the month of freedom [c.h]

0.8 - SMOKING

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 2ND / SMOKING

Calum threw a pack of cigarettes at me, smirking. I stared at them, I didn't think I'd have to put one of these in my mouth - but here I was. He nodded his head towards the packet, passing me a lighter and putting his in his mouth.

"I don't know how-" I stuttered.

Calum exasperated, snatching the packet and pulling out a cigarette. He demonstrated how to do it, pretending to light it. I nodded, doing the same. It felt weird, between my lips. It didn't feel bad, not just yet.

"You ready to light it?" Calum asked.

I nodded, allowing Calum to light up the ciggy. I didn't know what to do, I inhaled a little, choking on some smoke and dropping the cigarette onto the floor next to my boots. Calum chuckled next to me, pulling out another cigarette and handing it to me.

I sucked in some clean air quickly, checking the watch on my hand. I had 7 minutes until our first class started, I could finish this by then.

"Now, do you think you can light this by yourself?" Calum smirked, he was speaking to me like I was a baby.

I nodded, lighting the cigarette and placing it in my mouth. I was better this time, not pro, but better. I inhaled and exhaled and I could see the smoke swirls floating away as I stood back. My mind fluttered, like just for a moment my problems were flying away.

Calum clapped behind me as I dropped the cigarette, standing on it to kill it. I smiled to myself, I had accomplished something and Calum looked genuinely proud.

"You did it." He smiled, patting me on the back.

"Yeah. My chest feels.." I thought about it, "Weird."

"Yeah, it will do. But the feeling should go soon. Also, about what you saw yesterday - I hope you haven't told anyone."

I shrugged a little, breathing in some nice air around me. This air was clean, but somehow the smoke I had inhaled earlier had filled me up, I liked this feeling, "Who would I tell?"

He smirked to himself, taking another cigarette and playing it in his mouth. I didn't know he was such a passive smoker. I sat there for a moment, just watching him try to blow (and fail at doing) smoke rings into the air. He chuckled to himself, his eyes squinting as he tumbled back a little after laughing so hard.

"So, do you always smoke this much?"

"Oh babycakes, this isn't proper smoking. I haven't even had my fifth one yet." Calum chuckled, taking a seat next to me.

I don't know if it was all the smoke around us, or just the fact that there was another body next to mine - but Calum was warm. He was warm next to me in this quite cold weather.

"How was your day?" He asked, pushing back to lean onto the tree we were sitting at.

"Like every other day. A few tests, talking to Luke and his friends - like every day." I smile, "And yours?"

He nodded his head, taking a drag from his cigarette, "Just like every day."

The sun hid behind the clouds a little, the sky becoming darker. I was enjoying this month so far, I was free. I didn't get to do this with Luke, he was the one who thought I was boring. But I'm not boring, I shouldn't need to be free for a month to show that I'm not boring.

"It's getting late. We should get home." Calum mumbled, standing up and giving me his hand.

I took it, wiping my butt to get rid of any dirt. Calum dropped his cig near me, stamping on it and walking ahead, "I'll walk you home Fran."

"You don't have to. Also, don't call me that." I groan, following behind him. I could tell he had rolled his eyes at me.

He kept walking, it's like he knew where my house was. Which is weird, considering the fact that he had never once been to my home or really been around the neighbourhood. But he seemed confident about where I lived, although I didn't need him to walk me home.

"This is me." I smile, pointing at my dimly lit home.

"Yeah, I know." He smiles.

"How'd you know? You're not a creepy stalker are you?"

He chuckled, shaking his head, "I live a few streets down - I go for runs sometimes, see you hanging out with your sisters."

I make an 'O' shape with my mouth, it was a pretty normal explanation. He smiled at me awkwardly, pointing to my door. I understood what he meant.

"See ya buddy." I laugh, pacing up to my door and waving goodbye.

He was gone by the time I shut the door, his figure moving away. He is a fucking mystery.

lol idek what this chapter is tbh but i hope you liked it!

mills x

song for this chapter: little monster - royal blood