Oliver Dalwood couldn't believe it. The first day of his senior year was tomorrow, and he was a nervous wreck. He had started picking out an outfit for the next day so he's prepared but then he got to thinking how it was his last year with his friends and his girlfriend. Then he started thinking how he really had no idea what he wanted to do after he graduated. 

His parents were constantly telling him about the many colleges he could attend with the grades he was making, but he wasn't sure that's what he wanted. He knew he wanted to do something with music, maybe become a famous musician. And if he did that, he wouldn't really need to go to college. Plus he wanted to be close by Gina since she still had two more years of high school. But he knew his parents wouldn't like that one bit. They wanted him to go to college like his older brother.

The thoughts just kept piling up as he laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling. This is what he tended to do when he had too much going on in his head. It got the best of him most of the time, especially during big decisions. But he was a teenager and all of his big decisions were big, in his opinion. And when he was alone, his mind would get the best of him and his confidence would slowly deteriorate. He sat up in bed, startled when he suddenly heard a knock on his window. He looked over at it, surprised to see Gina but he was so relieved. He was tempted to sneak over to her house for some much needed comfort. But now that she was here, he didn't have to.

He stood up and pulled his window open, immediately letting Gina inside. She smiled up at him as she climbed into his room, closing the window behind her. She took one good look at him and knew something was wrong. She didn't say anything about it though and just leaned up and kissed him. He was surprised by the sudden kiss but he melted into it, wrapping his arms around her waist. For a moment, the worries of tomorrow and the uncertainties about his future melted away. Being with Gina felt like home, like everything would be okay as long as she was by his side. He returned it and wrapped his arms around her.

He melted against her and the kiss slowly deepened. Her hands were on his cheeks, keeping him from pulling away from her. Not that he had any intention of doing that. As the kiss went on, his mind was completely wiped clean of all the worries and doubts that had been plaguing him earlier. All he could focus on was the warmth of Gina's embrace, the softness of her lips against his, and the reassurance that she brought with her presence. He didn't know how she did it, but she always knew what to do to make him feel better. 

After a few moments, Gina was the one who pulled away, giving him a smirk as she did. She knew the effects she had on him and she had to admit that it did wonders for her ego. "You okay, babe?"

He nodded and pulled her back against him, nuzzling his face into her neck. He let out a deep sigh and held onto her, hoping she wouldn't leave anytime soon. He needed her there, more than anything else. She was more than willing to give him what he needed, though. She rubbed her hands up and down his back, trying to help him relax. She had no idea what could possibly be bothering him. She knew he must be anxious and nervous about his senior year, but she thought that he was prepared for that. But apparently not.

Oliver's body eventually relaxed against hers, and his mind was able to slow down a bit. He closed his eyes and pressed his face harder against her, letting her presence take over. He could breathe again and his body was no longer tense. She was like a miracle worker. Gina didn't say anything and just let Oliver hold her. She didn't mind. In fact, she enjoyed moments like these. It was just a nice reminder that they loved each other so much and that no matter what, they were there for each other.

After a few minutes, Oliver pulled his head away from her and looked down at her. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. It was a much softer kiss, but just as passionate. It was slower, and they took their time with it. Oliver had no intention of going anywhere or doing anything. Just staying there with Gina was more than enough for him.

When the kiss ended, Gina smiles at him and brushes her fingers across his cheek. "So are you gonna tell me what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

Oliver's face turns red at her touch and words. He shrugs and turns his head, pressing his cheek against her hand. "I don't really want to talk about it right now. I just wanna stay here with you." He murmured, kissing the inside of her hand.

Gina nods. She understood. There was no pressure for him to talk about his problems. If he didn't want to, she would respect that. He would talk to her when he was ready. Her heart fluttered as he kissed her hand. It was the little things like that which made her love him more and more. "Okay, that's fine. Let's cuddle." She suggested, reaching for his hand and leading him back to his bed. She kicked off her shoes and laid down, smiling up at him.

Oliver smiled and followed suit, laying down beside her. He moved closer and laid on his side as she laid behind him. She knew he probably wanted to be little spoon. Usually when he was feeling overwhelmed, he preferred the comfort of her arms around him. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her front against his back and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

He intertwined his hand with hers that's on his stomach, his other arm was under his head. He was finally able to close his eyes and just relax which is what he wanted. With her, his worries didn't exist and his mind wasn't racing with so many questions. She somehow silenced his racing mind and he was grateful. Gina was the exact same. When they were together, nothing else mattered. The world around them could be crumbling, but if they were in each other's arms, everything was okay. They were safe and happy.

Gina presses a soft kiss to the back of his neck. "I love you. Whenever you wanna talk, I'm here." She said softly, squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Oliver smiles, opening his eyes and looks down at her hand, admiring her perfectly painted nails. They were always perfect. Everything about her was. "I love you too, so much. Thank you for this. You're the best."

"You're welcome, babe." She whispered, her warm breath against his skin. She pressed a few more kisses along his neck, enjoying the way his body relaxed even further. She loved seeing him so calm and happy. That was her goal. He closed his eyes once again and laid there, listening to her steady breathing and the faint sounds of his heart beating. The silence between them was comforting and soothing. He wouldn't change a thing about this moment.

