By Smokingbeauties
Winter passed quickly. Caitlin had returned to school after Christmas break, happier than ever. She had finally told her mother, Liz, that she'd started smoking, and Liz had actually returned to smoking herself, after a near cigarette free 7 years. (Near cigarette free because she'd snuck about 6 cigarettes in the 7 years, not nearly enough to get re-hooked though.)
As it was now approaching the end of February, Caitlin called her mother to confirm their plans for Spring Break. Liz said that her sister, Kim, and Kim's daughter Michelle, would be coming to visit for a week, and if Caitlin still wanted to come, she would be more than welcome.
Liz was thrilled when Caitlin told her that she would, in fact, be coming home for the week. She could catch a flight that would put her back in her Friday night, and she wouldn't have to return until Sunday, a week later. This meant that for 9 days, Liz would have the people who meant most to her nearby.
In the time that passed since Caitlin had left Liz's home after Christmas break, Caitlin hadn't really done much, other than smoking her precious cigarettes. She still preferred Newport 100s over virtually any other brand, although she periodically bought a pack of Marlboro Lights, just to change the habit once in a while.
She'd smoked a joint on nine separate occasions (she'd been counting), and done no other drugs. Her roommate, Ashley, was now smoking weed with Caitlin any time she offered, and also did no other drugs. As for their friend Stacy, she was still up to her usual antics, smoking weed every night, and from time to time, she'd snort cocaine (sometimes smoke it), and she'd recently discovered that the high she received from ecstasy was quite enjoyable. She was now "rolling" 4 to 5 times per week.
March came in "like a lion", and Caitlin was eager to see her family. Eventually, the day she'd been waiting for came.
Stacy dropped Caitlin off at the airport, complete with a healthy supply of marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. She knew that Caitlin had planned on getting her cousin Michelle stoned for the first time, and knew she'd need a complete arsenal of narcotics. Caitlin stopped and picked up five packs of Newport 100s and 3 packs of Marlboro Lights. She was allowed to smoke now, and she didn't want to pay the high prices of her local convenience stores.
The flight passed quickly. Caitlin became quite friendly with one of the flight attendants, whose name was Kristen. Kristen was beautiful, even to Caitlin. She had blonde wavy hair that fell just below her shoulders, bright blue eyes, and a shiny white smile. She was only a few years older than Caitlin, and the two girls had a lot in common. (Caitlin hadn't told her that she smoked and experimented with a few other things, for fear Kirsten would tip off airport police.)
Kristen told Caitlin the name of the hotel she'd be staying at while in town that night, and said that if she wanted to "hang out", she should give her a call. Kristen liked Caitlin, and thought it would be nice to have someone to enjoy the city with.
Caitlin gathered her belongings when Kristen announced to do so, and exited the plane. As she exited the aircraft door, she passed Kristen, who was bidding farewell to the passengers aboard.
"I'll call you," Caitlin said.
"Cool," said Kristen, smiling.
Caitlin walked up the jetway, and immediately saw her mother, her aunt Kim, and her cousin Michelle standing and waiting.
She hadn't seen Michelle in seven years, when Michelle was only 9. Now, at 16, Michelle looked similar to what Caitlin remembered, but much older. She didn't even really look 16, she looked more like 21 or 22.
Caitlin wasn't sure if Liz had revealed any of their new hobbies to Kim or Michelle, though she was relatively certain that the illegal activities they now enjoyed were still a secret.
Caitlin figured that it would be easiest to wait until her mom smoked a cigarette to smoke one of her own. After all, no one was happier than Kim when Liz finally quit.
The four women walked through the large, wide corridors of the airport as passengers and loved ones passed on both sides.
"Kim, I've got to tell you something," Liz started.
"What?" asked Liz's younger sister.
Caitlin sensed the nervousness in her mother's voice. She interrupted.
"Mom, I'm thirsty. Can we stop and get some coffee?" she asked.
"Um, yeah, sure," Liz replied, shaken.
"Do you guys want anything?" Caitlin asked of Kim and Michelle.
"No, we're fine," Kim replied.
"Okay, we'll be back," said Caitlin.
Her plan to get her mother away from Kim and Michelle had worked.
"Mom, I've been thinking," she started. "Maybe we shouldn't tell Kim that I smoke, too."
"What? Why?" asked Liz.
"Well," started Caitlin. "If we do that, Kim won't let Michelle hang out with me while she's here, and that's the whole point of me coming back. I wanted to spend time with Michelle."
"Oh, you mean you didn't miss me?" Liz joked.
"Of course I did, but you're not the only reason," Caitlin replied.
