Song: My Strange Addiction - Billie Eilish

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Zarek Black held the Nat Sherman cigarette between his index and middle finger and brought its bud up to his lips.

His electric green eyes were captured by the red head in foretaste. He closed them as he inhaled a long drag, enjoying the smooth aftermath of the charred tobacco. He let the grey fog leave his mouth, its burning effect a proof that it polluted his lungs.

Zarek knew his habit would be the death of him, yet he couldn't muster the will to quit. Ever since he was little, he had witnessed his dad deal with all his problems that way. It was natural that his father had implanted in his young virgin mind that the only way to achieve relaxation and adjustment was by smoking. Besides, there was no point in fighting his bad habit anyways. After all, like father like son.

The inhale of smoke Zarek took relieved him from his build up stress. He was eighteen and was already going through a lot of issues that nagged him at the back of his mind. He couldn't wrap his head around all the problems he was dealing with, but one thing for sure; money wasn't one of them.

He was blessed enough not to worry about his financial state, although the word blessed should not be used with Zarek. The man was the definition of sin. He didn't care about religion, especially when he committed every sin in the book - even inventing some of his own, and he got very creative.

He wasn't guilty about it either. Zarek stopped feeling guilty at the age of sixteen, when he impregnated his stepmother and forced her to have an abortion. That was an old case though, not to mention; a solved one, so there was no use in bringing it up.

Zarek took another exaggerated drag that dried his mouth and released it along with the tension and worry. He was tempted to fill his cigarette with some of the weed his 'friend', Hunter, imported from Mexico. No matter how alluring it was, Zarek still needed his Ford Mustang. Unless he grew another bladder by the time his dad would test his urine, then Zarek would deny himself the feel of ultimate relaxation provided by high-quality pot.

It was dark outside, the lamps of the streets shining above the citizens of Dessertville. Bussinessmen in fancy suits were jogging to whatever Charity Event or Dinner Party to charm the rich fools into either donating, where the money ended up in the greedy pockets, or signing a contract deal benefiting no one other than their selfish selves. Girls were strutting around, laughing as if their attire and attitude weren't a clear invitation for harassment and unwilling intercourse. Homeless people who had nowhere to go, drunken middle-aged men and women who had nothing better to do, and troublemakers and thugs searching for their next victim were all roaming the streets.

Away from all these stereotypes were Zarek's electric green eyes, being the only thing radiating light in the dark isolated alley he stood in. Zarek was doing his usual meditation exercise; lean on a wall and observe the passing-by. Soon after, the idea of pulling a fag tempted him so he did just that.

Zarek took another drag, but he choked on it when a black girl with dramatically long black hair (that was fake and most likely cheap) wearing a cap although it was nighttime, and tight grey leggings that showcased her enormous booty walked by. Zarek's electric green eyes watered as he swallowed the fog. He followed the girl with his hungry gaze, taking in how her ass jiggled with every step she took, and decided that black girls were the future.

Someone took him off guard and gripped his arm. His heart clenched as his defensive reflexes were put into action. He fisted his hand and prepared to smash it against the thug that made the wrong decision of messing with him.

Zarek's blond eyebrows knotted when he caught sight of Ryan. Zarek managed to stop his fist right before it connected with his friend's straight jaw.

Ryan half smiled, his forest green eyes grinning. "Chill, man. Why you on edge?"

Zarek sighed, not in the mood for Ryan. Zarek threw his dead cigarette on the side of the road, despite a dumpster being a few feet away. He faced his grinning friend. "You can't just creep on people without expecting a reaction," he grunted, "I was into something."

"Like that girl's ass, you pervert." Ryan laughed, shaking his head. None of the golden strands of hair budged, remaining in their perfect spot. Even though his hair was styled to perfection, it made Ryan look a bit unrealistic and doll-like, giving Ken vibes. Zarek thought it was too close to looking gay. Not to mention the height issue. Ryan was shorter, and in a world where height represented desirability, Ryan was impaired.

"Now you're making me regret not punching you." Zarek growled. He threw his hand inside his sweatpants pocket and fished his luxurious pack of cigarettes. Zarek took out a roll and his silver lighter.

Ryan cringed, eyeing Zarek with disgust. "Weren't you just smoking?" Ryan tried snatching his friend's death out of his mouth, but Zarek dodged his hand.

"Yeah," Zarek mumbled. His electric green eyes were fixed on the head of the cigarette between his lips as he lightened it. "Now I saw you."

"C'mon, man, don't be like that." Ryan pointed his thumb behind him. "You were fine a minute ago, even checking that girl's booty." Zarek was about to protest on that, but Ryan didn't let him as he changed the subject. "So, any booties lately?"

Zarek sucked on the lightened roll. He exhaled the grey fog out of his mouth before he offered Ryan a devilish smirk. "You know me."

"I wanna know all about it."

The desperate curiosity didn't slip by Zarek. Ryan was good looking and charming when he wanted to be, but he was a nice guy, which was a turn-off for most girls. Zarek, in the other hand, was the opposite. His devilish attire and attitude made all the females want him, and he missed no chance at playing them - figuratively and literally.

Zarek racked his mind for the latest girl. "I've made a bet recently with Hunter," he said, "Five grand."

Surprise was evident in Ryan's eyes. "Hunter Adams?"

Zarek's fingers tapped the cigarette, dribbling the excess ash off. He already consumed most of the tobacco. "I'm gonna start chasing her." He nodded, enjoying every bit of the smoke before releasing it in the air.

"Who is she?" Ryan didn't bother concealing his eagerness to know anymore. His forest green eyes seemed to get bigger, resembling an innocent child asking questions about sex for the first time. Pathetic.

Zarek eyed his friend from head to toe. A smirk grew on his lips as he decided he would deny Ryan his question. "You'll know soon enough."

Ryan pouted like a little girl denied a Barbie doll. "Whatever, man," he said, "You suck."

Zarek shook his head, his defined jaw tense. "Don't mistake me for a bitch."

Zarek inhaled the last drag of his cigarette before he walked to the dumpster -using it as a getaway from Ryan- and threw the dead bud inside. Zarek cringed at the garbage smell, his hands flapping the flies that attacked his face. He regretted his decision of doing something human for once.

When Zarek kept on walking, Ryan was confused. "Hey!" Ryan called, his eyebrows frowned, "Where to?"

Zarek slipped on his hood, covering his long blond hair. He didn't glance at Ryan as he continued marching away, stuffing his hands inside the hoodie pockets. "Home."

"But... it's barely ten!"

"See you later."

Indeed. It was early in the night, for Zarek's standards at least. However, he was not in the mood for a lecture from his father. If Zarek headed home at that moment, he had a chance of sneaking in before midnight without his dad sensing. I feel like Cinderella, Zarek grunted to himself, At least my stepmom is not mean, but horny for me.

The Cinderella analogy was weird but very accurate. If Zarek managed to get home before midnight, he would be off the hook, but if he was there after midnight, his father -the fairy- would abstract his beautiful Mustang -his carriage-and cut off his allowance. Therefore, all the magic would wear off.

hello, lovely readers. hope you're holding up tight. don't be sent off by Zarek's personality because this book won't be all evil but a balance of the good and the bad instead.

enjoy.

Any thoughts?