1000 Cigarettes Chapter 1
AN: Wrote this prompt down a while ago, maybe july of 2015. Finally decided to try it out. Started it the 13th of May, finished it the 14th.
So, I just got accepted to this prestigious school. Someone must have seen my work and probably saw some potential in it. Lucky me, right?
Well, not so. I live far away from it, so I have to move into a dorm to actually attend the school. I just turned 18, got my license mailed to me recently, and this is the biggest step up in my life. Well, I guess I've got to grow up sooner or later. I said goodbye to my mom and dad, they said they loved me, wished me luck, and I was off. Goodbye childhood. Now, I become a young adult.
...
The school isn't so bad. There is only like senior year aged students here, like 17 - 19 I think. It feels more like a college than a high school. They give us and trust us with so much it kind of feels ridiculous. At least I don't have to share my room with someone else. Score of a lifetime. A room to myself.
Still, I don't know how it really is here. The living arrangement is nice but I haven't seen any other students greet the new one here. They're probably partying somewhere off campus. It wouldn't surprise me. Just finished packing and got time to spare. Exploring the school seems like a good idea.
...
The campus looked idyllic. The leaves were just in the middle of the transition from summer to autumn, giving off a mix of greens, yellows and oranges. The cool breeze made some leaves fly off and start some journey of their own. Reminds me of my own life so far. A statue of the founder stood in the middle of the main campus entrance. Other than that, nothing too out of place. Flyers advertising events on campus, graffiti, lunch schedule; what did you expect at a high school?
Feeling that I had seen enough, I sat under a tree, admiring everything around me. Something to take my mind off my life back home, I guess.
"Hey, do you mind if I sit here, too?" A voice asked. It snapped me out of my apparent trance. I didn't even think on who asked it.
"Sure. Beats standing around." I answered, not looking to whoever asked. I heard a rustle of grass and leaves as the other person settled down. The silence I had before came back. We just sat there for a bit.
"You must be new here." The voice said. Whoever it was, they must've been watching me.
"I don't recognize you. I don't mean to brag but I know almost everyone here." The voice continued. I surmised that the voice belonged to a soft-spoken, shy girl or some timid boy who hasn't hit puberty yet. Not that it mattered. It was just nice to have someone notice me here and actually interact with me.
"Well, you'd be correct. I just got here after getting accepted to attend this school. Good on you, Sherlock." I replied. I heard a little giggle. That put a small smile on my face. Whoever it was probably was taking pity on me for an obvious reference.
"Haven't heard that one in a while. I don't think anyone knows who Sherlock Holmes is around here." The voice said.
"I wouldn't be surprised. All these kids want is to do is use their phones these days. Not that I'm any better than them." I said.
"Yeah, I know. It's like we can't live without our phone. Which is true, I mean it does make our lives easier in many ways. Too many to even say." The voice agreed. Whoever this was sure had a way with words. Like they know what to me to make me feel appreciated or right, I guess. I took out my phone to see the time. 5:15 pm. I think the cafeteria opens about now. Hate to run in the middle of making a friend, or an acquaintance, but food.
"Hey, thanks for talking to me. Really needed it. Was feeling a little lonely after just coming here." I told my new acquaintance. Getting up, I stretched a bit and put my phone away.
"No problem. If you want to talk some more, I'm always here. Except for when my 'friends' take me into town to do something '3edgy5me'." The voice said, trying to be meme, I think.
"Lol, thanks. I'll be sure look for you when I need something. Thanks again, uh..." I replied as I turn to see who I was talking to for I don't know how long. I saw a freckled brunette, blue-green eyes like the sea, and adorned in some disgusting hipster style; a t-shirt with a reference to something obscure, worn out looking jeans with a worn out looking hoodie (probably to fit the "vintage" aesthetic hipsters try to attain), and some "edgy" looking converse.
"Like I'm any better." I thought to myself, lamenting my own crap; a cheap military style jacket, a black Dropkick Murphys shirt, equally as worn out black jeans and some purple Nike skate shoes. If I could describe my fashion, I'd classify it as 'dumbass'. But I digress, I still didn't know who this person was.
"Max. I'm Max." The person said, extending a hand out from where he or she sat. I took the hand and shook it.
"Sean." I reply. Awesome. Now I have a face and a name to the voice.
"So is it just Max, Maxwell, Maximilian, or..." Curiosity got the better of me. I think a person's full name is better than their nickname.
"Maxine. But I prefer just Max." Max said. Crap. A girl. Never was that good with the opposite gender. Some small talk here and there, nothing else. Guess I am moving up the world.
"Cool, see you later, Max." I said. Then, I was off to seek nourishment.