Endless Anti-Romantic

Chapter 8: Not The Best Idea

Chapter 8: Not The Best Idea

I open my eyes and yawn. I feel a weight on top of my head, I manage to shift my head to see Connor's head rested against mine. Apparently he fell asleep too. I tap his nose to the beat of the "Iron Man theme", humming along.

"What is your obsession with Iron Man?" Connor ask randomly. His head is still against mine.

"Well for one, Iron Man is the shit. Just like batman because they're both just men. Not mutants or gods. Just people who decided to be heros. Not to mention Robert Downey Jr. is amazingly gorgeous and amazing." Connor laughs and lifts his head off mine with a sigh.

"Seeing you sleep made me sleepy." I laugh and pull out of Connor's grasp stretching.

"So you were watching me sleep?" Connor nods and I chuckle. "You creeper."

"You're less threatening when you sleep. Not to mention you seem at peace, it's rare I see you peaceful." I raise an eyebrow.

"What do you mean it's rare to see me peaceful? I'm always peaceful."

"Not after your night terrors." I swallow hard. "Those are the worst times. You're on edge all day if not the next day as well." I bite my lip and nod. "And it seems like lately you're on edge too. I'm not too sure what about but just know you can talk to me Nomi." I smile and nod.

"Thanks." I look down at my hands and sigh. "Well I should go home."

"Why?" I look back up at Connor.

"It's about 3. I have to get ready."

"Ready for what? And you have clothes, makeup and a lot of other crap here that you can get ready with."

"Yeah but Marcus doesn't know where you live." Connor's face shows signs of anger and betrayal. "Con-"

"Nah. I get it." I bite my lip again and scan his face. "You should go get ready. I'll be in my car, I'll take you home."

"Con." Connor stands up and walks out of his room. I don't know why Connor is so against me going out with Marcus. I stand up and slide on my Vans. I throw my hair into a quick ponytail and head downstairs, I smile when I see Connor's dad on the couch cutting coupons. Mine and Connor's dads aren't wealthy, but we do get a lot of income to survive just fine, but Connor's dad was very frugal which is an amazing thing. "Afternoon Mr. Arrington."

"Afternoon Naomi." He lifts his scissors and points outside, "What's going on with you and Connor? You both looked perfectly fine this morning and last night." I sigh and play with my ponytail.

"Connor's upset because I'm going out on a date tonight." Connor's dad raises his eyebrows.

"Really? Who's the lucky guy?"

"His name is Marcus. Marcus Colt."

"Like the gun?"

"Like the gun."

"Cool." I laugh and nod my head. "Well you know why Connor is upset right?" I shake my head, "He's the only guy, other than your father and I, that you've had in your life. It's probably really hard for him to accept you're interested in actually going out and finding another guy that isn't just is 3." I sigh and nod.

"Yeah I guess. It doesn't really hell that Connor didn't like Marcus to begin with."

"Why?" I shrug. "Well that's odd." Connor's dad looks up at me, "Maybe Connor is a little jealous." I scoff and roll my eyes.

"Bye Mr. Arrington." He laughs and waves as I walk out the door. I sigh before I get into Connor's car. "Hey." Connor doesn't speak. He turns up the radio and starts driving down the road. "Connor could we please talk about-" Connor turns the music on full blast. I exhale angrily and turn his music on mute. "What the hell is your problem Connor?!"

"What do you think our dad's meant by us dating?" I'm taken back by the calmness in his voice and the question in general.

"What?"

"What do you think about it? It's not that hard of a question Naomi." I exhale sharply and shake my head.

"I don't know. I guess they're taken back by the idea that guys and girls can just be friends." Connor nods and brings his hand to the radio. I slap his hand away and glare at him. "No. We're talking. And since you brought up that situation, I get to bring up the next situation. Marcus."

"Hell no." Connor reaches for the radio again and I slap his hand away. "Would you fucking stop Naomi?"

"No! Connor please. We need to talk about this." Connor glances over at me and his face softens. "Please Connor." Connor licks his lips and nods.

"Fine."

"Why are you so against me going out with Marcus? The real reason, please." Connor sighs.

"Many reasons. The main one being-" Connor pulls over and leans against his window. "The main one being that, I can see you being with him." I raise my eyebrow.

"What's wrong with that?"

"You two are so alike Naomi. And it frustrates me."

"Why?" Connor looks over at me with a somber look.

"Because you'll realize it and not need someone who is totally different from you."

"Are you seriously afraid I'm going to kick you out of my life?" Connor nods. "Con, that will never happen. I'll always love you Con. Marcus can be replaced, but you can't. You mean the world to me. It would physically kill me if you weren't in my life anymore." Connor looks at the ground.

"Trust me Naomi. When you get close enough to Marcus, you'll see that you don't know why you're wasting your time with me." I feel a million knives pierce my heart.

"Connor being your friend isn't and never will be a waste of time. I'd much rather never date Marcus than even consider the thought of taking you out of my life." I grab his hand. "I'd rather never get married and have kids than cut you out of my life."

"So you'd still consider it." I give Connor the typical "what the fuck" look and he laughs. "I'm kidding. But I wouldn't want you to give up your dream of having a big family for me."

"Big family? Four kids isn't a big family!"

"Anything more than 2 is considered big for me." I roll my eyes. "But anyway. I wouldn't want you to do that for me."

"Well uncle Connor could act like a daddy. I'll figure something out."

"Like sperm donors?" I scoff and release his hand.

"I'm done with this gross conversation now." Connor laughs.

"Come on! Unless you get some from Marcus-"

"Connor!"

"What want your kids to have my dashing good looks? I'm willing to-"

"CONNOR!" Connor laughs and starts driving again. "God you need limits."

"Who needs limits? I'm 19, almost 20. I can do whatever the hell I please." I scoff and roll my eyes.

"Yeah and end up in federal prison." Connor chuckles and continues driving. "But I was being serious Connor. I won't kick you would of my life. Not in this life or the next one." Connor smiles and grabs my hand.

"Have fun on your date tonight. Just not too much fun." I laugh, lean over the center console and hug Connor.

"I promise."

"And if he hurts you, I'm willing to go to jail for you." I laugh and hug him tighter as he pulls into my driveway.

"Thanks Con. I love you." He hugs me back and kisses my temple.

"Love you too Nomi."