"I hate you." I attempt to say, though it comes out as more of a heave of breath while I'm being lifted off of the ground in two strong arms.
"Hate is such a strong word, dumbledork."
Dumbledork, that's a new one.
"Yet such a reasonable one at the moment." I retort, turning to face the machine again as soon as my best friend lets me back down to earth.
The metal claw that almost grasped the cheap purple teddy bear floats back up to the top of the blinking machine, following the string it dangled from. "Sorry! Maybe next time!" An annoying, chirpy voice rings out from the impossible-dollar fifty to play and get ripped off game.
I kick the bottom if it muttering, "Stupid." then turn to face the grinning fool at my side. My arms automatically fold to sit across my chest as he smiles with plain amusement at me.
"You suck."
He chuckles then jabs a finger into the space where my two collarbones meet, knowing it's the most ticklish spot of my body.
"You love me."
"Did you not hear me say I hated you approximately ten seconds ago?" I retaliate, poking my index finger into his collarbone, though it doesn't affect him as much as it does me.
"Potato Potato, Tomato Tomato." He responds. I roll my eyes, shoving against his chest, which doesn't affect him either. He laughs again, leaning against the machine, looking inside at the cheaply made animals, then looks back at me.
"Sorry for being late." He says, pushing me to the side and sliding another 6 quarters into the slot of the dumb machine.
"And?" I press, watching his eyes as he focuses on the mellow-dramatic claw. His eyes dart to mine then back to the machine, and he sighs.
"And for messing up you stupid game even though you weren't going to win the stupid thing anyways." He says, quickly, leaning closer to the glass to get a better view, then pressing down on the red button with his thumb.
"Says who?" I scoff, looking away for a brief second.
When I turn back to him, he's holding the purple teddy bear in front of him, presenting the prize to me.
"Says me."
