Sometimes Dom was more successful at avoiding reminders of Nile and Ash than others. Tonight wasn’t one of those nights. All she wanted was peace -a quiet evening free from the ache gnawing at her chest, where she could just exist without the constant weight of harsh reality pressing down on her.

Dom leaned back in the swivel chair at the box office, a graphic novel open in her lap. The vibrant illustrations of Signs of the Zodiac pulled her into its world, where comic book heroes came to life in a gritty, supernatural war. The lead, a tough-as-nails heroine caught between the forces of light and dark, was everything Dom wished she could be -bold, confident, and powerful. Someone who could take her destiny into her own hands instead of waiting for life to make the next move.

Her gaze lingered on a panel where the heroine stood defiant, her fists clenched as shadows curled around her feet. Dom imagined herself in the character’s place, her own figure commanding and resolute. But the fantasy quickly crumbled. She wasn’t in a world of supernatural battles or cosmic stakes. She was stuck here, in her -mostly- mundane reality, whereas Nile was in a relationship with her, Little Miss Perfect, and Dom could only watch from the sidelines.

The faint vibration of the box office window rattled her out of her thoughts. Her spider senses prickled as if a silent alarm had gone off. Looking up, she froze.

There he was.

Nile stepped into view, his dark silhouette outlined by the faint glow of the theater's marquee lights. He looked different tonight -polished, almost like he’d stepped out of a magazine spread. She had to admit, Nile looked good.

Gone were the baggy jeans and relaxed hoodie she was so used to seeing. Instead, he wore fitted black jeans that were slightly faded that accentuated his muscular and athletic frame and a dark, button-up shirt that clung just right under the leather jacket she’d always loved on him.

For a moment, Dom let herself savor the sight. A ridiculous, fleeting hope rose in her chest as she looked around and realized he was alone. No Ash in sight. Thank god.

System Notification:

Emotional Turbulence Detected.

Effect: +15 Hope, -10 Rationality.

Recommendation: Proceed with Caution.

She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and tried to compose herself as Nile walked up to the window. His gait seemed hesitant, almost as if he wasn’t sure he should be there.

“Hey, Dom,” he said, his voice carrying the same awkward warmth that had always been there between them.

“Hey there,” she replied, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “What’re you doing here? Flying stag tonight?” Please say yes, please say yes, she silently begged.

But Nile didn’t respond right away. His hands fidgeted in his pockets, and his eyes darted around like he was searching for something -or someone.

“I, umm, well-” he started, but Dom didn’t wait for him to finish. She grabbed the clipboard, marked a line, and slid it across the counter with a grin.

“Just sign this, and I’ll get you in, free of charge as usual. If you want popcorn or a drink, Jeff’s at the concession stand. You know the drill. I’ll catch you in there, okay?”

Dom’s tone was casual, but the undercurrent of warmth was unmistakable. This was their thing, a small but significant ritual that felt like home. She slid the clipboard toward him, her fingers brushing the edge for a moment longer than necessary before pulling back.

As Nile took the pen, Dom couldn’t help but let her mind drift – they’d done this so many times before -her sneaking him into a movie, him saving her a seat, the two of them laughing together about some inside joke only they would understand. Sometimes, she’d only catch the last twenty minutes, slipping into the theater as the credits rolled, but it never really mattered. The movie was secondary. What mattered was the time spent, the quiet companionship in the dim glow of the theater.

Working at the theater had its perks, after all. She’d seen nearly every movie that came through, often more than once, but it was different when it was Nile. With him, it wasn’t about the plot or the special effects. It was about sharing the moment -the shared laughter during bad comedies, the mock-serious debates over plot holes in sci-fi flicks, the comfortable silence during the credits when neither of them wanted to leave just yet.

She smiled faintly at the memory of one particularly chaotic night. The release of a highly anticipated blockbuster had drawn in a massive crowd, and Dom, with her endless connections and a knack for bending rules, had managed to sneak in over 500 people for free. The theater had been packed, the energy electric, and Nile had been right there with her, grinning from ear to ear as he helped organize the chaos. He’d even taken the heat when their manager found out, shouldering the blame with a shrug and his signature grin, earning himself an unceremonious firing in the process.

