Different, yet exactly the same.

Til further notice, I'm inbetween. Margot Page, 36 (almost 37). School psychologist and crisis counselor.

[vinnie-lombardi]

Anythin’ I can help with? Feelin’ sick or some shit? [He cocks his head to the side, crossing his arms.] No one ever needs to shave. You can rock the facial hair.

[margot-page]

No it's.... I just liked someone, and I think they've kind of moved on. We kissed, and their ex came back and I've just been feeling sorry for myself. But it's fine, you know? I'll get through it. I've had time off so I've been trying to.... take a few days off, for myself. Jupiter's going stir crazy though. And I think I need to just get back out there, in all senses. But thank you. It's nice of you, you know. To ask. I appreciate it a lot, Vinnie.

[vinnie-lombardi]

Ya said the world was yer oyster. Good enough for me, pal. And you know what they say about laziness? It’s the devil’s workshop or some shit. When’s the last time you had some fresh air, Margot?

[margot-page]

It's been a few days.... I haven't really been in the best mood, so me and Jupiter have been trying to keep ourselves busy inside. I might've baked a few trays of cookies. I might be bored out of my mind too.... and I need to shave.

[vinnie-lombardi]

You know who makes great pizza and oysters? I do. And you really should get yer ass down to my restaurant, dude.

[margot-page]

"I didn't really mention oysters but I wouldn't turn them down. I'd rather relax in my apartment all day than go out. I'm not exactly presentable. I'll get myself there eventually though!"

[jamison-oliver-blog]

You do whatever you want but maybe button your shirt?

[margot-page]

Why? I'm relaxing. And still drying off a bit.... you want some pizza?

[margot-page]

"And so what if I want to sit at home with Jupiter all day and eat pizza? I'm on vacation! No students to council! The world is my oyster!" 

[jamison-oliver-blog]

Yeah? But hey! You have uh… you know…your little furry guy, you know, Jupe!

[Oliver grins a little lopsidedly.]

So you could you know — have gotten one for you both to look at, but when you’re by yourself it’s just kind of…

Sad.

[margot-page]

[Margot realizes Oliver's drunk and frowns, reaching out for his shoulder.] 

Someone had a little too much, huh? Are you alright, Oliver? Can I um, get you something?

[jamison-oliver-blog]

I didn’t even bother getting a tree. I think that might be kinda depressing.

[margot-page]

I didn't either. It's really sad now that I think about it. 

[peter-kelly]

Carbs are my favorite thing. And if I gain weight, I can just pretend I’m dressing up like Santa. These are my holiday plans. 

[margot-page]

You'd make a good, tall Santa. Those are the best since they seem larger than life. So eat as many carbs as you want! [He grins.]

[jamison-oliver-blog]

You’re a good friend, Margot. I was lucky to have met you.

[He nods a little bit, taking a deep breath.]

I’m still so sorry it’s… yeah… sorry.

[He shrugs his shoulders.]

I’m not sure I do anything that’s healthy for me, to be honest. But… yeah… uhm… yeah. How is Christmas shopping going? 

[margot-page]

[Margot is relieved for the change of subject, so he doesn't have to act supportive and be the counselor that he feels like he needs to be. He'd rather just talk about something else.]

Alright. There's a few more things I have to get.... it's been creeping up on me. I wish I had started earlier.

[He realizes his soup is getting cold and starts rooting his spoon around idly, not even sure if he's hungry for it any more.]

How about yours?

[jamison-oliver-blog]

I don’t expect you to wait around for me, Margot, that’s not fair. You’re… great, and funny and handsome  and so sweet and I hate that this happened I just… I loved him.

[He gives a small shrug.]

And it still hurt my heart to see him hurting. 

[Oliver tucks his hands between his knees.]

I’m a little fucked up, you just have the luxury of not knowing me so well. 

[margot-page]

[Margot shakes his head.]

It's fine, Oliver. Really. I'm not going anywhere. No one's knocking down my door for a date anyways, and I'm going to be here for you as a friend.

[He understands. He doesn't know what he would do if Sam magically came back, despite everything. And if that's with Sam of all people, he can imagine how it is with Oliver and Jax.]

Of course it did. You cared about him. So.... you can be there for him, as long as it's healthy for you to do so. And healthy for him.

[He smiles weakly, but it's as encouraging as he can get at the moment.]

[jamison-oliver-blog]

I’m a fucking sucker, is what I am. I just… it’s a long story but I know how it feels to be alone, I mean I know a lot of people do, I’m not some special snowflake or anything but, I was raised not to turn my back on people and it’s the least I could do to honor my gran is not be an asshole.

