Short story of my two OCs:
“I wonder what’s your reason for going through a pack a day?”
Leirea’s serenity vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
“Not my lucky day,” she replied with a long, heavy sigh.
As if things couldn’t get worse, the lighter fluid ran out just as she was about to light her second cigarette. She wasn’t the only one with a cigarette in her mouth, and within seconds, Vero was standing close by.
“You need a hand?” he asked, holding a small, old lighter.
With no other option, Leirea slowly nodded, accompanied by an involuntary eye roll. Instead of using the lighter on her cigarette, Vero lit it with his already burning cigar between his lips. His deep, sunken eyes were just centimeters from hers as he maneuvered his smoke to help light hers. For a brief moment, Leirea felt something other than annoyance and deep fatigue. Vero then shifted away and began to walk, waving once without turning around. His footsteps gradually faded, leaving Leirea in solitude once more. She removed the lit cigarette from her mouth, exhaled slowly, and focused on the round, full moon, allowing her rampant thoughts to quiet.
Yet, a part of her wished for his footsteps to return.