"I was freaking out about my senior year." He finally confesses, breaking the comfortable silence after a few minutes. "I don't really know what I'm doing after I graduate, and I'm worried about losing all my friends. Plus I don't want to leave you. And my parents are always pushing me to go to college, but I'm not sure that's what I want. I don't know." He sighs, squeezing her hand tighter. "It was all just so much. But then you were there and it all faded away."

Gina's heart sank. She didn't want him to stress about things like that. She wanted him to be happy. And she didn't want to lose him either. She felt the exact same way about leaving her friends and him. But she had faith that everything would work out. "Oh baby, I know exactly how you feel. It's all scary, I get it. But I have no doubt in my mind that you'll do great no matter what you decide. And you'll never lose me, or our friends. We're not going anywhere. And I think you're amazing and talented, and I'm sure your parents will support whatever you choose to do." She told him, wanting him to know that it was all okay and he was going to be fine. She believed in him.

Oliver's smile returns and he lets out a content sigh. "Thank you, sweetheart. You always know the right things to say." He said, lifting her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

"You're welcome, handsome." Gina murmurs, her lips moving against his skin. "Do you want to go to college? Because if you don't, that's okay. But if you do, you should definitely do that. I would never want to hold you back." She told him, knowing how he felt about that.

He takes a moment to think before responding. He was so torn. "I'm not really sure. I want to be close to you. I hate the idea of being so far away." He admits, looking down at their intertwined hands. "And you could never hold me back. You're the reason I've gotten this far. I couldn't have done any of it without you. I want to do this with you, not without you."

Gina's eyes were closed, and she was listening to his voice. His words meant so much to her. She knew how hard it was for him to say them, but he did, and she was so proud. "I want to do everything with you, Ollie."

He turns his head, catching her gaze. She smiles softly and moves her hand, running her thumb across his cheek. "Me too." He whispered.

She leans forward and kisses him gently, not wanting to move away from him. She pulls back and nuzzles her nose against his. "It's gonna be okay. You'll figure it out. If you don't wanna go to college then don't go. If you want to be a famous musician then do it. I think you're amazing and your music is incredible, so why not? Maybe you could even talk to Nini for some advise about that. But no matter what, I will always support you. And I just want you to be happy. Okay?"

His heart warms and he moves a bit, turning so he was facing her. He wraps his arm around her waist, keeping her pressed against him. "Thank you, my love. I'm so lucky to have you. I don't know what I did to deserve you." He confesses, feeling so much better. "How do you always know what to say?"

She giggles, a soft blush coating her cheeks. She shrugs and smiles. "I don't know, it just comes naturally." She says, leaning forward and pecking his lips. "I'm glad I can make you feel better, though."

"You make me feel like I can do anything." He tells her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. He gazes into her eyes with adoration and love, his thumb grazing her cheek. "I hope I make you feel the same."

Her heart skips a beat at his gaze. He was looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world, and she didn't know what to do. Nobody had ever looked at her like that before. "You do, you make me feel like nothing else matters when I'm with you. I can be myself, and I feel safe. That's a big deal for me. I can't thank you enough for that."

His smile grows, and he can't believe how much he loves her. Every day, he feels like he's falling more and more in love with her. It's a great feeling. "I love you, beautiful."

"I love you too, handsome." Gina grins and pecks his lips. "I wish I could stay longer, but I should probably head home soon." She murmurs with a heavy sigh. "I don't want my mom to find out I'm gone and get upset."

"Yeah, that's understandable. It's getting pretty late." Oliver says, glancing over at the clock. He sighs and looks back at her, pouting a bit. "I'm gonna miss you, though. Do you want me to give you a ride? Did you walk here?" He asked worriedly. She wasn't old enough to have her own car yet so he wasn't sure how she got here. They didn't live that far from each other, only a couple blocks but still. It's not a very good area. It was late and it would be dangerous for her to walk home alone.

Gina nods. "I did, but a ride would be nice. I don't mind walking, but this way I'll be able to spend more time with you. But only if you're up for it." She said softly as she smiled hopefully at him.

"Of course, sweetheart." Oliver replies without hesitation, causing her heart to flutter. "As much as I don't want you to leave we should go." He reluctantly pulled away from her, but not before he pecked her lips. He smiled at her as he got up and got his shoes and socks on.

Gina's heart flutters at the peck on her lips and the smile he gives her. She was a bit reluctant to get up, but she knew they needed to leave. She sits up and grabs her shoes, quickly putting them back on. Once they're both done, Oliver grabbed his keys and they sneak out the window to head to his car. On the way there, he noticed she was slightly shivering and trying to act like she wasn't, but he knew better. He slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

She smiles up at him and thanks him, pulling the jacket closer to her body. The jacket was big on her, but it was warm and it smelt like him. He smiled back and kissed the top of her head, making her heart skip a beat. Gina slipped her arms through the sleeves of his jacket and zipped it up. They continued to walk towards his car, their sides brushing up against each other until they finally held hands. He opened the door for her and let her climb inside, closing the door once she was settled. He walked over to the other side and got in, immediately starting the car and blasting the heat.

"Better?" He asked her, turning his head towards her with a warm smile.

"Yeah, thanks, babe." Gina murmured, feeling the warmth radiating through her. She reached over and laced her fingers through his.

Oliver brings her hand up to his lips and kisses the back of her hand. "You're welcome, my love."

