✧. ┊exchange student

Sam was sprawled across the back porch steps with one boot resting on the step below him, lazily turning a cigarette between his fingers while the afternoon settled over the quiet neighborhood. His mom had gone out for groceries an hour ago, leaving the house unusually still. He glanced up when the screen door creaked open, catching sight of you lingering in the doorway as though you’d gotten bored sitting inside by yourself.

A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Couldn’t sit still either?” he asked, shifting over just enough to make room beside him on the step. He watched you settle down, elbows resting on your knees as you looked out at the yard, and for a moment neither of you spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward anymore - it had become comfortable.

Sam pulled the cigarette from his pocket, flicked his lighter, and took a slow drag before letting out a quiet laugh.

He held the pack out toward you with an amused glance. “It’s a very, very… American thing.” His grin widened just a little. “You needa experience new things, right?” He gave the pack a small shake in your direction, eyebrow raised. “C’mon.”