't worry Mrs. Truscott. I was about to leave." Matt sighed as he got up from the ground.

Lilly glanced at Matt as his face burned red from getting caught doing their innocent act, but he clearly knew what it looked like. Matt waved at Lilly's mom and went to kiss Lilly's forehead as he quickly left. Who wouldn't want to leave as fast as they could by getting caught with such an intimate kiss by the girl's parent?

Lilly smirked as Matt left. He was such a shy boy, when she was with Oliver, they were so secret about it, but of course it didn't bother her parents about their one week relationship. She shook her head from the tiny thought and went back to her mom.

"Mom! Why couldn't you just warn us before you came in here?" Lilly complained as she got up from the couch and to her mom.

Mrs. Truscott shook her head. "I still don't understand why you have to do these things now." She sighed and closed the cabinet and looked at Lilly.

"What?" Lilly asked as she put her hands to her hips. She never knew she needed some type of permission to kiss her boyfriend, that's all it was. Kissing.

"It's amazing how you can deal with having a boyfriend and having your exboyfriend here." Mrs. Truscott finally brought up. "If I were you, I'd feel uncomfortable with the both of them and since it seemed like you were more in love with Oliver than you are with Matt."

Lilly stared at her mom, appalled that she'd actually compare Oliver with Matt. It was weird, what mother would be that observant in ones relationship. It was just too unreal.

"Mom, why are you comparing them?" Lilly shook her head and leaned against the nearest thing, which was a table. "Plus how do you know I was as you say 'in love' with Oliver? I only dated him for a week!"

Mrs. Truscott smiled. "Well, you seemed much happier with Oliver and even if you were with him you've done more things with him than with Matt." Lilly's mom pointed out as she started walking.

Lilly's heart raced. Did she know about them… doing the dirty deed? "W-what do you mean by more things?" Lilly stammered and Mrs. Truscott chuckled.

"You two just seemed closer. Plus, best friends since preschool, it was like you two were meant to be. I just hope you're not going out with Matt to forget about him. It would be a shame." Mrs. Truscott pointed out as she left the room.

Talks like this made Lilly mad but her mom was pretty smart. Maybe she shouldn't use Matt like how she sort of is with the whole 'trying to get over Oliver' thing she's going through.

Lilly went to sit back down on the cough and sighed. As much as she wanted Oliver, she can't have him. It's as simple as that, but the thought of him and their past made her smile. It made her feel things not even Matt made her feel and those memories are what makes her happiest. She had Matt and she'd always have a little bit of Oliver in her heart. Hell, the only reason why she hardly hung out with Oliver is the far of falling for him again. So far she kept her heart closed and stable of the feelings for Oliver. It would suck if she opened them now. She wouldn't be able to do the things she does with Matt.

She got up from her seat and decided to go for a walk. That would clear her mind from everything she was thinking, especially that little talk she had with her mom. She got out of her house and quickly got on the sidewalk, but once she hit the sidewalk, she wanted to think of happy moments with Oliver.

It wasn't her fault she realized that Oliver was her first love, or someone she really cared about. She didn't know what love meant, but if what Oliver made her feel was love, she wanted to feel it again.

Christmas is coming up and I'm broke, so should I even try to get Oliver anything? I already told Matt of my money issue so he isn't expecting anything from me, but would it be rude to get someone who I'm not with a present? Lilly thought and shrugged.

She stared at the ground and kicked a rock from the sidewalk. So complicated, I should just be happy I have my best friend back. Lilly thought and tried to stay as positive as she could, but the only thing that came to mind was a simple kiss she shared with Oliver.

Comparing it to the kisses she shared with Matt, the kisses she had with Oliver were sweet and romantic, but Matt gets a little forceful at times.

Lilly shook her head to the thought. Kissing is kissing, I shouldn't even think about Oliver's kisses, but it is tempting to think if they are the same… but what's different with kisses? Lilly sighed and glanced at the road. She saw a black fancy looking car and noticed it was Miley's car and it was heading right for her.

