"I think it's a great idea!"
I tossed a heavy bag of trash into the dumpster with a small grunt. I arched my back as I stretched before glaring at him.
"What - Going to a circus that's made for small children and drunk guys? I disagree."
He frowned at me as I walked to grab another bag.
"Come on, Ace. It could be fun!"
I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I ran a hand through my hair.
"Oh please," I muttered, grabbing the bag and tossing it over my shoulder. I stumble back a few steps from the weight but quickly find my balance.
"What do you take me for, a 6-year old?" I pause, thinking. "Then again a 6-year old would probably cry."
I looked at him with a frown, "That, I may do."
He sighed, shaking his head as he watched me throw the last bag in the dumpster. "When are you going to stop being so negative and just try something new for once?"
"Maybe when you stop bossing me around, acting like some concerned parent. I'm not a child, I don't need you to look after me or worry." I took out a cigarette box from my pocket and stick one in my mouth before pulling out a lighter. "I'm a grown adult, I can make my own decisions." I begin to walk away towards the back door of the restaurant.
He grumbled to himself irritably before quickly following after me.
"I'm not trying to boss you around, Ace, okay? I'm just trying to help you get out more - see the world! Visit places."
I pause and turn around to glare at him. "By suggesting I go to a circus? Bright idea, Ells, bright idea indeed. Best one, if I do say so myself."
"Look, I don't need your sarcasm, okay?" He glared back, his eyebrows furrowing. He sighed as he rubbed his temples with a hand. "I just want you to have a fun life. Not being stuck all day working a shitty job, with a shitty home and living a shitty lifestyle."
"Uh, OUCH?!" I retorted with a snort. "Besides, I AM having fun! I'm having a GREAT time living, can't you tell?"
He looks at me as if I told him some corny ass pun that he found not funny what so ever. "Are you serious right now?"
I grin awkwardly. "....yes?"
He looks me up and down, taking note of my messy hair, tired eyes and poor hygiene. My clothing, skin and hair are all stained with garbage, and I have multiple scratches and bandages patched onto my more harsh wounds. My eyes look like I haven't slept in months and my teeth are stained slightly yellow from the cigarettes.
Oh, and I smell like a skunk died while having explosive diarrhea on me after a trip from taco bell.
He looks back at my face with a deadpan expression. "Oh, yeah, I totally believe it."
"See? You get it, I knew you'd finally come to your senses." I take the cig out of my mouth and press the tip against my robotic arm to put it out. Then I flick it away carelessly. I turn back around, facing the direction of the back door.
He grumbled again in annoyance before grabbing my arm and yanking me back. I stumble backwards, fumbling as I tried to find my balance.
"Dude! What the hell??"
"I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you, could you please take this seriously?" He growled, scowling at me.
I blink my eyes at him and wrinkle my nose in disgust. "What? NO!" I yanked my arm away from him. "How about you just leave me alone?"
He made a face. "I will, once you agree to do this one little thing."
I shook my head. "No means no, Elliot. I'm not going to some stupid circus."
"Please? I won't bother you ever again if you'd just go?"
"I'll literally do anything else! Does it have to be a circus!?"
"There's nothing new going on in town, this circus is all there is! Besides everyone in town is hype for it!"
"I'm not everyone in town! I don't wanna go,"
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"PLEASE? I swear, I'll do anything!"
"...." I thought a moment. "Buy me a new pack of cigs, a bucket of cheese and chocolate chip cookies and you got yourself a deal."
He gave a puzzled expression but shook his head with a sigh. "Okay, okay, fine. Whatever keeps you out of the house doing something new for a day."
He extended his hand with a smile.
I look down at his hand and blink before reluctantly taking it in my own and shaking it.
"Also, the circus ticket is on you and I want your next three paychecks." I said.
"Why three specifically?"
"Deal or no deal?"
"Ugh, fine."