[He sighs.]

But I’m mad, to be honest. I didn’t… I just wanted to look forward.

[He mumbles, looking up at Margot, his face full of regret. He bites on his bottom lip.]

So — I don’t know what this means for me. We’re not… together, I mean… he wants to return all my shit and yeah but I just… it’s not really fair of me to ask you to let me hang out with my ex or whatever I just feel like he needs a friend right now. And because you’re someone I care about and want to keep spending time with — uh, maybe not sucking face as I try to figure my stupid fucking unfortunate life out, but spend time with nonetheless I just needed to let you know.

[Oliver’s quiet a while.]

I’m sorry Margot — I wish I weren’t… uh, so dramatic and I dunno, fucked up I guess.

[He lifted a shoulder. He was feeling a lot like the kid he used to be, angry and upset, on edge and there was something about this whole situation that left him feeling unwanted and that was hard to swallow.]

[margot-page]

[Margot collects himself quickly, because this has nothing to do with himself and he needs to stop feeling sorry for himself. Clearly both Oliver and his ex are hurting in different ways. Oliver's doing what's best, even if it's unfortunate.]

You're not fucked up. You're doing something very brave, I think. Listen..... I like you, a lot. But if you don't want to do anything and if you want to figure out what's going on, I completely understand that. It's a perfectly fine course of action. 

[He smiles weakly.]

I'll be around. Available to hang out, do whatever.

[jamison-oliver-blog]

I don’t even fucking know.

[He rubs his face, shaking his head.]

He didn’t… want to talk about anything. He just… apologized and said it wasn’t me, it was him and that he had lost his phone which I know is a bullshit excuse, I just… think he needs… someone right now. Things aren’t good between he and I, I know that, but on the same token I can’t just like… abandon him when I can tell he’s not doing well. Something happened, I don’t know Margot.

[He exahales slowly.]

I just wanted to be honest with you about what happened and — yeah. I don’t know what to do, really. But you’re my friend and I respect you and I know things were… moving between us, and I’m not saying they’re not now, I just needed to tell you that I’m a little fucked up right now.

[margot-page]

[Margot listens and tries not to visibly blanch when Oliver calls him his friend, when they were going on dates, kissing even. When he's finished, he smiles gently, swallowing anything else that might threaten to rise up.]

You're a.... good person, for supporting him and wanting to help him. 

[He looks down at his soup. Suddenly he's not hungry. It's rather obvious, at least to Margot, what this means. He knew Oliver was crazy about this guy before they had even started anything.] 

Thank you for telling me. I imagine it wasn't easy. 

[jamison-oliver-blog]

[Oliver sits down across from him and sakes his head.]

No, thanks. I appreciate it, you’re sweet.

[He swallows, rubbing the back of his head before taking a deep breath. His chest felt heavy, it had since yesterday and without a wink of sleep Oliver felt awful.]

We gotta talk.

[He mumbles.]

Uh… I ran into Jax yesterday.

[margot-page]

[Margot notices the difference in Oliver's mood and is quiet, taking another small spoonful before putting the spoon down.]

Alright. 

[He swallows, knowing what that probably means. He sighs and gives a quick nod, voice a little hoarse.]

Well.... um. How did that go?

[jamison-oliver-blog]

Oh yeah? Looks good.

[Oliver gives him a small smile, shifting his weight from one foot to another]

I mean the food and your wrist. Feels better?

[margot-page]

[He looks at Oliver sweetly, swirling his spoon around before holding it out to him.]

It feels a lot better. Still going to physical therapy, but not half as often. Want to share with me? It's a big helping.

[margot-page]

[margot-page]

"The wrist brace is off! That's why I'm treating myself to soup in a breadbowl. Which is delicious, in case you were wondering.... before I go back to Christmas shopping."  

[jamison-oliver-blog]

You just standing there breathing is making you look good, which is pretty usual but I thought that I would just mention it again. Why not? Life’s short, right?

[He teases, smiling over at him. He orders their pizza and some of their sinful garlic knots.]

So what is your go-to Christmas movie?

[margot-page]

[Margot visibly colors, looking down sheepishly.]

All this flattery all of a sudden. You're going to make me overheat.

[He chuckles, rolling back and forth on the balls of his feet in his squeaky, shiny shoes.]

White Christmas. Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby. I can't help it- I love that movie to pieces. And if not that, then probably.... hmm. Santa Claus is Coming To Town.