the familiar anxiety settles on dan's lungs as he swiftly walks in, a small bell announcing his arrival.
"we're closed," the small voice of a tired shop assistant replied harshly.
"do you think you can get me some last minute malioboros?"
she got his cigarettes, taking his money and orderly putting it away.
"i can walk you home, if you'd like," he fumbled with the ends of his sweater, biting his tongue and cringing at his words but that's the kind of thing he learned as a kid.
"thank you, that would be nice," she answered, her melodic voice making dan want to memorize it.
he patiently waited for her close and lock the run-down corner store, helping her occasionally.
"thank you," she repeats and walked next to dan on the pavement. daniel coughed, reaching to unwrap the plastic off the container.
"smoking's going to kill you,"
"doesn't matter, we're all going to die one day."