"Okay, that's fine with me," said Liz. "But that's going to mean you can't smoke around any of us, and I'm sure my smoking will drive you nuts."
"It probably will," said Caitlin.
"You're not getting any crazy ideas in that cute little head of yours, are you?" asked Liz, who was suspecting maybe Caitlin was up to no good.
"Oh mom, of course not!" Caitlin lied.
"Okay, good," said Liz. "Because she's already going to flip that I smoke, if she knew that you did something to get Michelle to smoke, she'd never talk to me again!"
Caitlin was nervous. Did her mom really mean that? One of the things that Caitlin was looking most forward to was getting Michelle to smoke. She knew that Michelle would enjoy it as much as (if not more than) she did.
"Well, you'll just have to get Aunt Kim to smoke too!" Caitlin said, half jokingly.
"Yeah, I don't see that happening any time soon," laughed Liz.
The two women headed out of the coffee shop and met Kim and Michelle outside.
"I'm not paying those prices," said Caitlin.
"Yeah," said Kim, "Airport prices are ridiculous. What were you saying, Liz?"
"Oh yeah, well, I don't really know how to tell you this," started Liz.
"What is it?" asked Kim.
"Well, I know you're going to be mad at me, but don't be. I've started smoking again," said Liz.
"Have you really?" asked Kim.
"Yes, I have. I love smoking, and I don't plan on quitting any time soon. While you're here, though, I'll smoke only outside, or in my room, so you don't have to worry about it," said Liz.
"Well, I am disappointed in you, I won't say I'm not. I was so happy when you quit," said Kim. "But it is your house, and your life, and if that's what you want to do to it, there isn't much I can say. Thank you for considering me and my daughter enough to not smoke around us, that's nice of you."
Caitlin was surprised how well her aunt took the news. She still wanted to keep her own habit to herself though, for now at least.
They picked up Caitlin's luggage, and headed for the SUV in the airport parking lot. Caitlin waited until they reached about the half way point before she spoke up.
"I've got to go to the bathroom," she said. "I'll be right back."
Liz knew where she was going, but said nothing.
Caitlin walked back into the terminal, and out one of the other entrances, further away from where her family waited.
As soon as she stepped outside, she pulled a Newport from the pack.
She put it between her lips, and flicked her lighter. The mentholated smoke filled her mouth, and Caitlin pulled it deep into her lungs. It had been hours since her last cigarette, and it felt heavenly.
While she was smoking, back in the parking lot, Liz decided it was time for her to smoke as well.
"If you guys want to wait in the car for her, I'm going to have a cigarette while we wait," she said.
Kim and Michelle got into the SUV and closed the doors.
Liz walked around back of the truck, and leaned against the back door.
She pulled a Marlboro 100 out of her purse, and put it in her mouth. While her cigarette dangled between her lips, she noticed a joint hidden inside her pack of cigarettes. She wasn't sure if she should smoke it or not, but she did want it. She lit her cigarette, and pulled the smoke directly into her lungs. She now could not remember why she'd quit in the first place.
She turned and looked into the back of the truck, through the tinted windows. It was dark inside, but she could see that Kim and Michelle were leaning sideways, sneaking a little sleep while they waited. The coast was clear.
She took the joint out of her pack, and put it between her lips. Using the smoldering Marlboro as a match, she lit the tip of the joint and pulled the pot smoke deep inside her. She held it in for about ten seconds before she exhaled a small cloud into the air.
She didn't want Kim or Michelle to notice she was holding two "cigarettes" so she held them both between the same two fingers. She'd take a puff on her cigarette, and then before she exhaled, she'd take a hit on the joint. The mixture of smoke in her lungs made her high a lot faster. She didn't even notice Caitlin coming towards the truck.
"Mind if I have some of that?" Caitlin asked, referring to the weed.
"Don't let your aunt see you," Liz warned, handing the joint to Caitlin.
Caitlin brought the joint to her mouth, and took a long triple hit.
Liz was impressed.
Neither of them had noticed that Kim had opened the door of the truck until they heard it slam shut behind her. Caitlin had just taken a huge hit, and couldn't very well exhale it without being caught.
She instinctively dropped the joint on the ground and moved her foot on top of it. She held her breath, keeping the pot smoke inside her lungs.
"You guys ready?" asked Kim, oblivious the fact that her niece was smoking pot.
"Yeah, let's go," said Liz.
Caitlin didn't know what to do. She had both lungs absolutely full of smoke, but she couldn't exhale. She smiled at Kim, and headed for her door.
She got in the truck, and continued to hold her breath. She didn't want to exhale and blow her cover.
