𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐒, 𝐭.𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬

12. cigarettes.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

WARNINGS: this chapter mentions a
character smoking, please read with
caution :).

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

the morning was rough, to put it lightly. the five of us had stayed at my place for the night, my mum being on a night shift so getting home around the same time as us. she didn't mind me drinking, as long as i made it home safe, i was an adult so there wasn't much she really could say.

consequences to drinking were always dreadful, the tiredness, the pounding headache and the pain in my eyes once light hit them. hangovers mixed with an energetic friend group isn't always quite the best mix.

"i don't think i'm ever going to drink a sip of alcohol again." rue claimed, lying through her tongue.

"mm, new years is around the corner, rue." i pointed out, taking the final bite of my mcdonald's breakfast and clearing my throat with a swig of the large coke that i placed on my desk.

"no, no," bill shook his head. "you 'n freddie can drink on new years, you are the only people here with an alcohol tolerance."

i shot freddie a look, seeing him smile. "i'm down, if you are."

"i'm always down for drinks, val."

"i'll come out for new years." rue added.

"i'll come too." tommy spoke for the first time in a while, more focused on shoving his food down his throat than engaging in the conversation with the rest of us.

hours passed, everyone finally leaving. despite having no motivation or energy to move out of bed, larissa had begged, and convinced me to spend the night at her place. i didn't mind the idea, i was more than happy to go, but the pounding in my head said otherwise.

getting ready, wearing just a grey hoodie with matching sweats, i drove to larissa's small home, inviting myself inside.

"hey, lovey." she smiled, locking her front door behind me. "i saw on your instagram you were drunk last night, so there's a cup of tea and paracetamol on the side for you if you need it."

"you're too good to me, larri." i sighed calmly, heading towards her kitchen. "how was your night?"

"it was good," she started whilst the pair of us sat down comfortably at her kitchen island. "will was here, was talking about touring and such. i would say how was your night, but by the way you just gulped down those paracetamols i think i have my answer."

"i'll still tell you anyway, cause i know you're dying to know." i teased, "but, no, it was really fun. couldn't walk straight, but managed to actually peg it to the kebab shop for donner meat, worth it, one hundred percent."

"i've never met anyone who loves kebab's more than you, i must admit."

time went on, and we found ourselves in a tesco car park. we'd spent too much money on heaps of food that we didn't need. then, we'd decided to sit in her car doing nothing but listening to lovejoy on a low volume whilst she had a cigarette between her lips, blowing the smoke out the window.

"you need to see me more often, y'know." larissa claimed, inhaling smoke into her lungs.

"i know, sorry. i haven't really seen many people recently, grief is a bitch."

"i understand, don't worry. i am here for you though, if you ever need like someone to talk to, you know that, don't you?" she turned to face me, flicking the ash off the tip of her cigarette onto the ground beside her window.

"of course i know that, idiot, i have spoke to you. i just, i don't know, you know how i get about opening up sometimes." i nodded, starting to twist the bracelet on my wrist to avoid eye contact.

"well, i love you, and i'm here. so is will, we're like, your second parents." she grinned, putting the cig out and rolling her window up.

"well, second parent's is slightly odd considering you'd be..what is it." i stopped, trying to do the maths in my head. "six and eight when you had me?"

"don't look that far into it, valerie." larissa choked out a laugh, "put your seatbelt on, but yeah, we'd be that young but you know what i mean when i say second parents. we'd protect you with our lives."

"okay, okay, yeah, i understand but like don't get all soppy on me now, larri."

"okay, okay, sorry!"