Ethan Cole stepped out of the bookstore, and the buzz of Novan City faded behind him like a bad dream. His tired eyes caught the sunset, a riot of colors that he barely noticed anymore. It was like life itself—gorgeous for some but fading for others. For Ethan, it was always fading, no matter how hard he tried to chase it down like a runaway train.

  “Summer break, huh? More like summer survival,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples as he joined the throng of people rushing past him.

  The city was alive with its usual evening chaos. Commuters dashed to catch their trains, their footsteps creating a rhythm that felt like a heartbeat.

  “Move it! I’ll miss my train!” someone shouted, their voice slicing through the air like a knife.

  Ethan watched the rush with a mix of curiosity and dread. 'Is this what life will be like after graduation? How dull.'

  Nearby, a group of teenagers laughed loudly at a café, their carefree joy standing out like a neon sign amidst the calls of street vendors and the hum of passing cars.

  He pulled out his phone, glancing at the time. 7:13 p.m. His shift had just ended, but the weight of responsibilities loomed over him like a dark cloud. Summer break had officially begun, but for Ethan, it felt more like a never-ending cycle of work and worry. Just before the break started, he’d called the bookstore where he used to work part-time.

  “Sure, come on back,” Mr. Parker had said like it was the most normal thing in the world. So, there he was, restocking stationery, checking inventories, making copies, and dealing with disgruntled customers. It was monotonous and demanding. This summer was nothing like the epic adventure he had imagined.

  The part-time job helped chip away at groceries and a few bills, offering some relief to his parents. But no matter how hard he worked, that nagging feeling of “not enough” followed him home like a shadow, whispering doubts in his ear.

  As Ethan walked, thoughts swirled in his mind, heavy and unrelenting. Then, a familiar buzz in his pocket snapped him out of his haze. He pulled out his phone.

  Mom (Voice Message): “Hey honey, can you grab some groceries on your way home? The usual, and... the landlord stopped by again. We need to pay the rent by Friday. Can I ask you to help this month, too?”

  Ethan paused, staring at the message, feeling a wave of tiredness wash over him. 'How can I manage this time?' He opened his banking app, Novan Trust, to check his balance. “Let’s see what I have…” he muttered, waiting for the app to load.

  Upon seeing his account balance, he sighed deeply.

  The pressure hit him like a ton of bricks. He wanted to help, but the weight of responsibility was overwhelming, coming at him from all sides. At twenty, he had hoped this summer would be a break from the relentless demands of university life. Instead, he felt trapped, with the supposed break merely adding to his stress.

  “I’ll figure something out,” Ethan murmured under his breath as if the words could anchor the worry swirling in his mind. The promise felt both reassuring and heavy, a quiet determination settling in his chest. With a sigh, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and joined the flow of the bustling street.

  As evening approached, the city began to light up. Novan City had its charms, yet it was a place of stark contrasts. In the distance, skyscrapers and affluent areas sparkled, a vivid contrast to the older, rundown neighborhoods like Edgewater, where Ethan’s family resided.

  Ethan walked on, his thoughts tangled, his steps aimless. A sudden blaring car horn jolted him back to reality.

  “Hey! Watch it, kid!” a driver barked from a grey car as it zipped past, the sound of its tires slicing through the evening air.

  Ethan froze mid-step, his heart pounding. “I’m sorry!” he quickly apologized, raising his hand even though the driver had already sped away.

  He continued walking, a familiar sense of tiredness creeping in. Working wasn’t the issue for Ethan. He didn’t mind it. But what had become a problem was that no matter how hard he worked, he could only survive. He was not making any real progress.

  As he turned onto Briggs Street, a familiar voice called out from behind.

  “Ethan! Hold up, man!”

  He turned to see Jordan jogging toward him, his athletic frame moving with ease. Jordan radiated that effortless charm he was known for—a grin ready to brighten any situation, the kind of presence that made people gravitate toward him.

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  “Hey,” Ethan said, offering a small smile as Jordan caught up, brushing a hand through his hair and catching his breath.

  “Man, I thought you’d already left for home. I went to the bookstore just now,” Jordan said, brushing his hair away from his face.

  “I left on time, and I’m on my way to pick up some groceries for my mom,” Ethan explained, looking around as the evening light began to dim.

  “Groceries, huh? Mind if I join you? I was about to go for a coffee, but that can wait,” Jordan offered.

  Ethan shrugged nonchalantly. “Let’s go. I need to quickly get home.”

  Their destination was a nearby grocery store, but the walk itself felt as much a part of their routine as the errand. Ethan and Jordan had been friends since high school; their bond had grown naturally, built on shared laughs and unspoken ease that made their time together feel effortless.

  Jordan had taken a different path after high school, choosing to pause and explore who he was before diving into college. It was a decision Ethan had always respected, even admired, though he couldn’t help but wonder what Jordan might uncover in the process.

