Roses and cigarettes

The cigarette was almost done, ashes falling from it in a lazy shower, such a casual thing as Bone lay back against a tree, his trademark scowl giving him an angry look. He ran a hand through his unruly black curls and kept watch as college students passed by on the grounds before him, back packs full of heavy text books weighing them down. He was waiting and it didn't take long for his patience to pay off.1

He saw them, Chris and his girlfriend with the model type good looks. Chris was average, average height, average features, though he had slightly above average brains, like that really meant anything in the real world. But Angel, now she was perfect; that flawless skin that had a sort of caramel colored tone to it coupled with the most captivating lips you have ever seen, long shapely legs and a personality so rich and vibrant that it was almost hypnotic. The cigarette had almost burned down to the filter as he watched them walk towards the college's main buildings idly brushing shoulders as they went. Bone laughed quietly to himself, a humorless little laugh as he considered them, then threw the cigarette over his shoulder. Slowly getting to his feet he brushed himself off then followed after them, his thoughts chaotic.2

"Bone! Yoh Bone!" Chris whispered from the desk to the right of him and one desk back.3

Bone turned his head to look at him as he tuned out the lecturer's next words. "What?"4

"Yoh where you been dude, I've been trying to call you?" Chris whispered as he leaned over his desk.5

Bone raised an eyebrow as if considering the question, while his mind reflected on how ironic it was that Angel was sitting right behind him, probably trying to catch every word they said.6

"I've been busy bra. You know, doing stuff." Bone turned away, a clear sign that he'd said his peace. But Chris's desk was far too close for that and he poked Bone in the shoulder with his pen. Bone turned around again slowly. "What's up bra?"7

Chris looked him in the eyes for a long moment, "I thought we were boys dude, what gives with the brush off?"8

Bone knew Chris was right, but he couldn't explain himself, he wouldn't, still he forced a smile and said, "We are dude. I've just had stuff on my mind but I'll make it up to you, aight?"9

Chris gave him a wide grin and leaned back in his seat as he replied, "Cool."10

"Gentlemen would you mind joining the rest of the class!" the lecturer called out to them.11

After class Bone didn't wait around and quickly left while most of the other students packed their books. He'd made it to the hallway when behind him he heard, "Bone wait up!"12

Angel came running up behind, her big hand bag repeatedly hitting her thigh.13

Bone tried to wipe all expression off his face as he waited for her to join him. When she had finally reached him he regarded her steadily curious to find out what she had to say to him.14

"Listen can we talk," she finally breathed out.15

His mouth turning up at the corners in the beginnings of a smile he said, "I thought we were talking?"16

"No I meant somewhere private," some expression that Bone couldn't define floated over her face.17

"Yeah sure."18

He led her to his favorite spot, a flight of stairs at the back of the school that no one really ever came to.19

"So what do you want to talk about?"20

She walked towards him slowly and put her hands on his chest and looked up at him with her head slightly cocked in a coy manner.21

"You haven't been answering your phone."22

Bone took both her hands in his one and gently pushed them back towards her.23

"You know why."24

She gave him a small smile as a mischievous light came into her eyes.25

"Are you jealous of Chris, is that it? I thought we were friends?"26

Bone's heart fluttered as he heard that teasing tone he loved so much enter her voice, but on the surface all he did was frown.27

"Maybe we are. But Chris might not think so."28

She walked behind him slowly, hi eyes drifting to her perfect legs that her short red and black striped skirt did little to hide. She placed her arms around his neck and rested her head on his back. Bone could feel the texture of her copper colored braids through the thin layer of his shirt.29

"But if we are just friends he has nothing to worry about."30

Bone lifted his eyes towards the sky and laughed, tilting his head as if to look back at her he said, "Don't you think I know you by now?" He turned around in her embrace and placed his hands on her waist moving them slowly down until they touched as he rested them on her butt.31

He gave her a hard stare a smile still pulling at the corners of his mouth. He moved his head down until their foreheads touched and whispered, "I'm not the only friend you have, am I?" He moved as if to kiss her noting that here eyes had widened slightly in anticipation but he only brushed his lips against her cheek.32

She flashed him her mischievous little smile again, but as always Bone was struck by her eyes, there was a light of mystery there. Her smile never seemed to reach her beautiful eyes, and somehow it saddened him. Bone removed his hands from her body and stepped back.33

"I didn't take you for the possessive type?"34

Bone forced a laugh and asked, "What man isn't?"35

They stood like that facing one another as a sudden gust of wind moved through Bone's clothes drawing them against him and tugging at her skirt. Seeing her standing there hair flying, so still amidst the wind's passage it brought an old line to his mind, how did it go? Ah yes.36

"Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part."