Gina's heart skips a beat and she looked down, a soft blush coating her cheeks. She loved all the pet names he used, but my love was one of her favorites. It was a little cheesy, but she loved it. "I love it when you call me that." She told him, looking back at him.

"I know. It's one of my favorites. You're my love." He grinned, his dimples showing.

She felt a familiar tug at her heartstrings and she squeezes his hand. "And you're my everything."

"You're making it really hard for me to not ask you to spend the night." He teased, winking at her.

"Believe me, I want to." She whines. "But I really should get home. Maybe this weekend?"

"Definitely this weekend." He nods, pulling out of his driveway and heads towards her house. "If not sooner. I miss cuddling with you already." He admitted, his face turning pink.

Gina smiles and runs her thumb over his knuckles. "We should plan a date. We haven't had one in awhile."

"I know. Things have been busy, especially with the documentary coming out and all that drama." Oliver sighs. He hated that their lives had been so crazy lately. "I miss spending time with you and going on dates." He confessed, looking over at her for a moment before focusing his eyes back on the road.

"Yeah, it sucks. But we're going to fix that. Let's try to spend as much time together as we can to make up for the past month or so." She suggests, giving him a hopeful smile as she continued running her thumb over the back of his hand. "Even if it's just for a few hours a week."

"I like that idea." Oliver smiles and nods in agreement. "That's a start. We can go from there. And who knows? Maybe the universe will be on our side."

Gina giggles and shakes her head. "The universe is always on our side. We've made it this far, haven't we?"

"Touché, baby." He laughs, his heart fluttering at the sound of her giggle. He always loved it when she giggled. "You're the best, have I told you that?"

"Mm, not today. But I love hearing it." Gina smirked, her eyes twinkling.

"You're the best, sweetheart. I can't believe I'm this lucky." He said sincerely, stopping at a red light. He looked over at her and admired her beauty. The light off the street lamp was hitting her face perfectly. She looked so beautiful and ethereal.

She could feel his eyes on her and she looked at him. She smiles and tilts her head, feeling the blush coating her cheeks. "Are you staring, Mr. Dalwood?"

"I am. And what are you going to do about it, Miss Porter?" He smirked, raising his eyebrow. He loved teasing her and making her blush. She looked adorable.

"This." Gina leaned over the console and pressed her lips against his. She placed her hand on his chest and closed her eyes, deepening the kiss.

Oliver's heart skipped a beat and he kissed her back, his free hand reaching up to cup her cheek. He brushed his thumb across her cheek as they kissed, savoring the taste of her strawberry chapstick. After a moment, they pull away. They're both out of breath and grinning like idiots.

"You're cute when you blush." Oliver murmured, pressing a quick kiss to her nose before he started to drive again after seeing the light was green.

Gina's face turns more red and her heart skips a beat. "So are you." She told him, looking down at their intertwined hands and admires how they fit perfectly. She squeezed his hand, feeling grateful to have him by her side.

As they continued their drive, the conversation flowed easily between them, and Oliver felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. With Gina's support and encouragement, he felt more confident about facing his senior year and making decisions about his future. And although uncertainties still lingered, he knew he had someone to lean on and someone who believed in him.

When they got nearby to Gina's house, Gina had him park a couple blocks away so her mom wouldn't see his car. Her mom still didn't know about them dating and they were hoping to keep it that way. Gina didn't want her mom to scare him away, so for now, she would keep it a secret. She knew her mom could be overbearing, and she didn't want to risk her mom freaking out. She knew Oliver didn't like keeping their relationship a secret from her mom, but she was relieved he understood why. He respected her wishes, and she was so grateful.

Once they parked, Gina turns to him and pouts. "I don't want to say goodbye."

"Me either, sweetheart." Oliver sighs, squeezing her hand. "We'll see each other soon, okay? Text me when you get inside, I'll let you know when I get back home."

Gina nods and unbuckles her seatbelt. She leans over and cups his cheek, bringing his face closer to hers and kisses him softly. His hand moved to rest on her waist as he kissed her back, melting into her touch. Their hands remained intertwined on her lap as they continue kissing, neither wanting the moment to end. But they knew they had to part ways eventually. As they reluctantly pulled away from each other, Gina smiles softly at Oliver, her heart feeling warm and fuzzy. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Oliver nods, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he reluctantly let go of her hand. "I'll be counting down the minutes until then."

"Thank you for the ride, I'll text you when I get inside." Gina reassured him as she opens the door. She pauses after realizing she still had his jacket on. "Oh, wait, do you want this back?"

"No, keep it." He replies immediately, shaking his head. "I have others. And it looks better on you." He grins, leaning forward and presses a kiss to her cheek. "See you soon, beautiful."

She felt a familiar fluttering in her stomach as she gazes into his eyes. "See you soon, handsome." She stepped out of the car reluctantly and closed the door.

He waves at her and starts the car as she walks away. He waited until he had gotten a text from her that she was in her room before he drove back home. As soon as he was inside his bedroom, he fell onto his bed with a goofy smile on his face. He was so in love with Gina and he didn't know what he did to deserve her. But he was thankful to have her in his life, and he would do everything in his power to make her happy and show her how much he loved her.

