How He Broke

Breaking Point (Tate's POV)

We had gone to our towns local "Spring Carnival", which is normally pretty lame, but with Sage turned out to be an absolute blast.

We rode a couple rides and now we were walking around talking.

"This isn't as lame as you said it would be." Sage laughed, nudging me as we walked.

I laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist as she picked at the giant stick of blue cotton candy I had gotten for her.

"Yeah, you're right." I smiled, "Guess I was wrong."

She gasped. "What?! Tate Langdon admitting he was wrong!"

I rolled my eyes as she pulled away, "EVERYONE! ATTENTION PLEASE!" She yelled, climbing up on an empty picnic table nearby. "TATE LANGDON JUST ADMITTED THAT HE WAS WRONG!"

I felt my cheeks heat up as I watched her get down.

"Sorry, I felt like the entire world deserved to bask in the moment as well." She winked.

I rolled my eyes as I pulled a package of cigarettes out of my back pocket.

"I thought you quit smoking." She stated as she continued to pick at her purely sugar treat.

"I did for awhile." I answered, "But then I started again."

She rolled her eyes, bumping me with her hip, "Dork."

I smiled, lighting one and holding it in my mouth as I stuck the pack back in my pocket.

I inhaled the substance, letting it linger in my lungs for a moment before removing the stick with my middle and pointer finger, flicking the ash off with my thumb.

I wrapped my arm back around her waist as we continued to walk.

I offered her the cigarette playfully, but to my surprise her nodded.

"You sure?" I asked with a laugh.

"Yeah. Just hold it to my mouth for me." She answered. "My hands are sticky."

I held the filtered end to her lips, watching as she took a long drag of it before I pulled it away.

She held it in for a moment before skillfully french inhaling through her nose, and then expelling the smoke from her mouth.

"I thought you didn't smoke." I chuckled at the sight, taking another drag, flicking the ash off the end.

"I don't." She answered. "At least not anymore. I stopped last year."

I nodded, "I guess you learn something new everyday then." I laughed.

We walked a little more before Sage stopped, squealing about some stuffed animal I just had to win for her.

"Please please pleaseeee!" She whined, pointing at an enormous stuffed monkey.

I sighed, giving in rather easily, "Fine."

She cheered, rushing over to sit at a picnic table nearby to watch.

To win, I had to hit "Mini Macho Man", the middle of the large scale using the mallate.

I looked back at Sage who gave me a thumbs up.

I sighed, giving the man three tickets to play.

I watched as the colored lights lit up, flashing as it started.

I lifted the mallate far above my head, slamming it down on the pad as I watched the colored lights rise. I grimaced when it landed on "Girly-girl".

I was now determined to win that damn monkey even if it was the last thing I'd ever do.

I handed the man three tickets, and then three more. Repeating this process until I was nearly out.