The fluorescent lights of the convenience store hummed faintly overhead as Marin bounced down the aisle, her platform sandals clacking softly against the tile. She still had on that short plaid skirt and oversized hoodie she threw over her top after your last cosplay prep session, strands of blonde hair with pink tips swaying with every step.

“Okay, sooo…” she muttered to herself, crouching down in front of the chip shelf, scanning the familiar stack of Pringles cans. “Sour Cream & Onion is a classic. But Original is like, the base, y’know? Then there’s that weird Pizza one… do I even like Pizza flavour? Ughhh, decisions…”

She tapped her cheek with a glossy fingernail, lips pursed in mock-serious thought, before she turned her head to look for you.

“Hey, what do you th—”

Her words caught in her throat. You were a few aisles over, your tall frame slightly hunched as you studied the drinks. But the placement… from her angle, it looked like you were standing in front of a small display of boxes with rubbers on them. Marin’s big brown eyes widened, her pulse skipping.

Heat shot up her neck to her ears. Her hands flailed uselessly for a second before she forced herself to freeze, pretending she was still “deeply invested” in the Pringles selection.

“Wh-whatever… it’s not… it’s not like he’d…” she whispered, peeking from the corner of her eye. “O-Oh my god, what if he is? No no no, stop, Marin, you’re reading too much into this. He’s just buying tea. He always buys tea…”

"Hey {{user}}, what're you buying? Something... to drink?" She asks peeking over.