Our Roundabout Love

9

Leo pov

It was late at night but I didn't think it was that late to the point where Hope would be fast asleep in my lap. Long story short we had gotten into the movie and the popcorn that was between us was now on the coffee table in front of us because I had moved it, solely because I can't eat with my left hand. It truly was getting annoying, she threw some fit about me trying to just get her to come close to me. Which I must admit would have been nice and I wouldn't have objected if that did happen but I really wasn't. After that I made some half assed comment about how I want nothing more than to cuddle with her but she just pushed me ending the conversation by laughing it off. Now an hour and some change has gone by and bam her head is on my thigh and her fiery red hair is sprawled across my lap with her fast asleep looking as beautiful as ever.

I slowly looked down at her being more cautious about my movements, probably more than I should be considering from what I've heard from Cooper that she is a heavy sleeper, but I didn't want to risk it because she looked so peaceful. I'm just surprised that she was comfortable enough to fall asleep around a stranger. I mean let me cut her some slack, I'm always over her house and I'm basically alway around her whenever we have free time so I'm not a total stranger. Regardless, she looked cute. Her lips were pouty and her light snores were the icing on the cake.

I look away from her and just let her sleep. I go back to the movie Paper Towns that I've seen too many times to count. I didn't want to tell Hope that I had already seen the movie because the stories behind why are dumb, just a lot of dates gone wrong and she seemed like she really wanted to watch it. Who was I to say that I didn't want to, I told her she could pick anything. I at least follow through.

On the screen though was Nat Wolff confessing his feelings to that Cara chick. No matter how many times I see his movie I always feel a little bad for the guy but I also hate him. He gave up a lot for a girl that he talked to once all because she said jump and he said how high. I'm not particularly fond of the girl either, yes she doesn't intentionally string him on but I feel like she did do it with only the tiniest bit of intent. I always felt bad for the guy though because he got rejected by a girl with a god complex, yes on the surface she is a nice person but if you look closer she is a girl who loves to be the center of attention and just for a week she wanted to be center of his world. I just find myself angry at the whole movie because no one would go that far for someone. I know I wouldn't go chasing after an idea or a relationship that's artificial because it seems exhausting to say the least. Being in a relationship also seems exhausting, I don't mind going on a date and if that doesn't lead to s*x then fine but being in a whole thing with all those emotions that were probably fake anyways confuses me. Why would anyone want that? I actually might be a little jealous of people who can't see through all of that yet. Mindlessly falling in love, with no regrets or confessing some feelings that your mind conjures up.

The movie eventually goes off and I'm left there with the good ending which is one thing I can say I like about the movie, Hope on the hand is still passed out cold. I refrain from laughing. The vibration might wake her. I look at my watch and see its nine. I told my mom not to wait up but she most likely is checking my location. I sigh at the thought. I'm surprised I haven't seen Hope's mom in awhile, most mothers are strange about their daughters being around boys, maybe she just trusts me. Speaking of Hope's mother, I don't really have an opinion of her but I don't really like how she acts towards Hope. It's completely different from how she treats Coop, it was just a little aggravating to watch but that is not my business.

To my surprise I hear the door open, Cooper and that jess girl come in. Since there is nothing separating the door and the living room I'm the first thing he sees, and he's mine. We both look like we have been caught red handed doing something we are not supposed to do and I know that this is something that I couldn't control but I still felt a little weird seeing Cooper looking at his sister on my lap asleep.

He looks shocked at first but then he blinks a couple of times making sure he's seeing what he's seeing. I shift my eyes from him to his girlfriend who is quietly closing the door and locking it. Once she is done she becomes a part of this staring contest and we are all just looking at one another wondering what the hell is going on.

Me and Cooper both go to speak but I remember that Hope is sleeping so instead I put my index finger over my mouth and so does he. I raise an eyebrow at him. Why is he telling me to be quiet?

He sees my confusion and mouths 'my mom" my mouth forms into an oh realizing the situation. He whispers something to mega b***h and she walks past me to Cooper's room which is on the first floor. I smile to myself. Pretty convenient.

Cooper walks closer to me until he is right on top of me no more than four inches away from my face and begins talking at a whisper. He looks down at his sister and back up at me "If I'm being honest, I don't care about this right now I trying to f**k my girlfriend so do me a favor and wait till I'm in my room to wake her up. And I won't question this. Deal?"

"Deal" I whisper back. He nods and smiles, telling me good night. Once he was in my room I tapped her on her forehead lightly to wake her up. She made a face of discomfort and opened her eyes. She looks up at me and I smile, trying to not freak her out.

But that fails because her eyes go wide and she goes up really fast and her head butts me. We both groan simultaneously. While we both are still rubbing our heads from the lingering pain she manages to slip in an apology to me."My bad I was just startled"

"You're good, you just have a hard ass head." I joked scooting away from her, my head still throbbing.

"Not funny stupid." Even when she just wakes up she's mean.

"Whatever sleeping beauty." she gave me a look that told me to shut up so I did. Don't want to poke the bear.

"How long was I asleep?"

"The whole movie, I just wanted to tell you that I was going home."

"Why didn't you move me off your lap?" Really another question.

"Who would move a beautiful girl who's sleeping off their lap?" I wink at her and she rolls her eyes.

"You're not cute Leo." She runs her fingers through her messy hair fixing it.

"Not what you said the other day." I got her to c***k a smile and she stands up which I soon follow after. The pain from her head butting me went away slightly.

"I'll walk you to your house."

"What if you get kidn*pped on your way back?"

"Shut up i***t, our driveways are separated by two feet of grass. Let's go." I smile at her and grab my things. I walk towards her door and grab my shoes and let her lead the way to my house and like she said we got to my house in less than thirty seconds and we kinda just stood there awkwardly looking at each other. Sadly when things get awkward I make jokes

"Is this the part where you kiss me Hope?" She snorted shaking her head

"bet me and I will." I was a little surprised by this playfulness that she was displaying but I kept rolling with it.

"You just need an excuse to kiss me don't you?"

"Actually yes, I've wanted to kiss you since I've met you but I lack motivation." This witty girl threw me a bit but once I caught myself I quickly came back at her

"How about this, first to initiate a kiss ends up the loser?"

"Wouldn't that make me not want to kiss you?"

"It's more of a game for me, I want what I can't have and let's say the loser has to do one thing the winner says." She laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. And if I'm being honest I was surprised at how bold we were acting tonight.

"Did we just admit that we both want to kiss but since we are chicken we made it a game, we get weird past ten." I laugh at her joke.

"Yep so keep them lips to yourself Hope."

"You can kiss me fretz I would love to command you around." I unlock my door and push the door open. "I'm not going to go down without a fight."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight." We both left thinking that conversation was just a joke until the day actually came. And I'll never forget what I signed myself up for.