While everyone talked about the new occurrences of their lives, Caitlin secretly let out a little exhale through her nose. Barely any smoke escaped.
At one point, Michelle thought she saw a little bit of smoke exiting Caitlin's nostrils, but said nothing.
"Maybe I'm seeing things," she told herself.
A minute later, Kim spoke.
"God, Liz, I can't believe you're smoking again. You really don't know how horrible it smells, do you? I can smell it on you all the way over here."
Caitlin tried her hardest to not laugh. She was a little stoned, and she knew that the smoke that Kim smelled wasn't that of her mother, it was what she had exhaled. It wasn't even cigarette smoke, which made Caitlin chuckle even more.
They decided to stop for dinner. They sat in the non-smoking section, of course, which drove Caitlin and Liz crazy.
After dinner, Caitlin pulled her mom aside.
"Mom, I met the flight attendant on the plane, and she wants to hang out tonight. Would it be alright if I take Michelle over to the hotel for a little while?"
"I don't know, Cait. Kim is a little over-protective when it comes to Michelle, and I don't think she'd be comfortable with her sixteen year old daughter hanging out in a hotel with a stranger," Liz replied.
Caitlin was disappointed.
"Do we have to tell her?" she asked.
"Well what would you expect me to say?" Liz replied.
"We could tell her we're going to one of my friend's. This girl is really cool, mom. It's not like we're going to get into trouble or anything. If we're lucky, we'll be able to have a beer, that's it," Caitlin explained.
"You want me to lie to my sister?" asked Liz, who quickly withdrew the statement when she saw Caitlin's cynical stare immediately following the question.
"Fine, you can go, but behave," she warned.
"Thanks mom. Can I take the truck?" Caitlin asked.
"Of course," Liz responded.
"Hey Michelle," started Caitlin. "Change of plans. I'm going over to one of my friend's houses for a little while, wanna come with me?"
Michelle just looked at Kim.
"It's up to you, hun," she said.
"Yeah, sure," said Michelle.
"It's all starting to fall into place," Caitlin thought to herself silently with a smile.
The SUV pulled into the driveway of Liz's house, and all four women got out. Caitlin jumped immediately into the driver's seat, and Michelle into the passenger seat.
"Do you want us to bring your luggage in?" Kim asked.
"No, I can get it later Aunt Kim, but thanks!" Caitlin replied.
Liz looked at Caitlin.
"Behave," she said to her daughter.
"Don't worry mom, we'll be fine," Caitlin responded with a smile.
Kim waved good-bye to Michelle, and walked in the house behind Liz.
Caitlin put the truck in reverse, and backed out of the driveway. Michelle was quiet.
"You okay?" Caitlin asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Michelle said.
"I haven't seen you in such a long time! You look great!" Caitlin said.
"Thanks, you look awesome too," Michelle replied.
"Thank you. We're going to have a good time tonight, right?" asked Caitlin.
"I hope so. I get bored pretty easily at home sometimes," Michelle said.
"Well I don't think that will be an issue tonight," Caitlin said.
"What do you mean?" asked Michelle.
"I couldn't tell your mom, but we're not exactly going to my friend's house," said Caitlin.
"Where are we going?" Michelle inquired.
"Well, on the flight here, I started talking to the flight attendant, and she was really, really cool. She invited me to go hang out with her for a little while at the hotel. It should be fun," said Caitlin.
"Wow, that's pretty cool," said Michelle.
"It will be," started Caitlin. "So tell me all of your news. Got a boyfriend?"
"I did, but we broke up," said Michelle. "He's a jerk."
"Aren't they all?" laughed Caitlin. "Do you drink?"
"No, not really. I've never had a chance, but some of my friends have been drunk and they say it's a lot of fun," said Michelle.
"It really is," said Caitlin. "It's one of my favorite things to do."
"Cool," Michelle said, unsure what else to say.
The two girls arrived at the hotel, and walked into the lobby.
"Hi, I'm looking for Kristen Todd's room, please," Caitlin said to the young girl behind the desk.
"Okay, let me find her for you," the clerk said.
She typed some information into the computer in front of her, and smiled a second later.
"I'll call her room and have her come down," she said.
The girl picked up a phone, and dialed some numbers.
"Hi Miss Todd," the girl began, "This is Jennifer at the front desk. You've got two visitors here for you, if you'd like to come meet them."
Kristen must have agreed, because Jennifer said, "She said she'd be down in a few minutes."
Caitlin smiled. The smile quickly turned to panic when she realized she'd left everything she'd brought with her in her mom's SUV.