Lilly dropped the thought of Oliver and waved at Miley as she slowed down and parked right next to Lilly. Miley's window rolled down and she removed her shades. "Get in." Miley smirked and Lilly shook her head.

The only time Miley was like this was when she had to talk about something, but what is that something?

"Is it important? I'm sort of in my own world." Lilly said, trying to find an excuse from hanging out with Miley. It wasn't like her to do this, but times like this she just needed to be alone. It was sort of rude that she'd been keeping the secret that she used to date Oliver a secret.

"Yes it is; it's about Oliver." Miley said and Lilly nodded.

"Great." She sighed and walked around Miley's car to get inside.

Once she got in, Miley drove off and headed toward Lilly's neighborhood park.

"What about Oliver?" Lilly asked and Miley just stared straight ahead, concentrating on the road.

"Has he ever talked to you about a mysterious girl that changed him?" Miley brought up.

Lilly stared at her in confusion. The only thing Oliver ever really talked about when they were together was either about their past or some random fact just to get her to laugh, which was nice about him because lately Lilly had been a bit out of character and it was nice of Oliver to notice. Not even Matt noticed, but she just guessed it was because Oliver got to know the real her.

"What girl that changed him?" Lilly asked.

"Well," Miley sighed and shook her head. "I'll tell you when we get to the park, it's a long story." Miley said as she pulled up at the parking lot in the park. She parked on the side and got out of her car.

Lilly followed Miley as she picked a spot under a huge tree in the park. She sat down and Lilly dropped down next to Miley. Lilly leaned against the tree and stared at the branches above them.

"So what about this mysterious girl Oliver's been talking to you about." Lilly said, feeling a bit curious with what Miley was talking about.

"Well, Oliver talked about this girl he used to see back in Seattle, before he moved-" Miley started and Lilly turned her head, staring at the side.

Of course he would talk about her to Miley in a different term. He couldn't keep anything a secret and Miley is his other best friend. She just hoped he didn't slip her name out in any way. It would cause drama between her and Miley and she still doesn't know how to tell Miley about the relationship with Oliver.

"-Oliver told me that there was this girl here that reminded him of that girl and I think when he was at the mall, he was getting her a present." Miley ended with a sigh.

"And why is this your problem?" Lilly asked curiously and adjusted herself on the ground so that she was nearly lying down.

"Well, who here has he been hanging out with that's single and doesn't have a boyfriend? Think of the possibilities of who this girl is-" Miley started and Lilly stared at her in shock.

"Miley, don't tell me you think you're this girl that reminds him of his past girlfriend." Lilly said in shock.

Why would Miley think it was her? Did he make it like she was the only option? It made Lilly a little angry.

"The way he described her. Loving, caring, she made him feel things he never felt before… I don't know what I'm saying, but it just makes me think…" Miley shook her head. "This is stupid of me to talk to you about this. Maybe it was wrong." Miley got up from the ground and glanced at Lilly.

"Don't say that." Lilly got up from her seat and took a hold of Miley's leg pants.

"Well, I don't know. I just put the pieces together, unless he told you something, then I would understand it was someone else, but still, I hate feeling this stupid." Miley explained with concern in her voice.

"He hasn't said anything except be himself to me. Sorry Miley." Lilly lied and Miley sighed.

"Okay, sorry for bothering you. You want me to bring you home? I'm going to wrap some presents." Miley said as she shook my hand from her leg.

"This was a short talk, you sure you don't want to talk anymore? I mean, we hardly talked." Lilly said which was true.

They hardly ever talked with finals for school until the term ends and with Oliver hanging out with the both of them at different times; they really didn't have time together to talk about any girl problems. Maybe now was a good time to tell Miley about something that happened in Seattle so it wasn't full of lies.

"Well, how about we go out when school ends. It would be fun." Miley suggested.

"Maybe we can just hang out at the Christmas party, I think Matt wants to hang out before he leaves for New York on the 23rd."

