Getting Rid of Ryan, Part 6

This fictional account contains adult language and themes.  If such language
and themes offend you, please do not read further.  The persons and events
described in this work are purely fictional.  Any similarity to actual persons
or events is strictly coincidental.  Copyright 2003 by SSTORYMAN.  All rights
reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this story in any form
and for any purpose as long as this notice is reproduced and no financial
remuneration is received, directly or indirectly, by the person reproducing or
using it.

GETTING RID OF RYAN

6.	Hard to Lose.

   As usual Christine and Lia stood outside the building smoking and laughing
ten minutes before their eleven o'clock class.  Their new routine was to
both have a couple cigarettes before going in.  Christine tried to tell
herself the only reason she did it was to make sure Ryan thought of her as a
real smoker, but even so she enjoyed smoking two cigarette back to back
before the seventy minute class.  Shortly after she lit up her second one
Ryan came striding toward the girls.

   "Hi, Christine," he said solemnly.  "Still smoking, I see?"

   "Hi, Ryan," she said in her most bubbly voice.  "Yeah, I sure am a
smoker.  I really do like to smoke.  God, I'm so glad Lia got me back to
this glorious habit so I can be a smoker again!"  Christine hit hard on her
cigarette with a big grin on her face.  She pulled the smoke deep inside her
chest for maximum effect.  "I'm so sorry you don't understand."

   Ryan looked at his watch.  "I'd like to talk to you for a minute after
class today if that's okay?  There's really not time right now.  But maybe
when class is over -?"

   Christine's heart jumped in her mouth.  Was this the victory she was
anticipating?  "Yeah, that'd be fine," she gleamed, grinning at Ryan with
her usual big smile.  "Let's meet right here outside as soon as class is
over.  I'll be smoking, of course.  I hope that's okay?"

   "It's fine," he nodded.  "See you then."

   After Ryan went in Christine turned to Lia.  "This is it," she squealed.
"Finally!"

   Lia exhaled a thick stream of smoke.  "Congratulations, Christine.  Looks
like finally you'll get your wish.  I'd say he's leaving you in the dust.
Then you'll have to quit smoking."

   "Yeah, but you know what?  Just to be safe I might not quit right away,"
she equivocated.  "After all, Ryan still needs to see me smoke or he'll be
suspicious.  But yes, ultimately, I can quit now.  I know you don't think I
can but I will.  You'll see."  She tried to sound positive though inside
she felt a sudden anguished reaction to her own words.

   Lia took a final drag and crushed her cigarette in the receptacle at the
door.  "Yep.  We'll see."  She watched Christine take her last hit.  As
she did the blond girl drew the smoke in and crushed out her cigarette.  They
headed through the door together as Christine finished her exhale.  Smoke
still dribbled from her lips as they reached the door to the classroom.

   "Nice smoking," Lia smirked caustically.  "Just like a real smoker,
kid."

   "Thanks, Lia," Christine smiled back.  "That's exactly what it's
supposed to look like."

   Christine couldn't concentrate in class.  She was distracted anticipating
Ryan's response.  She couldn't wait.  Surely she'd smoked convincingly
enough, and long enough, to persuade him that her habit was for real.  He had
to be about to tell her he didn't like her anymore.  What else could it be?
And then she'd be free; free at fuckin' last!

   As soon as class ended she and Lia hurried outside.  Determined to play
the role of a confirmed nicotine addict to the very end, she lit up a
Marlboro 100 as soon as she opened the front door.  Lia was right behind her
firing up a Marlboro Light 100.  The two of them stood outside the entrance
for a moment.  Christine double-pumped her first drag.  She didn't mean to;
it just happened.  She'd begun starting each cigarette by making sure she
got as much smoke as she could.  She blushed hoping Lia didn't notice the
double.  She needn't have worried.  Her lovely black-haired friend was too
busy hitting on her own cigarette to pay attention to Christine's evolving
smoking style.

   Fifteen seconds later Ryan appeared.  He looked very nervous.  "Hi,
guys," he said tensely.  "How are ya doin'?"

   "We're both just great," Christine beamed.  She blew a cloud of smoke
in his direction.  "How about you?  How are you doing, Ryan?"

   "Uh, I'm pretty nervous," he said, stating the obvious.  "Christine,
you know all semester I've felt that you and I were made for each other.  We
only went out a few times -."

   "Twice, to be exact," she corrected him with a smile.

   "Yeah, right, twice," he sheepishly nodded.  "Well, okay, we didn't go
out a lot.  But as soon as I met you, Christine, I felt we were meant to be
together.  You've been skeptical.  But I'd do anything for you.  Anything
at all.  You know that."

   "But you hate smokers," she cut in.  "Remember?  You told me.  And I
smoke, Ryan."  She giggled convincingly.  "God, do I ever smoke!"

   "Yeah, I know you do.  At first I didn't believe it.  But the last few
days I've been watching you.  I can see that you really are a smoker.  It
upset me, to be honest.  But finally I just had to admit it's true.  You
really _are_ a smoker.  I had to deal with that."

