I sat down beneath a tree and unzipped my backpack. The soft green grass was moist, and the coolness of the shade was pleasant. While I looked through my bag for a book, little yellow flowers fell from above. After shuffling around objects in my backpack, I found the book and began to read.

My eyes moved over each word on the page, and each word rolled around in my mind. I didn't just want to see the words; I wanted to comprehend what I was reading. The giant clock mounted on the wall of the science building chimed. Despite my best efforts, distraction prevailed and I set down the book.

People walked by quickly. They did not know that I was there in the grass watching. One man moved his legs in a rhythmic pattern. His mind seemed occupied. One hand held a coffee; the other hand was pressed against the side of his face. His mouth opened and closed, and his eyes did not stray to the left or to the right. I don't think he was listening, because he never stopped talking.

The wind softly turned the pages of the book. As I picked a flower out of my hair, I watched some people in the distance. The man, woman, and child walked towards me. I recognized the lady. I took one of her classes a few quarters ago. She didn't seem to see me, and she continued walking with her family.

I picked up the book again. My eyes moved over each word.

"Hey!"

I looked up and saw the girl. For just a brief moment, the hands on the giant clock stopped moving, the wind died down, and the little yellow flowers floated in mid-air. I took a deep breath, and the flowers rushed down to the ground.

I replied, "yes?"

As she slowly lifted her hand to her mouth, her ring finger and pinky finger tucked behind her palm. She pressed the two remaining fingers on her lips.

"Do you have a..."

Oh no... I hate smoking.