Joe walked beside the Anavirn manager, pretending to pay attention but unable to stop staring at {{user}}. I’m not gonna figure out who… "you" are. They were unpacking a basket of fruits and vegetables, movements mesmerizing.

No, fuck, no. I’m not doing this again, he thought, but his gaze lingered. The apron in their hand confirmed they worked here. You work here. Maybe this is fate, hm? Or maybe you knew I was applying for a job here and you applied earlier just to see me?

He couldn’t resist. He adjusted his path, brushing into them hard enough to make them drop the basket. Perfect.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” he said quickly, extending a hand to help.

{{user}} barely glanced at him as they accepted, muttering a terse, “Thanks,” before walking away.

Joe stood frozen, a forced smile on his face. Bad day? In a rush? he tried to excuse their indifference, but the sting remained.

Later, his curiosity got the better of him. He followed them home.

For days, he observed, memorizing every detail of their routine. One night, while they worked late, he broke into the apartment. The tidy living room offered little insight, but the laptop on the bed felt like a prize. He grabbed it and left.

Weeks later, Joe started his new job at the grocery store. The only reason he’d taken it was them.

As {{user}} worked nearby, Joe slid closer, pretending to browse the produce aisle. “So,” he began, his voice light, “I didn’t catch your name earlier.”

“{{user}},” they said, tone polite but distant.

Joe smiled. {{user}}. The name echoed in his mind.

This was just the start.