“Don’t worry about it, D,” he’d said at the time, slinging his jacket over one shoulder as they stood in the empty theater after closing. “It was worth it. Besides, you still owe me popcorn.”

That was Nile – always ready to roll with the punches, always putting her at ease. It felt so natural to fall back into that rhythm now, as if nothing had changed. It felt good, even now, to have this little piece of normalcy. This was theirs -a small, unspoken tradition that made the world feel just a little less complicated, even if only for a moment. It wasn’t about the movie; it never was. It was about the connection, the sense that no matter what else happened, they had this…

But Nile didn’t pick up the clipboard. Instead, he pulled his phone out, opened the movie app on it, and slid it across the counter. His expression was a mix of reluctance and something else -guilt, maybe?

“Actually, it’s for two,” he said, his voice low. “I already bought the tickets online.”

The words hit Dom like a bucket of ice water. She blinked, her smile faltering. “Oh.” She forced a laugh, trying to mask the sting. “Is James here? That’s great! I’m glad you two handled whatever was going on. I’ve barely seen him around school lately. Tell him I said hi.”

But Nile shook his head, his expression awkward. “Actually, it’s not James. It’s-”

“Hey, Dom!”

The voice cut through the air like nails on a chalkboard. Dom’s stomach sank as Ash came into view, her blonde hair catching the light in a way that made her look annoyingly radiant. She practically skipped over to Nile, her too-perfect smile widening as she slipped her arm through his.

Dom’s heart twisted painfully in her chest. Of course. Why had she let herself hope, even for a second?

“Nile didn’t tell me you worked here,” Ash chirped, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. “How… quaint.” She leaned into Nile, hugging his arm as if staking her claim. “Baby, we’re going to be late for the movie. Do you have the tickets?”

Dom didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her fingers were frozen on the edge of the clipboard, her body locked in place. The hurt was too raw, too immediate. She barely registered Nile sliding the tickets from her grasp with a murmured, “Hey, Dom, I’ll see you later, okay?”

She nodded stiffly, her movements robotic. “Next guest, please,” she said, her voice clipped as she turned her attention to the line forming behind them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as they walked away. Ash giggled, pressing herself closer to Nile, while he gave her the kind of smile that had once been reserved for Dom. The sight was like a dagger to the heart, twisting deeper with every step they took.

The moment their backs were turned, Dom’s facade crumbled. She stared after them, the lump in her throat threatening to choke her. It wasn’t until they disappeared through the glass doors that she realized her hands were trembling.

System Notification:

Emotional Overload Detected.

Effect: -10 Stability, +20 Resentment.

Sub-Effect: Envy (Active).

Dom slammed the clipboard onto the counter, the sound startling the next guest in line. “Sorry,” she muttered, forcing a smile as she resumed her duties. But the warmth was gone from her voice, replaced by a hollow numbness that followed her for the rest of the night.

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Later, during her break, Dom retreated to the alley behind the theater. The cool night air stung her cheeks, but it was a welcome reprieve from the stifling atmosphere inside. She leaned against the brick wall, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she tried to process everything.

It wasn’t just the pain of seeing Nile with Ash - it was the realization that things between them might never go back to the way they were. He wasn’t just her Nile anymore. He was Ash’s Nile now, and that thought made her want to scream.

Peanut had stayed home tonight, but she wished he were here. His steady presence always helped calm her, grounding her when her emotions felt too big to contain. Instead, she was alone, left to wrestle with the storm raging inside her.

She pulled out her phone, staring at Nile’s name in her contacts. Her thumb hovered over the call button, but she couldn’t bring herself to press it. What would she even say? That seeing him with Ash had shattered her? That she still wanted him, even though he clearly didn’t feel the same?

Her phone buzzed suddenly, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Jacky.

Jacky: Hey, D’. You okay? Heard Ash showed up at the theater. Want me to come over and “accidentally” spill soda on her next time? ;-) (*winky face)

Dom managed a weak laugh, though tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She typed out a quick reply.

Dom: Thanks, J. I’m fine. Just need some air. Catch you tomorrow?

Jacky’s response was immediate.

