115

AIDEN

I lean against the wall, watching Marcel pace back and forth in front of me. We're in a dimly lit room, the smell of smoke thick in the air.

I take a long drag from my cigarette, feeling the familiar burn in my lungs. "When did you get back from Italy?" I ask.

"Two days ago," He answers.

I had been with my friends at the main venue of the party when I spotted Marcel. I remember thinking it was the right time to tell him about my decision to leave the drug scene. Marcel has been quiet since I broke the news, I wonder what's on his mind.

"Aiden," He calls out, pulling me from my train of thoughts. "Are you really sure about this? You're just going to walk away from everything?"

I exhale slowly, watching the smoke curl up toward the ceiling. "Yes, I'm sure," I say.

I know this news shocked him. I never imagined I'd reach the point where I'd decide to quit drug dealing, the life I've known for so long. But, it's time. I've chosen to leave the darkness behind, and there's no turning