Again, please be courteous and don't take this story as your own, enjoy it, savor it, and let your friends know about it.

Apartment Days Part I

A short story by: Kadged and Krazi

*click*

"Damnit." I managed out of the corner of my mouth.

"That's god's sign to quit." She said smiling softly, I smirked.

"Don't get me started on that." I responded as I shook the lighter. I lifted the clear, blue peice of junk to the cigarette held limply between my lips. My thumb ran across the metal, lighting sparks, and just as quickly my thumb mashed the button. The fluid released and the flame flew upwards. I quickly put the flame on the end of the cigarette and lit it. I inhaled then removed it form my mouth. My eyes moved from the end of the glowing cigarette to her. She was leaning against the bar, holding her head with her hand.

"Hey," came a voice, I looked around only to find the bartender glaring at me, "you can't smoke in here. Put it out or get out." He stated. I was puzzled.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I exclaimed. My eyes readverted to her as she rolled her eyes.

"No, decide." The bartender firmly responded.

"Come on," she interuppted as she grasped my hand, staring at me with sparkling, brown eyes and a warm smile, "let's get back to your apartment." She finsihed as her small smile grew wider, and her eyes sparkled more intensely.

"Yeah," I responded, "let's go." I smiled as I stood, my hand still clasped between both of hers. I grunted as I removed my wallet, I then quickly paid the tab, and rejoined hands with her as we walked out the door. I inhaled on the cigarette as we stepped outside into the cool and crisp night air.

"Wow, it's pretty cold." She commented as she intertwined her arm with mine, pulling us close together.

"Yeah, let's use it as movtivation to get back to my place." I responded smiling lightly at her, moving my hand up and down her bicep. I inhaled again, removed the cigaretted, and exhaled as I flicked off the ashes. I replaced the cigarette back into my mouth as we started walking.

"What kind of a world is it when you can't even smoke in a bar?" I asked absent-mindedly.

"Maybe that's just another sign to quit." She said in answer as she pressed in closer to me, smiling brighter. I moved my hand to her face and pushed some of the sandy brown hair out of her face as I responded.

"You're never going to let me just smoke are you?" I questioned.

"Nope." She exclaimed simply before nuzzling her forehead against my shoulder.

"Why did you even start?" She asked after a silent moment of walking.

"Stress." I said quietly. She laughed lightly.

"Does it work?" She asked in a curious tone.

"Nope," I said as I turned my head to face her, "I was just too stupid to quit though. Yet, that's what I have you for." I finished smiling at her. She blushed.

"Glad I can help you." She said as she layed her head against my shoulder. The remainder of the walk stayed quiet. I yanked my keys from my pocket as we neared my apartment's front door. Shaking the mess I found the front door key and held it between my forefinger and thumb. My hand moved forward to the knob, the key hit off of the knob and deflected to the side. I tried again, the key richochetted off the knob yet again. I took a deep breath, but was broken by her laugh.

"You're too drunk." She giggled.

"You're no better." I responeded smriking. I moved the key forward again, the tip entered the lock, yet my hadn failed to keep course and sank downwards, the key followed suite and ejected from my hand.

"Shit." I mumbled as she laughed loudly, rolling slightly as she still clung to my arm. I bent down and broke her grip as I fumbled with the keys again. I brought my face next to the knob as I felt her hand on my shoulder, pressing heavily into me. I almost fell forward, but regained my balance before I fell into the door.

"Calling me drunk when you can't even stand without me." I snickered at her.

"Shut-up." She mumbled. I laughed in response as I found my key. I inserted it easily into the lock only because my face was 3 inches from the door.

"Ah ha, got it." I proclaimed.

" 'bout time." She muttered in a cynical response.

"Well I could leave you out here if you want." I said as I turned my head and smiled. She grinned.

"Yeah, you could but I know you won't." She responded.

"True." I responeded as I turned the keys. I rose and put my shoulder against the door, turned the knob, and pressed the door in forcefully. I stumbled into the apartment hallway, she followed closely behind and wrapped her arms in mine. We continued forward until we found my apartment, door 58. I hoped my roomate was home in a small sense, I didn't want to have to fumble with my keys again. I moved my hand to the handle, and turned it, the handle moved easily and the door opened. A part of my hear sank. I walked in as she clang to my arm, and closed the door behind me.

"Joe! You here?" I asked loudly. I waited several seconds only to hear silence.

"You probably just pissed off all your neighbors." She commented.

"Ah, fuck 'em." I responded.

"Nice attitude." She snickered.

"Well, it looks like Joseph isn't here." I said attempting to change the subject.

"Yeah," she responded as I nudged her head, then walked to the couch, her still being towed by my arm. We fell onto the couch together, she layed on top of me. We sat up and reomved our shoes.

*** End of Part I, Read more in Apartment Days Part II coming to a screen near you sometime this month...***