TW: cigarettes (don't know if that's a thing, but just wanted to be safe!)
John's pov
I was walking to the store, wallet in hand. Alex wanted me to grab him some pop. As I step inside, a sign catches my eye.
Marlboro Cigarettes- Discount: $2.00 Off.
I look away. I suddenly feel the almost empty pack in my coat pocket. I never smoke in front of Alex, I already know what he would say.
"John! Those will kill you!"
But one more pack couldn't hurt.. right?

I grab Alex's Coke and pay for that and my cigarettes. I step outside and light one. Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone walking towards me. Maria Lewis. I knew her from one of my classes. She's nice enough, but we don't talk that much.
"John? I never took you for much of a smoker."
"No one really does. You want one?"
"I don't smoke anymore."
"Anymore?"
She smiled.
"Yeah, I'm a year sober."
"Good on you"
"Thanks. I really should get going now, but this was a nice chat.

And with that, she walked off.

Later
I sit outside our apartment, finishing my third cigarette. I take a final drag, and crush it under my heel.
I step inside and see Alex sitting on our couch.
"Hey John."
He walked over and hugged me.
"Ugh, you smell disgusting. Was someone smoking near you?"
"Yeah... Sure."
We both sit on the couch and flip through some channels on TV and eventually he falls asleep.

Man, I gotta quit smoking.

A/N
Don't smoke!! Its bad for you!
Have a good day/night y'all!