Gina's heart fluttered as she sat on her bed, holding Oliver's jacket close to her body. She could still smell his cologne, and it was comforting. She couldn't stop smiling, her mind wandering to him and how he made her feel. She was so happy, and she was excited for what the future held for them. Gina looked over at her phone when it buzzed and her heart fluttered at seeing a text from him.

Ollie😘

 Miss you already, baby. Sweet dreams!

She couldn't help but grin, feeling giddy and her heart racing as she sent a reply.

G😘

Miss you too, sweetheart. I can't wait to see you again. Sweet dreams!

Gina sent a couple hearts and then locked her phone, setting it aside. She got ready for bed, setting Oliver's jacket on her desk chair before climbing into bed. She curled up under her blankets and sighed, feeling content. She was nervous about her junior year, but she was also looking forward to it. She knew things would be different this year, but as long as she had Oliver by her side, she could handle it. The universe had been on their side lately, and she was grateful for that. She just hoped it would stay that way.

****

The next morning Oliver wakes up early. He was excited and nervous for his first day. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he knew as long as he had Gina and their friends, he could make it through anything. He went through his normal morning routine, taking a shower and getting dressed before heading downstairs. On his way down, he was texting Gina, his heart warming as he talked to her. He didn't know how he got so lucky, but he was grateful for her and their relationship. She was the best thing that ever happened to him.

When he was done texting her, he walked into the kitchen to find his parents already up and preparing breakfast. They greeted him with smiles and hugs, wishing him luck on his first day of senior year. Oliver couldn't help but feel a little anxious, but their support helped calm his nerves. As he sat down to eat breakfast with his family, he couldn't shake off the excitement bubbling inside him. Senior year was a big deal, and he was determined to make the most of it. With Gina by his side and the support of his family and friends, he knew he could tackle whatever challenges came his way.

"Where's Dahlia?" He questioned as he went to the fridge to get the milk. He usually had a glass of milk in the morning with his breakfast. He knew his sister's first day of high school was today she might be getting ready or already left.

"She's probably still getting ready," His mom replies, flipping pancakes on the stove. "Actually, can you go check on her while we finish making breakfast? Tell her the food will be ready in a few minutes."

Oliver nodded. He set his glass down and headed upstairs to his sister's room. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He opened the door and peaked inside, frowning when he didn't see her. Her bed was unmade, which meant she had woken up recently.

"Dahlia?" He called out, stepping into her room. When he didn't get an answer, he walked over to her bathroom. He knocked on the door, but when he still didn't get a response, he slowly opened the door. His heart sank when he saw his sister curled up on the floor. She was still in her pjs, her hair was a mess, and it looked like she had been crying.

"Oh, Dahlia.." He frowns, kneeling down beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Everything." She mumbles, not bothering to look at him. She sniffles and hugs her knees tighter. "I'm not ready for high school. I don't want to be there. I hate it already."

"Well, you haven't even started yet." He chuckles lightly, trying to lighten the mood. He didn't like seeing his sister upset. "And you haven't eaten breakfast yet, so I don't think you're really giving high school a chance. Come on, let's get you up and get some food in your belly." He smiles, standing up and holds his hand out to her. "I felt the same way on my first day, heck, I feel like it today. I'm so not ready for senior, but I'll be okay. And you'll be okay, too."

Dahlia looks up at him and hesitates before taking his hand. He helps her up and pulls her into a hug. She sniffles and returns the hug, burying her face in his chest. "I'm scared, Ollie," she admits softly. "What if I don't fit in? What if I can't keep up with the work? What if everyone hates me?"

Oliver rubs her back soothingly, feeling a pang of empathy for his younger sister. "Hey, hey, it's okay," He murmurs, trying to reassure her. "You're gonna be just fine. High school is a big change, but you're smart, you're kind, and you're gonna make friends in no time. And if anyone gives you trouble, you tell me, okay? I'll take care of them."

"But you're not intimidating." Dahlia mumbled, pulling away from him. She wiped her tears with the back of her sleeve and crossed her arms.

"Excuse me, but I am!" He said defensively, his eyes narrowing playfully at her. "You think I'm afraid of some high school bullies?"

"Yeah." Dahlia murmured, sniffling as she wiped her eyes again.

"Okay, maybe sometimes." He admits, his face softening as he gave her a small smile. "But seriously, if you ever need anything, I'm here for you, okay? We'll get through this together. Plus I got Gina to back me up and I know she won't hesitate to take care of anyone who is bothering you."

"Thanks, Ollie." Dahlia manages a smile and gives him another hug. She appreciated his support and reassurance. She wasn't sure if she would survive high school without his help. "I love you."

"I love you too, kid." Oliver hugs her back and ruffles her hair affectionately. "You should start getting ready. Mom and dad are making breakfast, so come downstairs once you're ready."

"Alright, I'll be down in a few minutes." Dahlia nodded and grabbed her brush after pulling away from him. She turned to her mirror and began to brush her hair as Oliver left the room.

Oliver heads back downstairs, noticing their parents had finished making breakfast and were setting the table. "Hey," Harley looks at her son with a smile. "How is she doing?"

"She's nervous, but that's understandable. She'll be down in a few minutes, and I'll make sure she eats." Oliver reassured them. He took a seat at the table, checking his phone for any messages from Gina. He smiled when he sees a new message.

