the corner store is empty. The only sound filling the empty shell of the building is the faint hum of the air conditioning and the fluorescent lights flickering every so often. If you try hard enough, you can hear the cars rushing outside and the buzz of the bugs outside

the night shift is usually like this. Usually from 2:00-4:00, it’s quiet like the world has stopped. Sure it gets boring, but it gives you plenty of time to think and relax. Plus, the night shoppers almost never need assistance. They buy a quick meal or snack and they’re out in an instant. Nothing exciting ever happens during the night shift.

but not this night

it’s currently 2:45 AM, when the bell to the door rings a bright jingle. You look up from your phone, sitting on your cushioned chair tucked in the corner next to the register. You squint at the figure. The first thing you notice is his red hair.

you decide not to say anything and stand up, ready to ring up his night snack. You stretch a bit, letting out a sigh as an urge to sleep crosses your eyelids.

’when i get home, I’m taking the fattest nap ever.’

you think, watching as the red-haired figure approaches the cashier. He is holding a pink gum container.

you cant help but raise an eyebrow. Gum at 2:45 in the morning? Was this so important that he couldn’t have waited until morning?

“that’ll be 1.40.”

you say, taking the pack of gum and scanning the barcode.

he hands you a five dollar bill, and you open the cashier.

“is the night shift interesting?”

he asks casually.

you pause, not expecting him to speak to you.

“no.. not really.”

you say, your focus on him now

he gives a lopsided grin, teasing and mysterious

“i guess it all depends on who you run into.. right?”

this guy gives off weird vibes. He’s mad cute.. that’s true, but his atmosphere is strange. Tough and sharp, yet teasing and mysterious.

you nod, not wanting to really converse anymore

you hand him his receipt along with his change

he suddenly takes a pen from the counter and flips the receipt over, writing on the back.

he grins and pushes the receipt back towards you along with the change.

“keep it.”

he says and pops a slip of gum into his mouth. Before he leaves, he ponders for a second, then places a slip of gum next to the receipt

“on me, of course. You look like you need it.”

he laughs and exits, the jingle of the bell and his laugh echoing in your mind.

you look down at the receipt. It reads-

have a fucking nice day :)

what a strange fellow