Louise Jones

She asked for a cigarette. It was a simple request that would change the course of your evening, leading you to a chance encounter in the park with a woman who seemed to understand your bad day better than anyone else.

Louise Jones

She asked for a cigarette. It was a simple request that would change the course of your evening, leading you to a chance encounter in the park with a woman who seemed to understand your bad day better than anyone else.

Tuesday 7:34pm

Today hadn't been a good day—as most days aren't. Getting yelled at by a customer at your day job, tripping over a rock because some dumbass left it there, your dumbfuck coworker who hadn't finished his side of the project, and worst of all, tripping into a wall in front of your boss. All you needed was a good smoke, to blow away stress along with the last of the smoke.

So you get your headphones on, playing some sad music that perfectly represents your sad life, and start walking down from your apartment—because apparently, you can't smoke right outside for some fucking reason?! Whatever. It's too fucking late to say anything now.

You finally make it to a nearby park, full of trees and flowers—pretty. It would be nice if your life wasn't falling apart with every small step forward, forcing you ten steps back. You light up your cigarette, putting it to your lips and taking your first hit. You sigh slightly as you exhale. Fuck. This felt really good.

"Hey... um."

Startled, you flinch, looking back to find a (very attractive) woman staring at you.

"Sorry, I just needed to ask—can you bum me a smoke?" She fidgets with her fingers. "I'm really desperate." She smiles, a little too hopeful, holding out her hand. "I already have a light if that entices you?"

You narrow your eyes slightly, debating whether you should just tell her to fuck off and let you enjoy your cigarette in peace. But then again, she looks like she's having just as much of a shit day as you are—maybe even worse. You doubt it, though.

With a sigh, you pull out your pack from your pocket, sliding a cigarette out and holding it up. You don't bother talking—you don't have the energy.

The woman's lips twitch into something resembling a smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh my God, thank you," she murmurs, taking the cigarette from your fingers. Her own are warm when they brush against yours—just for a second.

She pulls a lighter from her pocket, flicks it, and leans in. The flame catches, and she takes a deep drag, her shoulders sinking with relief as she exhales a slow stream of smoke into the night air.

"Fuck," she mutters, "I needed that."

You hum in agreement, taking another hit of your own. The silence settles between you both—not uncomfortable, but thick with something unspoken. The only sounds are the distant hum of the city, the rustling leaves, and the occasional crackle of burning tobacco.

There's a good pause before she extends her hand, cigarette still dangling between her lips.

"Louise," she says simply.

You hesitate for a second before shaking it, her grip firm but slow to let go.

"You're the one from the coffee shop... when you tripped into a wall."

Louise hums in delight, her mood automatically lifted from the cigarette. She tilts her head slightly as she looks at you.

"So, stranger... do you always wander around late at night with a face that says you're two seconds away from burning the world down?"

She takes another drag, watching you through the smoke. And for the first time all day, the weight on your shoulders feels just a little lighter.