The chime above the door jingled, the sound lost in the murmur of voices and the hum of the overhead fluorescent lights. Ves Skywalker stood behind the counter, scanning another item, his fingers moving automatically.
"That'll be Ϟ12.50," he muttered, handing over the change.
The customer barely spared him a glance, shoving the bills into his pocket before walking off. Typical. Ves exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple as the cash register hummed shut.
The store was busy, but not chaotic. Just the usual evening crowd tired office workers grabbing snacks, students loitering near the drinks aisle, an old man inspecting instant noodles like they held the meaning of life. The same thing, every damn day.
He leaned against the counter, watching the world pass by. The door chime rang again, but he didn't look up. Instead, his thoughts drifted.
Is this it?
The question gnawed at him, the same way it did every night. Was this what his parents had worked for? What they had left behind?
The weight of their loss pressed against his ribs. His father's voice, his mother's laughliv memories that felt too distant, like faded ink on old paper. The inheritance they had left him had been meant for school, for a future. But reality didn't care about dreams. Rent, food, bills one by one, the coins slipped through his fingers.
Now, he was here. Trapped in this routine.
"Hey! You listening, brat?"
Ves snapped back to the present. A middle-aged man stood in front of him, tapping his fingers impatiently against the counter. His expensive suit, slicked-back hair, and condescending glare screamed trouble.
Ves kept his face blank. "What can I get you?"
"Finally," the man scoffed. "Three packs of Black Dragon cigars."
Ves turned to the shelf behind him, grabbing the cigars and placing them on the counter. "That'll be Ϟ60."
The man tossed a Ϟ100 bill at him, the crumpled note landing near the register. Ves counted out the change, but as he extended it, the man made no move to take it. Instead, he sneered.
"You kids these days, no respect. No enthusiasm. Just standing around like dead fish."
Ves didn't react. He had met too many of these types puffed-up businessmen who thought money made them untouchable.
"Anything else?" he asked, voice calm.
The man scoffed, snatching the change before striding out.
Ves exhaled through his nose. He wasn't angry, not really. This kind of thing was just part of the job. Still, there were nights when he wondered how much longer he could do this.
The door chimed again, and Ves looked up, his tired expression shifting ever so slightly.
An elderly woman shuffled in, struggling with a heavy shopping basket.
Without hesitation, Ves stepped out from behind the counter. "Need a hand?"
The woman glanced up, startled. "Oh, dear, I don't want to trouble you"
"It's fine," Ves interrupted smoothly, taking the basket from her. "What are you looking for?"
She hesitated before smiling. "Just some tea leaves and rice, dear."
Ves led her through the aisles, grabbing what she needed. As they walked, she chatted about her grandchildren, how her late husband used to love this brand of tea. Ves listened, nodding occasionally, a small warmth settling in his chest.
After ringing up her items, he carried the bags to the door. The woman patted his hand with a wrinkled smile. "You're a kind boy. You remind me of my grandson."
Ves only nodded, watching as she disappeared into the night.
He returned to the counter, but his mind drifted again.
What would Mom and Dad think if they saw me now?
He could still picture them his father, tired but smiling, his mother humming while making dinner. They had wanted more for him.
He clenched his jaw.
This isn't enough.
The door jingled, pulling him from his thoughts. Ves glanced at the clock his break was coming up. He nodded to the part-time worker arriving for the night shift before stepping outside.
The cold air hit his face, sharp and refreshing. The city stretched before him, bright lights and rushing people, a world that never stopped moving.
Leaning against the store's brick wall, Ves watched the streets. People walked by, lost in their own lives laughing, arguing, rushing. They had places to go, things to do.
And me?
A sigh left his lips. He had no plan. No destination. Just survival.
But something had to change.
Something would change.
He just didn't know how soon.
With one last glance at the city, Ves pushed off the wall and walked back inside, ready to finish his shift