G😘
Can't wait to see you at school, handsome. I love you <3

Oliver felt a flutter in his stomach as he read the message, his heart melting.

Ollie😘
Me too, beautiful. I love you more <3

He was excited and nervous to see her later, but knowing she was there for him helped ease his anxiety. He was lucky to have her, and he couldn't wait to see her later.

After a few minutes, Dahlia finally comes downstairs. She seems a bit more composed than when Oliver first seen her. She's dressed and ready for her first day of school.

"There she is!" Harley grins at her youngest child. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah." Dahlia smiled weakly and took a seat at the table. She felt a little better after talking to her brother. She knew he would be there for her, and that gave her comfort.

Flynn gave her a plate of pancakes and a glass of orange juice, smiling. "Here you go, honey. Eat up, you'll need the energy for your first day." He kissed the top of her head, squeezing her shoulder before he went to sit back down.

"Thanks, dad." She murmured, picking up her fork and starting to eat. She glanced over at Oliver, who sent her an encouraging smile. It's moments like these that she feels grateful for her family, knowing they'll always be there for her no matter what. After breakfast, Harley took pictures of her kids before they left for school. Oliver was giving Dahlia a ride since they went to the same school now. that she was starting high school. They posed together in front of the house, Oliver's arm draped over Dahlia's shoulder as they smiled for the camera. Harley snapped a few pictures, some serious and some silly, before they headed out to Oliver's car.

As they drove to school, Oliver tried to keep the mood light, cracking jokes and making small talk with his sister. Dahlia seemed to relax a bit, laughing at his jokes and chatting about her concerns for the day. Oliver was relieved that he could cheer her up a little. She was still nervous, but she seemed more prepared to face the day ahead.

When they arrived at school, Oliver parks the car and turns to his sister. "You ready for this?" He asked, giving her a reassuring smile.

Dahlia nods, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She was determined to make the best of her first day, and she knew with her brother by her side, she could do anything. "Yeah, let's go and get this over with."

Oliver chuckles and unbuckles. "That's the spirit."

Dahlia unbuckles and steps out of the car, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Ollie. For everything." She said softly.

"Of course." Oliver smiles, opening his door. "So, have you thought about trying out for any clubs?" He asked curiously as they met in front of his car before starting to walk to the school.

"Believe it or not, but you convinced me to try out for the drama club. You made it sound like a lot of fun, and I was curious." Dahlia admitted as she walked with her brother.

"Wait, really? That's great! The drama club is a lot of fun. You're going to love it, I promise. And you'll make some friends, too. I have a feeling you'll fit right in." Oliver beamed.

"Well, if I do, I'm blaming you." Dahlia said with a playful eye roll, but her lips quirked up into a small smile. She was looking forward to trying something new.

Oliver's heart skipped a beat when he noticed Gina walking over to them, his eyes lighting up as a smile spread across his face. "There's Gina." He pointed out, waving at her.

Dahlia chuckles and rolls her eyes, looking at her brother with amusement. "I swear, you're like a golden retriever when it comes to Gina."

Oliver laughs and nudges his sister playfully. "Hey, she's my girlfriend. Of course, I'm excited to see her."

Gina reaches them, a bright smile on her face as she wraps her arms around Oliver in a tight hug. "Good morning, handsome," She says, pressing a kiss to his cheek before turning to Dahlia with a warm smile. "Hey, Dahlia! How are you feeling about your first day?"

Dahlia smiles back at Gina, feeling a bit more at ease in her presence. "Nervous, but I'll survive. Thanks for asking."

"You'll do great, I promise," Gina reassures her with a reassuring smile. "And if you need anything, just let me know. You'll have me for another year after this so, you can count on me."

Dahlia felt a rush of relief and gratitude towards Gina. She was glad that she would have someone she could rely on during her time in high school. She knew she had her brother, but he would be gone soon and it would be just her. "Thank you, Gina."

Oliver was grinning from ear to ear, his heart full of love and admiration for the girl standing next to him. He loved seeing her interact with his sister and how supportive she was. He was grateful for her and her friendship with Dahlia, and he knew she would be a great friend to her throughout high school. "Hold on, Dahlia, look away for a sec." He warned before he turned to Gina to cup her face and pull her in for a sweet kiss. She was taken aback by the sudden kiss, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as their lips pressed together. She couldn't help but grin as she wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into the kiss, savoring the moment.

Dahlia rolls her eyes playfully at her brother and turns her attention to her phone, not wanting to intrude on their moment. It was a sweet gesture and she was happy for them, but she also didn't want to watch her brother make out with his girlfriend. She grins when she got a text from her best friend, who informed her she was out front with their other friends. "Okay, I'm gonna meet up with my friends, see ya later, lovebirds." She waved them off and headed inside the school.

Oliver and Gina pulls away after a few moments, both of them grinning and flushed. "What was that for?" Gina asked with a giggle, her cheeks pink as she looked up at him with a smile.

"Because I can't help myself when it comes to you." Oliver replies, his smile turning into a smirk as he pecked her lips. "I missed you." He murmured.

"It hadn't been that long since we saw each other." Gina teases him, giggling as she leaned into him. "But I missed you too."

Oliver chuckles, his cheeks warming as he wrapped an arm around her. "Come on, let's go find our friends. I have a feeling today is going to be a good day."

