Partner In Crime

Prompt: Write about having a complicated friendship with someone.

“I hate you so much right now, I can’t even look at you without sighing in disgust,” you grumbled, refusing to look at him in the eye. That only set more fuel to his teasing, feeling the tip of his index finger poke you repeatedly. It all came to an end when you swatted his hand away like a fly, hearing the sound echoing down the hall.

“Excuse me, I can’t talk to you right now if you’re going to be so emotional,” he teased, grinning cheekily at you.

“I….despise you.” You stabbed his chest repeatedly with the tip of your index finger. He rolled his eyes. “I despise you,” He imitated, dodging a playful swing from you that made him burst out laughing. You once again attempted to take a swing at him with your clenched fist, reaching upwards towards him and soon gave up, pouting in defeat. The male ruffled your hair and apologized for his egregious crime, which was beating you in a board game.

“Wow, you’re grumpier today. Did something happen?” You shook your head while biting your inner right cheek, glancing at him leaning down a bit to reach your eye level. “I got a bad grade on my test…” you confessed while hanging your head in shame and pure embarrassment. Instead of laughing at you like his usual behavior, he gave you a look of pity and patted your head as a possible sign of comfort. However, it didn’t help your mood at all. If anything, it just made you even more upset at the fact that he was pitying you over your failure.

“It’s okay. I got a bad grade too. Unlike you, I didn’t study at all, so I guess I deserved it. Just ask for a makeup test or something. You’ll probably do better,” he assured, earning a small, appreciative smile from you. For once, he was saying something that was actually helpful. “You’re right. I-I actually haven’t thought of that. I guess I’ll email her.” You decided with a confident nod of approval. He hummed in agreement and leaned against the wall while looking at the end of the hall to find no one.

“Can I tell you something?” Your eye met his and you nodded in confirmation.

“What is it?” He stared at the floor sheepishly, biting his lip as he tried to find the right words.

“You promised we were going to that comic store today so I sort of want to go now since we’re free. I’m just reminding you since it looks like you sort of forgot.” He mumbled quietly. You arched an eyebrow at his sudden reminder, immediately flashing back to you promising him over visiting said store once the last class finished on Friday. The interlocked pinkies as a sign of the promise.

Guilty.

“Alright, alright. We’ll go after I pick up my textbook. Let’s go.” He nodded and joined you on the journey to retrieve your textbook. Of course, you didn’t forget to attempt to trip him, but you failed as usual. “Did you just….you know what? No. I’m just going to forget that ever happened,” he muttered while taking a moment to glance at you in amusement from the side.

“Thanks,” he whispered lowly. You looked upwards at him, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “For what?”

“For keeping your promise. I guess you’re a good person after all,” He admitted, not daring to meet your brown orbs. The male ran his hand through his hair, biting his bottom lip to restrain himself from showing you an embarrassed blush. “So you thought I wasn’t a good person in the beginning?” you interrogated. Realizing his choice of words, he let out a groan, knowing you’ll be petty over it for the rest of the week. He whispered curses under his breath, wanting to disappear and return perhaps a month later.

“No-No! That’s not what I meant. I just meant that I thought you were like the rest; always forgetting their promise and when I remind them, they just shrug it off and offer me something else. At least you’re not one of those people. God, I hate that type of person.” He whispered the last bit. Your anger soon died out after hearing his explanation. “Alright, fine. I forgive you. Do something like that again, and I’ll punch you.” You threatened, earning a chuckle from him, but he nodded in agreement.

“I approve of your threat, even though it’s endangering me.”

“And I approve of your approval,” you added, finally showing him a grin at your own comment. He stared at you with a judging expression, soon rolling his eyes at you while mumbling inaudible things. Most likely insults. Yeah, most likely insults.

“Was that completely necess–”

“-ary? Yes. Yes, it was completely necessary.” You cut him off. He let out a long sigh of disapproval.

“You are unbelieva-”

“-bly amazing? Yes, I know.” He didn’t dare to add anything else, deciding to remain quiet the whole journey to retrieve your textbook. The only sound he could hear was your laugh echoing down the halls and your constant teasing, making his lips tug upwards sometimes.

Just…

not fully.

But close enough.