The Nerd Has A Boner: Extras

Extra 4.0

Sarah's POV

"I'm not sick, Sarah," Oliver protested. I hear him cough on the phone and then cover it with a stuffy chuckle.

"So, you didn't get sick and called me?" I asked. It's almost Christmas. It still looks like summer outside. The trees are bare, and it's not as hot. I'm heading to my dorm to start homework. A breeze passes through with a ghost-like sound.

I hear a few grumbles before Oliver responds. "It wasn't like I threw up. I had a sore throat."

We have weeks until it's Christmas break. I'm still in my dorm and haven't packed. I'm busy trying to finish my journalism class. I don't think I can see Oliver unless I do my homework. He's sick. I'm worried he's downplaying for me to ignore it.

I reach my dorm and unlock the door. I still have cans of soup. Chicken noodles and noodles. It wouldn't be any use if I were to bring him some because a can of soup makes no difference. He could buy it anywhere, and it seems cheap. I can't do anything unless I take Christmas break now and see him.

"I'm going to finish the rest of my medicine and head back to working on my poetry," he sniffled. He sounds like he has the flu.

"What if I took Christmas break early and came to see you?" I ask, changing my clothes. I hold the phone near.

"No, don't do that. Sarah, I'm good."

"Oliver," I persist.

"I don't need you to babysit me or anything. Don't drop everything for me. I still have a week of classes before break. Next week," Oliver states.

I start pulling a suitcase with one hand and opening it.

"Okay. Get well soon. Love you," I say. I hang up the phone and pack for next week. I put cans of soup and tea. Then, I continued my homework.

..

I throw my suitcase in my car and start it up once I'm inside. It's my parent's car they gave me since I left Thanksgiving. They've been using Dad's.

I missed Oliver so much. I couldn't wait to see him. The drive is long and quiet as it's evening and a few days before Christmas Eve. There are decorated red and green lights and a coldness. I finished my exams. I'm pretty sure I failed them. I don't have hope that things turn out well for me because it doesn't. I've passed my classes, but still.

The sun sets while I drive to Oceanside. I passed through traffic. I miss Max. He probably doesn't miss me. Sandy's keeping him company.

An hour later, I'm reaching the street I live on, and Oliver's Silverado is there. He's standing waiting. I park and get out. I close the car door in the dark blue sky and reach him.

"Hey," he says. He hugs me.

"Oliver." The heat of him feels like I'm already inside my house. I look up at him. His nose is deep red. Much like Rudolph.

I hear him sniffle, and I huff.

"You told me that you weren't that sick," I say a little loud.

"You shouldn't be worried about me. It's still going away," Oliver tells me, keeping me close.

"Is that why you feel so warm?" I question, pulling away to put my hand to his face. He leans his face closer to my hand. He's extremely hot. I'm sure he has a fever and a runny nose. Not the flu. Cold.

"Hm," he mumbles. Oliver looks tired, too.

"I'm taking you home with some soup. I've got to leave my things here first." I lean away from a red nose Oliver to get my suitcase from inside my car.

Oliver looks so tired and lucid he stays out and watches me. The cans of soup are in my hands from the suitcase. I haul my suitcase to my house and knock on the door. My hands are freezing.

I hear a shuffle and hurried whispers. The door opens. Sandy comes to hug me.

"Sarah, I'm glad you're here early. We are cooking and decorating. I am doing the dinner, and Max is decorating," she gushes.

I'm not too crazy about Christmas this year. I'm more looking after Oliver. I pull back hesitantly.

"Sarah?" She asked.

"Oliver's sick. I'm driving him home with some cans of soup. Is it fine if I come back?" I asked. She nods.

"You can go. We're still busy," Sandy moved out of the way for Max to wave. I stand outside and wave back.

"How's college? Still bad?" He inquires.

"Eh, it's alright, how are you?" I tell him. He nods and moves to show me the tree lighting up. It has a star and everything. It feels like time moved away while I was gone when my parents pretended to be parents. My sister didn't run off.

"I'm fine. I have Santa's list ready."

"Cool. Tell everyone I'm at Oliver's," I said. They nod. I walk back to Oliver.

I feel the wind pick up, and he shivers. I hear his Silverado unlock. I get in. It's a tense silence. I remember Halloween when his friends said I was a bother. He must have not wanted me to come because I'm a bother to him. I hate myself for caring now to take him home.

Oliver's green sea eyes are on mine. We're breaking up, aren't we? He slides into the passenger seat with his seatbelt on. I rest the cans in the back seat and put on my seatbelt before starting the car.

"Audrey and my Mom are home. Stay tonight. I don't want you getting sick for Christmas, so no kissing me, at least," he said.

I nod with a grin and turn off from my street, continuing to drive towards Oliver's house.

"I don't have anything with me, and your Mom will notice I'm there. So will Audrey."

"My Mom doesn't care. Audrey might be in her room.." He stopped speaking to wince. His throat must be irritated by his speaking.

"Don't talk so much," I say.

I hear him clear his cough. "I'm fine. She doesn't call and has officially cut me off. I could keep the car, and that's it. I'm thinking about moving."

Oliver, moving from his Mom because she doesn't want him seems like his only option. Does he have money for that?

"Moving? You could try and ask to stay," I reasoned. Oliver shakes his head.

"No reasoning. She doesn't want me there. I'm not her son. I put her husband in jail because he sexually assaulted you. I am sure the only person who doesn't hate me is you," His voice is strained. Audrey is still someone who misses him all the time.

His father. His hands. Oliver's warm fingers trail on my jacket. I shake my head.

"Don't start crying now. I can only deal with a sick you. Not a crying one, too," I try to joke. He chuckles dryly, and a tear falls down his cheek.

I turn on his street. It's night. It's dark. I can see the fall leaves blow in the wind. I get out of his car and take the cans of soup. He locks the doors. Oliver comes near me. I wipe my finger on his warm face.

His sea-green eyes stare afar. I pull away, and before I can, he pulls me close to him. Cold air and pine cones.

"Let's get inside," I said. He nods and steps towards his house.