As I stepped into the apartment I flinched as I came face to face with my roommate. Her fluffy gown was no distraction from the pure anger on her little face. I whimpered nervously before gathering up my courage.

"Heeyyy Li. How are you on this fine, beautiful, wonderful day?"

The sheepishly hopeful smile slipped off my face as she narrowed her dark eyes at me, raising one thin eyebrow.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Um...six?"
"Yeah. And do you have any idea at what time you woke me up slamming the door shut?"
"N-no?"

She tossed her straight, black hair; her upturned nose giving the impression of a sneer worthy of the snobbiest king.

"You can't keep leaving and waking me up at stupidly early times May. We all have class- and what's more is you don't even have the decency to come back quickly. Noo you have to stay out for hours on end so I-"
"What's that?"

I sniff, crinkling my nose disgustedly. It stank of cigarette smoke, filling the air. I feel my insides turn to mush as I realise what this means. As she notices my expression her haughty facade drops to a guilty one.

"Have you been smoking again?"
"I'm sorry May."

She shuffles to the side nervously hands spread, trying to prevent me from catching a glimpse of what was behind her. I had already seen it. Her old ashtray was out on the table, tape across where I had broken it when she decided to quit.

No.

"You were going to quit. It's dangerous, Li. You promised."

I couldn't breathe. I had to leave. I turned on my heel. I was so angry; after the cancer scare we'd had last year she had promised to quit. I had helped her save money for nicotine patches, I had sat with her when she was going through bad days and needed to smoke and she repaid me by doing the one thing we tried so hard to prevent.

I felt a small hand on my arm as she spun me round, tears glittering in her thin eyes. I knew she knew the thoughts going through my head.

"I'm trying May, you've got to trust me."
"I do Li, I-it's just-"
"We worked so hard, I know. I won't do it again. I was stressed."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah."

I pull her into a hug, her petite frame enveloped in mine. Her parents were both successful doctors and they expected her to also become a successful doctor. She was here, studying science, doing what they want...and she hated it. It was what had started her addiction in the first place from when she started her senior year.

She had smoked on and off before then, she had told me, but she only started really becoming dependant on it around that time.

"Okay okay. We can talk about it later. If you really still need them, I'll get you some stronger patches."

She sent me a watery smile before looking at the clock.

"You should see if you can get some rest before class. It's almost seven and you've got to go at 8:30 to get to your morning class."
"Ugh."
"I feel you girl."

***

An hour later I was dragging a brush through my blue curls, swiping some mascara on my eyelashes. I loved makeup but sometimes I just couldn't care less.

Grabbing my bag and fishing my earphones out of it. I started playing my favourite playlist. I walked down the busy street, whistling as Marina and the Diamonds dulcet tones crooned into my ears, whispering tales of beautiful girls and broken-hearted boys.

The buzzing of an incoming text message diverted my attention. My eyes flickered down to my screen as I read the message.

Ezra:
Hey Coraline ;)
8:32

Oh. It's Ezra. Wow he actually wants to talk to me? That was a first. Also Coraline? That's either a nickname because of my hair or he thinks I'm another girl. I know which I would prefer.

May:
hey Ezra. coraline?
8:35

Ezra:
Yes I know; it doesn't suit you.
8:37

May:
nah it's fine but did you just use a semicolon in a text????
8:39

Ezra:
Better grammar than you have. Anyways what suits you?
8:40

Ezra:
Blue?
8:40

Ezra:
Maybe. Love?
8:41

May:
no ew.
8:42

At this point I was trying not to hyperventilate. He called me love! I didn't like that nickname but it's still a start from a cute guy, right?

I stumbled on a rock and realised I should start making use of the fact I learnt to text without looking at the screen.

Ezra:
Okay got it. What are you doing fluffykins love of my life apple of my eye?
8:45

For a second I stared at the screen, completely confused.

What is this dork doing?

May:
what the heck
8:47

May:
im outside my class Ezra. I'll see you soon ok. we can meet up at the coffee store.
8:50

I walked up to the doors of my class, nodding at a few people I knew, greeting the professors. I snuck a quick peek at my phone. Smiling slightly at the text that lit up the screen. As I pushed open the doors, I realised I couldn't wait until the next coffee shop date, whenever it may be.

Ezra:
It's a date. See you soon Blue. :)
8:55

*yay out on the right day. I added in some more new mayzra (Ezray?) and a new character who so far I'm really feeling. this is going pretty well*
ly all
maly