Endless Anti-Romantic

Chapter 5: Marcus and Naomi

Chapter 5: Marcus and Naomi

"Jesus, Connor's a fucking baby." I sigh as I grab my pizza and salad. "You know just because you eat a salad doesn't mean you can eat the pizza too." I laugh at Layla's facial reaction. She's a total health nut and looks at me like a freak when I get something that isn't a salad or fruit.

"Well I love pizza and it was half price for me today." Layla and I have been friends since high school, this was her last year here at the community college, then she was going to audition for Juilliard.

"That's sad. At least eat the salad last. Saving the best for last ya know?" I scoff.

"Fine." I push my salad aside and start shoving my mouth full of pizza.

"Anyway, back to Connor. He has no right to act like a dick because your crush since sophomore year in high school actually asked you out on a date. You're happy, why is he being anal about it?" I groan.

"Dude I'm eating! Now isn't the appropriate time for anal."

"Whoa." Layla and I turn to look up at the stairs. "No time for anal? I think I should go." I blush and look down at the table.

"Hey Marcus." Layla waves, "Why don't you come sit with us?" I raise my head and glare at her.

"If Naomi is cool with it." My mouth is still full of pizza. Fuck.

"She's kinda got her mouth full right now, it's nothing new. But come on down." I sigh and quickly swallow my food, "Jesus Naomi. Ever heard of chewing?"

"I've heard of it but ya know not a fan." She smirks and I automatically know she's about to say something sexual. "Don't even Layla." She raises her hands in defense and looks back at the stairs to see Marcus walking down with his bag and a pear in hand.

"Hey girls."

"Hey Marcus." He sits beside me with a smile.

"So Marcus, how was the concert and the lip action?" I kick Layla under the table.

"Actually the concert was amazing and lip action." He looks over at me, "Didn't get any unfortunately." I laugh awkwardly and cover my face with my hands.

"Well I'm... Well you know-"

"Just shut up Naomi." I shut my eyes and Marcus laughs.

"You're cute when you're nervous." I feel myself blush and I look up.

"I should probably go." I stand up when Marcus grabs my hand.

"I'm sorry. Please stay? I won't say anything more, I'll just sit and listen." I look over at Layla who's smiling.

"Actually my class starts in five minutes so I gotta go. Bye Marcus, bye Naomi." Layla winks at me and gathers her things. I look down at Marcus still holding my hand.

"Please tell me you don't have class in five minutes." I swallow hard and sit down.

"My class starts in half an hour." Marcus grips my hand a little tighter.

"Good, I'm happy I get to have at least a few minutes with you." I smile and move my hair behind my ear.

"Me too."

~~~

"Ok." I lean back in my chair, "Let me get this straight. You and your little brother were put in a holding cell just for skinny dipping?" Marcus laughs and nods.

"Yup. It was really awkward because it was a female cop who found us." I laugh and lean forward.

"So why were you both skinny dipping if it was a dare for your brother?"

"It looked fun." Marcus shrugs his shoulders and we both laugh. I look down at my watch and sigh.

"My class starts soon. I should probably go." I stand up and so does Marcus.

"Let me walk you."

"You don't have to Marcus." Marcus grabs his bag and throws it over his shoulder.

"I want to." I smile and gather the trash, Marcus and I shared the pizza and the salad. I throw the trash away and walk with Marcus to my theater class. "I have a question."

"State your question." He laughs and stands in front of me.

"I know we aren't technically together but would you be alright with me holding your hand?" I feel a lump form in my throat. I look down at my hand and bite my lip, I smile and look back up at Marcus, smiling. I hold out my hand.

"Of course." Marcus smiles and intertwines his hands with mine. We walk together hand in hand. "So why do you want to be with me?"

"I told you why basically. You're cute, smart, funny, slightly crazy, you have an awesome personality, you seem like someone who I would be lucky to have." I smile and look down at our intertwined hands.

"Well if we're being completely honest, I've waited for a while kinda praying you'd like me back."

"How long is a while?" I bite my lip.

"Since sophomore year."

"This year?" I shake my head.

"Of high school." Marcus smiles and nods.

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner, but maybe I was oblivious because I liked you as well. Maybe not sophomore year but maybe the summer of junior year. When I saw you working at the sports store." I raise my eyebrow.

"Why the sports store?" Marcus laughs.

"You looked kinda cute with your hair in a ponytail and wearing a SnapBack and Red Sox jersey." I smile and nod.

"I'll admit I love working there because of that reason. I think I looked cute too." Marcus smiles at me.

"Like you said, being honest, I actually imagined you wearing my SnapBack and jersey."

"So something a girlfriend would do?" We stop outside my classroom and he turns to me, our hands still intertwined.

"Definitely something girlfriends do." I bite my lip and nod.

"Well in that case I'll take that jacket." Marcus smiles and takes off his jacket. He hands it to me and I smile wide. Marcus grabs my hand and kisses the top of it. "Have fun in class." I smile and nod.

"You too." Marcus laughs.

"Actually, my classes ended two hours ago. I just wanted to stay and see you." I smile and step closer to Marcus.

"Well normally I'm not this bold but-" I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss. When I kissed Marcus I felt like I was high, on top of the world. I pull away from the kiss and Marcus gives me one last peck.

"Well, I'm happy you decided to be bold this one time. That was something I was definitely happy to wait for." I smile and bite my lip.

"Me too." Marcus kisses my nose and pulls away.

"I'll text you later."

"I'll answer."

"Bye for now Naomi."

"Bye for now Marcus."