They Say

Oli couldn't seem to watch the movie they were now watching. He was too focused on the girl before him. He didn't know he had this in him really. To have such a crush on such a girl like Emerson, but he did and he didn't know if he would be able to turn it off.

"Hey Em..." He spoke softly causing her to turn a bit to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you have a boyfriend? I mean, it seems odd to me that a girl like you doesn't have one..."

"Why does it seem odd?" She asked softly and he shrugged, "Just does."

"Well, I don't know why. Well, I do, but it isn't a big deal."

He gave her an odd look, "Isn't a big deal? Well then tell me."

She shook her head no and he studied her before speaking, "Does it have something to do with you in America?"

"I just seem to date the wrong guys you know? Which is funny because I'm usually good at reading people..."

"And what kind of guys do you date?"

"You know the kind who seem all sweet and innocent and end up being complete douche bags and cheaters."

Oli frowned, "Someone cheated on you?"

She shrugged and he ran his hand into his hair as she spoke, "Yeah, I just, you know how I am and I guess people feel like they can take advantage of me, but I'm not stupid."

"Yeah..." he whispered meeting her eyes once more. She grinned weakly before looking back at the television screen. He really didn't know what to say now. His mind was racing as he stared at her. How could some hurt someone so perfect?

"I'll never hurt you, Em." He found himself saying without much thought. That he was certain of. He'd never hurt her because he swore to himself at that moment that he would never get close enough to do such a thing. Sure he wanted to. He wanted to get closer to her. To be something more than friends, but he was also prone to breaking hearts and he wouldn't do that to her. He didn't even want to be tempted with the idea.

"I know." She whispered her eyes finding his in the darkness.

"I mean that. I don't even like the idea of someone hurting you." He whispered bringing his hand to her cheek. She was blushing already and he seemed to be staring at her in such a serious manner that she really didn't know what to say.

"You're different Emason. Good different. In fact you're the most decent human being I've eva met. You're good. Like, legit good. I didn't even know people like you existed anymore."

"I'm not that good."

"You are. We've been around each other for like a month and I know you don't have one single mean bone in your body. It's refreshing and lovely all at the same time and it makes me want to keep you away from the bullshit of the world because I don't want it to warp you."

"You make it sound like I'm a child." She whispered and he shrugged, "You have a child like innocence if that counts."

"You aren't as bad as you make yourself sound either." She said taking the heat off herself for a while.

"I'm no where near as good as you."

"Yes you are. You just chose not to be. You hide it for some reason."

Oli shrugged a bit uncomfortable from her analyzing him.

"I think you're sweet, caring and more gentle than you let on."

"Maybe that's just a side for you to see." He whispered his nose almost touching hers now.

"It's a side you only let me see and I don't know why."

"I don't either." He responded his forehead touching hers as he closed his eyes. He really didn't get it. He just didn't understand where this was coming from.

"I just feel like I can trust you." Oli stated and she bit her bottom lip as he pulled back enough to look at her.

"You can." She whispered and he grinned, "I know, love. I know. But, let me just be honest with you, Em. I like you. You may not feel that way towards me which would be great because I'm no good for you. From here, I can protect you and I won't hurt you, but I can't get any closer because I'm not good at being anything else. Especially to women." He said seriously and Emerson just stared at him in disbelief.

"You like me?" She asked softly and he tugged at his hair, "It's hard not to. You're the closest thing to perfect I'll ever have in my life."

She bit her lip before burying her face into his shirt. He brought his hand to her hair as she held onto him. Emerson really didn't know what to say to him. Did she tell him she had a crush on him or not? This whole thing made her nervous. She hadn't liked someone in a long time.

"You don't have to say anything, I just wanted to put that out there." He whispered and she shut her eyes tightly.

"What if I like you?" She managed to mumble into his shirt.

"I know you like me. You like everyone, Em."

"Not like that..."

Oli sighed as he tried to find the right words, "You don't. Haven't you heard I'm just naturally charming? It happens."

