Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List

Naomi and Ely formalize a pact to protect each other from unwanted romances, creating a literal 'No Kiss List' that guides their behavior. The addition of Gabriel, the young and handsome doorman, marks the beginning of a more complicated season in their friendship and the choices they will face about love. The pact sets the emotional stakes for the rest of the story.

Gabriel becomes a fixture on Naomi and Ely's radar, signaling that the line between friendship and attraction is starting to blur. His charm tests the loyalty of the No Kiss List and foreshadows the emotional complications to come. Naomi begins to see Gabriel in a different light.

Naomi invites Ely to join a double-date with Bruce 2, hoping to share a fun evening and clear her mind. The night exposes the kiss Naomi has kept secret and intensifies the unspoken tension between Naomi and Ely. The event marks a turning point in how Naomi processes her feelings.

What begins as a lively night turns tense when the kiss Naomi hid is revealed. Naomi and Ely confront the reality that their feelings may go beyond friendship, changing how they see each other. The confession reshapes their dynamic and expectations for the future.

Days after the date, Ely spots Bruce in the hallway and, trying to restore normalcy, offers him a casual drink. Naomi watches from a distance as the moment underscores the growing, complicated dynamics between them. The scene crystallizes the tension between keeping the peace and acknowledging deeper desires.

On Halloween, Naomi and Ely prepare costumes together, and Ely confesses that the kiss wasn't a spur-of-the-moment mistake. A mixtape arrives from Gabriel, revealing his long-held crush on Naomi and redirecting her attention. The Halloween night becomes a catalyst for shifting loyalties and perspectives.

The mixtape and Gabriel's confession push Naomi to re-evaluate her desires, shifting attention toward Gabriel in a surprising turn. This moment marks a shift from a single-best-friend dynamic to a more complex sense of love. Naomi begins to imagine a different future than the one she had mapped out with Ely.

Naomi doubles down on supporting her mother Ginny and applying for jobs to help the family rebuild stability. She navigates her evolving heart while trying to keep life steady for those she loves. The family pressures and Naomi's personal growth run in parallel, shaping her decisions.

Ely starts building a life with Bruce 2 and, in the process, acknowledges a broader, more plural sense of love and freedom. He begins to settle into a path that includes his own identity and happiness. This acceptance marks a divergence from Naomi's preferred path and a new kind of partnership for him.

Naomi and Ely have a quiet, hopeful conversation about the different kinds of love that exist. They agree to navigate friendship and romance with openness and respect, recognizing that honesty deepens their connection. The scene reframes their relationship as a flexible constellation of care rather than a single path.

A brief flashback to Young Naomi reminds the audience of how far Naomi and Ely have come since their earlier days. The memory underscores the evolution of their relationship and the path to self-acceptance. It serves as a tonal reminder of the journey from youth to a more adult understanding of love.

The story ends on a soft, hopeful note that people can care deeply for more than one person at once. Honesty and self-acceptance deepen every connection Naomi and Ely treasure. The film closes with a sense of openness to multiple forms of love and lasting friendship.