They Say

Oli made his way to Emerson's, even though his nerves weren't still settled. Tom's words had really messed with him. He couldn't seem to push them away.

He knocked on the girl's door and waited impatiently before she finally opened it with a smile.

"Oh hey." She spoke softly and he couldn't help but glance over her outfit. When he went hours without her for some reason she managed to take his breath away. Every time.

"Are you ready?" He finally asked and she nodded before stepping out, locking the door behind her.

The walk to the car was silent and Emerson was a bit nervous as to why. Was he regretting this decision? She really didn't know if she could handle it.

Once in the car Oli sighed and started the car, he really was having second thoughts about this now.

"Are you sure you even want to do this?" She finally asked and he looked over at her once at a red light.

"I just..."

"Why don't you just take me home."

"What? No."

"It just seems like you want to." She mumbled looking out the window at the night lights.

Oli didn't respond, just continued the drive to the restaurant Tom had reservations waiting at for the pair. Once parked, Emerson hopped out of the car before he had even opened the door and he had to sprint to catch up to her.

"Em..." He spoke quickly grabbing her hand to bring her to a stop.

"What?" She asked calmly which made him uncertain if she was mad or not.

Her green eyes met his and he grabbed up her other hand causing her to sigh.

"I'm sorry I'm actin' weird. I just have a lot runnin' round in my head and I'm still trying to sort it all out. I want to be here. Most importantly I want to be here with you."

She bit her bottom lip and he gave her hands a squeeze. He really did mean what he said. Even if his feelings were scattered about, being around her was what he wanted.

"Ok?" He whispered and she managed to nod.

Oliver leaned in pecking her cheek before dropping one of her hands and leading her into the restaurant.

The pair was seated at a table near a window and Oli couldn't help but watch her from her seat. He couldn't decide if she was nervous or uncertain about this whole ordeal. He clearly wasn't the only one confused.

"What are you thinking?" He finally asked and her eyes met his, "Nothing..."

"Liar."

She shrugged and looked back out the window causing him to sigh. This was not going how he wanted it to. Then again, he didn't know what he expected.

The boy nervously fiddled with his napkin, thankful for the waitress that interrupted his krypted thoughts.

The pair ordered and the silence filled the pair yet again once the overly happy lady left.

He breathed in before boldly moving from his seat and sliding into the booth next to her.

"Oli..." She began and he shushed her, wrapping his arm around her waist, "What's wrong?" He whispered, his face only inches from her own.

"Just have a lot on my mind."

"Well please tell me." He mumbled bringing his hand to her cheek.

"Nothing serious."

"I don't believe that."

Her eyes met his and he grinned weakly, "Talk to me, love."

"What if it's about you?"

Oli shrugged, "So be it."

She sighed and he inched closer to her, before giving in and pressing his lips to hers.

"I just don't know what you want." She finally said once they parted and he brushed back her hair, "I want you."

"No, you don't."

"I don't?"

"No." She responded and he narrowed his eyes in confusion, "I swear you are the most confusin' bird I've eva met. Isn't this what you want?"

"Yeah, it is, but I don't want it if you are unsure like I know you are."

Oli rolled his eyes, "Why would I ask you on a date then?"

"Because you feel like you have to."

Oli groaned, "Where the hell is this girl coming from?!"

Emerson shrugged biting her bottom lip as she dropped his gaze. Maybe she was sounding stupid, but it was how she felt none the less and hey, he asked!

"You want me, I finally give in and now you don't want me?" He asked trying to figure the girl out.

"Oli, several hours ago you were wanting to never see me again so forgive me for being concerned about this."

Oli rolled his eyes and moved to his seat as the waitress brought their food. The night did a complete 180 and Oli hated the awkwardness now between them. He glanced up at her only to see her playing with her food which caused a sigh to leave his lips. This was why he didn't date.

After twenty minutes of complete torture he paid the woman and they left the restaurant in relief. He watched her from the corner of his eyes as they walked slowly towards the car.

"I only wanted to leave last night, Em because, I know, I mean, if I stayed..." He fumbled, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to compose himself.

"If I stayed then I was giving in to what I was scared of." He finally got out and she finally looked over at him waiting for him to continue.

Oli groaned, rubbing his hands down his face as he felt himself growing even more uncomfortable.

"Fuck, Emason. I just...I like you. I'm tryin' ok?" He grumbled knowing his face was flushed and he was thankful for the darkness.

"Ok." She whispered and he looked at her once he was securely leaned against the car, "Ok?"

"Yeah?"

Oli chuckled as he messed with his hair, "Ok. Just ok? Bloody hell you stress me out."

Emerson frowned and crossed her arms over her chest as she took in the boy's features.

"So, where does this leave us?" He finally asked as he reached out, grasping her fingers lightly with his own.

"I don't know Oli..." She whispered, her heart now beating rapidly in her chest simply from his touch.

"Well, can I tell you where I want this to leave us?"

She nodded nervously and he looked back down at their linked fingers.

"I want us to date. I want to try this with you and not because of any other reason but because of the simple fact that I like you. I love being around you, hearing you laugh. You just, you make my day so much better, love." He mumbled not daring to look up at her. She should be lucky he was even able to say this without fumbling over his words. Not a lot nerved him, but spilling out his feelings did.

Emerson could have sworn her heart would explode from the sweetness of it all. She linked her fingers with his and he sighed as he looked up, his hair falling into his eyes.

"You make me bloody nervous." He grumbled out and a grin hit her lips, "Why?"

"Because you're perfect and I just, I know I'm gonna screw this up. I don't know why you won't believe me."

She sighed and brushed his hair from his eyes, "Because, I clearly have more faith in you than you have in yourself. You're a good person, Oli. As much as you want to deny it, you are."

"I just, you can do better than me. I swear it. If you'd just think about it logically for a moment, you'd see it too." He whispered. Even he couldn't believe how vulnerable he was at the moment. How little to no control he had with spilling his guts to this girl.

"I'll take my chances."

He shook his head with a sigh, knowing he wouldn't be able to change her mind and a part of him really didn't want to anyways.

"Can we get in the car? It's freezing." She spoke and he nodded taking in the fact that she was shivering.

"Yeah." He immediately replied, swiftly opening the car door for her and flying to his side in order to get in and warm her up as quickly as possible.

He started the car as she rubbed her hands together. Her body may have been cold, but her heart was on fire so the contrast didn't bother her too much.

"Emason?" He finally spoke, once the car had warmed and he began the journey back to her home.

She looked over at him and he continued, "Tell me you love meh."

"I love you." She responded softly and he relaxed in his seat.

Even if he couldn't say it back just yet, knowing she meant those words meant more to him than anyone would understand.

And that's why he would try.

He would try for her.