Lilac Smoke

She was a small town, broken girl and he was an even smaller town broken boy, and it was only fitting that they should chance to meet.

Her room always smelled of ink and sleepless nights.

His room always smelled of late nights and tea.

Her head always echoed with the name of the boy who used to be her compass.

His head always echoed with the name of the girl who bruised his soul.


She was average height and brunette

He was tall and blonde.

She didn't talk.

Neither did he.

Jenson slowly walked down the bridge.
Her small feet wore worn converse.

I mean, it was fitting, really, that she wore converse, because she was just that type.

She thought the air smelled like nightmares and lilac smoke.
But it was fine, really, she was used to it

Lewis slowly walked down his street to the bridge.
His large feet were attired in converse,
I mean, it was fitting, really, that he wore converse, because he was just that type.

He thought the air smelled like fights and wet concrete.
But it was fine, really, because he was used to it

Jensen stared at the deep, swirling water below.
It was so enticing and bitter, like the bottle of vodka on the top shelf of her room, and it was cold; But, she froze warmth. And that was okay, really.

Lewis reached the harsh wooden planks of the bridge. He could hear the crashing water. And it was cold, but he froze warmth and it was okay, really.

Jenson's mind wandered to the holes in her kitchen wall, and they way her hand fit perfectly around a cigarette.

And she was cold, but that was fine, really, because she was used to it.

Lewis sat down, not noticing another still figure.

His mind wandered to the bruise on his rib and the way he used his last teabag.

And he was cold, but that was fine, really, because he was used to it.

Jenson noticed another figure sit down.
She slowly slid closer.
Because really, she was a coward and it was fine, really.

Lewis noticed the other figure move closer, and he didn't mind really.
Because he was a coward and it was fine, really.

Jenson took a deep breath and thought about how the air smelled like fear and anticipation.

Lewis took a deep breath and thought about how the air smelled like freedom and anxiety.

They weren't alone and so it was fine, really.

Jenson held onto the hand of the boy next to her.
It was rough and she thought she felt a scar that spelled abuse.

And it was fine, because she had the same one and it was fine, really.

Lewis held onto the hand offered by the girl next to him.
He thought he felt a callus that spelled drinking.

And it was fine, because he had the same one and it was fine, really.

Jenson felt numb and couldn't wait for the cold water to numb her forever and then she wouldn't have to worry about Lilac smoke and holes in the kitchen.

Lewis felt alive and couldn't wait for the electric water to jolt him from the overwhelming numbness and he wouldn't have to worry about buying more tea or bruised knuckles.

And it was fine, really.

Two strangers.
alone
surrounded by navy sky
and
faraway from the lilac smoke.

And it was okay, really.

Jenson gripped the hand of the boy that spelled abuse and prepared to sleep forever.

Lewis tightened his grip around the hand of the girl that spelled drinking and prepared to feel alive.

And it was okay, really.

They wouldn't live forever, and it was okay, really.

And although Jenson never felt anything except for the itch for more smoke to wash over her, she was at least satisfied to have fallen in love with this boy before she left.

And although Lewis only ever felt the need to add another cut, he was at least satisfied to have fallen in love with this girl before he left.

And it was fine, really.

They wouldn't live forever, and it was okay, really.

It started to snow.
And it was okay, really.

And the air no longer smelled of anticipation and the lingering scent of scars.

And it was okay, really.

Jenson felt tired, so tired, and she couldn't help but lay her head on the thin shoulder of boy next to her, who smelled of abuse and late nights.

And it was okay, really.

Lewis couldn't help but smile as the girl who smelled of lilac smoke and probably tasted of bitter shots laid her head on his shoulder that smelled like bruised knuckles.

And it was okay, really.

And there they sat.

Instead of the lilac smoke cloaking them, the sky wrapped her arms around them.
And it was okay, really.

And Jenson didn't think she'd ever seen a more beautiful sunrise.

The air smelled like belonging and sky looked like maybe the long nightmare was finally over.

And it was okay, really.