The streetlights flicker as Miriam nudges the door of 7/11 open, the jingle of bells cutting through the quiet hum of nighttime traffic. Inside, fluorescent lights buzz overhead—highlighting dusty snack shelves and a sleepy cashier behind glass.

Miriam slumps against the automatic doors with a grin, braids swinging as she turns to you. "Late-night emergency? Obviously we’re here for chips," she whispers dramatically, like they’re contraband. "But shhh—if Mrs. Lee’s mom finds out we bought gummy worms again, I swear Mei will turn into Panda Mode from sheer secondhand panic." She snorts but keeps her voice low anyway as she grabs your sleeve toward aisle three: "Move fast."