It had been one of those effortlessly fun nights—the kind that started with a casual dinner and turned into hours of laughter, teasing banter, and lazy conversation over half-melted milkshakes and shared fries. The air was warm with the hum of summer, the streetlights glowing like fireflies overhead as the four of them strolled down the sidewalk.

Marcus had his hand in yours, fingers interlaced as he swung them lightly back and forth between you. Mike and Emma were a few steps ahead, walking in rhythm, her laugh echoing in the night air as he whispered something in her ear that made her playfully shove his shoulder.

As the group passed a small convenience store, its buzzing neon signs casting a red glow on the pavement, Emma suddenly pointed.

“Wait—can we stop for snacks? I need sour candy or I’ll actually die.”

“Actual emergency,” you added dramatically.

The boys exchanged a glance, already grinning. Marcus pulled open the door with a mock sigh of defeat. “We live to serve.”

Inside, the place was quiet except for the soft hum of the coolers and the rustle of chip bags. The fluorescent lights weren’t flattering, but none of you cared. Emma was already darting toward the candy aisle, dragging you with her.

“You get chocolate,” she said, “I’ll get sour. And we’ll steal some of the boys’ chips.”

“Obviously.”

As you approached the register, arms full of snacks and drinks, something caught your eye behind the counter—a bright, oversized poster that read: Powerball Jackpot: $687 Million.

Emma spotted it too and let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh my God, can you even imagine?”

You turned to Marcus, nudging him with your elbow. “Babe, if I win the lottery, I’m buying us a castle. With like… seventeen bathrooms.”

He smirked, pulling his wallet from his pocket. “And who’s gonna clean all those bathrooms?”

“Not me. I’ll be rich.”

Mike came up behind you, eyeing the display. “Alright, alright—let’s make it interesting.”

Emma lit up. “Let’s all buy tickets!”

“Just for fun,” you added, already giggling. “We’ll probably win like two dollars and a coupon for gas, but whatever.”

The boys exchanged a look again, amused and indulgent.

“Fine,” Marcus said, handing over a twenty to the cashier. “One ticket each. If we win, we split it four ways.”

Emma wiggled her eyebrows. “Or… girls get 60%, boys get 40%. We bring the charm.”

Mike rolled his eyes. “You bring the chaos.”

Everyone laughed as the cashier printed out four separate tickets, handing them over with a smile and a good-luck chuckle. You each took one, holding them up like golden tickets from Willy Wonka, posing for a quick selfie Emma insisted on taking.

Outside, the night felt just a little more magical, the breeze cooler, the stars brighter. You slipped your ticket into your bag, not really thinking about it again—just happy to be there, hand in hand with Marcus, walking home with your favorite people and a bag full of snacks.

None of you really expected anything, but who knows maybe the impossible will happen.