Aurora

2.

It was dinner.

Connor was sitting next to me. He picked at his food, separating the vegetables from the rest of his meal. Aunt Diane watched him.

"Connor," she said. "You should eat your broccoli."

He shrugged. "It's cooked. I don't like cooked broccoli."

"It's good for you. Don't you want to grow up to be healthy and strong?"

"I seriously doubt five little pieces of broccoli's really gonna make a difference in my growth. Besides, I like other vegetables, just not these ones."

"Connor, you shouldn't waste food," she said sternly.

"But... They're so... Ew. No offense."

"Look who's being rude now." Natalie scoffed. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Shut up Nat-"

I elbowed him, "Just eat it."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed. He stabbed his fork into a soggy piece of broccoli and put it in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed with a shudder.

"See? It's not that difficult." Aunt Diane said.

Connor shook his head.

Aunt Diane let out a sigh. "So... On a different note, the neighbors, Julien and Landon were wondering when you guys were arriving. You should go over and say hi."

Connor grinned. "Natalie, your boyfriend misses you."

"Shut up," she blushed, "he's not my boyfriend."

Connor whispered to me, loud enough for Natalie to hear, "Natalien."

She glared at him. I couldn't help but laugh.

There was no doubt Natalie liked Julien. I was there the first time she met him, and let me tell you, she was not herself. The Natalie I saw was different. She was smiling, fiddling with her hair, laughing at all of his lame jokes. Hence, Connor and I came up with a ship name: Natalien.

Connor put down his fork and then began to sing, "Julien and Natalie sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-"

"Shut up, Connor!" She snapped.

Connor continued, "First comes love, then comes the marriage-"

"Connor, stop! It's not funny!"

"It's not funny, it's hilarious," he said with a grin, "I ship Natalie and Julien. Raise your hand if you ship Natalien!"

I raised my hand. Aunt Diane tried to keep herself from laughing as she did too.

Natalie was as red as a tomato.