   She smiled with anticipation.  "And?"

   Ryan cleared his throat.  "I've hated smoking and smokers as long as I
can remember.  You see, my mom smokes.  For years I've nagged her about it.
She never listens.  She just laughs at me and says I don't understand.  I
guess she was right," he sighed.  "I didn't get it."

   "What do you mean?" Lia asked.  She couldn't figure out where he was
going.

   Ryan gravely smiled.  "Three days ago, on Tuesday night to be precise, I
sat down with my mom.  I told her that the girl I'm in love with smokes.  I
don't usually talk to Mom about this stuff.  But I was desperate.  I figured
she'd understand since she smokes.  I decided my mom probably understood
smoking and smokers better than anyone else I know."  Nervously he took a
deep breath.  "I reminded Mom that she always said I didn't understand
smoking.  And then I asked her if she'd teach me; to smoke, I mean."

   Christine looked stricken.  "You didn't?"

   Ryan nodded.  "Yeah, I did.  At first Mom didn't believe me.  But I
assured her I was serious.  You see, I had to learn.  I just had to.  When
Mom realized I meant it she got kind of excited.  We spent a couple hours
together.  She showed me how to, you know, how to smoke."

   Lia furrowed her brow.  "Wait a minute, Ryan.  Do you mean that you smoke
now?"

   He nodded and smiled.  "Yeah, I do.  I've been practicing ever since
Tuesday night."  He gazed into Christine's horror-struck eyes.  "Once I
knew that you really do smoke, Christine, I decided that for us to be
together I had to become a smoker, too.  So I did."  Reaching in his
backpack he got out a pack of Marlboro Lights 100's.  Without hesitation he
put one in his mouth.  "So now I'm ready to join you guys and smoke right
along with you!"

   Lia laughed as Ryan lit up a cigarette.  It struck her as too funny!
Meanwhile Christine didn't know how to react.  She was flabbergasted.  She
didn't know what to do or say.  Instinctively she hit hard on her cigarette,
hollowing her cheeks and sucking smoke deep inside her body.  She looked up.
Ryan was doing the same thing.  He smiled sweetly at her.

   "We both smoke now, Christine.  The amazing thing is that I really like
it now, just like you do.  After trying it with my mom and having her show me
how to inhale, I finally got it.  Mom was so right.  I didn't understand.
But now I do.  Smoking's great, isn't it?"

   Still stunned, Christine said nothing.  Ryan went on.  "I get it,
Christine.  I really finally get it.  Gosh, you were _so_ right.  Smoking's
great.  It was so nice once I learned to inhale the smoke like you do.  I
even tried to copy your style."  He demonstrated by dragging hard, inhaling
deep and holding the smoke inside for as long as the pretty blond girl always
did.  Ryan then pursed his lips to exhale.  "I understand why you like it,
Christine," he smiled.  "I love it just like you do.  At first I only did
this for you.  But now I'm glad I did.  I've only been smoking for a few
days but I already feel myself becoming addicted to it.  It's cool.  I like
to smoke.  So thanks so much for finally forcing me to try it!"

   The blond girl felt frantic.  She had to get away.  "Ryan, that's
sweet," Christine lamely replied.  "But Lia and I've got to go.  We need
to study.  Right?"

   Lia smiled.  "Oh yeah, that's right.  Yeah, sorry, Ryan, we have to go."

   "But I was hoping the three of us could have lunch.  You know, and smoke
together?"

   "Rain check," Christine muttered, dropping her cigarette in the
receptacle.  "Lia and I _have_ to go."  She looked at her friend.
"Remember, Lia?  We're going in my car?"

   "Oh sure.  Yeah, that's right," Lia grinned, playing along.  "See you
later, Ryan."

   They took off quickly.  As soon as they were out of earshot Christine
exploded.  "God, I don't believe it!  I'm _so_ pissed.  That asshole was
supposed to tell me to go to hell.  Instead he fuckin' joined me.  Now he's
smoking, too!"

   Lia smiled.  "What do you mean, `too'?  I thought you didn't smoke,
Christine?  I thought you were about to quit," she teased mercilessly.  Her
friend didn't answer so Lia went on.  "Look, I assume you want to get off
campus so we can talk about this and regroup.  Calm down.  I know a little
restaurant about five minutes from campus that'll be perfect."

   Christine fumed silently all the way to the parking lot.  Once inside the
car Lia noticed the unmistakable aroma of stale cigarette smoke.  The Italian
girl smiled.  Obviously Christine had been smoking while commuting!  It took
only minutes to arrive at the restaurant Lia recommended.  It was just far
enough from campus not to be within walking distance.

   Lia asked for a table in smoking.  She and Christine were seated right
away.

   "Damn," Christine muttered.  She took the pack of Marlboro 100's from
her purse and laid it on the table.  "Lia, I'm so upset; actually shocked
is more like it.  God, I'm sorry but I feel like I need another cigarette!"

