Changes

Chapter 9

I sauntered outside with my heavy backpack. It had been a long day and I desperately needed a cigarette. I went to my regular spot after leaving my bag in my car.

I always smoked on the bleachers. Football training only started an hour after classes were done. That gave me plenty of time to smoke.

I exhaled creating a ray of smoke. I was aware that it was a nasty habit, but it calmed me down. The warm feeling of the rough paper between my knuckles, smoke going out through my lips. I remember when I tried to smoke my first cigarette.

"Just hold it between your fingers, like this," Jamie showed me.

I copied his actions.

"Inhale lightly when you put it in your mouth," he continued. "And then hold the flame to the tip."

"Like this?" I asked.

"That's it."

"Now inhale a couple of times so that the tobacco will stay lit and then exhale."

I did what he said.

He laughed.

"No Hannah, you have to inhale the smoke. Don't keep it in your mouth, you'll just waste the cigarette."

It was weird breathing something in that wasn't air.

I started coughing.

"You okay?" Jamie asked while patting my back.

I chuckled at the memory and took another puff from my cigarette.

"Mind if I join you?"

I looked up and saw Laura.

"Not at all," I smiled. "Want one?" I held the package out to her.

"Sure," she took a cigarette out of it. I handed her my lighter to light it.

"So, why are you still here?" she blew the smoke out of her mouth.

"Needed some time to think, I guess," I responded. "You?"

"Detention," she grimaced. "I stole Eric's clothes during PE and attached them to the flagpole."

I laughed.

"It was totally worth it though," she smirked. "Eric had to come out of the locker room, with only a towel wrapped around his hips. He was so mad when he saw me. I don't know how that towel stayed put, because started chasing me after that."

She took another puff.

"But I think it only helped him to complete the challenge even faster, because all the girls were staring at him."

What are they?

"You look confused," Laura said. "What is it?"

"What is your relationship with Eric?" I finally asked after a few seconds.

"We're just friends," she looked away. "But I used to be his girlfriend."

I rose an eyebrow.

"We broke up a few weeks ago," she continued. "Because I cheated on him."

I rose both of my eyebrows.

"With a girl."

"I see," I said awkwardly. "How did he react?"

"He was surprisingly calm."

"Really?" disbelief in my voice.

"Yeah, he said he understood and that he was okay with it."

"Are you ok with it?" she asked me, with a nervous look on her face.

"Of course I am," I smiled and gave her a side hug. "I don't care if you're attracted to boys or girls."

She let out a breath.

"Good."

We both took another drag from our cigarettes.

"Seen any girls lately you like?" I suddenly asked.

It was the first time that I had seen her blush. I gasped.

"You did!" I said accusingly. "You must tell me more."

I wiggled my eyebrows.

She groaned.

"Fine."

And she did tell me more. We sat on the bleachers for hours, laughing and talking. Even during football practice. And we finally went home when the sun had started to set.

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A/N
Sorry for updating so late again. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

DISCLAIMER: Don't smoke until you're eighteen or older! Actually just don't smoke. Just because Hannah and Laura do it doesn't mean that you should do it.

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