Raccoon Sloth Cigarettes

"I'll see ya on the flip side, Bel?"

"See ya on the flipside, L, you fucking idiot."

"You're such an ass; I'm not gonna miss you a bit."

"I'll miss you, just ironically."

Belphie felt he had been staring at that pack of cigarettes forever. He had completely forgotten he had them in his pocket from when she gave them to him after their excursion at the arcade. Racoon Sloth Cigarettes were her favorite; the gray sticks had black stripes, and the packaging featured a simple raccoon face. He pushed open the pack with his thumb and found a few cigarettes still inside. Taking one between his lips, he put the pack back in his pocket. With a flick of his fingertip, a small flame danced before it caught the end of the cigarette. As the ember glowed to life, he drew a deep, savoring breath, the rich smoke curling pleasantly into the air around him.

A gentle tingle danced across his lips as the tendrils of smoke curled away into the night. The aroma wafted around him, surprisingly sweet, contrasting with the cool, crisp air. He leaned back against the sturdy trunk of the old tree, its rough bark grounding him under the soft glow of the moonlight that bathed the courtyard. Taking another drag, he savored the moment, feeling the smoke swirl around him like a whispered secret.

"You wanna know something?"

The smell took him back to her.

"You're like the boyfriend I wished I had."

The days and nights they'd spend in the attic, smoking and listening to records.

"Unironically...you're cool, Bel."

Another puff, another drag.

"You seem like the kinda guy I'd be into."

She was just being ironic.

That's what he tells himself, at least.

Why'd he tell her;

"You're one of my best friends, Layla. I care about you."

Was he so dumb he didn't read the signs?

He had another puff.

The image of Layla with a cigarette between her lips as she smiled at him flashed in his mind.

"We'll be best friends until the very end, Bel."

"Best friends forever, L."

They were just best friends, weren't they?

Why did the smell of her cigarettes make him feel this way?

Why did the image of her smiling at him make his stomach flip?

Why did the sound of her voice make his heart flutter?

They're just best friends, aren't they?