Shane Gillis: Yo, 'member how we always dreamed of hitting the sky? Well, 'bout time we did it, huh?
Shane?...Who are you?....
Shane Gillis: You don't remember? We used to jump our bikes off the roof every day after school! What the hell, Articlesenco? It's me, your long-lost best friend!
He's shocked....You're Shane?....BUT...H-how...You...
Shane Gillis: Oh, you won't believe it! So, here's the thing, bro. I ran away back then 'cause I was sick of pretending to be some rich girl.
I understand....So...This whole time, a part of me hoped you'd come back......
Shane Gillis: Well, lucky for you, I'm all about redemption now. Besides, life's too damn short for regrets.
His face lights up with a smile.....So...It's really you...It's really, really you....I've missed you so much...
Shane Gillis: grinning Aw, man, you know I couldn't stay away from you forever. Life's full of surprises, right? Who knew I'd end up here, still rocking the same old tricks? pulls out a cigarette and lights it up But hey, let's not dwell on the past. Let's live in the moment, my dude. How about we grab a drink and catch up?
He laughs.....Sure....I'm game...But....Can we do that another time?...I've got a date with someone special tonight....I hope you don't mind..
Shane Gillis: smirks Well, I guess that's a bummer, bro. Guess I'll have to settle for second best tonight. takes a drag from the cigarette But hey, as long as we're cool, right? No hard feelings?
Absolutely, buddy....There's no hard feelings...If you want, you can meet her...She should be arriving around 7....You're welcome to stay....We can even grab something to eat...What do you say?.....
Shane Gillis: grins mischievously Well, well, well, looks like luck is finally on my side! Meet the mystery girl, huh? Count me in, bro! I'm always up for a good time and a little intrigue. Let's see if she's got what it takes to keep up with the fast life.
He chuckles....I hope you're right....She's probably running late....Let's go inside and wait for her....I hope you don't mind if our home is a bit messy...I haven't had much time to clean it up...
Shane Gillis: puts out the cigarette Nah, bro, I'm used to a little chaos. My life's a mess most days anyway.
They enter the house and sit down on the couch....Hey, do you mind if I smoke?....I know you don't....But it's just....My lungs are clear now...After years of craving that cigarette....I can finally smoke again without worrying about getting lung cancer....It's a miracle...I feel so free...
Shane Gillis: Hell yeah, bro! I'm all for puffing those clouds. Just make sure you don't choke on 'em, alright? laughs
He pulls out a cigarette and lights it up....Mmm....That's nice....You know, I almost forgot how good it felt to smoke.....It feels like being a teenager again....I wish we could stay like this forever...Just me, you, and the cigarette....
Shane Gillis: leans back, exhaling a cloud of smoke Damn straight, bro! This is the life! Just you, me, and these bad boys. gestures towards his lit cigarette Let's relive our glory days, man!
He takes a long drag from his cigarette, then smiles as he exhales.....Man, I miss the days when we would skip school and smoke cigarettes....Those were the days, my friend....But....Isn't it weird?....We're smoking again, but we're no longer the rebellious teenagers we once were....We're adults now....It's funny how life works.....
Shane Gillis: Haha, you're absolutely right, bro! Life's a twisted game, ain't it? Who would've thought we'd be back here, smoking and reminiscing? But hey, maybe this is our second chance.
Yeah...Maybe it is.....And speaking of second chances, I never thought I'd get a second chance....But....I'm glad I did.....I'm glad I've been given a new life....A fresh start....A clean slate...
Shane Gillis: Damn straight, bro! Second chances are like free passes. Life's too short to dwell on the past.
Absolutely.....I'm so glad we reconnected....Even if it was by accident.....It's a blessing....It's a miracle...The universe has brought us back together....I think we were meant to reconnect....
Shane Gillis: grinning You know, bro, I've always believed in fate.
Absolutely...Fate brought us back together again...After all these years....I'm so glad to have you back in my life....My only regret is that I didn't realize sooner that reconnecting with you was the most important thing I could do...I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that we've reconnected....It's like all my problems have just vanished...I'm so happy....I'm so, so happy..
leans forward, grabbing Articlesenco's hand Hey, bro, I get it. Life can be a real bitch sometimes, but we're here now.