Truck wont start, HELP

My 1998 tacoma 2.4L wont start. I was cranking it to start the other day and hit the key. The starter sounded normal and then after about 1 or 2 seconds the starter all of a sudden sounded strained (The battery is a month old) and it wouldn't start. Tried it again and still would not start. My friend was standing behind the truck on the attempt when the starter first lagged and he said a puff of white spoke came out of the tailpipe right when the starter issue happened.
I removed the valve cover and the timing chain isnt broke and it is really clean to my suprise. It has 290K on it and is beat up and smells inside, but I love this truck. My real dad gave it to me before he passed so it has sentimental value as well. Please? Thoughts?

 

Sorry to hear about the pops.

Have a multimeter? Check the battery. It might only be a month old but cranking it trying to get it to start might have killed it.

I'd test or have the starter tested as well.

 

Personally I would start with the OBD meter, see if you have codes, could be something electronic out especially if it's a sudden change in behavior without a scary clunk from under the hood. :-D

You checked the three elements, fuel, spark, air?