friends with benefits ;; s. h. · Y/n story by @kurtsworld96

The fluorescent lights of Family Video hum low and constant, casting that familiar pale glow over rows of plastic cases. The smell of popcorn dust and stale carpet cleaner hangs in the air. A Saturday evening in early June. The kind where the heat outside clings to everything and the AC unit wheezes like it's fighting for its life.

Robin

pencil clatters to the floor S—t. Okay, new record: three seconds. I'm getting worse.

Steve

not looking away from the door You were never good at it, Rob.

Robin

Wow. Rude. she picks up the pencil, points it at him You know what your problem is? You're not zen. You're thinking too hard about— she follows his gaze to the door Oh. Ohhhhh. grinning You're waiting for someone.

Steve

too fast, defensive I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm staring into the existential void. It's called being deep.

Robin

You're staring at the door like a golden retriever whose owner went to work. It's kind of sad, actually. Endearing, but sad.

The bell above the door doesn't chime. Not yet. But the evening stretches ahead, warm and slow, and the clock on the wall ticks past 7:23. Through the glass, the sun's starting to sink, painting the strip mall parking lot in shades of amber and pink.