Hate Love (for Nolee)

"I don't like hurting people..." Cody said quietly, hanging his head. "Because I know what it's like..."

"Cody, I never use a gun if I don't have to. Violence is a last resort. When you have tried everything you can and you're about to get hurt yourself. It's only for kill or be killed times."

"I know, I know." Cody sighed. "I guess it probably would help."

"It would," encouraged Nolee.

"Okay...so how do I use it then?" Cody asked, looking up at Nolee.

Nolee demonstrated what to do so he could use the gun, "Then you just aim very carefully and pull the trigger."

Cody nodded as he listened before slowly rasing the gun to aim, hesitating.

"Shoot," Nolee urged, "If you were on the field, you wouldn't get a second chance if you hesitated."

"I-I know..." Cody said, taking a breath to calm himself before pulling the trigger, jumping slightly at the noise.

Nolee nodded, "See. Not that bad."

Cody gave a small smile. "It's noisy." He said, just to be annoying.

"Always will be but all you can do is steel yourself against it."

Cody nodded slowly. "It'll take a bit to get used to..."

"Only use it when most needed."

"Obviously." Cody said, sticking his tongue out.

"Some men don't," Nolee replied softly.

"I know," Cody said. "But do I look like someone who'd do that?"

"No," giggled Nolee. "You wouldn't even shoot nerf guns when we were kids."

"I just don't like guns, okay...?" Cody said, pouting.

"They were nerf guns! They didn't hurt people," Nolee laughed.

"They did, when aimed at the right spot..." Cody said.

"Nuh uh!" Nolee protested.

"Yeah they did," Cody pouted. "Like when they got your face, or stomach..."

"I told you everytime I was sorry," she huffed.

"They still hurt." Cody whined, pouting more.