I had been started to smoke a few months back. One day a classmate goes up to me and said "Hey I know that you smoke..could I have one please?". I gave him one and he invited me to join him.

On our way towards the doors he told me that we need to wait on a friend of his who's lesson was about to end in any minute. Little did I know this was to become my best friend.

Before this I struggled with friends and my classmates didn't really like me (I was not bullied thought, more like left alone). Making friends over a cigarette had a snowball effect and I made friends pretty much all over the school. I did not become "popular" but I guess my new friends were, but I become accepted for who I am.

Smoking is bad, but I do not regret starting. But I also do not regret that I quit 7 years later. Also we lost contact or have very minimal contact nowadays.