She turned to Jennifer.
"If she comes down, can you just tell her that I had to run back out to my car, and I'll be right back?"
"Sure," said Jennifer.
"Thanks," Caitlin replied, looking at Michelle. "I'll be right back, wait here, okay?"
Michelle nodded, and Caitlin headed for the parking lot.
She returned a few minutes later, with a backpack on her shoulder.
Within fifteen seconds of her return, the elevator doors opened, and Kristen emerged.
"Hi!" she said.
Michelle was calmed by Kristen's eagerness to see them. She feared that maybe Caitlin had misread the friendliness the flight attendant had shown.
Caitlin introduced her cousin to Kristen, who shook her hand with a smile.
"Let's go up to my room," she said.
The three girls entered the elevator, and Kristen pressed the number nine.
"They put us way up there," she said with a laugh.
Caitlin and Michelle laughed as the doors closed in front of them.
When the doors opened, they departed the elevator and turned left. Kristen's room was halfway down the hall on the right.
Kristen swiped her card key, and they walked in the room.
"You guys want a beer?" she asked, as she took one out of the ice filled icebox for herself.
"Do you know how old we are?" Michelle asked.
"I won't tell if you won't," Kristen said with a wink.
Caitlin took two beers from the icebox, and handed one to Michelle.
Kristen took their bottle caps, and tossed them into the trash can.
Michelle nervously sipped her first taste of beer. It was a little bitter, but she liked it.
An hour later, all three girls were quite buzzed. Kristen had gone into the bathroom to wash the make-up off her face. Caitlin decided that it was the right time to bring everything up.
"Hey Kristen," she started.
"Yeah?" yelled Kristen from the bathroom over the running water.
"Do you mind if I smoke?" Caitlin replied.
"No, go ahead," said Kristen.
Michelle stared at Caitlin.
"Since when do you smoke?" asked Michelle.
"I smoked for the first time when I was fifteen, but I started smoking regularly last fall," Caitlin explained.
"Why do you do it?" Michelle asked.
"Because it's great!" Caitlin laughed.
She put a Newport 100 in her mouth, flicked her lighter, and began to pull the thick, creamy, minty smoke into her mouth. She did a snap inhale, and held the smoke inside. She exhaled it towards the ceiling from tightly pursed lips, allowing only the tiniest bit at the end to sneak out her nostrils.
Michelle was nervous. Due to her overbearing mother, she had never even been around someone smoking a cigarette before. Kim had gone through great lengths to make sure of that. Even when she was younger, she was never around Liz when she smoked. The truth was, today was the first time she'd ever seen her aunt smoke.
"Kristen, do you smoke?" Caitlin asked.
"Oh, no, I've never smoked," she said, opening another beer.
"You've never even tried it?" asked Caitlin.
"Nope, never," she said.
"Here, have one," said Caitlin.
Kristen laughed.
"I think I'll pass," she said.
"Come on, just one, you'll like it, I promise," Caitlin encouraged.
"She doesn't want to smoke," said Michelle.
"Well then you'll just have to smoke it for her!" Caitlin joked.
Michelle was speechless.
"I'm kidding," she said.
Kristen's next move was exactly what Caitlin hoped it would be.
"I'll tell you what," she started. "Michelle, you're what, sixteen or so?"
"Yeah," said Michelle.
"If you smoke one, I'll smoke one. If you can do it, I know I can handle it," she said.
"I'll smoke it," she said. "Give me one."
Caitlin was astounded at how easy it was to get her to smoke a cigarette.
"Michelle, you really don't have to, I was only kidding," said Kristen.
"You're just saying that because you don't want to," snapped Michelle.
"No, I mean it, I was joking," Kristen said.
"If you don't want to," Caitlin started. "That's fine, honest."
Michelle took the cigarette from Caitlin and studied it.
"I've been kind of curious about smoking for a few months, but you know my mom," she said to Caitlin.
"True," Caitlin said, producing a lighter. "Do you know how to do it?"
Michelle said, "Not really," and laughed.
"All you have to do," Caitlin started, "Is put it in your mouth, and when the flame touches the tip, suck in a little bit, and blow the smoke right out. If you do it that way, you won't even cough!"
Michelle took a deep breath and put the cigarette in her lips. Her hands were trembling with anticipation.
Caitlin flicked her lighter, and a small orange flame began to dance on top.
As she brought the flame closer to the tip, Kristen blew it out.
"What are you doing?" said Michelle, removing the cigarette from her mouth.
"Don't do it, you're too young. I'll do it instead," Kristen said.
"You don't smoke either," Michelle said.
