Flip Side of Love

Chapter 20

"So, are we doing this or not?"

"Yeah just, just give me a moment."

"It's not that hard."

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one who's actually doing it."

"Yeah, but I think I'd rather do it than watch you torture yourself."

"Stop rushing me."

"You're taking forever."

"Fine, I'll do it!" Christopher huffed, before picking up the book that was in front of him. He held the book at an arm's distance as though it were a baby with a stinky diaper. Taking a moment, he took a deep breath, before flicking through the pages. He counted three seconds before stopping at a random page. Closing his eyes, he reached down and proceeded to scratch out one of the boxes on the page.

"Are you kidding me!?" Nicky exclaimed. "This is not fair. I mean come on." Christopher took a moment to process the words that had been revealed. "Of course, of course you get that one, and now of all times. It's not like I've been looking for it for the past eight years!" Nicky continued to complain.

"Of course," Christopher got out, in the midst of a teary laugh.

"It's a conspiracy."

"What?"

"I'm telling you, it's a freaking conspiracy." Nicky pouted, as she crossed her arms, resembling a petulant child.

After Nicky's rant imploring Christopher to be happy, she had pointed out the date. Which then led to their current situation: Christopher staring at the book in hand in disbelief, and Nicky ranting about unfair odds. Nicky was sick and tired of Christopher's moping, and the fact that his default mode was 'hermit'. So, she made him pull out the 'Scratch-it' book, in preparation for next Friday, which coincidentally landed on August 27th. Now it was Nicky's turn to mope, as she stared at the activity with jealousy.

"I can't do this."

"You don't have a choice," Nicky snapped. "Now here's what you're gonna do. You're gonna buy some tickets, and then you're going to invite everyone out."

"Yes mam," Christopher joked, with a mock salute

"Don't call me that. Also, I hate you."

"Why?"

"You know why." Nicky hissed, with her eyes narrowed. "Anyway, I'm gonna let you apologise as you should."

"Wait! Where are you going?" Christopher asked, panicked.

"Ha! Someone's changed their tune. But then again, I am pretty lovable. And you, you're just like a cat"

"What?"

"You know, they're like don't pet me. Then two seconds later, they come and curl up in a little ball in your lap. Purring away, like they didn't almost scratch you."

"I am not a cat."

"No you're an adorable lil' puppy. But don't worry, I'll be back when you need me. Be good and try not to miss me too much." Nicky winked, whilst blowing Christopher a kiss.

---

"I just love puppies."

"What?"

"Puppies. They're absolutely amazing."

"Okay."

"No seriously. For starters, they just follow you, no questions asked. They are fiercely loyal, to the point they'll take on anything of any size, just to protect you. They always look back at you, as if asking, 'do you approve?' But the foremost reason I love puppies is because they have a single purpose in life, and that's to love you. You remind me of a puppy."