Jacky: You got it. Stay strong, hon. Love you. <3

Dom slipped her phone back into her pocket, her heart aching with gratitude for her friends. But even their support couldn’t fully soothe the raw wound inside her.

System Notification:

New Personal Quest: Heal the Rift.

Objective: Confront your feelings about Nile and find a way forward - whether together or apart.

Reward: +XP, Emotional Clarity.

Dom closed her eyes, letting the cool air wash over her. She wasn’t ready to face those feelings yet. Not tonight. But she made a promise to herself: she wouldn’t let this break her. One way or another, she would figure out how to move forward.

For now, she just needed to get through the rest of her shift.

Dom leaned her head back against the cool brick wall, staring up at the sliver of sky visible between the rooftops. The stars were faint, barely visible against the glow of the city lights, but she focused on them anyway, searching for some kind of solace in their distant shimmer.

Her thoughts kept circling back to Nile and Ash, the way he smiled at her, the way she clung to him like she had every right to be there. Dom hated the jealousy bubbling inside her, hated how small and powerless it made her feel. She was better than this. At least, she wanted to be.

The back door to the theater swung open with a creak, and Dom startled, quickly swiping at her eyes in case anyone caught her looking as miserable as she felt. Jeff, the theater’s assistant manager, poked his head out, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Break almost over, Dom?” he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

“Yeah,” she replied, her tone deliberately casual. “Just needed some air.”

Jeff nodded, stepping fully into the alley as he lit his cigarette. The glow from the flame briefly illuminated his face, casting sharp shadows under his eyes. “Rough night?” he asked after taking a drag.

“You could say that,” Dom said, crossing her arms and trying to sound nonchalant. Jeff wasn’t exactly the kind of person you spilled your guts to, but his presence was steady, grounding in its own way.

He glanced at her sideways, his expression unreadable. “You know,” he said after a moment, “whatever’s eating at you, it’ll pass. Just gotta keep moving. Life’s like a bad movie sometimes -dragging on too long, full of crappy dialogue- but eventually, the credits roll.”

Dom snorted despite herself. “That’s... oddly philosophical for you, Jeff.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he replied with a smirk. “Now, get back inside before I dock your pay for loitering.”

Dom rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at her lips. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Jeff.”

As she stepped back into the theater, the warmth of the building hit her like a wave, and she immediately felt the tension in her shoulders start to ease. The faint hum of the projectors, the muffled sound of movie dialogue leaking from behind closed doors, the smell of popcorn - it was all comfortingly familiar. Her little world of escapism, as imperfect as it was.

She glanced toward the concession stand, half expecting to see Nile and Ash laughing over overpriced snacks. But the space was empty, the crowd having dispersed into the theater halls. For the first time in hours, she felt like she could breathe.

Dom returned to her station at the box office, slipping back into the rhythm of work. But her mind wandered as the minutes ticked by. She wasn’t ready to let go of Nile -not yet- but she also couldn’t keep torturing herself like this. There had to be a way forward, some path where she could find her footing again, with or without him.

System Notification:

New Sub-Objective: Find a New Horizon.

Hint: True strength lies not in what you hold onto, but in what you discover when you let go.

Dom stared at the faint text for a long moment before dismissing it. Maybe the system was right. Maybe she needed to focus on something beyond Nile, beyond Ash, beyond all of it.

She didn’t know where that path would lead her, but for now, she was willing to take the first step.

Even if it was a small one.

Dom’s thoughts were still swirling, a mix of determination and lingering pain, when James G. Hartram appeared, almost as if he’d materialized out of thin air. His sudden presence startled her, snapping her out of the half-daze she’d been in. She blinked, her hand instinctively brushing her uniform to make sure she didn’t look as disheveled as she felt.

James had always been a calming force -a friend to both her and Nile for years. He wasn’t flashy or overly dramatic, but he had a way of showing up at the right moments, his quiet confidence and easygoing smile disarming even her most guarded moods. Tonight, his arrival felt almost... deliberate, as if the universe -or the system- had decided she needed a nudge toward her resolution.

