Solo Smoker

She sat on the outside bench, just watching people pass her by.

Through her dark sunglasses, she saw last-minute shoppers rushing to get their shopping done before the mall closed. She saw groups of friends laughing together as they headed to their favorite bar. She saw lovers holding each other tightly before they disappeared into the night.

She leaned back on her seat and took another drag on her cigarette. It was nice to be out like this, around people but not really with people. There’s a kind of peace in being solo in the middle of the crowd. You’re not too alone to be lonely, but you’re lonesome enough to be without company.

Just then, she got the notification that her ride was coming. She enjoyed a last throat hit, then stubbed her cig on a nearby trash can. She then stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath.

A car with dark-tinted windows stopped in front of her, and her personal assistant got out of the car. Judging by her furrowed brow, the PA was not pleased at all. She laughed.

“We have been so worried about you! We had to reschedule with that director you said you wanted to work with, then we had to explain that you didn’t want to show up for cocktails with your co-stars for your primetime show! You really shouldn’t just disappear like that. And have you been smoking again?”

With a smile and a playful tap on her PA’s shoulder, she got in the car, and her exasperated companion closed it shut after them.

–
Image source: deviantart.com/morwen1337/art/Smoke-65862719
First written December 9, 2017.
#69