36: Nose Wars, Really?

Please don't let this be awkward. Please.

Oliver tenses up but let's Levi in nonetheless. His relaxed mood is replaced with his stone cold face and emotionless eyes. I hate it when he gets like this, so robotic. I like the human Oliver, the one that plays with my brothers. The one that holds me when he knows I feel sad. Not this one. Not Oliver the Great.

"Levi!" I smile, ignoring Oliver.

"Hazel! Merry Christmas," He beams, handing me a gift.

I take it and set it down on the kitchen table so I can open it. Unwrapping the neat paper I reveal three pairs of matching pjs. One for me, one for Ben, and one for Braden. I smile up at Levi, who's staring intently.

"You remembered," I say and give him a side hug.

"Of course. What type of best friend would I be if I didn't?"

I'd told Levi a while ago that it's be funny if the boys and I had matching pjs and took pictures in them like the suburban white moms do for Facebook. It just seemed like a funny tradition to have. Levi must've remembered our conversation and thought it was the greatest idea of the 21st century. He was definitely getting a Christmas card in our matching pjs.

I smile to him, "One sec."

I go to my room, dropping the pjs off in my bed and grabbing the present I had for him and the one for Emma.

"Here," I say when I'm back in the kitchen, "For you and for Emma."

He gives me a smile, "Thanks, Hazel. You didn't have to."

I shrug and turn back to the mac and cheese I was cooking, "I wanted to."

"Levi! Ben, Levi's here!" I hear Braden tell from the hallway.

Ben and Braden come rushing out and hug Levi. I turn and look at the sight. The boys are tightly latched on to one of Levi's legs. He's laughing, pretending to try and shake them off.

I look behind them and see Oliver with his arms crossed. His eyes are hooded and he actually does look like a stone statue. He catches me looking and I give him a small smile when our eyes look. Oliver exhales and runs a hand through his perfectly messy hair. He walks over to the couch and plops down, pulling his phone out and completely ignoring what's going on. I frown at him even if he can't see me and I turn my attention back to Levi.

"Are you staying for lunch?"

Levi takes his eyes away from the twins, a large grin still playing on his face. The twins are still attached to his legs and he's still trying to break free.

"I was actually heading to Emma's but wanted to stop by real quick."

I nod at him and turn back to the fully cooked mac and cheese. I stay concentrated on my cooking while continuing my conversation with Levi. He finally got the boys off of him and they've run off back to their rooms. Levi walks up and stands beside me.

"How's it going with him?" His eyes shoot to Oliver to make his point.

"Good. I think you make him jealous though."

He chuckles, "Me? Make Oliver Grey jealous? Hazel, have you gotten funnier?"

I shrug even though there's a small smile playing on my lips, "I've always been funny."

Levi doesn't push the Oliver subject and just gives me a quick hug. He makes his way to the front door.

"Bye, Hazel. See you later," He smiles and opens the front door.

Before walking out, he looks to Oliver, "Always a pleasure talking to you, Oliver," And he closes the door behind him.

I can't help but laugh at Levi and his stupid antics. I'm serving the mac and cheese into the four separate bowls when a shadow looms over me. Oliver is standing right behind me, one inch closer and we'd be pressed up against each other.

He leans forward, his chest connecting to my back. His breath is hot on my neck and it give me goosebumps.

"Something funny, Haze?" He asks.

"You're such a baby."

He breathes a couple more times close to my ear. I turn my head to face him which wasn't the smoothest move. He's so close our noses hit and we both step away.

"Nose wars, really?"

"You asked for it," I laugh, my hand still on my nose.

"I'd rather play lip wars," He says, leaning in again.

My eyes move to his lips and my body fills with anticipation and shock. He's a man of few words, but they always manage to do something to me. He's inches away, his eyes on mine, when he grabs two of the bowls filled with mac and cheese and walks off. I roll my eyes at him, but his back is already to me.

"Lunch is served." He yells slightly so the twins can hear.

They both come running in and take a bowl from Oliver. They run to the couch and sit, waiting for me and Oliver to join them so we can watch 'The Grinch'. Oliver finally turns back to me and gives me a mischievous smile. He knows what he's doing.

I roll my eyes, this time making sure he sees me. He just winks at me. I walk over to him and hand him his bowl. We make our way together to the couch and sit in our normal spots. The boys on the floor and I cuddle up against Oliver who's already got his arm up, waiting for me.

He squeezes me and gives me the lightest of smiles when I sit beside him. Oliver and his mood swings are so hard to keep up with. One minute his stone cold and acting like he doesn't even know where he is and the next he invited me to curl up next to him. Instead of Oliver the Great they should call him Oliver the Hormonal. And he doesn't even have a period.

The rest of the day passes with either the four of us watching Christmas movies or the twins playing in their rooms while Oliver and I sit on the couch in silence. We don't really talk much of the day, just enjoy each other's company. I tried to question him about Levi but all he did was shrug and say he 'doesn't do jealous'. A classic Oliver Grey response.

By 10:30, the boys are tucked in bed and tuckered out from the intensity that is Christmas day. I go to the kitchen to clean up but find Oliver's already finishing up.

I feel confident and walk up behind him, wrapping my arms around him. He stops moving for a second before turning around and wrapping his own arms around me. I press my head into his chest and he rests his head on top of mine.

We stay like this for a while, appreciating the warmth we're giving each other. I look up, resting my chin on his chest. Oliver looks down at me.

"I have something for you."