"Me too." Gina smiled and pecks his cheek before slipping her hand in his. She had a good feeling about this year, and she was excited to start her junior year with her boyfriend by her side.

****

"Okay, so I think the move here is to wait 'till she texts you again, then leave her on read, for like an hour, then do the thumbs up reaction and turn your phone off." Ashlyn said into her phone as she walks down the hallway with Gina and Oliver. Gina and Oliver were holding hands and Gina had her free arm linked with Ashlyn's. They had no clue what Ashlyn was doing, but they shared an amused look as they followed her to her locker. "It'll drive her crazy, but in a good way." Ashlyn added.

Gina scoffs, smiling at her with amusement. "Are you, like, recording a podcast?"

Oliver chuckles, shaking his head. "You have a secret life we don't know about, Ash?"

"No, I'm sending Maddox voice memos. Kind of our thing." Ashlyn replies, pulling away from Gina to open her locker once they reached there. Oliver and Gina shares a look at that, smiling at her. "What?" Ashlyn questioned after noticing the look.

"No, I'm...Well, I think I'm just trying to figure out why you're ghost writing texts for Maddox to send her ex-girlfriend." Gina admitted, her eyes widening slightly with surprise when Ashlyn suddenly hit her locker as she opened it. Oliver raised his eyebrows, not expecting her to do that. He noticed she looked slightly annoyed, but she was clearly trying to hide it.

"Actually, they're not exes anymore. She's going through something and I just want to be there for her." Ashlyn replied, taking off her backpack.

"Well, I just hope she's there for you too." Gina said softly.

"She sent me, like, a million texts about Big Red." Ashlyn explained.

"Okay, anything helpful?" Gina asked her, tilting her head to the side.

"She said to support him in his semester abroad. Give him space, but also be there for him." Ashlyn answered as she put away some books in her locker.

"So you're both giving each other relationship advice?" Gina spoke, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yes, that is a good way of describing what we are doing." Ashlyn nodded.

"We're juniors now, Ash. Eyes on the prize." Gina chuckled.

Ashlyn closes her locker, hooking her backpack strap on one shoulder while looking at her curiously. "Wait. What's the prize to find the prize?"

"I think that's for you to figure out." Gina responded, sending her a smile before she started to walk away with Oliver. Oliver chuckled at seeing Ashlyn's confused look as she went to catch up with the couple. Oliver walked beside Gina down the hallway to the bomb shelter for practice, his hand still in hers.

Oliver couldn't help the smile on his face when he enters the bomb shelter. It looked the same as it did before summer, but on the board read 'welcome back!' and he noticed some new students were amongst the group. He spots his little sister with a couple of her friends and he was happy they were giving this a chance. "And Seb is apparently no coming today." Carlos huffs as he walked into the room with the couple and Ashlyn. "And he's officially turning this into a feud which actually, respect from a reality show plotline perspective. But, come on!"

Oliver chuckles, sending him a sympathetic look. He knew ever since the documentary premiered, he and Seb's relationship have bene rocky. He assumed that Seb probably thought Carlos cheated on him at camp and has been ignoring him and avoiding him since. "I know. I keep expecting Big Red to pop out of my locker with confetti." Ashlyn admits, sitting down on the stands by Oliver and Gina. "Change is hard."

"Yeah, but change change also be beautiful." Gina chimed in, glancing over at Oliver with a fond smile. Oliver's heart fluttered and he gave her a soft smile, squeezing her hand affectionately.

"You are a sap." Carlos pointed at her.

"A cute sap." Oliver piped up, his smile widening when Gina blushed and giggled. He couldn't help the adoration that was written all over his face as he stared at her, and he didn't care. She was his girlfriend, and he was proud of it. He leaned over to kiss her cheek and she blushed even harder, leaning her head on his shoulder to hide her face.

"Aww!" Ashlyn coos, resting her chin on her palm, her elbow on her knee as she smiles fondly at the two of them. "You two are so cute. You're goals, honestly."

Oliver chuckles, a light blush spreading across his cheeks. He couldn't help but feel a bit bashful, especially after Gina pulled her head off his shoulder to kiss him on the lips. He could never get tired of kissing her, and it only got better every time. His stomach filled with butterflies and his heart swelled with love for her, and he felt like he could stay in that moment forever.

The kiss lasted a few seconds, and Gina grinned against his lips before pulling away. She pecked his lips once more and then rested her head on his shoulder again, smiling brightly. Oliver's face was flushed, his lips slightly parted in a dazed smile. He always got shy and bashful when they were like this in public, especially in front of their friends. But he didn't mind, because it was worth it. And besides, he could never get enough of her.

"Okay, save it for the bedroom, you two." Carlos teased them, causing the couple to blush and giggle. They were both so smitten with each other, and everyone around them could tell. They were made for each other, and no one could deny that.

Soon Miss Jenn got everyone's attention as she stands at the front of the class. "Okay, so I know we've got our big pep rally coming up in a little bit. But I wanted to grab you kids early for a sneak peak preview of our show."

Excited murmurs spread through the class as everyone sits up straight, eager to see what she had in store for them. Miss Jenn waves her hand around, signaling them to be quiet as she clears her throat. Everyone listens and looks at her eagerly. "Wait, where's Ricky?" She questioned after noticing the curly-haired boy was gone.

