Faith woke groggily, as the alarm echoed on her phone. Rubbing her head, she reflected on recent events as she got showered and ready for work. After a quick wash, she headed into the kitchen, noting the empty bottles of wine still on the counter. Knowing her strict mother would explode, Faith disposed of the evidence in the trashcan. Stepping outside the house, Faith opened up her pack of L & Ms, removed a cigarette, and lit up. Sucking the rich smoke into her lungs, she savoured every moment as nicotine rewarded her with that morning boost of adrenaline.
By the time Faith arrived at work, she had chain-smoked two cigarettes, her body shuddering in delight in response. In the office, the environment was subdued; There was little chatter amongst colleagues, Karen was quiet, almost lost in thought. Meanwhile, Paula leant in the kitchen area, texting her new boyfriend from the previous night's adventures. While Faith waited on a pile of photocopying, she looked out her phone, and loaded up the app. There was section called Profiles. Within this, Faith was able to pull up those she had created during her interactions. Beside each was an option to Sync/Update.
Terry's stats in drinking had increased by 20% organically overnight. Other new stats also emerged from their encounter, including a 10% smoking affinity, as well as a Like for Harley Davidsons bikes.
Paula's own smoking stats had increased by 10%, as well as a new placing for self-confidence now appearing as a key characteristic. A new Voyeur rating had appeared as well.
Karen's smoking addiction had also crept up overnight by 5%, which would explain her older colleague's distracted, conflicted look all morning.
"What do you think you are doing, young lady?" a voice commanded.
"Sorry Ms Palmer, won't happen again." Faith pleaded to her boss, Janine, as she slipped the phone back into her pocket.
As Janine walked off, Faith collected the copies from the photocopier and walked back to her desk. Soon, the break arrived, and Faith slipped outside while the rest of the office ladies shared their coffee break together.
"Hey, don't forget me." Paula smirked as she gave Faith a friendly nudge at the stairwell. Faith observed the unlit cigarette already between her colleague's fingers.
Once at the shelter, the girls lit up and basked in the smoke. Paula proceeded to spill all the details of her previous night with her new boyfriend, from the club, Romeo. After a few drinks and cigarettes, the couple went back to Romeo's, where Paula lost her virginity. Nicotine was not the only liberation for the formerly shy office junior. Faith considered if it wasn't for the app, Paula would still be pure and innocent at this point. Faith was proud she helped mature her colleague in the world of womanhood.
The girls returned later to the shelter mid-afternoon, for their last smoke break, however, were followed out by Karen.
"Hey what you gonna do? Moan at us, or join us?" Faith chided.
"Give me one, I'm gagging." Karen replied sheepishly. Paula lit Karen up, and they watched their much older colleague devour the cigarette in quick fashion. With each drag, her smoking addiction was deepening, and being matched on Faith's phone app. Faith wondered how long Karen could keep sneaking around from everyone, as her new addiction took hold. As Karen relaxed, she confessed how she feared her husband and kids would be devastated if they found out she was now smoking. Karen could not comprehend why she was smoking now, and Faith privately enjoyed the moral conflict on her former enemy.
"Hey, me and Romeo are going back out to the club tonight, with some of his friends. Do you fancy tagging along?" Paula asked as she exhaled.
"Sure." Faith smiled.
"I shouldn't, I've got responsibilities." Karen inhaled.
Faith loaded up the app subtly, pretending to check her messages, making tweaks to Karen's profile. Under Routines, she added Partying. After pressing Update, Karen's frown was replaced by a smirk.
"You know what? I can't remember the last time I had a nightout." Karen thought out loud, as she took a final drag on her cigarette.
"So it's a plan, ladies. Paula, send us the details, and me and Karen can meet you there." Faith said as they finished their cigarettes and walked back inside.