inhale

Having been a smoker since the age of sixteen, Marti made many attempts to break the habit. She first went cold turkey at nineteen when she couldn’t afford to buy cigarettes, but found herself bumming smokes at every opportunity.

At twenty-two, her boyfriend introduced her to nicotine gum. It tasted unsavory and did little for her cravings, so she dumped both the gum and the boyfriend.

At the age of twenty-five, she tried the patch. After making herself sick from applying too many at once, she found smoking to be safer after all.

I’m sick of it. I’m sick of the bullies, the corruption, the stress, and the fear. Most of all the fear. This high school I’m in now has almost everyone afraid or putting fear into others. But not me, not this girl Kate anymore. I’m not afraid, because I’ve learned I’m something more than just another girl. Something more than just another bit of prey. I’m something else entirely.

I’m not letting anyone else spread fear anymore.

Derek pressed his back against the bedroom door that had been slammed in his face no more than a few moments ago. He'd apologized to Analise too many times over the phone and she deserved to hear this one in person.

On the far side of the door, Derek could hear Analise opening and slamming drawers. He really hadn't wanted to do this, really he didn't. If only that asshole, Frye, had kept his mouth shut.

"Why'd you have to take that damn promotion?" Analise shouted from beyond the doorway. Her breath began to come in sobbing huffs.