   Lia laughed.  "Don't apologize if you need to smoke, girl.  I
understand, believe me.  Go ahead and smoke all you want.  It'll relax you.
Having a cigarette always does that for me!"

   Christine eagerly attacked her cigarette.  She did her usual
cheek-hollowing drag lighting up.  Lia grinned.  Her friend wasn't handling
the situation like a woman about to quit smoking!

   Christine released a thick stream of smoke.  She hated to admit it but
having a cigarette immediately made her feel better.  "Shit," she
complained.  "Now what do I do?  If I quit smoking Ryan will, too.  But if I
keep smoking Ryan will be after me as much as ever!"  She dragged again.
"I don't know what to do, Lia," she whined as she inhaled more smoke.
"It seemed like the perfect plan to get rid of Ryan.  Now it's completely
backfired!"  At long last she finally exhaled.

   Lia lit up her own cigarette and smiled at her distraught friend.
"Christine, stop and think.  Ryan just did something amazing.  Well, two
amazing things, actually.  First, he never stopped liking you even though you
began to smoke.  That's remarkable.  I mean, most guys dump a girl if she
changes anything at all in a way he doesn't like; for example, even the way
she combs her hair.  Know what I mean?"

   Christine nodded.  "Yeah, so what?"

   "I mean, Ryan's something special.  He refused to get on your case about
something as controversial as smoking.  That's astounding enough; but it's
only the beginning..  The second thing he did is even more amazing.  Ryan
started to smoke because he thinks you like it.  Now _that's_ impressive.
Do you know how many of us would _die_ for a boyfriend like that?"

   Christine frowned.  "What are you saying, Lia?"

   Lia smiled.  "I'm saying maybe you should reconsider your plan to get
rid of Ryan.  You've gone out with lots of guys, haven't you?  Did you ever
have a boyfriend who was this malleable, who was so eager to please you that
he never tried to change you at all?  I bet not.  Not only didn't Ryan dump
you when you started to smoke; he took it up himself!  God, it's amazing,
kid.  Damn impressive!  I wish to God I had a boyfriend like Ryan, someone
who not only loves me regardless of what I do but who adapts himself to my
likes and dislikes in spite of his own."

   Christine again hit on her Marlboro 100.  "You think I should date him
again?"

   Lia shrugged.  "Yeah, why not?  He's sort of cute and he does worship
you.  If you like Ryan even a little, Christine, he's the ideal boyfriend
because you're in complete control.  He'll never tell you he doesn't like
something about you or complain about anything you want to do.  He'll never
try to change you.  He's exactly the opposite.  You can change him to be
whatever you want him to be."  She hit on her cigarette.  "That's fuckin'
great if you ask me!"

   Christine nodded.  Slowly her countenance changed.  She let out a devious
smile.  "Yeah, I see what you mean, Lia.  I never thought about that
before."

   "Ryan's pretty cute, too," Lia giggled.  "Plus he's smart, clean-cut,
responsible and most important he worships you.  He'll do anything for you;
anything at all.  If he'll start smoking to get you to like him, Christine,
he'll do anything else you ask.  Anything!"  She paused.  "Don't you like
Ryan enough to take advantage of his undying and absolute adoration?"

   Christine exhaled a thick stream of smoke through now smiling lips.
"God, I don't know," she admitted.  "But I see what you mean.  Ryan hated
smoking but he learned to smoke because he thought I'd like it, despite his
own feelings.  It proves he'd do anything for me.  God, it's true, Lia,
isn't it?  Yeah, I never thought about it.  Hmm.  Maybe I _should_ give Ryan
another chance -."

   "Just think about it, girl.  That's all I'm saying.  Think about it."

   Christine did.  After lunch she walked to her one o'clock.  Neither Ryan
nor Lia were in that class so she was alone.  The idea of dating Ryan again
never really occurred to her.  She'd been so preoccupied with getting rid of
him that she never stopped to consider the advantages a relationship with
Ryan might present.  He seemed young, a little immature perhaps.  But Lia was
right.  He was sort of cute in strange kind of way and his almost irrational
devotion might make him an ideal boyfriend.  She thought about her boyfriends
back in high school.  All of them were completely self-absorbed!  She never
felt in control of any of those relationships, not at all.  But Ryan would be
different.  If she needed space she'd just tell him and bang, she'd get it.
If she wanted attention he'd give it on demand.  And if she wanted him to
change she'd just ask and he'd do it.  His willingness to smoke proved
that.  The thought made her smile and as always her grin extended from ear to
ear.  God, maybe it _was_ worth considering!

   After her one o'clock she left campus.  She decided to cut her four
o'clock.  She had to think before she saw Ryan again.  If she went to their
four o'clock he'd undoubtedly smother her both before and afterward.  She
wasn't ready to talk to him; not yet.  She didn't only need to think about
what to do with him.  She also had to think seriously about the whole smoking
thing.

   The smoking thing -.  Hmm.  Till recently she told herself she'd quit as
soon as she got rid of Ryan.  Just a few hours earlier while talking to Lia
she found herself saying maybe she ought to smoke a little longer to make
sure Ryan didn't tumble to her pretense.  It seemed logical at the time.
But now she had to admit her real reason for liking that idea was because it
would have been a legitimate excuse to put off quitting.  

