Chapter 55 - A Little Peek

Karl pushed open the glass door of FlipFry Feast, the familiar scent of frying oil and over-salted fries filling his nose. Another day, another shift. Boring, mind-numbing work, but at least it paid the bills.

He adjusted his cap and made his way behind the counter, expecting to hear the usual—Lina's nonstop talking.

She always had something to say.

Whether it was about her soon-to-be-famous influencer career, the latest trends, or why the universe was "unfairly preventing her from going viral," she never shut up.

But today?

Silence.

Karl paused.

Lina stood at the register, her posture straight, hands folded in front of her.

No phone in hand.

No exaggerated sighs about algorithm conspiracies.

No humming to fill the empty space.

She was just... there.

Karl frowned. "Yo."

Lina turned her head toward him.

Her movements were slower than usual, her expression unreadable.

"Hey," she said.