“That’s mean..” Tina reprimands, though she looks both a little scandalized and amused.

“The truth often is.”

Tina giggled.

Hearing this, I immediately looked at her.

“What?” She frowned, suddenly shy.

“You sound funny when you giggle..”

“Weird?”

“No.. just.. funny..”

She punched my arm for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. I won’t be surprised if I develop a knuckle-shaped bruise there.

“Jeez, I don’t know why you’re so offended Kennard, you should consider yourself lucky.”

“Why should I?”

“Cause when I giggle, Sammy says it’s scary.”

Despite her annoyance, Tina found herself sobering up and giggling again.

I couldn’t help but smile at this. “You have a funny laugh..” I grinned broader. “I like it.”

“You like everything.”

“Maybe I do.”

“Sappy.”

“You like it.”

“No I don’t.”

“Ooh.. there it goes again..”

“What?”

“You’re giving me that ‘falling in love’ look again..”

“No I’m not!”

“You just did.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“That’s what you’d like to think. I know what I saw.”

“You only see what you want to see.”

“Then I’m glad that I saw that look you gave me.”

“I’m not falling in love with you!”

I could tell she was really frustrated now, but I continued to play with her. “That’s what you tell yourself.. but is that how you really feel?”

“I’m not in love with you..”

“Denial queen..”

“I’m not in love with you.. I’m not falling in love with you.. and I sure as hell won’t ever feel any sort of love for you!”

“Oh that’s what you say now..”

She hushed me with a finger pointed smack dab between my eyes. “Listen here Porter. I will never.. ever.. allow myself to fall for you. I’d rather die a gruesome death than fall in love with someone as despicable as you. Remember that.”

I did.

And not once did I let her forget her broken promise for the next few years that followed, much to her dismay. I enjoyed every torturous second though.

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