(Oliver's POV)

Okay, so Lilly has officially stopped talking as of this morning. At school she just sits and it looks like she's actually been…dare I say it…paying attention in class. I need to talk to her and sort this whole mess out. I just need to be with her already. Ugh.

Well, Miley knows what's been going on and she's all for the plane I have. Okay, so it's not a real plan per se, but it's going to get me and Lilly together for sure…possibly…maybe…I hope…

Okay, so this is what I am going to do. I am going to hide behind a bush, grab Lilly as she is walking home, and then bring her to my house where we can talk. Mrs. Truscott never said that Lilly wasn't allowed in the homes of boys; she just couldn't have boys in her house. So, once we have reached my house, we will have a nice conservation and I will admit my true feelings to Lilly…hopefully without bringing out any fruit in the process and calling myself some sort of fly.

So, the end of the day was nearing and I was nervously waiting for the bell to ring. Sure, I was excited that today I may finally get to be with Lilly, but what if she doesn't want to be my girlfriend?

No. You know what Oken? You got to stop doubting yourself. You are an attractive boy…(clears throat)…I mean man and any girl would be lucky to have you. If I ask Lilly out, she should get down on the floor and thank me until she loses her voice…her very beautiful voice that makes me tingle with delight and get all giddy like a little girl…but I-i'm not a little girl. I'm a man, remember? Aww, who am I kidding? I'm just as scared of asking Lilly out as my little cousin is of the dark and let me tell you, he won't even go outside past six.

But…I don't think Lilly is even allowed to have a boyfriend so then what? But, maybe if we care about each other enough that doesn't matter? Okay, I'm rambling and probably boring the heck out of you so I am just going to get the part of the day when the school bell rang and some force was crazy enough to make me hind behind one of the nearest bushes to the school exit.

I had reached my hiding spot practically two seconds after he bell had rung so I had expected Lilly to come out in roughly two minutes.

Just as anticipated, there was Lilly after a couple of minutes. The straps of her Jansport backpack were resting on her shoulders and she was staring straight ahead. A couple people waved goodbye to her on their way home and she simply smiled. But once they were out of reach, the smile faded. Soon, she was in reaching distance of me so I hurriedly stepped out from behind the bush and grabbed her wrist forcefully pulling her as well as myself back to where I previously was.

"What the---!" She yelled but I cut her off by placing my hand over her mouth. I guess you could say she was scared. Okay, that would be an understatement. Once we had crouched down low enough, Lilly realized it was only me. After a couple of seconds I asked,

"Aren't you going to say something?" She didn't answer.

"Hi Lilly. How are you? Good, that's great. Oh, how am I? Just peachy. Thanks," I said sarcastically.

"Well?" I asked impatiently. She then pointed to my hand which I had forgotten was still covering her mouth. "Oh, right," I said sheepishly.

"What are you doing Oliver? You scared the living daylights out of me."

"I realized. But we need to talk."

"No, we don't."

"Yes, we do."

"No, I need to get home before my mom kills me."

"Can we please just talk?" I asked. Lilly looked around apprehensively making sure no one was there and said quietly,

"Just for a couple of minutes." I then took her hand and practically dragged her to my house and all the way upstairs to my room. We then both realized we still had our hands linked and pulled away, slightly blushing.

"So…," Lilly says awkwardly.

"So…," I repeat.

"Talk," She says timidly. I really have never seen Lilly this shy before.

"Okay. First, I want to say I'm really sorry for everything."

"Sorry?" Lilly asks with a cute, confused expression.

"I mean you got in trouble and everything."

"Oh…yea, that's okay though."

"No, it's my fault. I should have never tried to kiss you," I responded and Lilly cheeks turned a bit pink after I had said "kiss".

"But…" Lilly started but then her voice drifted off.

"But what?" I asked. Without saying another word, Lilly softly pressed her lips against mine creating what seemed like a dream. If someone had told me that Lilly just kissed me, I probably would have thought I was dreaming.

"I-i-i…uh…" Lilly stuttered while struggling to find something to say.

"Wow." That was all I was able to get out.

"No…I shouldn't have…"

"Is it…Jackson?" I asked quietly.

"Oliver, there was never anything going on with Jackson," Lilly said, instantly lifting a weight from my shoulder. Sweet Victory!

"Really?" Lilly merely nods in response. "So…that means nothing standing in our way, right?"

"Our?" Lilly asks quizzically.

"Well, yea. I mean, I'm guessing you just kissed me for a reason, right?"

"Yes…but what about my parents? I am not supposed to have a boyfriend and G-d only knows what my dad would do if he found out."

"Lilly, sometimes when it comes to love you have to think about what's best for yourself and not care what others want or think," I say, basically surprising myself.

"Love?"

"Uh," I paused for a moment trying to find every ounce of courage in my body, "…Lilly, I have kept this inside for a really long time and I'm just going to tell you…I love you." Boy I'm on a roll.

Lilly takes a step back and says while looking down,

"Well, last time someone said that to me…they really hurt me and I just don't want that to happen again." I then put my hands on Lilly's shoulders and said calmly,

"Lilly, I will never ever hurt you. I promise." Lilly then looked up at me and I gently wrapped my arms around her small figure and held her tight against my chest. I could smell the sweet scent in her hair and felt like never letting go.

Eventually we parted and Lilly said,

"I love you too." Immediately, we both smiled and interlaced our fingers. Lilly questioned, "So what does this mean?"

"Lilly, will you be my girlfriend?" I inquire but not without releasing a huge overdue sigh, relieved to have finally asked the awaited question.

"I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend," she replies, her eyes lowered. However, slowly but surely her exuberant, blue eyes rise to greet my own and a sly smile appears on her gorgeous face. "But, you of all people know that I'm not one to always follow the rules." I smile back, unable to contain my excitement. Lilly then tenderly moves her hands up to my neck and kisses me passionately, even deeper than the prior time. Finally, the day I have been waiting for all my life has arrived. No more wondering, questioning, or fretting.

She not only has my heart.

I have hers.

THE END

A/N- Wow. It's really over. ); I can't believe it lol. Well, most importantly, I want to thank all of my fantastic reviewers and even if you didn't review but you took the time out to ready my story. Thank you guys so much! I spent quite a while working on this final chapter so I really hope you enjoyed it! I really don't have much to say other than a well-deserved thank you and I hope you enjoyed reading my story. Please leave all of your comments and if you have any suggestions for my writing or ideas for new stories I would be more than happy to hear them. Well, you can expect a new story soon so don't go anywhere :). Well, thanks again, much love, Val!

P.S. I hope you have a wonderful New Years (I know I am a little early)! xoxo