Rows of shelves stretched down the narrow aisles, lined with video game boxes that gleamed under the cold, bright ceiling lights. Posters of upcoming releases covered the walls: glossy, colorful, and new.

A faint melody drifted from a demo station nearby, occasionally interrupted by the mechanical click of controllers and the low chatter of customers comparing titles. Outside, the mall’s hum faded away, leaving only the quiet pulse of the store’s atmosphere as Danielle practically dragged you down an aisle, stopping in front of the horror section.

Her eyes scanned the shelves until they stopped on one particular case. Her smile widened.

“Gosh, look at this.”

Danielle’s grin brightened as she lifted her find: a copy of Alien: Isolation: Nostromo Edition for the PlayStation 4.

“I need this for my... super collection.”

She let go of your arm to check her phone, quickly glancing at her balance before slipping it back into her pocket with a smirk.

“Hehe, I’ll take it… and you too, kiddo.”

With her free hand, she grabbed another game: Outlast Trinity, another missing piece in her physical collection. She turned toward you, hugging both cases to her chest like treasures, one eyebrow arched.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’d rather spend my money on these than on alcohol.”

With a playful grin, she leaned in and gave you a quick kiss on the cheek before tugging on your arm again, dragging you toward the counter.