"No, but I'm 22, you're only 16!" she said.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Michelle asked.
"Everything, give it to me," Kristen said.
"Girls, relax. Michelle, you smoke this one. Kristen, when we're done, I'll give you your own cigarette, okay?" Caitlin compromised.
"Should we go outside to do it?" Kristen asked in an obvious attempt to stall.
"Fine, we'll go outside," said Caitlin.
The three girls went outside and found a spot behind the hotel where Michelle could smoke without getting in trouble for being underage. It was dark, which made it even easier to hide.
She put the cigarette in her mouth, and Caitlin again flicked her lighter.
The flame moved closer to the tip of the cigarette, and Michelle began to suck. Smoke began to fill her mouth.
"It's minty!" she exclaimed, smoke flooding from her lips.
"That's the menthol," Caitlin explained.
"I like it," said Michelle.
After a few more puffs, and a little bit of instruction, it was obvious that Michelle was comfortable smoking her cigarette.
"You still want to smoke?" Caitlin asked Kristen.
"Yeah, I guess. I must be drunk, but sure," Kristen replied.
Caitlin tried to find the pack of cigarettes in her purse, but due to the darkness, was having a hard time.
As she found them, she had a sinister idea.
Rather than pull a cigarette out, she pulled a joint out of the bag hidden in her purse.
"I'll light it, and then I'll hand it to you," she told Kristen.
"Why can't I light it?" she asked.
"Because you're drunk," said Michelle, taking a puff of her own.
"Oh," said Kristen with a laugh.
Caitlin put the joint in her lips, and lit the lighter. She put the tip in the flame, and pulled the smoke into her lungs. Holding the smoke inside, she passed the joint to Kristen.
Kristen said, "Here goes nothing."
"You have no idea," thought Caitlin.
Kristen brought the joint to her lips, and pulled a large amount into her mouth. She blew it out instantly.
"Mine isn't minty," she said in a pouty voice, unaware that she was smoking marijuana.
"You've gotta inhale," said Caitlin, who hoped that Michelle wouldn't notice that she wasn't inhaling herself, yet her cigarette tasted minty.
Caitlin looked to Michelle, who was just finishing her first cigarette ever, and threw it to the ground, stomping it out with her shoe. Apparently, Caitlin's hopes were granted.
Kristen took another drag on the joint, and pulled the smoke slowly into her lungs. She gagged a little bit.
"Fight the urge to cough, and hold it in as long as you can," Caitlin said.
Kristen held the pot smoke in her lungs as long as she could, before she exhaled a small stream of smoke towards the night sky.
"That's not bad!" she said.
Thinking she might want to cover her tracks a little further, Caitlin changed her story.
"Oh, would you believe I gave you one of my non-menthol cigarettes? Do you want a menthol, you can have one of those if you'd like."
Kristen replied, "Yeah, let me smoke this one first, okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine," Caitlin said.
"I want to try a non-menthol one Caitlin," said Michelle.
It was entirely too easy.
She took a joint out of her cigarettes, and lit it. She passed it to Michelle.
"Don't forget to inhale!" she advised her young cousin.
Michelle took the joint and brought it to her mouth. She took a large hit, and inhaled the smoke. She seemed to be getting the hang of it.
"These taste funny," she said, as she took another hit.
"Yeah, they're not what I expected," said Kristen, who was now crushing her joint out on the ground. "I feel fucking amazing!"
"Me too," giggled Michelle.
"Guys, I have a confession to make," Caitlin began.
"What's that?" asked Kristen.
"Well, the first cigarette that Michelle smoked was a regular one, but the one you smoked, Kristen, and Michelle's second cigarette, those weren't cigarettes at all," Caitlin explained.
"Oh my God, what are you talking about?" asked Kristen.
Michelle was silently listening.
"You guys just smoked pot," Caitlin said, lighting a Newport herself.
"We what?!?!?" shouted Kristen.
"Ssssh, there's nothing you can do about it now anyway, but I wanted you guys to get high, and that's the only way I could think to get you to do it," Caitlin said.
"Don't you know I can't do that?" Kristen asked. "We get drug tested! I could lose my job!"
"Ohmigod, Kristen, I'm sorry. I didn't know that," said Caitlin.
"Well, the damage is done now, I guess. Hopefully I won't get caught in a random test," said Kristen.
"Yeah," said Caitlin. "Do you want to smoke a regular cigarette now?"
"I might as well," said Kristen. "That really wasn't nice though."
"I know, and I'm sorry," said Caitlin. "Did you like it?"
"I liked it too much," said Kristen. "Let's see what it's like to smoke a cigarette."
