『 𝐒𝐈 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 』 𝐊.𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐄

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟖

❤︎───── ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ─────❤︎

The chill of the night air greets you as you step out of your house, the familiar crunch of gravel beneath your feet a welcome companion. It's past midnight, and the quiet neighbourhood is bathed in the silver glow of the moon. Clutching your jacket tighter, you make your way to the convenience store a few blocks away. The fluorescent lights of the store stand out starkly against the darkness, a beacon of warmth and comfort.

As you push open the glass door, the bell above it jingles softly, announcing your arrival. The store is nearly empty, save for a few shelves of goods and the clerk lazily flipping through a magazine at the counter. You head straight to the snacks aisle, your mind already set on what you want. As you reach for a bag of chips, a familiar voice cuts through the silence.

"Fancy seeing you here [NAME]."

You turn your head to see Karma, his signature red hair catching the light. He's leaning casually against a shelf, a smirk playing on his lips. Karma, your dear classmate, always seems to appear at the most unexpected times.

"Karma," you acknowledge, your voice steady despite the surprise. "Didn't expect to see you here."

He shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I could say the same about you. How'd Irina let you out this late?"

You sigh, glancing at the assortment of snacks before meeting his gaze. "She's not here. She's back in Serbia for the weekend, something to do with work. So, it's just me and the empty fridge tonight."

Karma's smirk fades, replaced by a flicker of something you can't quite place. "Alone, huh? That could be dangerous. Good thing you ran into me."

You roll your eyes but can't help a small smile. "Yeah, because you're the poster boy for safety."

"Sounds like you could get into all sorts of trouble."

You laugh softly, shaking your head. "I'm not planning on it. Just needed some snacks to get through the night."

He picks up a can of soda and examines it, his eyes flickering to you every so often. "Well, since we're both here, might as well keep each other company."

You nod, feeling an odd sense of comfort in his presence. Despite his reputation for being a troublemaker, there's something undeniably reassuring about Karma. The two of you continue browsing the aisles, exchanging casual banter. It's strange how easily the conversation flows, as if the late hour and the deserted store create a bubble of familiarity.

After making your selections, you approach the counter together, placing your items on the conveyor belt. The clerk barely glances up as he rings you up, the monotony of the night shift clearly taking its toll.

With your purchases in hand, you and Karma step back out into the night. The air is colder now, a breeze sweeping through the streets. As you start walking, you find yourselves naturally falling into step beside each other, the silence between you comfortable.

"So," Karma begins, gesturing ahead as you walk, "what's the plan for the rest of the night?"

You shrug, fiddling with the edge of your jacket. "Probably just head back home, maybe download that game you were playing earlier?"

He gestures ahead, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about we make a detour? There's a park nearby. We could cause some trouble there."

You laugh, shaking your head. "I thought you were supposed to be the voice of reason."

He grins. "Where's the fun in that?"

You consider his suggestion, weighing the pros and cons. In the end, the idea of spending more time with Karma is oddly appealing. You nod, and he leads the way, his pace unhurried.

The park is a short walk away, and as you enter, you're struck by how different it looks at night. The playground equipment casts long shadows, and the usually vibrant colours are muted in the moonlight. You and Karma make your way to a bench, sitting down with your snacks. The conversation flows easily, peppered with jokes and friendly jabs.

After a while, Karma stood up, stretching his arms above his head gesturing for you to get up as well and began to walk over towards the rides. You wanted to ask him where he was planning to walk to but decided to let him be and just follow him around.

You two were about to cross a merry-go-round when Karma suddenly stopped and motioned to you, "Here, get on."

You raise an eyebrow at the sudden notion, but his enthusiasm is contagious.

The two of you make your way to the old merry-go-round, its metal frame gleaming in the moonlight. Karma lets you hop on first, pushing off with his foot to get it spinning. You watch him for a moment before he joins, sitting opposite.

As the merry-go-round picks up speed, you laugh, the sound echoing through the empty park. Karma's eyes sparkle with mischief as he pushes harder, making you hold both of your snacks tighter and the world blur around you. For a moment, everything else fades away, and it's just the two of you, caught in a whirlwind of motion and laughter.

When the merry-go-round finally slows, you're both breathless, your faces flushed from the exertion. Karma hops off it and is about to spin it again with just you on it this time.

"Nonono, please-" You manage to mumble out, your head still caught in a whirlpool.

"That was fun," you say, your voice soft in the stillness.

He grins, turning his head to look at you. "You really are a coward aren't ya?"

You nod, a warm feeling spreading through you. Despite the late hour and the chill in the air, you feel a sense of contentment.

The two of you stay there for a while, talking about everything and nothing. Karma's sharp wit and playful teasing make the conversation lively, and you find yourself laughing more than you have in days. There's something comforting about his presence, a sense of camaraderie that makes the night feel special.

Eventually, the cold starts to seep in, and you both get to your feet, brushing the grass off your clothes. As you make your way back through the park, the silence between you is companionable, the night's adventures having further strengthened your friendship.

When you reach your street, you pause outside your house, turning to Karma. "Thanks for tonight. It was... nice."

He smirks, a softer edge to his usual expression. "Anytime [NAME]."

You smile, nodding. "Goodnight, Karma."

"Night," he replies, his voice warm.

You watch as he walks away, his figure disappearing into the shadows. The night feels a little less lonely now, a little more lively. As you step inside, you can't help but feel that this unexpected meeting has changed something, a small shift in the fabric of your world.

"Oh shit..... he didn't take his snacks"

❤︎───── ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ─────❤︎