Endless Anti-Romantic

Chapter 16: Can We Talk

Chapter 16: Can We Talk

Connor and I sit silently at the table eating our pizza. I can't stand this! I throw my pizza at the plate and groan. "Can we talk about this Connor?!"

"About what?" I scoff and slide my hands through my hair.

"About what we did like 20 minutes ago, and the other day when I helped you with a practice date." Connor nods and takes another bite of his pizza. I grab it from his hands and slam it against the plate. "Connor!"

"What do you expect me to say Naomi?" I scoff and shrug. "I don't know. Maybe start with why." He wiped his mouth and swallowed his pizza.

"You asked me to this most recent time."

"I'm aware!" I look around making sure no one can hear us. "But what about the first time? You started that one."

"I'm aware." He sits there looking at me.

"Don't just sit there and look at me. Why?" He laughs and shrugs.

"Romantic atmosphere I guess." I feel like throwing up.

"You guess?"

"Yeah."

"Are you fucking kidding me Connor?!"

"What?! Are you expecting me to say I enjoyed it?"

"Yes!"

"Why?!"

"Because I did!" I instantly regretted saying it. I sigh and grab my bag. "I gotta go." Before Connor can say anything I run and I don't stop until I know I'm safe. I can't believe I said that! I finally reach a park and I sit on the swings. The kids are still in school so it's deserted. I close my eyes and sigh.

"Hey." I open my eyes and see Marcus standing in front of me. "Can we talk?" He ask gesturing to the other swing.

"Yeah, sure." He smiles and sits beside me. After a few minutes if awkward silence he sighs.

"Naomi I'm so sorry." I look over at him. "I was jealous. He knows you more, he knew you longer. I just know I couldn't compare to him. I don't know what came over me. I'm so so sorry." I can tell he's being truthful. I see he's got a black eye forming and a cut along his lip. Connor was beaten worse than him. I guess I know who won the fight.

"I forgive you." I look at the ground. "But it's gonna be a while before we can be anything more than friends." Marcus sighs.

"I understand." I look over at him and he smiles over at me, "Will you give me a second chance or am I friend-zoned for life?" I laugh and shrug.

"We'll see." Just then my phone rings. I groan, thinking it's Connor but instead it Layla. I look over at Marcus, "I gotta take this." He nods and I walk away answering the call. "Hey Layla."

'Naomi guess what!'

"Stop your yelling!" I hold the phone to my other ear since she blew out my other one.

'Im sorry! But guess what.'

"What?"

'Guess who's parents gave her two tickets to Paris!' My heart stops.

"Please tell me you called me because-"

'You're coming with me!' I scream into the phone.

"Oh my god! When?!"

'Two weeks! Summer break baby!'

"Oh my god! I can't wait! I gotta tell-" my heart stops.

'Naomi.' I laugh and shrug it off.