Miley nodded. "So Matt…. How far has your relationship with him gone?" She asked with a smirk on her face.

Lilly rolled her eyes. "Far enough. We got caught making out right before I went on my walk… it's kind of embarrassing."

Miley laughed. "Oh Lilly, if you were that shy with a boy, who knows when you'll ever actually do something dirty." Miley laughed and Lilly instantly blushed.

"It's my personal life Miley. Matt will learn to wait if he wants to do anything like that. I'm not ready." Lilly quickly replied.

"Oh wow. That's interesting." Miley said and laughed. "I'll see you later." Miley waved and started off.

Lilly dropped down on her back and groaned. "Lies. Ugh, stupid stupid lies!" Lilly groaned and covered her face with her hands.

"Lies meaning you can't even tell your best friend you've already lost it?"

Lilly removed her hand from her face and looked up, finding Oliver walking from behind the tree.

"Lost it in what term? You know, it could just mean I've gone crazy, which I have!" Lilly frowned and Oliver laughed.

Oliver plopped down beside Lilly, making Lilly turned to look at him.

"You know, whatever you're telling Miley, it's making her think wrong things." Lilly instantly said, making him shrug.

"Whatever she thinks let her think it. You're not even telling her about our past relationship." Oliver lay on the ground and folded his hands on his stomach.

After a few moments of silence, it made her curious with how long he'd been there. He just came out of no where and he instantly knew what they were talking about. What if she got caught trying to say that it wasn't Miley who Oliver might be in 'getting into'.

"How long have you been listening to me and Miley's conversation?" Lilly asked and glanced at Oliver. His eyes were closed with his fingers drumming against his stomach. He looked peaceful and it reminded Lilly of how close they came in that few weeks they were together.

Those nights they spent together and when they talked of random things. It was like how it used to be and it made her love his company. Just his presence made her feel safe and it just made her want to break up with Matt and be with Oliver once and for all.

"Oliver." Lilly rolled to her side and put her hand over his.

Oliver still had his eyes closed. It was like he was sleeping, but it would be too fast for him to fall asleep like this.

"Listen to me Oliver!" Lilly said a little louder and she squeezed his hand. She felt Oliver squeeze it back with a smile forming on his lips.

"Sorry, I just liked how you said my name." Oliver stuck his tongue out and Lilly hit his stomach.

"You weirdo." She dropped back on her back and stared at the branches above them.

"I just came to the part where Miley was about to leave. I wanted to see if you talked to her about me." Oliver smirked. "And I was right; you do talk to her about me."

Lilly rolled her eyes. "It's only to have a topic. She might like you, you know." Lilly said and Oliver shrugged.

"Like I said, let her be. She can like me, but I'll only like one person." Oliver pointed out.

Lilly bit her lip and shook her head. "What makes you hold onto the crush you have on me?" She asked in curiosity. She didn't want to ask it, it just came out, but there was no going back now. She was about to hear the truth and she feared that maybe her heart would start to open up with her feelings with Oliver.

"I'll tell you at the right time…" Oliver's voice trailed off.

Lilly pouted. "But can't you give me a tiny fact?" Lilly asked and Oliver smirked.

"You're just perfect for me. We fit." Oliver pushed himself up and looked at Lilly.

"We fit how?" Lilly asked and Oliver shook her head.

"We just do. I'll tell you when you're ready."

"How do you know I'm not ready?" Lilly asked and sat up as well.

"The look on your face, how you react with certain things. All this little things I picked up in Seattle my dear. Just wait for the time." Oliver replied and Lilly nodded.

"Fine fine." She said and they started talking about school and how much days was left until school ended.

She knew that she couldn't fight Oliver with wanting to know what he meant and it was true she wasn't ready. Her feelings aren't clear yet so maybe the right time would be soon, hopefully.

A/NSorry lateness. I was sick, and then I had a lot of back work from being absent. And now that I'm caught up, I'm here! Cheeboo Lol hope you liked this chapter.

Next Chapter: Christmas and mistletoe. What do you think will happen?