Oliver furrows his eyebrows and glances around the room, just then realizing his best friend wasn't there. "What a surprise. Richard Bowen's runnin' late." Carlos remarked.

"Yeah, see? Some things never change." Gina chuckled.

The students began to talk amongst themselves and Oliver's concern for his best friend grew. He hoped he was okay, and he hoped he would show up soon. "Sorry. Hello. I was in the bathroom thinkin' about senior pranks, so..." Ricky's voice trailed off as he entered the room with a sheepish smile.

"Too much information." Miss Jenn commented, gesturing him to join the others.

Oliver was relieved to see he was okay and he chuckles, looking at his best friend with amusement. Ricky walks over to the stands, sitting behind him and Gina. He shares a grin with Oliver, fist bumping him. "Wildcats," Miss Jenn speaks up after clearing her throat. "This year, a special factor went into my decision about the musical. Some people may think they know you now that they've seen you on TV. But they don't know the real yous. Not really. And I want this show to be a safe space for you, where you can all sparkle and nothing is going to outshine you. And so, my babies..." She walked over to an easel that had a poster board covered with a black sheet. She pulls off the sheet, revealing 'High School Musical' which confused everyone. They had already done that play before, so what was she talking about?

"'High School Musical' again?" Gina questioned, looking confused.

"Now, Carlos!" Miss Jenn hissed.

"Oh." Carlos quickly got up and placed something on the board. Oliver furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head to the side. It now said 'High School Musicale'.

"'High School Musicale'?" Gina inquired, confusion laced in her voice.

Calros quickly turns the e upside down, making it be a 3 instead. Everyone grew excited and started talking excitedly. Oliver was so excited. He loved the third movie in the series and he had been wanting to do a production of it. Plus he thought it would be perfect to do since he would be graduating this year. "'High School Musical 3'!" Ricky cheered.

"I knew it was smart to come here." Emmy said excitedly. Oliver glanced over at her with surprise, he hadn't known he was there until then. He assumed she transferred to go to school here which made him happy since over the summer the two had become good friends. But he didn't expect her to be there.

"Baby, isn't this exciting?" Gina's excited voice causes him to look at his girlfriend with a smile. "It would be great if we got Troy and Gabriella!" She told him with a grin, squeezing his hand that was intertwined with hers.

"Yeah, it would be great." Oliver agreed, smiling softly at her. He found her excitement cute and adorable. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, his smile widening when he noticed she blushed. She was so cute when she was flustered.

Soon the bell rang and Miss Jenn gains everyone's attention. "Auditions are Friday and I have not precast this."

Oliver chuckles and rolls her eyes, having a feeling she already did. He wouldn't be surprised. Everyone gathered their things and got ready to go leave. "So, come with your hearts full and your minds open" Miss Jenn added.

Oliver left the bomb shelter with Gina, noticing his sister leaving with her friends. He noticed she seemed to be excited about this, and he was glad. He was happy that she was willing to give this a shot and give it a chance. Oliver and Gina went to the stadium outside with the rest of the students for the pep rally, sitting on the bleachers next to Ricky. They sat at the top of the bleachers, the three of them chatting and waiting for the pep rally to start. Cheerleaders were on the field in front of a stage decorated with balloons and a sign. The crowd cheered when the mascot came by.

"Apparently, there's some big announcement today." Carlos spoke.

"Unless we're all getting Daytime Emmy Awards for 'Frozen', mentally, I'm not here." Kourtney admitted as she sat by Carlos.

The microphone gives feedback as Principal Gutierrez stands in front of it. "Good morning. Good morning. Alright, listen up. Listen up, everybody, settle down. It's hard to believe it's the start of another year here at East High."

"Let's go, seniors!" Ricky cheered, raising his arms up. Oliver chuckled and smiled at him with amusement.

"Hey!" Kourtney squealed with excitement and their fellow seniors cheered and whooped with excitement.

"This year we have a special announcement. Ooh." Principal Gutierrez continues. "Something that's gonna impact all of us that are still here at East. So I want you to welcome, and I'm obligated to say this phrase, the OG Coach Bolton."

Oliver's eyes widen with disbelief as Bart Johnson makes his way through the curtain and loud cheers filled the air. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Wait, Ash, look up." Gina nudged the red head, who had been texting Maddox the whole time. Ashlyn finally looked up, gasping when she saw Bart on stage.

Ricky leans over to Miss Jenn to whisper, "Did you know about this?" Miss Jenn shook her head in response.

"My name's Bart Johnson, but many of you know me as Coach Bolton from the 'High School Musical' franchise." Everyone cheers in response. "Can I get a drum roll, please? Thank you." The students gave him a drum roll, waiting in anticipation for him to make the announcement. "Folks, we're gettin' the whole gang back together to make 'High School Musical 4: The Reunion', a movie that's gonna shoot right here in East High." Loud excited cheers filled the air and Oliver couldn't help the wide smile that formed on his face. He was so excited, but then the nerves and anxiety settled in and his heart hammered against his chest. His mind started thinking of a million possibilities, and his excitement died down.