He furrows his eyes rows but I ignore him. Letting go of our hug I grab his hand and guide him back to my room. I let go of his hand to rummage through my closet for the gift I'd hidden there. When I turn back around, gift in hand, I spot Oliver sitting at the edge of my bed staring at me. I smile and walk over to him. I extend my arm and hand him the present.

"Merry Christmas, Oliver."

His eyebrows raise, "You got me a Christmas present?" He asks but takes the present anyway.

I nod and sit behind him. I look at him expectantly. He slowing unwraps the present and lifts it up. His eyes widen when he lays eyes on the jersey. It's a signed football jersey by his favorite wide receiver. I thought as a wide receiver himself he'd like it.

My father used to be the biggest football fan. Instead of extravagant vacations he'd buy us the best seats in the stadium. I never really understood football but I loved going with my dad. Now they're tainted memories, but back then they were my favorite days of the year.

"How'd you get this?"

"My father back in the day," I shrug my shoulders, "I never wear it, but it's your size."

He looks from me to the jersey then settles back on me. There's shock in his expression, but also something else. He smiles a genuine smile.

"Wow, Haze."

I smile at him, proud of myself that he likes it. Oliver Grey has everything anyone could ever buy him. It took me a while to dig the shirt out. It was buried deep in my closet, somewhere I wouldn't have to look at it. But now, something changed. Oliver having it seemed right and I knew the jersey had to be with him. It wasn't right for me to have it.

"Wait," He says and walks off to his couch.

Between the cracks of the sofa he pulls out a box. I smile at him when he comes back and sits beside me on the bed again.

"Merry Christmas," Oliver hands me the box.

"You've been sleeping on my Christmas present?"

"Just open the present, Haze," He pretends to sound annoyed but the gleam in his eyes and the tug on his lips tells me otherwise.

I feel the excitement building up. Oliver Grey got me a Christmas gift. He's staring at me intently as I unravel the perfect bow that's around the box.

When I open it I can't help my jaw dropping. The most beautiful locket sits in the box. It's the same style as my chain, little silver braid, but there's an oval shaped charm.

"Oliver, it's beautiful."

I open the locket so I can get a look at the pictures that lie inside. I gasp when I see the picture. It's the twins smiling, their arms wrapped around each other. The other side, however, is blank. I look up to Oliver and furrow my eyebrows.

"It's empty."

"You have eyes," Oliver smirks.

I roll my eyes at him and wait for him to give me an actual response.

"So you can choose someone."

I smile at him and then look back at the open locket. I brush my thumb over the empty space in the locket. I didn't have someone to put in there. I can here Ben saying 'Not yet'. Close the locket and hand it to Oliver.

"Would you?"

I look up to him to see his features relax. He reaches out and takes the locket from my hand and unclasps it. Oliver reaches out and moves my hair out of the way. He wraps the silver chain around my neck, his fingers slightly grazing my skin. The touch sends a shiver through me and I try to cover up my blush by smiling.

Oliver puts my hair back when he's done with the clasp. I turn around to face him, my fingers touching the little oval locket. Oliver's hands stay on my shoulders, his fingers tracing no none sense patterns along my exposed skin.

I look down at the locket and smile, it's just barely longer than my other chain. I go to look back into Oliver's eyes but I stop at his lips that are a lot closer to me.

"Kiss me," He whispers quietly, "Please."

I lean forward the final inches that separate our lips. Oliver immediately starts kissing me back. His hands that were on my neck shooting to my waist. He pushes me down onto the bed and he swiftly lands on top of me without breaking the kiss.

He doesn't even have to ask for permission this time, I open my mouth with a small moan and let his tongue explore. He tastes of mint from the toothpaste he must've used. I hope I taste this good.

Oliver brings his hand down to mine and intertwines our fingers together. He's holding himself up with his legs and his elbow. My free hand sneaks under his hoodie and wraps around his torso. His skin is warm against my cold fingers. I can feel him tense everywhere my fingers touch.

I'm able to flip us over so that I can straddle Oliver. His hand tugs on my shirt before he finds his way under it. His hand sneaks to my scar which is right by my waistband. His fingers slide under but only gently trace my scar. His other hand is still intertwined with mine.

"Oliver, wait."

Oliver opens his eyes. He looks sad that we stopped, I do too. But we can't just keep moaning and groaning.

"Thin walls," I say, looking at the wall that connects my room to the twins' room.

He huffs and slides into a sitting position, keeping me in his hold. This forces my legs to wrap around his torso and I bring my arms to his shoulders. He looks into my eyes and smirks.

"One more kiss before I leave to the couch?"

I furrow my eyebrows and shake my head. There's a small surge of confidence as I speak up.

"You don't have to sleep on the couch."

He nods and closes his eyes, "I do, Haze," He breathes out.

I look to him, trying to understand what's going through his mind. But I'm not a mind reader, so I just end up staring at him intently. He looks frustrated and confused. His eyebrows are furrowed and his lips are tucked into his own mouth. I want him to say something else, maybe explain himself for once. But for now I'm left with staring at his perfect face.

"One more kiss," I tell him.

He opens his eyes and gives me a smirk. His blue eyes still shine even though the only light comes from the lamp on my nightstand. Oliver leans forward and gives me a little peck on the lips, leaving me wanting so much more than before.

He then picks me up just to set me on the bed as he walks off to his couch. I keep my eyes on him as he slides into his makeshift bed. As always, he faces his back to me. The bruises he used to have are healed and it's like they were never there. I sigh in content and crawl to the top of my bed. Once I'm in the covers, I turn off the lamp on my nightstand.

"Good night, Oliver Grey," I whisper.