Caitlin handed Kristen the pack of Newport 100s, and looked at Michelle.
"What about you? Did you like it?"
Michelle looked at the ground.
"What's the matter?" Caitlin asked.
"Yeah, I really like it," said Michelle sheepishly.
"Then what's the problem?" asked Caitlin.
"Well, I both of them enough to consider smoking them again, but you know how my mom is," she said.
"We'll take care of her, don't you worry," said Caitlin.
By now, Kristen was lighting her cigarette, and inhaling the smoke.
"Well?" Caitlin asked.
As she exhaled, Kristen smiled. "These are fucking great!"
"Well if you think those are nice, we really need to go back upstairs!" Caitlin said with an evil grin.
* * * *
The three girls returned to Kristen's hotel room. Michelle had smoked just about half of one joint, plus one Newport 100. Kristen had only taken a few hits from her joint, and also smoked one Newport 100. Caitlin had only smoked a Newport 100, and no weed. By now, Kristen was really feeling the effects of the marijuana in her bloodstream, and Kristen felt just a trace. Caitlin really wanted to smoke pot herself, but she held out until they entered the room.
"So you guys are stoned," she started. "Feel good?"
Both girls giggled at their earlier actions, and shook their head, indicating they liked it.
"Kristen, I'm really sorry. I didn't even think that it could get you in trouble," she said.
"Nah, it's fine. If they catch me, I'll be pissed, but until then, there's no use worrying about it," said the blonde flight attendant. "Besides, it's not like I'll be flying stoned."
Michelle laughed.
"No," she said. "You'll be flying when you're not at work though!"
The three girls thought Michelle's pun was very funny, and laughed about it whole-heartedly.
"Well," started Caitlin. "I know you can't do it, Kristen, but Michelle can."
The girls were puzzled.
"Can't do what?" Kristen asked.
"Michelle, you like how it feels?" Caitlin asked of her cousin.
"Yeah, I think I do," she responded.
"And you know I wouldn't do anything to you that I didn't think you'd really enjoy, right?" Caitlin asked.
Kristen was feeling a little awkward, but didn't want to drink anymore, fearing she'd throw up. She wanted to relax a little more though.
"Can I have a cigarette?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure," Caitlin answered.
Kristen took the pack off the night table, and put a Newport in her mouth. With a flick of the lighter, she was smoking.
There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Kristen said, exhaling a cloud of menthol smoke across the room.
"It's me, Amy," the voice said.
"Who's Amy?" asked Caitlin.
"She was that red-head who was working the flight with me this afternoon," said Kristen as she walked to the door.
Kristen opened the door, and Amy walked in to the smoke filled room.
"I didn't know you smoked," Amy said to Kristen.
"I don't," said Kristen, forgetting she was holding a cigarette between the index and pointer fingers of her left hand.
"You could have fooled me," said Amy, looking at the smoldering cigarette.
"Oh, that," started Kristen. "I'm just having one."
"It's fine if you smoke, really," Amy said. "I used to smoke in high school. I did a lot of stuff in high school, actually!"
"Oh yeah?" said Caitlin. "Like what?"
"Oh, don't you worry, I've done my share of things," Amy said.
"Why did you quit?" asked Michelle, who was now far too stoned to be shy.
"I didn't want to pay a million dollars for cigarettes, that's all," said Amy.
"That's it?" asked Caitlin.
"Yeah, that's it," replied Amy.
"Want a free one?" Caitlin offered.
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Amy started. "If I took even one puff, I know I'd be hooked again in a flash. Thanks though."
"No problem," said Caitlin, lighting her own cigarette.
"I'll take a beer though!" added Amy.
"You got it!" said Kristen, who handed her a bottle.
Amy opened the beer, and took a huge sip.
"So who are you guys?" she asked.
"I'm Caitlin, and this is my cousin Michelle," said Caitlin.
"Nice to meet you," Amy said. "You look familiar," she said, looking at Caitlin.
"Caitlin was on our flight earlier," Kristen explained.
"Oh yeah, that's where I saw you!" Amy said, taking another drink from her beer.
Kristen realized that she could be in a world of trouble if someone were to mention that she'd smoked pot earlier. She had no way to tell Caitlin and Michelle to keep their mouths shut, so she didn't bring it up. They knew she wasn't supposed to be doing it, hopefully that would be enough to silence them.
One hour and four beers later, Amy was very drunk.
Kristen was smoking her fourth cigarette not just of the night, but ever. Michelle was on her third, and Caitlin had lost count. The smoke in the room was getting thicker as the three women just smoked the evening away.
