the summer air was thick with heat, the scent of pine and earth clinging to the breeze as you sat beside nora on the wooden outlook. the platform creaked faintly beneath you, weathered planks warmed by the lingering touch of the july sun. below, the trees stretched endlessly, their canopies swaying gently, fireflies already beginning to blink between the trunks as the sky melted into dusk.

nora shifted beside you, one leg stretched out, the other bent as she dug a cigarette from her pocket. she turned it between her fingers, the paper catching the last bit of golden light before she placed it between her lips. she didn’t ask—just tilted her head slightly, waiting.

the lighter flared to life in your hands, the brief burst of warmth flickering across her face as she leaned in, eyes steady on yours. the end caught, glowing softly as she inhaled, the first tendrils of smoke curling into the heavy summer air. without a word, she turned the ember toward you, offering the flame. you leaned in, the heat kissing the tip of your cigarette, paper curling, catching, glowing.

she exhaled slowly, leaning back against the railing, smoke mixing with the humid evening air. a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she tapped ash onto the planks.