A STORY WHEREIN TWO GIRLS FOUND LOVE IN A CONVENIENCE STORE.
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"Okay, sir, just a moment. Checking your account now. Hmm, looks like... Yes, there's a pending payment. Can you confirm the amount? Right. And the date... Okay, I'm seeing it now. We'll process the payment and update your account. You'll receive a confirmation... Within the next hour. Anything else i can help you with?"
It was around 3 am in the morning when Lingling took her eyes off the computer and stretched her back and neck. "Ughhh, my back hurts." She then let out a yawn.
Someone chuckled behind her. "Done with your shift?" It was Popor, her workmate.
She nodded. "Yeah, but I don't want to go home yet. How about you?"
"I'm not done yet, but I'm hungry. Let's grab something outside?"
"Sure." Lingling said and started fixing her desk before standing up.
The neon sign of "Love Bites 24/7" glowed a soft pink in the dark night as the two girls walked in. The bell above the door makes a tired sound. It was already 3 AM, the time when call center workers were usually up, and this was the only place that was open for a long distance.
"Ugh, another night shift down." Lingling groaned and put her hands inside her pocket as they walked inside. "My brain is not braining anymore."
Popor laughed. "Don't worry, a good midnight snack will fix that. What are we craving?"
Lingling looked at the aisles and landed on the red and white boxes of instant ramen. "I'll have ramen. And... Ahhh... Maybe some chips to go with it."
The other girl went to the freezer and paused. "Hmm, ramen sounds good. But I also want something sweet. Like a chocolate bar?"
After that they headed to the counter to pay but it was very quiet. There was no cashier around. Lingling tapped her foot impatiently and glanced at her friend. "No one's around?"
Popor shrugged. "Maybe they took a break? Or maybe they're hiding from us." She chuckled.
Lingling then reached for the counter bell and gave it a ring. "Is anyone there? We'll pay!" She called out.
A moment of silence, then a voice, soft and warm as honey answered from below the counter. "Wait!"
Lingling's heart beat fast. She leaned forward, looking at the movement under the counter. Slowly, a girl came out. She was very pretty. Her hair is blonde and curly and when she smiled, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
"Sorry about that," The girl said, her voice as sweet as her smile. "I was just fixing some boxes."
Lingling could only manage a speechless nod. She felt a warmth bloom in her chest, a sensation she hadn't felt in years. This girl, with her captivating smile and the way she moved with such grace....
"Ling?"
"Linggg"
"Ling! Hey!" Her friend nudged her, which caused her to wake up from where her mind had flown.
She blinked many times. "Sorry, I, ahh... we'll pay."
The blonde-haired girl giggled and began scanning the items. "That will be 145.52." She said, taking her eyes off the checkout system and looking at them with a smile.
As they make the payment, Lingling then looks at the cashier's name tag on which 'Orm' is written.
"Anyway, where is the regular cashier here?" Popor asked leaning on the rails.
