chapter twenty !
❪ 'cause you're the cigarette and
i'm the smoker ❫

RILEY WOKE UP, the sun shining right on the side of her face, her lashes fluttering open. she got up from her pillow and covers that was hovered over her and looked around, remembering she slept at rick's house.

rick wanted everyone to sleep at his place last night so that they can stay together if anything happens. he was still very cautious about staying in alexandria.

everyone else was still deep asleep, light snores coming out of their noses. she got up from her spot and walked over to the window. riley opened the white curtain and the outside looked very much alive and peaceful.

the streets were empty but not a stain of blood on the road like how it was outside the walls. the sun was out and she turned around to check the clock on the wall.

it was around 8 am and riley wanted some fresh air. she opened the front door quietly and stepped out of the house. riley closed the door and walked out on the porch.

she wanted to take a walk and look around the community. so that's what she did. the wind blew her hair back and she tucked a strand behind her ear.

carl was right, these houses do look like mansions.

a few people were already up, bright and early. she even saw someone walking their dog. riley always had a love for animals. she loves them more than humans.

the brunette saw an old couple on the porch, drinking their tea while in their rocking chairs.

alexandria looked like the life before the world was on flames.

she saw enough of the community and walked back to rick's house. riley huffed and sat on the first stair on the porch.

she had a pair of regular sweatpants on with a black tank over. the brunette had slippers on her feet with white socks.

riley didn't even noticed that she zoned off, looking at the blue sky before someone cleared their throat.

a boy stood a few feet away from the house. he had messy short brown hair and wore a red flannel with a white shirt under and had a pair of dark blue jeans on.

the stranger wore sneakers but it was slightly dirty. it looked like the color used to be white but it was now grey.

he gazed at the girl in front of him and she had an expression that he couldn't read. "can i help you?" riley asked the stranger.

"are you new around here?" he asked her, digging his hands in his pockets.

"why you wanna know?"

"just never seen you around here before," the boy shrugged. "everyone in alexandria knows everyone."

"yeah, i'm new. i came in yesterday with my group. still trying to figure out this place though."

"hm," he hummed. "how many of you guys?"

"too many to count." she told him.

"are they your family?" the stranger continued to ask.

"why so many questions?" riley furrowed her eyebrows, getting tired of this interrogation.

"my bad." he raised his hands in surrender, "it's just been awhile since anyone new came into alexandria."

"why is this place called 'alexandria'? is there some chick named 'alexandria' that lives here or something?"

the stranger chuckled, "i honestly don't know why." he shrugged and began walking over to the girl. the boy checked his pockets for something and when he felt what he was looking for, he pulled it out.

it was a pack of cigarettes. he took one out and stretched out his hand, "want?"

riley looked at the cigarette in his hand and then at the stranger. he looked around her age so why is he smoking so young? she questioned.

part of her is wanting to say no but the other part is wanting try it.

i mean, what's the harm? riley thought in her mind.

she took the cigarette and the stranger pulled out his lighter. riley saw how people smoked in many shows and movies before the apocalypse, so she was praying that she would do it right and wouldn't get embarrassed if it didn't go well.

he ignited the lighter and riley placed the cigarette between her lips. the boy moved the lighter to the tip of the cigarette, causing riley to look up and meeting his gaze that was already on her.

his eyes were a deep brown and not blue ones like carls.

wait, why am i comparing him to carl?

she shook away the thought and when the lighter made contact with the tip, the boy pulled away and riley held the cigarette as she took an inhale of the smoke.

she waited a moment before exhaling but when she did, her throat burnt which ended up with her coughing while puffs came out.

the stranger chuckled at her and decided to sit next to her on the step.

he ignited his own cigarette and began inhaling and exhaling perfectly. when riley was done coughing, she looked at him with a slight glare.

"you knew i wasn't a smoker."

"yup," he grinned and blew out the smoke from his mouth. "whats your name mystery girl?"

the brunette looked away. "riley," she answered as she looked at the houses in front of them.

"well, hello miss riley," the boy gave her a nod, "i'm jack."

"you're smoker." she corrected with a snark response.

"smoker sounds like a cool name so i'll take it." he smiled.

riley rolled her eyes and stood up from her seat. "hey where you going?"

"away from you and your black lungs," she gave him a sarcastic smile.

"i'll see you later?" he asked hopefully.

"maybe," she shrugged with a small grin and went back inside the house.

"THANK GOD that i found you," carl sighed in relief. he had judith in his arms and the baby laid her head on his shoulder.

"i mean... where else would i be at? you found me at my house." she chuckled, continuing to flip the pages of her comic book that she was reading.

"my dad wants me to go to jessie's house and meet a couple of kids that are our age."

"who's jessie?" riley inquired.

"this lady that my dad met," carl told her. "she's kinda cool."

"so why are you here if you're supposed to be at her house?" riley didn't take her eyes off the comic until carl grabbed it with his free hand. "hey!"

"stop reading for a second and just look at me, please?" he pleaded.

riley sat up and looked up at him with her brown ones. "what?"

"can you come with me to her house?"

"why?" she groaned.

"because... i'll only be comfortable over there if you're there with me," carl admitted as he tilted his head.

riley tried very hard to fight the smile that was forming on her face but she couldn't help it. carl saw the look she had on her face and rolled his eyes. "we became such good friends, carl grimes."

"riley-"

"no, really we did. remember when we fought for the first time? our friendship definitely developed."

"riley!" he snapped. the girl met his gaze again, "will you go with me or not?"

riley slapped her thighs and stood up. 'wow, he grew a lot' she thought. carl noticed her expression and furrowed his eyebrows. "what is it?"

"is it only me or you've gotten taller?" she tilted her head out of curiosity.

"oh my god, rye." carl grew annoyed and grabbed her hand, dragging her away.

"carl!"

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AUTHORS NOTE:

HELLOOOOOOO

SO we met one of the new characters!!! welcome jack palmer 😼😼 hehehhe

the drama is gonna start in the next chapter and jealousy too ...

ALSO ITS BEEN 1 YEAR SINCE I PUBLISHED THIS BOOK SO HAPPY 1 YEAR!!!

please vote for the next chapter and DONT BE A GHOST READER <3