5am || l.h

01

i slipped my pack of marlboro cigarettes out of my jacket pocket and looked around cautiously before popping one in between my lips. quickly i whipped out my lighter and carefully lit the tip of the cigarette, adjusting it's position slightly before taking it in between my forefinger and middle finger at my side.

"you smoke here, too?" a stranger asked as he approached me on the bench i was seated at. i was, in fact, in front of a gas station at five in the morning smoking a pack of cigarettes because i had nothing better to do. this was my smoking spot, so how was it possible that this complete stranger smoked here at the same exact time as me?

the stranger who had sat down was a tall and lanky boy, about my age with blonde hair spiked into a quiff. he had crystal blue eyes and wore a red flannel shirt paired with black skinny jeans. he showed his rebellious side through his lip piercing on the right side of his mouth. he was undeniably attractive.

"uh... yeah," i said timidly before scooting over a little more so he had some room.

"oh. it's strange that i never see you around," he remarked, putting a cigarette between his lips and inhaling.

"i come here almost every morning," i added, trying my best not to stare at his charming features.

"so do i," he looked at me curiously. "what's your name?"

"well, i barely even know you," i noted, chuckling lightly. "should i trust you?"

he shrugged. "maybe, maybe not. besides, i asked you your name first. so spill."

after taking in the smell of my cigarette and exhaling slowly, i contemplated my options. i could tell this complete stranger my name, or he could live in mystery the rest of his life not knowing what that sarcastic brown-haired smoker's name was. "anna," i said finally.

"anna...?"

"listen here, pal, i'm not telling you my last name. for all i know you could be a pedophile looking to rape me. so you tell me your first name, and maybe i'll tell you some time in the future."

he looked taken aback for a split second, but then relaxed his facial muscles and smiled. "luke. luke hemmings."

"well, luke hemmings, what are you doing up so early?" i interrogate, raising an eyebrow.

"i could very well ask you that same question, anna," he retorted cleverly, smirking.

"but i asked you first."

"fine, fine. you ever wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to fall back asleep? not like, you know, a nightmare, but it's just... random. that happens to me a lot. like... all the time."

i nodded. "insomnia."

"not exactly," he said. "it's hard to describe. it's just... i wake up getting this sudden urge to leave the house, go smoke a cigarette and hang out at the gas station until the sun rises. y'know?"

i nodded again, although i didn't know what he meant. "yeah. i know."

"so, that's why i'm here, anna. now that you know my story, do i get to know yours?"

i shook my head. "nope."

"what? dammit, you always gotta be difficult."

"we've only known each other for five minutes," i giggled.

"exactly. and i can already tell you're a handful."

"then why are you still here?" i asked questioningly.

"because i like a challenge," he said, looking at me.

i laughed, not knowing whether to be flattered or offended, and looked down at the ground, tucking my hair behind my ear; a nervous habit. when i looked back up at luke, he was still watching me but this time he gave me a small smile. things had already gotten awkward, so to break the tension i suggested, "i'm kind of hungry, so i think i'll be leaving soon," and stood up.

"what? already?" he asked, getting up as well.

"well... yeah. my mom is probably looking for me and i might as well get breakfast while i still can." i tossed my used cigarette to the side and crushed it into the ground. he did the same.

"why don't i take you to a diner down the road?" luke offered.

i was at a loss for words - was he asking me to go eat with him, which was techically a date? we had literally talked for minutes and he was already making a move.

"uh... um... sure. yeah. i guess," was my answer, and i automatically wanted to punch myself in the face. why did i have to sound like an idiot in front of such a cute boy?

"great. come with me, you'll love it," he grinned and led me to his car. after a second of hesitation, i hopped inside his truck and tried my best not to act like a nervous wreck as we sped down the road.