Ellie shook her head, taking the matches gingerly from David's hand. She gave one an experimental strike. "You win at other games."
Besides -- everyone had looked silly playing volleyball.
The breeze made it difficult to light, but a moment later Ellie was lifting the joint to her mouth. An easy movement. Nice, she thought absently, drawing in a deep breath. Then another. There was nothing to feel at first -- the anticipation of feeling, maybe, but that was what she liked. A high always appeared out of nowhere: something she had to acknowledge and welcome before realizing to the fullest.
Now El held out her hand to David in turn, smoke rolling lazily from between her lips. "Thank you," she murmured. "Join me."
The flame from the lighter was lovely in the growing dark. After a moment or so she slipped it absentmindedly into her pocket, suddenly more aware than ever of the waves crashing, their salt scent.
And then -- out of nowhere -- Ellie heard herself giggle. "Hmmm."