Smoke and Vices

Lucas was never a morning person, but he'd rather do this now than risk getting caught by the school guard. Soft clangs of the chain fence and their own heavy breathing were the only things that can be heard. "Hey Quinn"  Lucas huffed in response, he could feel the sun rising which meant they had to get out of there now. The two of them almost landed in sync but Raiden's jacket got caught on something. "Are you going to help me?" Raiden whispered which could've made Lucas laugh, if they weren't about to get caught.  "Is there anyone there?"  The guards footsteps seemed to approach faster as Lucas fumbled with the thread stuck on the chain making them both panic. Lucas untangled the jacket and they ran into the forest as fast as they could. The birds chirped as they wandered the woods, they've done this countless times but Lucas could never get used to the freshness of the air. They settled on their usual spot, a bench covered in moss with a few missing planks, but cozy nonetheless. It was already bright out, Lucas couldn't help but stare at the view. The sun shined across the whole town and the school bell chimed, signalling that the day already started. "What did you want to say, dumbass" Lucas lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, the remaining adrenaline he had washed away with the calm breeze "What do you plan to do next year?" Raiden took the cigarette from Lucas' hand and inhaled as well.  "You mean what I wanna take in college?" He was deep in thought, as if he was only deciding at this very moment.  "Medicine." "Medicine? No offence but thats-" "You don't think I can do it?" Lucas smirked, he knew what Raiden meant, he just wanted to push his buttons. "I'm just surprised, that's all. I thought you'd take something like graphic art or film. Why?" the cold air felt refreshing but there was a certain awkwardness. Right when Raiden was about to change the topic, Lucas sighed and answered  "I want to help people and make the world a better place"  "Bullshit. Stop it, I know you too well"  Lucas chuckled at Raiden's remark and glanced at him. And his gaze reached Raiden's leg, which was on top of his own. There wasn't any meaning to it, they were just comfortable with each other to the point that they didn't think twice about it anymore. "Doctors earn a lot" "That's pretty shallow" "Hey you wanted the truth right? We all have our reasons" Lucas inhaled from the cigarette one last time and stepped on it. Raiden felt his head sink on top of the wooden park bench, the scent of old birch filled his lungs. "I'm planning to take business"  "Good-" "In another country" Lucas felt a knot form in his stomach, he waited for Raiden to tell him it was just a joke, that he'd never leave him to rot here in this godforsaken town. But he didn't. "You're serious?" "Yeah" Raiden took his leg off of Lucas' and looked away.  "Sure" Lucas forced himself to reply, the bright sun didn't fit the mood anymore which, irritated him further. He stood up and walked away, he told himself never to look back.  He didn't.