He jumps, startled when he suddenly felt a hand on his thigh. He looks to his left and saw it was Gina, and he instantly relaxed. She gives him a reassuring smile, knowing exactly why he was worried. He smiles softly back at her and she squeezes his thigh affectionately. "Don't worry. You're gonna be fine." She murmured, leaning in to peck his cheek. He wasn't sure how she did it. She somehow quieted his thoughts, and he was able to relax. He gave her a grateful look, mouthing a 'thank you'. She nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, leaning his head on top of hers after he kissed her forehead. He felt more relaxed and his previous excitement was back.

"Wait, we're still going to do 'High School Musical 3', right?" Ricky asked Miss Jenn.

"Why wouldn't we? This movie has nothing to do with us." Miss Jenn reassured him.

"Cool." Ricky nodded.

"Please join me in welcoming the new stars of the franchise. You know him from his hit cancelled sitcom, 'Mark and Spark'," Bart continues. Oliver glances at the girls with confusion when he noticed their excitement and shock on their faces. Ashlyn had grabbed Gina's leg out of excitement as they wait for Bart to continue. "And you know her from her viral TikTok videos that have taken America and parts of Latin America by storm, it's America's favorite couple, it's Mack and Dani."

Loud cheers and applause filled the air as the two teens stepped on stage, hand in hand. Dani wore a cheerleader outfit while Mack had on a basketball uniform. "Oh my gosh, I'm freaking out. 'Mark and Spark' is my comfort show." Gina confessed and Ashlyn nodded in agreement.

Oliver felt himself shrink back at that as he looks at Mack nervously. "Really? I never watched it." He admitted.

"I literally had a cardboard cutout of Mack in my room growing up." Gina continues, her eyes bright as she grins. She giggles shyly. "And I would kiss it every night before bed."

"Well, I gave up after season one, but he's adorable." Ashlyn commented, grinning at Mack while she giggled with Gina.

Oliver felt a pang of jealousy in his chest and he couldn't help the frown that formed on his face. The two continued gushing and he knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help but feel a bit insecure. Mack was the opposite of him. He was athletic, confident, and a famous star. He was none of those things, and he knew it. He didn't stand a chance.

Gina glances at him, noticing his frown. She tilts her head to the side, a small frown on her face. She reaches out to take his hand in hers. "You okay, babe?"

"Mhm." He nods, plastering on a fake smile. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Okay..." She nods slowly, not entirely believing him. "But you know you can tell me anything, right? I'm always here to listen." She reminded him, her tone soft.

"I know." He responded, squeezing her hand. She sent him a reassuring smile, and he felt a bit better. But his insecurities were still there, and he knew they wouldn't go away that easily.

"I guess I should say something." Mack speaks into the microphone with a smile. "For seven years, I grew up in front of a lot of you on Mark and Spark, where my talking dog Spark taught me valuable lessons, from friendship to food. And, yes, I am talking about episodes 617 where Spark taught me to cook spaghetti al dente."

"Al dente!" Gina shouted at the same time with a shy grin on her face after realizing what she did. Chuckles spread throughout the crowd as Dani smiled and pointed up at the crowd, looking for the person who said that and when she found Gina, she smiled.

"I see someone has watched every episode." Mack chuckles and smiles. "I appreciate that. And, um, in my role in this new movie, I will play the co-caption of both East High's basketball team and the drama club. Is it woke? Is it throwback? What if it's both? What if it's 'High School Musical 4'? Well, guess what? It is." Loud and excited cheers fill the air once again.

Dani steps up to the mic after Mack was done. "Thank you for your kind words baby. I am so honored to be here and to be making my acting debut in the franchise that launched so many careers, and also Bart Johnson." Bart grinned and fist bumped the air out of excitement at is name getting mentioned while some cheers filled the air.

"So the tea is, she lip-syncs and can't actually sing live." Carlos informed his friends.

"Okay, we're on the same side of TikTok because I saw the same exact thing." Emmy grinned, causing Carlos and Kourtney to share a surprised and impressed look.

"And for all of my haters who say I can't actually sing live," Dani picks up the microphone. "I just wanted to say this." Mack takes the microphone stand to put it off to the side as Dani began singing. "Lookin' forward from center stage to graduation day time to get the future started. What we leave, what we take with us no matter what it's somethin' we're a part of. We learned to fly, together, side by side, I just hope the rest of my life will feel as good as my high school musical." A girl playing an electric guitar joins Dani on stage while Dani kept singing. "Who says we have to let it go? It's the best part we've ever known, step into the future, but hold on to high school musical. Let's celebrate where we come from. Altogether, makes it better. Memories, they last forever. I want the rest of my life to feel just like a high school musical. Yeah, yeah, yeah."

-ˏˋ Oliver stood outside near the stadium, fidgeting with his fingers as he looks at the camera. "I can't believe that they're filming a new HSM movie here, and I'm so excited for it. But at the same time, I'm a bit nervous." He admits, his cheeks tinted pink as he looked away, biting his bottom lip. "I mean, it's clear Gina has a crush on Mack, who by the way, looks like he stepped out of a magazine. And I can't help but feel a bit insecure compared to him. But I trust Gina, and I know she loves me." He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I just hope I can keep up with everything going on. High school drama, rehearsals, and now this movie filming. It's a lot, but I'm determined to make the most of it." He looks back at the camera, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this year unforgettable. I mean, Gina and I did say that the universe were on our side so maybe we'll just have to trust that everything will work out in the end for us." -ˎˊ-

A/N ugh i love olina so much. im so excited to write season 4 !!