4. The Beginning

Oliver's heart flipped at the excitement of being alone with Sierra. This was his chance to get to know her better, and to maybe ask her on a date. He stared at Sierra. She was very beautiful. She had long, dark hair that he wanted to play with, beautiful blue eyes he could get lost in, and a smile that he'd do anything to keep on her face. Oliver shook himself out of this reverie. He thought to himself, wow, it didn't take me long to fall for her. He was sure to thank James later for backing out graciously. Sierra glanced up and caught him staring. He smiled at her, and butterflies erupted in her stomach.

"So how old are you?" asked Oliver.

"Only 17," Sierra mumbled, knowing there was a big age difference between them. Oliver looked shocked.

"Such a beautiful girl, only 17?! Impossible!" he exclaimed. "It's kind of horrible, though, that if we ever dated, it'd be considered illegal. But then again, who would find out?" Oliver laughed. Sierra blushed at the thought of them actually dating. She quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way that Oliver Phelps would ever date her. He was far too perfect.

"Ah, well, it's only an 8 year difference between us. Not too bad," Oliver said, grinning. Sierra's phone started to buzz. She looked at it and frowned. It was a text message from her creepy ex-boyfriend. She quickly deleted the message without reading it and turned her phone off. Oliver didn't like the unhappiness that was written plainly all over her face.

"Who was that?" he asked gently. Sierra plastered on a fake smile and hastily replied with a lie.

"Just a friend I've had an argument with. No big deal." Oliver didn't believe her. He didn't want to press the issue, but he had to say something-- anything to make her feel better.

"I don't believe you," he said, putting his hand over hers, "but I want you to know that whatever it is, you can tell me. You can trust me." Sierra looked into his light brown eyes and believed him. A pleasant warmth blossomed from her heart and spread throughout her body. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to tell him everything, to unload all her misery and get it off her chest, but she didn't. She couldn't. Her burdens were not his to bear. Instead, she simply said, "It was an ex-boyfriend of mine. Nothing to worry about."

Oliver knew there was more to it, but he didn't say anything else. He just squeezed her hand, and she smiled.

"Do you need help with any of your homework? I mean, it's been a while, but I could give it a shot," he said, wanting to make her happy. Sierra shook her head.

"I've got it all covered," she said," I should probably go home and finish." Sierra dreaded going home after such a perfect day. Oliver frowned unhappily.

"You'd choose homework over me?" he asked grumpily, in a joking manner. His hand was still over hers, but Sierra gently took her hand back. It was nearly 6pm, and she needed to go home and focus on studying. She looked at Oliver apologetically and shrugged.

"I've got to study. Besides, we've got each other's numbers. You can call me whenever," Sierra said, smiling as she started to pack her things into her bag.

"Alright, but at least let me give you a ride home or something," Oliver tried.

"I've got my mom's car with me. I'll be fine. Thank you for the offer, though." Sierra stood up, and so did Oliver; both of them looked reluctant to go. "Today has turned out to be the best day of my life, all thanks to you, Oliver. Thank you." Sierra put her heart into the last two words, hoping Oliver understood how special he had made her feel. They walked out of the cafe together and stopped at the front.

This is it, thought Oliver. This is the part where I ask her on a real date. Taking a deep breath, he took Sierra's hands.

"Sierra, I think I've developed feelings for you within the past two hours. I'd really like to see you again. Maybe you'd like to go on a date with me soon?" he asked hopefully. Sierra's jaw dropped open in surprise. She hadn't been expecting this. Speechless, she could only stare at Oliver. Every second that passed made Oliver nervous as he waited for a reply. Maybe she didn't like him that much after all. Maybe the celebrity crush she had on him couldn't develop into true feelings. Maybe--

"Y-Y-yes," Sierra stammered out. "Oh my goodness, yes!" Sierra flashed a brilliant smile that sent relief coursing through Oliver's veins. Oliver's face split into a smile, and he drew her into a tight embrace.

"I'll call you tonight," he murmured into her ear. Sierra could only sigh happily. All to soon, they pulled apart from each other. After a goodbye, Oliver went to his car where James was waiting, and Sierra went to hers. Oliver stayed until Sierra had left safely. James had fallen asleep in the back, and Oliver drove off to their hotel, smiling the whole way.

As Sierra drove, she couldn't stop smiling. The smile never left her face once the whole ride home. She got out of her mom's car after parking it, and locked it. Having had the best day of her life, she couldn't wait to get inside and wait for Oliver's call. Walking up her driveway, she barely noticed the dark figure detach itself from the shadow. A deep voice called out, "Sierra," and she froze. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. It was Gary, her ex-boyfriend.