"Can I get one, bro?" I ask Anthony, referring to a cigarette. He was out smoking, and I stepped out for some air.
"I thought you quit smoking?"
"I did." I shrugged, taking a cigarette from him. He hands me his lighter, and I quickly light my cigarette.
"In a rush or nah?" Anthony laughs.
"In a rush. If my sister catches me doing this, she's gonna beat me." I laugh a little.
"How long has it been? Since you stopped smoking?"
"About four years." I stare down at the cigarette.
"Why are you starting again?"
"Why not?" I shrug. I quit because Nikki didn't like the smell and TiTi was worried. I only smoke when I'm stressed, but TiTi thought something would happen to me, so I stopped.
"Ant, have you seen Santo?" I hear TiTi ask. I quickly slip around the corner, hoping she doesn't see me.
"Nah." Anthony answers. He must have got the hint that I didn't want her to see me.
"Tell me if you do. I can't find him." She tells him. "I really hope he isn't doing something stupid."
"I will, Ti." He replies.
Once I'm sure she's inside, I move back to my original spot, leaning against the wall by the corner. "Does this have to do with Nicole?"
"Nope. I'm not worried about her." I shake my head.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure as can be." I nod.
"Let's get some drinks." Anthony says.
"I'm down." I say, dropping the now finished cigarette on the ground, smashing it with my shoe.
We head back inside, going straight for the bar. This is exactly what I need.
Four hours, ten beers and a lot of shots(I lost count after fifteen) later, TiTi approaches me. "Chresanto, I've looked everywhere for you."
"Hey, sis." I laugh, turning around, almost spilling my drink in the process. "Whoa."
"How much have you drunken?" She asks.
"Just a little." I pinch two fingers together, saying just a little.
"More than a little." She crosses her arms.
"No." I laugh, dragging the 'o' out.
"Yes." She says, the same way I said no. "We need to get you home."
"I don't want to go home." I disagree, sitting back down on the stool.
"Don't make me call mama." She threatens.
I laugh loudly, "And what's she gonna do? She's probably more drunk than I am!"
"Chresanto, you're going home."
"Why? Nothing is there anyway." I shrug, picking up another shot.
"Chres, come on, we'll stay at your house tonight."
"I'm not a baby." I huff.
"Is this about Nikki?" She asks.
"No! Why doesn't everyone keep asking me that? The point of tonight was to forget about her, but she's everywhere!" I turn to face TiTi again.
"Chres, let's go home. She won't be there."
"But all I can think about is her!" I yell. "That's it, Nikki, Nikki, Nikki, it won't stop."
