Anything

Smoke

I walked through a cloud of smoke caused by people getting high off their minds, usually I would be joining in but I haven't been the same since... it happened.

Music deafened me as I walked through the hallway towards the door. God I needed a fag.
'Eve? EVE?' My friends voice called me from behind a group of intoxicated people.
'What?' I snapped back, my patience running thin, lately I've been needing more and more cigarettes to keep me going, but so would any other person if.. it happened to them, in my opinion I'm being perfectly reasonable.
'Calm it girl, where are you going?' She replied timidly making me feel guilty because of my tone, she was only trying to help. But I know she only dragged me to this dumb party because she wants a new fella to shag. That's what Bella is like, it's just unlucky that I'm her best friend so I get forced to go to these things, I don't mind too much though, because I do love her. Being her bestest is a blessing and a curse because she's simultaneously the most funny and stubborn person I've ever met.

'Outside, I need a fag' I reply, edging towards the door with every second passing causing my body more desperate for them, I've been craving them too much. I don't care though.

'You'll be back though, right?' She questions me. I feel guilty leaving her here but I'm sure she'll find a guy to walk her home, she's captivating like that.
I shrug my shoulders and turn towards the door, twisting the handle and practically running out. This resulted in a long drawn out disappointed 'Eeeeevveeee'
I run down the many flights of stairs and make it outside, fumbling in my bag trying to find a lighter. I manage to find one and lean against the cold brick wall, lighting the cigarette and taking a long drag. I felt my nerves returning to normal, the clockworks in my brain slowing down and my heart rate decelerating. The heat surrounding my body cools down and the fog in my mind clears. In that initial breath in with my eyes closed, I was at peace.

Until heavy footsteps walked up to me, disrupting my moment of tranquility.

'Bella, I told you before, I'm not in the right state of mind for parties right now, you shouldn't have asked me' I say without looking at my friend, because I'm clearly not in the mood. I haven't been for a while.

'Well, I don't know about you, but I'm certainly not a Bella' a deep voice replies, a voice I don't recognise.
I turn and look at a tall man with long scruffy hair. He reminds me of shaggy from Scooby-Doo for some reason. Anyway, he's standing next to me, lighting his own ciggy. He had a look of concentration as he was trying to light it but he couldn't produce a flame. I handed him my lighter out of my bag.
'Thanks' he said, breathing the toxins in deeply.
'Anytime, non-Bella' I reply sarcastically.
He laughed at my pathetic excuse for a joke before introducing himself
'I'm Van'
'Like the car?'
'Well, sort of. My real names Ryan but I prefer Van'
'Yeah you don't look like a Ryan, I'm Eve by the way'
'Thanks, I guess?' He replies to my him not looking like a Ryan comment, 'Eve's a nice name. Evie'
'No, not Evie, it's one syllable- Eve'

I've always hated when people call me Evie, I already have a slight baby face and that little kids name doesn't help. Besides I don't like strangers giving me nicknames, I don't know why they think they have the right to.

'Okay okay,' Van says holding his hands up in surrender- as he should, 'sorry Ev....ie'
'Sure you want to carry on, Ryan?' I retaliate- two can play at that game. He gives me a death stare signalling that he, in fact, does not want to carry on. My cigarettes nearly finished with so I let it drop on the floor and I rub my shoe in it to extinguish the slight flame but I keep rubbing until it turns to ashes.
'You coming back?' Van asks me after watching me disintegrate the deadly stick.
'Nah, I think I'm done' I reply, it was getting late after all and I hate the entire atmosphere of parties. It was a mistake going.
'You driving?' He asked me and I nodded in response
'Are you... okay to drive? As in like, you haven't had a drink?' That's a stupid question for anyone to ask me, after what happened....
Buuttt he doesn't know me so I let it slide.

'No, I don't drink, what about you?' I ask him because if he's had something to drink then I'll take him back, I'm not about to let anyone drive home drunk.
'Yeah but it's only a few, I should be fine to drive back' he tells me
'Bullshit, come on, I'll drive you'
'I'm not finished though, and my mates will be waiting for me' Van tells me, glancing back up at the building.
'Well they can call you can't they? Now hurry up I want to get home'

Van ends up agreeing to me when he sees he isn't going to win so we walk back to my car.
'How old are you?' He asks me, I don't know what age he's guessed because I'm one of those people who could be 7, 17 or 27. So I usually get a range of guesses.
'19, what about you?' He didn't look to surprised at this, which is a good thing, I think.
'24' he says, catching my gaze. He had the most beautiful blue eyes, guarded by dark long eyelashes. He must've seen me staring at his ocean-esque eyes because he smiled at me, showing off his pearly white teeth with long canines, like a vampire.
'Ah, so you're getting old then' I tease him and I can see him roll his eyes at me.
'Thanks, Evie'
'Anytime, Ryan'