Coffee, Cigarettes And Other Drugs

Don't jinx it

Both of them woke up at the crack of dawn, being the early birds they are, performed the daily ritual of getting dressed and eating a not-so-healthy breakfast. This breakfast was usually accompanied with silence since their parents would still be sleeping or long gone at work.

Chené poured her morning coffee in a styrofoam cup her mom kept behind the tupperware whilst Dylan stored his in a heat-flask. Armed with caffeine and boxes of nicotine they made their way to the swimming pool.

Walking from opposite sides of the road they met at the arched entrance of the pool at exactly forty seven minutes after six. Eyeing up each others belongings they laughed and Dylan once again helped Chené up onto the canopy.

"To the best drugs you can buy at a seven-eleven" Dylan gave a toast, knocking the tip of his cup against hers. Chené gave a warn chuckle to his toast. They took a sip before getting out the rest of their artillery.

"Damn I forgot my lighter" the words came out muffled as a cigarette sat between his lips while he patted his pockets.

"I got you covered" she held the orange flame to the end of his cigarette, the tip igniting into red embers as he inhaled.

For a moment he just looked at her, the words causing some gears in his mind to start churning before he shook it off.

They sat in silence for the whole first cigarette and half of their coffee, staring at the rays of yellow the sunrise shone over the soft blue sky.

Chené broke the silence first, "I don't want vacation to be over yet" towards which Dylan replied, "What? There is like a week and a bit left"

"Yeah but even though it doesn't feel fast now, the next time we rub out our eyes the whole thing is over."

Dylan squinted his eyes thinking about this piece of information.

"Yeah I guess that is true." He let his legs swing to and thro while it dangled over the ledge.

"I never got your phone number last night" he said pulling out his phone from his backpack.

"Oh yeah, here" they both laughed at the wallpaper of his phone.

'What? Adventure Time is like wisdom dressed up in kiddie clothes. You just got to read between the lines."

"No ways, I thought I was just over reading the whole thing."

He noticed Chené gave a little shiver, so he took this as the opportune moment to scoot a little closer. She merely gave a tentative smile as a reaction

"I know you're on your last few pennies this month, but I know a place where you can put them to good use." She stared up at his deep blue eyes waiting for a reply.

"What do you suggest?" He said lighting another cig.

A wide grin spread on her face.

"The arcade."

He coughed out a puff of smoke as he laughed.

"That sounds like fun" he smiled at nobody in particular in front of him.

The arcade was a concrete square block situated between the general drug store and that very sketchy bar every town owns. The drab walls were brought to life with colourful neon signs promoting games far beyond their prime as well as promotions that were intended to attract customers. The inside of the arcade was cave like. Very dim lighting, the only being the dull flow emanating from consoles scattered all the well worn blue carpet.

The pair entered the arcade laughing and slightly stumbling inside.

Dylan gave deep inhale through his nose and loudly exhaled.

"Smells like nostalgia."

Chené quickly withdraw a baggie full of shiny copper coins, jingling it with delight.

They walked over to the dance-off machine, Dylan throwing a suggestive thumb at its direction.

"No,no,no" Chené wavs her hands in front of her, "I suck at dancing."

Her face twitched at the memory of a long ago middle school dance. The faces contorted into sneers as she tried dancing for the first time.

"Oh my glob,it isn't as if these dance moves are FDA approved you know" he pulled her by the arm next to him.

Seconds before the game started and idea sparked in his mind
"By the way, winner chooses the next place we visit." The words stormed from his mouth as Chené's face contorted. Digital music denied her the chance of refusal.

The arrows came down in intricate patterns, the dance much closer to a kinetic version of twister than an actual dance style.

"Okay you win"

"You did good. Nothing compared to the dance moves of the King of Dance-Off, but good." Dylan gave a ceremonious bow before darting off to the sky hockey.

This went on well for quite a few hours. Chené won a few, Dylan won a few.

They ended up in a tie most of the time.

Making their way towards the back alley of the arcade they readied their cigarettes. Most high school smokers spent recesses here, smoking in some black dye for their lungs.

"What about we go to Dennies after this?" He looked at her carefully, hoping he didn't come off odd for suggesting they drink at the shady bar next door. His palms were just starting to become clammy as she replied.

"We're underage Dylan" she have him a look that indicated her doubt of his intellect.

He grinned a toothy from at her.

"I know the barkeep. He's cool" the only sound between then for a moment was the cracking of embers on the cigarette as they both took in deep drags and then exhaling small wisps of white air.

"Sure, what's the worst that can happen?" She shrugged off the feeling of just having jinxed it.