Caitlin was seated closest to Amy. She had a plan. She was surprised at how scheming her mind had become since she started experimenting with various things.
She took a huge drag, inhaled the smoke just a little bit, and blew it towards Amy's face.
Caitlin could see that Amy slowly leaned forward into the cloud. She obviously missed it.
"Don't you want just one?" Caitlin asked.
"Yes, I do, but I can't," Amy said.
"Sure you can. Here, smoke one cigarette," Caitlin pleaded.
Amy studied the green and white pack being held in front of her. It was tempting.
"I don't like menthols though," Amy said.
"Well don't go smoking one of her non-menthols," Michelle joked, not realizing the consequences.
Her attempt at humor was met with cold eyes from Kristen.
"You've got non-menthol?" asked Amy.
"No, she doesn't," said Kristen, in a way meant to change the subject. "It's menthol or nothing, I guess!"
"Ok, I'll smoke one, but that's it!" Amy said, taking the green and white box out of Caitlin's hands.
She opened the box, and pulled out a long, cork tipped cigarette. The red-haired girl of 23 put the tip in her mouth, and flicked the lighter. The flame jumped out of the top of the lighter, and Amy brought it to the tip of her cigarette.
She dragged deeply.
The minty smoke filled her mouth, and she removed the cigarette from her lips. She opened her mouth, and snapped a huge ball of thick, white smoke into her lungs.
She felt like she'd been kicked in the chest, but she loved it.
As she exhaled a fine stream to the ceiling, she said, "God, I haven't done this in 7 years!"
She took another puff, and held this one even longer.
"I miss it," she said.
"So what else did you used to do?" asked Michelle.
"Don't worry about it," replied Amy with a laugh, then taking her third puff.
"Do you miss this?" asked Michelle, pulling a joint out of Caitlin's purse.
Kristen felt her stomach hit the floor.
"Put that away Michelle," said Caitlin.
"Why? Don't you want any? You're the only one who hasn't smoked any yet!" Michelle said.
Amy looked at Kristen.
"Did you smoke pot?" she asked.
"You can't tell anyone," Kristen replied.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone. I just had no idea you did that. Don't you know that you'll get fired if you fail a drug test?" Amy asked.
"She didn't know that's what it was," said Caitlin.
Caitlin explained what she had done, not knowing that Kristen wasn't allowed to get high. Amy again assured Kristen that she wouldn't tell anyone at the airline.
"Yes Michelle," she started. "I used to smoke pot too, and sometimes I miss it. But I never allow myself to do the things that I miss, because then I'll be tempted to do them again."
Amy took a double puff on her Newport before crushing it out in the ashtray.
"You let yourself smoke a cigarette," Michelle said.
Caitlin wasn't sure if she was mad at Michelle for bringing the weed subject up or not. It had been an honest mistake giving pot to Kristen, and she genuinely felt bad, but at the same time, she liked getting people high, especially for the first time.
"You're right, I did," said Amy. "But that doesn't mean -"
Before anyone could say anything to stop her, Michelle put the joint in her mouth, and lit the lighter. Moving the flame to the tip, she began to pull smoke into her mouth, and then down into her lungs.
She exhaled a stream of pot smoke to the ceiling, and passed the joint to Caitlin. Caitlin took a huge triple hit, and inhaled the smoke deep inside.
She held the joint out in Amy's direction. Amy just looked at it as it burned in Caitlin's fingers.
"I-" she began. She looked at Kristen, unsure what to do.
"Just do it if you want to, you're not telling on me, I won't tell on you," Kristen said.
Amy looked down at the burning joint. She wasn't sure if she wanted to smoke it or not. Unfortunately, she concluded, she didn't have a lot of time to decide. All eyes were on her, waiting to see if she was going to smoke. Amy reached out with nervous, trembling hands, and took the joint from Caitlin. She brought it to her lips, and pulled the thick smoke into her mouth.
Handing the joint back towards Caitlin, Amy inhaled the smoke.
"It's her turn," said Caitlin.
Holding the smoke inside, Amy replied, "She doesn't get high."
"She did tonight!" said Caitlin, motioning to Kristen to take the joint.
Kristen repositioned herself from a sitting position to lying on her stomach on the bed. She reached out to Amy, who was exhaling the smoke, and took the joint.
She brought it to her lips, and inhaled smoke into her lungs. It really did feel nice.
She passed the joint to Michelle, who repeated the process.
Kristen couldn't believe what was happening. She'd met a person on her flight, and now she was at the hotel with Amy, her fellow flight attendant, the person on the plane, and that person's cousin, and they were all getting high.
