smoke break; irwin

i.

I ducked out the back door to the convenient store and into the alleyway. It was stuffy and didn't smell very nice, but I'd take whatever I could get.

I sat on the curb and pulled out my purple lighter and lighting the cigarette that sat between my lips. I felt my mind relaxing as I took a deep breath. 

"Can I get a light?" A boy dressed in a ripped tank top stood next to me, talking through the familiar object held with his teeth. I nodded to him and he sat down, leaning over to me. I flicked the lighter and lit his cigarette, which he quickly began smoking.

"I haven't seen you here before." He told me in between drags, "I come out here everyday at this time for my smoke break, and I've never seen you here." 

I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, "I just got switched from nightshift to dayshift at the convenience store." I didn't really want to talk to him. I was trying to enjoy my few minutes of freedom.

"I see. I work at the diner." He motioned to another door that led to this alley. "I'm Ashton."

I took a long drag before answering, "Isla."  I checked my watch, seeing that I only had five more minutes before I needed to return to work. I lit another one.

Ashton studied me, "I read that each cigarette takes 11 minutes off your life."

I laughed, "If I didn't skip so many classes in high school, I could probably figure out how long four years of smoking takes off."

"How old are you?"  He stomped out the butt  with his black Vans.

"Nineteen. You?" Smoke escaped my lips as I spoke. 

"Twenty." He answered softly.

I stole another glance at the time, and saw that I was out of it. "Shit." I stood stepping on my unfinished cigarette to put it out. "I've got to go back to work. Nice meeting you, Ashton."

He smiled, "You too, Isla."

hello abby here

i really like this so far

next chapter will be longer, maybe