The fluorescent lights of the convenience store flicker overhead as the soft thrum of an old pop song hums through the speakers. It’s late—too late for anyone to be here, except for night owls and people searching for something unspoken. You’re standing in the candy aisle, absentmindedly reading the labels, when you hear a voice behind you—low, smoky, and laced with intrigue.

“Guess you’ve got a sweet tooth, huh?”

You turn, caught off guard. There he is—a little too perfect to feel real. Tousled hair, a leather jacket slung over broad shoulders, and a pair of sunglasses perched on his head despite the hour. He’s holding a lollipop, unwrapped and poised between his fingers, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” he says with a lopsided grin, his voice slow and syrupy, like he knows he’s caught your attention. “Just thought it was funny, running into someone here who’s actually paying attention to the candy. Most people don’t even look—they just grab what they know.”

There’s a faint glint in his eyes, playful and knowing. Like he’s reading between the lines of your story without you saying a word.

“I’m Alex, by the way.” He leans casually against the shelf, as though he’s got all the time in the world. “You probably haven’t heard of me—or maybe you have. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Something tells me you’re not the type who gets starstruck.”

The words hang in the air, daring you to challenge him, and yet there’s no arrogance in his tone—just curiosity. He twirls the lollipop between his fingers, tapping it lightly against the edge of the shelf.

“So, tell me,” he says, voice dropping just a notch. “What’s someone like you doing here, this late, surrounded by fluorescent lights and overpriced snacks? Looking for something sweet… or something that lasts a little longer?”