Chapter Text
Danny shuffled up to his room, dumping his backpack on his bed, and collapsing into his chair. Today had been exhausting. His fingers dragged toward the mouse, too tired to even be excited about getting online to play with his friends.
A knock at the door caught his attention, and he swiveled his chair to face the doorway.
A peircing dread sank into his belly, at the red and white package his sister was holding up with a frown. She tossed it to him, and he managed to fumble it to his chest, holding too tightly and crumpling the laminated cardboard.
“Really, Danny?”
He hunched his shoulders, averting his gaze and shoving the package of cigarettes into his desk drawer.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“It would be if you were actually smoking.”
He glanced up, startled.
“You’ve had that package for over a month, and they’re all untouched. Either you’re keeping the package full from another case (which I highly doubt) or you’re faking a habit.”
Danny really wasn’t sure how to respond at this point. He had prepared himself for angry yelling, and none seemed to be coming. Jazz sighed.
“Let me guess... Someone noticed your ghost sense, so you started carrying these around to mislead people.”
He nodded, and she pushed herself off the doorframe.
“Two things you’re doing wrong.” She continued before he could interrupt, plopping herself onto the end of his bed. “First of all, you don’t smell like tabacco smoke. Second, vaporizers are a thing. Legal for minors to posess. The cartridges can come in interesting flavors, and there are some non-nicotine versions for people who still have an oral habit, but quit the nicotine.”
Danny folded his arms, wrinkling his nose at the term.
“I don’t have an oral habit, and I don’t want one”
“No, but you do have something to hide.”
He tossed her the half-empty box of cigarettes, turning back to his computer. Too much stress. Back to being tired.
“Aren’t you supposed to try and keep me away from smoking?”
She raised an eyebrow at him, tucking the loose sticks back into the box and folding it closed.
“You’re doing fine on your own.”