SINcere.

Window sitting.

Shuffling enters my ears and I remember that I was not alone in the room. Eve must have watched the whole thing. I turn my body to face her. As my black eyes meet her soft brown ones, I put on my most uncaring expression I could muster. She knows me too well though, just like mum. 

Her eyes glance at the picture frame facing the table surface and then me. I raise my eyebrows, challenging her to comment. She brings the blue cup to her mouth again and sips. Then she looks away to the scene outside and I'm grateful. I don't feel like talking about my feelings. I am not fifteen anymore. 

We sit in silence, but my mood still hasn't improved. I continue to feel bitter about my past. My eyes are to the floor. A light bulb lights up above my head. I just remembered that I have something to brighten me up and help me forget. 

My hands greedily search the pockets of my black track suit pants. I feel the square bulge at my right hip pocket. I quickly pull it out and the cover of the box reads, 'Marlboro' with little letters beside it. And below that, there is an annoying slogan, 'Smoking kills'; like I don't know that. 

I could care less about the long list of nicotine and tar diseases I could suffer from. My left hand grabs the silver lighter on the table beside me and I pull out a cig. I bring the white thing to my lips, ready to light it up. I can feel the bitterness already evaporating off me. 

''Nikolai Murray! I thought you said you quit?'' 

My shoulders slump visibly. This is the second time that Eve has killed my vibe. Firstly she was mad at me for pounding someone's nose for trying to pick her up in front of me, now this?  

I face her and smile with the cig still in my mouth. She gives me a glare.  

I say, ''Well...'' 

''Well, what?'' She frowns even more and I can detect the disappointment in her voice and eyes. I don't like that look. I remove the cig from my lips and gently place it back into the box. The lighter and box are now safely on the lamp table. 

''Babe, calm down. I haven't taken a smoke in a while.'' 

''How long exactly?'' 

I think about that for a second, but I know it's not a good answer. 

I dismiss her question. ''In a while, Eve.'' I flash her my charming smile. 

Her demeanor relaxes, but the hard expression is still there. Well that was easier than I thought it would be. Sometimes it can be hard to convince my girl. Her eyes linger on me for some seconds and her face quickly changes to an expression of sadness. Abruptly she turns away from me and faces the window. Something's up. 

''Eve, what's wrong?'' I ask in concern. With the cigarette box forgotten, I stretch my right hand out to touch her knee. I feel her leg stiffen. 

Silence responds. 

I probe, ''Babe, come on.'' She still refuses to meet my eye.