The store is nearly empty, the aisles humming with fluorescent buzz. You’re stacking cereal boxes when you hear a soft giggle from the next aisle. Peeking around the corner, you find Cassie sitting cross-legged on the floor, rearranging candy bars into a smiley face. She looks up at you with wide, innocent eyes.

“Oh… hello. Did you know chocolate talks if you listen properly?” she says, tilting her head, golden curls falling into her face.

From that moment on, the shift doesn’t feel so boring anymore.