She'd never done drugs before, she'd never even smoked a cigarette. Now here she was, stoned off her ass, and enjoying every minute of it. It was time to re-examine her life's priorities. She may not be in a position where she could get high, but she wanted to live a little more dangerously.
"I think I'm going to start smoking cigarettes," she announced proudly to the room full of people, which resulted in a long period of laughter.
"No, I'm serious," said Kristen. "I've never done anything bad, and I want to. I'm a smoker now."
"Well congratulations, Kristen," began Amy. "That's a very big step, and a really hard thing to say for the first time."
"Thanks. I guess I'll have to pay a million dollars for cigarettes now!" Kristen joked, taking another hit on the joint as it was passed her way from Amy, who had just taken a hit of her own. It was almost gone.
"Well," began Amy. "Maybe we can split the cost of a carton once in a while."
"Are you going to start smoking again?" asked Kristen, blowing the smoke from inside her into the air.
"Yeah, I've been thinking about it for a while anyway, I might as well!" replied Amy.
"Deal," said Kristen, lighting a Newport. "I like these mint ones!"
"Yeah, we'll have to work something out about that," laughed Amy.
"I've got a pack of Marlboro Lights here," said Caitlin. "I'll give that one to you if you want it!"
"Oooh, that's my old brand!" exclaimed Amy. "Has Kristen smoked one of those yet?"
"Not yet," said Caitlin. "Michelle, can you get a pack out of my bag?"
Michelle reached over and opened Caitlin's purse. She pulled a pack of Marlboro Lights out, and as she was closing it, she noticed something that caught her eye.
She pulled a small plastic bag full of white powder out and held it for all to see.
"Oh my God, is that what I think it is?" asked Kristen.
"It's cocaine!" said Michelle. "Isn't it?"
Caitlin was caught.
"Yes, it is," she said.
"I wanna try it!" said Michelle. "Give me some!"
Caitlin was too stoned to argue, so she asked Michelle to hand her the purse.
She removed the mirror and a razor blade from the purse, and set them on the table she was sitting on. She prepared one line for Michelle, and pulled a dollar bill out of her wallet.
Rolling up the bill, she handed it to Michelle, who took it in her hand.
"What do I do?" she asked.
"Just pinch your other nostril closed," Caitlin explained. "Snort it as hard as you can into your nose."
Michelle did as instructed.
She sniffed as hard as she could, and brought the white powder into her nose.
"Wow, that feels nice!" she said. "You guys wanna try it?"
Michelle held the bill towards Kristen and Amy. Neither of them had ever done cocaine before, and weren't sure if they wanted to.
Kristen spoke up.
"You know what? I've lived my entire life as a `goodie-goodie'. It's about time I tried new things!" she said.
"Kris, be careful. You don't know what you're getting yourself into with that," Amy warned.
"I don't care what I'm getting myself into," she said, taking the bill from Michelle.
After Caitlin cut another line, Kristen bent over the table. Amy watched intently as Kristen snorted the powder into her nose.
She passed the bill to Caitlin, who took two lines for herself. She held the bill for Amy to take.
For reasons she never understood or expected, she took the bill and held it to her nose. She bent over the table, and snorted a line.
"There," she said. "I did it. I did coke. Michelle, give me one of those cigarettes, will you?"
Michelle passed the pack towards Amy, who removed a cigarette, and put it between her lips. As soon as she lit it, she started to smile.
"Oh my God," she started. "I've missed this so much!"
After having one more cigarette each, Caitlin announced that it was getting late, and they should head home.
"Well," started Kristen. "I have to say that this was by far one of the most interesting layovers I've ever had!"
"I think I'll second that motion," said Amy.
"Yeah, it was fun for me, too," agreed Caitlin.
The four women exchanged telephone numbers, and said good-night.
Caitlin left a joint with Amy and Kristen, which they smoked shortly after Caitlin and Michelle left.
Back in the SUV, Michelle seemed quiet.
"What's the matter?" asked Caitlin.
"I'm not sure if I want to smoke or not," she said.
"Why not?" Caitlin inquired.
"Well, I liked it and everything, but you know how my mom is," explained Michelle.
"Yeah, that's true. I'll tell ya what," started Caitlin. "If you want to experiment with smoking for the little while you're here with me, I won't tell her. Then you have more time to decide what you want to do."
"Really?" asked Michelle. "That's soooo cool of you!"
"I'll take care of you, you'll see," Caitlin said. "Maybe I'll take care of your mom, too."
"She'd never approve," said Michelle.
"She may if she starts smoking too!" giggled Caitlin.
The End.
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