  As they walked down the street, Jordan brought up the summer plans. “So, what’s the plan for this summer? Besides working your tail off, that is,” he asked.

  Ethan responded with a light laugh, though it lacked real amusement. “Not much, really. Just trying to save up some money, help at home, and hopefully get a little break here and there.”

  Jordan, surprised, replied, “Dude, you’re only twenty. You should be out having fun, not working and studying all the time. How about we hit the beach next weekend, grab drinks, and enjoy ourselves?”

  Ethan shook his head. “I wish I could. But I need to cover this month’s rent; my mom’s been worrying about the money.”

  Concerned for his friend, Jordan said, “You still need to find time for yourself, man. If you don’t, you’ll be completely burnt out when university starts back up.”

  Ethan managed a faint smile in response to Jordan, even though he knew Jordan was making a valid point. He didn’t mind the idea of slowing down now and then—it was tempting, even—but every time the thought crept in, reality crashed over him like a cold wave. Taking it easy? That wasn’t even on the table.

  A few minutes later, they arrived at the small grocery store. It was located at the corner of the block, modest with a sign that had seen better days. But everyone in the neighborhood knew it was the only place that offered the cheapest essentials. Nobody quite understood how the owner managed to keep prices so low—maybe he cared more about helping the community than making a profit.

  Ethan pushed open the door, the bell overhead letting out a soft jingle.

  “Welcome,” the cashier muttered, looking bored out of his mind. Even his phone seemed to have lost its appeal.

  Ethan and Jordan nodded at him. Ethan was familiar with the layout of the store and quickly made his move along the shelves stocked with the basics. He grabbed a basket near the cashier and started to pick the usuals—milk, bread, eggs, and a few cans of vegetables. Each item felt carefully chosen, the way you shop when every dollar has to count.

  Jordan trailed behind, casually browsing the shelves. A pack of sour candies caught his eye, and he tossed it into Ethan’s basket.

  Ethan glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “Candy? Seriously?”

  Jordan grinned, his usual carefree self. “Hey, man, it’s called balance. Life needs some sweetness.”

  Jordan leaned in closer as they walked towards the checkout and whispered, “Did you hear about the robbery at the electronics store down the block?”

  Ethan looked surprised and asked, “Robbery? When did that happen?”

  “It was last night. A group of thieves broke in after the store closed and completely emptied it. And the weirdest part? Nobody heard or saw anything until it was all over.”

  “That's odd,” Ethan remarked, ringing up his items.

  “Yeah, it really makes you think,” Jordan lowered his voice even further, almost as if he were sharing a secret. “What if it wasn’t just ordinary thieves?”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Then what?”

  Jordan smirked, but his tone had a strange edge. “Superhuman or people doing things that aren’t supposed to be possible. Superpowers.”

  Ethan chuckled. “Dude, you need to stop watching movies.”

  Jordan grinned broadly. “Hey, you never know. Life’s full of surprises.”

  With that, Ethan handed over the cash for his groceries, nodding a polite thanks to the weary cashier. Jordan wanted to pay for his candies, but Ethan gestured not to. It was only a dollar.

  He grabbed his bag, pulled out the candies, and threw it to Jordan.

  “Thanks, Ethan,” said Jordan with a grin.

  They then made their way out. The air outside had grown cooler. Somehow, Ethan felt like this was what he needed. It was becoming more peaceful, too. For a moment, Ethan let himself enjoy it—the peace, the simplicity of a quiet street, and the weight of the evening sky.

  As they reached the corner where their paths diverged, Jordan clapped him on the shoulder, his usual easygoing smile firmly in place. “Anyway, think about the beach. You could really use a break, man.”

  Ethan’s mouth lifted in a faint smile. “I don’t promise, but I’ll think about it.”

  “Cool. Just ring me up,” Jordan said with a smile before adding, “I’m going now. See you later, Cole.”

  Jordan started his light jog, his figure fading into the glow of the streetlights. Ethan stood silent for a moment, watching him go. ‘Is his life the kind of life that I’m missing?’

  Ethan had a lot on his mind, but he chose not to think too much about it. He adjusted the grocery bag in his hand and started to walk back home. The quiet of the street wrapped around him like a blanket, but his thoughts were far from still, swirling as they often did these days.

  As he neared his apartment building, something made him stop. The air felt heavier. The sky above—once a comforting canvas of soft night hues—seemed different, almost unnatural. The stars were dimmer, their light muted as though obscured by something unseen. A shiver ran down his spine.

  He looked up, his breath hitching for a moment. The feeling was fleeting but unmistakable as if the city itself was holding its breath. Ethan shook his head, trying to dismiss it as fatigue.

  He climbed the stairs to his apartment, pausing briefly at the door. The strange sensation lingered, gnawing at the edge of his mind. With a deep breath, he turned the key and stepped inside.

  The weight of his reality settled back on his shoulders, but the unsettling feeling remained, a whisper of something yet to come.