   It was time to face facts.  Smoking had gotten under her skin.  She hated
the idea of quitting.  She didn't want to; no, not now, not ever.  Ryan's
strange conversion forced her to finally face the truth.  Now she could quit;
but she didn't want to.  Despite her self-confident talk about quitting she
liked to smoke too much.  No denying it.  She liked the idea of continuing to
indulge in that filthy little habit she once detested.  She had to smile.
Smoking no longer seemed the least bit filthy.  Filthy?  God, how about
delicious?  That was more like it!  Confronted by the opportunity to quit she
had no interest in stopping.  None at all.  Damn it, she liked to smoke!

   As she started her drive home Christine lit up another Marlboro 100.
Frankly the cigarette tasted good; so fuckin' good!  "God, I should've
been more careful," she sighed halfheartedly.  "Maybe I shouldn't have
smoked so much; or so hard; or so fast."  But whatever the cause the dye was
cast and she knew it.  Perhaps Ryan did her a favor by deciding to smoke.  It
brought her face to face with her true feelings.  She hit hard on her
Marlboro 100.  Sucking smoke inside her lungs she knew.  No way could she
give this up.  Not now.  Maybe not ever.

   She felt a sudden overwhelming urge to talk to somebody about her
unexpected change of heart.  She didn't know Lia's class schedule.  But she
didn't want to wait till she could find Lia.  She wanted to talk now.  Then
it hit her.  She could stop by her mom's office and talk to her!  If she
timed it right she could join her mom when she took her afternoon break - her
smoke break - and discuss the novel idea rapidly developing inside her blond
head.

   On her cell phone she dialed her mom's work number.  Sure enough Karen
said she'd be taking a break at three.  Christine promised to meet her by
the back door of her office.  Hanging up she felt good, happy to be about
talking to her mom about it.  "Mom will totally understand," she reassured
herself.  "She'll tell me it's perfectly okay if I want to keep smoking
after all.  And maybe she'll also have some ideas about what to do about
Ryan!"

   At three Christine pulled up behind a large office building in the north
part of town.  As she got out of her car she saw several women leaving the
building's back door.  Each one promptly lit up.  Christine smiled.  One of
them was her mother.  Karen and her co-workers were ready for their afternoon
smoke break.

   Ambling up to the group Christine grinned.  "Hi, Mom," she greeted
happily.  "Thanks for offering to talk to me right away."

   Karen smiled at her daughter.  She had an unlit cork-tipped Marlboro 100
in her mouth.  "No problem, honey.  Will you join us?"

   Christine nodded as Karen lit up.  It sounded like a delicious offer.
"Yeah, thanks.  Actually I'd love to," she admitted guiltily.  She got out
a cigarette of her own and fired it up.

   "Honey, meet Sharon Smith," Karen said as her daughter dropped her
lighter back in her purse.  "Sharon's my best friend at the office.  I hope
you don't mind if she listens in?"

   "Uh, I guess not," the blond teenager hesitated.  "But does she know
about -?"

   Sharon stuck out her hand and interrupted the teenager's question.  "Hi,
Christine.  Nice to meet you at last.  Don't worry, I know all about it.
Your mom explained your predicament at school.  If you don't mind I'd love
to hear how it played out today."

   "Yeah, it's okay, I guess," Christine shrugged.  She hit hard on her
cigarette.  It made her feel better.  "God, it was all so incredibly
weird," she began.

   Sharon interrupted again.  "My God, Karen, you're right!  She smokes
just like a real smoker.  Christine, anyone who sees you will certainly think
you're a bona fide smoker!"

   "Thanks, Ms. Smith," the youngster blushed.  "I guess that's a
compliment."

   "Absolutely," came the immediate confirmation.  "And please, call me
Sharon."

   "Okay, Sharon.  Anyway, Mom, you won't believe what happened today,"
Christine began again.  While smoking furiously she told Karen and Sharon
about Ryan's startling change of heart and his revelation that he himself
started to smoke.  "So now I don't know what to do," she sighed in
conclusion.  "I can quit now.  It wouldn't make any difference.  But
despite what I said before I realized I don't want to.  So my question is,
is it okay if I decide I don't want to quit after all?  I mean, is it really
okay with you and Dad if I keep smoking like you?"

   Karen nodded, happily giving Christine the answer she both expected and
hoped for.  "God, yes!  Of course it's okay, sweetie," her mom gushed.
"It's just fine, more than fine, really.  From the time you first brought
it up I always said I wanted you to make up your own mind about smoking.
Some people may think I'm a terrible mother for saying this."  She glanced
around, no one but Sharon was listening.  "I always wanted you to join me,"
she whispered wickedly.  "I'm so glad to finally be smoking again.  I love
it, you know.  I was glad when your dad joined me and now  I'm delighted
that you finally realize you like it, too.  So if you want to smoke all the
time from now on, honey, I'm just fine with it.  Really.  And your dad is,
too.  You know that."

