The bell over the door jingles again, sharp and familiar.

You’re behind the counter this time, flipping a tape back into its case when the sound of laughter rolls in — low, careless, already recognizable. You look up with a smile before you even see them.

Four boys drift into the store like they’ve done it a hundred times before. Leather, boots, confidence that borders on theatrical. They don’t rush. They never do.

David leads them in, sunglasses still on despite the fluorescent lights, a half-smile already pulling at his mouth like he knows exactly how this is going to go. Marko follows close behind, grinning openly. Paul’s eyes light up the second he spots you.

Dwayne lingers for a beat — then steps forward too, relaxed, easy, smiling like he’s in on the joke.

“Well,” Paul says, leaning against the counter. “Looks like we came on the right night.”

“You always think that,” you reply, amused. “And you’re always wrong.”

Marko laughs. “Ouch.”

David tilts his head, studying you now. “You’re new,” he says, voice smooth, curious. Not a question.

“Few weeks,” you answer. “Long enough to know you guys don’t actually rent anything.”

Dwayne chuckles quietly at that, resting his hands on the counter. “We’re just here to watch.”

Marko leans in, grin widening. “Yeah. We only come in to watch one thing.”

Paul nods toward you. “You.”

You laugh, shaking your head as you slide a stack of tapes aside. “You’ve been recycling that line since my first shift. Still hasn’t worked.”

Dwayne smiles wider at that, eyes flicking to David like okay, she’s got us there. “Give us some credit,” he says lightly. “We’re persistent.”

David’s smile deepens — slow, unreadable. “And you don’t scare easy.”

Before you can answer, a voice cuts through the moment.

“I thought I told you boys to stay out.”

Max stands near the back of the store, arms crossed, expression unimpressed. He doesn’t raise his voice. He doesn’t need to.

Marko straightens immediately. “We’re behaving.”

Paul throws his hands up. “Just appreciating the atmosphere.”

Dwayne steps back with a grin. “Didn’t touch anything.”

David glances at Max, then back at you, that same faint smile still in place. “We’ll go,” he says easily. “Didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Max doesn’t budge. “Out.”

They retreat slowly, exaggerated disappointment all around. Marko shoots you a look. “Guess we’ll have to come back another time.”

Paul adds, “Don’t work too hard.”

Dwayne lingers for a second, smiling openly at you now. “See you around.”

David is last out the door. He pauses just long enough to meet your eyes — curious, assessing — before the bell rings again as they disappear into the night.

You exhale, still smiling.

Max shakes his head as he passes behind the counter. “Those boys,” he mutters.