Chapter 14 - "I Don't Like Repeating Myself."-02

"You're what?"

I grimace internally and brace myself for a long argument.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm walking down the corridor with a crying best friend in tow.

"I hate you,"

"Nuh uh. You love me,"

"That I do," Nora surrenders with a sniffle, wrapping her arms around me in a warm hug. I squeeze her back, inhaling her familiar lavender scent. She wipes her tears in vain but new droplets flow anyway, replacing them quickly. We pull back, but she still keeps her arm around my back and I let mine dangle from her bony shoulders.

We reach the steel-framed glass double doors of the cafeteria, and I push open the door for both of us with my free arm. We join in on the long line, waiting for our turn when suddenly I'm tackled into another hug by her.

"Whoa! I'm not dying! Chill out, will ya?" I tease with a grin, returning Nora's hug without hesitation nonetheless.