   "God, thanks, Mom," Christine grinned.  "I knew that's what you'd
say.  But I felt I should officially ask."  Visibly relieved she took a long
hit on her cigarette.  "You know, it's real funny," the teenager added
pensively before exhaling.  "I never thought I wanted to smoke.  Not at all.
But once I began to pretend I smoke my paradigm slowly shifted.  Smoking made
me feel so good, so happy, so strangely satisfied.  I found myself wanting to
keep on doing it.  I know it's bad for me and all that; but it doesn't
matter.  I just really, really like smoking."  She paused.  "Does that make
any sense?"

   "Chrissy, honey, it makes perfect sense to me," Karen grinned.  "It
does to Sharon, too.  You see, she's the one who got me to start again.
Sharon urged me not to worry what others think but instead to just listen to
my own heart.  I'm glad I did and I'm glad now you're doing the same.
I'm not the least bit disappointed that you want to smoke, too, dear.  I
understand totally."

   Christine smiled.  "Thanks, Mom.  It's so cool.  I knew you'd be okay
with it.  But now what in the hell should I do about Ryan?"  She explained
what Lia said.  "Lia's right.  Ryan's treating me really nice, better than
any boy I ever went out with before.  So maybe it's meant to be.  Maybe I
shouldn't try to get rid of him.  What do you think?"

   "Christine, I have something to tell you.  I hope you won't be mad.  But
I already knew that Ryan started smoking."

   "But how?  I mean, I just found out today myself."

   Karen smiled.  "Wednesday at work Sharon told me a funny story.  It seems
her son is also a freshman at the community college.  Tuesday night he told
her he wanted to learn to smoke.  Of course Sharon's smoked around him like,
forever.  Her son used to nag her and criticize her about it.  Sharon was
amazed but frankly delighted by his sudden change of heart.  So she agreed to
teach him.  Apparently her son took to smoking right away and he now loves
it."  She paused.  "You see Christine, it turns out that Sharon is Ryan's
mother!"

   Christine blinked, then blinked again.  "God, you're shitting me," she
gasped in disbelief.  She blushed.  "Sorry about my language," she quickly
apologized to Sharon.  She turned back to Karen.  "But if that's true, Mom,
then all along you knew that -?"

   "No, I didn't," Karen interrupted.  "I didn't know Ryan was Sharon's
son till Wednesday morning after she put two and two together.  But I didn't
say anything to you.  To be honest I was afraid if you knew Ryan was learning
to smoke to please you that you'd quit.  And if you quit too soon I feared
you'd never get to the place where you had to - I mean, where you wanted to
- keep smoking.  I admit it, honey.  I desperately wanted you to smoke.  I
figured the couple extra days of smoking might make all the difference.  I
wanted you to get irrevocably hooked on nicotine so you wouldn't want to
quit even after Ryan started.  And it worked, didn't it?"

   "My God," the youngster struggled for her breath.  "I don't believe
this!"

   Sharon cut in.  "It's true, Christine.  You know, it's funny.  I never
thought I wanted Ryan or my other kids to smoke; that is till Karen told me
how nice it is smoking with you.  And all at once I felt super jealous.
However I figured there was nothing I could do about it with my kids.  But
then Ryan came home Tuesday night.  He told me he felt totally devastated
because this cute girl at school who he adores started to smoke.  Amazingly
he said he decided he had to learn so he wouldn't lose her.  Well, I
immediately realized he must be talking about Karen's daughter; about you,
Christine.  By the way, Ryan said you were beautiful.  But I had no idea.  He
sure as hell wasn't kidding!  You're an absolute doll, Christine.  I mean
it!"

   "Thanks," blushed Christine.  "But, oh my God, you guys.  This is so
weird!"

   "Yeah, it is.  It's super-fuckin' weird, isn't it, girls?"  Sharon
laughed as she saw Christine react to her unashamed use of profanity.
"Don't worry, honey.  No, don't worry about a fuckin' thing..  I never
told Ryan that I know your mom or that his beloved Christine was just
pretending to smoke so she could trick him and get rid of him.  You see, I
realized I wanted Ryan to smoke, just like Karen wanted you to be a smoker.
So I kept my mouth zippered good and tight."  She giggled.  "But now I had
my opportunity and so I grabbed it.  I taught Ryan to smoke that night and I
loved it.  God, it was _such_ a pleasure!  It was so sweet.  And Ryan is so
fuckin' predictable.  Like everything else he does he totally immersed
himself in it right away.  Of course he's been around my second hand smoke
his whole life so it didn't take too long.  He took to smoking real
easy-like.  He had it nearly mastered by the time he smoked his second
cigarette.  And as soon as I showed him how to inhale, well, he worked on it
fervently.  He got real good at it real quick.  Yesterday he smoked 15
cigarettes.  He smoked `em all like he'd been smoking for years!  Think
about it, Christine.  Fifteen cigarettes?  On just his second day smoking!
What a conversion!"  She let out a wicked laugh.  "But it's been
wonderful.  And Ryan will do anything to make you like him, honey.  I mean
anything!  He thinks you'll like him better if he smokes.  He's been
smoking like a fiend since Tuesday.  I think he meant it when he told you he
seriously likes smoking.  God, he sure seems to.  So I hope you won't burst
his bubble too bad!"

