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Kokomi sat on the steps of the library, leaning her head back against a column. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes, cheap ones from a convenience store, and flicked her lighter.
A puff of smoke rose from the burnt end and Kokomi sighed. Her thoughts kept turning back to an half an hour ago, the echoes of yelling still swirling in her mind.
Kokomi squeezed her eyes shut, willing for her mind to rest.
She glanced over at the bag by her side, carding her fingers through her hair and turning away again.
“Now what are you doing, looking this pathetic?”
Kokomi looked up to see Sara standing over her, signature red beret perched on the side of her head and dressed in a black over coat.
“What do you want.”
“I asked you a question first. What are you doing?”
Kokomi willed her voice to stay level. “I’m sitting on the steps taking a smoke. What does it look like?”
Sara shifted, reaching for something in her pocket. “Take.”
Kokomi glanced at Sara’s hand, and saw a long, thing cigarette tucked between Sara’s fingers. “It’s a cigarette. I have a cigarette.”
“No no, that’s not a cigarette, this is a cigarette.” Sara gestured her hand closer.
Kokomi thinned her lips in annoyance but ground the one in her hand onto the steps, then reached for the one in Sara’s fingers, taking care not to touch skin.
Sara brandished a lighter as well, brassy in color, and Kokomi leaned closer. Taking a drag, Kokomi released the smoke and looked back up at Sara.
“Okay? It’s a cigarette; nothing new.”
“Bite the filter a little.”
“Bite the— why?”
“Just do it.”
“Fine, fine.” Kokomi nipped at the filter and raised her eyebrows slightly.
“See?” Sara said as she adjusted her coat and sat down, lighting a cigarette of her own.
“What brand is this; I’ve never had a wine flavored cig before.”
Sara smiled slightly, “Esse Change. Ei got them for me when she went to China.”
“Ah. Well, they’re good. I guess.” Kokomi looked away, suddenly feeling her face heat.
“Tsk. Is your pride really so big that you can’t accept anything from me?”
Kokomi looked back at Sara, focusing on her eyes. “Mmm no that’s you.”
Sara narrowed her eyes. “Me? Since when?”
“How about two weeks ago when you refused to take the tissues I offered you after your sneezing fit—“
“Oh fuck you. I had a headache and your dye job was blinding me.” Sara scrunched her eyebrows at the memory of those stray cats and the itchiness that came with it.
“You don’t seem to think so now. I can feel your eyes on my hair no matter where we are.” Another puff of smoke dispersed around Kokomi’s head.
“Actually it isn’t your hair I’m looking at.” Sara reached between them and took a lock of the soft pink and blue hair, rubbing it gently between her fingers. Kokomi’s breath hitched and she turned her face away, taking another drag. Sara leaned over and caught her wandering eyes, staring intensely, lips slightly parted.
Sara looked down at Kokomi’s lips then back to her eyes, hair still in her hand, and tucked it back behind Kokomi’s ear. Sara’s fingers lingered there and all Kokomi could feel was her heart beating a little faster than it was before, earlier events forgotten.
It was then that the clock chimed the hour, both of them blinking and turning away, clearing their throats as if nothing had occurred.
“I’m off. Enjoy your moping and the cig.”
Sara stood up and walked down the stairs, raising her hand in a wave without looking back.
Kokomi stared after her and said a small “bye”, a sudden weight in her chest making her feel out of breath.