"I think I know you a bit more than some random girl who meets you and falls into your spell."

"I know you do. That's why I don't want you to like me. We have to stay friends. I want that. You want that. Can't let all these otha feelings get in the way, love. It's just nonsense."

"How you feel is not nonsense." Emerson said seriously as she pulled back to look at him.

Oli grinned at her serious tone and brought his hand to her cheek, "Ok, ok. I'm sorry. It's not." He whispered stroking her cheek and she just stared at him innocently.

"Nothing involving you eva really is." He added, raising up to be level with her.

Emerson's breathing came to a halt at the closeness of the boy and he stared at her debating on if he should listen to his head or his heart. His heart really wanting to just pull her in and kiss her like he had invisioned.

"It's late. You should get to bed." He whispered and she disappointedly bit her bottom lip and nodded.

"I'll stay until Heatha gets here. I don't like the idea of you here alone." He added as he moved from the couch along with her.

"I'll be fine."

"I know, love." He mused grabbing her waist and leading her to her room which he really had never seen.

Once in he dropped his hands from her and she covered her mouth to yawn as he watched her lazily walk over and fall onto the bed. A grin hit his lips as his eyes scanned the room she had clearly already made her home. It felt like her if that made sense.

"Oliver?"

Oli's eyes immediately went to the half asleep girl, "Yes dear?"

"You can sleep with me you know?"

Oli couldn't help but grin as he walked closer to the bed with caution, "I'll take that into consideration."

She nodded and rubbed her eyes as he sat down gently. He couldn't help but lean down and press his lips to her forehead, "Sweet dreams, my love." He whispered and she couldn't help but grow butterflies in her stomach from the feeling of his warm breath against her skin.

"Oli?" She spoke once more as her eyes shut thanks to his fingers in her hair.

"Mhm?"

"Stay. I'm just sick of everyone leaving." She mumbled and he didn't know if her words were her own or the lack of sleep.

"I'll never leave you Em. I promise. I'll be here when you wake. Go to sleep." He cooed brushing her cheek gently with his tattooed hand.

He had no explantation for his behavior. No way to determine if it would go away. He just knew with her things changed him. She made him feel things he didn't know existed anymore.

He gently laid beside her not wanting to get in her space because he didn't want to scare her. he sighed and watched her sleep peacefully until he heard the front door open and shut. Oli then softly climbed from the bed and made his way to the noise to make sure it was who he assumed.

"Oh you're here." Heather said with Matty a few feet behind.

Oli nodded and Matty smirked, "Why are you here so late?"

"I didn't want to leave her alone." Oli spoke confidently as he slid into a chair.

"Mhm. Right..." Heather responded as she looked the boy up and down as if to decode something that wasn't even there.

"Nothing happened." Oli spoke as if he could read her mind.

"Mhm. I don't trust you Sykes."

Oli shrugged because it in fact didn't bother him if she did or not.

"She does apparently." Matty responded with a grin and Heather rolled her eyes.

"Yeah she does." Oli grumbled as he brushed his hair from his eyes.

Matty laughed, "So defensive, Oliver!"

"No, Heatha just thinks that I am a shitty person, which is fine because who is she to me? But you need to stop it." He spoke seriously as he looked at Heather, "Because I care about your sista and no I don't plan to date her or sleep with her. I simply care about her so for fuck sake can you stop with the shit?!"

Matty narrowed his eyes at the boy and Oli sighed knowing he would have to deal with Matty if he continued. Matty was a laid back guy and he wasn't one to get into arguements, but if he continued talking to Heather in that manner he knew the boy would jump in.

Before Heather could even speak Emerson emerged into the living room fixing her hair and now in pajamas. Oli's eyes immediately went to her and he hoped she hadn't heard the exchange of words.

"Hey you." Matty said ruffling her hair and she didn't even fight him off clearly still tired.

"What time is it?" She asked her eyes moving to her sister who stood there with tight lips and crossed arms.

"Bout 3. Past your bed time little bird." Matty teased her and she shoved him lightly.