   "Gosh, Ms. Smith, I mean, Sharon.  I don't know what to say.  I never
meant to hurt Ryan.  I never imagined my little deception would turn him into
a smoker!"

   Sharon laughed.  "Of course you didn't, honey.  But it's been great for
our relationship.  I'm glad it worked out this way.  But he still is
obsessed with you."

   "I know.  But I never hated him.  I would never have gone out with him in
the first place if I didn't like him at least a little.  My friend Lia told
me to turn Ryan in to campus security as a stalker.  But I didn't.  I
didn't want to hurt him.  I still don't.  Honest."

   "I know, Christine.  Ryan's a bit reckless.  He's young.  Did you know?
He skipped 6th grade because he was so bright.  He's just 17.  That explains
his impulsiveness."  Sharon paused.  "Technically he's too young to smoke;
he won't turn 18 till July.  But who cares?  I began to smoke long before I
was his age.  But he's a good kid, responsible most of the time.  I think
learning to smoke is good for his self-confidence.  It makes him feel
grown-up.  Ryan's sensitive about being younger than other kids.  So yeah,
it's been nice smoking with him.  I should thank you, Christine.  You
didn't mean to but by encouraging him to smoke you brought Ryan and me
closer than we've been in years!"

   "But if Ryan's so smart then what's he doing at the community college
like me?"

   "I wanted to keep Ryan home a little longer," Sharon explained.  "He's
still so young.  But he has a full-ride academic scholarship waiting for him
when we agree he's ready to leave for a four year college.  You know,
Christine, Ryan's never dated anyone seriously before.  He's been too
self-conscious about being younger."  She wiped a tear from her eye.
"Excuse me.  He's still my baby," she smiled.  "So if you do decide you
have to ditch him, Christine, please do it kindly.  As a favor to me?"

   As if on cue along with Karen and Sharon the blond teenager got out
another cigarette.  She just wanted it.  "God, I don't know to do,
Sharon," she said as she lit up her next one.  "I really don't.  But
Ryan's unbelievable dedication, his loyalty, has made me reevaluate.  I do
kind of like him, I guess.  I wouldn't have gone out with him to begin with
if I thought he was a complete geek.  Maybe Lia's right.  Maybe he'd be the
perfect boyfriend.  If he started to smoke because he thinks I like it then
that's really amazing.  It means he'd probably do anything else for me.
That'd be kind of nice," she giggled.

   "He would, Christine.  He'd do anything for you, anything you ask.
He's smoking now, for God's sake, even though he used to hate it.  So if
you ask the poor boy will do whatever you want."  She smiled.  "He's a
nice boy, Christine.  It'd make him so happy if you went out with him
again."

   Christine took a breath.  "Well, here's the thing.  I definitely don't
want to quit smoking," she said with a smile looking at Karen.  "I like
these cigarettes _way_ too much.  I guess that means it's the end of my
plans to run track in college," she added with a giggle.  "But I don't
care.  I don't want to give up these," she said pointedly as she put the
cigarette in her mouth and dragged.  "If I'm gonna keep smoking, and I sure
am, then I suppose it'd be nice to have a boyfriend who smokes."  She
tipped her head and exhaled smoke into the breeze.  "Since I've decided to
smoke I guess I'll also tell Ryan that I'll go out with him."

   "Thank you, Christine," Sharon grinned sincerely.  "Not only will it
make Ryan happy, but I'm pleased, too.  You see, if you blew him off he
might quit smoking.  He's not an addict yet.  But if you give him hope I
know he'll keep going.  It's nice to share my nicotine habit with my son.
I enjoy it, to be honest, though I probably shouldn't want him to smoke."

   "I don't know about that," Karen interrupted.  "Why should you not
want him to?  Chrissy and I enjoy smoking together.  Don't we, honey?"  Her
daughter nodded eagerly.  "I totally understand why you'd be sad if he gave
it up, Sharon.  From the start I've wanted to share my habit with Christine.
That's why I encouraged her crazy plan to smoke to get rid of Ryan in the
first place."  She smiled.  "It's kind of fun being around other smokers
all the time at home."

   Christine looked at her watch.  "Oh my God!  I gotta go.  To make my four
o'clock class I need to leave right now.  I was going to skip it today
because I didn't now what I was going to do with Ryan.  But now I know.
Ryan's in my four o'clock class," she smiled.  "I'll give him the good
news as soon as the class is over!"

   Sharon spoke up.  "And please, you won't tell Ryan that you only started
smoking as a way to get rid of him, will you?"

   "Don't worry," the teenager laughed.  "He doesn't ever need to know.
It'll be our secret."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Students began to file out of the classroom.  Christine purposely took
extra time to gather her books and deposit them in her backpack.  She watched
Ryan leave.  He didn't wait for her.  She smiled.  He'd probably be
lingering outside the building.

