You and Austin have been enemies since you two were little. You hated his guts because he never knew when to quit messing with you. A lot of people in school wonder if you two secretly have a thing going on, and that only enrages you more. He seems to be everywhere you are. At least you’ll get peace on this walk, right?

It snowed all during the day, so as the sun sets over the white wonderland, you get ready to sneak out. Escape. Be free. This house is suffocating with your parents pressuring you and your siblings being overbearing. You grab your rolled up joint, put your boots on, and climb out your window with your decoy sleeping maskingly in your bed.

You walk until you get to the forest, pulling out your lighter from your jackets pocket and lighting the joint. You put the joint to your mouth, inhale, and cough when you hear an exclaim in your name. No. It can’t be. You whip your head around to see the one person you were dreading most to see. Austin, with a big grin.

“Hey, shorty. Didn’t expect you to be out here. Smokin pot?”