Cigarette Smoke // FILLIE

Teasing

       "How are you always so 'know it all'-y?" I ask, laying back down. "You start to realize things when you aren't the one doing them, perks of being a natural eavesdropper, Brit." He says as an answer, his voice mellow yet bland.

"Does that mean you know things about me? Things that I don't tell you?" I question curiously as a nervousness rises in my chest causing my heart to skip a beat. He turns his head to face me and perches himself on his elbow as his shadow hovers over me slightly.

Finn leans in quickly, stopping right before his lips graze mine as the cold air from his nose hits my chin. My eyes closed and lips parted slightly, I feel my chest heave and merely touch his.

He turns so that his lips hover beside my ear, his hot breath hitting my neck in a way that makes me shiver. His low, conspiring voice seems to echo throughout my mind as the words are whispered softly, "I know more than you can imagine, Millie."

Shaking the paralyzation from my body, I shove the attracted thoughts to the back of my mind. "You're such a tease, Wolfhard." I remark while shoving him off of me as I snicker. "But you fall for them, don't you, Brit?" He says in a proud, cocky tone that makes it seem more like a statement.

I roll my eyes, "Maybe sometimes, but I'm learning- thanks to you." I answer as I hop off of the bed and walk over to the wooden shelf father installed only a year and a half ago where silver hooks are drilled into the wall beneath it; a dark red flannel and a black, school branded hoodie hung on two of the four.

"Glad I can be of use." Finn replies casually, a slight scoff in his voice as I grab the bright white Polaroid camera from off the shelf. I quickly whip around on my heels, holding the camera in my hands with a mischievous smile as I shake it gently.

His brows furrow as his eyes widen slightly, "What's that for?" I find myself smiling brightly at the question. "Taking pictures, silly." I joke, the boy glaring at me as if to say 'well duh'. "Come on, just.. be natural." I chime as I hold it up to my right eye, squeezing my left tightly.

"You're kidding, right?" Finn remarks with a doubtful smirk. Focusing deeply, I take the shot, causing a flash to light up the room before disappearing just as quickly as it came. He blinks repeatedly, squinting from the unexpected beam of light.

"Come here!" I exclaim as I wave him over, setting the camera on my desk as I begin shaking the film alive. He huffs in defeat as he stands up and walks up behind me to look over my shoulder. Soon enough colors start leaking from the black rectangle, the photo coming alive in merely seconds.

"Why did you want my picture?" Finn asks abruptly from behind me, honest curiosity in his low voice. I shrug, "I like to have pictures of people I care about. Plus, taking them is fun. The last photo I took was of- well.." I trail off as the sorrowful thought of him seeped back into my mind.

How is it that Finn can somehow take away the pain? That he can take away the constant attention to my father's death, it's a thing none of my friends have ever been able to do- they can only distract.

"I.. um, don't remember actually. But you'd be the first in a while." I continue, lying straight through my teeth as I pin the new photograph among the many pinned to my bulletin board.

The air falls silent as I notice his features suddenly soften. No, no Finn don't- just ignore it, please help me forget. "I know you miss him, Millie. From what I can tell you were pretty close, right?"

I sigh, pressing my hand against my lips as I nod. "I don't really want to talk about it right now- please." I mutter quietly but just loud enough for him to hear me, my eyes diverted away from him. Please, please just change the subject for all that's good on this earth!

"Alright, just know we can talk about it anytime. I won't be around long to help you later, though." He mentions easily, as if the whole ordeal is completely fine with him. Well.. it's his deal, so of course he would be.

I nod understandably, "Right. Speaking of you being around, I think it's about time you should leave- before my mum gets home from work." He raises an amused eyebrow, "What's wrong with your mom seeing me?" My eyes widen as I stare down at the ground, desperately thinking of an excuse.

"Relax, Brit. I'm joking, I don't care. Probably for the best, anyhow; don't want the mother asking where I've been once this is over." He assures as he shrugs lazily. Stop bringing it up, for goodness sake!

"Whatever. I'll walk you out." I murmur under my breath, annoyed with his constant need to remind me of what I'll lose in less that a week and a half. Him. As we reach the front door Finn turns around to face me as he pulls on his favorite black, with fur lining, coat.

"I have a practice tomorrow night for my band, if you'd like to come I'm sure the others could be convinced. That is, only if you're okay with obnoxious noise." He remarks with a snicker. I glance around the lifeless room as I think of Mum and how I had promised to watch the Bachelor with her tomorrow night. Shit.

Deciding quickly, I force myself to make eye contact with him again. "Uh, yeah- for sure. I don't mind noise," I respond, wondering if this decision will come back to bite me in the ass. Let's hope not.

"Alright then, suppose I'll drop by here say.. seven o' five?" He suggests casually with his hands dug deeply into his pockets. The Bachelor is on at seven. I nod, "Yeah, that's fine. I just have to check in with my mum before hand. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Finn shrugs lazily, "Eventually. Though I'm sure I'll see you in the halls." Hiding the sudden blade the first singe, lifeless word stabbed in my chest, I just swallow down my feelings and nod understandably. "Right, okay." I mutter, my words merely a whisper in the wind.

He steps outside the front door before staggering back slightly. "And Millie?" He asks with his hand in the small gap between the door I barely shut completely. A sudden sense of hope flickers in my heart, "Yes?"

He purses his lips as if deciding whether to continue or drop it. Eventually he huffs out a breath and goes on in the same tone he's always used, but a sense of actual care hidden underneath it, just this once, "I just think you should know that.. that you're more special than you think, and that's never ever a bad thing. So don't let anyone tell you otherwise, not even me."

The sudden words freeze me where I stand, leaving me speechless as he smiles gently before starting down to his challenger. Before I can get out a single word the low rider is rolling down the driveway and into the street. Dammit. I let out a sigh as I shut the front door completely. I'm falling for this guy faster than I can keep up with, aren't I?

-+-

f i n n

        I push the weight off my chest as I repress a grunt escaping from my throat, pushing it over my body before bringing back down to the center of my chest; doing three reps before hooking the large wight back onto the setting bars as I sit up on the bench with a deep breath.

"Water?" Josh offers as he holds  in his hand a new, cold plastic bottle of water. I nod breathlessly, "Thanks." I mutter before gulping two mouthfuls of the refreshing liquid. He nods with a snicker at my struggle  due to only three sets.

Capping the bottle as the sweat from my forehead builds and dampens the roots of my curls, I stare up at the burgundy haired boy by the name Josh Ovalle with sweat brimming my eyebrows. "How long have we been here?" I question curiously, my chest still heaving slightly.

He shrugs as he glances up at the only clock in the school's weight room/gym. He reads the digital numbers aloud, "5:30, why do you ask- got somewhere you're going, Wolfhard?" Josh teases as he whips me carefully with the white towel that had previously laid along his shoulder; on his way to his backpack that rests against the cement wall of the gym.

I better get in a shower before picking up Millie, she already deals enough with me always smelling like smoke. Plus, I don't think I'll  even be able to breath if I smell this bad.