   Sure enough, as she walked out the front door there stood Ryan.  She
walked up to him with an unlit cigarette in her hand and gave him an
ear-to-ear smile.  "Got a light, big boy?" she asked alluringly.

   "Uh, yeah," the teenage boy nervously answered.  He reached in his
pocket and produced a disposable lighter.  He quickly flicked it and lit her
up.

   "Ah, thanks, Ryan," she sighed seductively after her initial hit.
"God, that tastes _so_ fuckin' good!  Hey, aren't you going to join me?"
Wisps of smoke curled from her smiling lips.

   "Yeah, okay."  He seemed apprehensive.  He got out his Marlboro Lights
100's and put one in his mouth.  "I guess I will join you."

   "Here.  Let me, Ryan," Christine insisted.  Taking the lighter from his
trembling fingers she held it for him.  She held the flame steady.  He leaned
in and caught it.  His fingers made a tight "V" around his cigarette.

   "Got it.  Thanks, Christine."  He smiled at her apprehensively.

   "Don't worry, you're more than welcome, Ryan," she purred.  "I'm
just delighted to see you smoking!"  She began to walk toward the parking
area.  He obediently followed.

   "You know, Ryan, I've been giving us some thought.  You know?"

   "Uh, what do you mean `us,' Christine?"

   "You know, silly, I mean us, our relationship," the blond girl laughed.
"I'm so impressed by your devotion.  I can't believe you actually learned
to smoke just because of little old me.  Is it really true?"

   Ryan nodded eagerly.  "I did it for you, Christine.  I adore you.  I
don't ever want anything to come between us.  If you were a smoker I knew I
had to become one, too."

   "God, that's so sweet," she went on as they ambled slowly along the
path to the parking lot.  "But it's not just about me anymore, is it?  I
mean, you said you like smoking now.  Wasn't that right?"

   "Yeah, it surprised me, really," he quickly agreed.  "I mean, I didn't
expect it to happen, at least not so fast.  I always knew that eventually
people get addicted.  But I thought it'd take awhile before it happened to
me.  I don't know but this morning when I practiced smoking at home before
coming to campus I suddenly realized something had definitely changed.  All
of a sudden it felt really, really good to smoke.  It was like suddenly I had
to have it, like I wanted to keep smoking whether or not it made any
difference to you, Christine.  I guess I realized that I like it and it's
something I definitely want to keep doing from now on."  He grinned
self-consciously.  "Who knows?  Maybe it happened faster to me because my
mom smokes all the time.  She's been a smoker for as long as I can remember.
So maybe I'm getting addicted faster because I'm around her smoke all the
time and it didn't take much for it to get to me.  I don't know.  But now I
really don't care.  Yeah, I like to smoke.  I already consider myself a
smoker.  Like you, Christine."  He turned to look deeply into the blond
girl's beautiful eyes.  "Does that make any sense at all?"

   She laughed.  "God, yes, it does.  It makes perfect sense, Ryan."  She
paused to hit on her cigarette.  Simultaneously he did the same.  "Yeah,
Ryan, you have no idea.  Without realizing it you just perfectly described my
transformation into being a smoker, too," she added with an evil grin before
she released a long thick smoky exhale.  "One minute I was just doing it,
you know?  But the next minute I felt like I couldn't live without it
anymore.  All I wanted to do was smoke.  Pretty weird, huh?"

   "Yeah," he agreed.  "It's weird all right."

   "Weird but nice," she went on.  "Very nice.  You know, Ryan, that first
night we went out you told me that you'd never go out with a girl that
smokes.  Remember that?"

   "Yeah, but -."

   "Shh.  Let me finish.  I thought a lot about that comment these last
several days.  And do you know what I think?"

   "No.  What's that?"

   "I think that now I won't ever date anyone who _isn't_ a smoker like I
am.  It's because I like my cigarettes so goddamn much that now I don't
want to be around people who don't share my love for them."  She drew on
her almost spent cigarette while smiling.  "I haven't always felt this way,
though," she went on after inhaling deep into her chest.  "Just today I
decided that's how I feel.  Does _that_ make any sense?"  She slowly
released a thick exhale from her mouth and nostrils.

   Ryan smiled.  They'd reached her car.  "Honestly?  Not completely,
Christine, not yet.  But I think I'm definitely getting there."

   "Yeah, I think you are, too," the blond smiled back sweetly.  "Ryan,
let me tell you something.  I'm totally impressed by how you started smoking
just because of me, just for me, just because I smoke and you didn't want
being a non-smoker coming between us.  It's the sweetest thing any boy ever
did for me."  She laughed.  "And I've dated lots of boys, believe me."
She dropped her cigarette on the ground.  "But you haven't dated much, have
you, Ryan?"

