Alex Young leaned against the counter of the convenience store, his eyes catching his own faint reflection in the glass of the snack display. He adjusted his name tag, tracing the letters as if they belonged to someone else.

Alex's life felt heavy at nineteen—like he was running uphill with a weight he didn't know how to drop. He was only in his first year of university, yet his weariness seemed far beyond his years.

The store hummed quietly, empty except for the occasional customer passing through. Rows of brightly packaged snacks and shelves of canned drinks filled the space around him, their cheerful colors starkly contrasting his feelings.

He'd grown accustomed to this place's predictable rhythm and sterile lights. A steady paycheck, a familiar routine. Nothing here felt like the future he'd once imagined for himself, yet he clung to it because, at the very least, it was something he could control.

He glanced at his phone. It was nearing midnight, and a few hours remained before his shift ended. Today had been a long stretch, starting with lectures that left him as lost as when he'd started.

Business Management had sounded promising, a path that might open doors, perhaps even a way to change his life. But so far, all it had taught him was the weight of bills, the sting of exhaustion, and the odd satisfaction of stocking shelves with precision.

"Alex, you on break?" a familiar voice called, light yet commanding. He looked up to see his manager, Nicole, her silhouette framed by the overhead lights. She moved with graceful confidence, her figure impossible to ignore—a beautiful mix of elegance and strength.

Nicole had this way of making the store feel like something more, her presence elevating the otherwise mundane setting. She might have been a model or an actress in a different world, but she was sharp-eyed and quick-witted, running a convenience store.

"Yeah, just for a minute," Alex replied, putting his phone away and straightening up. The kindness in Nicole's gaze surprised him, a look that told him she understood.

Nicole folded her arms, leaning slightly against the counter beside Alex. Her gaze softened, and with genuine curiosity, she asked, "So, how's school going? Business Management, right?"

Alex let out a small sigh, glancing away as he searched for the right words. "Yeah… Business Management. It's… going," he replied, his voice lacking enthusiasm. He couldn't bring himself to fake it—not here, not with Nicole. She'd always been able to read him too well, and he respected her enough not to pretend.

She tilted her head, a small, understanding smile touching her lips. "Just 'going,' huh? Doesn't sound like it's grabbing your interest." She wasn't pressing, but her words carried a warmth that made him feel safe enough to open up a little.

Alex shrugged, feeling a touch of frustration surface. "I mean, I thought I'd be learning something… useful. Something that would help me, I don't know, figure things out. But most of the time, it just feels like a bunch of numbers and terms that don't really connect to anything real, you know?" His fingers absently traced the counter's edge, almost as if searching for grounding.

Nicole nodded, listening intently, her focus unwavering. It was one of the things he appreciated about her—she never interrupted or dismissed what he had to say. She just listened, her eyes steady, as if she could see his weight.

"Sometimes, I wonder if I picked the wrong path," Alex admitted, his voice barely above a murmur. "It's like… I'm just moving through the motions without knowing if it will lead somewhere."

Nicole was silent momentarily, then spoke with a calm reassurance that surprised him. "It's okay to feel that way. College is this big, strange transition, and nobody tells you how confusing it can be." Her eyes held a softness that seemed to say she'd been in his shoes once, maybe even felt the same uncertainty.

Alex met her gaze, feeling a small sense of relief he hadn't expected. "Thanks, Nicole. I mean… I don't really talk about this stuff much. Most people either tell me to just 'push through it' or that 'it'll all make sense someday.'"

A faint smile played on her lips. "Yeah, well, they don't work late shifts with you, do they?" She nudged him gently, lightening the mood just enough.

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Nicole glanced at Alex thoughtfully, her gaze carrying a hint of optimism. "You know, Alex," she began, her voice gentle but encouraging, "maybe today you're feeling down like you're stuck in this routine, but… things have a way of surprising us. Sometimes, when you think you're at a dead end, life throws something unexpected your way."

Alex looked at her, raising an eyebrow. He wanted to believe her, but right now, all he saw ahead was a string of lectures, endless work shifts, and the grind of trying to make it through. "Like what?" he asked, half-smiling but clearly skeptical.

Nicole shrugged, the edges of her lips turning upward as if she was holding onto a secret hope of her own. "Who knows? Sometimes it's the smallest things. Maybe someone new walks into your life, or you find yourself doing something you'd never thought you'd try. Sometimes, it's even a random opportunity—just one thing that comes along and changes everything. You'd be surprised at how quickly things can shift."

She leaned forward, her eyes meeting his, steady and reassuring. "Just don't count yourself out, Alex. Life might feel like a cycle of classes and shifts, but maybe something's out there waiting to show you that this can all be… fun again. Or at least… more meaningful."

Her words lingered, striking a chord deeper than he expected. Something about the way she spoke made him consider, just for a moment, that maybe things could change. That maybe there was more waiting for him than the walls of this store and the routines of his day-to-day life.

Alex managed a small, genuine smile, feeling the tiniest spark of hope kindling within him. "Thanks, Nicole. I'll… keep that in mind," he said, his voice softer.

She gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, her expression warm and encouraging. "Good. Just don't let the grind fool you into thinking this is it. Life's full of surprises, Alex."

Nicole grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye, as she leaned back against the counter. "Actually, your first surprise tonight is… I already talked to the owner about closing the store early," she said, a laugh escaping her lips. "I figured we could both use a break, don't you think?"

Alex blinked, surprised. "Wait, really? You're serious?"

"Completely," she replied, crossing her arms with a satisfied smile. "I managed to convince him that, with all these robberies going on lately, we shouldn't be taking any unnecessary risks. So, just to be safe, we're closing early this week."

He sighed in relief, feeling an unexpected weight lift from his shoulders. The idea of wrapping up early felt like a gift he didn't know he needed.

"Robberies, huh?" he asked, the seriousness settling in as he thought about it. "I've heard a few rumors but didn't know it was that bad."

Nicole nodded, her tone becoming more serious. "Yeah. Apparently, a couple of other stores in the area have been hit. There is nothing new in this part of the city, but it seems to be happening more often lately. I thought it was best not to take any chances. You never know with these things."

Alex felt a new level of respect for her. She'd seen a risk and done something about it, not just for herself but also for him. He appreciated that.

"Well, I guess I'll take that as my cue to start closing up," he said with a grin, feeling a lightness he hadn't felt in days.

Just as Alex moved toward the door to flip the "Open" sign to "Closed," the bell chimed, and two figures strode into the store. His heart froze. They wore black balaclavas, eyes shadowed and unreadable, moving with a purpose that sent a chill down his spine.

Alex felt his pulse quicken. 'This is bad. Really bad.'

He quickly glanced at Nicole, who was standing behind the counter. Her face had gone pale, and he could see her calculating their options, her usual confident demeanor replaced by a flash of worry. She subtly raised her hand, signaling him to stay calm, but Alex's mind raced.

One of the men stepped forward, his voice low and gruff. "Cash. Now. No one has to get hurt if you just cooperate."

Alex swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. He'd been in the store late countless times, but he'd never expected anything like this.

Alex took a steadying breath, forcing himself to appear calm. "Nicole," he said quietly, his voice as even as he could manage. "Just… hand over the cash."

Nicole nodded, her hands trembling as she opened the register and gathered the bills, passing them to the man nearest her. He snatched the cash from her hands, stuffing it into a small bag without much as a thank you.

But just as she backed away, trying to distance themselves, the second man leered at her, his eyes lingering over her figure in a way that made Alex's stomach twist.

"Well, well," the man drawled, his tone thick with crude interest. "Didn't realize there'd be a little bonus waiting for us tonight." He looked her up and down, his gaze settling on her chest. "You got a body made to be appreciated, don't you, sweetheart?"

Nicole stiffened, her face draining of color, but she didn't respond, her eyes darting briefly to Alex as if hoping he'd have a plan.

The man stepped closer, his hand reaching out, fingers curling in an unmistakable gesture. "C'mon, darling. Don't be shy." His fingers hovered dangerously close to her, the smirk on his face making Alex's blood boil.

"Keep your hands to yourself," Alex said sharply, his voice coming out stronger than he felt. He stepped forward, putting himself between Nicole and the man, his heart pounding but his gaze steady.

The man's eyes shifted to Alex, narrowing in irritation. "Oh, you got something to say, kid? You want a piece of this, too?"

Alex stood his ground, his voice firm. "Take the money and get out. Now."

The man's eyes hardened, his expression shifting from amusement to irritation. He took a step forward, towering over Alex with a sneer. "You got some nerve, kid," he growled, his tone laced with menace. "Think you're some kind of hero, huh?"

Alex felt his pulse spike, but he held his ground. "I said, take the money and go."

The man's grip on his knife tightened, and he raised it more as a scare tactic than anything else, waving it near Alex's chest. "Better watch yourself," he muttered, his eyes glinting with frustration. "You're just asking for it."

But in his anger, his movements became reckless. The knife flashed too close to Alex, and before anyone could react, the blade slipped, catching Alex in the stomach. A sharp, searing pain tore through him, and he staggered back, clutching his abdomen as warm wetness spread through his shirt.

The man's face paled as he realized what he'd done. "Damn it," he muttered, panic flickering in his eyes. His partner grabbed his arm, yanking him toward the door. "We need to get out of here—now!"

"But—" the man began, glancing down at Alex, who was crumpling to the floor, a stunned look of pain etched across his face.

"No time! We weren't supposed to hurt anyone! They'll throw us away for this!" The other man didn't wait for an argument, dragging him out of the store and into the night. The door chimed one last time as they disappeared, leaving a tense silence in their wake.

Nicole rushed to Alex's side, her face pale with fear. "Alex! Stay with me!" she shouted, pressing her hands against his wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to stay calm. "I'll call the ambulance. Just keep your eyes open."

Alex could barely manage a nod, his vision starting to blur, but he held onto the sound of her voice, grounding himself in the familiar as darkness began to close around him.