Malibu
"Repeat. My lungs need air not smoke. My muscles need stretching not cigarettes. My stomach needs nourishment not nicotine. My brain needs stimulation not a stimulant."
I crinkled the piece of paper under my palm, "My Counselor back in high school told me to choose a saying to get myself to quit smoking." I cleared my throat and it echoed across the room, "I said it but barely cared, but my brain was listening."
I felt over the sobriety pin on my chest, "I thought that cigarettes would be my stress reliever until I died..." I dropped my gaze on the podium in front of me, "I'm glad a certain person showed me the way and reminded me of the silver lining does indeed exist."
I nodded and the room erupted into applause, causing me to smile slightly. I walked back to my seat for a moment before changing my mind and heading to the bathroom. I finished up walking out, "Am I that certain someone Ms. Jones?" My heart slammed against my rib cage and I turned around, "Hi."
Counselor Larson was leaning against the wall, looking the same but completely different from the last time I saw him. I put a shaking hand to my mouth, "What are you doing here, how did you know I'd—"
He wrapped me in his arms and I melted into him. Consumed in his smell and the weight of him on me, "I've missed you Malibu Jones, you wouldn't think I'd go to great lengths to see you again?"
I chuckled loose tears falling down my cheeks, "You could've just called me."
His hands cupped my face and he pulled back, "Then this wouldn't have been much of a surprise if I had.." Larson traced over my lip with his thumb, "Hmm?"
"I'm still with Tristian." A bit of hurt flashed across his face and he dropped his hands. I bit my lip wiping away the tears on my face, "Ansel and I are going to one of his games this weekend..."
He nodded, "That's good, that you guys are still...how's Ansel doing I've missed him too." I explained how he was doing fine and our adjustment to living with my Dad and his. "Wow that must've been a shocker."
"Practically knocked me off my feet." We shared a small laugh before silence fell in between us. I pointed behind me, "I have to get back, thanks for the visit."
He crossed his arms, "I did not drive down here for a hi and bye." Larson put his arm around my shoulder, "We're hanging out and if it starts at this support group then fine, we're friends Malibu." He looked down at me, "I'm not your Counselor anymore."
It was weird how cool he was being, but then again I never did have an encounter with Larson informally. "Okay." We started the walk back to the room, "How's Victor and your ex wife how did all of that play out?"
"Why should I share my personal business with you?"
I nudged him, "I'll tell you all the times that I thought about fucking you."
He licked his lips, "Deal."
——
The End.
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Hoped you guys enjoyed HLS, I'm not the best writer but I like to try. Thank you for reading.—Aja
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His Little Smoker
Teen Fiction"Because the air you breathe shouldn't hurt." -- Drawn to the power of her cigarette packs, Malibu has become addicted to the sweet smell and taste of each stick. It's become her life and she expected it to stay that way. Until Dean Larson comes a...