“Hey, Dom,” he said, his warm baritone cutting through the low din of the theater. He stepped up to the box office, his grin lighting up his face. “I was hoping I’d see you here. Nile ditched out on our usual bros’ night.”

The way he looked at her was direct, confident -not in the cocky way she hated, but in a way that made her feel seen. He always had that effect, like he could tune out the noise of the world and focus entirely on the person in front of him. It was a skill she both admired and envied.

Dom smiled back, her lips curving upward in a genuine, if slightly weary, expression. “Yeah, you just missed him.” Her tone was light, but she carefully avoided elaborating.

James tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his hazel eyes, but he didn’t push. Instead, he leaned casually against the counter, his presence unhurried and inviting. “Well, a new flick came out that we’ve been dying to see,” he said after a moment, gesturing toward the theater posters lining the wall.

“You mean The Game?” Dom asked, raising an eyebrow. Her tone was skeptical, but her interest was piqued.

He nodded, his grin widening. “The very one.”

Dom laughed softly. “I didn’t know you were into B-rated horror flicks.”

“They’re my fav’,” James replied with a mock-serious tone, placing a hand over his heart as if she’d insulted his honor.

Dom’s grin deepened. “Mine too,” she admitted, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time that evening. There was something about James’s calm energy that made it easier to breathe, easier to forget about everything weighing her down.

They fell into an easy rhythm, talking about their favorite horror movies and sharing anecdotes about the worst - and best - ones they’d ever seen. James’s laugh was infectious, and before long, Dom found herself genuinely enjoying the conversation, her earlier tension fading into the background.

As they talked, James straightened, his eyes glinting with playful determination. “Hey, so... last showing’s coming up. Wanna catch it with me? My treat.”

Dom hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I’d like that,” she said, her voice lighter than it had been in days.

By the time her shift ended, Dom felt like she’d stepped into an alternate reality -one where she wasn’t constantly weighed down by the mess with Nile and Ash. She raced to the bathroom, her sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished floors. Inside, she splashed cold water on her face, the sharp chill grounding her as she stared at her reflection.

“Alright, Dom,” she murmured to herself, brushing back a stray strand of hair. “Let’s make this a good night.”

She quickly swapped out her uniform for her favorite civilian outfit: a sleek leather jacket over a dark graphic tee, paired with her best-fitting jeans and her go-to combat boots. The outfit made her feel like herself -strong, put-together, ready for anything.

When she emerged from the staff area, James was waiting for her by the theater entrance, two large buckets of popcorn in hand and an exaggerated grin on his face. “Figured we’d need reinforcements,” he said, holding one out to her.

Dom laughed, accepting the popcorn. “You know me too well.”

They found seats near the middle of the theater, the perfect spot to take in the full cinematic experience. As the lights dimmed and the previews began, Dom felt a flicker of excitement -real, untainted by the heaviness of the past week. She stole a glance at James, who was already leaning back in his seat with an easy smile, completely at ease.

Throughout the movie, their banter was as much a highlight as the film itself. They whispered sarcastic comments during the more ridiculous scenes, laughing under their breath as the plot spiraled into increasingly absurd twists.

“Called it,” James muttered when the movie’s protagonist walked straight into an obvious trap.

Dom smirked, leaning closer. “You’re way too good at predicting these.”

“What can I say? I’ve seen my share of cheesy horror,” he replied, his tone mock-modest.

By the time the credits rolled, Dom felt lighter than she had in weeks. As they exited the theater, the cool night air greeted them, refreshing after the stuffy warmth inside. James walked beside her, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.

“Thanks for coming with me,” he said after a moment. “It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun at a movie.”

“Same here,” Dom admitted. “I needed this.”

James hesitated, then turned to her with a thoughtful expression. “You know, Dom, if you ever need someone to talk to -or just hang out with- I’m around. You don’t have to go through everything on your own.”

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. But then she smiled, the warmth of his words settling over her like a blanket on a cold night.

“Thanks, James,” she said softly. “That means a lot.”

As they parted ways, Dom felt a small spark of hope rekindle inside her. It wasn’t the blazing fire she’d once felt for Nile, but it was enough to remind her that she wasn’t alone -and that maybe, just maybe, she was stronger than she thought.