   He lowered his head.  "No, I haven't.  You're really the -.  God, I
don't know how to say this.  It's so embarrassing."  He hesitated.  "The
truth is I only ever went out on dates with two girls, you and a girl I kind
of liked back in high school.  But she and I only went out once.  So
actually, Christine, since we went out twice I've dated you more than
anybody else.  But I do really, really like you, Christine.  You inspire me!"

   She grinned.  Her fondness for this sweet boy was growing by the second.
"How do you get home, Ryan?  Do you have a car?"

   He looked at the ground again.  "No, I take the bus," he admitted
dolefully.

   "Good," she confidently exclaimed.  "Then hop in, Ryan.  I'll give you
a ride."  She opened the door and let him in the passenger seat.  She slid
in the driver's side and looked at him looking back at her.  "In fact,
Ryan, I have an idea.  Do you want to come over to my house?  We can smoke
together and -."  She giggled.  "Ryan, have you ever been kissed?"

   "I, uh, I -."  He couldn't bring himself to answer.

   "God, that's what I thought," Christine laughed once more, but sweetly.
She quietly leaned over the console and forcefully planted her lips on his.
He gasped but then relaxed as he felt her tongue shooting into his mouth.
For several seconds they kissed.  "Congratulations, Ryan," she said.
"Today you finally got kissed.  Just think.  In the same week you became a
smoker and you also got kissed for the first time.  Good week, huh?"

   "Christine," he stammered helplessly.  "Does this mean that you and I
-."

   "Does it mean we're officially going out together?  Yeah, afraid it
does, Ryan, because I think that you're the perfect guy for me.  I think we
were meant for each other just like you've been saying.  And I intend to
turn you into the perfect boyfriend.  I'll teach you things you never even
imagined were possible.  But right now be a dear and light up another
cigarette for me, will you?  Because I hate not smoking while I'm driving."
She paused.  "In fact, from now on I think I'll want to smoke just about
all the time whatever I'm doing!"

   He took his pack from his bookbag and began to get out a cigarette.  "Oh
no, baby.  Not your brand.  No, absolutely not.  Instead light me up one of
my brand.  The Marlboro 100's.  See, they're stronger and therefore they
taste better than your stupid lights.  You'll learn."  She watched him put
one of her cork tipped Marlboro 100's in his mouth.  "Don't worry, Ryan.
Before long you'll be smoking these, too, just like I do, and you're gonna
love `em.  Now light one for me and then light up another one for
yourself."  He did and handed her one of the freshly lit cigarettes.
"Thanks."

   She put the long cork-tipped cigarette in her mouth.  She did a double
pump, enjoying the familiar sweet sensation of drawing luscious smoke deep
down into her lungs.  "God, smoking is nice, isn't it, Ryan?"

   "Yeah," he eagerly agreed.  "Yours are stronger but they're good,
Christine.  I like `em."

   "Of course you do, silly.  You love `em.  And you not only love `em
because I do but also because they're so much stronger and better."  She
watched Ryan drag again on his cigarette.  He gave her an embarrassed smile.

   Raising her cigarette to her mouth Christine dragged long and hard.  Yeah,
she was definitely a smoker now, she sighed happily while inhaling once more,
and there'd be no turning back.  No way!  Without Ryan it never would've
happened.  But thank God it did.  Amazingly smoking was the thing that
brought them together.  She was so glad.  No longer did she want to get rid
of Ryan.  No, now this wonderfully malleable boy would be putty in her hands.
And she'd love every single minute of turning this neophyte smoker into the
perfect boyfriend!

   "Hey Ryan, if you've never been kissed then that means you've also
never done a lot of other things, right?"

   "Uh, I guess."

   Christine gave him a devilish grin.  "We have two hours before my mom
gets home, baby.  I told you I intend to transform you into the perfect
boyfriend.  Remember?  Well, this afternoon we begin your lessons."  She
pulled up to a red light.  With no warning she leaned over and kissed him
again, this time tasting the delicious fresh smoke on his breath.  She
transferred her own cigarette to her left hand and with her right hand
reached over and rested it on his cock.  He gasped.  "Don't worry, Ryan
honey," she giggled impishly.  "The things I intend to teach you this
afternoon will be lots more fun than just learning to smoke, if that's
possible."  She gently squeezed his cock.  He groaned.  "You believe me,
don't you, baby?"

   A strange look covered Ryan's astonished face.  "Christine, I don't
know what to say."

   "Then don't say anything," she laughed as the light turned green.  "If
you and I are going to be a couple then you need to learn how to do lots more
than just smoke for me, Ryan, as nice as that is.  I don't know what you
expected when you said you wanted to be my boyfriend.  But you need to know
I'm definitely no angel.  No, in fact I can be really, really deliciously
evil, a real devil, in fact.  But you'll love what I'm about to teach you.
You like it tons more than being a fuckin' virgin!"  She shot him a wicked
smile.  "Don't you think, baby?"

   "Uh, yeah, sounds great," he mumbled in amazement.  He watched his new
girlfriend return her cigarette to her mouth for another long powerful drag.
"Yeah, just like smoking I'm sure it'll be great."

   And Ryan was right.  It was!

THE END

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