//SMOKE//

0.4

"Whats your favorite color?"

Calum let out a breathy laugh. "Wow, you're great at asking unique questions!"

Luke rolled his eyes and blew a puff of smoke out the window. "Just answer the damn question."

"Grey." The boy answered after thinking for a few seconds.

The two boys had been sitting on the couch, enjoying their smokes and each other's company. They  both decided to start playing 20 questions since they realized they barely knew anything about each other.

Calum moved his hand close to his had to breathe in the smoke once more when Luke noticed the boys hand was shaking. Calum placed the cigarette between his lips and shook his hand, trying to get rid of the tremble, but failing.

"Its a side effect from the Lithium," he said, looking up from his hand to Luke. He looked at Calum and saw how he looked ashamed of himself.

"Do you have any other side effects?" Luke asked hesitantly, not wanting to offend him in any way.

"Yeah, No matter how many hours of sleep I get, I'm constantly tired. The first two weeks I was put on Lithium were brutal. I was constantly throwing up and always thirsty, I had a terrible memory, I gained weight, lost hair and had the worst acne," He laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "But after that shitshow was over, I was just left with a tremor. Which I'll probably have for the rest of my life since what I have can't be cured." Calum shook his head, staring out the window.

Luke admired Calum's strength. He couldn't imagine what he goes through every day. And what it was like before he was put on any sort of medication. Luke thought about the cause that got him placed in the institution in the first place, and how he feels as though his reasons are nowhere near as severe as his.

Luke couldn't help but stare at Calum as he inhaled another breath from his cigarette. The way his cheeks hollowed, eyes fluttering closed. Calum always seemed to look so flawless without even trying and it made Luke squirm, mentally scolding himself for his thoughts. But he couldn't help but think like that while looking at the boy. 

Soon enough, the two boys finished their smokes and Calum sat quietly, watching Luke fiddle with his fingers, trying to pass the time. "You know," he started, "I'm really glad I have someone to come up here with me. It gets lonely sometimes." 

Luke looked up and saw how Calum looking at him admiringly, making the younger boy uncomfortable and yet quite bashful. He awkwardly chuckled and felt his cheeks heat up, making Calum feel confident, knowing he could make Luke feel that way.

"Yeah, well,"  he sucked in a deep breath, "it's nice having a friend here."

Calum's face immediately fell at  Luke's words. It was completely silent for a while before Calum abruptly sat up. "We should probably go, I don't usually stay up here this long." 

Luke was shocked at his sudden movements but sat up as well, following Calum to the entrance to the staircase. He felt bad, thinking his words hurt Calum, and his last chance of being friends with someone was ruined. 

Calum turned to the younger boy, "You should go first. It'll look suspicious if both of us came down at the same time." he smirked and gave Luke a cheeky wink, and he felt his cheeks heat up. "Make sure no one on the fourth floor see's you come down. Head straight to the second floor and act like nothing happened." Luke nodded, knowing that if either of them got caught, there would be major consequences. And he did not want to ruin Calum's hiding spot for him.

"Meet me here tomorrow at 4. That's usually the time most of the staff starts to head to the lounge and take a break." Luke nodded happily, then quietly made his way down the stairs, making sure to be extra careful when making his way passed the fourth floor. He quickly ran down the stairs, and let out a breath of relief when no one caught him.