"Well I heard all of you talking."

"Sorry, Oli's loud."

Her eyes met his and he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Heather didn't bother to speak just stomped off to her room and Matty groaned before following after her.

"What happened?" Emerson questioned and Oli stepped closer to her, "Kind of went off on her. She just acts like I'm a horrible person or that I'm out to get you or whateva..." he mumbled not wanting to make eye contact with her in fear of her being mad.

"I'll talk to her."

Oli shook his head and looked at the girl, "No it's ok, come on Arizona. Let's get you back to bed." He spoke gently as he placed his hands on her waist making her walk back to her room.

"I'm going to head home." Oli spoke as she climbed back into bed.

"It's 3 in the morning. Just stay."

He sighed and looked at her debating with himself. He wanted to stay but he didn't know if it was a good idea.

"As holy as you think I am I'm not going to freak out if you lay down. I might though if you stand there and keep staring at me."

A grin hit his lips and he breathed in before kicking off his shoes and slowly getting on the bed. He looked down at the girl who gave him a grin.

"What?" She asked through sleepy eyes and he shook his head not bothering to move his gaze off her. She shut her eyes and he made himself lay down on the pillow.

"For what it's worth Oli, I don't care what Heather says about you. You're a good guy. I know that."

Oli just stared at her as she cuddled to her pillow not bothering to open her eyes. Her words always seemed to warm a dark part of him and even if he thought she was wrong he couldn't help but feel good about her feeling that way about him.

He brought his hand to her cheek gently, "You are propa lovely."

"I just don't hold in the good I see in people. That's why you think I'm different."

Oli didn't bother to respond just scooted closer to her until his lips touched her forehead.

"I want to keep you here." He whispered placing his arm around her gently.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I just feel like eventually you'll want to go back home."

"I don't know, I kind of like it here." She whispered into his shirt.

"Maybe because of me?"

"Yeah." She responded able to do so simply because he wasn't able to look into her eyes.

"Good." He whispered tightening his grasp on her. A part of him wanted to effect her at least a bit.

Oli laid there as Emerson slept. His mind too awake for him to do the same. How he got a girl like this to even give him the time of day was beyond him, but now that he had her in his life he didn't know what to do with her...

Oli eventually fell asleep and when he woke the sun was finally up and the girl who was beside him was missing. He groaned and covered his face with the cover knowing he couldn't stay in bed any longer but not liking the idea of moving either.

He finally forced himself from the bed trying to tame his unruly hair. He sighed and looked around wondering where the girl was. He slowly walked down the hall to head to the living room only to stop immediately when he heard his name from heather's mouth.

"He isn't like that Heather." Emerson said clearly defending him. Oli leaned against the wall more awake than ever now.

"Em I've been around him forever. I think I know how he is!"

"He just doesn't act the same around me."

"Because he wants in your pants."

"Because he doesn't know how to be himself around you all because you talk about him like that."

"Whatever. I hope he does hurt you just to prove a point."

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Emerson responded in her calm voice which he knew was probably pissing off Heather. He heard the girl mumble something before slamming a door. He assumed she was leaving for work so he breathed in before entering.

Emerson immediately looked at him and he grinned weakly, "Mornin'."

"Hey..."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah. Just Heather, you know..."

"I don't want you to to fight because of me."

Emerson grinned, "Who said it was over you?"

"I heard." He said honestly.

The girl laughed, "Of course."

"Let me take you to breakfast. Go get dressed." He spoke, reaching out for her and pulling her to him.

"Ok." She whispered looking up at him and he kissed her forehead, "Thanks for taking up for me."

A blush hit her cheeks and he brushed her hair back, "I mean it. It's been a long time since I had someone in my corner and I forgot what it felt like. So thank you."

She buried her face against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I'll always be in your corner."

Oli kissed her head before letting out a sigh. He knew he was never going to want anyone else but the girl in his arms and maybe that seemed ridiculous but the way he felt with her around was hard to deny.