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I was halfway through stocking the new shipment of lotions when I heard two familiar voices chirping from the end of the aisle.
"There he is!" Zarina called out, grinning like she just won something.
I looked up and couldn't help but smile as Genesis and Zarina strolled toward me, pushing a half-full cart stacked with hygiene stuff. "What are y'all doing here?"
"Surprising you, duh," Genesis said, her expression softer than Zarina's usual dramatic flair. "But we needed to get stuff too. This was Zarina's idea."
Zarina leaned on the cart and smirked. "What? You think we can't multitask?"
I laughed and shook my head. "Y'all are something else. I should've known when I saw that cart. Ain't no way y'all just came for me."
Genesis pulled a small bottle of shampoo from the shelf and tossed it into the cart like she was playing basketball. "Oh, by the way, Felix left for that boxing class."
I blinked. "Wait, today?"
Zarina nodded. "Yep. Said he didn't wanna make it a big deal."
Genesis crossed her arms. "I just hope he doesn't come back with a black eye or something."
That made me laugh. "Please. We should be worried about whoever's in the ring with him, not Felix."
Zarina snorted. "Exactly! That boy's a tank when he gets mad."
Genesis rolled her eyes but smiled, clearly glad we weren't too concerned. "Still. It's intense. He's been holding a lot in lately."
I nodded, feeling a small pang of guilt. We'd only just started having real talks again. "Yeah. But this could be good for him."
After a few more minutes of playful teasing and sibling banter, they said their goodbyes and headed toward checkout. I watched them go, feeling that usual warmth in my chest. No matter what, my siblings always made life feel lighter.
But the moment didn't last long.
"Bro, BRO."
I turned to see Sean jogging toward me with that look on his face. The one he got when he was about to go on a rant.
"What happened now?" I asked, already bracing myself.
He threw his arms up, exasperated. "I just got into it with Mariah again, man! Over something stupid. I told her I wasn't switching breaks with her because, you know, I had already covered for her last week and she blew up!"
I winced. "Damn. For real?"
"Yes! Started calling me selfish in front of Lisa and Chris like I was the villain or something."
Sean leaned against the shelf, shaking his head. "I swear she's got it out for me."
"She's been salty ever since you got Employee of the Month," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
